Taryn .'s Bookmarks tagged election →  View Popular

let's step back a moment, take off the partisan blinders, and celebrate. Palin's nomination all but guarantees that the United States will either have its first African American president or its first female vice-president. I desperately hope its the former, and not the latter - but the historic nature of either is something to be pretty happy about.

While it probably helped to have the likes of actors Sean Penn and Val Kilmer, as well as actress Brooke Smith and activist Cindy Sheehan attend the rally, Nader’s message certainly resonated with the crowd.

He is for full Medicare, living wage, majority opinion, cleaning up the tax law, the end of the Iraq War, and of course, ending the two-party system.  Nader has no regrets about the 2000 election, arguing that Vice President Al Gore won anyway, so it wouldn’t matter if his campaign took votes away.

How do we give this country back to them?

By following the example of a brave New Yorker , a woman who risked her life to bring slaves along the Underground Railroad.

On that path to freedom, Harriet Tubman had one piece of advice.

If you hear the dogs, keep going.

If you see the torches in the woods, keep going.

If they're shouting after you, keep going.

Don't ever stop. Keep going.

If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.

I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that young boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?

We need leaders once again who can tap into that special blend of American confidence and optimism that has enabled generations before us to meet our toughest challenges. Leaders who can help us show ourselves and the world that with our ingenuity, creativity and innovative spirit, there are no limits to what is possible in America.

How can you seriously suggest Hagel as Obama's choice when you know very well that Barack Obama has not "technically" won the nomination? Obama's nomination depends upon the continued support of "super delegates" whose loyalties and support will be declared at the Democratic Convention next week. Had Obama selected Hagel, a sliver perhaps just large enough of irritated super delegates might have abandoned Obama in favor of Hillary Clinton.

Had Obama won the nomination outright, I would have loved more serious consideration of Hagel.

A President Barack Obama would work to preserve: a political process dominated by business; an imperialistic foreign policy and an absurdly swollen military budget; a moralistic, Christian assault on individual freedom; a tepid, piecemeal approach to climate change and other environmental problems; et cetera.

Granted the same could just a surely be said about a President Hillary, but at least people would have had no illusions, and progressives would have been pressuring her from the left at all times, rather than carrying water for her like they are doing for Barack.

At the very least, this pick should end the argument over whether Obama is a progressive. He's clearly not.

Could his pick have been worse? Certainly. But the message in picking Biden is loud and clear: a ringing endorsement of the status quo.

Yes we can!

Biden has been running for president since the 80s and never proven popular with Democratic voters at large

Biden has a voting record that is far from liberal or populist despite many good votes.

No public funding for abortion; it imposes a view. (Apr 2007)

Supports partial-birth abortion ban, but not undoing Roe. (Apr 2007)

Accepts Catholic church view that life begins at conception. (Apr 2007)

Rated 36% by NARAL, indicating a mixed voting record on abortion. (Dec 2003)

Voted YES on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions. (Mar 2005)

Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)

Biggest threat to US is from North Korea, Iran, & Russia. (Apr 2007)

Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)

Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)

Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba. (Mar 1996)

Urge Venezuela to re-open dissident [i.e. the oligarchs] radio & TV stations. (May 2007)