The Democratic Divide

I'm also wondering why we are being made to believe that the mere reference to Obama's drug use is a major transgression? Obama himself had no qualms about writing about it in his book. He "opened the door" to it. Why should it not be used as a talking point to discuss whatever character flaws, real or imagined, he might have. The media's single minded denunciation of anyone who brings this up reminds me of their attempts a few years ago to label anyone as un-American and un-supportive of the troops who openly opposed and criticized the war on Iraq. Its ironic that Obama, who, despite his pretensions to being anti-Iraq War, shut his mouth and voted the Republican party line (not even one itty, bitty, little protest vote against funding), would now be in a position to benefit from the same type of thing. And he hasn't had the guts to stand up and acknowledge that he invited this type of attack by publishing this stuff in his book. It is also stunning that he has failed to identify the larger issue, and to defend the rights of his critics to go ahead and say whatever they want to say in this great country America, THE LAND OF THE FREE.

There is something a little sad and a little frightening about a subtext in these comments about Barack Obama's religious beliefs and alleged ties to radical Islam. There are many valid reasons for favoring one candidate over another in the race of the Democratic nomination for President,, but these rather ridiculous "facts" are not among them. All these assertions do is demonstrate the ignorance of those who make them and diminish the stature of our great democracy.

I don't base my refutation of these claims on anything I read. I base them on personal knowledge and experience. First, I am a white male Quaker who has been represented by Barack Obama for over a decade, first as my State Senator and then as my U.S. Senator. He has proven himself an able legislator who is capable of building bridges across diverse constituencies. Some of my friends and associates know the Obamas very well and all are impressed with his decency and commitment to family and fundamental American values.

Second, my son is on the Board of Chicago Theological Seminary, a seminary of the United Church of Christ of which Senator Obama is a member. The United Church of Christ was the product of a merger between the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Church a half-centruy ago. The Congregational Church in American traces its history back to the Puritans who sailed on the Mayflower from England to what is now Massachusetts. I don't think there is much that is more American than that. The last time I met the President of the Seminary, a leading Protestant feminist theologian, she was enthusiastic in her support for Senator Obama based on her personal knowledge of his faith, his character, and his abilities. For some reason, I can't see her supporting a radical Islamic fundamentalist for President of the United States.

I know much less about Kenya than I should, but I was quite surprised when I learned that there are more Quakers in Kenya than in the United States. We are, as many know, a "peace" church with a long tradition of opposing violence of any kind. So based on his background, one might accuse Senator Obama of being a pacificist (which he is not) with as much justification as one has accusing him of being an Islamic fundamentalist (which he also is not).

So let's all clear the air and focus on truth first and politics second. America has enough problems in a dangerous world without tearing our own social fabric apart with falsehood born of ignorance and hatred.

And finally, if your report of Robert Johnson's describing "a reasonable, likeable Sidney Poitier in 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'," is correct, he must have seen a different movie from the one I saw. I, for one, kept asking myself how such an accomplished man could be wasting his time on such an unimpressive young lady. But then again, in love and politics, there's no accounting for tastes.

BARACK OBAMA= NEXT PRESIDENT

If I were a strategist for the Democrats I would want to run Hillary for President and Obama for Vice President on the ticket. Experience and exuberance between them. If Hillary is indeed the "manager" that the office demands and Obama is the visionary our nation is looking for, this combined ticket might work to unite the Democrats across all racial segments. This "combo" also works competitively, down the line, if Romney gets the Republican nod or if Bloomberg enters the race as an Independent. Just my two cents. Carmine Calabro/Group 7 Inc.

This like many articles seems to unnecessarily cast a bad like on the Clinton campaign and ignor the media's need to make this a race or gender war to sell their magazines and TV shows. Clintons comments were in no way offensive or untrue. She did not demean MLK she praised him for being able to influence a president and indeed a whole generation. As a black woman it saddens me that the American people have fallen for this muckraking. It also worries me that this might actually cause us to once again endure 4 more years of Republican incompetency.

Thanks for putting the truth out in a professional, non-partisan manner! The "Clinton Machine" has done more damage, the Democratic Party suffers, while the intelligence of Americans has been insulted. Thanks for your honest evaluation..

No, I can come up with better. Let's talk about how Edwards couldn't get re-elected in his own state. One term in the Senate and he's done. Carolina put a fork in him. I've seen the man so many times here in Iowa and if there's one thing I know, Edwards is anything but presidential material.

You have got to be kidding me about John Edwards. The man circumvented campaign election laws by touring the early states for 3 years prior to the election cycle speaking for $25K a throw about poverty. In reality this was campaigning as he met with numerous caucus chairs that were for him. While not illegal it's certainly not honorable and neither is the man.

As usual, the media leaves John Edwards out of the discussion in spite of the fact that in poll after poll, he's the only Democrat who beats any Republican contender, and despite the fact that he is the only Democrat who has ever won in a red state (NC). The media bias against him is incredible. They are scared of John Edwards, because he is the only candidate not running a "politics as usual" campaign.

coolallan: Why make the distiction? What makes you think America isn't ready for Obama? America wasn't ready for the Revolutionary War (no standing army, little to no money, sporatic and waivering support from the public), but America pulled it out didn't she??? Someone please tell my why America isn't ready to move beyond ethnicity and race???

The democrats may lose of chance of their life time in saving the american people from the excessively rogue party, republican party , by their scribbling over alot of nothing! The whole Idea should be producing a winning team. Hillary as the main contender with Obama as the running mate would be that winning team. The reality is that America is not yet ready for an African American president and Hillay:s candidature would would terrify the dirty republican smear machinery that is often as dirty as it gets and too much is at stake here!

The democrats may lose of chance of their life time in saving the american people from the excessively rogue party, republican party , by their scribbling over alot of nothing! The whole Idea should be producing a winning team. Hillary as the main contender with Obama as the running mate would be that winning team. The reality is that America is not yet ready for an African American president and Hillay:s candidature would would terrify the dirty republican smear machinery that is often as dirty as it gets and too much is at stake here!

The democrats may lose of chance of their life time in saving the american people from the excessively rogue party, republican party , by their scribbling over alot of nothing! The whole Idea should be producing a winning team. Hillary as the main contender with Obama as the running mate would be that winning team. The reality is that America is not yet ready for an African American president and Hillay:s candidature would would terrify the dirty republican smear machinery that is often as dirty as it gets and too much is at stake here!

nvs9940: You and your comments are the reason why many concious intelligent people support Obama...You lips are wet with the odious and vile saliva of slander and hate...You spew falshoods and you are more transparent than you could ever imagine. You are a liar and are dumber than a fully loaded sack of rocks...I hate to say it but it's true...And then you make it a point to say "I am a black woman" (roll eyes)....

As for Senator Obama: I appreciate his dedication to his supporters and I admire any person who can look America in her eyes and tell her she is still beautiful and worthy of praise...That she still has hope, opportunity, and places suitable for ALL her children, not just the xperienced ones, or the privilaged ones...

I see people point out that he is inexperienced, and a "experienced" person from Washington can be the only true leader...To that i say this: I would rather wed a virgin than a whore..As inexperienced as a virgin bribe may be, she catches on to what being married is all bout better than a back alley concubine who struts her stuff fo rwhoever has the cash and time....Take it for what it's worth, experience doesn't mean you are qualified to handle the job...

nvs9940: You and your comments are the reason why many concious intelligent people support Obama...You lips are wet with the odious and vile saliva of slander and hate...You spew falshoods and you are more transparent than you could ever imagine. You are a liar and are dumber than a fully loaded sack of rocks...I hate to say it but it's true...And then you make it a point to say "I am a black woman" (roll eyes)....

As for Senator Obama: I appreciate his dedication to his supporters and I admire any person who can look America in her eyes and tell her she is still beautiful and worthy of praise...That she still has hope, opportunity, and places suitable for ALL her children, not just the xperienced ones, or the privilaged ones...

I see people point out that he is inexperienced, and a "experienced" person from Washington can be the only true leader...To that i say this: I would rather wed a virgin than a whore..As inexperienced as a virgin bribe may be, she catches on to what being married is all bout better than a back alley concubine who struts her stuff fo rwhoever has the cash and time....Take it for what it's worth, experience doesn't mean you are qualified to handle the job...

I will not support Hillary Clinton because she is disengenuous, mean-spirited and conducting a campaign based on fantasies about her own record. She and her husband have refused permission to the National Archives to release papers from her time as First Lady, yet BOTH of them are trying to obscure that fact. I don't agree with Obama on many issues, particularly because he has simply voted the party line on too many Congressional votes. That is not governing. But I can still respect him as a person and wouldn't feel like vomiting every time his face comes on the television. For all those who are so concerned about the "little people"--better think about where the livelihoods of the little people come from: mostly from corporations which take the risk, raise the capital and manage the businesses that provide employment. If you want a government of and by the "little people" take a look at Cuba, where everyone is reduced to the same, low, pitiful common denominator.
Propagandists delight in slandering everything George Bush did. Every President has made mistakes and done things they wished could be undone. But he has also done well with respect to tax policy and encouraging community support for those who need more than Government assistance. Everything is a balancing act. Don't be deceived AGAIN by the Clintons.

What got me interested in Obama was a great political mistake he made when he went to Detroit. The coverage said he was greeted like a rock star until his speech in which he criticized automakers on fuel economy saying Detroit auto companies had done little to lessen the nations dependence on foreign oil and needed to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles. All the political pundants said you dont go to Detroit and say that. They went on to say this was a big mistake. I thought this guy is OK. Politician always go from state to state saying anything to get votes and act like the voters dont know what they are doing.

What got me interested in Obama was a ???great political mistake??? he made when he went to Detroit. The coverage said he was greeted like a rock star until his speech in which he criticized automakers on fuel economy saying Detroit auto companies had done little to lessen the nation???s dependence on foreign oil and needed to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles. All the political pundants said you don???t go to Detroit and say that. They went on to say this was a big mistake. I thought this guy is OK. Politician always go from state to state saying anything to get votes and act like the voters don???t know what they are doing.