The Political Voices of Women

President Bill Clinton in Richmond…

Clinton Stumps for Obama…

President Clinton campaigned for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in Roanoke on Sunday evening, exciting a crowd of thousands with his praise for Obama’s commitment to policy change.

At the outdoor rally at the City Market in downtown Roanoke, Clinton said that Obama had the instincts to be president, citing his plans for financial recovery and proposals for health care reform.

“Barack Obama and Joe Biden are going to win here on Election Day with your help,” Clinton said. “For the first time in 40 years, Virginia will be a Democratic state. We have a chance to fundamentally change the direction of the country.”

Hillary Clinton in Scranton with Joe Biden…

Here is a guest post from community member Marcella Peralta Simon – Are Democrats Getting What They Deserve?

[If you would like to be a guest blogger on The Political Voices of Women, just join our community, and start posting.]

In the interests of full disclosure, I am a lifelong Democrat, having licked stamps for Johnson in 1964 as a tot, voting the first time for Jimmy Carter in 1976.

I watched the Hillary-Obama contest from the distant vantage point of Australia. I became increasingly disturbed by the dismissive, angry comments attacking Hillary and the Clintons by the press and bloggers. Equally disturbing was the near worship of Obama as a kind of political messiah. Nothing is scarier than someone with a messianic complex and I became worried. (I am just as scared by a “maverick” who takes risks and is hated by his own party).

Hillary has plenty of baggage but she also has substance and experience. But Democratic voters chose style over substance, the rock star over the school marm. In a culture obsessed by celebrity, this is not surprising.

As I came to understand Obama, I began to appreciate and admire him as a savvy, smart politician, much in the same vein as Bill Clinton. I feel comfortable with a good politician to solve problems that require policy interventions as one would want a good plumber to fix leaky pipes, not tear them up and leave the mess for the next generation to clean up.

However, now you see a new rock star, Sarah Palin, also light on resume and heavy on charisma brought in to counteract Obama. They both are inspirational speakers, come from relatively humble beginnings, and rose up through the ranks of local politics. Granted, Obama is better educated and more worldly, but when did America care so much about that?

The Republicans brought Sarah Palin in very cynically because they knew that people who have been put on pedestals can fall off with a slight nudge. And the Democrats by nominating Obama have left themselves wide open for such a tactic.

I thought Bill Clinton’s speech tonight was excellent, and his support for Barack Obama seems genuine.  Just in case you missed it, below is Bill Clinton’s speech in its entirety.  I’ve also included some of the blogger reaction to this speech.   What did you think?  Did Bill Clinton sell it?

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If you’re like me you can’t wait for the new season of “Real Time With Bill Mahr” to begin because whether you agree with all of Bill’s views or not, he does have a way of cutting through the cow dung and making a point.

In the following clip from Larry King Live, Bill Mahr points out: why Hillary Clinton would be a good VP choice (believe it or not; why the Obama campaign is losing much of its luster with progressives; the role that race is playing in the presidential campaign, and more.

url:http://www.politicstv.com/blog/?p=4157

A feast for any political junkie

From The New York Times…

Bill Gwatney, the chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party, was shot in his office in Little Rock Wednesday morning and died a few hours later, police officials said.

From The Associated Press…

Witnesses said the gunman entered the party offices shortly before noon and said he wanted to see Gwatney about volunteering. Party officials said the man forced his way into Gwatney’s office and fired three shots, then fled in a blue truck.

“He said he was interested in volunteering, but that was obviously a lie,” said 17-year-old party volunteer Sam Higginbotham. He said the man then pushed past employees to reach the chairman’s office, where he fired three times.

Gwatney, a former state senator and a Hillary Rodham Clinton superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention this month in Denver, had served 10 years as a state senator.

Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, issued a statement calling the 49-year-old Gwatney “not only a strong chairman of Arkansas’ Democratic Party, but he is also a cherished friend and confidante.”

After the midday shooting, the suspect was chased into Grant County, south of the capital, and apprehended after being shot. Police fired at the man but it wasn’t known whether he also suffered self-inflicted injuries.

Statement by Barack Obama on the passing of Bill Gwatney…

“Michelle and I are heartbroken to hear about the tragic loss of Chairman Bill Gwatney. We’re praying for his family and friends and all who worked with him and loved him.”

UPDATE: This post has been sadly updated here.

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The New York Times is reporting…

Bill Gwatney, the chairman of the Arkansas Democratic party, was shot and critically wounded in his office in Little Rock Wednesday morning, police officials said.The officials said a single gunman fired three shots Mr. Gwatney, a former state legislator, in his office a few blocks from the state Capitol and then drove away. The gunman was pursued by police officers and was apprehended after being shot during a lengthy chase.KTHV-TV reported that Mr. Gwatney was hospitalized in critical condition.

Mr. Gwatney, who had formerly represented the Little Rock suburb of Jacksonville, was appointed to the Democratic Party position by Gov. Mike Beebe, a close associate and personal friend with whom he served in the Arkansas Senate.

The Clinton’s who describe the chairman as a “cherished friend and confidante.”, have issued this statement…

“We are stunned and shaken by today’s shooting at the Arkansas Democratic Party where our good friend and fellow Democrat Bill Gwatney was critically wounded. Bill is not only a strong chairman of Arkansas’ Democratic Party, but he is also a cherished friend and confidante. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill and his family today and we wish him a quick recovery.”

Here is a guest post from community member Card Carrying Buddhist, who is also at No Blood for Hubris.  [If you would like to be a guest blogger on The Political Voices of Women, just join our community, and start posting.]

Obama: Just Not Man Enough to Run With Hillary

It’s pretty stupid for a presumptive nominee not to run with someone who would pretty much guarantee a Democratic landslide in the fall, don’t you think?

So, why is Obama being stupid?

Why is Barack Obama not happily, eagerly, excitedly, passionately offering Hillary Clinton the VP spot?

It makes no sense, does it?

He doesn’t need 18 million votes?

His ego is too fragile?

He’s scared that Hillary Clinton might both outshine him and outthink him?

And he just doesn’t want to be out-shone nor out-thunk, periodically?

That would be a sure sign of Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome, sweetie.

A troubling thought. Very troubling. Very damaging to the party, and to the country. Unpatriotic, really.

Will Barack Obama, for the good of his party, be growing some cojones anytime soon?

And if not, why not?

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What do you think?  Can Obama win without Hillary on the ticket?  Will Obama put his ego aside and ask Hillary to be his running mate?  Would an Obama/Clinton ticket win in November?  Let me know what you think in comments. 

The question seems to be…What does Hillary Want? Does she want to be VP? Or, is it something more? What do you hope she wants? What do you hope she gets? Here is a video of Senator Clinton speaking to supporters…

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This is from a story I found by Katharine Q. Seelye at The New York Times…

Senator Hillary Clinton asked the question herself on the night of the last primaries in early June: “What does Hillary want?”

That’s still a bit of a mystery, particularly as she and Senator Barack Obama negotiate over her role, and possibly that of her husband, at the Democratic convention in Denver and beyond.

Mr. Obama has given Mrs. Clinton a speaking role on the Tuesday night of the convention. But she made it clear in a recent chat with supporters — that she is steeped in negotiations over how to salve the wounds of her disappointed supporters so that they don’t stray in November. She suggested she may allow her name to be placed in nomination, and also that her supporters don’t need her permission to do that on their own.

From Pamela Leavey of The Democratic Daily – Clinton Seeks Democratic Convention Voices…

Senator Hillary Clinton wants her delegates to have a voice at the upcoming Democratic Convention… And rightly so. Like all candidates before her, who have fought a hard primary battle and have had committed supporters and delegates, Clinton wants her supporters to be heard. It’s not unusual… And yet, for some reason, it seems that some Clinton supporters are still out there misconstruing it all.

Read more »

Can the healing of the Democratic party begin now? Tomorrow will be the end of a very long primary season, and time for Clinton and Obama to come together. I guess the real question will be…Can the supporters come together? Is unity of the Democratic Party possible? What do you think?

Obama Promises To Work With Clinton In November…

Barack Obama said Monday he and rival Hillary Rodham Clinton will be “working together in November” despite fears by some that the Democratic Party will be divided after the long and bitter primary campaign.On the eve of the final two primaries, Obama told a rally and town hall-style meeting in this Detroit suburb that he understands there have been “some worries about whether the Democratic Party will be divided when it’s all over.”

From The Huffington Post…

Hillary Clinton has summoned top donors and backers to attend her New York speech tomorrow night in an unusual move that is being widely interpreted to mean she plans to suspend her campaign and endorse Barack Obama – if not that night, within a day or two.

Obama and Clinton spoke Sunday night and agreed that their staffs should begin negotiations over post-primary activities, according to reliable sources. In addition to seeking Obama’s help in raising money to pay off some $20 million-plus in debts, Clinton is known to want Obama to assist black officials who endorsed her and who are now taking constituent heat, including, in some cases, primary challenges from pro-Obama politicians.

“This has never happened before,” one donor said, referring to the personalized request by email to attend the event in New York Tuesday night.

Obama is expected to claim enough delegates to put him over the top that night at a separate event in St. Paul.

In an afternoon conference call today with about two dozen top fundraisers, Clinton strategist Harold Ickes spoke in very conciliatory terms about Obama, in contrast to his tougher rhetoric in public and on television, according to sources. He told the participants that Clinton wants to “significantly” help Obama, but he did not go so far as saying that she will announce withdrawal — that is the prerogative of the candidate.

From Tales from the Trail…

Speaking to reporters outside a Rite-Aid distribution center in Waterford, Michigan, the Illinois senator gave more details about a conversation he had with Clinton when he called her on Sunday to congratulate her on her win in Puerto Rico.

“There aren’t many people who understand exactly how hard she’s been working. I’m one of them,” Obama said of their hard-fought race.

“I told her that once the dust has settled, I was looking forward to meeting with her at a time and place of her choosing,” he said.

Obama, who hopes he will rack up enough delegates this week to clinch the Democratic nomination, has been making a point of publicly praising the New York senator. His hope is to ease divisions that have opened up in the party during the months of campaigning.

Some Democrats worry the rift among Democratic voters may put the party at a disadvantage in the November election against Republican Sen. John McCain.

What do you think? Will the healing begin? Can the Democratic Party unite?

Who is hurting the Democratic Party more? Obama? Clinton? Or the media? – by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at the Care2 Election Blog)

Why is the media trying to convince Democrats that if Hillary doesn’t drop out now, it’s the end of the Democratic Party as we know it? The Democratic Party has already, single handedly, ostracized all the voters in Florida and Michigan. Now they want to alienate even more voters, by suggesting that Clinton supporters don’t really matter, and later primary states aren’t relevant to the nomination. As far as I am concerned, the only people hurting the Democratic Party, are the people suggesting Hillary should drop out, as well as the media who are sacrificing their journalistic integrity for sensationalized stories and ratings.

This is from USA Today

Allowing the Democratic presidential race to continue several more weeks will not hurt the party’s chances in November, former president Bill Clinton said Sunday in San Jose, Calif. He urged people to “chill out” and let the balloting run its course.

This is from The Washington Post

THE GROWING chorus among some Democrats and other interested observers for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) to get out of the race for the Democratic Party‘s nomination for president is troubling. We’re not promoting Ms. Clinton over Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), or either of them over Republican Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), for that matter. A time may come when someone should gracefully bow out. But their extended contest informs the electorate and serves to battle-test them both.

From an Associated Press article…

Debra Starks has heard the calls for Hillary Rodham Clinton to quit the presidential race, and she’s not happy about it.
The 53-year old Wal-Mart clerk, so bedecked with Clinton campaign buttons most days that friends call her “Button Lady,” thinks sexism is playing a role in efforts to push the New York senator from the race. Starks wants Clinton to push back.
“The way I look at it, she’s a strong woman and she needs to stay in there. She needs to fight,” Starks said at a Clinton campaign rally. “If you want to be president, you have to fight for what you want. If she stays in there and does what she’s supposed to do, I think she’ll be on her way.”
Amid mounting calls from top Democrats for Clinton to step aside and clear the path for rival Barack Obama, strategists are warning of damage to the party’s chances in November if women — who make up the majority of Democratic voters nationwide, but especially the older, white working-class women who’ve long formed the former first lady’s base — sense a mostly male party establishment is unfairly muscling Clinton out of the race.

From Taylor Marsh

As to whether the Republicans could be picking our nominee, I’ve answered that question before.

It’s really simple. If Michigan and Florida are not counted before the nomination is complete, the Democratic nominee will not be fully legitimate. Obama is giving all Democratic voters, especially Hillary suppporters who are dug in against him, a reason to stay that way. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Boy’s Against The Girls?

Hate to bring up that gender thing again, but here they are:

Senator Patrick Leahy (Elected for life in the 80% Obama state of Vermont, his hemorrhoids are so bad he has to speak in a whisper lest he break out in a cold sweat.)

Senator John Kerry (The quintessential Momma’s boy, our worst candidate since Ohio Governor Cox lost to Warren G. Harding.)

Senator Ted Kennedy (”I knew John Kennedy, Ted, and you’re no John Kennedy.” Got drunk, murdered Mary Jo Kopechne, failed presidential candidate (twice), appointed to a lifetime sentence in the Senate. Everyone leaves when he gives his speeches. Resents the Clintons, especially Hillary.)

Bill Richardson (No more Mr. Nice Guy, Richardson has been viciously biting the hands — Bill’s and Hillary’s — that gave him a career in Washington in Bill Clinton’s Cabinet.)

Howard Dean — (Responsible for the Democratic primary mess that is leaving the voters of Florida and Michigan out in the dark (to Hillary’s disadvantage). Remember, also, that many of his former supporters from Blue State Digital now work for Obama, Kennedy, and Kerry. Remember that “1984″ anti-Hillary video? That came from Blue State Digital. Dean is doing “the right thing” and not letting Florida and Michigan count because it helps Obama. There’s no other reason. The only way those votes will count will be after Dean resigns.

So there you are: the chorus asking Hillary to quit are men with agendas of their own.

From Talk Left

On George Stepanopoulos’ show, Ed Rendell represented the Clinton campaign and John Kerry represented the Obama campaign. Here is the video.

It seems clear that the Obama camp has completely backed down from the “Hillary should quit” campaign. That’s good. Now they are engaging the the winning metrics. Especially the Michigan and Florida issues. Frankly, I think Kerry did as well as he could with a tough hand. Rendell has become quite adept at this though and he talked “popular vote,” the will of the people and MI/FL. For me the Clinton argument is better than the Obama argument.

What do you think? Who is hurting the Democratic Party more? Obama? Clinton? Or the media?