Washblog

Given that our first viable black candidate and our first viable female candidate were the two most conservative candidates, I had to make a choice based on something other than issues.

It came down to organization.  Both started with large wads of cash from the corporate elite, but Clinton chose to spend hers on scumbags like Mark Penn, and Obama chose to spend his on competent organizers who were able to put together a ground game that worked together with solid computer programs and internet organizing.  Dean did the beta test of the internet part four years ago, but did not have a ground game.  Obama has come up with a highly successful version 1.0 which combines modern communications with really professional shoeleather work.  What might version 2.0 be--possibly an end run around the need for the big wad of cash in the first place?

Clinton had no plans beyond Feb 5th; Obama obviously did.  Clinton had her own voter database; Obama used the DNC voterfiles, and (very importantly) put information back into them.  Obama trained a lot of organizers; Clinton relied on contacts among party higher-ups and armtwisting.  Obama clearly cares a lot about building local Democratic parties; Clinton dissmisses the people who do doorbelling even in odd-numbered years as "elitists" and "activists."  What this means for the coordinated campaign this year is that it will very likely be much less of a Chinese fire drill.

Most importantly, Obama has emphasized the obvious fact that nothing will change in his presidency unless his supporters stay active.  This is particularly critical for health care.  I have no interest in parsing the piddly differences between Obama and Clinton here--both are inadequate.  However, if we can get organized enough to get HR 676 passed, I'm fairly certain that Obama would sign it.  (Both candidates are on record as saying that single payer is best, but hard to do politically.)

Let's remember that FDR did not have a particularly progressive agenda as a candidate,  but he was able to step up and effectively turn popular pressures into a lot of good policies.  Eleanor was always pushing him farther left, and he would always tell her something to the effect of "If you want that to happen, tell your friends to get themselves organized and MAKE me do it."  There's a good lesson there for us as we prepare to face the oncoming economic/ecological shitstorm ahead.

by eridani on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 04:51:53 PM PST

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Did not concede.  Says she has the most votes.  Says shes the most electable.  Will be making decisions.

What???  Is she a Democrat or a megalomaniac?

by ktkeller on Tue Jun 03, 2008 at 07:01:06 PM PST

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I'm an Obama delegate, but Obama was not my first choice.

However, I am ecstatic about Obama's win now. Since I've been paying close attention I'm extremely impressed - astonished, actually - by his consistently ethical campaign style, his ground game, and ability to attract new voters.

Another thing. It's personal, and I speak only for myself. (I was raised with an average amount of white American racism, which I've attempted to overcome.)

In my experience, when white people and black and brown people (inadequate as those labels are) work together, hang out together, or just share space, I have always sensed a subliminal tension. I mean when everyone likes each other and gets along. An awareness of cultural differences and unhappy historical divisions. Sometimes it's so subtle it's not worth mentioning, except -

-in the Obama campaign, that feeling simply IS NOT THERE.

We're all in it together. The solidarity and welcoming and yes, joyfulness is almost intoxicating. I'm going to revel in simmering in it for awhile. This really is an incredible time in our history.

by dinazina on Wed Jun 04, 2008 at 08:46:22 AM PST

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  I was a delegate for Obama for a brief period, and I'm delighted he has come to this place. It's a proud moment for America with Barack Obama, if she chooses to respond and take the higher ground.  

When I was a child, we lived overseas at military bases, and I returned to my 'home country' when I was 11 years old.   We wound up at military base in Mississippi, just about the time of the Civil Rights marches, the killing of the three students who went down to Mississippi to help, and the inspiration of Martin Luther King in advocating for non-violence in the marches.

  I saw the ugliness of racism up close and personal and was repulsed -- wise enough at tender age of 11 yrs old to know this was cruelty for no reason except color.  I saw grown adults acting horrendously and it was a difficult dilema for me to reconcile that this was my 'home country'.  

  The rest of my pre-teen and teen years included witnessing the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, in Dallas, Texas; followed by assasisnation of Martin Luther King, followed by assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Great leaders cut down because they were agents of change.

  Barack Obama as presumptive nominee for the Office of President of the United States of America means for me that we have an opportunity in this America to come full circle and redeem ourselves -- at home and in the eyes of the world at large.  

  I cried at Barack Obama's speech last night, as I'm sure many so did many people.  When he said that religion will not be a wedge issue and patriotism will not be used as a bludgeon, the tears came for me.  I believe he will deliver on the hope he has heralded, and it will take the rest of us lifting him up to make that happen.

On the Surge in Iraq "--we have set the bar so low it's buried in the sand at this point." - Barack Obama

by Lietta Ruger on Wed Jun 04, 2008 at 02:59:53 PM PST

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The nomination of Barack Obama has meant a lot to my students. We've followed the process week in and week out. The majority of my students are immigrants, and when we started following the race, they didn't understand much about primaries and caucuses, pledged delegates and superdelegates, or even the nominating process and the general election. They've learned a fair amount over the months, and most are thrilled and excited about Barack Obama.

One of my Ethiopian students said that when his grandmother learned that Obama had won the nomination, she jumped up and down on the bed for joy. His candidacy has inspired many people. It's not something the media necessarily reports on, but I hear about it often.

by DWE on Thu Jun 05, 2008 at 07:19:51 PM PST

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