Today on the presidential campaign trail
The Obama clan — the Democratic presidential nominee, his wife, Michelle, their daughters, Malia and Sasha, and his sister and her family — transplanted to Butte, Mont., for Friday's Fourth of July holiday, which also was Malia's birthday.
It was a full, hot day of campaigning.
There was dutiful attendance at the small mining town's parade, a campaign-hosted "family picnic" for hundreds on sun-drenched a hillside, and a long afternoon of several media interviews that included pictures of the girls playing and even questions from television's "Access Hollywood," despite the Obamas' typical prohibition on media attention for them.
There were fireworks late Thursday night, and countless renditions of "Happy Birthday" from townsfolk for Malia.
Obama said the family was tired by Friday evening and chose the no-fanfare option of ordering in dinner and birthday cake to their rooms at the Holiday Inn Express. They had put Malia's favorite songs on an iPod, by artists such as the Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana, and what ensued was about two hours of dancing.
"She said it was the best birthday she ever had," he said.
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Posted By: willnotvoteobama @ 07/05/2008 1:16:49 PM
Comment: Comment: Posted By: olderwiser @ 07/05/2008 10:58:21 AM
Comment: Barack Obama had the right as a U.S. Senator to go to look at Iraq. He did not. Then, one of his big vote getters was a promise to get us the hell out of Iraq. Now, nominated, he plans to go to Iraq to see if he needs to change his mind. I voted for him principally because he promised to get us the hell out of there. If he goes there and comes back to endorse staying there, then I reserve the right to flush my Obama vote down the toilet.
HERES PROOF THAT THE OBAMA MESSIAH IS FALLING APART!
Posted By: willnotvoteobama @ 07/05/2008 8:51:22 AM
Comment: This section of DiscoverTheNetworks examines Barack Obama's connections to a number of key individuals and organizations. In some cases, these affiliates are notable for the leftist views and objectives they share with Obama. In other cases, they are notable for their collaboration with Obama in controversial or unethical activities. In all cases, they offer a window into Barack Obama's values and priorities. Taken as a whole, they verify Thomas Sowell's observation that Obama has "spent decades aiding and abetting people who hate America."
Radical and Socialist Influences:
Saul Alinsky
Bill Ayers
Carl Davidson
Frank Marshall Davis
Democratic Socialists of America
Bernardine Dohrn
Gamaliel Foundation
New Party
Socialist Scholars Conference
Political Allies and Advisors:
Ali Abunimah
Mohamed Salim Al-Churbaji
David Axelrod
Gregg Craig
Jim Johnson
Marilyn Katz
Anthony Lake
Robert Malley
Alice Palmer
Eli Pariser
George Soros
Cass Sunstein
Dorothy Tillman
Joyce Wheeler
Tim Wheeler
Religious Affiliations:
Louis Farrakan
Rev. Joseph Lowery
James Meeks
Rev. Otis Moss
Rev. Michael Pfleger
Rev. Al Sharpton
Jim Wallis
Rev. Jeremiah Wright
Organizational Affiliations:
ACORN
Arab American Action Network
Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, P.C.
International Crisis Group
MoveOn
National Council of La Raza
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Project Vote
Sojourners
Academic Affiliations:
Rashid Khalidi
Edward Said
Cornel West
Foundations:
Joyce Foundation
Woods Fund of Chicago
Money Scandals:
Nadhmi Auchi
Robert Blackwell, Jr.
Tony Rezko
Family:
Michelle Obama
Raila Odinga
Posted By: willnotvoteobama @ 07/05/2008 8:01:59 AM
Comment: CONT....the OPFOR was reduced in strength by half, thus enabling Clark, despite deploying tactics of signal ineptitude, to triumph. His third star came down a few weeks later.
Battle exercises and war games are of course meant to test the fighting skills of commanders and troops. The army's most important venue for such training is the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, where Clark commanded from October 1989 to October 1991 and where his men derisively nicknamed him "Section Leader Six" for his obsessive micro-management.
At the NTC, army
units face a resident OPFOR that has, through constant battle practice coupled with innovative tactics and close knowledge of the terrain, become adept at routing the visiting "Blue Force" opponents. For Clark, this naturally posed a problem. Not only were his men using unconventional tactics, they were also humiliating Blue Force generals who might nurture resentment against the NTC commander and thus discommode his career at some future date. To the disgust of the junior OPFOR officers Clark therefore frequently fought to lose, sending his men on suicidal attacks in order that the Blue Forces should go home happy and owing debts of gratitude to their obliging foe.
All observers agree that Clark has always displayed an obsessive concern with the perquisites and appurtenances of rank. Ever since he acceded to the Nato command post, the entourage with which he travels has accordingly grown to gargantuan proportions to the point where even civilians are beginning to comment. A Senate aide recalls his appearances to testify, prior to which aides scurry about the room adjusting lights, polishin
g his chair, testing the microphone etc prior to the precisely timed and choreographed moment when the Supreme Allied Commander Europe makes his entrance.
"We are state of the art pomposity and arrogance up here," remarks the aide. "So when a witness displays those traits so egregiously that even the senators notice, you know we're in trouble." His NATO subordinates call him, not with affection, "the Supreme Being".
"Clark is smart," concludes one who has monitored his career. "But his whole life has been spent manipulating appearances (e.g. the doctored OPFOR exercise) in the interests of his career. Now he is faced with a reality he can't control." This observer concludes that, confronted with the wily Slobodan and other unavoidable variables of war, Clark will soon come unglued. "Watch the carpets at NATO HQ for teeth marks."CP