Democrats Locking Arms

This reminds me of the 2008 campaign, when on many occasions people counted Obama out. Obama is an endurance runner.

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Obama Marks Selma Civil Rights March Anniversary

Obama with musicians on Civil Rights music night at the White House

Obama's statement via Politico

On this day, 45 years ago, hundreds of brave men and women gathered in the small town of Selma, Alabama to announce to the world that they, too, sang America. As they marched from Selma to Montgomery, fully aware of the danger that lay ahead, these heroes let their feet speak in a way that their voices alone could not.

Today, as we gather in this hallowed place on the anniversary of what would come to be known as “Bloody Sunday,” let us honor the memory of all those who were shoved and beaten within an inch of their lives because they believed in the simple truth that every American – regardless of race – had the right to cast a vote; had the right to live free; had the right to reach for their dreams.

It would take the marchers three tries to make it to Montgomery in March of 1965 – and even longer to secure the rights they fought so hard for. Along the way, leaders were born – men like John Lewis, who endured taunts and beatings with the same quiet grace and dignity and determination that so many of us admire today. For Congressman Lewis and so many like him, no sacrifice was too great to make in freedom’s cause.

The Movement also had a partner in the White House – a President who declared “we shall overcome,” and who understood that our nation could not move forward as long as any of its citizens were held back. President Johnson helped deliver on that promise by signing the Voting Rights Act in August of that year – a law that aligned this nation more closely with its founding ideals of justice and equality for all.

Today, we stand on the shoulders of all the Moses Generation that made the Voting Rights Act possible, that made the Civil Rights Act possible, that made the civil rights movement possible. Yet with all of the progress that has been made since that terrible day in Selma, we also know that there is still much work to be done, by us – the Joshua generation.

Since taking office, I have never forgotten that responsibility. That’s why the first bill I signed as President helped ensure that never again will someone be forced to do the same work for less pay simply because of their gender. That’s why we continue to give the Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Holder, the tools to protect voting rights and defend fair practices across our nation. And that’s why last month, we sought final resolution with the nation’s black farmers who had suffered indignation for years because of the misguided actions of their government.

But we must also remember that the mission at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement was never simply about obtaining the right to sit at a lunch counter or ride on a bus. It was about giving Americans of every race, faith, and station, the right to fulfill their God-given potential. That’s why we are making unprecedented investments in the education of our children; in guaranteeing quality, affordable health care for every American; and in working to create good, well-paying jobs that will help build the economy of the 21st century.

So let us honor the men and women who marched into history so many years ago – both those who are with us today, and those who long ago gave their lives to perfect our union. Let us remember their courage in the face of danger, and recommit ourselves to the journey ahead. Because I am confident that if we stand together in the Joshua Generation as the Moses Generation did before us – then, in the words of a song we know so well, we will face the rising sun of a new day begun. Thank you.

John Lewis Unites With Former KKK Member Who Attacked Him

Hillary Offers Olive Branch to North Korea

Watch Hillary speak at the Asia Society here.
Speech transcript.

NPR: Clinton is traveling to Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and China. She told the Asia Society in New York that the new special envoy on climate change, Todd Stern, will be traveling with her and that they will visit a clean thermal power plant in Beijing. Clinton is also expected to raise human rights issues there, though she downplayed that when she spoke to NPR after her speech.

"I'm going to be discussing a comprehensive agenda with the leaders of each of the nations that I visit," Clinton said. "And human rights will be on the agenda, as will common efforts to deal with the global financial crisis and combat climate change, and prepare for pandemics, as well as work to enhance our security arrangements, and other opportunities that we see in front of us."

North Korea

In her speech to the Asia Society on Friday, Clinton said the U.S. is ready to normalize relations with Pyongyang if North Korea is genuinely prepared to completely and verifiably eliminate its nuclear weapons program.

"So much of it depends upon the choices that the North Korean government makes," she said. "Certainly, we are hopeful that they will not engage in provocative actions and words that could create a much more difficult path for us to walk with them."

Clinton said she will be speaking to U.S. allies in the region about how to get disarmament talks back on track.

Hillary is also sending a delegation to India to retrace the steps of Dr. Martin Luther King's trip to India, where he studied change through non-violence. Martin Luther King III will lead the delegation, which includes John Lewis and Andrew Young. The delegation will stop in Mumbai.

John Lewis Reflects on King and Service

It's impossible to soak up all that's about to take place. There's so much happening and so much to reflect upon. In this video, Congressman John Lewis and former Senator Harris Wofford reflect on Martin Luther King. This video is part of Obama's call to service, which starts Jan. 19. Find an event or host one here.

Rick Davis Pulls the POW Card

Surprise! Rick Davis, up against David Axelrod for Obama, said that McCain was a POW when George Wallace was inciting violence. Funny. That POW card is all used up. Davis insisted that Obama apologize for remarks that Congressman John Lewis made (Lewis has backed off on comparing McCain to Wallace).
He then went on and on, speaking on top of Axelrod the whole show. 
Davis is icky. Partial video. 
Here's where Davis insists Obama should apologize:

McCain Unraveling

It's not patriotic to inspire hate and division and that's exactly what the McCain Palin campaign is doing.
For the past year, the extremists on the right have been sowing the seed that Obama is a secret Muslim terrorist and now McCain Palin's crowds have become unhinged. I gotta believe that these people represent a small sliver of America.
Check this out. A preacher at a McCain rally insists that that Obama supporters are heathens:

CNN: A minister delivering the invocation at John McCain’s rally in Davenport, Iowa Saturday told the crowd non-Christian religions around the world were praying for Barack Obama to win the U.S. presidential election.

“There are millions of people around this world praying to their god—whether it’s Hindu, Buddha, Allah—that his opponent wins, for a variety of reasons. And Lord, I pray that you will guard your own reputation, because they’re going to think that their God is bigger than you, if that happens,” said Arnold Conrad, the former pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church in Davenport.

Arnold Conrad has no idea what it means to be Christian. He ought to lose his job. 

Here's more. John Lewis let McCain have it and McCain is outraged. He wouldn't be so outraged if one of his supporters acted out.

Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, who has been praised by McCain in the past, issued his statement after several days of headline-grabbing anger aimed at Democratic nominee Barack Obama from some attendees at campaign rallies of McCain and running mate Gov. Sarah Palin.

"What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse," Lewis said in a statement.

"George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama," wrote the Democrat.

What Obama said:

I call on Sen. Obama to immediately and personally repudiate these outrageous and divisive comments that are so clearly designed to shut down debate 24 days before the election. Our country must return to the important debate about the path forward for America."

Shortly after, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton released a statement on the Lewis comments.

"Sen. Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies," Burton said. "But John Lewis was right to condemn some of the hateful rhetoric that John McCain himself personally rebuked just last night, as well as the baseless and profoundly irresponsible charges from his own running mate that the Democratic nominee for president of the United States 'pals around with terrorists.' "

John Lewis: We Were Just Trying to Get a Hamburger

Congressman John Lewis of Georgia spoke at the convention: We still have a dream.
"We must march like we've never marched before" to elect Barack Obama.

Lewis spoke with NPR earlier. 

He was one of the speakers who participated in the Civil Rights march 45 years ago and recounts that day. Lewis spoke that day, speaking before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He said he never ever imagined a black man would be nominated for president. Back then, black people were just trying to get a hamburger. He said King would be looking down saying Halleluja!

Superdelegates Switching to Obama

see the latest superdelegate add ons in sidebar

Representative John Lewis, an elder statesman from the civil rights era and one of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s most prominent black supporters, said Thursday night that he planned to cast his vote as a superdelegate for Senator Barack Obama in hopes of preventing a fight at the Democratic convention.

“In recent days, there is a sense of movement and a sense of spirit,” said Mr. Lewis, a Georgia Democrat who endorsed Mrs. Clinton last fall. “Something is happening in America, and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap.”

Mr. Lewis, who carries great influence among other members of Congress, disclosed his decision in an interview in which he said that as a superdelegate, he could not go against the wishes of the voters of his district, who overwhelmingly supported Mr. Obama.

“I’ve been very impressed with the campaign of Senator Obama,” Mr. Lewis said. “He’s getting better and better every single day.” nyt

washington post says john lewis is still thinking.

another switcheroo, superdelegate beverly davis

this blogger makes a case for why superdelegates shouldn't be included in the media's official counts.

The biggest problem, though, is the networks shouldn't be counting the Super Delegates at all in their reporting. And I'm not just saying that because currently Senator Clinton has anywhere from a 75-100 lead among those Super Delegates (almost mirroring Obama's lead in the pledged delegates). First, the media has been talking about how if Barack Obama wins the most pledged delegates, but loses the nomination fight because of these Super Delegates, the party will fracture. And that's probably right, but only if people understand that the election is being taken away from him. By reporting the inflated Super Delegate numbers, it appears Obama has been fighting from behind, when in truth, he's never trailed among pledged delegates. He started ahead in Iowa, and has never trailed, not one day of this primary campaign.

But the real reason I have such a problem with counting Super Delegates is they are uncommitted and change their mind at any time, for any reason. Tuesday's New York Times has a story about how Hillary Clinton supporters believe she must win both Texas and Ohio on March 4th to remain a viable candidate. And it quotes some of her Super Delegates as considering bolting and moving their support to Barack Obama.

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