29 posts tagged “obama”
AP Top News at 4:14 p.m. EDT
21 minutes ago
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Democrat Barack Obama opened the door Thursday to altering his plan to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq in 16 months based on what he hears from military commanders during his upcoming trip there. "I am going to do a thorough assessment when I'm there," he told reporters on the airport tarmac here. "I'm sure I'll have more information and continue to refine my policy."
From The Kansas City Star:
Obama opens door to altering his Iraq policy
By Jennifer Loven
Associated Press Writer
...Obama insisted that his position has not changed at all.
He said he is saying now what he always has: The war was a mistake and needs to be brought to "a responsible end," but "we need to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in." This means, he said, that his 16-month timeline was always premised on troops being safe and Iraq being stable.
"I'm going to continue to gather information to see whether those conditions still hold," he said. "My goal is to end this conflict as soon as possible"...
From me:
So Barack Obama basically said he is going to end to the conflict in Iraq; in a responsible and honorable manner. I have no problem with that. I wouldn't ACCEPT anything less from a leader. Good job Senator Obama!
Michelle and Barack Obama are both people of courage. They have earned my respect and my vote.
Michelle Obama says Barack Obama will fight for gay equality
By Samantha Gross – 1 day ago
NEW YORK (AP) — Barack Obama will fight for equal rights for gays just as he fought to help working-class families overcome poverty, the Democratic presidential hopeful's wife told a gay Democratic group Thursday.
Recalling his past work as a community organizer to help struggling families, Michelle Obama said he would take the same approach as president.
"Barack believes that we must fight for the world as it should be, a world where together we work to reverse discriminatory laws," she said at a Manhattan fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee's Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council.
Michelle Obama also drew a connection between the struggles for gay rights and civil rights.
"We are all only here because of those who marched and bled and died, from Selma to Stonewall, in the pursuit of a more perfect union," she said at the event, held days before the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots between gays and New York police, and the city's annual gay pride parade.
"The world as it is should be, one that rejects discrimination of all kinds," she said.
Touting her husband's record pushing for workplace discrimination legislation as an Illinois state senator and his support of civil unions, Obama noted her husband also had brought a call for equality to conservative groups, telling churchgoers they need to combat homophobia in the black community.
The Illinois senator opposes a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and says states should make their own decisions on the matter. He has said he's interested in ensuring that same-sex couples in civil unions get federal benefits.
His Republican opponent, Arizona Sen. John McCain, also opposes a federal constitutional amendment but worked to ban gay marriage in his home state. McCain supports the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, while Obama has called it "counterproductive."
Michelle Obama's speech brought a standing ovation from the crowd of about 200 donors, who raised about $1.3 million, organizers said.
Earlier Thursday, she spoke in Manchester, N.H., and credited Hillary Rodham Clinton, her husband's rival for the Democratic nomination, with bringing the concerns of working families to the forefront of the presidential campaign.
She heard from New Hampshire women juggling such work and family concerns as child care and caring for aging parents. She explained her husband's plans to expand sick time and paid family leave, help parents afford child care and make sure women get equal pay for equal work.
"We are closer to this America than ever before, and that's because of an extraordinary woman who's not in this room but she's traveling with my husband tomorrow, and that woman is Hillary Clinton," Michelle Obama said to sustained applause.
"I know that the folks here in New Hampshire know this better than anyone because you got to know the candidates up close and personal, but because of Hillary Clinton's work the issues of importance to women and working families are front and center."
Clinton and Barack Obama are to make their first public joint appearance Friday in Unity, N.H.
Associated Press writer Holly Ramer in Manchester, N.H., contributed to this report.
"She rocks"
Senator Barack Obama speaking about Senator Hillary Clinton
June 27, 2008
"But on this day and every day going forward, we stand shoulder to shoulder....Our hearts are set on the same destination for America."
Senator Hillary Clinton speaking about Senator Barack Obama
June 27, 2008
Full Story: Thousands Gather In Unity For Rally
Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton to campaign together
By Nedra Pickler – Friday, June 20, 2008
CHICAGO (AP) — Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's campaign announced Friday that he will campaign with former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton next week, a step toward unifying a fractured Democratic Party after a bruising primary fight.
Obama's campaign said in a brief e-mail that said the two senators and former opponents will campaign together for the first time on Friday, June 27, and more details would be forthcoming.
A day earlier, Obama and Clinton also plan to meet in Washington with some of her top contributors... The former first lady will introduce Obama to her financial backers...
Obama's campaign disclosed the joint appearance...
Clinton ended her campaign on June 7..."I endorse him and throw my full support behind him," she said at the time...
On the evening he wins the Democratic Party's nomination for president, Barack Obama speaks from St. Paul, Minnesota.
“All of you chose to support a candidate you believe in deeply. But at the end of the day, we aren’t the reason you came out and waited in lines that stretched block after block to make your voice heard. You didn’t do that because of me or Senator Clinton or anyone else. You did it because you know in your hearts that at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — we cannot afford to keep doing what we’ve been doing. We owe our children a better future. We owe our country a better future. And for all those who dream of that future tonight, I say — let us begin the work together. Let us unite in common effort to chart a new course for America"
Senator Barack Obama
June 3, 2008
I trust her leadership, that's why I voted for her in the first place.
Hillary thanks her supporters for all their hard work on the campaign and endorses Senator Barack Obama for president.
Hillary bows out of the campaign with a final rap.
John at Liberal Rapture has explained how you can get your own free Michigan delegate. Please join us and call the DNC tomorrow, to request your free delegate! The DNC can calculate how many delegates and votes you would will receive, even if your name wasn't on the ballot. I am so proud to be a Democrat, we are sooooooooooo smart.
From Liberal Rapture:
Since the DNC is giving away delegates to people who chose not to be on the Michigan Primary ballot - I would like to say that:
A. As in years past, this year I chose not to be on the Michigan Democratic Primary ballot. and
B. I would like a Michigan delegate in Denver. I am not greedy. I only want one unearned delegate - not four like Obama. We can go to cocktail parties and vote platform planks like: "Whose better- Obama or Jesus?" or "Should Mystery Date become the official Democratic Party board game?"
Does anyone else who chose not to be on the Michigan Ballot want one, too? I mean I was a Democrat between March of 1981 and June of 2008 - that should get me at least one unearned delegate.
The DNC's phone number is: 1- 202-863-8000.
Let's all call and ask.
The rules and bylaws committee did this with a straight face. This decision does nothing to unify the Democratic Party. I'll leave it at that but "it is what it is"
...We strongly object to the Committee’s decision to undercut its own rules in seating Michigan’s delegates without reflecting the votes of the people of Michigan.
The Committee awarded to Senator Obama not only the delegates won by Uncommitted, but four of the delegates won by Senator Clinton. This decision violates the bedrock principles of our democracy and our Party.
We reserve the right to challenge this decision before the Credentials Committee and appeal for a fair allocation of Michigan’s delegates that actually reflect the votes as they were cast.
The excerpt is from: Statement by Harold Ickes and Tina Flournoy
I think Senator Obama made a mistake by not just seating the delegates. At this point it would not make a difference in the outcome. The decision by the committee only makes it tougher for Obama because the media now has a talking point that they will use to undermine him in the general election. Seat Florida 100% and Michigan 50% same outcome concerning nomination and no one feels slighted.
