Florida has had a tough time throughout this whole caucus/primary process. Florida attempted to move their primary up, against the rules of the Democratic National Committee. Florida was stripped of all her delegates in the 2008 presidential race.

The last state to face such harsh punishment was Delaware. However, Delaware is no Florida.

There has been uncertainty regarding what will happen with these delegates. Both Democratic candidates could benefit from the acquisition of these delegates. Democrats have been trying to come to a resolution but with little progress being made the state is in a curious position. Read here about the initial vote stripping.

Florida has been under the microscope, and the Democratic delegation in the US House of Representatives from Florida recently stated their position.

“Our House delegation is opposed to a mail-in campaign or any redo of any kind.”

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/Revote_picture_clouds.html

These are harsh words for the DNC as this is a big time for the party. It seems as if Senator Clinton would benefit most from a recount. Read more here.

Florida is an important state and it has been for a long time. It would be a shame to all of the voters in Florida to be rendered as unimportant. It would be a disgrace to our “Democracy.” It is another blow to a party that is trying to change the United States.

“Join Barack Obama for a special Stand for Change Rally in Seattle, Washington”

That is all I needed to see before my excitement peaked. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am a senior in college and I get to one of the leading Democratic candidates LIVE. In Person.

Never again in my life will I be able to do something like this. I will tell my children about this event, as I am guessing this will be one of the most interesting days of my life. Obama is a breath of fresh air in this country and the citizens of Seattle who go to the Key Arena tomorrow will be taking it all in.

We are at a crucial time in this country and the months leading up to November will dissolve very quickly. This is one of those times where I said to myself, “I have to go to this.” It was one of those events when you automatically knew that your life will somehow be different if you attend.

The possible President of the United States is coming to the Emerald City and thousands will be there just to get a glimpse of this man.

Endorsement Drama

What is the deal with endorsements? Why are they so important? Why are some public? While others remain private? Even though they are leaked to the press?
These are big news, these endorsements can come from old Presidents, previous Presidential candidates, First ladies, celebrities, members of Congress, Governors, etc.

A few examples of the recent endorsements that have made major headlines. Ted Kennedy supporting Barack Obama, this was a huge endorsement as Kennedy hoping for a change stated, “every time I’ve been asked over the past year who I would support in the Democratic primary, my answer has always been the same: I’ll support the candidate who inspires me, who inspires all of us,” said Kennedy, who invoked the memory of his brother, the slain President John Kennedy.”
http://www.drudge.com/news/103472/ted-kennedy-endorses-obama
Another example is John Kerry’s endorsement of Obama. We all remember Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, well it seems as if Kerry is returning the favor. Kerry offered this tidbit when he let his intentions be known, “can be, will be and should be the next president of the United States.”
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7830.html
Barack Obama is waiting on one more major player to endorse him. Al Gore seems to be waiting in the wings on his decision and it should come very soon. Gore believes strongly in the environment and we all know that, however, the question that seems to be plaguing Gore, who will get the most done? He seems to be straying toward Obama, and this endorsement would be another ace in Obama’s hand. “Yes, yes, I know. Gore has said he won’t endorse. He’s happily retired from politics now, a senior statesman, a big-shot investor. He’s won an Oscar and a Nobel. The cause he crusaded for has become central to the public conversation in a way even he could never have imagined.”
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200801u/gore-obama-endorsement

This is a very important time for our country and these endorsements will play a major role in who the next President will be. These endorsements don’t necessarily translate in to a secured victory, but they do not hurt. Barack Obama seems to be riding a wave right now that would only get higher with the Gore endorsement. The United States is entering the heat of this race when super Tuesday comes around and in the back of a lot of voters minds will be these endorsements from major political players.

Hey don’t forget to check out the new political website that will be covering all the major issues that arise from the Washington State caucus. www.Seattlepoliticore.org is really moving now and will be a major source of information for several weeks.

Political attacks, the one thing you can count on in this country. These attacks range from harmless and jovial to vicious and ugly. They are used to subtract popularity from an opposing candidate so that voters will begin to move to a different side of the fence. Each candidate is able to employ this tactic and having a solid public relations team is extremely important. Where are the attack the worst?

If you guessed the race for President then you are right. It doesn’t matter what race, religion, or political background you are, attacks will appear, it is akin to the sun rising.

Recently Hillary and Barack began to really square off and the tensions rose as this race really heats up.

“In the most intense and personal exchange of the campaign season, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama assailed each other’s integrity and voting records during a televised debate Monday, five days before a critical South Carolina primary.”

The Democratic race is really the one to watch as the coverage seems to be swayed toward them. Mistakes in the past, troubled personal life, and public records have been surfacing and resurfacing as candidates attempt to find the slightest edge that will put them over the top. These candidates work way too hard to go quietly in the night, so as expected, the intensity has risen. “They snapped at each other, shouted above the other’s protests and stopped just short of a free-for-all.”

We attack each other personally every day, whether that be a friend, loved one, or a stranger on the street. It is somewhat a part of being a human. It could be directed or it could be an accident. These insults can cover any aspect of your life and your natural reaction is to come back at the person with a rebuttal. Well, the same thing happens in politics. Only it is magnified to the umpteenth degree. Politics ride in the front seat in this country and when a Presidential race is occuring the candidates are fighting for shotgun.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004137715_debate22.html

The truth of the matter is politics remain the ultimate arena, fights on the main stage receive the most coverage. As a country we ass fuel to the fire. We want the juiciest details and the biggest mistakes to be revealed and we are never afraid to say what is on our minds, “I think it would be just as much a change, some people think more, to have the first woman president than to have the first African-American president.”

What is the problem with these attacks? I don’t think so, as long as they stay focused on politics. Once the attacks begin to breed negative politics, that is where we have a problem. “He clearly came last night looking for a fight. He was determined and launched right in.”

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i9VRMevycLjQJp8Y2KbMGAUZAV8QD8UB7JT00

People smoke cigarettes. It is a fact that millions of people on our planet smoke cigarettes. Apparently Fox News believes that this somehow makes Obama a poor candidate for president. Also this story brings up an issue that our country will not let die. For some reason this clip claims that Obama is only popular because he is Black. The commentator claims that he is a new age “Mammy.” Are you kidding me?

For someone to claim that a presidential candidate represents a symbol used by racists to perpetuate slavery is ignorant as well as absurd. Here is a link to the whole video, in order to fully understand the pointless conversation going on you must watch the entire video.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200701180010

Here are a few of the more “confusing” quotes from the show.

1. “He is — get this — a cigarette smoker. The point is: What else do we not know about Barack Obama? America seems to love him now, but will we still love him tomorrow?”
2. “the reason that he’s considered such a big deal is simply because he’s black. That doesn’t mean that he’s not smart. That doesn’t mean that he isn’t good. But if you took away the color of his skin, nobody right now would be paying him any attention.”
3. “And, again, I think the only reason that looks plausible is because we see something about his being brown that creates that. It’s almost like he’s mammy.”
4. 
   

How does any of this make any sense?

After all of these years we still cannot get past race. Obama is a qualified candidate who has caught the nation by surprise. The United States is a country that needs a fresh change. This man wants to deliver that. I understand that politics are nasty and vicious. However, why waste your time criticizing someone for something so unimportant? Why not have a focused and valuable discussion about his politics, about the issues he believes in and fights for?

Yes Obama is black. Wow, big deal. Is there some stigma that black people cannot run businesses or organizations? This man deserves a chance, an opportunity to do great things for this country. Instead the pundits believe he is merely a folk like creature for black people that signifies false hope in a world already lacking much hope.

So who cares if he smokes cigarettes, let’s focus on how he will change education or health care. You know, actually important issues.

It seems strange that everyone in the United States is making a huge deal about Hillary Clinton crying. She is a human being isn’t she? Human beings are supposed to show emotion, it is a natural part about being alive. Even though politics always has been and always will be a cutthroat business, people will still show emotion. She has been catching hell for crying and many believe that it was merely attempt to sway female voters in to voting for her in New Hampshire.

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/stories/2008/01/10/tearsed_0111.html

I have no problem with it, I do not know how people can deride another human being for simply expressing emotion. Clinton believes in what she is doing and what she is fighting for. Her emotions simply got the best of her. There are numerous videos circulating around the internet discussing and dissecting the now infamous outburst of emotion. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/07/clinton.emotional/

People should not criticize her and mock her if she was truly crying about her beliefs. This now becomes an issue about gender, and that a male candidate would never cry about politics. If a male cried during this presidential race he would be cast off as weak.

I think we need to be more accepting of fellow human beings and the tough struggles they are going through. Running for President is not an easy task, the journey is long and difficult. I wish more people in other professions would show that they truly believe in what they are fighting for.