❧❧❧ Whatever you can do or dream, you can BEGIN IT. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe ❧❧❧
❧❧❧ You were born whole, not broken. Sandra Hammel ❧❧❧
AUTHENTIC PEOPLE HAVE THAT SOMETHING SPECIAL ~ GO TINA!
I seldom miss the Oprah show. Thursday was no exception. Tina Turner. Was. On. The. Show! .......................................................... .......................................................... You're Simpy the Best
She just brings the full-blown excitement out of me. Love her. I saw her live locally in a relatively small venue and I dressed for a Tina concert.
And when I heard Tina was going on tour again and Oprah's website would let us buy tickets prior to the public on Monday May 12, I bought my ticket for Boston today. $150 plus another $25 in fees. Outrageous and I shouldn't have, but I did. Already admirers have uploaded Oprah's show on Youtube with Tina and Cher. The video below isTina with Cher for a joint interview with Oprah Winfrey on stage at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.
............................................................ Link to George Bush singing Imagine Text from poster, caltv : This is an audio mash up of GW Bush singing the John Lennon classic "Imagine". It has been a worldwide hit and has made it into (John Peel's) BBC Radio 1 Music Festive 50 on UK Radio By John Callaghan, 29, of Dublin, Ireland.
The audio was produced by Waxaudio, I created a video for it by tracking down over 40 separate video clips from George Bush speeches, I lip synched these clips to the audio and interspersed them with footage from the original imagine Video, along with some Iraq war footage and some other bits and pieces.
Who needs a warm-up campaign? Having scaled down her career to support her husband’s political goals, Michelle Obama says “it’s now or never” for the couple to take the White House. As Barack gathers momentum, Michelle speaks candidly about America’s need for change, and a different kind of political marriage.
by Leslie Bennetts WEB EXCLUSIVE
Vanity Fair
Michelle Obama at a rally for Barack Obama in Londonderry, New Hampshire, October 2007. Photograph by Brigitte Lacombe. As Michelle Obama strolls around Mack’s Apples Pick-Your-Own orchard greeting people at the Londonderry children’s fair, she seems relaxed and friendly, her casual manner belying the pressing schedule that just whisked her from Chicago to New Hampshire and will soon rush her off to an afternoon packed with other events.
But when she addresses the crowd, there is no mistaking her sense of urgency as she makes an impassioned case for her husband’s presidential candidacy. “I am desperate for change—now,” she says, “not in 8 years or 12 years, but right now. We don’t have time to wait. We need big change—not just the shifting of power among insiders. We need to change the game, because the game is broken. When I think about the country I want to give my children, it’s not the world we have now. All I have to do is look into the faces of my children, and I realize how much work we need to do.”
I just listened for an hour to a man on Bill Moyers say that he doesn't know who Barack Obama is or what he stands for. I took the information below directly from Barack Obama's website on the issues. If I was in the position to be the only one to hire someone, I would want to meet the person in person, know what their credentials are and watch them at work as well as talk to those who know him or her by their dealings with him or her. I would want to match the abilities to what the job would call for. But for me, most important would by far be the person's integrity. I don't care what credentials can be claimed or what experience they have if the person lacks at the core ~ INTEGRITY. IF I detect phoniness or pretentious character, then I would not want to hire the person. There is a trust that is necessary to believe in the genuineness of the person. There is nothing I loathe more than pretense. If you can't dare to be natural, I can't believe you accept yourself. The most dangerous leaders are those who can't accept themselves. They are always looking to fill the gaping hole of dire personal need and that gets in the way of service for the greater good.
pho·ny or pho·ney adj 1. not genuine and used to deceive 2. putting on a false show of something such as sincerity or expertise na phony person or thing vtto make something appear to be genuine when it is not
Encarta® World English Dictionary
I see Hillary Clinton as a phony. I could be wrong, though. But that is what I see by watching her closely from afar. She is not someone I would choose as a friend.
Choosing a President is like hiring someone, but it isn't possible for me to get to know the person personally. So I watch, listen and read faces while they are talking. I look at them the same way I look at people I meet. If they give reason to want to put trust in them ~ I "hand it over" to them. But when they talk crooked, instead of straight from a place of being comfortable in their own "skin" or character, then I don't trust them.
This is how I feel about Hillary. I don't trust her. Or her motives. I see her caring more about her ambition than the people that she says she cares about. I don't think she is inhuman. I think she is a talented person and politician. She is just not the woman that I want for President.
This business of me being a woman and being required to vote for Hillary because she is also a woman, is absolutely nonsensical to me. Character trumps gender for me.
The "tear" thing means absolutely nothing to me ~ whether it be Edmund_Muskieor Hillary Clinton.
I think that Americans are majorly uninvoled in the democracy. And I believe that voting for someone requires involvement. Most Americans live unaware of their elected politicians by choice. And that is the weakest link in how our country is working out. Thomas Jefferson is credited with this quote: “If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions." I think Americans are inattentive regarding our government. And that is a major problem. To me.
Everything that George Bush has done as my leader has lacked integrity. And it scares me to look at the field of candidates and see what we could get next. I am so tired of not being listened to by my government. I am so tired of being dismissed, as well as dismissing the U.S. Constitution.
I often think about the First Americans and their perspective. They are not immigrants. They had their way of life denied them and their home and homeland stolen from them so that "we" immigrants could be free. Then the America's "riches" came at the expense of human beings brought from the continent of Africa as well as the indigenous people. We don't face our mistakes, our flaws and our inhumane treatment of "others". And yet, we maintain we are a democracy. I believe we have a duty to be involved in our government. And to face our national foibles.
It is being said that New Hampshire citizens take their primary vote so seriously that they even stood behind the voting curtain in private for an hour choosing the Presidential candidate to vote for. That seems like a waste of time that illustrates the disconnect of the voter's responsibility to get informed before they decide on a candidate and cast a vote. Having been in New Hampshire for 6 days and through January 8, the day of the Primary vote, I know that the people that I came in contact with are not anymore informed than one debate or passing by a TV for two minutes could get them. While going door-to-door, I met however one man from Poland and a family from Italy who are now USA citizens, as well as one Australian woman who canvassed with me for Barack Obama ~ and all of them were informed. It is rare to find an American who is informed. At least the people that I have met.
The following is the issue page on Barack Obama's website:Senator Obama has been able to develop innovative approaches to challenge the status quo and get results. Americans are tired of divisive ideological politics, which is why Senator Obama has reached out to Republicans to find areas of common ground. He has tried to break partisan logjams and take on seemingly intractable problems. During his tenure in Washington and in the Illinois State Senate, Barack Obama has accumulated a record of bipartisan success.
There is no more fundamental American right than the right to vote. Before the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act, barriers such as literacy tests, poll taxes and property requirements disenfranchised many Americans, especially minorities. More than 40 years later, there are still numerous obstacles to ensuring that every citizen has the ability to vote.
As president, Barack Obama will implement a 21st century economic agenda to help ensure that America can compete in a global economy, and ensure the middle class is thriving and growing. He will increase investments in infrastructure, energy independence, education, and research and development; modernize and simplify our tax code so it provides greater opportunity and relief to more Americans; and implement trade policies that benefit American workers and increase the export of American goods.
Throughout America's history, education has been the vehicle for social and economic mobility, giving hope and opportunity to millions of young people. Our schools must prepare students not only to meet the demands of the global economy, but also help students take their place as committed and engaged citizens. It must ensure that all students have a quality education regardless of race, class, or background. Barack Obama is committed to strengthening our public schools to maximize our country's greatest natural resource - the American people. Obama believes that we must equip poor and struggling districts, both rural and urban, with the support and resources they need to provide disadvantaged students with an opportunity to reach their full potential. Too often, our leaders present this issue as an either - or debate, divided between giving our schools more funding, or demanding more accountability. Obama believes that we have to do both, and has offered innovative ideas to break through the political stalemate in Washington.
Senator Obama has been a leader in the Senate in pushing for a comprehensive national energy policy and has introduced a number of bills to get us closer to the goal of energy independence. By putting aside partisan battles, he has found common ground on CAFE, renewable fuels, and clean coal.
Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has been a leader in fighting for open and honest government. As a U.S. Senator, he has spearheaded the effort to clean up Washington in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal. In a politically charged election year, Obama acknowledged that corruption was a problem that plagued both political parties. He subsequently enlisted the help of Republican allies to limit lobbyist influence, shine sunlight into the earmarks process and promote open government.
In June of 2006, Senator Obama delivered what was called the most important speech on religion and politics in 40 years. Speaking before an evangelical audience, Senator Obama candidly discussed his own religious conversion and doubts, and the need for a deeper, more substantive discussion about the role of faith in American life.
Strong families raise successful children and keep communities together. While Senator Obama does not believe that we can simply legislate healthy families, good parenting skills or economic success, he does believe we can eliminate roadblocks that parents face and provide tools to help them succeed. A husband and father of two, Senator Obama has promoted strong families in the Senate.
"The cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and states of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on ... If Washington were serious about honest tax relief in this country, we'd see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies." - Barack Obama, Speech in the U.S. Senate, March 13, 2006
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Obama has fought to strengthen America's position in the world. Reaching across the aisle, Obama has tackled problems such as preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction and stopping the genocide in Darfur.
"I...believe that every American has the right to affordable health care. I believe that the millions of Americans who can't take their children to a doctor when they get sick have that right...We now face an opportunity - and an obligation - to turn the page on the failed politics of yesterday's health care debates. It's time to bring together businesses, the medical community, and members of both parties around a comprehensive solution to this crisis, and it's time to let the drug and insurance industries know that while they'll get a seat at the table, they don't get to buy every chair." -Barack Obama, Speech in Iowa City, IA, 5/27/07
Five years after 9/11, our country is still unprepared for a terrorist attack. From improving security for our transit systems and chemical plants, to increasing cargo screening in our airports and seaports, the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission have been underfunded and ignored. The 9/11 Commission gave the government five F's and 12 D's on the implementation of its recommendations. Senator Obama is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and has supported efforts to base homeland security spending on risk rather than pork-barrel politics. He has also introduced legislation to strengthen chemical plant and drinking water security and to enhance disaster preparedness.
Barack Obama has played a leading role in crafting comprehensive immigration reform. Obama believes the immigration issue has been exploited by politicians to divide the nation rather than find real solutions. This divisiveness has allowed the illegal immigration problem to worsen, with borders that are less secure than ever and an economy that depends on millions of workers living in the shadows.
Before the war in Iraq ever started, Senator Obama said that it was wrong in its conception. In 2002, then Illinois State Senator Obama said Saddam Hussein posed no imminent threat to the United States and that invasion would lead to an occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. Since then, Senator Obama has laid out a plan on the way forward in Iraq that has largely been affirmed by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group led by James Baker and Lee Hamilton.
There are 37 million poor Americans. Most poor Americans are in the workforce, yet still cannot afford to make ends meet. And too many poor Americans are single mothers who are raising children. Barack Obama has been a lifelong advocate for the poor -- as a young college graduate, he rejected the high salaries of corporate America and moved to the South Side of Chicago to work as a community organizer. As an organizer, Obama worked with churches, Chicago residents and local government to set up job training programs for the unemployed and after school programs for kids.
"We are at that critical and urgent moment. If Washington continues policies that work against America's family farmers, our rural communities will fall further behind - and so will America. But if we reject the politics that has shut ordinary folks out, we can create a new story for rural America ... The dreams of rural Americans are familiar to all Americans - to make a good living, to raise a healthy and secure family, and to leave our children a future of opportunity. It's time for real leadership for rural America to extend that American dream. That's the dream of opportunity that I've spent my life fighting for. And that's what our rural agenda will do." - Barack Obama, Speech in Fairfax, IA, October 16, 2007
"Your own story and the American story are not separate - they are shared. And they will both be enriched if we stand up together, and answer a new call to service to meet the challenges of our new century ... I won't just ask for your vote as a candidate; I will ask for your service and your active citizenship when I am president of the United States. This will not be a call issued in one speech or program; this will be a cause of my presidency." - Barack Obama, Speech in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, December 5, 2007
Americans turning 65 this year have grown our economy by 4.5 times over the course of their working lives. They have tilled our soil, defended our country, taught our children, worked in our factories, and raised a new generation to build upon their successes. And yet, many struggle to get by. Threats to Social Security and Medicare, skyrocketing health costs, and abuse and neglect of seniors all jeopardize our unspoken covenant: our seniors worked hard to take care of us, and now we must be here for them.
"Let us be the generation that reshapes our economy to compete in the digital age. Let's set high standards for our schools and give them the resources they need to succeed. Let's recruit a new army of teachers, and give them better pay and more support in exchange for more accountability. Let's make college more affordable, and let's invest in scientific research, and let's lay down broadband lines through the heart of inner cities and rural towns all across America."
As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama is committed to helping the heroes who defend our nation today and the veterans who fought in years past. A grandson of a World War II veteran who went to college on the G.I. Bill, Senator Obama has reached out to Republicans and Democrats in order to honor our commitment to America's veterans.
Barack Obama speaking at the College of Charleston, South Carolina January 11, 2008
When I was teaching music in the Portsmouth Public Schools in Rhode Island, on one of my bulletin boards I painted in bold, huge colorful letters I CAN BECAUSE I THINK I CAN. This is the very same sentiment at the core of the children’s book “The Little Engine That Could”. A book based on hope and never giving up, while asking for help to get over the mountain for the boys and girls on the other side. After asking many for help who refused, one said although it had never been over the mountain, that it would try. And the mantra of “I think I can” was repeated as the effort was put out. And once the effort reaped success, the mantra turned into “I thought I could”. It is this philosophy that Barack Obama put out in his speech not only at the Primary Party, January 8 in Nashua, New Hampshire, but also today at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. It was on C-Span twice today and is not yet posted on youtube. Link: C-SPAN A related article
At the Primary Party in Nashua, New Hampshire, January 8, 2008
Over and over throughout my life, I have done what I have been discouraged to do for one reason or another. And 98% of the time I have proven them wrong and my belief in trying ~ “right”. Everything I have done has started with a “want to do”, turned into the steps toward whatever it was, then doing it. And that is why, I am sure, that I can say “I love my life”. How exciting to live when you’re alive and not living on someone else’s idea of your hopes and dreams. This is what I see in Barack Obama. Barack’s speech today brought tears welling up, goose bumps and warm chills through my body.
I am starved for this man to be my President. President Obama. I recorded the speech and have it on while writing this. When I listened to it earlier then heard President Bush speak right after in contrast I just shuddered when Bush spoke two words. I shut GW off. Also, the contrast of hearing the other candidates today, just make me want Barack Obama to win even more. There is not one other candidate that I want.
John Kerry travels to Charleston, South Carolina for Barack Obama
Here comes the racism: Hillary Supporter, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, said about Barack on talk radio "You can't shuck and jive at a press conference. All those moves you can make with the press don't work when you're in someone's living room.” This is a racist comment.
Racism is so internalized in many people who don’t recognize their own racism, that the rest of us have the duty to stand up and out to shine a light on their racism. When comments are made such as Karl Rove made against Barack Obama and in favor of Hillary Clinton, it is obvious who Karl Rove wants to win, so that the Republican candidate has a chance to beat her. It is advisable to stop and think who KG is and what kind of integrity Karl Rove has. None.
Karl writes in his Wall Street Journal article about Presidential candidate Barack Obama “He is often lazy, given to misstatements and exaggerations and, when he doesn't know the answer, too ready to try to bluff his way through.” In reality he is instead describing George W Bush.
Furthermore, how would Karl Rove know what "lazy" is? Because he worked for the "hard worker" President GW Bush?
Rove also writes Mr. Obama comes across as a vitamin-starved Adlai Stevenson. His rhetoric, while eloquent and moving at times, has been too often light as air.” “Light as air”? ~ again isn’t he talking about GW Bush? Compare Bush-speak to any one else and think who comes across more light-as-air than Rove’s Bush.
I believe that all those who strike out at Barack's strength of speaking are jealous. And in Rove's case, any Democrat who believes Karl ~ is suspect of unclear thinking ~ to put it mildly. Rove put "a suit" in the Office. And if there has ever been mindless drivel coming out of the mind of a President, Bush is the guy. Rove claims that Barack’s use of a teleprompter proves he is “calculating”.
This is just my opinion: Rove is a jerk.
Karl Rove wants Hillary Clinton to win, so he’s a Hillary pusher. He purports himself as an expert on Hillary. Rove is not someone I would want to be supporting me as a Democrat Presidential candidate. But maybe Hillary does.
Rove said about Senator Obama: “he looked like a smarmy, prissy little guy taking a slap at her (Hillary Clinton)”. If anyone should know “smarmy” it would be Rove. Barack is not smarmy. This is merely Rove showing us “transference”: the process in psychoanalysis whereby somebody unconsciously redirects feelings, fears, or emotions onto another.
I am white. I was born and raised in a white community. I see and hear bigots from family members and friends at times when I know they don’t even realize what they are saying is blatantly racist. MOST bigots don’t know they are exhibiting bigotry. Insidious bigots are worse than those who announce it with pride.
I know there is racism. That is a factor. But that is no reason for you not to vote for Barack. This is a man born to be President of the United States.
And the time is now.
Yes, We CAN have a country that We the People have a say in what direction we will take it. Rove picked Bush. So let’s not let him pick our Democratic Presidential candidate.
Marianne Young of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, asked Hillary Clinton the question, which the answer was repeated ad nauseam. As I volunteered in New Hampshire for six days, I have been out of touch with the media coverage pretty much.
You know ~ too busy going door-to-door to know what the media was up to. Here’s the thing, I am quite fanatical about MSNBC and especially, Chris Matthews’ Hardball and Keith Olbermann’s Countdown, including being highly impressed with Richard_Wolffe as seen on Olbermann’s Monday through Friday fare. And tonight had to catch up … Olbermann’s number 1 story was Marianne Young (who doesn’t look much different in age than Hillary Clinton) voted for Barack Obama and probably helped Hillary win. Well, anyway that is what I gathered from the pundits tonight. And Hillary, said she felt touched by and "connected" with thiswoman who voted for Barack. The question was "How do you do it?" and "Who does your hair?"
I sat where Barack and Michelle entered for the Primary Party in Nashua, New Hampshire, January 8, 2008. This is a Reuter's picture
This is a Reuter's picture
This is a Reuter's picture
This is a Reuter's picture
This is a Reuter's picture
At our "Staging Area" where we met every dayThis is taken on the one day I had someone to go door-to-door with ~ she is now a citizen, but from Australia and thinks we have such a grand opportunity here, where we GET to be involved in the election. The young woman on the right is on Senator Obama's staff.
I was going to cut me out of this picture, as it is not flattering of me. But pride aside, here is Richard Wolffe and me in Salem High School. I saw him in the second "overflow" room of Barack Obama's speech, January 6, 2008. He was very gracious and offered to have a friend take our picture together. How sweet is that.
And I for one, believe America is having a test about voting for a black candidate. (Imagine if it was a black woman this time.) Look, racism is not over in the USA. I met an Italian family (born and raised in Italy and still have a house there, etc), who vote here in New Hampshire. They obviously lean toward the Democrats. And the one adult son, gave me a very passionate monologue why this country is not willing to consider voting in a black president. Of course, I am totally voting for Barack Obama ~ that black man that is who he means. Nevermind that Barack had a white mother and a black father. But his real argument with me, who in no way was arguing about anything, was that only 2% of Americans vote by using the right criteria, policy, records and character of integrity. I sucked the wind right out of his sails when I let him ramble on, then restated for clarity that I understood his stands and then told him I agreed with him only that I wholeheartedly support this man Barack Obama. By the end, he said if Barack Obama wins, then God bless him. As he drove off, he gave me a thumbs up. This business of Hillary Clinton is now at a place that I will stop being so neutral. Hillary has redefined herself in days that are too close together for anyone who pays real attention to accept her as genuine. She clobbers Barack with unwarranted criticisms then acts like she doesn’t know why people don’t think she is soft enough or let’s call it human. And by “people” maybe I should say media people ~ those that follow her. They see her in a more comprehensive way than the rest of us. And even they have been saying that Hillary is nicer in a one-on-one than in these public settings. As for me, I will count on my own radar about Hillary ~ I don’t like her anymore. I used to. Just not anymore. She let too many staff dirt balls fly and it is simply too unbelievable that someone who is so controlling wouldn’t be fully knowledgeable about this tactical politicking. Hillary has her talents but being true to herself isn’t something that Hillary has mastered. She is a politician that puts politicians in a category of not being straight with us. She is not strong in ways that Barack is, so she attacks those strengths in Barack.
Her poo-pooing of Barack by attacking some of his strengths of energizing our best assests as people of a democracy is stupid. May I say that? Yes.
Barack is a natural. By that I mean, he is comfortable with who he is and one of his best things about who he is ~ is that he is “natural” and not stiff. Hillary couldn’t match up in this category if her life depended upon it. Barack if allowed would lead this country in ways that Hillary couldn’t dream of. And I mean in a good way.
I think that most people who vote don’t pay more than surface attention to the one they vote for. I was in New Hampshire when this happened and I not only went door-to-door, but I stayed with a Republican family who officially are Independents. My opinion: Most people don’t vote and those who do, vote after watching a debate or two and notknowing issues or much about them. I found that people vote on one issue or another and especially about abortion or gay rights. And the other issues are non-binding to them, such as the trillion-dollar war, fair voting, lobbyists, truth in government, jobs, our debt and taking out our loans to run our country from China and Japan, the environment, nuclear war, terrorism, torture, stomping all over our Constitution,open government. ABORTION AND GAY RIGHTS ~ theirmost important issues that they select a candidate for the free world on. I find this incredible. When watching the debate in New Hampshire, a comment was made that the subject of paid lobbyists was a worthless subject ~ “what are they talking about this for?” I couldn’t disagree more. I think our democracy is in danger, unless we address paid lobbyists who “buy” off our elected representatives.
…………………………………………
………………………………………… "Yes We Can" Barack Obama's speech New Hampshire Primary Night January 8, 2008
I was there
"Barack Obama supporter Sandra Hammel (C), reacts to televised results at Obama's New Hampshire primary night rally in Nashua, New Hampshire, January 8, 2008.
REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)" I found this online with the caption last night. Nevada
Craig Robinson and Sandra Hammel Craig Robinson coaches Brown University basketball and is Michelle Obama's brother
William Pierce and Matt (I forgot his last name ~ sorry Matt!)
Talking around the table of petition notarizing
Craig and Kelly Robinson
The blue papers are the signature petitions that will officially put Barack Obama on Rhode Island's ballot for March 4
Craig Robinson and Marchala Lee, Med student at Brown University
Craig Robinson and Sandra Hammel
Coach Robinson and William Pierce ~ who is running for RI House of Representatives
Coach Robinson and Marshala
Filling out the petitions
Joe Fernandez checking the picture ID
AT LEAST TWICE AS MANY REQUIRED SIGNATURES WERE GATHERED IN ONE DAY IN THE GREAT LITTLE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND DECEMBER 8, 2007.
INSPIRATION TRUMPS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Oprah Winfrey Hits Campaign Trail for ObamaU.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama greetsOprah Winfrey as his wife Michelle looks on at a rally in Des Moines.
DES MOINES, Dec. 8 — When she begins a typical show, seldom does Oprah Winfrey question the power of her brand or wonder aloud about the influence that accompanies her golden seal of approval.
But when Ms. Winfrey strode onto a stage here Saturday, imploring Iowa voters to support the presidential candidacy of Senator Barack Obama, she acknowledged not knowing whether her endorsement would matter. And as she waded into American politics deeper than ever before, she declared: “It feels like I’m out of my pew.”
Still, Ms. Winfrey’s arrival on the campaign trail and her irrefutable appeal was threatening enough for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York to invite a famous guest of her own, daughter Chelsea Clinton, to appear with her on the political circuit in Iowa.
It was, perhaps, the best way Mrs. Clinton could be assured attention on a political day devoted to Ms. Winfrey, who drew more than 15,000 people here and a second audience of about 7,000 in Cedar Rapids. In a state awash in presidential politics, with a competitive fight on both sides of the ticket, it was the largest spectacle of the campaign cycle.
“Oh my goodness,” Ms. Winfrey said. “At last, I’m here.”
The intersection of politics and celebrity began the moment that Mr. Obama’s wife, Michelle Obama, declared, “It is my honor to introduce to you the first lady of television, Oprah Winfrey.” A wave of camera flashes illuminated a downtown convention center here as Ms. Winfrey entered to a thunderous roar.
Ms. Winfrey, of course, is hardly a stranger to speaking before large crowds. But as she explained her rationale for supporting Mr. Obama, of Illinois, she stood behind a lectern, reading from prepared remarks. She paused for a moment, saying: “Backstage, somebody said, ‘Are you nervous?’ I said, ‘Damn right I’m nervous.’”
But for 17 minutes, Ms. Winfrey delivered a testimonial for Mr. Obama arguing the nation was at a critical moment in its history that required a candidate who could heal divisions and chart a new direction. She did not mention Mrs. Clinton or any of their rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, but dismissed suggestions that voters should choose a candidate with the most Washington experience.
“If we continue to do the same things over and over again, I believe we get the same results,” Ms. Winfrey said. Later, she added: “When you listen to Barack Obama, when you really hear him, you witness a very rare thing. You witness a politician who has an ear for eloquence and a tongue dipped in the unvarnished truth.”
In his quest to win the party’s nomination and to become the first black president, Mr. Obama is working to expand his reach beyond the traditional set of Democratic primary voters. The campaign hoped to use Ms. Winfrey’s visit to Iowa on Saturday, followed by New Hampshire and South Carolina on Sunday, to expose his candidacy to a new audience of prospective supporters.
“There are those who say that Barack Obama should wait his turn. There are those who say that he should take a gradual approach to presidential leadership. But none of us is God,” Ms. Winfrey said. “We don’t know what the future holds, so we must respond to the pressures and the fortunes of history when the moment strikes. And Iowa, I believe that moment is now.”
Ms. Winfrey ticked through a list of Mr. Obama’s accomplishments. When she hailed his opposition to the Iraq war, “long before it was the popular thing to do,” the crowd responded with a roar of approval.
The Obama campaign captured the names and addresses of thousands of those who attended the rallies. Those who agreed to volunteer for at least four hours over the past two weeks received premium tickets.
“I think Oprah is John the Baptist, leading the way for Obama to win,” said Dale Cobb, 40, of Des Moines, who has never participated in the Iowa caucuses before. Yet, she added, “I’m still kind of in between Hillary and Obama.”
Hillary Clinton wobbles as her backers turn to Barack Obama
Sarah Baxter, Washington The presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton, the Democrat frontrunner, is facing a wave of defections by supporters to Barack Obama, as an aura of “inevitability” about her nomination fades.
With Oprah Winfrey, the talk show host and Obama enthusiast, challenging former president Bill Clinton for star power on the campaign trail, the coronation of Hillary has been put on hold.
A few days ago, Helen Quarles peeled off the Hillary for President bumper stickers from her car and replaced them with Obama ’08.
“I didn’t think anybody could turn me away from Hillary,” said Quarles, who worked as a volunteer for Clinton’s first Senate election campaign in New York. “I liked her and was very fond of Bill.”
Quarles now lives in South Carolina, which holds its primary election next month. “In the South, a lot of people don’t like Hillary, so I felt it was up to me to turn things around for her. I really wanted her to win, but there’s something about Obama,” she said. “To me, he is the one who is going to make a difference.”
Quarles, 69, has a “golden” centre row ticket to see Winfrey in action with Obama and his wife Michelle today at the University of South Carolina’s 80,000-seat football stadium.
“I think Oprah can change anybody’s mind. I really do. She can draw people in and get them to listen to him,” Quarles said.
The decisive factor for her was hearing Michelle Obama talk on television recently about her husband’s family background and values: “I didn’t really know who Obama was. She touched my heart.”
Former “Friends of Bill”, who served in the White House in 1990s but defected early on to Obama’s campaign, are not surprised by the drift away from Hillary.
Betsy Myers, a White House adviser on women’s issues - and sister of Dee-Dee Myers, Bill Clinton’s former press secretary - is now chief operating officer for Obama’s campaign and responsible for much of its organ-isational prowess.
.................................................... .................................................... http://youtube.com/watch?v=4tkxa2o2Ocg Time For A Change
>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>: Call 1~800~GENOCIDE next week and ask your U.S. Representative to pass the funding fully for the UN Peacekeepers for Darfur
President Bush's Comment Phone Line 202-456-1111 He needs a push to do something right.
I love my life. I love where I live. And I am passionate about my passions. I love to dance. Necessary to live: music, piano, singing, writing, acting, painting.
I have been fighting for and supporting the arts all my adult life. Since 2004, I have been working with other activists to end the Darfur genocide.
I have traveled to Europe many times since my early twenties. Places I have been: many USA states including Hawaii, Montreal, Canada, Barbados, France, Spain, Luxembourg, England, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Germany - and have wonderful memories.
My last trip was in May - June 2013 to Spain.
I would like to travel to Europe and Kyoto, Japan.
I love the southwest where I have visited Hopi, Navajo, Zia and San Idlefonso potters.
Life is exciting and I intend to live it full-out to the end.
B.S. and M.M., both in music
................................................
Khartoum, Sudan Stop Genocide Time
................................................
Spain Time
................................................
Melbourne Time
................................................
Hawaii Time
...............................................
...............................................
RAFA NADAL -BRING BACK LONG PANTS - SLEEVELESS TOPS
Double Click on Videos to Enlarge
Darfur - The Abandoned Genocide - a video by Sandra Hammel
Want to help? Call 1~800~GENOCIDE
"May I Suggest" by Susan Werner
Satchita - Playing for Change
Stand By Me ~ Playing for Change
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Genocide is not only a word,
it is crying of the whole human race.
There is nothing redeeming about being silent
when speaking up is the humane thing to do.
The honor and integrity of the human race is at stake.
