See Full Video of John Edwards Endorsement of Barack Obama

John Edwards Endorsement of Barack Obama…

See Full Video of John Edwards Endorsement of Barack Obama - HERE

(sorry…if i could figure out how to get a video on this new editor i would have put it here)

How Our Mother’s Influence Us Politically

How Has Your Mother Influenced Your Politics?

This is from a post by Erin at Queen of Spain and BlogHer. There is much more to her post, and I encourage you to go back and read the whole thing. This particular part of her post is about a Mother’s Day project that I was honored to be asked to participate in, along with other BlogHer contributing editors.

My mother’s political influence has always been one of support for my beliefs and has turned into a dual education on policy and issues. Her political world has been expanded by mine, but I am reminded at how very different our 18th birthdays were-and how far we’ve come.

As part of ACORN’s ‘I Remember Mama Voting’ project BlogHers and others are weighing in this Mother’s Day.

Contributing Editor Kim Pearson writes, “But the most important political lessons were about my African legacy. She showed me South Africa, told me about apartheid, and said, ‘Always remember, we will never be free until South Africa is free.’ She introduced me to real Africans, made sure I read about the new countries emerging, and about their efforts to press their cause at the United Nations. All of this while we tracked each success and failure of the civil rights struggle, and talked about whether black women had any business getting involved in feminism.”

Contributing Editor Suzanne Reisman says, “My mom is not as involved in political causes as I am, but my family has always been Democrats surrounded by a Republican community. I just always knew that Republicans were not for us, although when I was older, I remember overhearing my father telling our neighbor a bizarre joke about my mom voting for Ronald Reagan because she thought Jimmy Carter had bad legs. I was utterly horrified at the thought. How could my mom vote for a Republican?!?! Fortunately, when I asked her about it, she had no idea what I was talking about, but it was my first exposure to the stereotypical notion that women don’t vote on the issues, but rather on a candidate’s attractiveness. I thought that was the dumbest thing any woman could do, and swore I would follow my mom’s example and always vote for the candidate who would help ‘the people.’ Thanks, Mom!”

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan writes, “I remember the first political discussion I ever had with my mother. We had been in a waiting room with many magazines, and I was too young to read any of them, but I did notice covers with horribly graphic photos of men at war. It happened to be towards the end of the Vietnam War, and I asked my mother, ‘Why is there war?’ She told me that people don’t want to be at war, the leaders of the countries make the wars. That was when I realized women were not in positions of political power. Then I said, ‘We should make women the leaders of all the countries in the world, and then there would never be any wars.’ My mother told me that sounded like a good idea, but it probably would never happen. My response was, ‘Then those men leaders who want a war, should fight it themselves.’ I didn’t understand then, and I still don’t understand today, how war solves any problems, neither does my mother.”

Rontun writes, “No, I don’t have any photographic evidence to prove that Satan’s inferno suddenly has been transformed into a winter wonderland, nor am I meaning to suggest that the threat of global warming has abated. But it’s evident to me that there has been a climate shift of cosmic proportions.

Let me explain. My mother, an octogenarian who’s voted Republican her entire life except in 1960 when she elected to support JFK because he shared her Roman Catholic faith, revealed to me on the telephone yesterday that she’s voting in Kentucky’s upcoming primary for Barack Obama!

This is no minor transformation, and it began as a direct consequence of the Bush administration’s war policies combined with the emergence in power of the evangelical community.”

L.K. Campbell says, “One of the biggest political arguments that I remember between Mama and Daddy happened during the 1972 presidential campaign. Daddy never voted for a Republican. If our German shepherd dog ran against the Republican incumbent, Lady would’ve gotten Daddy’s vote.
When he announced his intention to vote for George McGovern, Mama couldn’t believe it. Even though she was a registered Democrat, she was way too conservative to vote for McGovern.
‘You mean to tell me that you’re going to vote for that hippie-loving radical?’ she asked.”

READ ERIN’S FULL POST HERE

Do We Need A Gas Tax Holiday?

Do We Need A Gas Tax Holiday? Will We Get One? — by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at The Care2 Election Blog)

What is a gas tax holiday? And would one help you? We have three candidates and three positions on this idea. McCain’s proposal doesn’t replace the tax revenue lost by this plan, but Hillary’s does, and Obama is against it altogether.

Here are video clips of each candidate, and then I’ll tell you what I think. Let me know how you feel about this issue in comments.  [STILL CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET A VIDEO ON THIS NEW EDITOR -- SEE VIDEOS HERE]

So, what do you think?  Who is right on the gas tax holiday?

The way I see it is…At best this would be a band-aid on a gaping chest wound, and at worst it’s simply political pandering. Either way, this gas crisis brought on by the policies of the Bush administration, is going nowhere but up. The truth is…There is no end in site, with or without a gas tax holiday. Sorry.

If we are going to get through these tough economic times, we are going to have to come together, both Democrats and Republicans (and I’m not talking about the politicians here - I’m talking about the people). Sadly, our government isn’t going to be able to get us out of this one. So if you are feeling the crunch - Come together with your neighbors (Democrat and Republican), and carpool to work, to the grocery store, to the mall, to the bank, and anywhere else you need to go. If you have to run out to the grocery story, call your neighbor and see if she needs you to pick up something, or would like to come along. Try to reduce unnecessary car rides by planning ahead and getting errands run in one or two days, rather than three or four.

Don’t expect a gas holiday…Go on a gas diet. How do you do that? If you normally fill your car up once a week, see if you can reduce your driving enough to make it to day 8 or 9 (keep track of it on your calender). Once you have done that, try to cut back some more. Put yourself and your car on a gas diet.

Look at this gas crisis for what it is…a disaster. And what do we do in a disaster? We prepare, attempt to prevent, and we come together as communities to help each other when the disaster strikes. Yes, this is a disaster (one that I expect will get much worse before it gets better). And yes, we need to come together and help each other out if we are going to get through this. You can start by organizing - The same way we do a town watch, or a neighborhood garage sale. Or invite your neighbors over for coffee to brainstorm ideas that will fit your needs. And if you are reading this thinking…”This gas crisis can’t hurt me, I could afford to pay 6 bucks a gallon for gas.” Well, if that’s what you are thinking, I would challenge you to think past yourself (as in a disaster), and see if there is someone less fortunate in your community that you might be able to help.

So…Tax holiday or no tax holiday. We all need to start looking ahead, and facing our new reality. We have been through worse, and we certainly can get through this, as long as we come together.

Is John McCain a Pro-Choice or Pro-Life Republican?

Is John McCain a Pro-Choice Republican? Would you vote for him if he was? - by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at BlogHer)

There seems to be a lot of confusion over whether or not John McCain is pro-choice or pro-life. Why is that? Up until a few hours ago, I would have said I thought he was pro-choice. Maybe it has something to do with . . .

READ FULL POST AT THE POLITICAL VOICES OF WOMEN

YouTube Video Roundup of Clinton, Obama, and McCain on the Economy

A Video Roundup of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain on the Economy — by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at the Care2 Election Blog)

The economy continues to be the most important issue to voters. And with all the bad news in the housing market, the falling dollar, and rising gas prices, it’s easy to see why people are so concerned. Here is a quick video round-up from the last few days, on how the candidates are planning to address the economy. Who do you think is the best candidate for solving the many problems facing our economy? Let me know what you think in comments.

See the YouTube video clips at the Care2 Election Blog

John McCain’s Speech on Foreign Policy — see full video

See Full Video of John McCain’s Speech on Foreign Policy at the Care2 Election Blog.

Are You A Woman Blogging About Politics? See List of Over 375 Women Political Bloggers

Are You A Woman Blogging About Politics? See List of Over 375 Women Political Bloggers

When I first published this list back in October, we had links to 100 women blogging about politics. Today, the count is at 375, and still growing. Are you a woman blogging about politics? Are you on the list? If not, please leave me your link in comments, so I can add your blog. And, if you would like to be a guest blogger on The Political Voices of Women with a guest post, please join our community.

I hope you’ll take some time and check out the women on the list…and if you blog about politics, consider adding some of these women to your blogroll, or linking to them in a post.

Now, in alphabetical order…

READ FULL POST AND links to 375 women blogging about politics

Hillary Clinton’s Plan To Help The Housing Crisis - with youtube video

Hillary Clinton’s Plan To Help The Housing Crisis — by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at Care2 Election Blog)

* ALSO SEE:  Hillary…Don’t Quit!

Hillary Clinton unveils 4-step plan to help homeowners. Now is the time to help struggling people.

Hillary Clinton unveils 4-step plan to help homeowners. Now is the time to help struggling people.

This is from an article in Business Week…

Even though her proposals would involve tens of billions in government spending, Clinton moved to head off anticipated charges that such measures would constitute a bailout. “To those who object to our government helping middle-class and low-income families devastated by the housing crisis, I say this: We’ve given Bear Stearns a $30 billion lifeline, we’ve given their creditors, their lenders, their customers, and those associated with them the same lifeline,” she said. “How can you tell a family about to lose their home that there’s nothing we can do to help them?”

I think this is a great plan, and it would be much better for the housing market to help people not go into foreclosure. Not only does foreclosure hurt the family that is made homeless, but it hurts the whole neighborhood, by bringing down home values for everyone.

I personally know more than one family who have been struggling for years to pay their mortgages, and now find themselves facing possible foreclosure. These families have already made huge sacrifices to keep paying their mortgages, in hopes to someday have at least a small nest-egg in their homes. But now those homes aren’t even worth what paid for them, and even if they were able to sell their homes (and many can’t even do that), they would lose money. On top of everything else, the cost to heat these homes has skyrocketed, and so has gas, food, healthcare, and just about everything else. Finances have gotten so bad, that these people feel the only solution is to walk away from their homes and their mortgages.

We need to find a way to help people who (up until now) have been struggling each month paying their mortgages, but who now feel their only option is to abandon their American Dream. We need to find a way to throw these families some sort of life-raft and help them get through this crisis with their dignity and hopefully their homes. More foreclosures, more abandoned homes, and more homeless families is only going to prolong this housing crisis.

And the problems facing the middle-class is not limited to the housing crisis. Rising healthcare cost are seriously hurting many families…

This is from The Washington Post…

Recent history has not been kind to working-class Americans, who were down on the economy long before the word recession was uttered.

The main reason: spiraling health-care costs have been whacking away at their wages. Even though workers are producing more, inflation-adjusted median family income has dipped 2.6 percent — or nearly $1,000 annually since 2000.

There is no doubt that we are facing serious economic problems in this county. Since stopping this economic crisis is obviously not going to happen, we need to find the best way to get through it…and it shouldn’t be every man for himself. The more we collectively help Americans that need help, the fast are economy will recover from this crisis. The longterm costs of not helping these families, could end up being even more devastating to our economy.

What do you think?

ALSO SEE: POLITICAL VOICES OF OVER 375 WOMEN WHO BLOG ON POLITICS

How Does McCain’s Healthcare Plan Measure-up?

How Does McCain’s Healthcare Plan Measure-up? - by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at Care2 Election Blog)

It’s no secret that we are facing a healthcare crisis in this country. I’ve heard quite a bit about the healthcare plans of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, but I just realized that I’ve neglected to look at John McCain’s healthcare plan. So, I thought I could use this post to take a closer look at McCain’s plan, and what others are saying about it. I would love to know what you think about too…let me know in comments.

In the above clip, Shawn Tully of Fortune Magazine, begins his interview with CNN by saying that Healthcare (specifically Medicare) is going to bankrupt our country, and that is why the McCain plan is more “fiscally” responsible. Is he kidding? He loses me right there, because as far as I am concerned, the Iraq war is what is going to bankrupt this country (if it hasn’t already). If you don’t believe me, check out this post on military spending…
But to get back to John McCain’s Healthcare plan - here is some of what other bloggers are saying about the McCain Healthcare Plan.This is from An Insider’s View on Health Care…

McCain’s Healthcare Plan is the Worst - Consumer Driven Healthcare Not the Answer

FORTUNE magazine published an opinion piece in their March 17, 2008, issue titled Why McCain has the best health-care plan. McCain like many of his fellow Republicans believes that giving individuals more responsibility is a way to solve the healthcare crisis.

From The Carpetbagger Report - John McCain and the ‘disaster’ of his healthcare plan…

From time to time, McCain has made encouraging noises on the issue. He’s supported re-importation of medicine from Canada; he’s teamed up with Ted Kennedy on a “patients’ bill of rights”; and he’ll occasionally criticize HMOs and big pharm.

But TNR’s Jonathan Cohn reports today on the healthcare plan McCain unveiled in October, and labels the policy a “disaster.”

. . .

The main point of McCain’s proposal is to change tax policy to make it easier for people to have more insurance options outside their employer.

. . .

No matter which Dem gets the nomination, this is a fight to look forward to. If McCain support for an unpopular war doesn’t undermine his campaign, his useless healthcare policy will.

There were also some interesting comments on this Carpetbagger post. Here is part of one…

There are arguments out there that every US citizen should get access to the same type of healthcare system that federal employees, including all elected federal representative, receive. Until that day occurs, how about making federal elected officials having to live with the same system the rest of have to deal with. Let John McCain see what it’s like to get insurance after three bouts of melanoma along with a spouse who had a stroke and a past issue with drug dependence or to watch his family’s coverage get dropped because the insurance companies feel like it. Maybe then Congress would take some action if they weren’t so insulated from the problem.

Personally, I’m not sold on this plan one bit. As a person with chronic illness and pre-existing conditions, it’s actually a little scary. But that’s just me, what do you think?

Also See:

Lack of Health Insurance is Killing Americans

Brit in a Red State

Grizzly Mama: McCain and Healthcare

Florida Will Not Get To Re-Do Presidential Primary

No Re-Vote For Florida Primary — by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at Care2 Election Blog)

As a Florida resident and a registered Democrat, I have blogged several times on my annoyance as well as outrage I am feeling over Florida delegates not being counted. My most recent post was - Should Florida and Michigan Have Do-Over Primaries? (there are actually 68 comments ranging from - why people think we should have revote to why they think we should just shut-up and take our punishment for breaking the rules).

I was really holding out hope that the Florida legislator would find a way to at least have a mail-in revote. It seems to me this would have been the best solution, but it apparently doesn’t seem that way to the Florida Democratic Party officials.Hillary Clinton continues to try and keep a plan for two revotes alive.

New York Times - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s hopes of ending the primaries with game-changing victories from new contests in Florida and Michigan grew dim on Tuesday as Florida officially scuttled plans for a new vote and Michigan lawmakers appeared far from a deal.

In a sign of how badly she thinks she needs the Michigan delegates to catch the Democratic front-runner, Senator Barack Obama, Mrs. Clinton made a last-minute schedule change and planned to fly to Detroit on Wednesday to plead with Michigan lawmakers to approve a new primary election in June to replace the January contest that awarded no delegates.

“We will go and make the case for a revote,” said Mo Elleithee, a spokesman for Mrs. Clinton.

Mr. Obama’s campaign has resisted a new contest, saying that Michigan Democrats are divided, that a revote would not make much difference in the overall delegate count and that the Clinton camp was trying to change the rules to suit itself.

I’m happy to see that Hillary Clinton is willing to stand-up against the DNC and fight for Florida and Michigan voters. I am, however, very disappointed that none of the democratic nominees made any attempt to stand-up for us at the time Howard Dean was making these ridiculous punishments. I think if one or all of them had stood up to Howard Dean and refused to allow him to disenfranchise Florida or Michigan voters, things would be a lot different right now. But instead, they all went along with him…more like followers than leaders. Instead we just have Barack who doesn’t care at all about us, and Hillary who only cares because she needs our delegates. That’s not going to play so well in the general election.

In my opinion, if Hillary wins the Democratic nomination there is a chance that Florida could go blue in November. Floridians obviously like her, and they do see her as someone at least trying to help the people of Florida. Even though she was a little late to the party, she is at least here now. But you can’t say the same for Barack Obama. It’s my opinion that many Florida voters are disappointed in him for his lack of concern over whether or not our votes count, and that’s a pretty big deal. For that reason, I believe that if Barack Obama is the Democratic Nominee, Florida will most likely be red in November. Although, if he unites with Hillary and begins to fight for the voting rights of Michigan and Florida, this could turn the tables for him.

See YouTube Video of Obama’s Speech on Race and Politics.

What Did You Think of Barack Obama’s Speech on Race and Politics? - by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at the Care2 Election Blog)

SEE FULL VIDEO OF OBAMA SPEECH AT THE CARE2 ELECTION BLOG

Stop The Hate: Writer’s Strike and now Reader’s Strike at Daily Kos

This is a post by Sue at Nailing Jello To The Wall — Writer’s Strike At The Daily Kos

It is so tiring and stressful to read the Hillary Clinton-bashing that has been allowed to go on at so many if the big “progressive” liberal blogs, such as americablog, Huffington Post, and Daily Kos. I read the quotes taken out of context, the facts misrepresented, and rumors posted as fact, and I am torn between just clicking away and standing up for her. The problem is, if I post a comment that defends Hillary Clinton on any of those sites, I am assured of hateful, often disgusting replies. Sometimes directed at Clinton, sometimes at me. So I’ve pretty much just given up on those sites.

And that’s why I was so pleased to read this post from Alegre, a regular writer at Daily Kos.

I’ve been posting at DailyKos for nearly 4 years now and started writing diaries in support of Hillary Clinton back in June of last year. Over the past few months I’ve noticed that things have become progressively more abusive toward my candidate and her supporters.

I’ve put up with the abuse and anger because I’ve always believed in what our on-line community has tried to accomplish in this world. No more. DailyKos is not the site it once was thanks to the abusive nature of certain members of our community.

I’ve decided to go on “strike” and will refrain from posting here as long as the administrators allow the more disruptive members of our community to trash Hillary Clinton and distort her record without any fear of consequence or retribution. I will not be posting at DailyKos effective immediately. I will not help drive up traffic or page-hits as long as my candidate – a good and fine DEMOCRAT - is attacked in such a horrid and sexist manner not only by other diarists, but by several of those posting to the front page.

I have been checking in on those sites every once in a while, just to see what people are saying. But I have to say I agree with Alegre: I don’t want to have any part in driving up their traffic or giving them an audience.So, in addition to her writer’s strike, let’s have a reader’s strike, as well!

ALSO SEE:

Taylor Marsh Blog

and

Tennessee Guerilla Women

Are SNL, Colbert, and other comedy shows Shaping Election News Coverage?

Are SNL and Colbert (and other comedy shows) Shaping Election News Coverage? — See several more videos at the Care2 Election Blog

Are SNL and Colbert (and other comedy shows) Shaping Election News Coverage?  — SEE FULL POST HERE

Howard Dean Should Be Fired! Clinton and Obama Should Pay For Do-Over Primaries In Florida and Michigan

Should Florida and Michigan Have Do-Over Primaries? — Posted by Catherine Morgan (cross-posted at Care2 Election Blog)

Let me just start with this…Is there some way to “impeach” Howard Dean as the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC)? This whole situation is 100% his pig headed fault. I keep hearing him repeating over and over again, that Florida and Michigan are being “punished”, and that is that. Has Howard Dean ever heard of the CRAZY idea that the punishment should fit the crime? When a handful of people make a decision that is punishable…those people should be punished (not a couple million people). Howard Dean appears to be is on some sort of power trip, and as far as I’m concerned, he should be the one that is punished. He should be fired for making such an overwhelmingly irresponsible decision regarding a state’s right to move up their primary. Disenfranchising millions of voters because their state has moved up its primary, is just insane.

Why should the rest of the country care whether or not Florida and Michigan voters are disenfranchised? Well, let me tell you. In less than a year, Democrats need to win the general election, or McCain will end up in the White House. Need I say more?

I don’t care how they do it, but the DNC better fix this problem before it is really too late. I recommend all Democrats contact the DNC and voice their opinion on this issue. You can use their contact form or you can call them at 202-863-8000. This isn’t just a Florida/Michigan problem, this is a problem for every Democrat in this country. Take a stand. Insist that all votes be counted. This is the United States of America, we pride ourselves on our ability to conduct fair elections, and we DO NOT disenfranchise our citizens.

[As soon as I find a video clip of Howard Dean's comments from earlier today, I will post it here]

From The Wall Street Journal…

With no end in sight for the Democratic nomination fight, the past 24 hours have brought on a new round of debate over what to do about Michigan and Florida, including discussion of holding a second round of nominating contests to award the two states’ delegates.

Govs. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan and Charlie Crist of Florida released a joint statement Wednesday calling for a resolution to the matter so their states’ voters are not disenfranchised in the nomination fight. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is open to a second round of contests but shot down suggestions that delegates be awarded based on the first primary results. “We are not going to change the rules in the middle of the game,” Dean said in statement Wednesday.

From Kay B Day at Covering Florida - Dems Stuck In Punish Mode Over Florida Primary

Dean’s missing the boat on the importance of the legislative system, something that doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s observed him over the years. The Florida Senate passed legislation enabling the earlier primary. The Florida House voted 118-0 to do the same—in May, 2007. Maybe next time we want to pass a law in the Sunshine State we better check with Howard Dean first?

The DNC hardline position is nothing more than a move to control candidates. Party of the people? Not. If Sen. Barack Obama had won Florida, you think the DNC would refuse to count the votes? Not. Try tacking on those 210 delegates to Sen. Hillary Clinton’s numbers and see how they look.

Also See:

From Crooks and Liars

WizBang Blue

From CNN Political Ticker

The Huffington Post

The Buzz: Florida Politics

Don Surber - I Tried To Warn Them

The Reality About Legitimacy

So, what do you think about this issue?

John McCain Wins Republican Nomination - See YouTube Video of Victory Speech

So, John McCain is the official nomination of the Republican party.   What do you think about that?