The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

I fear that "Sheamoh" is about to cast his/her vote under the influence of Obamain, the newest abuse drug. The quest for change at all costs is fraught with success--this fellow Republican will get exactly what he/she is looking for. So many of us now are confusing politics with entertainment. We want to be amused, even titillated. But, if Obama should take office, we are going to suffer the worst hangover in American history, and the worst withdrawal symptoms, from the Obama hallucinogen.

From afar (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) I sense in Iowa the beginnings of a shift towards something positive coming out of the USA again. For so many years recently, my friends and I have watched Bush and his GOP henchmen, and despaired of your country's relationship with the rest of the world.

In Obama I see a man who has humanitas. He has heart and a soul. All the rest of the candidates are smart suited brains which drive their mouths, puppetlike strutters on the stages of the campaign trail. Obama comes across as a deeply sincere man of the people. For me it is precisely because he lacks "experience" that paints him as electable - he hasn't been tainted by the slime of national and international politics. When he moves into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (and I fevertly hope he will) he will have a raft of advisers gathered around him to perform just that job - which is surely exactly the same for all residents of that Office.

As a white South African, I find the categorisation of Obama as a "black" man distasteful. The colour of his skin is immaterial, as demonstrated by the 95% white Iowans. He is a man. He is sincere. He is intelligent. He has heart and soul. He is all of these and so much more. For these reasons he is way better suited to the post of leader than any of the other candidates I see on my television set.

I cannot help feeling that Mrs Clinton's experience as First "Lady" was more about flower arranging, scattering scatter cushions and desinging juicy menus for visiting dignitaries, all in the name of being a perfect hostess, than it was about learning to shape US policy in the world. To latch onto her time in the White House as number two (and sometimes three) to the then President as a measure of "experience" designed to lead the USA is pretty thin. I should think, then, that Monica Lewinsky should also be running for office - that blue dress would be a perfect Democratic uniform for a start.

Berman3 and others interested in information on Senator Obama may check the following for more information on his ideas: http://www.barackobama.com has a both word doc and pdf versions of his stances on issues; his book The Audacity of Hope outlines many of his views and is an enlightening and motivating read. There is a subscription channel on YouTube with practically every video of Barack Obama you can imagine. The url is http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?s=iz7Hz9YWfEQ These are in addition to the sources already listed here.

I am not a republican, or a democrat. I am simply an American who recognizes that the country I was taught to hold pride in no longer exists. I desperately want to offer my children the chance to hold that same pride, and I recognize Barack Obama as a man who can lead us - The People - to a hope filled future, brightened by positive change.

Sheamoh-
Please do consider crossing part lines!
We'd welcome you in. Electing a Democratic president who is hated deeply by half of the country puts us right where we are today in terms of the divisiveness in this country. Read Andrew Sullivans article about Obama in the Atlantic online. You won't be the only one in your party. Maybe we all can be Americans first, and party affiliates second. Wouldn't that be nice?

Berman3-
Kucinich told his supporters in Iowa to back Obama if it looked like they wouldn't get 15%. Since you are a Kucinich supporter yourself, maybe you should consider looking into Obama if Kucinich pulls out of the race, I mean if Obama is good enough for Kucinich, he should be good enough for one of his supporters, right?

I am very happy to be a resident of Iowa and a young voter. Barack Obama's win at the caucuses was awesome. Obama, in my opinion, stands for a change that the United States needs.

I'm sixty-years-old and I have never been so ticked off with the pandering pundits in Washington as I am today. They're nothing but a bunch of petty, self-serving, arrogant do-nothings! They are so busy fighting and stabbing each other in the back that not an iota of meaningful legislation is passed. Think of the old lighter - ZIPPO. I'm starting to be ashamed of America.
Now is time for a CHANGE! I would vote for Hugo Chavez for president before Hillary Clinton. But I'm a far-right Republican anyways. But, alas, not one of the Republican candidates has fired me up. They're a bunch of snake oil salesmen, old rainmakers that can't make it rain.
So, now, I'm starting to turn my attention to Barack Obama. He's young, he's handsome, he's charismatic and, above all, he's honest. I may very well cross party lines on this one.

If you're looking to learn more about each candidate, beyond their own campaign websites, try:
http://www.dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Society_and_Culture/Politics/Candidates_and_Campaigns/Presidential/2008/Candidates/

This young man, Barack Obama, is destined for greatness and he will be the next president of the United States. He is honest, straight forward, humble and a great mind (as we hear in his speeches). Senator Hillary is a great lady, but I believe America is truly ready for a change and the Clinton era has come to a end.

I'm an Iowa precinct captain for Obama and even I was amazed at the turnout and enthusiasm for Senator Obama last night. And, yes, we had young people, but we also had senior citizens and middle-aged moms and dads, black and white, wealthy and not. We stood for positive change, and we won the day.
Two responses to comments I've read here today:
nwachai (re: Kenya) - Senator Obama put out this statement to Kenyans via Voice of America with State Dept. approval two days ago: "Despite irregularities in the vote tabulation, now is not the time to throw that strong democracy away. Now is a time for President Kibaki, opposition leader Odinga, and all of Kenya's leaders to call for calm, to come together, and to start a political process to address peacefully the controversies that divide them."

berman3 (re: candidates' books) - If you're leary of reading books written to further candidates' elective chances, then read Senator Obama's first book, "Dreams from my Father." It was written in the years after Obama was selected as the president of the Harvard Law Review, long before he had concrete ambitions for high elected office. It's not a policy book, but it gives a tremendous insight into how the man's mind works and where he comes from, and it's a darn good read besides.

From Iowa onward to New Hampshire...
Obama '08!

Berman 3 says "I have absolutely no idea what Barack Obama stands for or even says he stands for. "
Thank you, BHall, for giving the right advice! I would also like to add to Berman 3 - go to google, type in "Obama acceptance speech, Iowa 2008." Listen to this man. And yes, read Audacity of Hope and Dreams from My Father - but more than the (self written) books, try to go hear him speak.
We have not seen a leader like this for many decades. With the other boomers here, I celebrate this day and hope the tide has finally turned!
We WERE the young people who changed things and now our children are doing it. I have never been more proud of my country.

How can one argue that Edwards can win the general election when he has never won one state in a Democratic primary or caucus?

I am 60 years old and I am a kid again and so impressed with Barack. This is going to energize our young and those of us who remember making a difference with a vote. This feeling is so good because you can make a real difference. His lack of experience of the kind that long time politicians seem to have is such a plus - fresh new ideas and the hope of a really great America seems much more compelling. Good luck.

con_crusher... you need to read some national polls that match Obama up against the Republican candidates. Obama beats every Republican... something neither Hillary or Edwards do.

Less that 2% of Iowa is black... and Obama won overwhelmingly.

So "what juncture" of history do you really think the USA is in?

Our moment is now.

Today is a great day because my kids and your kids may embrace HOPE now and that they can make changes we made in the 60s. Obama has the good judgment to navigate a "New Frontier" of Hope and sanity for the US and the World. A most memorable day, almost as big as the NH primaries in 5 days, when he wins there too!

Obama won Iowa because alot of youngsters tried to "rock the vote" or whatever. But Dems need to remember that there's something called a general election. At this juncture in American history, Obama simply cannot win a general election. Edwards has the best chance, but he won't have the $ to stay competitive in the primaries. Clinton is really the best choice for Dems. I keep hearing that Clinton represents the status quo. Yeah, she's a centrist, but the Clintons aren't Reagan, Dole or McCain old.

Today was a great day not only because we saw history unfolding in Iowa, but because we know that all our democratic contendents are decent people. The young people of this country showed that the change is happening and it is up to them finally to decide the new way!!! Personally I don't have any preference between Obama or Edwards... I like them both, but I wouldn't be so excited to vote for Hillary...

cweltyarch - don't feed the trolls. If he really believes what he's spewing he's needs professional help. Otherwise he's just trying to discredit a candidate in a vile manner and the best we can do is ignore him like the tantrum-throwing 2 year old he's acting like.

Also, the media just follows the money - until there are real votes to tally the only thing they can count are dollars. The constant stream of media saying the same thing makes what is a weak indicator at best seem HUGE. Don't just be spoonfed, go do your own research if you want real information.

bhall - thanks, already did do some reading. The Wikipedia article seems pretty good. Obama looks like someone I would vote for, certainly over any Huckabee or Romney sort of clown, definitely over Hillary, maybe even over Edwards.

I have mixed feelings about reading books by the candidates themselves. People are comparing the Obama run with JFK's. One similarity: both were primed and groomed. Profiles in Courage and Obama's book were both part of a priming process. I wouldn't put much stock in it.

john_fabitz,
I can't decide if you are more hateful than stupid or more stupid that hateful. You are certainly more proof that the Republican party is imploding under the weight of coruption, moral hypocrisy, and just plain head in the sand ignorance of what is happening in the world.

HOPE FLOATS....STUPID BLIND PEOPLE SHOULD JUST SINK AND LET US REPAIR THE DAMAGE FROM THE LAST SEVEN YEARS!

And just remember the entire summer we were told by the media brainmachine that Hillary had it in the bag? And now they are (esp. that smarmy Andrea Mitchell) telling her to take a hike? Can they at least acknowledge how wrong they were (again?)

Yahoooooo! I am so excited by Sen. Obama's win -- I actually feel a murmur of something resembling hope in our political process again. I so agree with the posters who liken his candidacy with that of John or Bobby Kennedy. For my money I would trade all of Mrs. Clinton's so-called experience gained as 1st Lady with the optimism and vigor of a fresh start. America's standing in the world, our terrible deficits and stagnating economy needs something to shake us to our core and I feel that Obama's campaign has the transformative power of change that we need so dearly. Yes, I'm Fired UP!!!

berman3 - the headline news is going to cover the stumps and not go much deeper than that. You can find more information if you just look. Go read the candidates websites. Read their own writings. I've been reading through each of the candidates books and honestly Obama's The Audacity of Hope is one of the reasons I'm starting to support him - the book defined, for me, the framework in which Obama thinks and works (and I liked it!).

Watching Obama basks in glory after winning Iowa reminds me of atrocities taking place in my country Kenya, where a few selfish guys decided to interfere with the electoral process.Mr. Obama is destined to become the next president of the United States. It would be a great tragedy for Obama to preside over a peaceful country while his late father's motherland continues to burn. Though Obama has a tight schedule ahead of him, he should always spare a moment and find a way of encouraging Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki and the Orange Democratic Party's (ODM)leader Raila Odinga to talk to each other.

It's very interesting that the hate machine is already at it spreading misinformation about Obama. Well, really it's been going on for a while. I was having a discussion with a badly misinformed member of our armed services recently and when I told him I tended to vote democrat (I'm an independant) he said "well, that's fine, just don't vote for 'Osama'". My jaw just about hit the floor. He honestly believed that Obama was a closet Muslim and that he was essentially a political mole!

Wow. All I could do is what I do with everyone I have political discussions with - I encourage them to read everything they can about every candidate and then, most importantly, critically evaluate that information. Look at everything you can about a candidate and decide what is important to you.

I also want to remind people that you *never* see fully fleshed out plans in the primaries, let alone in the actual election. You get a sense of a candidates plans - and that's all available on their websites. For the first time in history you can get some real meaty information about each candidate anytime you want online. Just don't kid yourself, you won't find that info in their speeches. Detailed plans don't belong on the stump - it's about ideas and emotion, it's just too bad that not many voters really look deeper than that.

Blame it on the media or whatever, but even with all this exposure, I have absolutely no idea what Barack Obama stands for or even says he stands for. Someone help me out here. Why should this man be President?

To me, the only person expressing a consistent, reasonable view of changes necessary in Washington is Dennis Kucinich, who the media apparently consider too dangerous for any kind of exposure.

Edwards is great too, but the fact is that Barack Obama didn't grow up rich or entitled. He got into Harvard Law School without having money or connections, and after he graduated he worked as a civil rights lawyer instead of taking a well-paying corporate job.

Well done IOWA! This is American exceptionalism at work. This is a victory for USA!

Where are you people coming from? How can you say Obama has had it too easy in his life. Last I checked Edwards was working for some large wealth managers....do you call that relating to the common working man? Amongst the top three contenders for the democratic nomination, if there is anyone that reminds me of normalcy, it is Obama. Look closely at what he did before he became professor at Harvard. Look at what he did to get there. He surely did not go there because his dad was an important figure or because his dad had enough money to donate to Harvard. If you are going to make claims, please back them up.

BARACK OBAMA-Yuck. No, NOT EVEN. I want no green President, someone who has never even been to Europe, for god's sakes! WHO KNOWS NOTHING, EXCEPT THAT HE, BARACK OBAMA DESERVES TO BE PRESIDENT BECAUSE HE IS----BARACK OBAMA.

No thanks. A disaster waiting to be happen. I want John Edwards-he is a known quantity, but not too known-he's got the right balance of experience-but who could REALLY MAKE SOME CHANGES ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT THAT COULD BENEFIT SOMEONE OTHER THAN RICH FOLK.

That's what I want-no Columbia/Harvard Law professor who knows not one damn thing, but sure thinks he does-Barack Obama. I want a self-made person, a son of regular working class people, who can relate to them, who has had some hardships in life, YOU CAN'T RELATE TO PEOPLE, KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH, UNLESS YOU'VE HAD SOME HARDSHIPS-OBAMA IS JUST MR. I'M ENTITLED-HE'S HAD THINGS WAY TOO EASY IN HIS LIFE.

I'm telling you, Obama would be a DISASTER in the WH- IMPERIOUS HISSY FITS, ALL THE WAY.

response to: (john_fabitz | January 3, 2008 11:19 PM)

The caucas has a different flavor than standard primaries, so it's no wonder that younger voters who tended to favor Obama, made a difference. That said, Clinton will still win the nomination.

John_Fabiz's comments should not be published by a paper of record. They are both inaccurate and hateful.

Ditto John

Stop drinking the Bill O'Reilly Kool-Aid and get your facts straight. I may not like Obama's politics but I like the hate-mongers world-view a whole lot less.

You're the reason peaceful Muslims worry so much about Cowboy Americanism.

FN

ALOHA IOWA!
MY HEARTFELT THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE! AS A RESIDENT OF HAWAII---I HAVE BEEN AN OBAMA BACKER SINCE THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN '04---MY HOW THINGS CHANGE...WE ARE ALL VERY PROUD OF HAWAII'S FAVORITE SON BARACK OBAMA AND WISH HIM AND HIS FAMILY WELL ON THIS INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE. ALSO--AS A BABY BOOMER--I HAVE WAITED 40 YEARS FOR ANOTHER CHANCE TO FEEL THE EXHILERATION OF SOMEONE LIKE BOBBY KENNEDY AND I HAVE FOUND HIM. NOW IT'S ON TO NEW HAMPSHIRE AND LET'S WIN THERE!
ALOHA AND GOD SPEED!
TIM SLEAR
HONOLULU, HI

John,
Please make a sincere attempt at getting a life.
Raphael

Obama didn't take his oath of office on the Quran, you moron. That was Keith Ellison. Obama is a Christian.

Americans are stupid. They are giving this country away. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are ROLLING in their graves. Obama took his oath of office on the Quran. What does this tell you. He is a Muslim. What do muslims think of the USA ? Are they peaceful, loving people? Muslims HATE AMERICA and our way of life. Ask the Mothers And Fathers of our troops in Iraq what they think of MUSLIMS. They do not Love ALLA. They are sick minded brain washed people. Alla and the Lord do not condone murder and killing of othr people. When will the hatred ever end.

Vivian, thanks for your righteous comment and eloquent passing of the torch. This fellow boomer shares your excitement.

Just read the news at 4.00 am UK. Does this result bring hope for the USA? Yes!Please let Obama grow in stature and carry himself and our hopes through to the White House.

Ben Beaumont
Oxford UK

A third place finish for Hillary Clinton is particularly bad because she has been projected as the Democratic candidate for so long. Edwards may be the real winner because of Obama's lack of election experience. Obama's only major election victory came after the Chicago Tribune knocked his opponent out of the race. He may not be able to handle a difficult race as the front runner in a competitive election.

As the second place finisher Edwards has the opportunity to pick up support and cause journalists to ask the question of whether he can catch up to Obama. If Edwards can appear to do so, he may draw in the uncommitted.

What a thrilling night. Speaking as a baby-boomer, I can say that I have not been so imbued with hope and motivated to get involved since JFK was President. I urge the youth of this country to understand what you have done tonight. I hope you will realize your potential - what we had most during the 60's and 70's was not the "drug, sex and rock 'n roll" but the knowledge that we changed the tide of public opinion and the course of our country. You now have the same opportunity. Take it - revel in it - we are waiting for you to grasp the reins and lead us forward with Obama's candidacy. Congratulations on the Iowa victory - and now, onward to a new era!

Know hope.

Although I am a fervent supporter of Senator Obama, it still irritates me that the networks feel they have to project a winner before results are final. Furthermore, Obama's new front-runner status means that he bears the burden of success. It will be interesting to see how his campaign adjusts.