But if there’s anything we’ve been reminded of since Iowa, it’s that the kind of change we seek will not come easy. Partly because we have fine candidates in the field – fierce competitors, worthy of respect. And as contentious as this campaign may get, we have to remember that this is a contest for the Democratic nomination, and that all of us share an abiding desire to end the disastrous policies of the current administration.
But there are real differences between the candidates. We are looking for more than just a change of party in the White House. We’re looking to fundamentally change the status quo in Washington – a status quo that extends beyond any particular party. And right now, that status quo is fighting back with everything it’s got; with the same old tactics that divide and distract us from solving the problems people face, whether those problems are health care they can’t afford or a mortgage they cannot pay.
So this will not be easy. Make no mistake about what we’re up against. (snip)
But we are here tonight to say that this is not the America we believe in. I did not travel around this state over the last year and see a white South Carolina or a black South Carolina. I saw South Carolina. I saw crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children. I saw shuttered mills and homes for sale that once belonged to Americans from all walks of life, and men and women of every color and creed who serve together, and fight together, and bleed together under the same proud flag. I saw what America is, and I believe in what this country can be.
That is the country I see. That is the country you see. But now it is up to us to help the entire nation embrace this vision. Because in the end, we are not just up against the ingrained and destructive habits of Washington, we are also struggling against our own doubts, our own fears, and our own cynicism. The change we seek has always required great struggle and sacrifice. And so this is a battle in our own hearts and minds about what kind of country we want and how hard we’re willing to work for it. (snip)
Theirs are the stories and voices we carry on from South Carolina.
The mother who can’t get Medicaid to cover all the needs of her sick child – she needs us to pass a health care plan that cuts costs and makes health care available and affordable for every single American.
The teacher who works another shift at Dunkin Donuts after school just to make ends meet – she needs us to reform our education system so that she gets better pay, and more support, and her students get the resources they need to achieve their dreams.
The Maytag worker who is now competing with his own teenager for a $7-an-hour job at Wal-Mart because the factory he gave his life to shut its doors – he needs us to stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship our jobs overseas and start putting them in the pockets of working Americans who deserve it. And struggling homeowners. And seniors who should retire with dignity and respect.
The woman who told me that she hasn’t been able to breathe since the day her nephew left for Iraq, or the soldier who doesn’t know his child because he’s on his third or fourth tour of duty – they need us to come together and put an end to a war that should’ve never been authorized and never been waged.
The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. It’s not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white.
It’s about the past versus the future.
Daily Archives: January 26, 2008
Michelle Obama to Visit Delaware on Thursday
WILMINGTON, DE –The Obama for America campaign today announced that Senator Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle, will visit Delaware for events in Wilmington and Dover on Thursday, January 31, 2008.
The Obamas have two daughters Malia, 9, and Sasha, 6, live on the south side of Chicago, where they attend Trinity United Church of Christ.
EVENT INFORMATION:
WHAT: Wilmington Rally with Michelle Obama
WHERE : Grand Opera House
818 N. Market Street
Wilmington DE 19801
WHEN: Thursday, January 31, 2008 Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is required to attend. Members of the public can RSVP at delaware@barackobama.com or by calling Obama for America’s Wilmington Headquarters at 302-573-2540.
The Delmarva Backroom Deal Smoking Gun(s)
If anyone is looking for a smoking gun that proves that Copeland, McDowell, and Adams entered into an agreement with Delmarva to derail and ultimately kill the Wind Power project just look down.
The floor is littered with smoking guns. You can’t take a step in Delaware without finding a smoking gun at your feet. We have become to smoking guns what Arlington National Cemetery is to grave markers. Every move that McDowell, Copeland and Adams have made since the eve of the PSC decision to go forward with the Blue water wind has been exactly in line with Gary Stockbridge and Delmarva’s desires.
Today’s smoking gun is this quote from Delmarva regarding McDowell’s call for more “hearings”:
Bill Yingling, spokesman for Delmarva Power, said: “We look forward to the hearings. This is about getting the best prices for our customers.”
Tommywonk blogs the full story.
Bottom line: McDowell should just come out and say, “I work for Delmarva and this wind power deal is off. Get over it” This kabuki dance is nauseating.
You Just can’t make this shit up…THE definition of Irony!
he issued a memo to his Texas staff, describing the painting, by W.H.D. Koerner in 1916, which he kept on his office wall. Bush told his aides:
The reason I bring this up is that the painting is based upon the Charles Wesley hymn “A Charge to Keep I Have”. I am particularly impressed by the second verse of this hymn. The second verse goes like this: “To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill; O may it all my powers engage to do my Master’s will”
This is our mission. This verse captures our spirit. […]
When you come into my office, please take a look at the beautiful painting of a horseman determinedly charging up what appears to be a steep and rough trail. This is us. What adds complete life to the painting for me is the message of Charles Wesley that we serve One greater than ourselves.
When one looks at the painting, you see a man on horseback — who actually looks a little like Bush — apparently leading a group of missionaries. It worked for Bush on a couple of levels: the title comes from one of the president’s favorite Methodist hymns, the man in the picture looks like him, and he related to the missionary work depicted in the painting.
He liked all of this so much, Bush used the title for his autobiography (which he admittedly did not write). He even brought the picture with him to Washington upon taking office.
The funny part is the truth about the painting: “Bush’s inspiring, proselytizing Methodist is in fact a silver-tongued horse thief fleeing from a lynch mob.”
Another example of Irony here…not as amusing though:
Talking about the stimulus package….House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), one of the deal’s chief negotiators, put a partisan slant on that warning, cautioning: “It would be irresponsible for Senate Democrats to load this bill up with pork and other spending. Families and small businesses need help now, and this agreement shouldn’t be derailed because of partisan politics.”
Worst Person in Delaware Vol. 1 #2
Another tough week to pick just three. Tom Carper was going to make the list this week with his Bush telecom criminal loving FISA vote, but his last guest post gave us the impression that he really means business. (Aside to Tom Carper: I hope you enjoyed the case of Scotch. Please let me know how I can be any further service to you Sir.)
Anyway, here are this week’s winners.
Worse: Unnamed Taser Happy NCC Police Officer
Some people go into police work because they like to play the bad ass. They like bossing people around and get off on the fact that they can shoot people. This type of cop seems to be at work in the NCC police force as we found out this week that while searching for an armed sex offender an unnamed cop found a 19 year old Smyrna HS student listening to his iPod. And oh yeah, he was wearing clothing that resembled the sex offender.
This student, who had the audacity to be dressed in clothing, ignored police commands. Which means the macho cop came up behind him, because I don’t care how thick your teenage carapace of cool is, or how much your rocking out on your iPod to Korn, you are going to notice a cop coming at you with his taser out and his dog ready to bite you.
Long story short, after tasing and allowing the police dog to bite this bystander another suspect was arrested and charged in the rape about an hour later.
Oopsie.
Police have apologized to the student. All better.
Worser:
Charlie Copeland makes the list again. This week we found out that Copeland is either lying and was a party to the discussions aimed at killing off the wind power deal by bringing the final deliberations into the legislature OR he is a big pussy who got rolled by the majority leader.
Either way he tossed his constituents (and the state really) under the bus making him the first back to back Worst Person in Delaware list maker.
Worst
Who could not see this coming…. Thurman Adams. Yes he may have strong-armed Copeland into becoming a Wind Power foe, but that is just the tip of a giant iceberg of malfeasance.
It seems Adams said that he would talk about the FOIA bill (SB-4) in the Democratic Caucus in January. The last January caucus time comes and goes and Adams is all “say what?”
Anyway, no SB-4 discussion in the Dem caucus so the only way SB-4 is getting out of committee for a vote is by petition from the Senate.
This is bad news for OOGA people since it would take eleven signatures to force it out and Bruce Ennis could be a crucial swinger. (First time Ennis was ever called that I’ll wager.) Bottom line: I’m not jumping up and down in anticipation.
So let’s tally it up.
– Adams strong arms Copeland (maybe/probably) into being against wind power and for Gary Stockbridge’s insatiable greed.
-Adams says his constituents are so stupid that they don’t WANT to know what is going on in Leg Hall, but
– Adams says he is going to let SB-4 out of committee, and then
– Adams says “screw this open government shit.”
Making Thurman Adams the WORST PERSON IN DELAWARE.
Congrats Thurman !
I have your framed certificate sitting in my desk drawer.