I think within months of President Barack Obama taking office, our country will once again be full of jobs and will have a good economy.

Asher Heimermann
Wisconsin Teenage Democrat
http://www.AsherHeimermann.com

Mr. Obama should review William F. Buckley audio and video to see the POWER of pausing when choosing words and formulating phrases and responses. Mr. Obama is a great orator, but he must reduce the filler "um's" and such so he does not detract from his awesome messages, and he may become the GREATEST orator. It seems silly, but review the quantity of filler words in his Nov. 7 news conference. I have heard people complaining about the filler words. I used a rubber band on my wrist and snapped it each time a student told me I used a filler word when I first began teaching 15 yrs ago. Lost the habit in 2 weeks and NEVER do it anymore in or out of the classroom.

In fact, I plan to make a copy of the Nov. 7 news conference I recorded, silence all of the filler words and listen to it again so see how much more impact it would have and how much better Mr. Obama would be able to captivate. I would send it to Mr. Axelrod if I knew how to get it to him. Understand, I have the greatest respect for Pres.-Elect Obama and intend no less.

I plan to make a copy of the Nov. 7 news conference while silencing the filler words to see how much more impact, effectiveness, and ability to captivate a listener Mr. Obama's unscripted responses to questions would have. Understand, I have the utmost respect for Mr. Obama and intend no less.

I counted 17 "ums" in the prepared/scripted remarks and about 126 "ums" in Mr. Obama's resonses to reporter questions during the Nov. 7 news conference. I WILL NOT POST FURTHER ON THIS ISSUE.

Thank you to the DNC for providing this means for me to communicate my suggestion. I grew up Republican. Voted for Reagan. Voted for Bush 41. Went Independent and voted for Perot. Now am a registered Democrat. Voted for Gore, Kerry and Obama. WASP from Southern IL. Current age 43. Teacher of high school science and math. DNC--keep up the great work and help save America and the people in it.

Rumors are flying that the DNC is closing down the 50 State Strategy and laying off all its field workers all over the Country as of December 1st.
Why???!
If true, this sounds really crazy considering the demonstrated success of the Strategy in Electing Democrats in so-called red States.
Say it ain't so Gov Dean.

At least Obama's not like our soon to be former president, who uses "duhs" and made up words instead of coherent sentences.

I realize that being articulate is important. It is even more important when you are the leader of the free world. However, aren't there far more important and less petty things to discuss? I find the drop in gas prices for no apparent reason to be quite interesting. It seems to show that prices are not caused by anything other than greed. Price regulations anyone?

President-Elect Obama mentioned acknowledging the letter from Iran in a timely manner in his first news conference.

The New York Times, November 6, 2008 article, “In Rare Turn, Iran’s Leader Sends Letter to Obama” reports in his letter, Mr. Ahmadinejad wrote…

“People in the world expect war-oriented policies, occupation, bullying, deception and intimidation of nations and imposing discriminatory policies on them and international affairs, which have evoked hatred toward American leaders, to be replaced by ones advocating justice, respect for human rights, friendship and noninterference in other countries’ affairs,” the letter said, according to ISNA” (an Iranian news agency).

I say, yes, America expects the occupation of Iraq and neglectful discriminatory policies of the Bush Administration’s in Guantanamo to stop, but America’s war against terrorism, armed terrorists and against the politics of governments who tolerate Islamic politics surrounding martyrdom will continue.

The U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq have charged the Iranian Government with supplying Shi’ite militias in Iraq with weaponry used against the Sunni and Kurdish Sect’s of Iraq.
There is no doubt that the Iranian Government overlooked an investigation into the matter whether they were purposefully giving orders for the supplies or not.

So while complaining about U.S. occupation in Iraq and the violence, part’s of Iran’s Shi’ite Government tried to politically occupy and bully the whole region through Iraq by dominating Sect population in Iraq by disrespectfully ignoring the charges of this violence. Not caring, one way or the other, if their toleration of the sectarian violence encouraged hostile attitudes against U.S. Soldiers as well.

Regardless of our mistakes with Iraq, we are Post-Nine/Eleven America: Democratic and Republican, we never give up the ghost.

Great to see new president elect Mr Obama win. 73% of Australians hoped he would win.

Looking from the outside one issue that I think needs addressing is the rate of obesity in your country.
Not only is this shortening people’s lives, increasing morbidity, increasing health costs it does not look good on environmental issues.
I would like to see the stimulus package include low cost centres to improve people’s lifestyle with clear objectives of improving health.

Sad that the pres-elect slams a former first lady, even sadder that all the others at the event stood there and laughed at the remark. Yeah, lets get a laugh at an old lady's expense. Good that Barack apologized to Nancy. So much for reaching across the aisle. And, why include the Mich gov on the economic team...she hasn't done much good for Mich and where is Mich industry now? Surely there must be some successful govs to offer economic advise besides the leader of the state that's leading in unemployment, foreclosures and what about the high school grad rate of Detroit - 25%!

lash

well thanks for giving obama and the dems a fighting chance! it is pople like you who would have this country continue on it's destructive path!

I am sure that Nancy reagan took that remark in the context it was meant!!

On the "umm's" and "ah's," that comes from a President-Elect who is choosing his words carefully, knowing full well that every one of them will be anaylzed to the hilt by friend and foe alike. It's just a manner of buying time until the right phrasing can be drawn up to answer an unanticipated or particulalry vital question. It's different from what we've grown accustomed to; using made up words or "straight-from-the-mouth-without-passing-through-the- brain," like George Bush, Sarah Palin, and on occasion, John McCain.

President Eisenhower had a problem with "ers" and "ahs" in his early speeches but got a lot better later in his first term.

Even the man who can't string two words together has gotten a little better, very little.

NEW OPEN THREAD HERE

Last night, STEVIE LLOYD THORNBURG FROM HINCKLEY MN admitted he was a cross dresser.

Post fight analysis:

http://www.someguywithawebsite.com/cartoons/2008/081110_postfight.html

Ill take ums and ohs over word changery and makeitupology any time. Obama thinks before he speaks, instead of spewing Cheney's war-mongery talking points.

OBAMA HIRES MIKE LUX FOR TRANSITION TEAM.

Dean Prepares To Step Down As DNC Chair

In sheer political terms, the choice really wasn't Dean's to make. Indeed, any decision on who will serve as the next DNC chair will come with directives from Obama and his aides. And a name being floated around as a possible Dean replacement is one of the president-elect's closest allies: Claire McCaskill, the junior Senator from Missouri and a national co-chair of the Obama campaign.

Afternoon all good Dems. I see someone 'created' a new thread - THANK YOU!
I hope that you are all doing well!

The times are a'changin.

Hey MaryMac,

Looks like our fearless leader Howard Dean is going to step down.

And people wonder why she has been so poorly thought of by Democrats and Independants alike.

Sarah Palin Blamed by the US Secret Service Over Death Threats Against Barack Obama
Saturday 08 November 2008
»
by: Tim Shipman, The Telegraph UK

Sarah Palin's attacks on Barack Obama's patriotism provoked a spike in death threats against the future president, Secret Service agents revealed during the final weeks of the campaign.

Sarah Palin's attacks on Barack Obama's patriotism provoked a spike in death threats against the future president, Secret Service agents revealed during the final weeks of the campaign.

http://www.truthout.org/110908Y

Rovert Novak

How do you assess the state of the Republican Party?

In 1957, when I came here, it was all but dead and had been dying for a long time. The Republicans were a permanent minority in Congress. They had never managed to put together an effective response to Roosevelt or his handling of the Depression.

The Republican Party was revived unexpectedly by somebody who was not even a Republican activist—William F. Buckley Jr. Suddenly you had members of Congress in both chambers taking positions, trying to put together programs of action.

The party found its voice in Barry Goldwater—a very ineffective voice, in my opinion. I thought he was limited as a political leader, but he was able to attract millions of people, and it changed the Republican Party.

Then came Ronald Reagan, and suddenly you had a response to Big Government and to liberals and a very effective politician leading it. Reagan took the torch from Goldwater, but nobody took the torch from Reagan.

So the Republican Party in the last few years looks very much like the party I encountered here in 1957. It has no responses, it doesn’t have programs, and it’s quite eager to just get by. Being a congressman in the minority is not all that bad if you are interested in a warm bed and a good salary.

http://www.truthout.org/110908Z

The Obama Agenda
Friday 07 November 2008
»
by: Paul Krugman, The New York Times

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, is a date that will live in fame (the opposite of infamy) forever. If the election of our first African-American president didn't stir you, if it didn't leave you teary-eyed and proud of your country, there's something wrong with you.

But will the election also mark a turning point in the actual substance of policy? Can Barack Obama really usher in a new era of progressive policies? Yes, he can.

Right now, many commentators are urging Mr. Obama to think small. Some make the case on political grounds: America, they say, is still a conservative country, and voters will punish Democrats if they move to the left. Others say that the financial and economic crisis leaves no room for action on, say, health care reform.

Let's hope that Mr. Obama has the good sense to ignore this advice.

Howard Dean is going to step down.

29
YayObama on November 10, 2008 at 01:08 PM

No, No! Say it ain't so!
Dr. Dean has done a great job these past four years. I know that he is exhausted but we need him for at least 2 more years. He is brilliant!

Obama's Toughest Challenge: America's Energy Crunch Comes Home
Sunday 09 November 2008
»
by: Michael T. Klare, TomDispatch.com

Of all the challenges facing President Barack Obama next January, none is likely to prove as daunting, or important to the future of this nation, as that of energy. After all, energy policy - so totally mishandled by the outgoing Bush-Cheney administration - figures in each of the other major challenges facing the new president, including the economy, the environment, foreign policy, and our Middle Eastern wars. Most of all, it will prove a monumental challenge because the United States faces an energy crisis of unprecedented magnitude that is getting worse by the day.

The U.S. needs energy - lots of it. Day in and day out, this country, with only 5% of the world's population, consumes one quarter of the world's total energy supply. About 40% of our energy comes from oil: some 20 million barrels, or 840 million gallons a day. Another 23% comes from coal, and a like percentage from natural gas. Providing all this energy to American consumers and businesses, even in an economic downturn, remains a Herculean task, and will only grow more so in the years ahead. Addressing the environmental consequences of consuming fossil fuels at such levels, all emitting climate-altering greenhouse gases, only makes this equation more intimidating.

As President Obama faces our energy problem, he will have to address three overarching challenges:

1. The United States relies excessively on oil to supply its energy needs at a time when the future availability of petroleum is increasingly in question.

2. Our most abundant domestic source of fuel, coal, is the greatest emitter of greenhouse gases when consumed in the current manner.

3. No other source of energy, including natural gas, nuclear power, biofuels, wind power,
and solar power is currently capable of supplanting our oil and coal consumption, even if a decision is made to reduce their importance in our energy mix.

This, then, is the essence of Obama's energy dilemma. Let's take a closer look at each of its key components.

Well ... He should be embarrassed! He bought a bunch of gas bags and now it bothers him that they 'fart.' I think that it serves him right!

Fox News Cut Out From Questions At Obama's First Press Conference
Conference No Questions From Fox News, Media News

President-Elect Barack Obama held his first press conference yesterday, one that focused mainly on the current economic crisis. One detail that flew under the radar, however, was which networks and newpapers got to ask questions, or, rather, which one didn't get to ask a question. As Media Bistro notes, one network who was not called upon sticks out: Fox News.

It will be interesting to see how the conservative network adjusts to a political reality in which the Democratic Party holds the White House and substantial majorities in both houses of Congress. Michael Wolff, a Vanity Fair columnist who is writing an authorized biography on Rupert Murdoch's career and family, claims that even Murdoch is embarrassed by Fox News:

Now, with about six weeks to go before publication, Mr. Murdoch has raised objections with Mr. Wolff and his publisher about portions of the book, titled "The Man Who Owns the News: Inside the Secret World of Rupert Murdoch," that suggest that Mr. Murdoch is at times embarrassed by Fox News, which he owns, and its chief executive, Roger Ailes, and that he often shares "the general liberal apoplexy," as Mr. Wolff writes in the book, toward Fox News and its perceived conservative slant...

...The objections raised on behalf of Mr. Murdoch came after an article on Mr. Murdoch and the book was published in Vanity Fair in the October issue in which Mr. Wolff wrote that Mr. Murdoch was making friends with liberals and that he had soured on Fox News and Mr. Ailes. (A 10,000-word excerpt from the book will be published in the December issue, due out early next month.)

"For a long time, he was in love with the Fox chief, Roger Ailes, because he was even more Murdoch than Murdoch," Mr. Wolff wrote in the October Vanity Fair piece. "And yet now the embarrassment can't be missed -- he mumbles even more than usual when called on to justify it; he barely pretends to hide the way he feels about Bill O'Reilly."

HEY MSNBC _ FIRE THE ASSHOLE

I'll second that motion!

All in favor? 10 Billion yea/zero nay

Motion carries!

DO IT!

36SALLY_IS_A_XXXX ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008 AT 01:40 PM

I see,

STEVIE LLOYD THORNBURG FROM HINCKLEY MN

is now playing reverse psychology.

36 SALLY_IS_A_XXXX ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008 AT 01:40 PM

Mary,

Don't be fooled this blogger knows he/she will be banned for the name.

My guess is that it's Stevie Lloyd Thornburg playing reverse psychology.

Hey RJ - How are you today? I hope that you are well.

Newspaper ignores Obama victory:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/11/10/dnt.ok.no.obama.newspaper.kjrh

If the election, especially this one, is not "news" what the hell is?

Thanks RJ. It's always helpful to know who really is a troll and who isn't.
Well, it's getting close to that time, so
bbl

New Thread

Hello

I'M HONORED TO HAVE HAD EVEN A SMALL PART IN SEEING BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN ELECTED AS PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.I AM A NEWLY CONVERTED DEMOCRAT WHO SUPPORTS THEM 100 PERCENT.THEY REPRESENT THE TYPE OF CHANGE WE NEED IN THIS COUNTRY.MAY GOD BLESS THEM BOTH AS THEY LEAD US.