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Daily Kos Founder: No Dough for O
Jul 3rd 2008 2:08PM
Filed Under:eDemocrats, Barack Obama, 2008 President, Fundraising
economy-class budget, announcing that he would be withholding his $2300.00 donation from Barack Obama's campaign until he sees some "good behavior." From Daily Kos: First, he reversed course and capitulated on FISA, not just turning back on the Constitution, but on the whole concept of "leadership". Personally, I like to see presidents who 1) lead, and 2) uphold their promises to protect the Constitution.Markos goes to great pains to explain that he still supports Obama, but that he won't be anyone's "water carrier."
Then, he took his not-so-veiled swipe at MoveOn in his "patriotism" speech.
Finally, he reinforced right-wing and media talking points that Wes Clark had somehow impugned McCain's military service when, in reality, Clark had done no such thing.
He also tries to downplay the importance of his donation (with a 739-word story on the most popular blog in the universe.)
I applaud Markos for not being a water-carrier now, but it makes me wonder where he's been this whole campaign.
Let me start by saying that I am not trashing Markos Moulitsas. The guy has done more for progressive voices in the media than I can even dream of.
I have to confess, I don't read Kos religiously, so he might already know all of this, but he doesn't let on in his anti-donation "minifesto," so here goes, anyway.
Number one, Obama was never a leader on stripping FISA of the telecomm immunity provision. Neither was Hillary Clinton, or any other presidential candidate, save Chris Dodd. Like it or not, Obama's position on this is pretty consistent. He was more concerned with bringing the illegal program to an end. I don't like it, I think telecomm immunity is easy to defeat, but there are too many Democrats who wet themselves when a Republican says "weak on terror," so there you have it.
The "tin-foiler" in me wants him to stand fast on the Senate floor, vanquishing all comers with the lightsaber of truth, but the real guy who has lived through 7 years of disastrous Republican rule can live with Obama's position. He spoke out against it, said he'd try to get it stripped, but it didn't work out.
It's a little easier to live with knowing that criminal prosecutions for the telecomms who broke FISA are still on the table. I asked the Obama campaign about that last week, and they said, "No comment."
This is quiet encouragement. If it were really not on the table, what would they lose by saying that? They've already taken the hit for supporting the compromise.
Of course, Keith Olbermann laid out the whole super-secret plan during his "Special Comment" Monday night. Keith, next time you want to propose a stealth political maneuver, try sending an email. That's how I did it for Ron Paul.

As for the swipe at MoveOn's "General Betray Us" ad? Sorry, but he's right. They sacrificed all of the moral force of their argument for the sake of an obvious pun. It was stupid. At least when I do it, it's in service of a funny joke. ( I thought it was funny.)
On Clark, I agree with you that there was no attack, and he should be defended, but why should Obama put his hand into that dogfight? McCain already showed his jugular on that by hiring a Swift Boat Vet for Truth to be on his "Truth Squad." Why would Obama want to distract people from McCain stepping on rake after rake?
The "Babe in the Woods" routine goes into overdrive when Markos says his donation means very little. That is technically true, but when he writes about it, it becomes a hugely influential move. While his readers might still vote for Obama, it fuels the narrative that Obama is "shifting to the right," which is not helpful to him, or even true.
In any case, it is his money, but if he's not going to give his $2300.00 to Obama, why not throw some of it my way? I drive an hour each way to work every day, that would help out for a few weeks, at least.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 1)C. Jenkins6:19PMJul 3rd 2008
John,
Get that garbage off. We are all tired of the stupid joke.
C. Jenkins6:27PMJul 3rd 2008
Sounds like Markos is having a little problem with his self worth. Arrogance is so tranparent!!
Senator Obama will not be influenced by Markos handing him a check or eating it.
I'm hoping he has hit at least 30,000,000 for the month of June.
I have just contributed $200, therefore the loss is reduced to 2,100.
Markos needs to get a life, a woman or a dog.
OBAMA-BIN-LIAR7:05PMJul 3rd 2008
Obama is a flip-flopper and it was proven loudly and clearly by his actions. In 2002 when he ran for his current seat in the senate, he proclaimed he would not seek higher office in 2008. Well we now know what his CHANGE messages really meant, he can change his mind regardless of what he had said.
Obama did not wear a flag pin on his lapel, he claimed he was patriotic, no need to show it.
However late May 2008, when he met the veterans, without shame he did wear one to appease the veterans for votes. Well Obama supporters may say these facts are minor. Maybe so, but minor facts define his characters or lack of. Needless to say, his actions show he would say and do anything to get elected. He has been singing praises of HRC under party unity disguise, the naked truth is again without shame he appeased her supporters for votes.
During the primaries, he often criticized his opponent's judgment. He himself admitted bad judgment in Rezko's land deal. Using his good judgment, he also spent almost 20 years as a member of Rev. Wright's church. The same Rev. who spewed hatred in his fiery sermons, the same Rev. who is Obama's spiritual advisor, close family friend and godfather to his children. Obama at first stuck with his good friend by throwing his own grandmother under the bus, then finally he had to denounce him when he was collecting too much bad publicity. Friendship only goes so far, Dem nomination is far more important. Again he would do and say anything to get elected.
Obama seized the nation's pulse and singing CHANGE like a parrot; judging from his words and actions, it is not likely those CHANGES will happen.
He is just another slick politician who has done a great job disguising himself.
HE "HOPES" WE WON'T NOTICE ALL THE "CHANGES" HE'S MADE.
VOTE FOR JOHN McCAIN IN 2008.
Pete9:10PMJul 3rd 2008
Obama said what the far left wanted to hear during the prolonged battle with Hillary. Now he must inevitably move to the center, which for Obama is a long long way.
Obama knows those on the far left that gave him the nomination will never vote for McCain so he now needs to attract independents in the center.
Why just today Obama started laying the ground work for staying in Iraq by stating we will leave when Iraq is stabilized. Obama quickly realized, as he has done several times now, his far left base may not be ready for that truth just yet so he "clarified" his position with a second news conference.
This is just the begining as Obama has a alot of latitude to go after independents.
Obamma can say what he needs to say to attract independent voters in the center since he knows his far left pin-head base is stuck with him and have no place to go.
MJG2210:19PMJul 3rd 2008
Barack Obama now says he does not equate "watching fireworks" on the 4th of July with patriotism. If he is elected, just how much does he intend to change about America as we know it? Will he cancel Christmas too? Bah Humbug Barack.
ANYBODY-BUT-OBAMA10:39PMJul 3rd 2008
HILLARY HELPED OBAMA BECOME A SENATOR --- THEN HE STABBED HER IN THE BACK.
THE DNC AND BIASED MEDIA "SELECTED" THEIR GOLDEN BOY --- HE WAS NOT "ELECTED" BY THE PEOPLE.
NOW HE'S MOVING FROM 'LEFT' TO 'CENTER'. HOW DOES THE DNC FEEL ABOUT THAT?
THIS MAN WILL DO OR SAY ANYTHING TO GET WHAT HE WANTS. HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA.
VOTE FOR JOHN McCAIN IN 2008.
ANYBODY-BUT-OBAMA10:52PMJul 3rd 2008
HILLARY HELPED OBAMA BECOME A SENATOR --- THEN HE STABBED HER IN THE BACK.
THE DNC AND BIASED MEDIA "SELECTED" THEIR GOLDEN BOY --- HE WAS NOT "ELECTED" BY THE PEOPLE.
NOW HE'S MOVING FROM 'LEFT' TO 'CENTER'. HOW DOES THE DNC FEEL ABOUT THAT?
THIS MAN WILL DO OR SAY ANYTHING TO GET WHAT HE WANTS. HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA.
VOTE FOR JOHN McCAIN IN 2008.
Wish Belkin11:05PMJul 3rd 2008
1) lead, and 2) uphold their promises to protect the Constitution
If this is your goal, send your donations to Dr. Paul.
Ron Paul for President !! (write it in)
Bettybb4:50AMJul 4th 2008
Obama is moving to the center only with some audiences, and saving the exact opposite to other groups.
1. To working class groups he says he will be tough renegotiation on nafta. He tells the canadian gov to ignore those promises as "mere campaign rhetoric". He tells business groups 2 week ago that nafta is fine jus the way it its. This week he is back to his position of tough negotiations while speaking in ohio.
1. one week he tells one group he will be flexible on farc. The next week he tells cuban americans he will take a hard line on farc.
1. he declares to the press that he is a christian so is against same sex marriage. he writes a letter to the group in CA putting a proposition on the ballot to ban same sex marriage that he does not support their proposition.
and on and on..
OhReally11:41AMJul 4th 2008
Democratic Campaign PlayBook for Obama
Attention: All Obama Boy supporters.
There will be times when you encounter those who would choose to reveal information about me that knocks me off my pedestal. There is some vinegar in the kool-aid I tell you, but pay no attention.
Never fear help is near...Here are the recommended responses to such blasphemy....
1...You are a racist. Of course the only reason someone would not love me is because I'm black..Play the race card often.
2...You are a liar. Of course there is no foundation for any negative remarks about me. The millions who do not see my brilliance are, of course, liars.
3. You hate Obama. What other reason could there be that there are millions who will vote Hillary or McCain.
4.. You are ill-informed. Perhaps they don't buy the garbage I give you on my web-site. The only source for Obama information. Do not look elsewhere..
5... If none of the above work...stupid, idiot, moron are words that should be used often when you are unable to defend me intelligently.
Keep the Kool-aid alive even if it is filled with vinegar.
Respectfully
Barack Obama
The Presumptuous Nominee
Dee2:25PMJul 4th 2008
HAVE A GREAT 4TH of JULY AND GOD BLESS (and save) AMERICA...!!!
"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides." "There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression and the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose." "I like the song I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." "If that were our anthem, then I might salute it."
(Question: What was this guy smoking???)
From Dreams of My Father: “I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mothers race.”
From Audacity of Hope: “I WILL STAND WITH THE MUSLIMS SHOULD THE POLITICAL WINDS SHIFT IN AN UGLY DIRECTION.”
(Will the last intelligent American please turn out the lights when you leave.)
Lee5:29PMJul 4th 2008
It's outrageous how the liberal democratic bloggers are trying belittle and discredit a patriot like John McCain. The main point regarding John McCain's military service goes to CHARACTER. Admirable character is when a POW, surviving in miserable conditions, chooses to remain in prison additional years, because an early release wouldn't be fair to his fellow prisoners. I know that Wesley Clark, Obama, and these criticizing bloggers wouldn't have the heart to do it ... they can't even recognize the importance of such an honorable commitment... even though their very freedom of speech, to complain on this blog, was won and protected by the same people with the courage to walk the walk ... not just talk the talk!
Dee3:42PMJul 5th 2008
Someone just sent me this link to a comprehensive video covering Barack Obama. In it...is a complete history of where he came from, what he thinks, things he's said (in his OWN voice) and I'm sure he hoped that they would be lost and forgotten forever, but someone has captured them and put them on this shocking video for all to see and hear. It is called "Connect The Dots."
Please watch and listen to this video and share it with others. It is the only way we can wake people up in time and try and stop this "Changeling" from overtaking the White House in November.
God help us all...!!!
http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036
reshas14:04PMJul 7th 2008
Obama-flipflop-a-rama-lama-dingdong
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JOHN3:24PMJul 3rd 2008
Subj: FW: Post Turtle
While suturing a cut on the hand of a Texas Rancher whose hand had been caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually, the topic got around to Obama and his bid for the presidency.
The old rancher said, Well, ya know, Obama is a 'post turtle'.
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The old rancher said, When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle'.
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