The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

Obama will pick your pocket book by increasing the power of government, and increase your tax to spend on this wasteful government which benefits the contractors and other crooks. Does he have a clue or experience on how to balance the budget? zip. Electing him would be like hire a thief to guard your house. America already in trillions of debt thanks to Bush and the war. Needs another Clinton to fix it (which doesn't seem likely now). Either an extreme liberal like Obama or a war lover like McCain would push the country over the edge to depression. But that's probably God's intention. Thank you lord, you said suffering is good for our soul, Amen!

A comment from Sweden: I think Obama will take a strong moral stand against dictatorship all over the world. He will not be weak. He will make america victorius against muslim terrorists. I think its good that hes willing to talk also with the bad guys. If it matters to you - people in my country think that the USA with Obama as president will once again be the (true) leader of the free world. Why? Because he has the carisma of a Kennedy. Hes the one we have been waiting for.

A comment from Sweden: I think Obama will take a strong moral stand against dictatorship all over the world. He will not be weak. He will make america victorius against muslim terrorists. I think its good that hes willing to talk also with the bad guys. If it matters to you - people in my country think that the USA with Obama as president will once again be the (true) leader of the free world. Why? Because he has the carisma of a Kennedy. Hes the one we have been waiting for.

I can see one angry poster writing with capital letters,posting few times the same post and using many aliases, probably a redneck bigot upset to see a black possibly wining the presidency.

Get used to it bigot, your arguments do not hold any sway, your rant gave you away, you hate the man because of his race and nothing else, he will be your commander in chief, like it or not.

The intellect of this Obama Candidate is so overwhelming and his cool personality put him in danger from angry bigots.

I hope the secret service really protect him, I fear for his safety from within his entourage, after all bigots are insane people who will do anything if they are off their meds

dOES THIS CLOWN REALLY BELIEVE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST SONS, FATHERS, BOTHERS ,AND HUSBAND THESE PAST 5 YEARS IS MAKING STATEMENTS THAT ARE OF ANY VALUE TO AMERICA AND HIS QUALIFICATION TO BE OUR LEADER AS PRESIDENT. NOT A CHANCE IN H**ll. THE BOY IS IN LA LA LAND AND HAS GONE TOO FAR FROM HIS OWN REALITY, THAT HE HAS NO REALITY AT ALL. HE JUST TAKES IN THE GARBAGE TOLD TO HIM BY FOLKS LIKE HIS PASTOR, FARRAHKAN AND PROBABLY BIN LADEN. THEN HE SPITS IT OUT AND THE ODOR STINKS

dOES THIS CLOWN REALLY BELIEVE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST SONS, FATHERS, BOTHERS ,AND HUSBAND THESE PAST 5 YEARS IS MAKING STATEMENTS THAT ARE OF ANY VALUE TO AMERICA AND HIS QUALIFICATION TO BE OUR LEADER AS PRESIDENT. NOT A CHANCE IN H**ll. THE BOY IS IN LA LA LAND AND HAS GONE TOO FAR FROM HIS OWN REALITY, THAT HE HAS NO REALITY AT ALL. HE JUST TAKES IN THE GARBAGE TOLD TO HIM BY FOLKS LIKE HIS PASTOR, FARRAHKAN AND PROBABLY BIN LADEN. THEN HE SPITS IT OUT AND THE ODOR STINKS

OBAMA, THAT IS YOUR NAME. ONE NEVER KNOWS. since your pastor has opened pandora's box for you all the tintilating facts about who and what you are. Aint going to be pretty. Pack it in fella, and do yourself and OPRAH a favor. Stop all the empty talk about what has been happening these past years, we are all aware of the last eight years of copprupt political theivery. From a person who is SHOCKED by his Pastor and Mentor for 20 years we do not need to hear your empty words, and they are empty. The citizens of this country are just waiting for the second shoe to drop, and it will, you betcha. GO HOME!

OBAMA, THAT IS YOUR NAME. ONE NEVER KNOWS. since your pastor has opened pandora's box for you all the tintilating facts about who and what you are. Aint going to be pretty. Pack it in fella, and do yourself and OPRAH a favor. Stop all the empty talk about what has been happening these past years, we are all aware of the last eight years of copprupt political theivery. From a person who is SHOCKED by his Pastor and Mentor for 20 years we do not need to hear your empty words, and they are empty. The citizens of this country are just waiting for the second shoe to drop, and it will, you betcha. GO HOME! iSLUM IS CALLING

OBAMA, THAT IS YOUR NAME. ONE NEVER KNOWS. since your pastor has opened pandora's box for you all the tintilating facts about who and what you are. Aint going to be pretty. Pack it in fella, and do yourself and OPRAH a favor. Stop all the empty talk about what has been happening these past years, we are all aware of the last eight years of copprupt political theivery. From a person who is SHOCKED by his Pastor and Mentor for 20 years we do not need to hear your empty words, and they are empty. The citizens of this country are just waiting for the second shoe to drop, and it will, you betcha. GO HOME! iSLUM IS CALLING

OBAMA, THAT IS YOUR NAME. ONE NEVER KNOWS. since your pastor has opened pandora's box for you all the tintilating facts about who and what you are. Aint going to be pretty. Pack it in fella, and do yourself and OPRAH a favor. Stop all the empty talk about what has been happening these past years, we are all aware of the last eight years of copprupt political theivery. From a person who is SHOCKED by his Pastor and Mentor for 20 years we do not need to hear your empty words, and they are empty. The citizens of this country are just waiting for the second shoe to drop, and it will, you betcha. GO HOME!

OBAMA, THAT IS YOUR NAME. ONE NEVER KNOWS. since your pastor has opened pandora's box for you all the tintilating facts about who and what you are. Aint going to be pretty. Pack it in fella, and do yourself and OPRAH a favor. Stop all the empty talk about what has been happening these past years, we are all aware of the last eight years of copprupt political theivery. From a person who is SHOCKED by his Pastor and Mentor for 20 years we do not need to hear your empty words, and they are empty. The citizens of this country are just waiting for the second shoe to drop, and it will, you betcha. GO HOME! iSLUM IS CALLING

OBAMA, THAT IS YOUR NAME. ONE NEVER KNOWS. since your pastor has opened pandora's box for you all the tintilating facts about who and what you are. Aint going to be pretty. Pack it in fella, and do yourself and OPRAH a favor. Stop all the empty talk about what has been happening these past years, we are all aware of the last eight years of copprupt political theivery. From a person who is SHOCKED by his Pastor and Mentor for 20 years we do not need to hear your empty words, and they are empty. The citizens of this country are just waiting for the second shoe to drop, and it will, you betcha. GO HOME! iSLUM IS CALLING

We have to ask ourselves how we let ourselves get into this war. How did we suspend our critical thinking? Why did we ask so little of our leaders before heading off to destroy another nation that resulted in 1 million Iraqi citizens dead. Why are we not sick to our stomachs about Abu Gharib and Guantanamo? This should be a cause of nightmares for the American public. If we allow our politicians to take us into war in Iran now, then we deserve to go down in history as a truly immoral and corrupt nation.

You say that Obama's economic assertions "are debatable" and then, in no uncertain terms, you trash them. Sounds like you are saying he's wrong, not that it is "debatable."

I am sure you can find economists that agree with you, and with Obama's point of view because economics is as much an art as a science. Also, have citations gone out of style? What are your source(s)? What are his?

Personnally, I think there is intuitive merit to the link between the war and the economic downturn. I think the destablization of the Middle East, the cost of the war, the "intellectual space" that it occupies in Congress (which keeps other things from getting done), and our decision to let the national debt ballon must have something to do with our week dollar, the price of oil, and the general state of our economy.

If you are just stating a personal opinion like my 2 minute armchair analysis, say it. If not, give us the full story.

For a brief shining moment, I had the HOPE that the USA could move past the bickering, backstabbing, politics as usual kind of campaign that has characterized the last two campaigns. Change and hope resonated with this survivor of the civil rights era.....this witness of the assassinations of John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King.

This week, I heard a man of mixed heritage dare to logically, thoughtfully disect and discuss race relations in OUR country. The power of his speech reached deep into the psyches of many people. Those individuals who listened with an open mind gave thought to what Obama said and took it to heart. Closed minded individuals nitpicked to find an excuse for their bigoted reactions.

Do not bring your bigotry in front of my grandson's precious face. His family (the black half and the white half) have worked to insure that he is touched by as little prejudice as possible because we want him to grow up in a much more color blind world. We know we are going to have to explain negative people and why they are wrong.

None of us are perfect but we can strive for perfection. Before we reach perfection, we must analyze ourselves and be willing to make personal changes. Don't use your neighbors' prejudice to justify your own! Think this CHANGE is possible? I pray and HOPE so!

lndlouis: Obama simply voted not to cut off funding for our troops. That's hardly the same thing as voting to authorize Bush to go to war.

But I think you know this already....

It is amusing that Obama quotes a Kennedy in West Virginia. Back in 1960, Kennedy's father bought the election and got the Chicago Mafia to deliver union votes for JFK in West Virginia.

Now we have another city slicker from Chicago trying to tell us that Republicans are responsible for high gas prices and the mess we are in. What about the Democratic Congress? What has Nancy done? Is Obama getting the endorsement of Senator Byrd?

Senator Obama does not impress me as being a racist. The man is solid and secure in his position, this is obvious. When those who are bound by racism can get beyond that point, and stop searching for a reason to covertly smear mud on others who are not their choice, this country as a whole will be a much better place to live.

Senator Obama does not impress me as being a racist. The man is solid and secure in his position, this is obvious. When those who are bound by racism can get beyond that point, and stop searching for a reason to covertly smear mud on others who are not their choice, this country as a whole will be a much better place to live.

Senator Obama does not impress me as being a racist. The man is solid and secure in his position, this is obvious. When those who are bound by racism can get beyond that point, and stop searching for a reason to covertly smear mud on others who are not their choice, this country as a whole will be a much better place to live.

Hmmm ... .let's see Mrs. Clinton's response to her religious zealotry problem: check out this post on her connections to the "Family" bible studies on Capitol Hill: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-ehrenreich/hillarys-nasty-pastorate_b_92361.html

What I find fascinating is that Barak Obama camapigned FOR Joe Lieberman AGAINST the anit war candidate Ned Lamont in Connecticut. It was to get the Jewish vote which he lost with his 20 yr association with Rev Wright.

Then he voted exactly like Hillary did on the war. Then, he lampoons Hillary for a vote in Iran that he did not have the courage to even vote on.

So twice he criticzes Hillary for two votes he did not have to take a stand on.

How convenient and how manipulative.

Now he wants to move on - how convenient and how manipulative.

Left his name on the Florida ballot in case he won but now wants to split the delegates. How convenient.

Bill Lewinsky was cute, you must be in high school.

To all those who call Rev. Wright "hateful" or "Anti-American":

He is neither.

A true patriot is able to criticize his country's mistakes. Strongly if necessary.

Yes, he went over the top with a few of his words. One minute out of thousands of hours of great sermons which did more good for his community than you will ever do.

So get over it. The only hate around Rev. Wright is coming from the Right-Wing Hannity Swift Boat Smear Machine, and a few misguided Hillary supporters that think it's OK to jump on the bandwagon.

The basketball metaphors are inappropriate and, no, Jonathan, they don't make you a cool reporter.

Stiglitz actually puts the overall economic cost of the war at around $3 Trillion.

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Trillion-Dollar-War-Conflict/dp/0393067017

That's $10,000 for every man, woman and child in America.

Tell me again what's "debatable" about $10,000 per person?

And Bush has the gall to get up there and say it was "worth it"... and McCain wants to go another 100 years!

Obama set his own trap on the Pastor, and as an independent American voter, I am tired about hearing that everything wrong is someone elses fault. Obama made the choices, its not Hilary, or McCain, its Obama that ran his life, or he is entirely to weak.

A man that cannot even be responsible for his own decisions, shouldn't be President. Its not like there won't be problems, whose fault it that going to be? What excuse will he come up with then.

Nor do we need a President that supports and associates with hateful anti-American rhetoric. This goes past anti-war. He does not belong representing the American nation.

I haven't made up my mind who I will vote for. It will not be Obama.

I am curious to see when or if somebody in media will comment what Billy "Lewinsky" said in Indiana. His idea that change is just for the rich (of course he is pointing at Obama by it)is just another clue to these who are still clueless. HRC is all about HRC and no one else.Clintons are able to say and do anything to win even if they know it is just another lie.
People wake up. You want president who works for people and with people.Not some self-centered woman or senile guy who has to be corrected every time when he speaks about Middle East and fractions fighting there. Btw I wish to know what so called "conservatives think about McCain - Lieberman duo when they see Lieberman standing side by side of their nominee during the trip to Middle East. I am sure they think Lieberman brings independents to them in fall but well traitor is a traitor to everybody and it is not important if he is democratic, republican or so called independent.Who could be independent if he is showing himself with Republican nominee all the time during the campaign and even endorse him? Mr.Lieberman show your color! I am sure it is chameleon!

I have a very reliable way to decide who I vote for: Who do the neocons like and who don't they. The neocons are crazy in love with McCain and also quite favorable towards the pliable Hillary. They absolutely hate Obama who they see as a distinct threat to their corrupt manipulation of our political system. Thus Obama will get my vote in November.

Hillary is toast, she should get out of the race RIGHT NOW! She can't win. Understand that Hillary supporters? SHE CANNOT WIN! All she is doing is trying to damage Barack Obama in the fall, so she can have another go at it in 2012!

This is what is called the Scortched Earth strategy! "I know I can't win the nomination, but I'm damned if I am going to let you win the fall election!"

Barack Obama has been exemplary this entire campaign, he has never attacked Hillary on a personal level. I take that back, he actually did make one little snide remark about Hillary during a debate when he said she is "nice....enough". The world should collapse. The Clintonistas jumped on that to show that Obama, see, can be nasty!

He has gone out of his way to say that he thinks she would be a good commander and chief and that she is qualified to be president, but utlimately HE would make a better president. This is respect and being careful not to damage her if she wins the nomination. He sticks to policy differences not personal attacks.

Hillary on the other hand gone out of her way to belittle Barack. She says he is a product of affirmative action ( wouldn't be where he is if he were not black), not fit to be commander and chief, not qualified, etc., etc. Only gives good speeches, is a show horse not a work horse (in other words lazy). Amazing isn't it.

Barack has condemned the words of his Pastor. What's more to be said. The Hillary supporters are now saying they can't trust Barack, because he threw his grandmother under the bus. Please. He did no such thing. He specifically said that he could not disown her, nor his pastor, nor the black community. So please stop acting like Limbaugh Republicans with your selective editorializing!

Just say you like Hillary and you want her to be President. Because if it was about trust you would be clamoring for her to release her tax records and wondering how travel office files mysteriously appeared in the foyer of the East Wing during her husband's presidency or many of the 11,000 documents she dumped on the press had unidentified meeting around the time she was meeting with mark Rich or some of the other white house donors. You don't care about trust, and believe me Barack Obama has much more integrity and trustworthy qualities than either Bill or Hillary Clinton!

I find it hilarious that people are clawing their way to find fault with this honest, and hard working leader, and when they can't they resort to illogical blabber! It's funny!

www.ObamaIstheNewBlack.com

"His economics were debatable. Much of the rise in energy prices is attributable to rising oil demand abroad, especially in India and China, although production problems in Iraq have exacerbated supply programs."

According to Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Blimes, about 70% of the increased cost in crude oil can be attributed to the Iraq War.(They use 10% in their study on the cost of the Iraq War, but in an NPR interview, March 17 I believe, they said the number cited was far less than their study had shown, closer to 70-75% of the increase from $24/barrel to $106/barrel)

So Obama is not out of line when he cites the rising oil cost as being a major cost on every citizen in this country. Exceptions of course are those families with financial ties to oil...

"His economics were debatable. Much of the rise in energy prices is attributable to rising oil demand abroad, especially in India and China, although production problems in Iraq have exacerbated supply programs. The housing crisis has more to do with years of cheap credit and dubious mortgages offered by banks and the Federal Reserve Board than the half trillion dollars in federal war spending, although the flood of foreign capital financing the war-driven federal debt helped keep interest rates low."

Yes, debatable back and forth and several times in circles. A low interest policy was, I am sure, adopted by the Fed at least in part to ease the burden of financing the war. The influx of foreign capital resulted from trade imbalances which were exacerbated by the weak dollar which was weak largely because of low interest rates. Round and round it goes, but certainly Iraq is an important link in the loop.

People say they can't trust Barack Obama? and they still cite lies and smears.

Why do they not see that Hilary is only about Hilary herself, be it re-votes in Michigan, when she agreed the rules, but now it does not fit her self interest, she presses for the re-vote. 10 Rich Democrats say they will fiance the re-vote, why does Hilary not tell the people of Michigan those ten are Clinton supporters, five of them are listed on her website as Major Backers of this campaign, is this not buying Votes?

Why does Hilary hope the race will go to the Superdelegates, is it because she feels that through Washington and smoke filled rooms, her Rich Friends will trade votes for her, is this not corrupt?

Hilary is in bed with The Washington Lobbyists? who finance her, what do they expect in return?

The list goes on and on, Hilary is only in it for her own personal Greed for Power and the trimmings of office she loves and liked in the time in The White House, that why she wants The Dynasty to continue.

Hilary does not have one idea about the real people on the streets? she only mixes with the rich and elite, she has never worked on the streets fighting for health care. Clinton will never give up her rich life and its trappings and You want us to Trust Her??????

ladya,
Please speak for yourself, I have my own views and I do not agree with yours.

Take your medication & get some rest!

ladya,
Please speak for yourself, I have my own views and I do not agree with yours.

Take your medication & get some rest!

The Republicans better hope Billary buys the nomination because I and millions of other inspired American Obama supporters will stay at home on election day.

ladya,

who is we? are you referring to your multiple personalities because you are a delusional HRC supporter? well have yourself, and all of your personalities, kindly shut the f*** up!

Sorry we don't trust Obama any longer, He lied about his Pastor, he basically thru his gramdmother under the train in favor of his Racist pattor. We No longer support Obama, nor trust any thing he says Period. And Any parent who would let there children sit and listen to that Pastors Hateful remarks , Has No respect from any of us

I believe Obama has the description somewhat correct, although he didn't tie it together in a very eloquent manner. The war in Iraq costs approximately $150 billion per year. The Feds borrow money from China to fund the deficit, which is projected to be a record level this year. When the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates, but yet the Government borrows at record levels, it tends to deflate (reduce the buying power) of the Dollar. Fiscal irresponsibility is causing inflation and higher oil prices. Simple solution. Stop paying for the war and we reduce inflation. As an aside...why did Bush see fit to give Best Buy and Wal-mart a stimulus package? We could have better stimulated the WHOLE economy by spending the $150 billion on highways and infrastructure. Just a thought.

"rat-the": Funny, where I come from, dimwits are those who resort to name-calling when making a point.

Those who were hoping and praying that Obama makes a blunder while dealing with the trap they had set for him regarding his former pastor, are now furious that it did not happen. Instead the man showed his superb leadership qualities by facing the trap head on and tackled it skilfully. The real truth is that the American people are impressed with how he handled this issue. Obama is truly the kind of president America needs at this present time. Someone who will deal with the issues instead of skirting around them or even avoiding them. He is unlike Hillary Clinton who changes her positions depending on public opinion. You know deep down you that Hillary cannot make a good president for this country! Please do America a favor; stop letting your prejudices and pettiness blind you, causing you to make another costly 4 or 8 year mistake.

"But Obama aides believe bridging the issue gap between a war that remains unpopular and an economy that has eclipsed Iraq as the voters' biggest concern should be powerfully appealing."

What would be powerfully appealing to me is for Obama to step down and stop embarrassing the Democratic Party.

OMG! A Racist with a Hatchet! And he's Half WHITE! Run!!!!

LOL! :-D

Thanks for demonstrating your clueless there Obasama. The Reason you dimwit, all those House have "For Sale" signs in a Row, is because they are Tract Homes, and are all coming up on Two Years. Their Sub-Prime Loans are expiring, and their ability to cash in on the Capital Gains Waiver is at hand.
BUT, Lordy! The Ponzi Scheme they bought into has Busted! The Housing prices have not GONE UP, they pretended they were Barack Hussein Poling Numbers!

They are Crashing and Burning Barack-something YOU should be able to relate to! ;~)

Oh well, thanks to the Clintons having deregulated the Banks, and Geithner the Geek from Clinton's administration, HOME EQUITY RAPE to the Rescue!

Followed by Foreclosure! ;~)

Do I have a Hatchet or what?