mrbline8:59AMApr 24th 2008

Dave,

I know a lot of the media seems focused on Indiana, spinning it to be the next major battleground, and your story above plays right into this.

I happen to disagree about Indiana.

When you look at the demographics, you think a pretty even split, but when you consider roughly 80% of the vote resides in two general urban areas, 60% of the 80% being in the Hammond/Gary area, too many not from Chicago tend to underestimate what will affect these people.

One factor in particular is associated with the upper Northwest corner, which I'll leave Hillary leaning pundits to figure out, and. while it helped her elsewhere, it will destroy her there. Suffice it to say she is in danger of pissing a LOT of people there if she goes in a certain direction with her campaigning.

Second: The Oprah factor. While many think she lives in Illinois, her actual residency is in Indiana. She stays in Chicago when taping.

Mellencamp won't do much for either.

IMO the key is North Carolina, Edwards country. Clinton needs a win there, or at least she needs to do what Obama did in PA. She needs to make it a close contest, but a win there would be HUGE. Neither of the candidates have really gone into an opponent's stronghold and won. A win in NC for Clinton would say much in being able to close the deal, whereas Indiana would just be a victory.

Obama just needs to stay ahead overall, protect NC and make a good show in Indiana.

The next two weeks will be interesting.

lizard10:25AMApr 24th 2008

Who really gives a flying flip of what Hanoi John Mellonhead thinks, the communist a-hole. Went on a Bush bashing tour last year,jacked up ticket prices and kept the proceedes for himself. No charitable contributions because he wants the government to pay for everything,aka;you and I, just like the George Soros goon. Mellonhead was campaigning for Edwards but maxed-out his political contributions on Obama...lol. What a loser. Just another Hollywierd lib having a mid-life crisis and guilty conscience for having too much time on their hands, and too much money gained from so little talent.

ruthe10:27AMApr 24th 2008

hillbilly is done she had her last hurrah in PA i still can't figure out how anhone would vote for an obvious liar who makes up stories as she goes along yeah sure she went duck hunting ahem bye bye hill and bill

suzanne10:29AMApr 24th 2008

I am so glad to hear that he is "just" not endorsing Obama, but in fact endorsing the Democratic Party.. love John Mellencamps music he is a big name with Farm Aid (founded Farm Aid) in his native Indiana. He has raised awareness to the plight of the heartland, the farmers,
Indiana loves him too!!

Go Indiana!!!

Clinton 08'

JOHN11:12AMApr 24th 2008

Have a look at Obama's 13th ward...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqu3u9ISctA

avwrobel12:05PMApr 24th 2008

Mellancamp's attitude towards this primary campaign is the perfect one. If only MoveOn.org and DailyKos and all of the other Obama pushers would have the same outlook we wouldn't be in this pickle, and would be rallying around Hillary and to victory in November. Instead, we risk an Obama candidacy that could easily turn into a crushing loss to that troll McCain and their propaganda.

OBAMA-BIN-LIAR12:57PMApr 24th 2008

ONE 'RACE CARD' SPEECH IN FRONT OF EIGHT OF OUR AMERICAN FLAGS...WILL NOT EXPLAIN AWAY THE TRINITY CHURCH, AND REV. JEREMIAH WRIGHT, AND WHY BARACK KEPT HIMSELF, AND HIS FAMILY IN THAT CHURCH...

Why Obama's Speech Was Unconvincing
By Ed Koch

Barack Obama's speech addressing his 20-year relationship with his radical pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, was very well done, yet unconvincing.

Obama sought to explain that relationship and why he could not end this close association, despite the minister's hate-filled rhetoric. He said, "There will no doubt be those for whom my statements of condemnation are not enough. Why associate myself with Rev. Wright in the first place, they may ask? Why not join another church?"

Yes, those are the questions that people are asking.

Many of Rev. Wright's incendiary statements are on videos sold by his church. Minister Louis Farrakhan, a friend of Rev. Wright with whom he traveled to visit Muammar Khadaffi in Libya, also makes his sermons and those of others associated with the Nation of Islam available for sale. Their attacks on the U.S. and Israel often coincide with those of Rev. Wright.

Rev. Wright's sermons charge that the U.S. government gives African-Americans drugs, created AIDS and is deliberately infecting blacks with that disease. His sermons claim that the U.S. unjustifiably nuclear bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, and that 9/11 and the deaths of 3,000 Americans were caused by U.S. foreign policy. He alleges Israeli state terrorism against the Palestinians; calling Israel a "dirty word" and "racist country." He blames Israel for 9/11 and supports the divestment campaign against it, denouncing "Zionism." His venomous thoughts are summed up in his most discussed sermon in which he says the U.S. government "wants us to sing God Bless America. No, no, not God Bless America. God damn America. God damn America for killing innocent people."

Senator Obama in his speech acknowledged that the rantings of his minister are "inexcusable," but stated, "I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother - a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe."

Before we discuss his grandmother, let's examine the impact of Rev. Wright's statements on the Senator's two daughters. Nothing says it better than a song from the musical "South Pacific," to wit, "You have to be taught to hate and fear...You've got to be carefully taught." Few dispute that Rev. Wright's sermons are filled with hate.

WHY DIDN'T SENATOR OBAMA STAND UP IN THE CHURCH AND DENOUNCE HIS HATEFUL STATEMENTS OR, AT THE VERY LEAST, ARGUE PRIVATELY WITH HIS MINISTER? IT WAS HORRIFYING TO SEE ON A VIDEO NOW VIEWED ACROSS AMERICA THE CONGREGATION RISE FROM THE PEWS TO APPLAUD THEIR MINISTER'S RANTS.

Now to Obama's grandmother. There was a time spanning the 70's to the mid-90's when many blacks and whites in large American cities expressed the same feelings on street crime held by Obama's grandmother. Indeed, Reverend Jesse Jackson made similar comments in 1993 at a meeting of his organization, Operation Push, devoted to street crime. According to a November 29, 1993, article in the Chicago Sun-Times, he said, "'We must face the No. 1 critical issue of our day. It is youth crime in general and black-on-black crime in particular.' Then Jackson told the audience, 'There is nothing more painful to me at this stage in my life than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery. Then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved....After all we have been through,' he said. 'Just to think we can't walk down our own streets, how humiliating.'"

Isn't that exactly what Obama's grandmother was referring to? To equate her fears, similar to Jesse Jackson's, with Wright's anti-American, anti-white, anti-Jew, and anti-Israel rantings is despicable coming from a grandson. In today's vernacular, he threw her under the wheels of the bus to keep his presidential campaign rolling. For shame.

What is it that I and others expected Obama to do? A great leader with conscience and courage would have stood up and faced down anyone who engages in such conduct. I expect a President of the United States to have the strength of character to denounce and disown enemies of America - foreign and domestic -- and yes, even his friends and confidants when they get seriously out of line.

What if a minister in a church attended primarily by white congregants or a rabbi in a synagogue attended primarily by Jews made comparable statements that were hostile to African-Americans? I have no doubt that the congregants would have immediately stood up and openly denounced the offending cleric. Others would have criticized that cleric in private. Some would surely have ended their relationships with their congregation. Obama didn't do any of these things. His recent condemnations of Wright's hate-filled speech are, in my opinion, a case of too little, too late.

It is also disturbing to me that Obama's wife, Michelle, during a speech in Wisconsin, said, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country, because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback."

Strange. This is a woman who has had a good life, with opportunities few whites or blacks have been given. When she entered Princeton and Harvard and later became a partner in a prestigious law firm, didn't she feel proud to be an American? When she and the Senator bought their new home, was there no feeling of accomplishment and pride in being a U.S. citizen? When her husband was elected to the state legislature and subsequently to the United States Senate, didn't she feel proud of her country?

I DON’T THINK YOU CAN ASSOCIATES WITH ANYONE FOR 20 YEARS AND NOT BELIEVE WHAT THEY PREACH. WRIGHT’S “GOD DAMN AMERICA” RANTS OF HATRED FOR AMERICA, WHITE MEN, JEWS, ETC. HAD TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON BARACH HUSSEIN OBAMA.

MAY GOD HELP US ALL IF OBAMA IS ELECTED!

CAROLINA1:35PMApr 24th 2008

I am a rural, small-town American. I’m not bitter. I don’t carry a gun but I do believe in the Holy Bible and God.

Hillary won in Pennsylvania, despite being outspent by Obama's “mega bucks” and bombardment on TV, radio, internet ads, phone calls, etc., etc., because we believe Hillary to be the better candidate --- pure and simple. True Americans cannot be bought!
Hillary was GREAT in the Pennsylvania debate --- Obama did quite poorly.

OBAMA HAS REFUSED TO DEBATE IN NORTH CAROLINA. He apparently can only read a pretty scripted speech from a teleprompter --- And he wants to run our country??? NO WAY!

Does he plan to have Jeremiah Wright spewing “God Damn America” from the White House? Are Obama’s frequent visitors going to be their anti-American, terrorist friends: bomber Ayers, Farrakhan, Rezko, among others?

We need someone to show respect to ALL Americans, regardless of where they live.

HILLARY 2008!

mlcnlv2:32PMApr 24th 2008

I have been an Obama supporter all along. I have loved what he stands for ... but am I the only one starting to get a funny feeling about this whole thing?? Am I alone out here. The Rev Wright thing I tried to believe him on that because I wanted to but I'm not so sure. Then there was the Abercrombie and Fitch guys at his PA speech ... there is no way that was not intentional. They always place those people behind them carefully ... so what does that mean?? Somebody help me out here - I'm confused. Did Mr Obama sell product placement at his speech?? Is that legal? Is it ethical? Where did the money go ... I think he is losing me. Am I alone?

JOHN3:15PMApr 24th 2008

Have a look at Obama's 13th ward...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqu3u9ISctA

Goldbraid3:16PMApr 24th 2008

MESSAGE TO THE DNC
As per James Carville (political consultant) on the Larry King show last night, HE OFFERD TO PAY for the re-vote in Michigan and Florida, while Obama was on vacation in the Virgin Islands and his people DECLINED !!!! OBAMA also decline to debate in Indiana.
There is 4 months left till the DNC Nomination Convention in Denver. We have time to count the Michigan and Florida votes. This is USA of 50 states and if THE DEMOCRAT LEADERS made a mistake, WE CAN NOT DISENFRANCHISE MILLIOND OF DEMOCRAT VOTERS. These states are part of USA. We can count the votes as it stands, OR they can RE-VOTE before August 23. Those STATES are USA citizens who WILL BE VOTING IN NOVEMBER.
Obama is against counting votes, and he is against re-voting. There is only one reason for that. He will lose and he knows it. But OBAMA would lose anyway in November because ONLY HILLARY CAN WIN against the Bush Republicans. She knows how to deal with them.

Senior Citizen4:20PMApr 24th 2008

After Obama's speech on Race In America I am on his side. As a white senior citizen his speech was the greatest most truthful words since Abraham Lincoln. Who says Obama can't get out the white vote? It sure looks better than "Rezko and Jeremiah Wright Slept Here" during the Clinton Adminstration in the Lincoln Bedroom.

IN Voter4:22PMApr 24th 2008

Goldbraid3:16PMApr 24th 2008

I am surprised you quoted one of the most reviled men in politics.

Last Word4:24PMApr 24th 2008

I will vote for Obama. He must be good for the country if the lying, thieving Clintons are talking bad about him.

Truth Detector4:25PMApr 24th 2008

Email that circulated in the 1990s.

FW: THINK ABOUT IT FIRST

All of these folks are indeed dead and it might all just be a tragic coincidence--- But I wouldn't want to be on their list of associates (just to be on the safe side)!!!!!!!!!!!

SO NOW YOU MIGHT VOTE FOR HILLARY? THINK ABOUT IT FIRST......

This is what happens when you have dirt on the Clintons :

1 - James McDougal - Clinton's convicted Whitewater partner died of an apparent heart attack, while in solitary confinement. He was a key witness in Ken Starr's investigation.

2 - Mary Mahoney - A former White House intern was murdered July 1997 at a Starbucks Coffee Shop in Georgetown. The murder happened just after she was to go public with her story of sexual harassment in the White House.

3 - Vince Foster - Former white House councilor, and colleague of Hillary Clinton at Little Rock's Rose Law firm. Died of a gunshot wound to the head, ruled a suicide.

4 - Ron Brown - Secretary of Commerce and former DNC Chairman. Reported to have died by impact in a plane crash. A pathologist close to the investigation reported that there was a hole in the top of Brown's skull resembling a gunshot wound. At the time of his death Brown was being investigated, and spoke publicly of his willingness to cut a deal with prosecutors.

5 - C. Victor Raiser II and Montgomery Raiser, Major players in the Clinton fund raising organization died in a private plane crash in July 1992.

6 - Paul Tulley - Democratic National Committee Political Director found dead in a hotel room in Little Rock, September 1992... Described by Clinton as a "Dear friend and trusted advisor."

7- Ed Willey - Clinton fund raiser, found dead November 1993 deep in the woods in VA of a gunshot wound to the head. Ruled a suicide. Ed Willey died on the same day his wife Kathleen Willey claimed Bill Clinton groped her in the oval office in the White House. Ed Willey was involved in several Clinton fund raising events.

8 - Jerry Parks - Head of Clinton's gubernatorial security team in Little Rock. Gunned down in his car at a deserted intersection outside Little Rock. Park's son said his father was building a dossier on Clinton. He allegedly threatened to reveal this information. After he died the files were mysteriously removed from his house.

9 - James Bunch - Died from a gunshot suicide. It was reported that he had a "Black Book" of people which contained names of influential people who visited prostitutes in Texas and Arkansas.

10 - James Wilson - Was found dead in May 1993 from an apparent hanging suicide. He was reported to have ties to Whitewater.

11- Kathy Ferguson, ex-wife of Arkansas Trooper Danny Ferguson, was found dead in May 1994, in her living room with a gunshot to her head. It was ruled a suicide even though there were several packed suitcases, as if she were going somewhere. Danny Ferguson was a co-defendant along with Bill Clinton in the Paula Jones lawsuit. Kathy Ferguson was a possible corroborating witness for Paula Jones.

12 - Bill Shelton - Arkansas State Trooper and fiancee of Kathy Ferguson. Critical of the suicide ruling of his fiancee, he was found dead in June, 1994 of a gunshot wound also ruled a suicide at the grave site of his fiancee.

13 - Gandy Baugh - Attorney for Clinton's friend Dan Lassater, died by jumping out a window of a tall building January, 1994. His client was a convicted drug distributor.

14 - Florence Martin - Accountant & sub-contractor for the CIA, was related to the Barry Seal Mena Airport drug smuggling case. He died of three gunshot wounds.

15 - Suzanne Coleman - Reportedly had an affair with Clinton when he was Arkansas Attorney General. Died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head, ruled a suicide. Was pregnant at the time of her death.

16 - Paula Grober - Clinton's speech interpreter for the deaf from 1978 until her death December 9, 1992. She died in a one car accident.

17 - Danny Casolaro - Investigative reporter. Investigating Mena Airport and Arkansas Development Finance Authority. He slit his wrists, apparently, in the middle of his investigation.

18 - Paul Wilcher - Attorney investigating corruption at Mena Airport with Casolaro and the 1980 "October Surprise" was found dead on a toilet June 22, 1993 in his Washington DC apartment. Had delivered a report to Janet Reno three weeks before his death

19 - Jon Parnell Walker - Whitewater investigator for Resolution Trust Corp. Jumped to his death from his Arlington, Virginia apartment balcony August15, 1993. He was investigating the Morgan Guarantee scandal.

20 - Barbara Wise - Commerce Department staffer. Worked closely with Ron Brown and John Huang. Cause of death unknown. Died November 29, 1996. Her bruised, nude body was found locked in her office at the Department of Commerce.

21- Charles Meissner - Assistant Secretary of Commerce who gave John Huang special security clearance, died shortly thereafter in a small plane crash.

22 - Dr. Stanley Heard - Chairman of the National Chiropractic Health Care Advisory Committee, died with his attorney Steve Dickson in a small plane crash. Dr. Heard, in addition to serving on Clinton's advisory council personally treated Clinton's mother, stepfather and brother.

23 - Barry Seal - Drug running pilot out of Mena, Arkansas, death was no accident.

24 - Johnny Lawhorn Jr. - Mechanic, found a check made out to Bill Clinton in the trunk of a car left at his repair shop. He was found dead after his car had hit a utility pole.

25 - Stanley Huggins - Investigated Madison Guarantee. His death was a purported suicide and his report was never released.

26- Hershell Friday - Attorney and Clinton fund raiser died March 1, 1994 when his plane exploded.

27 - Kevin Ives and Don Henry - Known as "The boys on the track" case. Reports say the boys may have stumbled upon the Mena Arkansas airport drug operation. A controversial case, the initial report of death said, due to falling asleep on railroad tracks. Later reports claim the two boys had been slain before being placed on the tracks. Many linked to the case died before their testimony could come before a Grand Jury.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAD INFORMATION ON THE IVES/HENRY CASE:

28 - Keith Coney - Died when his motorcycle slammed into the back of a truck, July 1988.

29 - Keith McMaskle - Died stabbed 113 times, Nov, 1988

30 - Gregory Collins - Died from a gunshot wound January 1989.

31 - Jeff Rhodes - He was shot, mutilated and found burned in a trash dump in April 1989.

33 - James Milan - Found decapitated. However, the Coroner ruled his death was due to "natural causes."

34 - Jordan Kettleson - Was found shot to death in the front seat of his pickup truck in June 1990.

35 - Richard Winters - A suspect in the Ives / Henry deaths. He was killed in a set-up robbery July 1989.

THE FOLLOWING CLINTON BODYGUARDS ARE DEAD: 36 - Major William S. Barkley Jr. 37 - Captain Scott J. Reynolds 38 - Sgt. Brian Hanley 39 - Sgt. Tim Sabel 40 - Major General William Robertson 41 - Col. William Densberger 42 - Col. Robert Kelly 43 - Spec. Gary Rhodes 44 - Steve Willis 45 - Robert Williams 46 - Conway LeBleu 47 - Todd McKeehan

Quite an impressive list! Pass this on. Let the public become aware of what happens to anyone who might damage the Clinton machine

Concerned4:27PMApr 24th 2008

Truth Detector4:25PMApr 24th 2008

This list needs to be updated. It is still happening.

Last Word4:44PMApr 24th 2008

There is a bizarre, and even tragic, unreality to the continuing drama playing out in the Democratic primary. Partly due to the seven-week gap between the first 42 contests and this week's match-up in Pennsylvania, and partly due to the tenacity and temerity of the Clintons, this election is being presented as close and not yet over.

But it is over.

Dragging it out any longer only serves to indulge the Clintons' narcissism, while damaging the Democratic party's chances for victory in November. Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean are ready to step in and convince Hillary to quit.

Rose4:45PMApr 24th 2008

Hey John:

"Forget all about that political sh*&t and learn how to play a guitar!"

JCM has always been nuttier than a fruit cake.

Goldbraid6:31PMApr 24th 2008

BLACKS vote for Obama because he looks black. Thats it. All their racist feelings come out, hey don't think they "react". They don't even care this guys is Arab muslim anti-American anti-semitic racist who wants to change the American way of life without a SINGLE plan.

Educated people vote for Obama, because they are wealthy, they want to keep things the way they are, all the tax breaks for the super rich Bush put in place. They know Obama can't win the election - it will be EASY for McCain to beat him. They also KNOW they can't beat Hillary. McCain will continue the Bush Republican legacy thus proteting their enormous wealth.

And third, wealthy educated white men would NOT VOTE for an intelligent woman, they generally hate women (any color) in any leadership role, thus the glass ceiling. They don't want a competent smart woman to be in a leadership position. They are afraid of intelligent women.

THE HARD WORKING AMERICANS KNOW BETTER THEY VOTE HILLARY THEY KNOW WHATS GOOD FOR THEM. SHE WILL GET THINGS DONE.

Goldbraid6:37PMApr 24th 2008

IS THIS what OBAMA stands for ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx9AbhYaIH8&feature=related

VOTE HILLARY TO SAVE AMERICA.