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Obama seals Democratic nomination; Clinton seeks VP slot

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Together, they drew record turnouts in primary after primary — more than 34 million voters in all, independents and Republicans as well as Democrats.

That, combined with the extreme liklihood that Sen. Obama will heartily defeat Sen. McCain in the upcoming debates leads me to be pretty optimistic for America's future.

Taka

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Hillary for VP slot? it will be like Cheney in Obama administration.

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Funny how clinton is trying to put obama on the spot with her "open to idea of VP" nonsense. After such bitter mud slinging if I were in Obama's shoes I would be like, hell no. But yes the momentum is growing. I never believed in my life that Americans would be open enough to elect a man of black ancestry to the highest elected office in America. But here we are, mere months from that dream. The choice is clear:

OBAMA 08

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Reportedly, one of Obama's favorite history books is Doris Kearns Goodwin's "Team of Rivals," about Abraham Lincoln's first Cabinet -- where he appointed most of his major political enemies to key positions. We'll soon see how much influence that book has had on him.

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This is great news for McCain and the Republicans!

"That, combined with the extreme likelihood that Sen. Obama will heartily defeat Sen. McCain in the upcoming debates"

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

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Umm, I don't think this is official.

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thepro - Rest assured, the Messiah is the Chosen One!

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If the dems want this election and if Obama wants to be president, the worse thing he could possibly do is ask Hillary to be his VP. She is not as liked as she believes she is.

I hope he asks Richardson. That would make me happy

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Great news and a Republicans's worst nightmare.

Hillary for VP slot? Nah, I reckon Michelle Obama will let Barack take the VP slot while she takes the Prez position.

I somehow don't think Hillary will get the Veep position due to Michelle's reported "strong dislike" of the Clintons.

Anyway, whatever happens, it's gratifying to see that all that flustered talk of "Empty Suit" and "all talk no substance" didn't really go anywhere, and that the people who muttered those claims are - YET AGAIN - on the wrong side of history, not to mention - AGAIN - in the minority.

Once again, it's the non-Americans who correctly read the will of the American majority :-)

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I find it interesting how the press routinely refer to Obama as 'possibly the first black presidential nominee...'

I'm just wondering what his white Mum thinks about all this. Seems like the press are labeling him according to how he looks instead of his racial make up (half white Caucasian-half (black) Kenyan), which is 'half' or 'mixed', right?

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Has anyone told Sen. McCain yet? Has he been awoken from his morning nap?

Anyone know of Se. McCain's reaction?

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sushi: People who are half whatever usually take a side. It was difficult for me being Caribbean and White by the time High school began as we started separating and fighting based on ethnicity - Cubans against Haitians against Anglos against Jamaicans... Its sad once you think about basically losing a friend or two . I am sure my daughter will side more with Japanese. Also, unlike other countries, the history in the US hasn't always been very open to Mulatto's and then up until recently lived in the black side of town. However, I do think a lot of younger whites do resent that nothing of him being white is ever really mentioned and for political reasons he is black enough to be black.

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I would describe myself as politically apathetic. At the same time, however, given the quality of the candidates in this election I am rather optomistic that we will see some real debate. On one hand, you have Mr. Obama, a man who represents a minority (African American/Mixed) and somebody who got where he is as the result of hard work. On the other hand, you have John McCain, a true American hero in every sense of the word who despite being a member of the Keating 5 (many years ago) seems to be a man of honor. Let's hope that as we go forward, both of these men stick to the high road in their campaigning and don't denigrate themselves by resulting to "swiftboat" tactics or push-polling (ringing up voters and discussing issues such as mixed-race babies). America is facing a raft of serious issues, let's hope there is some serious debate about them. Then we come to Mrs. Clinton. After sucking from the public teat for so long, isn't it about time that Bill and Hillary chuff off into the sunset? We all hear that Mrs. Clinton is a great lawyer, but when did she actually practice (could somebody please tell me)? When Bill was down in Arkansas, Hillary was one of his hacks, and even today things don't seem to have changed. She knows she lost to Obama several months ago, however, her vanity (or ego) made her drag this thing out. Appealing to the democrats, if they really want "change," I would hope they would select a running mate for Obama who represents "change" and not a step back into history.

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Thanks Skip - excellent post - really good stuff and what JT should be all about.

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timorborder - "On the other hand, you have John McCain, a true American hero in every sense of the word who despite being a member of the Keating 5 (many years ago) seems to be a man of honor."

Are you sure about that?

Sen. McCain's father and grandfather were both U.S. Navy admirals (silver spoon?) and John McCain was pretty reckless when he was younger and crashed 3-4 planes then finished up sitting in a Viet Cong POW camp for 6 years.

Is all of that really 'honorable'?

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Obama could choose John Edwards to make up for his weak areas in the South. Hillary's victories among working class whites and Latin voters shows that he needs to play to the center a lot more. He's got it locked up with Generation Y; problem is, there aren't enough of them to swing the election. Obama-Edwards could be a youthful Democrat Dream Team.

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Sarge -Senator Obama has inspired you too and I know you will secretly vote for him

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sushi: True, McCain was born with a silver spoon, but a lot of good that did him as a POW.. I would hope you don't make it sound so small. He does deserve credit for that and while a captive, at least I haven't heard anything, he did endure torture but still remained strong enough not to let out any info.

Besides, isn't he in agreement with you on the torture issue? I would have imagined you would have at least respect that much.

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All I can say now is I am glad there is no hope for Hillary. Now, let's start hearing the real issues and let's see if she has been wrong about being the better candidate to beat John McCain. Besides, if what Sushi says, and others here that the Repubs are so far gone that this presidency is a walk in, why was beating McCain ever an issue?

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Obama should kick Hillary to the kerb and pick Bill Clinton as his running mate.

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Congratulations to Camp Obama. One slick campaign. With the aid of the infamous Chicago Machine he has gamed the system as slyly as anyone could.

If headed to a victory in November that the media will do all in their power to hand him and then inauguration it looks like he has about 8 months to find himself a pastor who doesn't hate America and all it stands for.

Good Luck to Barack!

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The nomination does indeed look sealed. It is now time to turn our attention to the utter destruction of the Republican reign of terror.

I am not a democrat. My politics are complicated and not terribly mainstream. I can say this. I believe strongly in rational foreign policy, working class centered domestic policy, universal health care and safety nets for the less fortunate in our society. I believe these things to be humanitarian and a moral responsiblity of any developed society.

That said, Obama is the most likely option to make some of this into reality. And I hope Clinton joins him as a running mate to fully unify the party.

Now the real work begins. Working class people need to get out and vote this time. The Republicans have demonstrated very little concern for us for a very long time. They are willing to send us to die in pointless wars but unwilling to assure that we can work, get healthcare and send our kids to college. This is unacceptable.

It is time for working class people to take control of how our nation runs. It starts with someone like Obama and an willingness for change. But it equally requires removal of congress members who stand in the way of change. And we must also keep who we do elect honest and accountable. Change is possible. Let's assure it happens.

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Being a POW really only qualifies you to speak as an ex POW. Moreover, we really don't know what went on there, we only have the word of McCain to go on, and of course he will no doubt lionize his alleged experiences and resistance. I contend that McCain is still in need of substantial debriefing from that experience. I have just seen his speech in that Katrina ravaged state, with that green background and only a couple of hundred people struggle to cheer him on, McCain was the youngest in the room, boring! Compare that with the Senator from Illinois speech with 20 thousand, its a movement, an event of great transforming significance, by all definition a President in the making.

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I said "hero," not "saint" - we all have our foibles. If America wants a "saint" for its next president, perhaps it should be negotiating with Rome. Because of what McCain endured in Vietnam, I consider him to be a man of honor, in much the same way as John Kerry is a man of honor. Politics aside, when their nation called, these men signed up and did not shirk their duty. Many others also. At the same time, however, joining up is a personal choice. What irks me is those who sign up and then go AWOL. These same people and the cabal that support them then have the terminity to ask other people's children to die in senseless wars. If a certain conflict in the middle east has such meaning, why is it that so few family members of politicans are serving. But wait, isn't McCain's son a jarhead?

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haha she's gotta be joking...after months of saying no way she'd take VP, now all of a sudden she's all over it ? forget it Hilary...sit down and go home, it's over

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How about Obama-Gore? It could be the Inconvenient Ticket.

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timorborder: "McCain's son, Jimmy, 18, a Marine Corps enlistee, is now serving in Iraq, where more than 6,000 Marines have been injured and about 650 killed. McCain, however, has said precious little about Jimmy's deployment. He did mention it to Linn County Republicans on Tuesday night, telling them his son has been promoted to lance corporal."

He has never used him in a campaign. I guess letting the world know about Jimmy would put him and his unit in a bit of danger. I would hope McCain doesn't use Jimmy in his campaign to come nor do I hope the other side doesn't use Jimmy as part of their campaign either.

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There goes Everton again: "Being a POW really only qualifies you to speak as an ex POW. Moreover, we really don't know what went on there, we only have the word of McCain to go on, and of course he will no doubt lionize his alleged experiences and resistance." No, go to Wiki and you have North Vietnam's word as well.

While I am not going to vote for him, at least I can say I can walk away from it without hating the guy. Your racist feelings towards him are starting to show. Least you not forget, while I am sure he won't win the presidency, you do realize that Obama is going to have to work with him?

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the truth about McCain:

http://offthegridgirls.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/wife-of-pow-navy-pilot-tells-the-truth-about-john-mccain/

http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/cin_mysticalmccain.htm

He is no hero.

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The Inconvenient Ticket...heh

Obama has some pretty good choices for VP. Edwards, Richardson, Clinton.... I like Edwards and Richardson more than Clinton but Clinton can bring the votes IMHO. If that's what it takes then I'm all for it. Obama will have to take someone who can help create the image of experience for his ticket.

Hopefully it will be a clean campaign but in the end it probably won't be. There's still a lot of polarization in the US that the wrong type of people can capitalize on. We've yet to really hear from the Michael Mooress, switch-boat veterans, and Karl Roves of 2008 yet. So far we just have Sushi and Ramen.

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Skip,

Besides, isn't he in agreement with you on the torture issue?

Was. He has since "modified" his stance on the issue. I'm sure I don't need to tell you which way he is now leaning on the issue.

Taka

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skithesong - Its is refreshing to see that you have finally fully stepped off the fence - shown some courage and declared your hand in relation to who will get your vote.

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Now we know who our democratic candidate is.

I'm 100% behind Barack Obama.

Just waiting to see who he picks as his sidekick. < :-)

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Wow, a country only 232 years old has the son of a Nigerian immigrant, and a white American woman, as the presidential nominee of one of the two major parties. Makes me proud. Sure, racism still exists in the U.S., no doubt. But at least enough people could look past that and vote for who they felt was most quailified. And, his strongest challenger was a woman. Compare that to the centuries old culture we live in here, that still won't grant citizenship to the descendants of Koreans forcibly relocated here decades ago, and has like 2.0% of women in key management, governmental, and ministry positions. Obama has had my vote since his speech at the convention four years ago, and I was fortunate enough to attend a fund-raising event for him last August in the states at which he spoke. As the woman in Erin Brokovich says: "A good day."

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WASHINGTON —

"Sen Barack Obama of Illinois sealed the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, a historic step toward his once-improbable goal of becoming the nation’s first black president. A defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton maneuvered for the vice presidential spot on his fall ticket."

I have read that Barack Obama is only 1/16th African, 7/16ths Arab, and 8/16ths European-Caucasian.

Do any Democrats know the exact breakdown?

Or is this manufacturing of the Untouchable Minority Candidate the newest and ultimate tactic to create the Cult of Personality so essential for the Left to gain power?

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I like how the writer of this article called Clinton's 'singal towards the VP slot' as being completely unexpected. Anyone who knows about Hilary knows that she'll take power wherever she can get it. That is one ambitious woman... For better or for worse...

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I must admit I don't understand this delegates thing. What's this block Americans seem to have against simply counting the votes?

And after reading all the hullaballoo about 'he picked up this colour vote' and 'she picked up that gender vote', I can't see any reason to get all excited about the genetic makeup of the presidential candidate. When race and gender simply isn't an issue, that will be something to get excited about.

And has there ever been a presidential candidate who wasn't ambitious? Why bother mentioning it just because it's a woman?

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tkoind2: I just wanted to applaud your eloquent words that resemble my feelings on the matter. I'm not really for any politician though as I feel all that get to that level are corrupt but we must choose the lesser evil and always those who can bring about the needed changes.

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Barack is 100% American.

Besides that, what's point does it make? < :-)

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"Barack is 100% American"

Are there any 50% Americans?

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One of the things that amazes me about this whole campaign is that Obama’s team — a political start up — has been responsible for defeating one of the most tried and tested operations in Democratic politics - The Clinton Machine.

Is there going to be anything left after Obama gets stuck into McCain?

This truly is a great day for patriotic Americans who love their country and who want the best for their nation.

The rest are Bush/McCain supporters.

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"One of the things that amazes me about this whole campaign is that Obama’s team — a political start up — has been responsible for defeating one of the most tried and tested operations in Democratic politics - The Clinton Machine."

The popular vote in their primary is split nearly down the middle.

You call that defeat?

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And has there ever been a presidential candidate who wasn't ambitious? Why bother mentioning it just because it's a woman?

It's a euphemism, Cleo, for "rabidly power hungry and out of touch with reality."

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He should slot her into the shoe-shining position in his cabinet.

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"rabidly power hungry and out of touch with reality."

Sorry, still don't see how that applies only to Hillary and not to the rest of them.

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A frightening scenario for the Republicans come October:

Sen. McCain keels over on stage in a long slow arc to crash lifelessly into the front row...and be rushed to hospital and into intensive care 2 weeks out from the election.

Now wouldn't that make a hillbilly Republican sob into his Kentucky Bourbon?

Let's not forget - Sen. McCain is not a young man......would YOU want your aging grandfather to be in charge of the nuclear football??

I certainly wouldn't.

Ageism aside, this is just plain common sense.

Sen. McCain's nearer-than-you-think age of senility is a threat to American security.

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RedMeatKoolAid - "You call that defeat?"

She lost. Yes, that's defeat.

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Its is refreshing to see that you have finally fully stepped off the fence - shown some courage and declared your hand in relation to who will get your vote" Everton, I said I would vote for Obama as long as a good independent doesn't come along. I could careless him being the first black to win the primary, that does nothing for me. I could careless on almost anything about him except that of his youth, from a big city, and "hopefully" sees things in black and white and not just black or white. But one thing I must say, I have hated Hillary since ol' Billy days and I am so glad she is NOT going to be even a close call of a president.

There is no way Obama is going to accept her as a VP. If that does happen, I ain't voting for him.

Mind you, I do have a lot of respect for John McCain, even though I am not voting for him. However, him winning to me, still wouldn't be a bad thing if it came down to Hillary having the chance.

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Q: >I have read that Barack Obama is only 1/16th African, 7/16ths Arab, and 8/16ths European-Caucasian.

Do any Democrats know the exact breakdown?

A (and a darn good one): >Barack is 100% American.

I think it's funny that "the right," while saying that they aren't racist and that race doesn't matter, cannot stop themselves from bringing Sen. Obama's race into the conversation.

But they're not racist, mind you. Heavens no.

Taka

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The Obama campaign must be chomping at the bit - they've got decades of John McCain's history, statements, comments, vitriolic red-faced outbursts, flip flops and failures to dissect and prepare for their candidate to trot out whenever necessary.

Equally tantalizing is wondering whether the Republicans - who clearly have the habit of backing complete losers down to a fine art - will at this stage of the game add the John McCain Trainwreck to their long list of monumental screw-ups.

I'll admit John McCain is a better politician than a lot of them and he has a history of going his own way instead of toeing the line, but let's face it - he's not exactly very young, is he??

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Sushi: agreed, his age is an issue. Especially these days with fighting wars with tech... He may be a great Chess player, but he probably can't beat Obama at any XBOX or PS games!

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Isn't it about time for the Republican swiftboat campaigns to be rolled out?

Obama could end it all - AND cause Republicans' heads to explode in frustration right across America - by inviting John McCain to be his running mate :-)

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I think a lot of Democratic supporters/Patriotic Americans will agree this is a historic day and one that bodes well for the future of not just America, but the world.

The End Of An Error - the 8 long years of bush's failures - is coming to a close and I believe an accurate summation of the feelings of sensible people everywhere is (with a nod to Madverts) -

November - heh, Bring. It. On! :-)

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The McCain campaign must be chomping at the bit - they've got for an opponent a liberal junior senator who is has virtually no record, who can't be trusted with our national security and who has displayed a dismaying lack of judgement in joining and staying with a church with a rascist pastor and which swears allegiance to Africa, not America.

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Why Sen. McCain is a threat to America -

from Obama's victory speech -

"It's not change when John McCain decided to stand with George Bush 95 percent of the time, as he did in the Senate last year.

It's not change when he offers four more years of Bush economic policies that have failed to create well-paying jobs, or insure our workers, or help Americans afford the skyrocketing cost of college—policies that have lowered the real incomes of the average American family, widened the gap between Wall Street and Main Street, and left our children with a mountain of debt.

And it's not change when he promises to continue a policy in Iraq that asks everything of our brave men and women in uniform and nothing of Iraqi politicians—a policy where all we look for are reasons to stay in Iraq, while we spend billions of dollars a month on a war that isn't making the American people any safer.

So I'll say this—there are many words to describe John McCain's attempt to pass off his embrace of George Bush's policies as bipartisan and new.

But change is not one of them."

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Sarge - "they've got for an opponent a liberal junior senator who ...has displayed a dismaying lack of judgement in joining and staying with a church with a rascist pastor and which swears allegiance to Africa, not America."

Displayed a "dismaying lack of judgement"?

What, as opposed to Sen. McCain who thinks it's OK to spend billions of your dollars in a war that was shockingly badly planned, has no clear strategy, has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of millions, and where the end point changes almost by the month?

If that's the case, bring on Obama and his pastor who you seem so scared of!

Unlike the result of John McCain's "dismaying lack of judgement," it seems like the only thing that died due to the Rev. Wright's sermons was your sense of priorities....

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Similar to millions of patriotic Americans who know what is best for their country, I'm getting a real nasty thrill out of watching the Republican party go down in flames. :-)

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Similar to millions of patriotic Americans who know what is best for their country

Let's all join Sushi: USA! USA! USA!

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"Americans, he added, should be concerned about the judgment of a presidential candidate who has not traveled to Iraq yet." - McCain

Wait a minute - I read on JT that "Obama made his only trip to Iraq in January 2006 as part of a congressional delegation."

http://www.japantoday.com/category/world/view/obama-considers-iraq-visit-amid-republican-criticism-of-foreign-policy-experience#comments

What gives?

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Madverts - it must be McCain's advancing age......he's not young you know.

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Madverts, Don't worry, joe lieberman will tell us all what Sen. McCain really meant with that statement soon. I wonder if he'll be able to whisper the answers into McCain's ears during the debates too.

Taka

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I just can't believe a presidential candidate can make such gaffes. Like the summer gas tax "plan".

Senator Obama, if nominated, will indeed do well in the debates. McCain, whils experienced, is simply too old and out of touch.

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"I'm getting a real nasty thrill out of watching the Republican party go down in flames."

Fascinating how vital a group of Americans you will never meet and who have virtually no substantial influence on your life is to you identity and to the identities of certain other Commonwealth posters here.

Superlib is right - you most closely resemble a cheerleader; like Dubya, in his college days.

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Uh, Super D, you and I don't agree. I support Sushi. I think it's great that he takes pride in telling people that he shares the same views as patriotic Americans. And I fully support him when he says that the US is so important that it makes his country and other countries irrelevent. Can you imagine how strong one would have to be to say that to others in his home country?

The question is....where can we get more like him?

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"Equally tantalizing is wondering whether the Republicans - who clearly have the habit of backing complete losers down to a fine art - will at this stage of the game add the John McCain Trainwreck to their long list of monumental screw-ups."

Again, for a guy who obsesses about America you really ought to try cracking a book before you post, susisake.

Since the time America won WW2 and saved Europe from itself, the two-term Republican presidents include: Ike, Nixon, Reagan, and GW Bush.

The Dems have produced exactly one post-war prez who was elected to two terms, and he was far closer to the center than Obama. What's more, Clinton's term, not coincidentally, spanned the 'Holiday from History' the world took between the time Reagan brought down the old Soviet empire and the events of 9-11.

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Clinton seeks VP spot? She is bowing out?

Not in the very latest video -

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=RvG_XPtlBjQ

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Senator Obama, if nominated, will indeed do well in the debates. McCain, whils experienced, is simply too old and out of touch.

It's not going to be easy, my friend. I think it's going to be a very close election.

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W.O.W.

I'm watching Obama's victory speech now - 29 mins and he barely looks at his cue once.

Eloquent. Intelligent. Sharp. I get energy just listening to him.

Compared to McCain who stumbles and fumbles and turns red in front of the cameras when he's making a prepared speech.

Or - dear God - bUSh, who can barely get through a paragraph without screwing up his native (?) English.

Bring on the day when America can get a leader who has the intelligence and ability to communicate without making it sound like he's still in grade school.

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Congats to my American friends. A ground breaking campaign by two intelligent and capable leaders: Omama and Clinton. I have not felt this good about America since Bush ran in 2000. What a difference elocution, diction and vocabulary can make in a loquacious speaker like Obama. Don't know what kind of leader he will end up being, but I am sure he is already helping America's reputation just by being a candidate.

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Ehrr, super delegate - you seem to have conveniently forgotton that the foreigners who you seem so petrified about and that you crave to know exactly which Commonwealth country they are from so that you can subject them to irrelevant criticism have read the mood of your countrymen more often and more accurartely than you have.

It's almost like you don't even know your own people.

SuperLib - "And I fully support him [SushiSake] when he says that the US is so important that it makes his country and other countries irrelevent. Can you imagine how strong one would have to be to say that to others in his home country?"

There, there, does that make you feel superior? Peoiple only need to feel superior when they feel inferior....... :-)

You should both vote Obama then you can keep using your latest handle names without being forced to change them yet again :-)

And, heh, you're now wrong AGAIN with your backing of the Republicans.

ze them've been wrong so many times now I think your opinion

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Should have written:

"I have not felt this good about America EVER since Bush ran in 2000."

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Why do I get the feeling that Hillary only wants to be VP so she can push Barak under a bus?

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a race between a first-term Senate opponent of the Iraq War and a 71-year-old Vietnam prisoner of war and staunch supporter of the current U.S. military mission.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the Vietnam war was over? So McCain's running for president from a POW camp? Wow... boggles the mind.

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Good God, she still won't concede...

Why must our political parties be so disfunctional?

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Bring on the day when America can get a leader who has the intelligence and ability to communicate without making it sound like he's still in grade school.

Being eloquent is one thing, putting it into practice another.

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"Good God, she still won't concede...

Why must our political parties be so disfunctional?"

Hillary is sitting on a bombshell regarding Barak's wife making racial comments. Leave it up to the classless Clintons to sling mud well after the race is done. Atleast we won't have the monopoly of Bush-Clinton-Clinton-Bush-Bush-Clinton!

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"Good God, she still won't concede"

Heck, she just won South Dakota!

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W.O.W.

I'm watching Obama's victory speech now - 29 mins and he barely looks at his cue once.

Eloquent. Intelligent. Sharp. I get energy just listening to him.

Sheesh, I hope you had kleenex to to go along with that.

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he is already helping America's reputation just by being a candidate

I agree, his speeches are excellent. I do hope that Obama wins, the only little thing he needs to assure his victory over Mc Cain is a strong VP with the political experience. I doubt that Hillary can fill that, It seems to me that she has the wrong idea of how popular she is, so "her political experience" is not strong.

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"W.O.W. I'm watching Obama's victory speech now - 29 mins and he barely looks at his cue once. Eloquent. Intelligent. Sharp. I get energy just listening to him."

Your Obama man-crush is embarrassing.

He talks and talks and his handlers quietly edit clean from his website the endorsements and testimonies of his wacked out anti-American "spiritual" guides, terrorist-mentors and lowlife mobsters.

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"Eloquent. Intelligent. Sharp."

But can you trust him with our national security? I can't.

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super delegate:

Since the time America won WW2 and saved Europe from itself, the two-term Republican presidents include: Ike, Nixon, Reagan, and GW Bush.

The Dems have produced exactly one post-war prez who was elected to two terms, and he was far closer to the center than Obama. What's more, Clinton's term, not coincidentally, spanned the 'Holiday from History' the world took between the time Reagan brought down the old Soviet empire and the events of 9-11.

Don't forget that Clinton - the DNC's only two-term president since WWII - failed to get a majiority of the votes in either of his elections, and only made it in because of a conservative spoiler splitting the vote. Meanwhile, Nixon and Reagan won in landslides.

sailwind:

Sheesh, I hope you had kleenex to to go along with that.

No kidding! Hey SushiSake, you're really Chris Matthews, aren't you? ;)

For those that have their hopes for two terms of Obama, ask yourself this: Did Jimmy Carter get two terms? I know the majority of Obama's fans are too young to remember life under the Carter administration, that's why people my age have the responsibility to educate them. For all of Obama's platitudes of Hope and Change, he hasn't presented a single solution that is good for America.

Not that his fans outside of America give a rip...

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I have posting here a long time and my political views are pretty well known that I am right of center though have total respect to those that are on the left of center.

I am proud to be an American this day, though Obama has in no way shape or form given me any reason to vote for him until he shows me more than an empty slogan of 'change', He's got the chance to change my mind. Heck, he's now the the very embodiment of the American dream, no matter where you come from, or background you can be President no matter what the odds.

Who would think a former POW who has served my nation and agaisn't all odds ran and became a Senator. An Obama, a person who had to fight almost all of his life for respect because his skin was a little darker than most........... I'm proud to be an American today, no matter what peoples politics.

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Hillary has become increasingly deluded about her popularity as the days have worn on...intoxicated by her own spin. Bill has looked like a hung-over angry man this entire campaign. I think their filthy campaign has served only to destroy both of their reputations. I was a Clinton admirer, but as one CNN commentator put it so well today.. as a couple they are the Ike and Tina of politics...a sad mess in the end. Anyone but Hillary for VP!

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listening now to guy before Obama talking about his isreal credentials and looking for cheers from the audience, it makes you realise that not much will change (whether obama or the Republicans win) in the negative world view of america and its foot in mouth attitude to the rest of the world. As newton said there a reaction to each force, so the extremists will still want to bomb america and anything to do with it and so the cycle of the harsh words and violence from the hawks will contine. change?

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Oi!

"telling the world that their elections are meaningless in a way that only a Texan in a F-150 could really do."

Heh, surely that'd be a F450 Power-stroke down those parts ;)

Thoughhy do you think Obama is going to have a tough time beating McCain? I guess we'll have to see him actually get the nod first, and the see who he chooses as a running mate before jumping to conclusions...

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Sorry about my grammar - jeez, I must stop dropping my laptop...

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Obama has in no way shape or form given me any reason to vote for him until he shows me more than an empty slogan of 'change',

Me neither. Nor do I see anything of an American Dream. The American Dream is an illusion.

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The core of Republicans don't even like McCain? I wouldn't go placing any bets on him just yet. What exactly makes him a conservative, other than the fact that he is a RINO.

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So, the DNC, the liberal U.S. media and Lord Soros have finally decided to back the most least qualified politician to run for president.

Had the DNC not robbed hillary of her Michigan delegates and gave more than half of those delegates in a state which the empty suit voluntarily withdrew his name from the ballot, obama would not be where it is now at with the "magic" number. The DNC proved to the American electorate that the voters don't count.

So, now it's on to the G.E. obama's already got the U.S. far-left vote and American wannabee "vote". It'll be intersting to see if he can win the hillary supporter vote, the hispanic vote, the senior citizen vote, the independent vote, the moderate vote, the conservative vote, the God and guns white folk vote, and the military associations' vote.

The only positive thing that's come out of all this is we've jump way ahead of all the european countries on the coolness scale. Have any of them ever had a black man represent a major political party in a run for national office?

RR

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Well after reading all of the responses above Whitehawk comes closest to my stand on Obama. I do see some signs of Carter here. An educated man with good intentions and no foreign policy knowledge or muscle. As I predict it, McCain will get the vote of the right wing of the republican party (that don't like him) simply because they will fear the alternative more. As for Obama picking up Hillary's supporters that will happen with her on the ticket or if she really goes out and works for him. Otherwise if Clinton fades into the woodwork after she concedes I think Obama is going to have a tough time. Either way I didn't think I'd be voting Republican after supporting Kerry last time around but I am for McCain. We would have been much better off had he defeated Bush in 2000 in the first place.

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After getting home from work tonight I found the following in my e-mail in box. Looks like the GOP ad machine is wasting no time in calling obama out:

http://net.gop.com/canweask/

RR

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RomeoRamen - "The only positive thing that's come out of all this is we've jump way ahead of all the european countries on the coolness scale. Have any of them ever had a black man represent a major political party in a run for national office?"

You should lay off the racial undertones. It shows a sense of insecurity this debate really doesn't need.

Thanks.

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If obama does choose hillary as his V.P., he'd better hire a food taster and learn to how sleep with one eye open.

RR

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sake 2/3 - So, the answer, then, is no. Thanks for clearing that up.

Just goes to show you how advenced American society really is.

Everyone, join SushiSake2/3 and me in shouting: USA!!USA!!USA!!!

RR

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So its Obama vs McCain. If the election where today,

www.electoral-vote.com has it with President Obama. 287 to 227, 24 tied

The PBS Newshour -- www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/primaries/states/ -- has it with McCain leading 232 to 200. with the remained up for grabs.

Real Clear -- www.realclearpolitics.com/ -- gives it to Obama by 38 electoral votes.

And finally Rasmussen -- www.rasmussenreports.com -- had McCain lslightly eading in popular vote for months, and now tied with Obama for the past two weeks. Electoral college breakdown goes 260 to 240 for Obama, with 38 toss up.

In short, this data does not support any partisan claim either way about the inevitabily of either candidate. Its too close to call now, and we've got a lot of time between now and November.

We're in for an interesting summer.

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The leading story on CNN.com:

"Barack Obama vows that Jerusalem must "remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided" in his first major speech since clinching the U.S. presidential nomination. full story"

Dang, didn't think he'd come out of the gate with that. Anyone else surprised?

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DanManjt,

The only poll that counts will take place on Nov. 4th. Remember last cycle the pollsters had John Kerry winning by a landslide. And we all know how that one turned out.

When it comes to the G.E., democrats are good at winning polls but bad at winning elections.

RR

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SuperLib,

More bovine excrement from the snakeoil salesman. Remember, as president, obama said he would meet with Ahmadinejad - a guy who pledges that "Israel would soon disappear off the map" - without any preconditions.

As a Jew, I trust obama about as far as I could throw him.

RR

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I think Obama should talk to Iran. Maybe he can make a positive change there. Only the US and Israel don't talk to Iran. We should give it a shot and see what we can do. Every other country in the world talks to Iran and they've been completely useless in making any changes. Someone has to step up where they've failed.

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If Obama ever becomes the next US president,what will happen to Iraq?Do they have to fix all the broken pieces by themselves without any help from anyone?It will be alright for America,just cut and run when the "music" is over but what about the "mistakes" it left behind?If I can vote I will vote for John Mc Cain,Obama is just too irresponsible.

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"I think Obama should talk to Iran. Maybe he can make a positive change there."

Fine and well for Obama to talk to the Iranian mis-leaders. But they probably want to talk to the next president.

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"If Obama ever becomes the next US president, what will happen to Iraq?"

This is indeed foreboding.

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RomeoRamenII

First, elections are not polls. They are elections. Your statement makes as much sense as "The only practice that counts is the tennis match" Or "The only pop quiz that counts in the final."

Still, you've used that line often.

You used it before the 2006 elections. Y'know, the one where the Democrats led in the polls. What happened there....?

Oh yeah, The Republicans took a thumping.

So, the line that Democrats are good at winning polls but bad at winning elections aint true either. It wasn't true in 06

And neither was it true for 2004. By October, the polls reflected fairly accurately what happened.

If you honestly think the Republican party should ignore the polls, do me and America, join the RNC or your local Republican chapter, and lobby as hard as you possibly can to ignore the polls.

So, if you want to see your party do

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Congratulations to Sen. Obama. I'm REALLY looking forward to the debates and subsequent explanations by joe lieberman about what Sen. McCain really means. Will joe get a small porta-podium for the debates? Card table?

Taka

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You used it before the 2006 elections. Y'know, the one where the Democrats led in the polls. What happened there....? Oh yeah, The Republicans took a thumping.

A one-seat majority in the Senate is hardly a "thumping". But if thinking so makes you sleep better at night, feel free to do so.

What's more, look what's happened to America since the dems took control of the House and Senate: The economy is near recession and the price of gasoline is nearly $4 a gallon. If you don't think the voters are going to have their say at the ballot box this November over what the democrats have done to the country, you are only fooling yourself.

RR

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RomeoRamenII

The phrase "thumping" to describe the 2006 Republican defeat comes from Bush.

"Rumsfeld's departure is being described in the media as a response to what the President labeled a "thumping" in the midterm elections."

www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_061109.htm

As for your second comment, it really doesn't have anything to do with my initial point with which you took issue.

Which is, in case you forget, that the current polling essentially puts Obama and McCain even, that the polling data does not support any partisan claim either way about the inevitabily of either candidate. Changing the subject to how poorly you think Americans feel with the Dems performance since 06 in no way affects the fact that the polling before the 06 election strongly suggested that the Dems were favored to take the House and the Senate was close.

Thus my point how polls count stands.

Importanly, I notice you neglect to respond to the point how your favored phrase "The only polls that counts is in November" is lame.

Thus, your blather nothwithstanding, my initial post stands. Its too close to call now, and we've got a lot of time between now and November.

Thanks for playing.

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Recent polling data does not support any partisan claim either way about the inevitabily of either candidate. Its too close to call now, and we've got a lot of time between now and November.

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The Truth vs. Senator Obama

“I will not run on a National Ticket in 2008 because I won’t have enough experience by then.”

This man just lies and lies and lies. There are pages worth.

http://savagepolitics.com/?page_id=326

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I looked at your list. There is not one citation for any of those quotes.They could ALL be made up as far as I know...if there were speeches or articles backing them up I'd listen. The internet lists '20 lies' '67 lies', a whole slew of different 'lie lists'...that is enough to make me hesitate...

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"Had the DNC not robbed hillary of her Michigan delegates and gave more than half of those delegates in a state which the empty suit voluntarily withdrew his name from the ballot, obama would not be where it is now at with the "magic" number. The DNC proved to the American electorate that the voters don't count."

RomeoRamenll: I understand what you are saying, but Hillary brought that on herself, because she along with all of the other Democratic contenders, signed agreements to uphold the DNC's ruling on how to punish Florida, and Michigan, so now she see's that the tide would turn in her favor if their votes counted, so surprisingly, or not so, she flip flopped on the issue. How typical.

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Congrats to Mr. Obama. He's run a smart primary campaign, culminating in one of the biggest upsets in recent U.S. political memory. He had help from the Clinton's misteps and fawning media coverage, of course, but he's an attractive figure. Certainly, that the next president will be neither a Bush nor a Clinton.

Obama's resume is pretty thin for a presidential aspirant but his personal story is inspiring and he's bright, young, handsome and charming. Surprising to some both in- and outside the U.S. his race has been a political asset.

Even if the political environment seems to favor a generic Democrat this election year, much less a Messiah figure, McCain can be heartened by Barak's underdog story.

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RomeoRamenII:

Remember last cycle the pollsters had John Kerry winning by a landslide.

Some people just don't have a very good memory. (Must be all that bitterness and hatred.) The link below shows the USA Today/Gallup poll for the 2004 race from the time of the convention to election day.

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/special/polls/index.html

At no time was Kerry predicted to win in a landslide, by ANY pollster of any repute. I do recall that in Election 2000, the old gasbag himself, Rush Limbaugh, predicted a Bush landslide over Gore.

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RomeoRamenII:

A one-seat majority in the Senate is hardly a "thumping". But if thinking so makes you sleep better at night, feel free to do so.

LOL!! From a 4-gain in 2004 to a 6-seat loss in 2006. (With only a third of the Senate seats up for grabs.) That's a pretty resounding turnaround. You'd call it a thumping too if the shoes were on the other feet.

The economy is near recession and the price of gasoline is nearly $4 a gallon. If you don't think the voters are going to have their say at the ballot box this November over what the democrats have done to the country, you are only fooling yourself.

LOL!!! What drugs are you taking that make you so delusional? The prime mortgage mess and ensuing credit crunch was a time bomb ticking long before the Democrats regained control, and intelligent people understand that. Nothing gets out of Congress until Bush signs it into law. He's got the power to veto and the Dems can't override. So what you're really saying is that it's Bush's fault.

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Hilary won't take second billing to anybody, not even her husband. Obama will pick someone else, and Hilary will bide her time until 2012....

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RedMeatKoolAid,

Presumably Obama has looked at "experience" and seen it for what it's worth. Most likely he did not lie. Most likely he no longer saw lack of this "experience" thing to be a detriment to running.

It doesn't take experience to be President. In fact, there is no experience that is equivalent to that of being President. It takes intelligence, good judgment and an ability to cobble together political support.

Obama is obviously intelligent. In beating Hillary he has certainly shown that he can muster political power. The jury may be out on his judgment, but personally I would feel better with a President who had voted not to give another President the power to make war at his personal whim and one who believes its better to jaw-jaw than war-war.

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Im not going to say who I am for or against in the upcoming elections. However, I will say the fact that there are so many people willing to take the time to post about it on a site like japantoday is great. If people didnt really care they wouldnt post. US politics are headed in a historic direction no matter who gets elected. Exciting times indeed.

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two words:

President Obama

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Two words for zurcronium - Dream on. ( tee hee! )

medievaltimes - "I'm not going to say who I am for or against"

Gosh, if everyone did that, this would be a real snoozefest. ( tee-hee! )

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sarge,

given your stellar record of failing every prediction you have made in the last six years your useless taunting is like yesterdays losing lotto ticket.

Try predicting the opposite of what you first want to happen. That would work very well.

Oh year, those WMD in Iraq. Still not there. And Fred Thompson, not a candidate anymore.

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This "senior citizen"...a newcomer to the board, a citizen of the USA, and one who VOTES, has seen things dispicable to BOTH political parties. Yet, I've never seen anything MORE dispicable than the way the Republican party has systematically tried to gut the heart of the USA by ignoring and or flagrantly violating the foundation document, the Constitution of the United States. Previously, I'd always voted indepently, but the last eight years (starting with a highly questionable election to begin with) have turned me into a pure "Yellow Dog Democrat". I wouldn't vote for a Republican to be elected to clean out clogged up toilets without any tools. In my opinion, even as a Democrat...Hillary is a L O S E R! Add the baggage of hubby and it's dumb to even consider her for a VP slot. McCain? An aging, and obviously infirm candidate who has the distinction of dumping his crippled first wife, (who stood by him when he was a POW in Vietnam) for a booze baron's daughter. If American's are SO stupid as to want (much less ELECT) someone who supported the current regime's idiotic policies, then they DESERVE what they get. Haha, being an "ex-pat" in Japan isn't bad at all.

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obama should pick wes clarke

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no hillary, too much baggage. Richardson is the sane choice. Clarke is a zero when it comes to campaigning. His run for the nomination last time was a joke. Maybe a cabinent position would be better for him.

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Obama will pick Colin or who knows.. Condelezza.... Hillary needs to SIT down. She wants now the rules to change. the rules were inplace and agreed upon before both elections, what is she trying to do????? a George Bush back in 2000.... rememeber Florida, his brother JEB and that, whats her face chick down there who stole and threw away people`s votes....i dont wanna say it, but if she get a VP slot. Obama needs to watch his back, it wont surprise me at any attempts on his life if they win. She is ICHING for the Prez spot

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