Thoughts on the so-called "dream ticket"

Apparently Hillary Clinton, while making the morning show rounds to bolster her "important states have spoken" narrative, has said that it's possible that she would select Barack Obama as her running mate. I'm seeing headlines everywhere saying "Dream ticket is possible".

I've never agreed with the idea that having both candidates on one ticket would be a "dream ticket". I suppose in a superficial, identity politics way, it would make some sort of statement. But I don't see the appeal. At all.

And I think this is really about Hillary hoping to undercut some of Obama's softer support. Read: "He can still be president, when it's his turn".

Except...why would she select someone as her vice president when, in her own words, his only accomplishment is a speech he gave in 2002? The man she chastised, with my governor nodding in the background, saying "shame on" Barack Obama for using tactics right out of Karl Rove's playbook. (And then pulled out her own dog-eared copy of the Karl Rove Playbook, and used it every single day leading up to yesterday's primaries.)

I agree with Demetrius' assessment:

Why on *EARTH* would Obama want to be Hillary's second banana? He would have to stuff his honesty and integrity into a tiny hidden box and go out on the trail to say what a great POTUS she would be. (Pardon me... I just threw up a little bit in my *soul*.) Then, if they *won* he would have to rubber stamp whatever stupid idea she came up with. He could kiss his "Agent of Change" mantle goodbye.

Obama is a young man. He can run again. And, no one would be able to say then that he doesn't have enough experience. Hillary's chances of another run are significantly worse. She needs *him* on the ticket much more than he needs *her*. If Obama doesn't win it in his own right he should stay clear of this next administration!

By the way, the Strickland bumper sticker is officially off our car now.

"March to the Polls" in Columbus

Just got this in my e-mail. (I already voted.)

Please join your fellow Barack Obama supporters for an incredible march to early vote in Columbus on Saturday, March 1st.

Early Vote for Change -- March to the Polls with Mayor Michael Coleman

STARTS: Shiloh Baptist Church
720 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Columbus, OH 43203

ENDS: Franklin County Board of Elections
280 E. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215

Saturday, March 1, 2008
Breakfast Begins: 8:00 a.m.
March Begins: 9:00 a.m.

The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged.

http://oh.barackobama.com/columbusmarch

In order to early vote, don't forget to bring one of these forms of ID: the last four digits of your Social Security number, your Ohio driver's license, a state-issued photo ID, or one of these documents showing your current address -- a utility bill, pay stub, bank statement, or government document.

If you can't vote early, remember: Election Day is Tuesday, March 4th. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Feel free to call the campaign at 1-866-675-2008 for more information.

New video

...from the "Yes we can" people

Today's Obama links

Obama Campaign Update from David Plouffe

How To Canvass For Obama: Toolkit, Arguments & Anecdotes

Will add more as I find them.

Barack Obama in Columbus, Ohio

I just heard about this on the radio this morning. Here are the details

Please join Barack Obama at a Keeping America's Promise Rally in Columbus, where he'll talk about his vision for bringing about the kind of change we can believe in.

Keeping America's Promise Rally with Barack Obama

The Ohio State University
St. John Arena (Building 076)
410 Woody Hayes Dr.
Columbus, OH 43210

Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Doors Open: 8:30 a.m.
Program Begins: 10:00 a.m.

A limited number of preferred viewing tickets will be available at the Capital University Law School, 303 E. Broad St., in the lobby of the Capital Street Entrance between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 25th and Tuesday, February 26th.

Across the street is the Franklin County Early Voting Location, so when you come to pick up your preferred viewing ticket, you can early vote for Barack at the Franklin County Board of Elections office. Here is the location:

Franklin County Board of Elections
280 East Broad Street, Room 100
Columbus, OH 43215

In order to vote, you will need to have either the last four digits of your Social Security number or another form of ID, such as an Ohio driver's license or a utility bill with your current address.

Seating at the rally is limited, and admission is on a first come, first-served basis. Your ticket will only guarantee you preferred viewing if you arrive in time to be admitted. Please arrive early.

Feel free to call the campaign at 866-675-2008 for more information.

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged.

RSVP Now

http://oh.barackobama.com/Columbus

It's not looking like I'll be able to make it, but I'd love to post a report from someone who does attend. You can e-mail me at ohiorenee(at)gmail.com.

Significance of Cordray's endorsement

Some good commentary from Jeff at Ohio Daily Blog:

The real significance of Cordray's endorsement is that he is a thinking person's politician. This endorsement comes with a pedigree of intellectual prowess.

Cordray was Order of the Coif and Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review at The University of Chicago Law School, and has a masters degree with honors in philosophy, politics & economics from Oxford University. He argued six cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, was Ohio's first Solicitor General, and taught for 15 years at Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University. His terms as Franklin County Treasurer and now as Ohio Treasurer have been marked by brilliant innovations and new programs. He was even a champion on Jeopardy.

In short, Cordray is not a person to be bedazzled by rhetoric or to make an endorsement based on mere emotion. If he supports Obama, it is a based on a rational appraisal of Obama's merits, and Cordray is not one to be fooled.

Click here for the rest.

Houston Chronicle endorses Barack Obama

In an editorial in the February 16 edition

Of the two finalists for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Chronicle believes Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois is best-qualified by life experience, skill and temperament to be the standard bearer for his party. In a conference call, Obama told the Chronicle editorial board that "more than any other candidate, I can bridge some of the partisan as well as racial and religious divides that have developed in this country that prevent us from getting things done."

Click here for the rest

This is cute

Yes we can has...inspired by I Can Has Cheezburger?


And it inspired me to make this.

Jim Hightower endorses Barack Obama

Via a diary by a 14 year old supporter at Booman Tribune.

The Nation is reporting that former Agriculture Commissioner for the state of Texas and populist hero Jim Hightower will endorse and campaign for Barack Obama. I have to keep this quick because I've got other things going on but this is very meaningful to me because Jim Hightower was the first political columnist I read. The first bits of political knowledge I learned were from Jim Hightower. Keep reading for my little story.

As some of you know I'm just a kid, 14 years old. So how did I get into politics? In part because of Jim Hightower. I grew up across the street from a food co-op. That co-op is my community. I know everyone there because that was my neighborhood and I still go there every week or so to shop for good local food. When you walk in their is a shelf with local newspapers. One of them used to be the Pulse of the Twin Cites, a weekly progressive paper published by peace activists. That paper ran Jim Hightower's column.

Click here for more.

Rep. John Lewis now backing Obama

Via Booman Tribune:

In my opinion, Rep. John Lewis is the greatest living American. I have few heroes. John Lewis is my hero. If you want to know why, read his autobiography Walking With the Wind. I was disappointed when I learned that Lewis had endorsed Hillary Clinton, but I knew that Lewis had a long and close relationship with the Clinton family. Well, John Lewis has changed his mind.

Click here for more.

Wisconsin notices lack of Hillary love

From the Madison Capital Times

Polls suggest that she now trails here. Some of that has to do with Barack Obama's smart organizing and campaigning. But Clinton would undoubtedly be doing better if she was trying harder.

Reports from Ohio organizing meetings

Plunderbund: Obama Organizational Meeting in Columbus was Amazing

Buckeye State Blog: Just got back from the first Obama Organizational Meeting in Cincinnati

Former (Bill) Clinton campaign manager backs Obama

Via Rolling Stone

The Obama campaign announced in a conference call this afternoon the endorsement of superdelegate David Wilhelm, the national campaign manager of President Clinton’s winning bid in 1992.

Yes, Bill Clinton’s campaign manager has endorsed Barack Obama.

Click here for more.

Obama takes lead in delegates

Via Yahoo News

Barack Obama powered past Hillary Rodham Clinton in the race for Democratic convention delegates Tuesday on a night of triumph sweetened with outsized primary victories in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The CNN delegate count graphic now reflects this:

Camp Clinton undoubtedly will respond "It's just a flesh wound!"

Obama, Japan takes interest in U.S. election

AFP photo

Via Yahoo News

Barack Obama, who has been credited with tapping support in unlikely places, is enjoying a groundswell of enthusiasm in a small city in western Japan, which is delighted to share his name.

Obama, Japan, is rooting for candidate Obama, hoping that if he becomes the US president he will put this ancient fishing town of 32,000 people firmly on the tourist map and, just maybe, choose it for an international summit.

Supporters in Obama -- which means "small shore" in Japanese -- have held parties to watch election results, put up posters wishing the senator luck and plan a special batch of the town's "manju" sweets bearing his likeness.

Click here for more.

"Potomac Tuesday" Polling

Maryland: Obama 57% Clinton 31%

And via Rasmussen Reports: Virginia: Obama 55% Clinton 37%

Obama narrowly leads McCain in poll

Via Yahoo News

Democrat Barack Obama would narrowly defeat Republican John McCain if they were matched today in the presidential election, while McCain and Hillary Rodham Clinton are running about even, according to new general-election sentiment since the Super Tuesday contests.

Click here for more. See also TIME Poll: Clinton More Beatable than Obama.

Obama wins Grammy

Via Plunderbund

Just to cap off a huge weekend for the Senator and future President, Obama wins a Grammy for the audio version of “Audacity of Hope”. Add that to his sweep yesterday and his stunning upset victory in Maine today and you don’t get much more momentum than that. Let’s hope Tuesday is more good news, too!