McCain chooses Palin

Written by: DFA Staff on Aug 29, 2008 12:00 PM EDT

The Republicans have chosen their vice presidential nominee, and -- surprise! -- she's as corrupt as fellow Alaska Republicans Ted Stevens and Don Young. From MSNBC:

Palin is currently under legislative investigation herself, accused of firing the state's public safety commissioner for not firing her former brother-in-law.

But that's not all! She's also woefull unqualified for the job. Two months ago, she didn't know what the vice president did. From the Politico:

Larry Kudlow of CNBC's "Kudlow & Co." asked her about the possibility of becoming McCain's ticket mate.
Palin replied: "As for that VP talk all the time, I'll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day? I’m used to being very productive and working real hard in an administration. We want to make sure that that VP slot would be a fruitful type of position, especially for Alaskans and for the things that we’re trying to accomplish up here for the rest of the U.S., before I can even start addressing that question."

Corrupt and unqualified. Obviously, McCain felt the need to pick a running mate that reinforced his message.

Michael Langenmayr
Field Fellow

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Work day Watercooler

Written by: DFA Community and you

DFA's home for a free form, open-ended discussion of what matters most to committed progressive activists.

66

Written by: DFA Staff on Aug 29, 2008 9:00 AM EDT

With just 66 days left until the general election, Sen. Barack Obama took off the gloves last night to give one of the greatest convention speeches of all time. From the New York Times:

The speech loomed as arguably Mr. Obama's most important of the campaign to date. It was an opportunity to present himself to Americans just now beginning to tune in on this campaign, to make the case against Mr. McCain and to offer what many Democrats say he has failed to offer to date: an idea of what he stands for, beyond a promise of change.

To that end, he emphasized what he described as concrete steps he would take to address the anxieties of working-class Americans, promising tax cuts for the middle class and pledging to wean the country from dependence on Middle East oil within 10 years to address high fuel prices.

With the speech, Mr. Obama closed out his party’s convention here and prepared for a quick shift of public attention to the Republicans as Mr. McCain moved to name his running mate and his party got ready for its convention in St. Paul on Monday.

The McCain camp is desperate to change the story from the historic nature of the Democratic convention, but I don't think naming his vice presidential running mate is going to do it. Not after last night's speech.

Michael Langenmayr
Field Fellow

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Democratic National Convention, Day 4

Written by: DFA Staff on Aug 28, 2008 6:00 PM EDT

Last night featured some of the Democratic Party's heaviest hitters, and none of them disappointed. In case you missed it, here is the next vice president of the United States.



Tonight features Gov. Howard Dean and Sen. Barack Obama. I'd ask who you're excited to see, but I think I already know the answer.

Michael Langenmayr
Field Fellow

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Gov. Dean talks grassroots politics

Written by: DFA Staff on Aug 28, 2008 3:00 PM EDT

Gov. Dean has been getting some pretty good press regarding his adovacy of grassroots politics and the 50 State Strategy since the start of the Democratic National Convention. From the Detroit Free Press:

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean told Michigan delegates this year's presidential race depends on voter registration, get-out-the-vote efforts and personal relationships.

Once again underscoring Michigan's standing as a battleground state, he called on delegates to knock on at least 25 doors three times between now and the election and recruit at least two other people to do the same.

The reason is simple, he said -- people knocking on their neighbors' doors and talking to them is the best way to build support.

Michael Langenmayr
Field Fellow

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Barack Obama and Joe Biden...

Written by: DFA Staff on Aug 28, 2008 9:00 AM EDT

... officially our Democratic nominees!

For the first time in a long time, Democrats are being showered with positive press from last night's all-star speakers. From the New York Times:

The historic nature of the moment quickly gave way to the political imperatives confronting Mr. Obama, who arrived here on Wednesday afternoon and is to accept the nomination Thursday night before a crowd of 75,000 people in a football stadium. After days in which the convention often seemed less about Mr. Obama than about the two families that have dominated Democratic politics for nearly a half-century, the Kennedys and the Clintons, he needed to convince voters that he has solutions to their economic anxieties and to rally his party against the reinvigorated candidacy of Mr. McCain.

Obama accepts the nomination tonight, then all we have to do is win this thing.

Michael Langenmayr
Field Fellow

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Words Matter

Written by: Thomas Janowski on Aug 27, 2008 7:18 PM EDT

Linked to groups: dfaROCHESTER

Hillary delivered an amazing speech at the convention last night.  I would declare the speech last evening as Hillary's best ever.  There was something very different about Hillary last night.  She was filled with passion and sincerity.  Her words to her supporters were clear and forceful.  Her words were exciting and motivating.  Her words were even inspiring. 

I was not a Hillary supporter throughout the primaries.  I'm not even sure I liked Hillary during the campaign.  However, I liked the Hillary I saw last night.  Why?  Because her words were impressive. 

During the campaign Obama was at times criticized because his greatest asset seemed to be his words.  Many said words alone weren't worth much. 

I hope Hillary noticed what happened last evening at the convention.  I hope everyone in the world took notice as well.  Last night Hillary proved just how much words alone do matter.  Words have the power to initiate change.  Words have the power to offer hope. 

President Obama is going to set a new tone for America and maybe even the entire world.  There will be a new "yes we can" spirit.  There will, once again, be hope.  There will be change.

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Democratic National Convention, Day 3

Written by: Michael Langenmayr on Aug 27, 2008 5:55 PM EDT

I said yesterday that Sen. Hillary Clinton had some big shoes to fill after Michelle Obama's fantastic speech on Monday, and boy did she deliver!



Tonight's headliners that I'm looking forward to: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, U.S. Sen. John Kerry, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, and of course, former President Bill Clinton and vice presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Joe Biden.

Any big names you can't wait to see?

Michael Langenmayr
Field Fellow

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Live from the DNC: Net Neutrality – The Battle For Democracy

Written by: Kate Drazner on Aug 26, 2008 11:19 PM EDT

To set the context for this blog, let me just start by explaining that there is currently an 8,000 square-foot, two story structure in my office building's parking lot, which is known as the Big Tent. The Big Tent is the place to be for new media journalists, bloggers, reporters, and non-profit leaders covering the Democratic National Convention. One of the great things about the Big Tent is the immense lineup of panels on the second floor throughout the four days of the convention. (Another great thing is the free beer garden provided by New Belgium Brewery).

This morning, I attended a panel on Net Neutrality. As a blogger, my interests in this issue are probably quite obvious, but the bigger picture of what I walked away with is how the real stakeholders in this are all people who live in the United States and are appreciative of our country's commitment to democracy. Panelist Adam Stoller, of OpenLeft summed up the importance of this issue:

“This isn't a story about technology – this is a story about democracy.”

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Wednesday picks from Gerry

Written by: Gerry L on Aug 27, 2008 9:00 AM EDT

Wednesday~

***************round of articles about our domestic ‘issues’ ~ August 27,  2008

Will be away from the computer till next Tuesday..

Hope you have a good, safe weekend!

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'Barack Obama Is My Candidate'

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/26/AR2008082603927.html?nav=hcmodule

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Confusion about Clinton

Christopher Hayes: The 'Dems divided' meme has been cooked up by the RNC and McCain campaign and fed to the press.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/jstreet/349112

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The Elephant in the Room...

Written by: J. Peter Lewin on Aug 26, 2008 8:34 PM EDT

There is a good possibility that I missed this particular discussion, but have we dealt with the probability that two justices to the Supreme Court might need to be replaced within the next four years?  The election takes on an entirely different level of importance when we consider that reality.  The "judicial fundamentalists" are one vote away from the majority and there is NO pretty scenario when we consider the possible replacements. 

Would love to hear the take of others more informed than I on this point. 

Keep the faith.

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