John Patterson's Blog

HELP OBAMA PICK HIS WHOLE CABINET!

John Patterson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:39:26 EDT

This one is for the certifiable political junkies in our midst...

Here's the list of cabinet posts and cabinet-level offices the Barack will need to fill when he is elected.

SO who would you pick for each position?

It would be fun to have this listed on the Obama website, too, We, the People have never had much of a say in the past about these appointments, but with the the interactivity that the web has made available, we can at least express our opinion!

Here's your chance to help Barack know who we like for his cabinet officers, give it your best shot, do some serious homework, and remember, if you pick a congressman or senator from a state with a Republican governor, they will replace them with a Republican, so like I said, do your homework. In the first comment, I'll put a link to the Senate and House committee listings, so you can see who is experienced and proficient at any particular function.

The cabinet posts are listed below the fold...

Reliable non-political Intrade Poll has Obama up by 30%!

John Patterson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:18:32 EDT

Look for the link in the first comment, this plll has been quite accurate, and is modeled after stock trading indexes. It looks like Obama has gained much more support from demographics that the political pollsters don't have access to.

Thanks to Peter for the link!

Hillary and Barack will appear together, UNITED FOR THE PARTY, on Thursday!!!

John Patterson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:16:23 EDT

By Eric Kleefeld, at Talking Points Memo

"The ultimate in Democratic unity events will be happening next Thursday, when Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton appear together at a Washington fundraiser before a crowd of Hillary donors.

Hillary has been urging her donors to coalesce around Obama, and to put the ugliness of the primary season in the past. For their part, Clinton donors have had their own demands -- that Obama help in fundraising to retire Hillary's campaign debt, for example, or that he even put her on the ticket.

It's not clear from initial press reports whether this meeting will be open to the press."

Bravo, Michael Link!!!

John Patterson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:34:16 EDT

"And if we can put the same kind of energy into beating Republicans up and down the ballot in November, then they're in big trouble."

Especially if we work together as a team, and focus our talents against the creeps who have wreacked havoc in DC for the past 7 1/2 years.

Interesting to see this new "family " on the PB site workig so cohesively, and I am certain a lot of the originals who were fatigued with the bitter vitriol will be back now that the party is united, and working together, to beat the Republicans in November.

See you all on the flip side!
And Remember November. Always...

Barack Obama; Eloquent, Profound and Inspiring

John Patterson — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:06:55 EDT

And from what I hear from insiders, he is really in charge of his campaign. If this historic political season is anyindicator of his management skills, I do believe we can look forward to 8 years of very efficient and productive Democratic rule.

Especially if we can use this wave of enthusiasm and unprecedented support to help some of those downticket races. If Louisiana, Missippi and Denny Hastert's Illinois seat are any indication, the Obama effect will reach into territory no one would have dreamed of just a year ago.

Together! We! Will! Win!

Cliff Schecter also has a very good expose' site about McCain

John Patterson — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:58:14 EDT

Kathy independent thinker, thanks for your link to Greenwald's site, it is a very good tool to help people learn the truth about McCain.
Cliff Shcecter who wrote "The REAL McCain" now has a site of his own at the Firedog Lake group, and it is full of McCain truthiness. Anyone who wants to read about McCain's lies and flip-flops can find a wealth of well-resourced and referenced material that avoids some of the more incendiary facts like the Songbird tapes and concentrates on McCain's public and legislative gaffs and inconsistencies.

If you can find a few minutes every morning to check in on Cliff's site, you can find it at http://cliffschecter.firedoglake.com/.

Michael;

John Patterson — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:34:14 EDT

If you are watching this blog closely enough to remove the multi-click ratings, (which I agree is a legitimate respnse to those of us gamng your system) surely you can exercise your administrative responsibilities to relieve us of some of these aggressive and deceptive tricksters who have figured out how to game your system with their own subtefuge...

But, I guess I don't know what really transpires behind the scenes, I suppose you prefer that "we ignore that man behind the curtain" even as this precious tool gets damaged, once again, beyond ALL credibility.

I have imagined that you are just keeping a list of who you might expell from your classroom, and that any day now we will see the fakes and phonies and sockpuppets and posers (trolls, one and all) relieved of their access, but I also have some serious suspicions that there may be some complicity in effecting it's demise (thus my irregular posts that "trolls are managing this site!), and I sincerely hope I am wrong on the latter concerns.

So where are all the young revolutionaries going to be at election time?

John Patterson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:31:46 EDT

If you think the middle class baby boomers and potbellied nascar dads (Ok, so I'm one of them) are going to rise up in open revolt and "toss the bums out" you aren't much of an historian.

Most of history's great revolutions started with a bunch of young hooligans who got fed up with the tired old ways of a stagnant civilization.

As many of you boomers (like I said earlier, I'm one, myself, but I'm very young at heart) have lamented right here on this blog, it's the whippersnappers who will make it happen, it is happening right now and it is THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN those young revolutionaries have adopted as thier vehicle for change.

So if you think our generation has the energy and the inspiration to join your geriatric uprising, more power to you. I prefer to join the party at The Party.

While you're ignoring the Denver party, these young revolutionaries will be making history and geting Obama elected to the office of The President. And getting a lot of down-ticket Democrats into statehouses, city councils and Governor's mansions in the process.

And you can bet Hillary, Bill, Al, John and Elizabeth, Chris, Joe and Dennis will be there cheering them on while you mope in front of your TV screens.

Either lead or get out of the way, because the steamroller is coming up behind you even as we speak.

Al Gore, Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton don't have to be staffers to be invaluable advisors to Barack Obama

John Patterson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:10:55 EDT

I would guess that they will offer advice to Obama if they feel it is necessary, and I would also guess Obama will be quite respectful of that advice.

I would bet a big chunk of change that when Hillary talks Barack listens, respectfully, and he responds accordingly.

Same for Bill Clinton and Al gore, whose advice would be offered if they feel it is important and Obama will listen to every word, and act on it.

We are talking here about three of our most venerated party elders, for whom Barack Obama has always shown great respect, regardless of what their surrogates have done in these peripheral haunts.

One on one or together, Al Gore, Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton represent a powerful and experienced team of Democrats who are all proud to call themselves Democrats and no amount of disappointment on the part of their surrogates or supporters can take that away from them.

Or us!

Democrats are uniting for Obama AND for the future of our grandchildren!

John Patterson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:37:30 EDT

I was so proud of Al Gore today openly endorsing Barack Obama. Al is one of those rare statesmen, who has risen above the political milieu and provided a vital and vibrant influence on people beyond party politics. I just wanted to personally say "Thanks, Aal Gore," for joining our cause, and for giving Barack and the Democratic Party one more experienced advisor in his corner.

I hope your influence will prove to be good not only for our party, but for the future of our planet.

Thanks again, Al, we need you now, as a sage advisor to Barack Obama, more than ever before.

Edwards back on top of the VP list?

John Patterson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:08:28 EDT

Apparently that is the case, I for one would love to see JRE in the AG's position, just to watch the neocons squirm. Or give Howard Dean a cabinet position, and put the Edwards (Elizabeth and John, I mean) at the helm of the DNC.

But he's definitely qualified for any position of leadership we might need him at. And that is up to Obama, now.

I still think Sebelius would be great as the VP. But Edwards as VP would surely strengthen the ticket in some places nd with particular demographics.

My first unity post, September 9, 2006 "Think ahead to teamwork"

John Patterson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:27:48 EDT

As the groups divide down into their various campaign camps, lets all remember that we need to keep the word "TEAMWORK" on our minds, and stay focused on the final project.

There are both good and bad examples of what I am pointing out. Joe Lieberman's personal willfulness in the face of Party prerogatives is the antithesis of this spirit of teamwork, while Kerry's camp choosing Edwards as the VP in 2004 was the best example of it.

We need to keep this team spirit alive throughout the entire process, no matter what our differences might be, especially here on the web where our words can be read by friend and foe alike.

Let me offer the suggestion that, in one way only, we emulate Reagan's Republicans, and at least while we are online here, refrain from being negative in any way to our own Democratic Party allies. Keep this circle of trust among us, and lets use this new tool to keep a close public eye on it, as a party and and as an internet community, and all of us help to refocus wayward members before they might tarnish the team. And while we are at it, we'll sort out the trolls from the whiners and complainers.

Post your comments in favor of your favorite candidate, vent and fume about an issue if you feel the need, but lets all try to refrain from trashing ANY other Democrats personally. Keep it positive and productive, and lets all try to keep the real debate between the candidates and not their self-appointed surrogates.

If you are constantly getting onto the blogs and posting negative or deliberately provocative comments, someone might imagine you're just a neocon troll, (yes, they have professionals with long pro-troll resumes), and then you'll either have to prove you aren't a troll, or forsake all credibility...

SEND JEP TO DENVER AS A PB SITE BLOGGER!!!

John Patterson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:35:11 EDT

OK, so I'm promoting myself, but I didn;t start it, and I think it would be a great experience, a real open source event, and I would also host a get-together of some of the other notable bloggers I know, to share tales and swap stories about bloggin' for democracy!

Here's the original post, http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/annweissbingham/CxzQ/commentary#comment-gG5VLf
I'll plant the link in the first comment below.

Alos, I'll put together a site on one of my own blogs, where you can go to get more information...

Newshound Foxwatcher spots fake Hillary supporter on Fox News...

John Patterson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:37:47 EDT

From Newshound Foxwatcher Ellen: FOX News gave a crackpot Hillary Clinton fan turned McCain supporter undeserved credibility. A little research indicated the guest's website is likely funded by the RNC.

http://www.newshounds.us/2008/06/11/fox_news_gives_crackpot_clinton_fan_undeserved_credibility_because_shes_now_supporting_mccain.php

For anyone who isn't familiar with Newshounds, like Media Matters, they watch Fox so we don't have to. And I, for one, can't afford another shattered TV scren, so I get a daily email from them pointing out the most egregious Fox foibles and fables and fabrications.

Needless to say, they are never at a loss for clips to that effect. You can sign up for their daily synopsis at
http://www.newshounds.us/

and is is definitely worth the perspective they provide, even if you CAN stomach peering into that dungpile.

EARLY childhood education is the key to tolerance.

John Patterson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:47:16 EDT

EARLY childhood education is the key to helping overcome the legacy of prejudice that is passed from generation to generation.

We can do this by giving our children an opportunity to join clubs, team sports, group activities and other events that put children of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds together, where they learn to trust and depend on one another as people, not stereotypes.

One good, early childhood experience with a person of a different race or religion can establish a lifetime of tolerance, that would otherwise never start without that exposure to people of all varieties.

MLK's "content of their character" comment is rooted in that concept, and we whould take his profound cue to nurture character in our youngest children, to teach the tolerance that is both color-blind and color-ful at the same time.

Activist Democratic women have every reason to respect Michelle Obama...

John Patterson — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:30:05 EDT

She seems to have a mind of her own, and I get the impression no one knows that better than Barack.

And I doubt she would have married Barack if he were the chauvanistic creep some of our bitterheads are posing, I think many of you need to show her more respect, both as a woman AND as a leader in her own right.

The fact she's also black just gives her one more perspective that many can't claim. Seh's not just a woman, she's a BLACK WOMAN, and that gives her some serious multi-layered insight.

She has seen both the prejudice of race AND of gender.

All the women I know have become Michelle Obama fans, once they get a chance to hear her speak, especially the activists.

It is hard to disrespect such a talented, powerful and self-assured woman. And it is hard to imagine she would marry a chauvanist or a mysoninist in the first place, so maybe Obama's actual words aren't nearly as incendiary as they are being represented by some of the conveniently concerned people here...

A link to Hillary's loyal support for Obama...

John Patterson — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 14:13:00 EDT

"Hillary Rodham Clinton suspended her pioneering campaign for the presidency on Saturday and summoned supporters to use "our energy, our passion, our strength" to put Barack Obama in the White House.

"I endorse him and throw my full support behind him," said the former first lady, delivering the strong affirmation that her one-time rival and other Democratic leaders hoped to hear after a bruising campaign.

Amid tears from her supporters, Clinton issued a call for unity that emphasized the cultural and political milestones that she and Obama, the first black to secure a presidential nomination, represent.

"Children today will grow up taking for granted that an African-American or a woman can, yes, become the president of the United States," she said.

For Clinton and her backers, it was a poignant moment, the end of an extraordinary run that began with an air of inevitability and certain victory. About 18 million people voted for her; it was the closest a woman has come to capturing a nomination."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080607/ap_on_el_pr/clinton

Hillary STILL supports Obama!

John Patterson — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:46:21 EDT

Congratulations, you trolls just set a new record for removing a post from the visible list!

PS if you think you have us fooled, you are hilarilously mistaken. We know we can't do anything about this sorry blog, but there is a group of people who are meeting elsewhere and getting a big laugh out of your delusions of blogger grandeur.

If not for our honor system, you dishonorable people would not have the ability to delude yourselves that you are "special."

Bill and Hillary support BarackObama!

John Patterson — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:27:58 EDT

lets see how this one moves!

Hillary calls on all her supporters to SUPPORT Obama...

John Patterson — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:25:00 EDT

This one ought to get rolled down the line real quick...