The following video only represents a fraction of John McCain’s disturbing attitude and record on race and war.

McCain supports through monetary donations and public endorsement the three major branches of hate groups in the United States. These include the new KKK-type groups, the neo-Confederate groups, and certain racist “religious” organizations. He opposed Martin Luther King Day, and supported getting rid of it. He sought to start wars with North Korea, Iraq, and Libya immediately as president in 2000, and has sent his own money to illegal contra terrorist guerrillas in Nicaragua.

- Irwin Tang

Irwin Tang is the author of Gook: John McCain’s Racism an Why It Matters, available at Amazon and irwinbooks.com

Grassroots Activism, Irwin Tang, President 2008 | 3 Comments »

The Texas delegation wasn’t treated as poorly as in 2004, but the DNCC left much to be desired. Like four years ago, the delegation was put in a terrible hotel. Their hotel was so far away (and the transportation provided was so poorly organized) from everything that I could not go to the delegation breakfasts without starting to spend like a Washington bureau reporter. The delegation allegedly had better speakers this time, but I do not know because the Texas Democratic Party Communications Director would not send any event schedule or details.

The Houston Chronicle exaggerates the poor seating provided the delegation. As you can see below, California was providd almost as poor seating as Texas. The real complaint should be the hotel placement Texas received. Texas has no place to complain in its seating. Oregon was behind Puerto Rico. Rhode Island was behind both the Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

Matt Glazer of Burnt Orange Report, however, has much to complain about. At Mile High Stadium, each state blogger corps blog was to have a seat on the floor. Matt was continuously kicked out of more and more distant sections, even the 500s. He did not get to see Obama speak – a glaring error in DNCC media relations and an insult to Texas.

- Justin Gillenwater

2008 Convention, Justin Gillenwater, Texas | 3 Comments »

Last week in Denver, AAA-Fund Executive Director Gautam Dutta scored an exclusive interview with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa.  Villaraigosa, the first Latino to be serve as Mayor since 1872, spoke about his historic election and his strong support for Barack Obama.

Q: You were the first Latino Mayor to be elected in modern times, since about the 1870s.  Can you explain the challenges you faced in being “the first”?

A: You know, I said the role of the first is to open up the door for the rest.  The role of the first is to make sure that your children and the children of others have even more opportunities to succeed, to go beyond where you have gone[.]

When we open up a door — a historic door that Barack Obama will be opening up today — we open up a door for all of us, and I’m very proud to be part of that effort for the future.

Villaraigosa underscored why it’s critical for all Democrats to unite behind Obama:

At a time in American when we’re divided and at war, it’s important that we have someone who can unite us, someone who can get us out of the [Iraq] war responsibly and safely, someone who can take on the crisis of this economy someone who will focus on health care for all, and that candidate  is Barack Obama.

As you know, I was a National Chair for Hillary Clinton’s campaign.  I worked hard and was proud to work for her in the primaries.  It’s time for our party, our nation to come together around a candidate who represents the hope, the change we need right now.

Finally, Villaraigosa noted that by electing Barack Obama, we will enable everyone to realize the American Dream:

When Barack Obama talks about the audacity of hope, he’s not just talking about the audacity of hope for him or African Americans; he’s talking about for all of us.

The American Dream has always been a dream to aspire to, a dream that people have been able to enjoy on a scale of scope second to none.  That’s true whether you’re Asian American or Latino, African American or Anglo American.  That’s true whether you’re Jewish or Muslim, gay or straight, Catholic or Protestant.

Mayor Villaraigosa is running for re-election in 2009.  Watch our entire interview with him:

– Gautam Dutta

2008 Convention, AAA Fund, California, Campaign Update, Civil Rts/Liberties, Democratic Party, Economy, Education, Gautam Dutta, Interview, Media, President 2008, Religion, Social Justice | No Comments »

Recently, CNN reported that millions of dollars’ worth of supplies for Katrina survivors were simply given away, rather than sent to help the people who need them most. The reason? FEMA said no one asked for them.

Tell FEMA to deliver these supplies to people who need them most—those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

– Cao Anh Quan

Cao Anh Quan, Environment, Social Justice | No Comments »

Are you tired of all the convention coverage? Well, that’s too bad because there’s plenty more to come. Meanwhile, you may be amused by the results of some recent scientific research. Two zoologists at the University of Duisburg-Essen have used pictures from Google Earth to determine that cows point north.

- Justin Gillenwater

Justin Gillenwater | 3 Comments »

Several paper’s Washington bureaus have budgeted $100,000 for political coverage. Their convention teams will use most of that budget. Two weeks of travel for a handful of people takes up most of $100,000? No wonder their business model is failing. I can only imagine what this blog could do with that sort of budget. Perhaps bloggers should be called “cost-effective reporters.”

Out of either logistical desire or sheer lack of credentials, many bloggers shunned the Pepsi Center for the Big Tent. I suspect few members of the state blogger corps did so. DCist seemed to enjoy its state bloggership. State bloggers also received a media gift bag. We did not receive one. I’m not complaining, however; the contents are not exactly enthralling.

And what would a convention be with police abuse of the media? A Boulder County sheriff continuously pushed an ABC News reporter into oncoming traffic and later arrested the reporter. Apparently it’s a crime to photograph the outdoors or be on a sidewalk.

- Justin Gillenwater

2008 Convention, Justin Gillenwater, Media | No Comments »

McCain’s health care advisor had some choice words describing a solution for the millions in America without health care:

The next president of the United States should sign an executive order requiring the Census Bureau to cease and desist from describing any American — even illegal aliens — as uninsured… So, there you have it. Voila! Problem solved.

Does this mean John McCain’s idea of cleaning his at least eight houses is simply hiding things under the beds?

- Justin Gillenwater

Healthcare, Justin Gillenwater, President 2008 | 1 Comment »

The New York Times just published a softball interview with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, whom McCain recently passed over for VP. One of the more revealing exchanges:

Q: Why would someone with so much knowledge of biology sign a bill allowing the biblical story of Creation to be taught in science class?

A: I don’t think that schools should be run by bureaucrats. I think these decisions need to be made by local school boards.

In other words, it’s okay for local bureaucrats to inject Christian doctrine into science textbooks.

So much for freedom of religion.

– Gautam Dutta

Education, Gautam Dutta, President 2008, Religion | 1 Comment »

Alan Grayson, in the best political news outside of Denver this week, won his primary in FL-8.

Congratulations, Alan!

- Justin Gillenwater

Campaign Update, Florida, Justin Gillenwater | No Comments »

The City of Houston is 172 years old today, only 100 years older than John McCain.

- Justin Gillenwater

Justin Gillenwater, President 2008, Texas | 3 Comments »

Wanna help the Hoosier State turn blue? Then join Obama’s GOTV (get out the vote) Team:

Deputy GOTV Director

-       The Deputy GOTV Director will be responsible for the day to day management of 9 Regional GOTV Desks, an Out of State Volunteer Coordinator and a Rides Program/Knock and Drag Coordinator, receiving and tracking reports of staging locations, phone lines, volunteer housing and food secured for GOTV activities, rides programs and the placement and training of out of state volunteers. The Deputy GOTV Director will work with the GOTV Director to troubleshoot problems arising with all aspects of Early Vote and GOTV. The Deputy GOTV Director will make recommendations for state HQ resource allocation to the GOTV Director.  They will report to the GOTV Director.

Regional GOTV Desk (9)

-       The Regional GOTV Desk will be responsible for working IN THEIR REGION with the Regional Field Director on a daily basis preparing for GOTV. The Regional GOTV Desk will be the lead staffer responsible for locating and securing all GOTV staging locations, phone lines, volunteer housing and food for GOTV activities. They will report their progress toward securing these GOTV resources on a daily basis to the Deputy GOTV Director. They will also be responsible for helping to recruit volunteers for GOTV shifts when help is needed by the field team, troubleshoot GOTV issues on the ground and for advocating for GOTV support from state HQ. Finally they will be responsible for working with other campaigns, labor organizations and local party leadership to coordinate all GOTV efforts in their region. Regional GOTV Desks will be located in Gary, Indianapolis, South Bend, Fort Wayne, Muncie, Bloomington, Evansville, Terre Haute, and Carmel. They will report to the Deputy GOTV Director.

Out of State Volunteer Coordinator (1)

-       Out of State Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for creating and implementing a confirmation, intake, training, placement, and housing process for the Out of State Volunteer program in Indiana. The OOSV Coordinator will work directly with the GOTV, Deputy GOTV and Regional GOTV staff on placement and training of all out of state volunteers for the duration of the GOTV program. They will report to the Deputy GOTV Director.

Rides Program/Knock and Drag Coordinator (1)

-       Rides Program/Knock and Drag Coordinator is responsible for gathering information about local rides programs from the Regional GOTV Desks and ensuring all target areas have an adequate rides program in place either through Campaign for Change activity, local labor organizations or the local party structure. The RP/KD Coordinator will work with the Regional GOTV Desks to develop and recruit volunteers for rides programs where Campaign for Change will be responsible for implementing this component of GOTV. In addition to overseeing successful rides programs in targeted areas statewide the RP/KD Coordinator will be responsible for gathering information about local knock and drag programs from the Regional Field Directors and ensuring all target areas have an adequate knock and drag program in place either through Campaign for Change activity, local labor organizations or the local party structure. The RP/KD Coordinator will work with the Regional Field Directors to develop and recruit volunteers for knock and drag programs where Campaign for Change will be responsible for implementing this component of GOTV. The RP/KD Coordinator will report to the Deputy GOTV Director.

If people are interested in any of these positions, please contact Emily Parcell, State Director, at eparcell@barackobama.com or by calling 317-417-1234.  Must be able to commit to being in Indiana no later than Tuesday, October 7th and staying for the duration of the campaign.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering in Indiana but is not available for that length of time can sign up to be a part of our GOTV efforts at www.in.barackobama.com/cometoindiana.

Democratic Party, Grassroots Activism, President 2008, The Editors | No Comments »

I’m scared of Sarah Palin.

Consider: she’s a charismatic, young, very conservative governor with a short resume but lots of ambition. She’s arguably gotten onto the national stage not because of her inherent qualities but because of her genetic heritage (i.e, being a woman). And she’s running against a liberal who can sometimes be seen as too much of an intellectual.

Sarah Palin is a female version of George W. Bush.

This is bad. If she starts looking good, John McCain will start looking great, if anything for willingness to make such an unconventional choice. He’ll regain his “maverick” label and will again have a shot at the political center. And if that becomes the political narrative, we lose.

I think John McCain has found our weakness. In a move worthy of a martial arts master, he’s chosen someone who will absorb our attacks and use them to become stronger. Consider: If we call her an intellectual lightweight or inexperienced, she will look brilliant when she shows flashes of competence. If we say she isn’t worthy of being vice-president, when she starts looking even a little presidential she’ll suddenly become qualified. If we criticize her lack of sophistication or worldliness, she’ll just become a “regular Jane” with wide mainstream appeal. Even if we call her an ideologue with views far outside the mainstream, we can still lose: she merely has to come across as being a bit reasonable and she’ll morph into a “moderate.”

The only way we can defuse this threat is to step away from the fight.

Continue criticizing the current administration and linking McCain-Palin to them. But while doing this, give Sarah Palin the utmost respect and deference. Praise her as a person and treat her as the worthy opponent she is. Build her up as much as possible, paint her in the best possible light. Perhaps she’ll make a mistake and she’ll fall on her own, perhaps not. But if we push her, it will backfire.

There is one strand of hope. If we can focus on the issues, then Obama’s more mainstream, more popular positions will carry the day. But if we, Democrat partisans and bloggers, play the politics of personal attacks, then our attacks will boomerang on us and we will lose.

Obama’s calling for a new kind of politics. McCain has now made sure that we all have to practice what Obama has been preaching. The choice is now simple: change or lose.

Good luck to all of us.

– Anil Somayaji

Anil Somayaji, President 2008 | 2 Comments »

This retraction note went out late last night from the McCain campaign:

On Wednesday, we mistakenly wrote that John McCain received 5 Navy Medals of Honor during his naval career. John McCain has been honored with several awards for his military service, but they were not Medals of Honor.

To all who are currently serving in the military, and to all of our wonderful veterans, we sincerely apologize for the error. We honor your courageous service and would like to extend our sincerest thanks to you for protecting America at home and abroad.

Will they take up Senator Obama’s challenge to debate temperament and judgment? I am not a betting man, but I am not holding my breath either waiting for the chestbeating and medal-exaggerating to stop.

It’s fascinating to watch Rudy and surrogates trying to use President and Senator Clinton as wedges. If she had been the nominee, don’t you think they would have used Dems primary ads against her to bash her? With throngs of reporters and pundits (James Carville and Paul Begala notwithstanding) craving red-meat attacks in Denver, we cannot help but wonder if people still do not understand the meaning of “change”.

Change does not just mean change in others, it also means change in us, the electorate. Are we no better than the mobs at the coliseum waiting for the lions and the blood for the innocents? When will our outrage acknowledge the death, the torture and the displacement of families and children in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Darfur, in Guantanamo and in places we pay for, but do not even know about? When will we say that Putin is evil, but we are perfectly justified in practicing his same brand of bullying in the name of our Judeo-Christian tradition?

Ask the family members of every soldier who have died and given life and limb for this country, and their deep felt tears for the civilians in all the conflicts where their sons and daughters served and gave their lives would be a source of motivation for us to understand the nature of war and the essence of courage. Put their sacrifice side by side: George Bush and Dick Cheney on one side, Pat Tillman and Casey Sheehan on the other, and we can all see the stark contrast between courage and cowardice.

There is no need for retracting courage, there is no reason for redacting and rewriting history. Sooner rather than later, heroism speaks for itself. Change acknowledges that each of us is capable of heroism — and of compassion.

We do not need the phoniness of false heroism to shine that light.

– Cao Anh Quan

Cao Anh Quan, Civil Rts/Liberties, Foreign Affairs, President 2008, Social Justice | No Comments »

John McCain turns 72 today. Apparently he got a running mate for his birthday. Three years ago, when he turned 69, he got a different gift:

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