As a resident of Illinois I can tell you that
the only thing Obama has done for Illinois is
draw a salary while running for election. His
voting record is appalling. There will be pay
back for all the money given to him, and the
payback will be at the american taxpayers expense.

Yes, I too, read that in USA today and Chicago, that he is now acepting corporate sponsors,, he stated that he needs those larger sums to fund his message to all the states.. so it is just an old package wrapped in different carton..
disappointing to hear this now,,
there are now the expected obligations, paybacks and inside deals, how you say this?: the sharks just waited to corner the bait... sad quotes, those..

Well, here it is, Obama...
after running his whole campaign touting that he never accepted anything but "private donations", now that it is down to the wire and the opponent has changed, all of a sudden it is acceptable to do this so he can " share his promises and hope" to each state,,
well dawg, it had to happen sooner or later, thought it was a brother... puppets, agendas, same 'ol same 'ol...

I hope that everyone really understands what is at stake in this election.i think John McCain should be commended for his service, and sacrifice, but his voting record has not been in the best interest of women at all. Barack Obama has consistently voted for women's health and social issues, this man is married to an intelligent and powerful woman,.... All of these nasty rumors about Barack and his family are ridiculous. Our media demonizes muslims, as if all muslims are terrorists, and then the GOP smears him by implying he is muslim. HE Is CHRISTIAN, he has said this several times, and I personally would not care if he were muslim. Muslims are not the enemy, that generalization is dangerous. I have even seen some very racist and nasty things said about his wife and daughters. That is unacceptable. I read one blogger's comments up here, that he does not acknowledge his white mother? I have read both his books and he adored and loved his mother and her family. Even when he first came on Oprah, he was very upset that his mother could not be here to share these experiences with him. If you read his books, he praised his mother and her parents for raising him, while he loved his father, he lamented the fact that his dad left him at a young age. As far as Wright goes, this man comes from a generation where he endured terrible abuse from his own country men like many other African Americans during the civil rights struggles. That is not Obama's issue, that is something that many older african americans still deal with. Obama is both black and white, which means he understands both cultures, and I will never ask him to condemn his connections to the African American communities he is from, to appease white voters, and vice versa. Let him be who he is, both black and white. we should all recognize how he has endured the severe race baiting throughout his campaign. His race speech was historic. As a biracial person myself, I know what it is like to be caught in the middle, and all he can be is the good person that he is. He is our best choice for president, and i am proud of the way other countries have responded to his candidacy, and the way he has inspired young people.

I don't believe in a country like this we should be caught up on an individual's race or what his name sounds like. He is a good man. Read his books. Listen to his argumentation in debates. This man is brilliant. He has true virtue and a good heart. Please don't be too hasty to judge because of such trivial things.

Judy, I completely agree!!! I was beginning to think I was the only one who thinks it's unsettling to have a President named Barack Hussein Obama. Seriously, I don't know if it's because I went through the horror of 9/11 but, I am so scared of electing a President who has a muslim background.

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Each and every one of us should be proud of our race but what I dont!t understand about Obama is that just because his skin is dark does he consider himself black what about the white mothers blood in his veins is he ashamed of having a white mother my son is dark complected black hair brown eyes we both are pround of his Indian hertage my other son blond hair blue eyed and Im pround of the German hertage in him lets get real we all have different hertages be proud ofwho you are and dont forget it took two parents nopt one why give one parent all the credit. Because he never dicuesses both his white and only his black parent I would not vote for this man. And eny one that would not be sworn in on the Bible does not need to lead a God fearing country regardless who they are male or female.

Probably because it is none of his business and he was not there for the invitaton? Perhaps the Reverand wanted to show his support,, was the Reverand asked by this M. Moore, WHY he went to the luncheon? Is this first-hand information?

Just got an email from Michael Moore pointing out how the reverend was invited to a luncheon with the Clintons- hilary is a JOKE- Bill & Hillary invite the Reverend over after the whole sex scandal for counseling & here she is trying to use it as leverage.
Obama is a gentleman & does not even mention it-

I truly admired Obama until his speech about the Rev. Wright. I couldn't see him sitting on those pews (along with his kids) listening to the filth and hatred that spewed from the Rev. mouth. But he was there! And for 15 plus years I might add. Ok now here's the thing. Obama made his speech about RACE. He totally turned it all around. It's because of the Rev. Wrights and the Obama's of this world that the African Americans continue to be educated about how the whites made them slaves. Give me a break. WE black/white had nothing to do with what happened. No one person alive is to blame. However with Obama choosing to make this about RACE instead of his decisions then he has lost. I'm in no way a racist, I have a child that is mixed, but since his speech..anywhere I go I find myself almost "avoiding" mingling with other races. HOW in this world could these men make me feel this way? I sorta feel like as a typical white woman I am not, does it make me look at my friends differently that are black? Do they really blame ME (white folks) for what happened 100 years ago? Do they secretly hate me (us white folks?)? The racial divide this has caused is not fair. Shame on you Rev. Wright for spewing hatred and educating Obama on "how" to make it about RACE and not issues.

Why is it that no one is up in arms over Pastor John Hagee (who is on McCain's campaign and has a much larger following and congregation than Rev. Wright) when he says that God created Hurricane Katrina to kill the gays and the sinners of Louisiana or that the Catholic faith is a sewer religion or that the End of days should come so that the Jews can be killed or converted to Christianity?

Why is it ok for the votes to be counted in Michigan/Florida when all the candidates agreed to the terms of the DNC?

Why is that only Obama's fault? Is he such a crafty liar and manipulator that he convinced these states to vote early and go against the DNC rules?

Why is ANY ONE in America surprised and outraged when someone speaks honestly about American truths even if they are ugly?

Are you really surprised that Black people are angry about years of injustice? Are you surprised and outraged when white women and men feel that same anger? Are you then surprised that we cannot move past it and that we cannot come together to fight the system and not one another?

Are you surprised when Americans don't agree with the war and the other political maneuvers that we do in other countries that are not public knowledge? Are you surprised when those people from other lands feel angry too? Are you then surprised by their acts of retribution - even when it's disturbing and incomprehensible - even when you act in anger too?

Are you surprised when you elect liars, manipulators and the silver-spoon elite to represent the common person and the elected lie, manipulate and take care of their own silver-spoon elite?

Are you surprised that you don't even recognize truth and dignity anymore, even when you continue to asked for dirty tricks and false representation?

Are you ready to disown, remove and distance yourself from those persons who have made a positive impact in your life but have also said divisive, ugly comments about ethnic groups or other people unlike themselves out of fear or anger? Are you ready to publicly disown your parents, siblings, cousins, grandparents, Priest, Pastor, Father and friends sometime today? Are you willing to and look in the mirror?

Are you a believer in people, faith, or yourself? Are you a forgiver of mistakes or are you a saint?

Have you ever sat in uncomfortable silence when a friend has said something you didn't agree with? Did you publicly confront them on the issue later or just ignore it altogether?

Are you a hypocrite?

Obama is a fake as well as a LIAR. He listens and "nods approvingly" while listening to racist oriented sermons for the past 20 years.

He aught to be run out of office on a rail!

It is so scary to think that we are at the mercy of people that, really, NONE of us know personally! The next leader of the Free World should not be elected for their gender or skin color, but if push comes to shove, how can any of us really KNOW what they will do after the votes are in? Sometimes gut feeling is the best; I have never been wrong about someone's character,everyone I know tells me it is a gift.. and this Barack person just somehow, does not ring true. I cannot place my finger on what it is, just that "Gut" feeling. Did ya'll ever get that? Kinda like I am being told what I Want to hear. IF I figure it out, I will come back here and share it... just can't place what it is..
I pray that we all vote with all our faculties, and remember how blessed we are to be ABLE to vote for our leader!! Also, Barb sounds kinda scary,sure glad I didn't write anything she disagrees with,, yet.. good luck to us all on voting day!

This is just a random thought, not directed towards any particular candidate... since these people seem to have money flying in from all sources, as someone here stated they do donate their money to elections, are these same supporters going to also give their money to actually fund all these promises, or are we, the taxpayers going to pay for their "promises, dreams"?? If it were that easy to subsidize all these things, any one of US could have done it years ago. Maybe we will will just see who is going to pull all the $$ out of THEIR hat to do all these things when elected. Will all you people put your money where your mouth is after the election to fund EVERYTHING that is promised? Once they take that oath, it is all or nothing, there is no turning back for everything you say here. So all the lobbyists, private doners, the "everyday people" should also pony up for whatever their candidate decides to actually do with the $$$. Not the taxpayers.. that is just my personal opinion, not intended to offend anyone,,

Hi Anonymous,
Unfortunately, I don't know Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama personally, so I cannot call them up and speak with them one on one. But I can watch their interviews, debates, and the ads that they approve and take the candidates at the words that they speak. It's not several sources, when Hillary states that Obama should reject not denounce, but I have yet to hear her reject Rush or ask for McCain to reject Pastor Hagee's support. Again all of the issues I stated came from the candidates themselves, not a blog or an analyst.

I'm not Obama and would never enter politics, I'm not a very important person, and I'm not frantic or worried. I'm just someone who wants to do their best and help others when I can. Nothing special. And like you I was raised Baptist, and in my bible studies, I have learned a few things:
Don't fear any man, only God.
Why be scared and worry, when u can pray.

I pray for family, friends, as well as foes and I will continue to pray for the future of America.

I have enjoyed our Socratic debate! Take care.

Dear LEE,
Yes, I listen to the interviews the media does only with the candidates- I listen to the words that come out of the candidates mouth only- not the media.
You say that you listen to the individual themselves and not the media and newspaper, but yet you write all these comments from several different sources?
How could you know all these comments if you are not watching and listening or reading what the news is saying? You even quote the names of the people whom say it.
The more I read what you wrote, the more I started to wander if you are Obama and just signing your name as Lee.
My comments may seem all over the place to you because people all over the United States are saying the same thing I am saying.
My Comments you say are without a Clear Thought-no my dear, my comments are very clear, I am sorry that you are having a hard time focusing.
I guess this explains why you are for Obama if not Obama himself.
Who is the one whom is Frantic here?
I know what I feel and what I see, and what I hear.
I was raised Baptist so I welcome prayer- for you to pray for my fears to be gone would mean that Obama will not be the next President, because that is what scares me!
I am not alone in this, Obama becoming President scares alot of people.
As for Michigan & Florida, that is not any of the candidates fault. I believe on a personal note that they should count because-I think its wrong that my family & I will not get our say in these states!
Life is short and I am not going to rush my life away trying to make a point continually on a web poll page.
You from what you said are a very important person to people whom are homeless and underpriviledge. Being someone whom does that for others is Priceless! It also is a blessing. Therefore I would not waste another minute of your time on this poll when your such a special person to reach out to others and help as you say you do.- If you have an opportunity to do that instead of this- then please carrying on.
Take Care & Best of Luck to You!

Dear Anonymous,
Your comments seem to be all over the place without a clear thought but it is clear that you seem scared and frantic which makes me sad. I work with homeless and underprivileged youth and I see hardships, mental health problems and a road that is full of challenges ahead - but I also see hope and drive and a will to make a change for the better - which inspires me. I do not fear or feel scared of any man. I don't know what you see in Obama that scares you but I will continue to pray that your fears find relief.

In regard to Hillary, every time I think she shows promise she lets me down. I don't fear her or McCain or Rush Limbaugh or anyone else who I do not agree with - but I will not cast a vote for her either. I don't advocate anyone who cannot lead positively and stand committed. And I don't respect a leader who doesn't understand humility or integrity. And I don't need reporters or newspapers to tell me how to decide. I listen to and watch the individual themselves.

And this is what I see:

Hillary demands that Obama denounce and reject Rev. Louis Farrakahn for his dispicable comments about Jews but has not denounced or rejected Rush Limbaugh who also makes dispicable comments about Democrats and various minority leaders. He has even requested his listeners to vote for Hillary in order to create chaos in the democratic party and push for a weaker democratic nominee who McCain can beat (which is what most Republicans want).

McCain also has the endorsement of John Hagee who is anti-semitic, despises Catholics and claims that God destroyed New Orleans to kill gay people. Has McCain denounced or rejected this endorsement? Has Hillary or anyone else even asked him to? You don't hear much about that do you? No

Because of rules by the DNC, which were agreed upon and signed off on by ALL of the democratic nominees, the votes in Michigan and Florida do not count. NOW, Hillary wants to change the rules of the game - when it benefits her - to get the votes to count. Obama wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan although Hillary was conveniently on both ballots. And I live in one of these states, I know how it feels to have your vote ignored. Yet rules are rules and fair is fair - isn't that what we are taught? Doesn't that type of political maneuvering seem dirty and the same ole' same game? Doesn't that appear to put the politician before the people, the candidate before the party?

When Obama is wrong or is questioned on a choice made, he can concede the point or come out and clearly state he made a bad decision. Like his affiliation with Rezco - he said it was a "bone-headed move". How many years and how many times has Hillary been asked if she made the wrong choice to vote for the war? I mean she has so much more "experience" shouldn't she have known better than most? Finally in the last Dem. debate she clearly answered that she wished she could take the vote back and admitted it was a bad decision - and this was what almost 8 yrs later? That seems a bit "Bush-like" - never able to admit when you're wrong.

The "Who's going to answer the ringing phone @ 3 o'clock ad" was all about fear. Put little innocent kids in an ad about impending terrorism and you can't think it's about anything else but fear. I don't think Obama should have played her game and tried to flip her ad around. Instead, he should have played her own speech, when she voted for the war in the first place and used her experience in office to make the decision. Then Obama should have used ex-President Clinton's YouTube video about "Fear vs. Hope" to show that even Bill Clinton believes that the candidate who promotes hope should be the one voted for.

To Lee,
I think its sad that you think that way of "HILLARY"!
I am not voting for Hillary but I am not voting for Obama either!
If I had no choice but to vote for one of them-
I would go with HIllary!
Why?
Because she is honest- what you see is what you get with her!
As for her spreading Mud at Obama- no no that isnt the fact Lee-
I'm sorry but Obama is the one whom makes comments and Hillary simply speaks up for the future of America and sets the record straight- thats all that is about!
And Lee, I'm sure if you had someone saying things and doing things that was incorrect about you or a family member that you wouldnt just turn your back- no- you would set the record straight.
ALSO- Hillary makes her own decisions-
She doesnt copy others commercials and comments and quotes because she has her own mind!
Obama does not! He doesnt have a clue-
did you watch him this morning on good morning america or Cnn or any of those news shows????
Lee- he stumpled on his words-
he is lost without copying someone else!
He again makes a comment about how hard this has been on his family and how he cant wait to get back to the kids-
that is precious that he loves his children however if he became President-???
This is part of it and I'm afraid between his comments and his wifes about the stress that running for President has put on him and his family already may be a sign that he can't handle it!
He himself as someone else commented on here a few days ago that he is having a hard time stopping smoking due to the stress so he is wearing on of those patch because his wife told him he had to stop smoking if he wanted to run for President??? Come On! How can this man be in charge of our future????
Look in his eyes really good- I am a Christan also and when I looked into Obama's Eyes- it scared me!
Please please Lee - read your Bible and Pray for God to help you see this Man for whom he really is!
Forget about the news reports and newspaper and etc...
Listen to his own words especially when he is caught off guard-
If you listen with your ears wide open and clear and watch his Body language he seems to gasp for words to spit out of his mouth and he always seems nervous~ His little dance he did and a few broken smiles is so fake-
And he didnt do the fun stuff until people critised him for it.
He is a follower NOT A LEADER!
I for one need to make sure my family has a home and that is not going to happen if we vote for Obama- things will get real scarey with him President!
Its not to late- just dont give him the vote and we then will all have hope!
We are in such a bad economy now- good hard working people are loosing homes/cars and being cold in the winter because they cant afford oil,
so much is going down the drain, so we need someone in whom has already begun to change things for us- that is not Obama-
Big Mistake to vote him in-
Everyone needs to step back and take a deep breath and take charge of our life again and vote for a President that will get us not back the way things used to be but ahead to the good of our future!
DONT VOTE FOR OBAMA!

Ellen,

I thank you for showing both Democratic candidates in an equally positive light. I enjoy your show and your positive attitude.

At first I was undecided about both candidates but the negative, divisive and ego-driven comments that Hillary and the ex-President have used during this campaign turned me off and pushed me to team Obama. How you act and what you say never fails to show the way - to how you will lead.

Strength of character, faith, love and humility were instilled in me as a child. My parents (like most parents) raised me like this in hopes that what they taught me as a child would blossom and take hold when I was on my own and free to make my own decisions. And that's what I see in Obama. I see someone who had strength of character, love of country and love of his fellow man before he was even in the political spotlight and now that he has had time to blossom, his hope has become infectious throughout America. At every turning point in the history of human kind, there has been some leader who has tried a new path, inspired a new thought, fought for a new vision and on the back of his or her leadership we have all become better people. Are we so defeated and ugly that we must crucify positive hopes for our future?

It's time that Conservative Christians and Demeaning Democrats realize that his message of hope, faith and unity in America is what true spirituality is about. It's also supposed to be what makes America great. Yet our own hypocrisy and power struggle to divide the blacks from the whites, the gay from the straight, the men from the women and young from old has brought on our own destruction. Most of the blogs and a lot of people seem to thrive on hate, fear and distrust, which has gotten us nowhere but many continue to buy into it.

For me, being a Christian and an American is not about taking away the rights of others who I may or may not agree with, or spewing hate and fear, so that I may divide and conquer, it's about hope that we can do better, faith that that day will come and on that day we will stand unified instead of fall divided.

Posted by Lee | March 4, 2008 11:36 PM