Check out this great song tribute to President Obama from PlanitSound.com productions. It's a great song that captures the beauty, spirit and hopes of President Obama's acceptance speech.
Over the last few days the McCain camp has started to get desperate with all the good news for Obama. So what does a campaign run by the architect of negative campaigning do?
Do some good 'ole negative campaigning of course. Here's a recap.
Obama answered a few questions from the press last night during his flight to San Diego. Obama said his team "didn't have a particular site in mind," but he wants "to make sure that my message is heard as opposed to creating a controversy."
The goal is to "lay out... the next administration's role in rebuilding our transatlantic alliance." The venue should be "appropriate" and not a "distraction."
Obama's advance team will arrive in Berlin this week to scout venues and finalize plans. Sources have given the German media a list of locations being discussed, of which the Gendarmenmarkt and the Schöneberger Rathaus are the most mentioned.
Interestingly though, the Berliner Morgenpostreports that the campaign has already declined an offer "to hold the speech in a building near the Brandenburg Gate," insisting instead on an outdoor venue.
The week-long, still-simmering war of words between Angela Merkel's center-right CDU and foreign minister's center-left SPD continues. The controversy has sustained itself this long for three main reasons:
(1) Because of the time change, German and American media are often reacting to one another on the following day rather than instantaneously. This drags out the news cycle.
(2) Even though developments have been few, interest is so intense in Germany that there's a demand for new articles every day and new statements from government officials on both sides of the debate, who tend not only to repeat but also, irritated, to intensify their argument.
(3) More political leaders from across Germany are now adding their thoughts, not always strictly by party lines.
But here are the highlights:
Social-Democrats continue to accuse Chancellor Angela Merkel of hypocrisy, using any pretext to tie Merkel to Bush:
"Ms. Merkel should be careful with accusations of political campaign against the Democratic presidential candidate."
In 2002 before the German parliamentary elections, she traveled as opposition leader to the US "to campaign against then-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and wouldn't rule out the possibility of German participation in the Iraq War. She stabbed the then-Chancellor and his administration in the back."
The chair of the governing CSU party in Bavaria (allied with the CDU), Erwin Huber, accused foreign minister Steinmeier of trying to "ingratiate himself with a possible favorite."
I don't see how Obama has render any outstanding service to [German] unity. That's not a criticism, but there's no reason to give him that privilege.
But in so doing, Huber contradicted his own party's foreign policy adviser, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, who on the same day dismissed criticism of Obama as just so much "summer theater." The adviser continued:
There are no plausible objections to an Obama appearance on the Pariser Platz (before the Gate). When there's public interest in an event, the square can be used.
Here's a strange footnote from the Berlin newspaper Tagesspiegel: Berlin political leader Walter Mompers, 63, remembers a visit from a different prominent African-American politician, back in September of 1983.
Mompers took then-Democratic presidential candidate Jesse Jackson on a tour through the seedier side of West Berlin, the Bohemian neighborhood of Kreuzberg.
[Jackson] was on a European tour, in order to encourage minority American ex-patriates to register to vote. [...]
Momper, then Social-Democratic district party chairman in Kreuzberg, brought Jackson into contact with punks, Turkish immigrants, and the scene on the Oranienstraße. Jackson missed the chance for a meeting with then-Mayor Richard von Weizsäcker only due to time constraints.
Jackson visited the Berlin Wall and held a press conference in a circus tent on the Mariannenplatz. Of course, the associate of Martin Luther King never became president.
For some reason, I imagine Obama's visit, twenty-five years later, will be slightly different. New York Times coverage of Jackson's 1983 visit, and some erie similiarities below...
Leading German newspapers, including Bild and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, reported that Bush administration officials attending a G8 summit in Japan this week expressed reservations to the German delegation about Obama speaking at the landmark.
"The reports are completely unfounded," Wilhelm said when asked about the reports and a suggestion from Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit that the Bush administration had pressured Merkel.
"There were no expectations whatsoever expressed either outright or tacitly in that regard from American President Bush or his staff. It's pure fiction."
"No expectations expressed" is kind of a strange expression, perhaps due to an awkward translation.
Meanwhile, the Treasury responded to Bild's characterization of Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt's comments, denying through a spokeswoman that the comment was in reference to Obama:
"He was meeting with some folks in Germany last week and was asked a question regarding US policy after the election," she said. "He demurred on the question, and just noted that the president would be in office and active until Jan. 20, and said, therefore, that he hoped the German government would stay engaged with the current administration even as it began outreach to potential successors. He did not say the German government should engage with us rather than our potential successors."
I'll be interested to see how this plays out and what the response is from the German newspapers.
Clearly, the Social-Democratic party is relishing the chance to tie Chancellor Angela Merkel to Bush, so there's politics involved in how the charge is being thrown around. This might give the topic new life though.
The German newswire reports that a handful of other destinations throughout Germany are being discussed as potential stops.
First, there's the medieval town of Heidelberg --- home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded in 1386. Heidelberg has a reputation for having a beautiful and well-preserved old town, and thus can be a stifling tourist trap in July. The University, long considered to be one of Germany's best, has seen better days, as years of under-funding have left it at a disadvantage to newer, less traditional universities elsewhere. There's been a steady erosion of prestige.
So why Heidelberg? Obama's Kenyan half-sister Auma studied linguistics on a scholarship for eight years at Heidelberg before moving to Great Britain. (Like the rest of Obama's impossibly diverse family, Auma has a German degree, a British daughter, a Chinese half-sister-in-law, and an aunt who's Russian.)
So a visit to Heidelberg could provide an opportunity to reinforce his biography and his diverse background.
Also under consideration, and relatively close to Heidelberg, is the American air force base at Ramstein --- a crucial stopover for wounded soldiers airlifted from the frontlines in Iraq, headed to the nearby major American military hospital at Landstuhl. Those wounded in combat are stablized in Iraq but then put on the eight hour flight to Landstuhl for further treatment before being sent on to the United States for rehabilitation. (Bob Woodruf, the wounded ABC anchor, was also treated at Landstuhl).
Why else might Obama already be at Ramstein? If he were himself on an arriving military flight from Iraq or Afghanistan...
Update: Obama campaign now denying report. A spokesman called the number "way off the mark" but didn't offer the correct total. Back to waiting...
The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that Obama's fundraising total for June will come in around $30 million, following burnout and exhaustion after a lengthy primary, and leftover bitterness among Clinton supporters still unwilling to donate:
June fund-raising for Sen. Obama appears to be falling below the expectations of some supporters. The campaign hasn't released its June numbers, but people close to the fund-raising operation say the total will likely be just over $30 million. While this isn't a poor showing, it is an underwhelming haul for a campaign that has ballooned in recent months, has promised a true, 50-state electioneering effort and has told its biggest fund-raisers that it wants to collect $300 million in general-election cash by mid-October.
This comes as McCain and the RNC report a planned $400 million budget for the fall campaign and already have over $90 million on hand. It's going to be a tough slog ahead for the campaign.
It's worth remembering though that the Obama campaign has also begun to fundraise for the DNC in earnest, so the combined fundraising should be good.
Second, remember that small donor fundraising can be fickle. Summer-time fundraising from small donors is difficult because it's harder to gain momentum; the candidates are in the news less; people are less plugged in; many are on vacation; there isn't the press of the primary schedule.
But here's the main thing: Supporters don't necessarily feel the urgency to donate to a candidate if they don't know they're in trouble. The Obama campaign needs to be up front with small donors, if the campaign wants them to chip in an extra $25 or $50 dollars.
Clinton found out that loaning herself $5 million at the end of January was the best fundraising move she ever made, since her supporters finally found out she was in trouble.
And that was the genius of Ron Paul, who offered total transparency in terms of fundraising totals, and whose internet fundraising boomed as a result.
I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Since, I am late posting "This Week" and just getting back in town, I will let the pictures speak for themselves. A few things first:
If you have not given to the DNC for the Convention or to the Obama Campaign, between arguing, please do so. The DNC is running on empty now, due to the ridiculously, long primary season and money mismangement, in my view. The money is low, don't believe it, read it all here. Barack is also in full fundraising mode. We all know what this is about. If you want to win, you need money to do that. Barack would not be able to run ads in almost 1/2 the country if he did not have the money to do so. Remember Kerry, and the swiftboat ads and the slow response because he did not have the money to combat the ads? Just sayin', don't let anger get in the way of winning this thing in November.
Right now funding the DNC and the Obama Campaign is top priority. It has to be, the primary ran too long, we got a very late start on everything and the Convention is right around the corner, as well as the General Election. You know not only what to do, but what this is about in November, WINNING.
Barack is accepting the nomination in front of over 75K people at the Invesco/Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. Sorry, I am from the old school and refuse to process companies names on sport stadiums, so it will always be Mile High to me. Just as Cominsky Park will always be THAT to me, from the Southside of Chicago. Anyway moving on, for a donation as small as $5.00 your name just may be picked from one of ten to enjoy the convention up close and personal in Denver. This also includes meeting Barack Obama. More information is here.
Lastly, please give to the DNC. Donate to the DNC here.
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Double lastly, please give to the Obama Campaign, by DONATING HERE.
Thank You.
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obama with kids from east community ministry, zanesville, ohio
patriotism speech in independence, missouri, june 30, 2008
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Obama is live on ipod. You can retrieve and listen to all his speeches, townhall meetings, special events. You can get all the information, here.
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obama's laid back, enjoying his daughter's soccer game
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The Obama Girls (Melia and Sasha, respectively) were promised, come hell or high water, a dog after going through this grueling campaign season. The girls deserve it 360 percent. Anytime you take a parent away from their children it is tough. You are reducing the home to basically a one parent home, which is what happened. So, for all the strife of the Obama Girls there now is a pet poll for which dog the girls should get. I know the family is interested in a "shed free dog" and will like to turn their attention to this list.
And for personal experience, I have had two of the dogs on the list. The bichon frise and havanese. Both dogs don't shed, both are loyal to the owners, both are sweet, both are small dogs and both are fun to have around.
One caveat, the bichon frise is a breed that has been over bred. The havenese is still a newer breed to this country, originating in Cuba. The bichon is a stubborn dog, have not met one that is not. The havenese is extremely loyal, easy to train and totally fun. I love both breeds and hope the Obamas investigate well before picking the right dog for their family.
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call to service, colorado springs, colorado
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List of missed Obama speeches, talks, briefings and all of the et cetera...
obama with jerry orvin in colorado springs, colorado
shoutouts
The Long, Long List Of McFlip/Flops (McCain that is) by StuHunter; Unfit for duty: McCain physically assaulted foreign official in 1987 by Geekesque; Elizabeth Edwards to Headline $40 million Health Care Coalition. by GlowNZ; The Obamas, Mortgages and Creditworthiness by SusanG; John "I Didn't Say What I Said" McCain by Todd Beeton; Cool Obama Family Campaigns & Celebrates by maureen; John Edwards to Debate Karl Rove by MLDB; Judge Requires YouTube to Turn Over User IP Addresses by ohmproject; Countdown to $200 oil: International Energy Agency says current prices justified by Jerome a Paris; Cleaning Up After the Worst Presidency in History by mcjoan
the slideshow, drumroll please....
i will be back in form next sunday. remember to donate, volunteer and focus on obama, not the drama...
Environmentalism is not an upper-income issue, it's not a white issue, it's not a black issue, it's not a South or a North or an East or a West issue. It's an issue that all of us have a stake in - Barack Obama
Contrary to reports of my untimely demise I am still here I just have been having problems coming up with stuff to write about. I've written a lot of diaries on Obama's platform but there is one issue that I have not written about much. And it's a very, very important issue. A little something called our environment. Barack Obama has been a champion of the environment for a long time. In this diary I will take a look at his background on this issue and plans for moving our country and environment forward.
As June ends, it is clear in a number of ways that Barack Obama represents the center of the Democratic Party. This is true in ways we may desire (the fundraising model of the campaign is now that of the DNC) and in ways we may not desire (the candidate's recent policy statements on FISA and gun control appear to run counter to earlier statements that won him support from many people).
Taken as a whole, though, I argue that we can take comfort in the fact that Obama now represents the center of the party, and that this move has the potential of making the party -- and its leader -- more progressive. I'll explain why after the jump.
The Obama campaign will be opening a staffed field office in Anchorage and may be planning a campaign visit to Alaska by the end of the summer. The McCain campaign has no immediate plans to open an office or to hire staff, choosing instead to deny that Alaska is all that close --- a risky proposition given that Rasmussen showed the general election there within four points.
But what I found most interesting about the article in the Anchorage Daily was this paragraph:
Obama's national campaign manager, David Plouffe [...] said Obama is looking for multiple paths to victory and that could include mounting intensive precinct efforts in small-population states where McCain has fewer resources to compete, such as Alaska, according to McClatchy Newspapers.
This is the strategy that carried the Obama campaign to victory in the primaries. Facing a candidate with greater name recognition but possessing itself a broad and enthusiastic volunteer base, the campaign competed in the pundit-proclaimed Big States, but its greatest successes were in small-state caucuses and primaries that the Clinton campaign largely ignored.
The Clinton campaign assumed that Clinton's national poll numbers would ensure at least a passable showing across the February 5th primaries and caucuses. And the morning after the results came in, maybe they even woke up feeling like they'd won. But the losses in caucuses in places like Kansas had been devastating.
Could this strategy work in the general election? Obama is again matched with an opponent who believes they can coast through the general election without intensive field work in several states.
But the main problem is that the general election isn't proportional. There's no delegate prize for coming in second. Coming close in Alaska will win them nothing. The strategy also relies on McCain being unable to call their bluff, so to speak.
Ultimately, given the resources advantage, it's worth a shot. And it might just give Democrats the needed help in the House and Senate races there.
The German newswire 
