Friday, May 23, 2008

Bobby Jindal For President Of The United States 2016


Bobby Jindal For President Of The United States 2016

I am a progressive. But I am a political scientist before I am a progressive. A political scientist should be able to ride both swings to the pendulum. After one party has been at the helm for four, eight years, the opposition has been out of power long enough to do some serious soul searching, to gain momentum.

Bobby could come out emphasizing faith, family, personal responsibility, the next round of economic growth for America and the world, and the most diverse cabinet to date. I expect major progress on race and gender during the Barack-Hillary eight years. Bobby's eight years could be the period to consolidate those gains.

Britain's time is up.

The 12 Year Itch

If Bobby runs in 2016 and I get behind him, this blog's name changes to Pappu. That's what my family calls me.

Digital Democrat

All I have needed to be of some use to Barack has been broadband, Google News and Blogger. Eight years from now the digital tools will be so much more potent. I can be of much use to Bobby.

Pledge Of No Contact

Elizabeth Caputo: Trying To Make Sense

I pledge not to contact Elizabeth. I pledge not to show up for any DL21C event. Those are pledges I made yesterday to an attorney, and I intend to stick by them.

I think she is shooting to be a federal cabinet secretary at some point, not an elected official, hence the huge reluctance to change the basic DL21C template: nothing wrong with that. Public service is public service, it is all good. Or I might be totally off the mark. DL21C is just socializing. It is banking as far as eyes can see.

Looks like wise guy Dan Jacoby is the only one heading to be an elected official.

Charlie Rangel: A Political Observation

This is not my new feeling for Rangel. Harlem is the capital of black America and Rangel happens to be the King of Harlem for now. He is not a politician who excites me. I can't imagine working for him, I can't imagine campaigning for him, but I am so glad for his prominence in the House. It is the small steps taken by people like Rangel that have made Barack's big step possible.

DFNYC: Second Look

That was my original political organization in the city. Then something happened at Raven and I went out to pasture. It is still nice to drop by Drinking Liberally once in a while but I think I need an organization with some more action than that.

What makes DFNYC attractive:
  • It is grassroots. It has been part of the effort that gave birth to the grassroots movement in America.
  • It already has a national network. DFNYC is the crown jewel of the national DFA.
  • There is this Dean 2004 alumni bond among the members. That makes for some glue.
  • I know many of the DFNYC people.
  • Tracey Denton had a video camera in her hand at the last DFNYC event I went to. If I were to become active with the DFNYC, I would be like, let's go 100% digital.
But the LinkUp is the only thing DFNYC seems to do these days.

Drinking Liberally May 29
June 2008 Linkup June 3
Screening Liberally - BLUE STATE June 8
A Special Evening to Support State Senate Candidate Don Barber June 24
Save the Date - 4th Annual DFNYC Fundraiser June 25

On the other hand, it might just be an idea to show up for a few DFNYC events without getting active with the organization.

Whatever happened to the DFNYC Mixer?

In The News

US elections 2008: Obama urges thaw in US-Cuba relations guardian.co.uk Obama vowed today to allow Cuban-Americans unlimited rights to travel and send money to the island as president ....... Bill Clinton and other confidantes of the former first lady have begun reaching out to Obama in the US media, telling CNN, Time magazine and others that an "exit strategy" to end the Democratic race should involve an offer for an Obama-Clinton ticket. ....... The Obama camp also released new polling that shows him ahead of McCain in the swing states of Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Obama pledges new direction on Latin America Boston Globe direct diplomacy throughout the hemisphere to advance democracy and promote American values and ideals, to immediately allow Cuban Americans unlimited family travel and remittances to the island, to create an Energy Partnership for the Americas that would develop alternative energy, launch a regional security initiative to battle drug trafficking, to target development assistance for Latin America aimed at promoting bottom-up growth, and to reinstate a Special Envoy for the Americas in the White House and open more consulates and expand the Peace Corps in Latin America.
What role has gender played in Clinton’s campaign? National Post
Feinstein backs Clinton-Obama ticket San Francisco Chronicle
Women supporters blame Clinton's imminent defeat on sexism Toronto Star If not Clinton, who? If not now, when? And, most loudly, was she a victim of sexism? ....... "She has been in uncharted waters. She has had to walk this incredible tightrope of toughness and balance it with softness and femininity. She had no role model, but she will now be the role model for those who come after her. ........ it has been 24 years since Geraldine Ferraro ran as a vice-presidential candidate, the one and only woman to ever be part of a White House run. ....... we are still a misogynist society ....... any male would be better than any woman ........ millions of women in this country have found sexist media coverage deeply offensive ....... it is more acceptable to be openly sexist than racist in the U.S. – a view supported by many social scientists. ....... Clinton has been the subject of "intense sexism" by party leaders and the media. ........... "I would drive through a tornado to vote for Hillary," Jacobson said. ..... only eight female governors
Hillary Clinton still counting; Barack Obama still leading Los Angeles Times
Clinton Touting Popular Vote Projections New York Times

Nepal king leaves royal palace Sify

As Race Wanes, Talk of Clinton as No. 2 Grows New York Times

Clinton Wins Kentucky, but Obama Nears Milestone New York Times
McCain Has Record Fundraising Month ABC News
Exit polls spell out Barack Obama's Kentucky problem Los Angeles Times
Obama plans general election team The Associated Press Barack Obama is quietly planning to take over the Democratic National Committee and assemble a multistate team for the general election ....... Top Obama organizer Paul Tewes is in discussions to run the party ...... moved within 100 of that goal after contests in Kentucky and Oregon
Obama Raises $31 Million in April, McCain Has Best Month This Year Wall Street Journal Blogs
Trent Lott on Obama vs. McCain FOXNews
Clinton says win is a vote of confidence Boston Globe

Clinton wins Kentucky; Obama poised to reach milestone in ... The Canadian Press Obama's top strategist David Axelrod disclosed that he has talked informally with Clinton's former campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle about joining forces to beat McCain. ....... Kentucky's white, rural, working-class voters were backing Clinton in droves, fuelling another lopsided win for her like the one in West Virginia a week ago. ...... Race played a decisive role in Kentucky, where 90 per cent of voters were white. She dominated in virtually all categories of those voters, including men, women and people of all ages, incomes and education levels. ....... saying sexism has played a larger role than racism in the nomination fight.
Obama's organizing skills now face a bigger test Los Angeles Times, USA winning Florida's 27 electoral votes requires Obama to build his organizing machinery almost from scratch. ...... In recent days, the Obama campaign has shifted as many as 15 staff members to Florida, launching a massive voter registration drive targeting young people and African Americans. ..... Obama is expected to draw 20,000 supporters at a rally in Tampa ..... staff being dispatched to Michigan ..... the battlegrounds of Ohio and Colorado. ....... "microtargeting" techniques honed by Republicans in the 2004 presidential campaign to locate new, GOP-leaning voters who might otherwise have been overlooked.
Obama Raises $31 Million in April Washington Post 1.475 million donors had given the campaign 2,929,000 million separate donations, with an average value of $91. ..... $37.3 million remaining cash on hand ...... The Clinton campaign, in contrast, reported its second-best monthly fundraising haul to date, more than $22 million









Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Hillary Is Right About Sexism, Gender Bias


Did Sexism Derail Hillary Clinton? Wall Street Journal Blogs the New York senator has become increasingly vocal about what she views as one of the reasons why: sexism. ........ how many of Clinton’s women supporters feel that she has been the target of sexism throughout the campaign–particularly in the media. ....... some of the attitudes in the press ....... organizing a series of “End Gender Bias in the Media” rallies today in places like Burbank, Calif., as well as in Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, and Michigan. ...... “The manifestation of some of the sexism that has gone on in this campaign is somehow more respectable, or at least more accepted, and . . . there should be equal rejection of the sexism and the racism when it raises its ugly head,” she told the paper. “It does seem as though the press at least is not as bothered by the incredible vitriol that has been engendered by the comments by people who are nothing but misogynists.”
Clinton Puts Up A New Fight Washington Post they tearfully grab her hand to implore her to stick it out, to take her trailing campaign all the way to the Democratic convention in Denver. ..... Clinton for the first time addressed what women have been talking about for months, what she refers to as the "sexist" treatment she has endured at the hands of the pundits, media and others. The lewd T-shirts. The man who shouted "Iron my shirt" at a campaign event. The references to her cleavage and her cackle. ....... "The manifestation of some of the sexism that has gone on in this campaign is somehow more respectable, or at least more accepted, and . . . ........ while there are plenty of men in the stands, it's the women who are most passionate. .......... as her Democratic opponent refers to her politely in the past tense, and the likely Republican presidential nominee simply ignores her, and the pundits snicker that she's delusional and should just step aside already, she is a woman definitely not preparing her remarks for a graceful exit anytime soon. And that's what her supporters want to hear. ....... "I do not want her to quit." ...... She's tenacious and I like that," said Pat ...... she's been treated pretty shabby ...... "Hillary: She is going to take care of women all over the world," Alam ...... She offered a new spin on the arithmetic, pointing out that the states she won would total 300 electoral votes in a general election. ........ you might think she was just warming up for a fight. ........ the "intensity of my support" was rarely reported ...... has looked rested and relaxed. ....... She let out a throaty laugh when asked in Sunday's interview if she could be put "on the couch" for a few minutes to talk about how she has grown through the campaign......... ....... she has become a far better candidate over the course of the campaign, and in particular over the past six weeks as she has become more comfortable and confident about her message. ........ No one is quite sure when Clinton hit her stride, when she stopped caring about the polls, when she took her campaign to the people and gave voters a window into her soul. .......... when she was losing and so had nothing to lose by being herself. ....... For Hillary Clinton, as you stripped away all the varnish, the core person is the most attractive of all.
Yes, there is sexism. Yes, there is gender bias. Yes, it is in the media, yes, it is among the electorate. That is why Hillary is the first serious woman candidate for the most powerful office in the world. Sexism and gender bias was what was holding women back till now, and still holds women back in all walks of life, including family life and relationships.

I am glad Hillary is finally talking about it. I hope she talks some more about it on Obama's ticket. There are too many women who vote Republican because they don't know any better. They are not politically conscious enough to cross over. But if Hillary talks gender like she has started to, many will cross over.

Like some idiot pointed out recently - I think it was Rush Limbaugh - that if Hillary were to get into the White House, we will all have to watch her age. (Rush Limbaugh: Idiot) Women are supposed to get off stage when they age. That is really curious because Hillary is way more pretty than John McCain.

Sexist jokes are not funny. Sexist attitudes are objectively so. Lewd shirts, the Iron My Shirt shout, references to her cleavage and cackle, asking if she could be put on the couch for a few minutes for a question: those are all sexism talking. And it's time to say no. If Hillary can be put through all this indignity, with her money, power, fame, famous husband, smarts, strength, you just have to wonder what women get put through at their workplaces by their male superiors and numerous male colleagues. Hillary has to fight off these little indignities on behalf of the women in the trenches. (Global Trafficking Of Women, Hillary's Beijing Speech)

To fight sexism is to build a progressive coalition of men and women. This is not a men versus women fight. The sexist comments that bother Hillary also bother me, and I happen to be male. Progressive men do want progress on gender.

Elizabeth Caputo: Trying To Make Sense
Tracey Denton, Al Benninghoff
Hillary Is All The Rage
We Can Put Hillary On The Ticket, But What Are We Going To Do With Bill Clinton?
Race, Class, Gender, Globalization And 2008
Gender Talk: Coming At It From The Future
Sexism Bothers Me Directly
But, Hillary, Quit
Hillary For VP: Going To A Hillary Event
Women's Unity Day: Event
Looking For 10 Ninja Women
Martha Outed Kenton And Women With Issues
Hillary Cried, Women Responded, She Won
Muscular Gender Agenda



In The News

Voting today expected to deliver more delegate ammo for Obama Los Angeles Times
Obama hopes to pass key marker CNN
With Primaries in Two States, Obama Looks to End Race New York Times he wants to do it subtly. ....... will deliver his primary night speech in Iowa ..... which is shaping up as a big battleground state this fall ...... a threshold he is likely to pass Tuesday night: capturing a majority of the pledged delegates selected in the primaries and caucuses. ...... Puerto Rico on June 1 and Montana and South Dakota on June 3. ....... white working class voters ...... 75,000 people .... the event had the effect of rattling the Clinton camp ..... two-thirds of the votes have already been cast by mail ...... not appearing to push her out; treating Mrs. Clinton with respect — even as he moves with increasing force onto the general election playing field.
China says over 70000 dead or missing from quake Calgary Herald
Memo To Michelle Obama: Toughen Up Sweetie Houston Chronicle Bill was criticized sharply for calling Obama’s lack of experience "a roll of the dice", for calling Obama’s opposition to the war a "fairy tale", and for his comparison of Obama to Jesse Jackson after South Carolina.
Obama Leads OR, Clinton Strong in KY FOXNews
Bill Clinton Blames “Slanted Press Coverage” for Obama's Delegate Lead CBS News
Clinton, Obama Heading To Florida CBS News
Clinton Camp to Obama: No Nominee Yet
FOXNews
Some Democrats Want Obama-Clinton ‘Dream Ticket’
Voice of America













Monday, May 19, 2008

Elizabeth Caputo: Trying To Make Sense




Recent Hints

I wish direct communication were possible. But I don't have her number. And I can't go to her events. But I don't feel a sense of closure either. There are still hints here and there. Her attitude has always been, it happens during face time or not.

Justin Krebs showed up on his own at the Al Franken event. I have a feeling that might have been a response to this: Caputo: Closure? He must be like, wait a minute, I might have acted a little bit of an asshole on day one for two seconds, but I was there. Something did happen.

Months and months after day one, I am at Rudy's, and a Brooklyn woman gets drunk and throws herself on a Manhattan Kombiz, and Justin and friends have to escort her to a cab outside. He comes back, and shares the story, and looks at me puzzled. Why did a fancy banker, Upper West Side, Manhattan woman throw herself at you on day one? Who are you? Where are you from? He looked genuinely puzzled. And she was not even drunk.

Well, Justin, what happened was Brooke Ellison happened. She saw me talk to Brooke Ellison, and she fell for me. Brooke Ellison happened to her, black guy running for Governor happened to me.

Ben was there at the Chinatown party: Drinking Liberally, 2nd Annual Fundraiser, Chinatown. He is like, how about a brunch for a first date? Sex happens on the second date. He was talking of elephants and horses and an Indian wedding ceremony he recently went to. "There was no elephant." That felt surreal to me. Was that his response to my coffee talk?

At the Washington governor event at Opal, a venue suggested by me at my blog long months back at the Rangel event, she placed three strikes on me: Carolyn, Jennifer and the Bombay Palace woman. I placed one strike on her at the Planned Parenthood event. The blog entry for that day has been a major marker in time. Caputo before and after. She kept throwing hints. The Bombay Palace woman was a hint, the one who said "The event has not started yet." Jennifer was strategically planted on the street around 6 PM of the Arianna event.

Finally I have apologized for my bad conduct on February 7. And it has been a week. How do you know if the apology worked or not?

So you threw the hint at the Bombay Palace event, and the Arianna event, and I got it, and I apologized.

Closure

Is it possible that it is over before it began? I have been seeking relationship advice from some random, and some not so random people. One was, do you know if she is not married, does she have a ring? Another was, it is possible she found someone else in the mean time. A third was, an average date in NYC lasts two months. Yet another was, people in Manhattan are fully career oriented, there is no time for love. One was, just drop it. Another: if you really like her, never say never, never give up, keep trying.

She was single on day one. She was single at that summer bash where I got a "China and Africa" message. She was single at the Holiday party. She was single on February 7. She was single at the Bombay Palace event. The venue was a response to my calling her queen. She was single at the Arianna event, or she would not have planted Jennifer on the street, and the white guy at th door. That was her caring too much for me. It is possible she found someone else after the Arianna event, entirely possible. But how likely is that? But I am happy for anyone who can find love, like Bruce Willis once said. The founding fathers might have also said it.

Some Scenarios

Did I come too strong? Did I go too far with my poetry? I'd like to believe not. I wanted to make it absolutely clear that I liked her, and to the extent I did.

Was the president talk something outlandish? I have thought of that some times. Of all the biggies I have come to know in the Manhattan political circles - Lewis Cohen, Tracey Denton, Kristina Hoke, Justin Krebs, Dave Pollak - Caputo is the only one who has come across to me as someone who could some day run for major office. I have a feeling the rest are not even going to run, like never. That is my political observation. That is not a potential relationship observation. Actually I have been so detailed with my president talk for her, that if we were to go out, I would ask her point blank, tell me without thinking about it at all, tell me, do you see yourself running for office down the line? If she says no, I'd be like, drop it. I will not bring this up again.

But work and career have to be talked about. Months and months back when she was like, you are a blogger, and that is enough, I am like, no, I want you to take interest in the cutting edge work I have been doing for Nepal, and the big tech plans I have. My idea of unconditional love is not that you get to suggest I am some kind of a career loser, and that is still okay. I will go pound to pound with you on the money: I just need a few years.

At the Texas debate watch party, when she said "you are delusional," that so pissed me off. I thought she was disrespecting my dreams, and was suggesting it was outlandish of me to write she was going to be president some day. At the spy event she made it clear she was not referring to my dreams, but rather to my reaction to the mandatory coat check at the Holiday party. That little gesture on her part opened up the poetry floodgates.

The Bombay Palace event was a slap in my face. The Planned Parenthood event was supposed to be that big day when we talked and hooked up. But you turned it into such an anticlimax. Now take this. I will build you up, and then I will have you thrown out. We are even now.

I don't feel like I came too strong. She is an intense, aggressive woman herself. Did I talk outlandish career talk? That talk can not have harmed things. She is the one who tried to get her picture taken with that young Pakistani girl. As for my company, I am talking big. I came to NYC for this company. You don't have to run for president if you don't want to, but I am not about to start talking small about my young company.

February 7

I messed up on February 7. Me talking suggestive about her Hispanic dude friend was a major gender trigger to her. But I hope that helps her understand my triggers: the KY/IN trigger on day one, the don't-touch-me trigger which actually was an I-am-going-to-become-Condi threat, and the mandatory coat check trigger.

Dinner

Ms. Caputo, how about dinner?

Earthen Oven (Indian)
53 West 72 St
(at Columbus Ave)
New York, NY 10023
Ph: 212-579-8888
Hours:
Lunch11:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Dinner5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

People, Computers

She is amazing at 5.0. (Web 5.0: Face Time) People are to her what computers and the internet are to me. If I were to get together with her, I would get super active with DL21C. I would seek a fresh start, clean slate with every DL21C person who pissed me off, and who I have pissed off. But they will have to understand I have not been in a very social phase of my life the past few years. I was doing cutting edge work in the 2.0 environment. I don't apologize for the work I did: Nobel Peace Prize 2008: Making A Case For Nepal (2). I had time and space to date her, but not any social space to get active with the DL21C, or get to know the people around her. Now I am eager to become a people person. It is not bye bye 2.0, it is more like, there is no 2.0 without 5.0.

Yellow Roses, Apology Card

Those were delivered, thanks to Arianna. But that was over a week ago. Am I to send another batch of flowers? Flowers feel good.

This Is Not A Crush, And I Am No Stalker

We have never formally hooked up, but we have been exploring since day one.

Tracey Denton, Al Benninghoff
Haiku
The Jewish Angst
Apology
Liberal Guy Justin Krebs Is A Poet
Looking At White Women: The Search For Vocabulary
Louisiana Senator Event: Crime Scene
Caputo: Closure?
Brooklyn Is Africa, Queens Asia, Bronx Latin America, Manhattan Is Europe
April 29: Arianna
Gender Talk: Coming At It From The Future
Skyward Bound
Philly Debate: Quick Impressions During
Nobel Peace Prize 2008: Making A Case For Nepal (2)
Sexism Bothers Me Directly
How to Tame a Free Spirit
Nobel Peace Prize 2008: Making A Case For Nepal
Two New Chapters
Nepal Votes
Some Reflections: Three Years In NYC
In Anticipation
Political Sci-Fi
I Am Different
I Am A Buddhist Like Richard Gere
I Dedicate This City To You
Love Is The Reason
CSC
New York City's Progressive Galaxy
Blueprint For DL21C: Party Inside A Party
Tera Saath Hai To Mujhe Kya Kami Hai
Yellow Rose
Yellow Rose To Reclaim
Confronting My Own Demons
Satyagraha, Day 1
Barack In Town With South Asians For Obama: March 27
Declaring Satyagraha On The DL21C White Establishment
Eliot Spitzer Needs To Go Into Business With Me
CCC
Pained Spitzer Inflicts Pain On His Family
Pledge Of Allegiance
Madhesi Movement Victory In Nepal
Yellow Roses
Rabbits Birthing Rabbits
Going To Ohio
Texas Debate
Texas Debate Watch: Two Stops
Texas Debate Watch: Another Story In Indigntiy?
My Third World People Don't Get To Vote In This City
Wrong Circles
Three Very Different Worlds: Nepal, Obama, Startup
Mark Penn At Strand
Looking For 10 Ninja Women
Planned Parenthood: First Impressions
Message To Elizabeth Caputo: SOS Call
Planned Parenthood: A Different Kind Of Event
Tonic: What A Party
The Need For A Race Gender Coalition
A Vote For Barack Is Not A Vote Against Hillary
Building Social Muscles
Progressive Political Religion: No Place For Superpowers
An Ode To White Women: I Think I Am Going Hispanic
5.0 With Manhattan Organizations
Global Trafficking Of Women
Nobody Quite Like Benazir
How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head
Mother
It Is A RSVP: Here I Come DL21C
The Al Qaeda And Political Organizations In Manhattan
2.0 Penetrates DL21C
Martha Outed Kenton And Women With Issues
Spitzer Is Right, Albany Is Wrong
An Open Letter To Elizabeth Caputo
Iowa: One And A Half Victory Parties
2.0 Screen Time, 5.0 Face Time, Of Racialism, Progressive Group Dynamics
Benazir, One Whose Looks Have No Parallel
Benazir, Last Month
Benazir, Benazir
December Baby?
I Want To Join The DL21C Steering Committee
Holiday Party 4: Is This Where The Bingo Game Is At?
Sunday 8 PM, Holiday Party 4
The Doors: Out Of The Box Thinking
"Is This An Obama Party?"
December 18: Crash The Party
Tim Russert Measures Up
Barack In Boston
The 12 Year Itch
Barack, "He Walks Between Worlds"
Benazir Bhutto: No American Stooge
Benazir Should Address Many Mass Rallies, Hold No Street Events, Keep Tight Security Around Her House, Office
Benazir And Islamofascism
Burma: Time For Nonviolent Guerilla Warfare
The Largest Rally In US Presidential Campaign History
Tim Russert: Bill O'Reilly's Lower Case Cousin
Barack's Mother Makes An Appearance
David Paterson
DL21C Annual Summer Bash: Barack Won The Straw Poll
NYC, Obama, Structure, Me
Michelle Obama Is Just Fabulous
I Touched Obama: Babel, Barack
There Is An Albert Einstein On The Obama Campaign Staff
Wife Won't Do, Got To Court Women With Policy And Outreach
Terry McAuliffe: E=mc^2
Long Walk To Freedom
Long Walk To Freedom: Just A Third World Guy Dazzled By The City
Muscular Gender Agenda
7 Point Agenda For New York City
DL21C Events: High Class Acts
Jupiter And Obama
An Obama Administration
MYD, High Tech, High Touch
Laloo Yadav: Future Prime Minister Of India
Money And Manhattan
December 12 DL21C Bash
Kentucky Dude, November 29
Drinking Liberally: Session X
On November 7: In Harlem: For Obama
Democratic Vision For The 21st Century
Switching To Obama
"First Nancy Pelosi, Then Hillary"
Seaport Diwali
Hands Off Brooke Ellison



I Have A Blog

Events

Generation Obama Reception Hudson Terrace, Wednesday, May 21
Drinking Liberally, Rudy's, Thursdays
The Uprising Book Event - New York City, NY Riverside Church, May 30
Basement Bhangra SOBs, Thursday, June 5
Spontaneous Obama Nomination Spectacular Thursday, August 28




"He Has A Blog"

Yesterday Al introduced me to someone saying "He has a blog." (
Tracey Denton, Al Benninghoff) I thought that was kind of interesting.

I prefer to call myself a digital democrat. My blog is not journalism. My blog is political action. Only I don't transport myself physically. I get in front of the right eyeballs through the online medium. If what you have to say is good enough, you can end up having major impact.

Nobel Peace Prize 2008: Making A Case For Nepal (2)

Otherwise everybody and their cousin has a blog these days.

Cloud Group Dynamics

Many Obama volunteers in NYC have stood confused by me. Where exactly does this guy stand in the hierarchy of things? That is like asking, who is the president of the internet?

In The News

Back off, Obama tells his wife's critics Los Angeles Times, USA
Rove's Latest Electoral Maps Have Clinton Stronger Than Obama ... ABC News
WRAPUP 1-Clinton to Obama: Not so fast
Reuters
Clinton: ‘This Is Nowhere Near Over’ New York Times
Bihar Tubes to raise $50 mn from overseas market Economic Times
Obama, McCain Feud Continues Over US Policy on Talking to Despots
FOXNews
Obama counters McCain on 'appeasment' Baltimore Sun
McCain continues foreign policy assault on Obama Boston Globe
Fight isn't over, says Clinton campaign
guardian.co.uk
Polls: Clinton leads big in Ky., Obama modestly in Ore. CNN Clinton leads by 30 percentage points in Kentucky ...... Obama holds comfortable lead in Oregon ..... a 50 percent to 40 percent advantage over Clinton. ...... Obama spoke Sunday in front of what his campaign called his biggest audience to date -- 75,000 people on the banks of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. ....... Clinton's campaign also excludes caucus states in its popular vote count. ...... Obama leads Clinton in total delegates, 1,904 to 1,717 ...... eliminating income taxes for seniors making less than $50,000 a year. ...... The last time Oregon carried much weight in the primary season was in 1968
Obama Tries to Make Up With Florida TIME
poll: Obama jumps to 16-point lead over Clinton
USA Today "his largest advantage over Hillary Clinton in Democratic voters' nomination preferences thus far, 55% to 39%







Sunday, May 18, 2008

Tracey Denton, Al Benninghoff


Events

Downtown Forum: Candidates for Assembly & State Senate - DFNYC & MYD
Generation Obama Reception

Tracey Denton


Hello Tracey. It was so good to see you again after long. Quite an event you put together. Sorry I could not stay the entire time. I would very much have liked to. I had to leave at 2:30 to be some place at 3:00: the Columbus Circle Whole Foods.

I landed on NYC, DFNYC landed on me. A Deaniac is about to take over the White House so soon after Dean's floundering. Who could have thought?

I was impressed to see you were capturing the event on video. I hope you put the video out on Google Video for the world to see. It has confounded me for years now as to why the progressive organizations in the progressive capital of the world don't realize that they have a global audience out there for them. All events need to be videoblogged.

Just between you and me I have to admit that I have always been slightly uncomfortable around Dan Jacoby. He has always come across to me as someone who might once have been friends with Al Capone.

I like strong women. I have a thing for strong women. I think strong women are going to change the world. But they are going to have to, they will take over first.

Give me your friendship: I am going to do wonderful things for the women of the world. And I encourage you to invest in the round one of my startup. When I first made the offer, you could have come in at 2K. Now the minimum is 5K. Yes, my startup is doing well. Will grow your mo like crazy. I doubt you will come across a better investment opportunity for the rest of your life.

Kudos for the ornate venue for the event. It felt like I was in Europe somewhere. I have never been there, but you get ideas online.

Hello is to Howard Dean next time you see him.

Tracey Denton Of DFNYC

Al Benninghoff

Al. It is hard for anyone to fill Kristina Hoke's shoes, but I think you are doing a good job.

From you I learned for the first time that Dan Berger of DL21C had orchestrated an online campaign a month ago to get people to unfriend me on Facebook. That guy is out of his depth. I don't give a fuck about Charlie Rangel, do you? I am for a new, positive black identity. Barack is my kind of a black guy. Well, DL21C has 600 members on Facebook, I personally have 1200 friends on Facebook.

Thanks for saying I was welcome to come to all MYD events. I would like to come to as many as I can, time permitting. I have been to many when Kristina was running the show.
On Fri, May 16, 2008 at 1:10 PM, Paramendra Bhagat wrote:
> http://democracyforum.blogspot.com/2008/05/jewish-angst.html
>
> Dan Berger. I am busy forging a progressive coalition in the city that
> will go all the way to the White House. You don't want to work for
> Charlie Rangel forever. You want to work for me in a few years. For
> now give me a conversation, will you? How about Sunday?
>
> Let's do the progressive thing. Let's talk.
>
Polarization

DFNYC and MYD coming together is massive polarization in the city's progressive community. This is what DL21C gets for treating me like I were Salman Rushdie.

Caputo: Some Untold Details

Half the time I have not known if she was talking to me or reading my face.

"You should run." I just found a guy who thinks I should run for office.

"We just met." She said that after I stopped walking behind her as if to say, I need to go now.

"I don't give out my number" might have been her way of saying, you look pissed that I did not give you my number over email.

"I have not liked you before." That might have been to say Paramendra Bhagat has not liked me before. For the first time I am feeling like he really really likes me.

I said, well, I am emailing you because I thought you were looking great yesterday. She did write back a little later. She said to not send personal emails to her work email address. I asked if she had another email address. She sent me her AOL email address immediately.

I said you owe me a conversation. "What is your number?" she asked. She was reading my mind again. Your saying you want to talk to me is really you asking me for my number.

"Don't touch me!" was the I-am-going-to-become-Condi-Rice threat. That was in response to an email I had sent her that she misunderstood as me saying, please don't hit on me.

In The News

Obama expects more scrutiny of McCain MSNBC
Kennedy awaiting test results at Boston hospital
The Associated Press
Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Makes Waves
Washington Post
How Google's Friend Connect works guardian.co.uk
Obama-Clinton: Curb your enthusiasm?
Baltimore Sun
Hillary Clinton remains in race but turns fire away from Barack Obama Times Online
Clinton plugs away as time grows short in race Reuters

Kennedy Remains Hospitalized After Seizure ABC News
Bush lectures Arab world on political reform, women's rights
The Associated Press
Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Makes Waves Washington Post
Gay-marriage ruling splits faith leaders
San Jose Mercury News
Obama, Clinton hone critique of McCain San Jose Mercury News
What should Obama do about the Clintons?
Toronto Star
As Clinton chances wane, old slights come due
Boston Globe
Obama's next challenge Los Angeles Times
GOP struggles to reinvent without losing itself The bad news has come from Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi -- a string of unexpected Republican defeats in congressional elections that have prompted GOP leaders to say, with candor unusual in politics, that the party is facing an outright catastrophe this November. ...... "if we were a dog food, they would take us off the shelf" ...... McCain's approach -- tough on taxes, but receptive to immigrants and committed to easing global warming -- could help paint the GOP in new colors, more attractive to independent voters, Latinos and women. Some GOP leaders now say that by embracing McCain and his policy platform, Republicans would instantly "rebrand" and reinvigorate their party. ...... a Mississippi House seat once considered among the party's safest.
Will Obama claim a cultural war victory? Chicago Tribune
Top reasons Clinton should not get on dream ticket Chicago Tribune
Clinton soldiers on at Kentucky distillery
Seattle Times
Clinton Tells Haters to Take a Hike FOXNews
Clinton Takes on 'Those People on TV' ABC News







Friday, May 16, 2008

Hillary Is All The Rage


Obama's nomination all but officially sealed up, her 20 million dollar loan barking loud, this woman Hillary Clinton looks all fired up and ready to go: she is on on all cylinders. Somebody tell her to slow down a bit. The end is near. And she might want to take a week off before she jumps onto the Obama bandwagon.

Hillary has come a long way as a person, and she has brought the women of America and the women of the world a long way with her. My favorite story about Hillary is she shows up in this remote village in India as First Lady and gets surrounded by the local women who tell her, you have no idea what it means to us that you are here.

Hillary is a complete woman. She has worked, she has raised a family. Some would say she has managed to raise a husband. As First Lady of Arkansas back in the 1980s she once said, "If I were to not kick Bill Clinton's ass every morning, he would not amount to anything."

We Can Put Hillary On The Ticket, But What Are We Going To Do With Bill Clinton?

Events

Downtown Forum: Candidates for Assembly & State Senate - DFNYC & MYD
Generation Obama Reception

In The News

Analysis: Obama reacts fast to Bush on diplomacy The Associated Press 2004, when Republicans portrayed John Kerry as irresolute and weak on national security. ....... Obama, appearing unusually feisty and at times sarcastic, led the countercharge himself. ....... replaces strategy and analysis and smart policy with bombast, exaggerations and fear-mongering ...... Swiftboat became part of the political vernacular. ..... "We have heard this foolish delusion before," Bush said. "As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: 'Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided.' We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement.'"
Same-sex marriage ruling also a victory for SF mayor San Jose Mercury News
With Zimbabwe Presidential Run-Off Date Set, Tough Campaign Looms
Voice of America
For Obama, Demographics May Be Key to the White House
Forbes some rumors just don’t die—because he’s Muslim. ...... about 55% of whites born in 1943 or later reported that they had at least some black friends. The corresponding figures for those born between 1927 and 1942, and for those born between 1911 and 1926: 50% and 40%, respectively. The same studies found similar differences between cohorts in favoring or opposing desegregation. ......... today, about 95% of Americans tell pollsters that they would vote for a qualified black presidential candidate.
Clinton's 'Classy' Exit Strategy Newsweek She's letting go, and allowing--even encouraging--the general election to begin.
Obama Accuses Bush, McCain of Launching Divisive Attacks Voice of America
Clinton not entitled to veep spot
Seattle Post Intelligencer In identity politics, ritualized indignation about imagined affronts is highly choreographed and hence predictable. ..... The female candidate is like all other candidates. This is what equality looks like -- life as an equal opportunity dispenser of disappointments. ...... Clinton has been carrying categories of voters that Obama has had trouble attracting.
A few reasons why Hillary Clinton still runs Los Angeles Times Clinton's grassroots supporters don't want her to quit ..... Women are so used to being told, 'No, you can't do that.' Sometimes it just takes the strength to keep doing it." ...... Both speeches were upbeat, high-energy affairs, tinged with optimism and no hints of resignation
Why Hillary Clinton will fight on
CNN Hiroo Onoda was a second lieutenant in World War II who didn't surrender until 1974. ...... he carried on his war alone in the jungles of the Philippines for nearly thirty years after the rest of the world knew it was over.
Obama Should Run With Beaten, Unbowed Clinton: Margaret Carlson Bloomberg She's not nearly as grating as she used to be. ...... I'm able to resist the urge to see if there's something burning in the oven when she comes on television. ...... Now she's found a new identity with the anti-trade, beer-and-shot crowd, more coal miner's daughter than coal mine owner, after trying on unapologetic warrior chief, sensitive girl, and path-breaking change agent, sometimes all in a week. ....... The woman reveling in the election-night returns this week seemed closer to the real thing than any Hillary we have seen. ...... She's tried on Mrs. Bubba, and it works not only in Pennsylvania and West Virginia but with Bill; she hasn't been the center of his attention this much in a long time. ..... Confidantes say she dreads going back to the Senate