Phillip Diaz.12:48AMMay 17th 2008

You're wasting your time numbskulls. Obama is a Senator, has an FBI clearance and the secret service is protecting him. However, the numbskulls got it all figured out. Figure this out -- Obama is our nominee.
You'll get used to it sooner or later and frankly the majority of voters don't care if you don't. Majority rules.

vlg12:52AMMay 17th 2008

According to ABC News, Hillary’s West Virginia victory put her over the top in the popular vote. She now leads Sen. Obama 16,691,283 to 16,647,926 when Florida and Michigan are included in the count.

kyle rushton12:54AMMay 17th 2008

Carroll Johnson..smart lady. BRAVO. Amongst all the lies and race mongers, you stand out. You told it like it is. Well said Carroll.

JAMES12:57AMMay 17th 2008

VIG..wrong, watching the wrong figures, they had the correct ones on the nightly news.

TED12:59AMMay 17th 2008

You stand corrected VIG, the DNC RULES go by how many delegates not popular vote. Gore had the popular vote but Bush had the delegates and therefore won. Sooory.

PATSY OLSON1:05AMMay 17th 2008

vig...you can not add in michigan and florida. obama has the popular vote now. if and when florida and michigan are counted clinton will not have the count either. you act like the dnc is going to hand the full counts to clinton, that makes you silly. wake up vig. obama gets his share and besides the person with the most delegates before convention wins. obama is short 2o some and in a couple of weeks is the nominee.

JOHN PAUL1:19AMMay 17th 2008

Clinton does not have the popular vote, she is miss-speaking again. Actually, lying again.

May 16th, 2008--

JUNCTION CITY, ORE. -- Hillary Clinton continues to say she is ahead of Barack Obama in the popular vote, despite questions over whether or not her campaign's numbers are misleading in making that claim. The Associated Press reported yesterday that the math used to arrive at that conclusion make the assertion "a stretch at best."

Question have risen as to the math which allows the Clinton campaign to say they have the popular vote, which disregards votes for Obama in some caucuses and counts votes by Michigan and Florida voters, whose primaries are not recognized by Democratic National Committee this year due to penalties from changing their primary dates.

kaflooey1:19AMMay 17th 2008

"The Clinton's plan for fund raising was top down. They have always solicited the total amount of $2,300 from their big donors. They never established a large, bottom up fundraising plan using the internet. Obama generated an extremely large number of donors who gave a small amount each time so that they never came close to hitting the maximum donor amount. The Obama organization had over 1.5 million donors with an average gift of $100"


He did not use PAC's and lobbyists as he promised and he held to the promise of not using destructive personal attacks against Hillary.

```````````````````````````````````````````````````
This whole post is another example of opinion mistaken for fact and these two particular references are just plain incorrect.

kaflooey1:21AMMay 17th 2008

EXISTENTIAL BEING11:35PMMay 16th 2008

Hillary’s Peter Paul Case Trumps Obama’s Wright & Rezko CombinedEXISTENTIAL BEING11:35PMMay 16th 2008

Hillary’s Peter Paul Case Trumps Obama’s Wright & Rezko Combined


``````````````````````````````````````````````````
"Peter Paul vs. Hillary Clinton" case is an Internet Hoax
Friday, May 2, 2008


http://blog.changeandexperience.com/2008/05/peter-paul-vs-hillary-clinton-case-is.html

JOHN PAUL1:25AMMay 17th 2008

VIG,,Clinton is spinning and spoofing ya all.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton's assertions that she leads Barack Obama in the popular vote are a stretch, at best.

The argument is supported only by using dubious math on two fronts: by excluding several caucus states won by Obama and by including Florida and Michigan primary results that the Democratic Party, to date, is rejecting.
THE FACTS:

Obama is ahead of Clinton by just over 618,000 votes out of 32.2 million cast in states and territories where both candidates competed and where the popular vote was counted in some way.

That total excludes Florida and Michigan, which held early primaries in violation of party rules. Democratic candidates agreed in advance not to campaign in those states. In addition, Obama did not have his name on the ballot in Michigan while Clinton did.

If primary voters from those two states are included in the totals, Clinton edges ahead in the recorded popular vote. She leads Obama by fewer than 5,000 votes out of 34 million cast. That's with no votes for Obama at all in Michigan.

She is correct that she and Obama have each received some 17 million votes.

But even if results of the two renegade primaries are accepted, she still has a problem demonstrating she is the vote leader.

That's because no results go into that equation from Iowa, Nevada or Maine. There is no way to count popular votes from those states because their caucuses did not tally them.

Obama won most of the delegates in both Maine and Iowa — the leadoff state where Clinton came third.

Although there is no vote count, it is clear that more people came out to the caucuses for Obama than for Clinton in both states. In Nevada, more people came out for Clinton. Nevada's delegate allocation, currently favoring Obama by a slight margin, still has not been settled.

Several other states also did not tally votes in caucuses. But those states also held primaries and reported totals from that round of voting.

Clinton has been pushing for the party to count the results from Florida and Michigan to bring her delegate totals closer to Obama's as he gets closer to clinching the nomination.

The matter will be taken up at the end of the month. Obama, like Clinton, is worried about alienating those two battlegrounds in the fall if the primary voters are not accommodated in some way.

Given his expanding lead with superdelegates, he is on track to win the nomination even if Florida and Michigan delegates are seated.

--- Calvin Woodward and David Pace

EXISTENTIAL BEING1:28AMMay 17th 2008

OBAMA/SEBELIUS


Kathleen Gilligan Sebelius (born May 15, 1948) OLDER POPULATION VOTERS

2 Term Governor of Kansas PULL IN A RED STATE WHICH COULD POSSIBLY SWAY REPUBLICANS TO THE PARTY

Roman Catholic POSSIBLE INFLUENCE ON THE CATHOLIC POPULATION

A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR GUN OWNERS

STRONG RECORD WHICH ALSO SUPPORTS WORKING CLASS

SUPPORTS WOMENS RIGHTS

ABILITY TO REACH ACROSS PARTY LINES

OWNS A VACATION HOME IN MICHIGAN AND HER FATHER ONCE SERVED AS OHIO GOVERNOR! JUDGE SEBELIUS'S FATHER SERVED 6 TERMS IN THE HOUSE BEFORE PASSING AWAY

In 2001 Sebelius was named as one of Governing Magazine's Public Officials of the Year while she was serving as Kansas Insurance Commissioner.[27]

In November 2005 Time named Sebelius as one of the five best governors in America, praising her for eliminating a $1.1 billion debt she inherited, ferreting out waste in state government, and strongly supporting public education — all without raising taxes. Also praised was her bipartisan approach to governing, a useful trait in a state where Republicans have usually controlled the Legislature.[28]

In February 2006, the White House Project named Sebelius one of its "8 in '08", a group of eight female politicians who could possibly run and/or be elected president in 2008.[29]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Sebelius


http://usliberals.about.com/od/stategovernors/p/Sebelius.htm
Popular Two-Term Governor of Kansas:
Democrat Kathleen Sebelius was elected Governor of red-state Kansas in 2002, and reelected by wide margin in 2006. Gov. Sebelius has held state elective office since 1986.

A moderate with pro-business, pro-military leanings known for her bipartisan leadership, Sebelius is the daughter of former Ohio Gov. John Gilligan, and are the first father-daughter governors in U.S. history.

Gov. Sebelius served in 2007 as Chair of the Democratic Governors Association. In 2005, Time named her as one of the five best governors in America, for eliminating a $1.1 billion debt she inherited when she took office.
Special Notability:
In 2004, Kathleen Sebelius was reportedly a candidate to be John Kerry's vice-presidential running mate, and is considered a strong VP candidate for the 2008 Democratic ticket. Others speculate that Gov. Sebelius may run for the U.S. Senate in 2010, to replace Republican Sen. Sam Brownback.

On January 28, 2008, Kathleen Sebelius delivered the Democratic party's response to the State of the Union address. And on January 29, 2008, Gov. Sebelius endorsed Sen. Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race.
Experience Prior to Governor:

* 1995-2003 - Kansas State Insurance Commissioner
* 1987-94 - Kansas House of Representatives
* 1974-1987 - a number of appointed statewide offices, including the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Prison Overcrowding, the Kansas Children's Commission and the Kansas Natural Resources Council.

Gov. Sebelius on Issues & Priorities:
Regarded as pro-business, pro-military and fiscally conservative, Kathleen Sebelius, nonetheless, holds certain liberal views not always seen as mainstream in the Midwest, including firm pro-choice beliefs.

Owing to her Catholicism, Sebelius is opposed to capital punishment. And after she famously vetoed a 2006 concealed weapon bill, her veto was decisively overriden by the both houses of the Kansas legislature. As governor, she's faced a myriad of difficult educational funding issues.

(For more, see Gary and Kathleen Sebelius Marriage Profile.)
Federal Magistrate Judge Gary Sebelius, Married to Gov. Sebelius:
Federal magistrate judge Gary Sebelius was appointed to an eight-term term to the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in 2002. He was formerly a partner in a Topeka law firm. Born in Kansas, he earned his law degree from Georgetown University in 1974.

Judge Sebelius is reported to have a wonderful sense of humor and a great love of music. His record/CD collection is among the finest in Kansas. He downplays his role as advisor to his governor-wife, and prefers the title "First Dude" of Kansas.
The Governor's Father, Father-in-Law in Politics:
The governor's father is Democratic Gov. John Gilligan, who served on term as Ohio governor before his defeat by a Republican in 1975, a party that generally dominates Ohio politics. Judge Sebelius' father was the late Rep. Keith Sebelius (R-KS), who served six terms in the House before passing away in 1982.

The couple worried about how their fathers (one anti-war liberal, one pro-war conservative) would get along. Per Gary Sebelius, though, "They hit it off famously."
Memorable Quotes:

About Lobbyists

"I don’t mind standing up to the big powerful lobbies, I think that is the role you play in public office. A lot of the consumers don’t have an organized lobby to advocate on their behalf. Those of us who are elected need to have that voice, and that is really what I have tried to do as insurance commissioner.

"There will always be well paid, very articulate lobbyists for industries that make money. What needs to happen is that the other side needs to be brought in, we need to bring that viewpoint to the table."

----- to Trinity Washington University magazine, during 2002 campaign to be Governor of Kansas

About Her Endorsement of Barack Obama

"I am especially pleased to announce my enthusiastic endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States - because Barack Obama represents exactly the kind of change Kansans can believe in...

"Senator Obama demonstrates a unique ability to reach across party lines - a quality we need now, right now, to unite our leaders and meet the serious challenges our country faces at home and abroad...

"And, on an especially personal note - I admire the way Senator Obama has inspired a younger generation of Americans, my own children included. For months now, my two sons have implored me to make my admiration for Senator Obama public. To offer him my endorsement, and join this fight for change all of us can believe in. I am proud to do so today."

---- public statement, January 29, 2008


://marriage.about.com/od/politics/p/ksebelius.htm
Gary: Federal magistrate judge, attorney, author, lecturer.

Residences:
Kathleen and Gary have a vacation home in Leland, Michigan.

In her role as governor of Kansas, Kathleen and Gary reside in the Governor's residence at Cedar Crest near Topeka, Kansas.

Quotes about the Marriage of Kathleen and Gary Sebelius:
Kathleen about balance in their marriage: "“We’ve really tried hard to balance family issues and political issues ... I have always wanted to be at home and be available to the kids, and I’ve been very lucky to have had jobs where I could work on issues that I thought were important and yet not have to give up time with the kids and family. Both Gary and I felt that it was very important that their lives were as normal as possible, that they participate only when they wanted to, and that this was my job, not their job ...”
Source: Elizabeth Palmer, "Profile: Kathleen Sebelius", TrinityDC.edu

Kathleen about their political differences: "I'm converting Republicans one at a time. First my husband, Gary..."
Source: Nadia Pflaum, "Kansas Republicans evolve -- into Democrats", Salon.com, 9/5/2006.

Kathleen about Gary's adjustment to being the husband of a governor: "He seems to have made it through the first year unscathed."
source: Scott Rothschild, "First-ever online chat with governor provides forum for curious Kansans", LJWorld.com, 2/6/2004.

Gary downplaying "his role as adviser to his high-profile wife": "She might have borrowed a few ideas from me, but she got her counsel from other folks and followed her own good instincts."
Source: Jim McLean, "Call him 'first dude'", CJOnline.com, 1/20/2003.

Speech Text: Democratic Response By Gov. Kathleen Sebelius
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/28/speech-text-democratic-r_n_83726.html


Remarks as prepared for delivery by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius:

An American Call to Action

I'm Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of the State of Kansas.

And I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with you tonight.

I'm a Democrat, but tonight, it really doesn't matter whether you think of yourself as a Democrat...or a Republican...or an Independent. Or...none-of-the-above.

Instead, the fact you're tuning in this evening tells me each of you is, above all...

...an American, first.

You are mothers, and fathers. Grandparents, and grandchildren. Working people, and business-owners. Americans, all.

And the American people - folks like you, and me - are not nearly as divided as our rancorous politics might suggest.

In fact, right now, tonight, as political pundits discuss the President's speech - chances are, they'll obsess over the reactions of Members of Congress.

"How many times was the President interrupted by applause? Did Republicans stand? Did Democrats sit?"

And the rest of us will roll our eyes and think, "What in the world does any of that have to do with me?"

And, so, I want to take a slight detour from tradition on this State of the Union night.

In this time, normally reserved for the partisan response, I hope to offer you something more:

An American Response.

A national call to action on behalf of the struggling families in the heartland, and across this great country. A wakeup call to Washington, on behalf of a new American majority, that time is running out on our opportunities to meet our challenges and solve our problems.

Our struggling economy requires urgent and immediate action, and then sustained attention. Families can't pay their bills. They are losing their jobs, and now are threatened with losing their homes.

We heard last week and again tonight that Congress and the President are acting quickly, on a temporary, targeted stimulus package. That is encouraging. But you and I know that a temporary fix is only the first step toward meeting our challenges and solving our problems.

There is a chance Mr. President, in the next 357 Days, to get real results, and give the American people renewed optimism that their challenges are the top priority. Working together, working hard, committing to results, we can get the job done.

In fact, over the last year, the Democratic majority in Congress has begun to move us in the right direction-- with bipartisan action to strengthen our national security, raise the minimum wage, and reduce the costs of college loans.

These are encouraging first steps. But there is still more to be done.

And, so we ask you, Mr. President -- will you join us? Let's get to work.

We know that we are stronger as a nation when our people have access to the highest-quality, most-affordable health care. When our businesses can compete in the global marketplace without the burden of rising health care costs here at home.

We know that caring for our children, so they have a healthy and better start in life, is what grownups do. Governors in both parties, and a large majority of the Congress are ready, right now, to provide health care to 10 million American children, as a first step in overhauling our health care system.

Join us, Mr. President, sign the bill and let's get to work.

Sitting with the First Lady tonight was Steve Hewitt, the city manager of Greensburg, Kansas. Many of you remember Greensburg - our town nearly destroyed by a tornado last year.

Thanks to Steve's efforts, and hundreds of others in our state, and across the country, Greensburg will recover. Folks rolled up their sleeves and got to work, and local, state and federal governments assisted in the effort.

But more than just recover - the Kansans who live in Greensburg are building green - rebuilding a better community for their children and grandchildren; making shared sacrifices, and investments for the next generation.

Greensburg is not alone. You and I - stand ready - ready to protect our environment for future generations, and stay economically competitive. Mayors have committed their cities to going green; governors have joined together, leading efforts for energy security and independence; and the majority in Congress is ready to tackle the challenge of reducing global warming and creating a new energy future for America.

So we ask you, Mr. President, will you join us? It's time to get to work.

Here in the heartland, we honor and respect military service. We appreciate the enormous sacrifices made by soldiers and their families.

As Governor of Kansas, I am the Commander in Chief of our National Guard. Over the past five years, I have seen thousands of soldiers deployed from Kansas. I've visited our troops in Iraq; attended funerals and comforted families; and seen the impact at home of the war being waged.

We stand ready in the heartland and across this country, to join forces with peace-loving nations across the globe and to fight the war against terrorists, wherever they may strike. But our capable and dedicated soldiers can't solve the political disputes where they are, and can't focus on the real enemies elsewhere.

The new Democratic majority of Congress and the vast majority of Americans are ready - ready to chart a new course. If more Republicans in Congress stand with us this year, we won't have to wait for a new President to restore America's role in the world, and fight a more effective war on terror.

The last five years have cost us dearly - in lives lost; in thousands of wounded warriors whose futures may never be the same; in challenges not met here at home because our resources were committed elsewhere. America's foreign policy has left us with fewer allies and more enemies.

Join us, Mr. President, and working together with Congress to make tough, smart decisions, we will regain our standing in the world and protect our people and our interests.

I know government can work to benefit the people we serve, because I see it every day, not only here in Kansas, but in states across the country. I know government can work, Mr. President, because like you, I grew up in a family committed to public service. My father and my father in law both served in Congress - one a Republican and one a Democrat. They had far more in common than the issues that divided them - a love for their country that led them from military service to public service. A lifetime of working for the common good, making sacrifices so their children and grandchildren could have a better future.

They are called "the greatest generation". But I believe, like parents across America, that our greatest generations are still to come. That we must chart a new course, at home and abroad, to give our future greatest generations all the opportunities our parents gave us.

These are uncertain times, but with strength and determination, we can meet the challenges together. If Washington can work together, so quickly, on a short-term fix for families caught in the financial squeeze, then we can work together to transform America.

In these difficult times - the American people aren't afraid to face difficult choices.

But, we have no more patience for divisive politics.

Tonight's address begins the final year of this presidency, with new leaders on the horizon and uncertainty throughout our land. Conditions we face, at home and abroad, are results of choices made and challenges unmet.

In spite of the attempts to convince us that we are divided as a people, a new American majority has come together. We are tired of leaders who rather than asking what we can do for our country, ask nothing of us at all.

We are Americans sharing a belief in something greater than ourselves, a nation coming together to meet challenges and find solutions; to share sacrifices and share prosperity; and focus, once again, not only on the individual good but on the common good.

On behalf of the new American majority - the majority of elected officials at the national, state and local level, and the majority of Americans, we ask you, Mr. President, to join us. We are ready to work together, to be the America we have been-- and can be once again.

Thank you for listening. God bless and sleep well. And in the morning, let's get to work.


OBAMA/SEBELIUS

kaflooey1:46AMMay 17th 2008

TOBY12:34AMMay 17th 2008

Hate to rain on your Hillary fairy tale and burst your bubble but in a Presidential Election write-in votes are NOT COUNTED. The Election Law rule. Lose your vote or vote John. No other option.

````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Other options:

http://mfoster.com/misc/write-in_rules_2008.html

kaflooey1:49AMMay 17th 2008

Why are people allowed to continually spam these message boards?

david j. fallon1:50AMMay 17th 2008

Obama delegate count was 1,904 on Friday, Clinton's count was 1,719 delegates. She is trying to use the popular vote argument to win over more Superdelegates but it has not flown. Obama has ammassed more than she. It is pretty well verified and agreed upon by a vast amount of reporting that Clinton has indeed lost the nomination.

EXISTENTIAL BEING1:54AMMay 17th 2008

Choose your Poison


Ron Paul

Medical Marijuana

Obama and Clinton

Pro Abortion

John McCain

Hundred Year War

OBAMA/SEBELIUS


Kathleen Gilligan Sebelius (born May 15, 1948) OLDER POPULATION VOTERS

2 Term Governor of Kansas PULL IN A RED STATE WHICH COULD POSSIBLY SWAY REPUBLICANS TO THE PARTY

Roman Catholic POSSIBLE INFLUENCE ON THE CATHOLIC POPULATION

A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR GUN OWNERS

STRONG RECORD WHICH ALSO SUPPORTS WORKING CLASS

SUPPORTS WOMENS RIGHTS

ABILITY TO REACH ACROSS PARTY LINES

OWNS A VACATION HOME IN MICHIGAN AND HER FATHER ONCE SERVED AS OHIO GOVERNOR! JUDGE SEBELIUS'S FATHER SERVED 6 TERMS IN THE HOUSE BEFORE PASSING AWAY

In 2001 Sebelius was named as one of Governing Magazine's Public Officials of the Year while she was serving as Kansas Insurance Commissioner.[27]

In November 2005 Time named Sebelius as one of the five best governors in America, praising her for eliminating a $1.1 billion debt she inherited, ferreting out waste in state government, and strongly supporting public education — all without raising taxes. Also praised was her bipartisan approach to governing, a useful trait in a state where Republicans have usually controlled the Legislature.[28]

In February 2006, the White House Project named Sebelius one of its "8 in '08", a group of eight female politicians who could possibly run and/or be elected president in 2008.[29]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Sebelius


http://usliberals.about.com/od/stategovernors/p/Sebelius.htm
Popular Two-Term Governor of Kansas:
Democrat Kathleen Sebelius was elected Governor of red-state Kansas in 2002, and reelected by wide margin in 2006. Gov. Sebelius has held state elective office since 1986.

A moderate with pro-business, pro-military leanings known for her bipartisan leadership, Sebelius is the daughter of former Ohio Gov. John Gilligan, and are the first father-daughter governors in U.S. history.

Gov. Sebelius served in 2007 as Chair of the Democratic Governors Association. In 2005, Time named her as one of the five best governors in America, for eliminating a $1.1 billion debt she inherited when she took office.
Special Notability:
In 2004, Kathleen Sebelius was reportedly a candidate to be John Kerry's vice-presidential running mate, and is considered a strong VP candidate for the 2008 Democratic ticket. Others speculate that Gov. Sebelius may run for the U.S. Senate in 2010, to replace Republican Sen. Sam Brownback.

On January 28, 2008, Kathleen Sebelius delivered the Democratic party's response to the State of the Union address. And on January 29, 2008, Gov. Sebelius endorsed Sen. Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential race.
Experience Prior to Governor:

* 1995-2003 - Kansas State Insurance Commissioner
* 1987-94 - Kansas House of Representatives
* 1974-1987 - a number of appointed statewide offices, including the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Prison Overcrowding, the Kansas Children's Commission and the Kansas Natural Resources Council.

Gov. Sebelius on Issues & Priorities:
Regarded as pro-business, pro-military and fiscally conservative, Kathleen Sebelius, nonetheless, holds certain liberal views not always seen as mainstream in the Midwest, including firm pro-choice beliefs.

Owing to her Catholicism, Sebelius is opposed to capital punishment. And after she famously vetoed a 2006 concealed weapon bill, her veto was decisively overriden by the both houses of the Kansas legislature. As governor, she's faced a myriad of difficult educational funding issues.

(For more, see Gary and Kathleen Sebelius Marriage Profile.)
Federal Magistrate Judge Gary Sebelius, Married to Gov. Sebelius:
Federal magistrate judge Gary Sebelius was appointed to an eight-term term to the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in 2002. He was formerly a partner in a Topeka law firm. Born in Kansas, he earned his law degree from Georgetown University in 1974.

Judge Sebelius is reported to have a wonderful sense of humor and a great love of music. His record/CD collection is among the finest in Kansas. He downplays his role as advisor to his governor-wife, and prefers the title "First Dude" of Kansas.
The Governor's Father, Father-in-Law in Politics:
The governor's father is Democratic Gov. John Gilligan, who served on term as Ohio governor before his defeat by a Republican in 1975, a party that generally dominates Ohio politics. Judge Sebelius' father was the late Rep. Keith Sebelius (R-KS), who served six terms in the House before passing away in 1982.

The couple worried about how their fathers (one anti-war liberal, one pro-war conservative) would get along. Per Gary Sebelius, though, "They hit it off famously."
Memorable Quotes:

About Lobbyists

"I don’t mind standing up to the big powerful lobbies, I think that is the role you play in public office. A lot of the consumers don’t have an organized lobby to advocate on their behalf. Those of us who are elected need to have that voice, and that is really what I have tried to do as insurance commissioner.

"There will always be well paid, very articulate lobbyists for industries that make money. What needs to happen is that the other side needs to be brought in, we need to bring that viewpoint to the table."

----- to Trinity Washington University magazine, during 2002 campaign to be Governor of Kansas

About Her Endorsement of Barack Obama

"I am especially pleased to announce my enthusiastic endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States - because Barack Obama represents exactly the kind of change Kansans can believe in...

"Senator Obama demonstrates a unique ability to reach across party lines - a quality we need now, right now, to unite our leaders and meet the serious challenges our country faces at home and abroad...

"And, on an especially personal note - I admire the way Senator Obama has inspired a younger generation of Americans, my own children included. For months now, my two sons have implored me to make my admiration for Senator Obama public. To offer him my endorsement, and join this fight for change all of us can believe in. I am proud to do so today."

---- public statement, January 29, 2008


://marriage.about.com/od/politics/p/ksebelius.htm
Gary: Federal magistrate judge, attorney, author, lecturer.

Residences:
Kathleen and Gary have a vacation home in Leland, Michigan.

In her role as governor of Kansas, Kathleen and Gary reside in the Governor's residence at Cedar Crest near Topeka, Kansas.

Quotes about the Marriage of Kathleen and Gary Sebelius:
Kathleen about balance in their marriage: "“We’ve really tried hard to balance family issues and political issues ... I have always wanted to be at home and be available to the kids, and I’ve been very lucky to have had jobs where I could work on issues that I thought were important and yet not have to give up time with the kids and family. Both Gary and I felt that it was very important that their lives were as normal as possible, that they participate only when they wanted to, and that this was my job, not their job ...”
Source: Elizabeth Palmer, "Profile: Kathleen Sebelius", TrinityDC.edu

Kathleen about their political differences: "I'm converting Republicans one at a time. First my husband, Gary..."
Source: Nadia Pflaum, "Kansas Republicans evolve -- into Democrats", Salon.com, 9/5/2006.

Kathleen about Gary's adjustment to being the husband of a governor: "He seems to have made it through the first year unscathed."
source: Scott Rothschild, "First-ever online chat with governor provides forum for curious Kansans", LJWorld.com, 2/6/2004.

Gary downplaying "his role as adviser to his high-profile wife": "She might have borrowed a few ideas from me, but she got her counsel from other folks and followed her own good instincts."
Source: Jim McLean, "Call him 'first dude'", CJOnline.com, 1/20/2003.

Speech Text: Democratic Response By Gov. Kathleen Sebelius
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/28/speech-text-democratic-r_n_83726.html


Remarks as prepared for delivery by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius:

An American Call to Action

I'm Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of the State of Kansas.

And I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with you tonight.

I'm a Democrat, but tonight, it really doesn't matter whether you think of yourself as a Democrat...or a Republican...or an Independent. Or...none-of-the-above.

Instead, the fact you're tuning in this evening tells me each of you is, above all...

...an American, first.

You are mothers, and fathers. Grandparents, and grandchildren. Working people, and business-owners. Americans, all.

And the American people - folks like you, and me - are not nearly as divided as our rancorous politics might suggest.

In fact, right now, tonight, as political pundits discuss the President's speech - chances are, they'll obsess over the reactions of Members of Congress.

"How many times was the President interrupted by applause? Did Republicans stand? Did Democrats sit?"

And the rest of us will roll our eyes and think, "What in the world does any of that have to do with me?"

And, so, I want to take a slight detour from tradition on this State of the Union night.

In this time, normally reserved for the partisan response, I hope to offer you something more:

An American Response.

A national call to action on behalf of the struggling families in the heartland, and across this great country. A wakeup call to Washington, on behalf of a new American majority, that time is running out on our opportunities to meet our challenges and solve our problems.

Our struggling economy requires urgent and immediate action, and then sustained attention. Families can't pay their bills. They are losing their jobs, and now are threatened with losing their homes.

We heard last week and again tonight that Congress and the President are acting quickly, on a temporary, targeted stimulus package. That is encouraging. But you and I know that a temporary fix is only the first step toward meeting our challenges and solving our problems.

There is a chance Mr. President, in the next 357 Days, to get real results, and give the American people renewed optimism that their challenges are the top priority. Working together, working hard, committing to results, we can get the job done.

In fact, over the last year, the Democratic majority in Congress has begun to move us in the right direction-- with bipartisan action to strengthen our national security, raise the minimum wage, and reduce the costs of college loans.

These are encouraging first steps. But there is still more to be done.

And, so we ask you, Mr. President -- will you join us? Let's get to work.

We know that we are stronger as a nation when our people have access to the highest-quality, most-affordable health care. When our businesses can compete in the global marketplace without the burden of rising health care costs here at home.

We know that caring for our children, so they have a healthy and better start in life, is what grownups do. Governors in both parties, and a large majority of the Congress are ready, right now, to provide health care to 10 million American children, as a first step in overhauling our health care system.

Join us, Mr. President, sign the bill and let's get to work.

Sitting with the First Lady tonight was Steve Hewitt, the city manager of Greensburg, Kansas. Many of you remember Greensburg - our town nearly destroyed by a tornado last year.

Thanks to Steve's efforts, and hundreds of others in our state, and across the country, Greensburg will recover. Folks rolled up their sleeves and got to work, and local, state and federal governments assisted in the effort.

But more than just recover - the Kansans who live in Greensburg are building green - rebuilding a better community for their children and grandchildren; making shared sacrifices, and investments for the next generation.

Greensburg is not alone. You and I - stand ready - ready to protect our environment for future generations, and stay economically competitive. Mayors have committed their cities to going green; governors have joined together, leading efforts for energy security and independence; and the majority in Congress is ready to tackle the challenge of reducing global warming and creating a new energy future for America.

So we ask you, Mr. President, will you join us? It's time to get to work.

Here in the heartland, we honor and respect military service. We appreciate the enormous sacrifices made by soldiers and their families.

As Governor of Kansas, I am the Commander in Chief of our National Guard. Over the past five years, I have seen thousands of soldiers deployed from Kansas. I've visited our troops in Iraq; attended funerals and comforted families; and seen the impact at home of the war being waged.

We stand ready in the heartland and across this country, to join forces with peace-loving nations across the globe and to fight the war against terrorists, wherever they may strike. But our capable and dedicated soldiers can't solve the political disputes where they are, and can't focus on the real enemies elsewhere.

The new Democratic majority of Congress and the vast majority of Americans are ready - ready to chart a new course. If more Republicans in Congress stand with us this year, we won't have to wait for a new President to restore America's role in the world, and fight a more effective war on terror.

The last five years have cost us dearly - in lives lost; in thousands of wounded warriors whose futures may never be the same; in challenges not met here at home because our resources were committed elsewhere. America's foreign policy has left us with fewer allies and more enemies.

Join us, Mr. President, and working together with Congress to make tough, smart decisions, we will regain our standing in the world and protect our people and our interests.

I know government can work to benefit the people we serve, because I see it every day, not only here in Kansas, but in states across the country. I know government can work, Mr. President, because like you, I grew up in a family committed to public service. My father and my father in law both served in Congress - one a Republican and one a Democrat. They had far more in common than the issues that divided them - a love for their country that led them from military service to public service. A lifetime of working for the common good, making sacrifices so their children and grandchildren could have a better future.

They are called "the greatest generation". But I believe, like parents across America, that our greatest generations are still to come. That we must chart a new course, at home and abroad, to give our future greatest generations all the opportunities our parents gave us.

These are uncertain times, but with strength and determination, we can meet the challenges together. If Washington can work together, so quickly, on a short-term fix for families caught in the financial squeeze, then we can work together to transform America.

In these difficult times - the American people aren't afraid to face difficult choices.

But, we have no more patience for divisive politics.

Tonight's address begins the final year of this presidency, with new leaders on the horizon and uncertainty throughout our land. Conditions we face, at home and abroad, are results of choices made and challenges unmet.

In spite of the attempts to convince us that we are divided as a people, a new American majority has come together. We are tired of leaders who rather than asking what we can do for our country, ask nothing of us at all.

We are Americans sharing a belief in something greater than ourselves, a nation coming together to meet challenges and find solutions; to share sacrifices and share prosperity; and focus, once again, not only on the individual good but on the common good.

On behalf of the new American majority - the majority of elected officials at the national, state and local level, and the majority of Americans, we ask you, Mr. President, to join us. We are ready to work together, to be the America we have been-- and can be once again.

Thank you for listening. God bless and sleep well. And in the morning, let's get to work.


OBAMA/SEBELIUS

JOHN MANN1:59AMMay 17th 2008

To all you Hill Write-In Fans:

2008 Presidential Election Write-In Rules

Rule 1 - Write-in votes will not be counted if the candidate does not file as a write-in candidate.

Rule 2 - Write-in candidates are not allowed in presidential elections.

Rule 3 - A candidate losing the primary cannot file as a write-in candidate in the general election.

Diane Diamond2:03AMMay 17th 2008

kaflooey 1:46AM May 17th 2008.

GOOD ONE. Bubble Buster. :-) LOL.

Carrie2:05AMMay 17th 2008

OBAMA...YES WE CAN AND YES WE DID.

Henry Martin2:08AMMay 17th 2008

OBAMA/SEBELIUS ******** HOW SWEET IT IS! DREAM TEAM!

Brian McNamara3:56AMMay 17th 2008

Hopefully the Republicans are getting a realistic sense of thier standing with the American people. They are simply out of touch with the American people. Let's see bad economy, inflation, unpopular war and foriegn policy, and an unpopular president. So it will not surprise me if the Democrats win the Presidential election by a landslide and the Republicans lose many seats in the House and Senate. I know its not their fault becuase they live in a fantasyland. But they are in for a rude awakening in Novemeber when there will be alot Republicans left behind in the dust. I guess the definition of an endangered speicies is the Repbulican party.