Barack Obama on Army Suicide Report

Related Posts: Obama Statement In Support of Striking Bay Area Janitors, Barack Obama "Adopted" By Crow Nation, UPI: Clinton accused of hypocrisy

• Barack Obama issued the following statement in response to the Army Suicide Report:

"Today's news is a tragic reminder of the staggering and ongoing costs of the Iraq war, particularly on our troops and their families. We are more than five years into this war, and the Pentagon and VA are still unprepared to treat the unseen wounds of battle. We know that incidence of psychological injury increase with each additional tour of duty in Iraq, and that our troops are not getting the support they need. Too many are falling through the cracks because they need help but feel they can't get it. When I am President, we'll hire more mental health professionals, increase training to recognize the signs and to reject the stigma of seeking care, and enhance mental health screening and treatment from enlistment, to deployment, to reentry into civilian life. It's time to serve our troops as well as they have served us."

Source: http://www.barackobama.com/2008/05/29/obama_statement_on_army_suicid.php

Clinton Endorsed By 22 South Dakota Native American Leaders

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• In a press release on HillaryClinton.Com her campaign announced endorsements by the following "22 South Dakota Native American Leaders":

Lionel Bordeaux, President, Sinte Gleska University

Shawn Bordeaux, Rosebud Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Floyd Brings Plenty, Oglala Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Anthony Castaway, Rosebud Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Kim Clausen, Oglala Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Carol Crazy Thunder-O’Rourke, Oglala Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Leonard Crow Dog, Rosebud Sioux Tribe elder

Ron Duke, Oglala Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Cecilia Fire Thunder, Former Chairwoman, Oglala Sioux Tribal Council

Phillip Good Crow, Oglala Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Lewis Good Voice Eagle, Rosebud Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Scott Herman, Rosebud Sioux Tribal Councilmember

William "BeBe" Long, Rosebud Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Trent "Okie" Poignee, Rosebud Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Thomas Poor Bear, Oglala Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Francis Pumpkin Seed, Shannon County Commissioner

Lula Red Cloud

Brandon Sazue, Sr., Chairman, Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Council

Tom Shortbull, President, Oglala Lakota College and Former State Senator

Michael J. Valandra, Sr., Rosebud Sioux Tribal Councilmember

Carl Waln, Former Chairman, Rosebud Sioux Tribe

Connie Whirlwind Horse, Shannon County Commissioner

Source: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=7870

Indecision 2008: A Billionaire's Guide to the Candidates: Ralph Nader

Related Posts: Why Indecision 2008 Endorsed Alan Keyes for President, Ralph Nader, An Unreasonable Candidate?


POSTED BY: Billionaires4Bush

Unreasonable Man Ralph Nader makes it easy. Sure, he's owned corporate stock, dissed the Green Party, and been accused of "spoiling" the election chances of Democrats paddling towards the callow middle -- but what can he do for the Billionaires? The splash page for his website asks "which side are you on?" On one side: "Nader/ Gonzales '08." On the other: corporate greed, corporate power, corporate control, the health insurance industry, agribusiness giants, corporate criminals, nuclear power, big banks, drug companies, corporate Democrats, polluters, unionbusters, war profiteers, credit card companies, Wall Street, Big Oil, and corporate Republicans. Have I died and gone to Halliburton? Sign me up for Column B!

Click here for the full Indecision2008.Com article.

AP Campaign Minute Video: May 30, 2008

Video: "Signs Of Ron Paul Support" in South Dakota

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Obama Statement In Support of Striking Bay Area Janitors

• Barack Obama issued the following press release on the Bay Area janitor's strike:

Chicago, IL — Senator Obama today released the following statement in support of striking Bay Area janitors.

"As thousands of Bay Area janitors continue their courageous fight to win a higher standard of living for themselves and their families, I offer my support."

"It's thanks to the bravery and sacrifice of these workers—and union men and women before them—that we've made progress in the fight to ensure that every American has rights on the job and the chance to improve their lives."

"The hundreds of mostly Latino janitors who walked off the job this week throughout the Bay Area took a stand against the unacceptable and ever-growing divide between the wealthiest and poorest among us—and they're inspiring other working people to do the same."

"This week, when janitors traded their brooms for picket signs, they also sent a message about the urgent need for good-paying jobs with health care and dignity to ensure that families aren't just surviving, but thriving. By speaking out against the injustice of having to share a home with other families just to stay alive, these hardworking janitors are demonstrating their abiding faith in the power of hope—and paving the way for others around this country to follow in their footsteps."

"It is my own hope that the employers in the Bay Area will take real responsibility for the kind of jobs that are offered within the confines of their offices and take swift
measures to bring the janitors back to work."

"Until they do, the Bay Area janitors will have my support."

Source: http://www.barackobama.com/2008/05/23/obama_statement_in_support_of_1.php

Hillary Clinton T-Shirt Design Contest Finalists

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The following are the five finalists in Hillary Clinton's T-Shirt Design Contest:

John McCain Hispanic/Immigration Memorial Day Web Ad

Related Post: McCain to Attend La Raza Annual Convention in July



Ad Transcript:

JOHN MCCAIN: My friends, I want you, the next time you're down in Washington, D.C., to go to the Vietnam War Memorial and look at the names engraved in black granite. You'll find a whole lot of Hispanic names.

When you go to Iraq or Afghanistan today, you're going to see a whole lot of people who are of Hispanic background.

You're even going to meet some of the few thousand that are still green card holders who are not even citizens of this country, who love this country so much that they're willing to risk their lives in its service in order to accelerate their path to citizenship and enjoy the bountiful, blessed nation.

So let's, from time to time, remember that these are God's children. They must come into country legally, but they have enriched our culture and our nation as every generation of immigrants before them.

Thank you.

I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

Will Ron Paul Win National Delegates at Washington State GOP Convention?

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• The Washington State GOP convention will be held Thursday, May 29, 2008 through Saturday, May 31, 2008 at the Spokane Convention Center.
• Despite the fact that John McCain is the presumptive nominee The Seattle Times reports that in many counties Ron Paul has substantial support.
• According to The Seattle Times in Spokane County (5th Congressional District), 106 of the 114 delegates going to the state convention are Ron Paul supporters, along with 11 of 13 delegates from Stevens County, four of eight from Asotin County, and two of five from both Lincoln and Ferry counties.
• As has been the case in other states, the Washington State GOP has already instituted one last minute rules change concerning delegates. It is uncertain how that change will affect the Ron Paul supporters. The text of the rules change resolution can be viewed here.

Sources:

http://www.wsrp.org/FlexPage.aspx?area=2008-Convention#bottom

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004437950_webpaulgop25.html

http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=8378786&nav=menu484_2_8

StarTribune.Com: Ron Paul to visit before state GOP convention

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By BOB VON STERNBERG, Star Tribune
May 27, 2008

The Republican presidential race is on the verge of heating back up in Minnesota.

More than three months after the state's precinct caucuses, a showdown is in the offing at the state GOP convention in Rochester this weekend.

Long-shot insurgent candidate Ron Paul plans to speak to his supporters Friday morning, just before the convention begins. Then, those supporters hope to nab as many of the 14 national convention delegate spots that remain up for grabs as they can.

"We're not looking for fireworks, and we're not looking to disrupt the campaign," said longtime GOP activist Marianne Stebbins, who has been running Paul's campaign in Minnesota.

"From our perspective, John McCain's the presumptive Republican nominee," said state Republican Party spokesman Mark Drake. "It's been fought here, Paul lost here and it's time to move forward. Case closed. He had his chance and didn't get it done."

Click here for the full Star Tribune article.

Memorial Day Weekend......

Thank you for our freedom.

Next update will be Tuesday May 27th.

Ron Paul: The Economy: Another Casualty of War

From Ron Paul's weekly column Texas Straight Talk:

This week, as the American economy continued to suffer the effects of big government, the House attempted to pass two multi billion dollar "emergency" spending bills, one for continued spending on the war in Iraq , and one increasing spending on domestic and international welfare programs. The plan was to pass these two bills and then send them to the president as one package. Even though the House failed to pass the war spending bill, opponents of the war should not be fooled into believing this vote signals a long term change in policy. At the end of the day, those favoring continued military occupation of Iraq will receive every penny they are requesting and more as long as they agree to dramatically increase domestic and international welfare spending as well.

The continued War in Iraq and the constant state of emergency has allowed Congress to use these so-called "emergency" bills as a vehicle to dramatically increase spending across the board--including spending that does not meet even the most generous definition of emergency. For example, the spending proposals currently being considered by Congress provide $210 million to the Census Bureau and $4 million for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. $4.6 billion is requested for the closing of military bases, but not any of the more than 700 bases overseas – but bases here at home!

Click here for the rest of The Economy: Another Casualty of War.

Libertarian National Convention May 22-26, 2008

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• The Libertarian National Convention will convene tomorrow, May 22, 2008 to choose a presidential nominee from 14 contenders including former Republican Bob Barr and former Democrat Mike Gravel.
• The presidential nominee for the party will be selected Sunday.
• The convention is in Denver, which will also serve as the site of the Democratic National Convention in August.

Sources:

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/05/19/libertarians_to_converge_on_denver/7583/

http://www.lpconvention.org/index.php

Hillary Clinton's South Dakota Native American Agenda

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The Clinton campaign published "Hillary Clinton’s Native American Agenda for South Dakota: Provide Vital Services to Strengthen Tribal Economy, Health Care and Education, and to Combat Crime" on www.hillaryclinton.com.

The following are bullet points of her proposals:

• Provide "meaningful increases to the Indian Health Service (IHS) budget""Address the troubling health care disparities Native Americans experience by elevating the director of the Indian Health Service to the Assistant Secretary level"
• "Institute a new initiative to take on diabetes through an aggressive campaign to stop and reverse the increasing incidences among Native Americans nationwide."
• "Revive this nation's economy by investing $2.5 billion per year, which includes investments in tribes, in order to strengthen the nation's work force development efforts."
• "Prepare our workers for the high-wage, high-skill jobs of the future builds on her bold agenda to create good, high-wage jobs in America."
• "Increase the minimum wage to $9.50 by 2011, and index to congressional salaries after that."
• Expand "the earned income tax credit, tripling the current benefit for single workers and making the benefit more generous for larger families."
• "Restore funding for the New Market Tax Credit and Empowerment Zones programs.
• Create "$50 billion Strategic Energy Fund (which) will invest in renewables and clean energy technologies that will help create at least 5 million green collar jobs" nationwide."
• Create and expand federal-tribal partnerships to promote the use of solar and wind power in Indian Country."
• "Fund the weatherization of all low-income homes in Indian Country."
• "Increase funding for the Native American Housing Block Grant and modernize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act."
• "Increase funding for the Indian Head Start Program"
• Support "Pre-K schooling programs that support a child’s native language."
• Encourage the teaching of these languages (Lakota and Dakota) in Tribal Head Start in South Dakota."
• "Ensure that tribally-sponsored pre-K programs in South Dakota receive federal matching dollars just as state programs do."
• Increase "funding for tribal colleges."
• Provide "resources for law enforcement in Indian Country, promoting state-tribal cooperative agreements where appropriate to reduce crime, and improving the collection of data on Indian Country crime and how those crimes are handled by authorities."

Source: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=7781

McCain in Essence Interview: "I will go to the NAACP Convention"

• The following are excerpts from an Essence interview with John McCain released May 20, 2008 in which he declared that he will attend the NAACP Convention after declining last year's invitation.

"ESSENCE: Republican Newt Gingrich said the Republicans should not ignore the African-American and Latino community, but this election year Republican candidates Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani didn’t bother to address the Black community. As the Republican nominee, how will you reach out to the Black community, not only in this election, but afterward?

"McCain: Go to places and venues that would allow me to continue a dialogue with the African-American community. I will go to the NAACP convention.

ESSENCE: You will?

McCain: Oh, yeah. I don’t know any reason why not. I went to Selma and stood at the Edmund Pettus Bridge and talked about the need to include “forgotten Americans.” I will never as long as I live forget the beautiful women of Gees Bend, Alabama, with the quilts. They were singing spirituals. On the first occasion I could find in the White House I would have them sing again. It was so moving. There was a woman there who was 91 years old. Can you imagine the environment she lived in when she was 21? And yet, this woman was full of hope, compassion and forgiveness. But does that mean in my campaign I am going to get a majority of the African-American vote? Probably not. But what it does mean, what I’ve committed to, is assuring and promising all Americans whether they vote for me or not, I am going to be their president. Americans are sick and tired of partisanship and divisions along party lines that cause gridlock and frustration and lack of addressing the issues that confront America.

ESSENCE: I talked to Condoleezza Rice last year. She said she definitely would not run for president.

McCain: [Laughs] I am happy about that.

ESSENCE: Some in your party believe she would be a great vice-president for you. Is that a consideration?

McCain: I think Condi Rice should be a consideration for any job, including president of the United States, because she is a true American in every respect.

Click here for the full Essence article.

Republican Primary Results for Kentucky and Oregon Ignored by MSM

Related Posts: Latest Intrade Prediction Market Data on Kentucky and Oregon Democratic Primaries, Understanding the MSM.....

• Kentucky Republican Primary Results:
• John McCain received 142,855 votes to Mike Huckabee's 16,329, Ron Paul's 13,439, Mitt Romney's 9,151, Rudy Guiliani's 3,126, Alan Keyes 2,138 and "uncommitted" 10,630.
• The top three candiates John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul received 72%, 8% and 7% of the Kentucky vote respectively.
  
  http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/primaries/states/ky/r/
  
• Oregon Republican Primary Results:
• John McCain received 263,788 or 85% of the vote to Ron Paul's 46,279 or 15%
  of the vote with 88% of precincts reporting.

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/primaries/states/or/r/

LATimes.Com: John McCain's age inspires website aiming to amuse and provoke

Related Post: Video: John McCain on 5/17/08 Saturday Night Live

Later this week, John McCain's campaign is expected to confront head-on questions about his physical fitness to be president -- an issue stemming partly from his age -- with the release of his medical records and a briefing from doctors.

Over the weekend, McCain himself took a crack at using humor to deflate concerns about whether, at 72 years old on Inauguration Day, he would be stretching the appropriate age for someone about to start serving as president. During an appearance on "Saturday Night Live," he joshed about the matter. (Sample: a reference to his "great, great, great grandchildren," some of whom "are nearing retirement .")

McCain, though, is not alone in poking fun at his age. A recently unveiled website creating a buzz also has that goal -- as well as stirring a serious discussion of the topic.

The site, thingsyoungerthanmccain.com, is the brainchild of a fellow who, for now, simply wants to be identified as Joe. We talked to him and did learn that he lives in New York City and works by day as a graphic designer and copy writer. As for his own age, he's 40 -- not so far away from being viewed as hopelessly out of it by some of those born a few decades after him.

He makes no bones about his age-inspired skepticism toward a McCain stint in the White House.

Click here for the full LATimes.Com article on "things younger than McCain."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Paul allies have asked FBI to investigate Mo GOP

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By Jo Mannies

Political Fix just received a most intriguing e-mail, stating that “the FBI was mailed the first of many letters to come, requesting a formal investigation into the unethical and illegal practices of a faction of the Missouri Republican Party that have disenfranchised so many properly elected delegates by challenging them without basis….”

Claiming that the letter “was written by a former private investigator,” the anonymous e-mailer asserts that similar letters are being sent to other federal and state agencies.

“Jared Craighead, Executive Director of the Missouri GOP will also receive his letter tomorrow, alerting him to the formal investigation,” the e-mailer said.

Now on Youtube, the author adds, is a recording of one of the credentials hearings that state GOP leaders recently held, as they sought to unseat some of the 300 or so suspected Ron Paul supporters elected as delegates to the state convention on May 30-June 1, or to the presidential convention in September.

See YouTube.Com video below:

Click here for the full St. Louis Post-Dispatch article.

Barack Obama "Adopted" By Crow Nation

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• On Monday, Barack Obama was "adopted" by Harford and Mary Black Eagle of the Crow Nation and given the name Barack Black Eagle that reportedly translates to "One who helps people throughout the land."
• Obama's visit marked the first trip by a US presidential candidate to the Crow Nation, a tribe of some 12,100 members. The Crow Reservation is the largest in Montana, at 2.2 million acres.
• The Montana Democratic primary will be held on June 3rd.
• See video of Obama's appearance below:
  
  
  
  
  Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN19168547

Anonymous Donor Offers Turn-key Convention to Nevada State GOP

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• The Ron Paul campaign issued a press release today, May 20th, stating that it "has learned that apparently an anonymous Republican donor in Washoe County sent a letter to the State Republican GOP Chairwoman Sue Lowden, informing Ms. Lowden that they have booked a room and arranged a turn-key convention at the Grand Sierra Resort in an attempt to help the Nevada Republican Party reconvene the recessed Nevada State GOP convention."
• Ron Paul's campaign says it is not responsible for the donation which was offered in a letter sent to Lowden on Thursday, May 15th.
• "The anonymous donor has reserved the Grand Ballroom at the Grand Sierra Resort on Saturday, June 7th, for the entire day, and is offering the use of the room to the Nevada State GOP. The room has been equipped to accommodate the needs and requirements of the nearly 1,400 delegates to the State Convention. The use of this facility will be at no cost to the Party, as a result of this in-kind donation".

Source: http://www.ronpaul2008.com/press-releases/324/anonymous-donor-offers-turn-key-convention-to-nevada-state-gop

The Arizona Republic: A look at McCain's circle of advisers

Related Posts: MoveOn.Org Calls for McCain to Fire Political Advisor Charlie Black, McCain Conflict With Campaign Manager's Lobbying Firm Over Ukraine

by Dan Nowicki - May. 20, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Sen. John McCain's presidential-campaign team underwent a major overhaul in summer 2007. Nearly broke after six months of weak fundraising and heavy spending, McCain had to lay off dozens of staffers. Then, Terry Nelson, his national campaign manager, and John Weaver, his longtime political guru, exited, taking several more senior officials with them.

McCain's lean-and-mean team managed to pull off a major political comeback in this year's primaries. Recent days, however, have found some aides with lobbying ties leaving the campaign. On Sunday, Tom Loeffler, a Texas congressman turned lobbyist who served with McCain in the House during the 1980s, quit his roles as national campaign co-chairman and national finance chairman.

Here is a glimpse at who is advising McCain as he gears up for the general-election battle:

Rick Davis Reprising his role as campaign manager from McCain's 2000 race, Davis, a former Washington, D.C., lobbyist, helped steer the demoralized and nearly bankrupt McCain 2008 organization out of red ink to victory in the 2008 Republican primaries.

Charlie Black A longtime Republican operative, Reagan administration veteran and, in recent years, a well-connected Washington lobbyist, Black emerged as McCain senior strategist in the wake of Weaver's departure.

Click here for the full Arizona Republic article.

DNC Announces "McCainpedia" Wiki

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• The DNC launched its McCainpedia wiki saying "McCainpedia.org is a wiki run by the DNC's Research, Communications, and Internet teams. The goal is to centralize research material, allowing the general public to use it as they see fit."
• "John McCain has been anything but transparent during the course of his campaign. From tax returns that he refuses to disclose to his failure to fully explain how he's going to pay for his massive tax cuts for corporations, he's attempting to avoid very basic levels of scrutiny. Because his goal is to hide facts about his policies and his record, we've made those available to everybody so that the American people can see for themselves that John McCain is offering a third Bush term."
• Check out the wiki for yourself here: http://www.mccainpedia.org/index.php/Main_Page

Bob Barr on Same Sex Marriage in California

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• Bob Barr issued the following statement on his campaign website with regards to the California ruling on same sex marriage:

"Regardless of whether one supports or opposes same sex marriage, the decision to recognize such unions or not ought to be a power each state exercises on its own, rather than imposition of a one-size-fits-all mandate by the federal government (as would be required by a Federal Marriage Amendment which has been previously proposed and considered by the Congress). The decision today by the Supreme Court of California properly reflects this fundamental principle of federalism on which our nation was founded.

"Indeed, the primary reason for which I authored the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 was to ensure that each state remained free to determine for its citizens the basis on which marriage would be recognized within its borders, and not be forced to adopt a definition of marriage contrary to its views by another state. The decision in California is an illustration of how this principle of states' powers should work."

Full Statement: http://www.bobbarr2008.com/press/press-releases/7/statement-on-ca-supreme-court-same-sex-marriage-decision/

MotherJones.Com: Scenes From a Nader Fundraiser at a San Francisco Dive Bar

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The 540 Club, in an old bank building at 540 Clement Street in San Francisco, is the only bar in town to call an elephant its mascot. A 300-pound stuffed pachyderm blobs on a ledge above the front door, a cast-off inherited after the San Francisco zoo shuttered its elephant exhibit. The bar's logo, a pink elephant found on its tables, its business cards and the forearm of its soda jerk, is described by the staff as "the universal symbol of alcoholism and sloth etc," and not as any sort of inducement to Republicans. In fact, the threat, in liberal San Francisco, of being labeled a GOP sympathizer never really occurred to the owner of the bar, Jamie Brown—until this week, that is, when he found himself debating whether to supplement the elephant with a stuffed donkey. The bar was set to hold a fundraiser for none other than the Great Spoiler, Ralph Nader. "What the hell?" Brown said Sunday morning, apropos of nothing, as he dragged on a Camel and waited for Nader's entourage to arrive. "Just in general, what the hell?"

Brown had sent two emails announcing the event. One said Nader would be coming. The other said this wasn't a joke.

Click here for the complete MotherJones.Com article.

UPI: Clinton accused of hypocrisy

WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Two California attorneys say Sen. Hillary Clinton is being hypocritical when she criticizes opponent Sen. Barack Obama for having ties to 1960s-era radicals.

Retired Bay Area lawyers Doris B. Walker, 89 and Malcolm Burnstein, 74, say in the summer of 1971 Clinton, D-N.Y., worked as an intern at their law firm which defended communists and Black Panthers, The Washington Post reported Monday.

"She's a hypocrite," Walker told the newspaper. "She had to know who we were and what kinds of cases we were handling."

Burnstein said he was shocked when he read that Clinton was criticizing Obama, D-Ill., for his friendship with William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn who were members of the bomb-making Weather Underground during the 1960s.

"Well, if you're going to talk about that totally bit of irrelevant nonsense, I'll talk about your career with us," Burnstein told the Post.

Clinton was an intern at the firm of Treuhaft, Walker and Burnstein while attending Yale Law School.

Click here for the full UPI article on Clinton's hypocrisy.

MoveOn.Org Calls for McCain to Fire Political Advisor Charlie Black

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Nader Invites Obama, Clinton and McCain to Oil Industry Protest

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• On his blog, Ralph Nader and his running mate invited Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain to join them at an oil industry protest.
• The protest is scheduled for Noon, May 20th, at the American Petroleum Institute located at 1220 L Street, NW, Washington, D.C. (Corner of 13th and L Streets, NW).
• The goal "is to protest oil industry speculation, manipulation, and conglomeration that is driving gasoline prices over $4 a gallon."

Source: http://www.votenader.org/index.html

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: For Barr's PAC, 'it costs money to raise money'

Related Posts: Bob Barr on "The Nanny State", Bob Barr Announces Presidential Candidacy

By CAMERON McWHIRTER, MEGAN CLARKEThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/18/08

On April 1, former Congressman Bob Barr wrote to rally conservatives across the country to stop liberals from solidifying control of Congress.

"If we don't act fast – I'm afraid conservatives may well lose out again!" he implored in a letter sent by his political action committee.

The Bob Barr Leadership Fund, he wrote, has played a "tremendous role" in helping conservative Republicans defeat liberal congressmen. Since 2003, Barr's PAC has raised $4.3 million with similar mailings.

But only a small portion of that money has made its way to Republican campaigns.

Click here for the complete AJC article.

Full Text of Senator Byrd's Endorsement of Barack Obama

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• Senator Robert Byrd, Democrat, West Virginia announced his endorsement of Barack Obama today.
• 91 year old Byrd, who is the longest serving Senator in US history, a former KKK member and one of the Senators that filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made the following statement:

As people all across this great nation know, I have been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Bush Administration’s misguided war in Iraq and its saber rattling around the globe.

" With the Bush Administration's latest request to fund this on-going war in Iraq without any attempt to start bringing our troops home, the issue of the upcoming presidential contest has been weighing heavily on my heart. The loss of life continues and the sons and daughters of tens of thousands of American families remain in harm’s way every day.

This Democratic primary campaign has been tough and competitive. I had no intention of involving myself in the Democratic campaign for President in the midst of West Virginia's primary election. But the stakes this November could not be
higher."

After a great deal of thought, consideration and prayer over the situation in Iraq, I have decided that, as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, I will cast my vote for Senator Barack Obama for President. Both Senators Clinton and Obama are extraordinary individuals, whose integrity, honor, love for this country and strong belief in our Constitution I deeply respect.

"I believe that Barack Obama is a shining young statesman, who possesses the personal temperament and courage necessary to extricate our country from this costly misadventure in Iraq, and to lead our nation at this challenging time in history. Barack Obama is a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian, and he has my full faith and support.

Source: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hqblog

Statement from Hillary Clinton on Zimbabwe Election

Related Post: Hillary Clinton Statement on Russia Election

• Hillary Clinton issued the following statement on the election in Zimbabwe:

"As the turmoil in Zimbabwe continues after a seriously tainted election process, President Mugabe is employing brutal tactics against dissenters in an attempt to retain power. In addition to raids on opposition party offices and the killing of opposition democracy activists by Mugabe supporters, there are increasing reports that the police are interrogating, arresting, and beating
Anglican parishioners and preventing them from attending Church.

"I join with people of all faiths in the United States and around the globe in calling for an end to the religious persecution taking place in Zimbabwe. These offenses are an affront to everyone and, as we know, religious persecution anywhere is a call to action everywhere. "Zimbabwe's families and communities teeter on the edge of starvation and economic distress while intimidation and violence toward people of faith is being carried out by the ruling party."

Click here for Clinton's full statement on the Zimbabwe election.

John McCain Launches New Eco-Friendly Store on Website

Related Post: Hillary Clinton’s Reaction to Sen. McCain’s Climate Change Proposal

• In an email to John McCain supporters the campaign manager, Rick Davis, announced the new section of the website selling "eco-friendly" items.
• Eco-friendly items being offered include bamboo tees, polo shirts and onesies, tote bags, and travel mugs manufactured out of recycled materials that include "an Enhanced Biodegradability Additive".
• Obama and Clinton do not yet have eco-friendly sections in their campaign stores which today advertise 100% cotton shirts.

Bullet Points: Alan Keyes on Taxation and Government Spending

Related Post: ThirdPartyWatch.Com: Keyes Starts New Party

The following are bullet points of Alan Keyes position on Taxation and Government Spending as posted on his campaign website:

• No "reform" of the income tax system can "correct its fundamental denial of control over our own money."
• "Only the abolition of the income tax will restore the basic American principle that our income is both our own money and our own private business — not the government's."
• "Replacing the income tax with a national sales tax would rejuvenate independence and responsibility in our citizens."
• "A national sales tax would also put the American citizen back in control of fiscal policy. The best way to curtail government spending is to cut taxes, because they can't spend what they don't get."
• Add "a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, with barriers to both borrowing and spending, is the best way to secure budget discipline."

Source: www.alankeyes.com

Ron Paul Holds Kentucky Rally at Grandson's School

Related Posts: Nevada GOP Has Yet to Announce a Date to Reconvene Convention, Nevada GOP Recesses Convention to Avoid Paul Supporters

• Ron Paul held a rally at Bowling Green High School in Kentucky in advance of Tuesday's Democratic and Republican primaries.
• He was introduced by his grandson, Will, who is a freshman at the school.
• According to the Bowling Green Daily News approximately 300 supporters and 200 students were in attendance.
• After speaking, Ron Paul took questions from the students which ranged from the cost of college to global warming to immigration.

Source: http://bgdailynews.com/articles/2008/05/17/news/news2.txt

Video: AP Campaign Minute 5/19/08

KUAM News: Cameron withdraws protest, caucus results certified

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The Central Executive Committee of the Democratic Party of Guam met this evening to make several large and important decisions relative to last weekend's historic caucus. First, they voted to accept the nomination of Senator Ben Pangelinan's as national committeeman. The former speaker of the Guam Legislature had been nominated by outgoing party chairman Tony Charfauros.

They then proceeded to tackle the more contentious issue on the table: whether to certify or recount the results from the weekend election. The committee had previously received a request from national chairperson candidate Joseph Cameron, who demanded a recount after losing the election to Pilar Lujan, alleging there were missing ballots and expressing strong concern over the more than 400 spoiled ballots.

At the onset of discussions, Cameron announced that he was withdrawing his protest, with the results subsequently certified by the party members. Both local offices for the respective presidential campaigns for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton expressed their satisfaction and support of the results, as tabulated last Saturday.

From KUAM News: http://www.kuam.com/news/27785.aspx

Video: John McCain on 5/17/08 Saturday Night Live

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What America needs is an old President.........

Latest Intrade Prediction Market Data on Kentucky and Oregon Democratic Primaries

Related Posts: Pennsylvania Primary Predictions, Latest Intrade Prediction Market Data on Pennsylvania Primary, Intrade Presidential Winner Chart, Latest Intrade Predictions on North Carolina and Indiana Primaries

• The Kentucky and Oregon Democratic Primaries will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.

Oregon

• A recent check of the Intrade Prediction Markets shows Barack Obama favored to win Oregon and Hillary Clinton favored to win Kentucky.
• Obama's last closing price in Oregon was 97.00 and Hilllary Clinton's last closing price in Oregon was 2.80.
• The market for the Oregon Primary opened on March 5, 2008 and as of May 18th, the total trading volume for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama was 947 and 1,056 respectively.
• Clinton's hi/low prices for Oregon were 39.00 and 2.50.
• Obama's hi/low prices for Oregon were 97.00 and 79.90.

Kentucky

• Clinton's last closing price in Kentucky was 96.10 and Obama's last closing price in Kentucky was 3.00.
• The market for the Kentucky Primary opened on March 5, 2008 and as of May 18th, the total trading volume for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama was 2,224 and 1,772 respectively.
• Clinton's hi/low prices for Kentucky were 98.50 and 70.00.
• Obama's hi/low prices for Kentucky were 40.00 and 1.90.
  
  Source: http://www.intrade.com/jsp/intrade/contractSearch/

Nevada GOP Has Yet to Announce a Date to Reconvene Convention

Related Post: Nevada GOP Recesses Convention to Avoid Paul Supporters

• The Nevada state GOP Convention was cut short last month when the convention chairman, Bob Beers, called for a recess siting timing issues that caused budgetary constraints.
• The following day the Nevada Republican Party chairwoman, Sue Lowden, announced that the date to reconvene the convention would be announced the week of April 28th.
• It has been two weeks and a date has yet to be selected.
• MercuryNews.Com reported that "Zach Moyle, the state party's executive director, said Monday the plan is still to have the convention in the Reno area, but it has been tough to arrange on short notice for space for a big crowd. There were more than 1,300 people at the party's April 26 convention in Reno."
• Possible alternative options being researched include mail-in balloting or teleconferencing with a goal of completing the convention by mid-June.
  

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_9235954

Related Post: Nevada GOP Recesses Convention to Avoid Paul Supporters

Telegraph.Co.UK: Elizabeth Murdoch hosts Barack Obama fundraiser

By Andrew Porter
Political Editor
Last Updated: 12:26PM BST 14/05/2008

A fund raising event at the London home of Rupert Murdoch’s daughter has raised $400,000 for Barack Obama’s campaign to be President. The donation is thought to be the largest the campaign has received from one event outside London.

The Democrat front runner was so pleased with the amount raised he phoned Elizabeth Murdoch that night and congratulated those who had attended and lent their support.

Those attending were asked to pay £1,160 each to Senator Obama’s fund. Only those holding American passports are allowed to contribute directly to campaigns.

Although Gwyneth Paltrow, the Oscar-winning actress, was invited she did not attend. David Schwimmer, who played Ross in the American series Friends, was photographed arriving at the event which took place on 28 April.

The majority of those attending were businessmen and women.

A source revealed that the final amount raised was $400,000. That is thought to be the largest amount raised in one event outside America.

Click here for the full Telegraph article.

Obama Proposes Reduction in Taxes to Boost American Manufacturing

The following are bullet points on Barack Obama's plan to "revive and strengthen" American manufacturing:

• Tax breaks to companies that create good-paying jobs right here in America.


• Invest $150 billion over the next ten years in clean/green energy.


• Provide domestic automakers with the funding they need to retool their factories and make fuel-efficient and alternative fuel cars.


• Invest $10 billion a year in creating a Clean Technologies Deployment Venture Capital Fund. This government-backed fund will help solve this problem by creating an initiative right here in Michigan that will accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge vehicle technologies.


• Creating an Advanced Manufacturing Fund that will invest in innovation and job creation in places that have been hard hit by the decline in manufacturing.


• Make the research and development tax credit permanent.


• Stop slashing funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and start doubling it.


• Help community colleges develop associate degree programs in green technology.


• Universal health care.

Obama also mentioned in his speech that the US auto manufacturers are suffering because their corporate boards and executives "invested in the SUVs and large trucks that may have helped meet a rising demand" instead of "the fuel-efficient cars of the future" and that "manufacturing supports one in six American jobs – jobs that pay more and offer better benefits than other jobs – and we all have a stake in saving them."

Source: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gGBlL3 .

Clinton Statement on John McCain's May 15, 2008 Speech

Related Post: Video and Text of New Web Ad for John McCain "2013"

• The following statement was posted on HillaryClinton.Com in response to John McCain's May 15, 2008 speech in which he outlined his vision for America at the end of his first term:

"This morning, John McCain said that four more years of the same strategy will produce victory in Iraq, though he provided no new approach or new proposals. This is not the first time Senator McCain has predicted victory in Iraq. He promises more of the same Bush policies that have weakened our military, our national security, and our standing in the world. Our country cannot afford more empty promises on Iraq. When I am President, the United States will no longer give Iraq a blank check. I will bring this war to a swift and honorable conclusion, and bring our troops home, beginning within 60 days of taking office."

Source: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=7707

Related Post: Video and Text of New Web Ad for John McCain "2013"

Video and Text of New Web Ad for John McCain "2013"

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• John McCain's campaign released a new web ad entitled "2013" chronicling what McCain "envisions achieving during his first term in the White House."
  

• The following is the text of the ad:

ANNCR: The year, 2013. The Middle East stabilized.Nuclear terror threat reduced. Border security strengthened. Energy independence advanced. Wasteful spending reformed. Health care choice delivered. Economic confidence restored. The year, 2013. The President, John McCain.

JOHN MCCAIN:I'm John McCain and I approve this message.

Source: http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/a9721ee6-32bf-4bf6-9c07-0110a06fda10.htm

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John Edwards Video Message to Barack Obama Supporters

New Hillary Clinton Poster Print

• New Hillary Clinton poster print available at HillarClinton.Com