Every time Barack speaks, people listen like the old E.F. Hutton ad. He , thanks to those pushing this story, has more and more opportunities to speak to America for free. I promise you Hillary hated today! I loved it. Think about this, Max. Think of the eloquence and ability to inspire possessed by Obama's detractors (Hannity, Limbaugh, Ingram). Now think of the ability of Barack to inspire. I, personally, don't think Barack's nay sayers have the talent to convince America Barack is not as good as we think he is. At a time when the GOP should be rallying around McCain, they are spending their money and time keeping the democrats on the front page. This will help Barack and cause the niceties said of McCain in the general election to seem insincere. I listened to Barack's speech and saw a man who actually will unite as President.

Here's what we will see: What is more powerful, positive speech or negative attacks?

Will we vote for the candidate many feel is the best candidate, or will we run from the candidate whose enemies speak the loudest.

Think about this my GOP brothers and sisters. If you, somehow, successfully drive people away from one candidate as opposed to TOWARDS your candidate, what will that say of our nature, and your "winner by default's" ability to lead a unified nation? I believe you guys are fighting a lose lose campaign. I believe hope, desire for change, and inspiring oratory will prevail.

Kevin "Hack" King

ps: Cyclist, my wife loves you, and after reading your comments to Git, Sniffles, and in the original WalMart news story, I certainly see why

I know that you have been moved exactly as much as I have by the concern our fellow bloggers have shown for poor ole Barack's grandmother and mother. And I also know that you regret, just exactly as much as I do, the fact that now, after this throwing of his family under the bus, they will, with heavy hearts, not be able to support him. It's truly tragic.

He could have laid this to rest by completely denouncing that dirt bag preacher, but instead he made excuses for him, and actually blamed white people himself –

“Now, in the white community, the path to a more perfect union means acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people; that the legacy of discrimination — and current incidents of discrimination, while less overt than in the past — that these things are real and must be addressed.
Not just with words, but with deeds — by investing in our schools and our communities; by enforcing our civil rights laws and ensuring fairness in our criminal justice system; by providing this generation with ladders of opportunity that were unavailable for previous generations.”

In other words – black folks don’t have any opportunities in this country. Just like the good reverend says.

Hillary loves this because she knows it’s going to be kept alive for the rest of the primary, and she knows that a lot of people are going to feel uncomfortable with statements like that.

You say that “At a time when the GOP should be rallying around McCain, they are spending their money and time keeping the democrats on the front page.” The GOP is enjoying the fight between Hillary and Barrack. They’re spending their own money fighting each other.

Thanks for your comments.

“Poll: Wright Likely to Hurt Obama” (3/18/08)

More than half of Democrats [> 50%] and nearly two-thirds of Republicans would be less likely to support Sen. Barack Obama for president after viewing video clips of his longtime friend and pastor espousing a radical "black power" worldview, a poll [HCD Research] showed Monday.

"Obama Speech Falls Short"

Obama had the opportunity to lure undecided Reagan Democrats, independents, evangelical Christians, and American Jews, deeply suspicious of Wright's close relationship with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. But he said renouncing the pastor would be like renouncing part of himself. In so doing, he thrilled African-American and liberal Democratic supporters but lost an opportunity to appeal to centrist voters, who will be critical to victory in November should he secure the Democratic presidential nomination.

Obama himself last week posted remarks online denying he'd ever heard Wright make controversial remarks in person.

[LINK to HuffPo “The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation.”]

One conservative website claims to have proof that Obama was indeed present for at least some of the controversial rhetoric last year.

[***“Obama's Church: Cauldron of Division”***] (8/9/07)

“Obama's Lead over Clinton Narrows: Reuters Poll”

Democrat Barack Obama's big national lead over Hillary Clinton has all but evaporated in the U.S. presidential race, and both Democrats trail Republican John McCain, according a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

The poll showed Obama had only a statistically insignificant lead of 47% to 44% over Clinton, down sharply from a 14 point edge he held over her in February when he was riding the tide of 10 straight victories.

McCain leads 46% to 40% in a hypothetical matchup against Obama in the November presidential election, according to the poll.

“CBS Poll: Pastor's Remarks Hurt Obama”

Democrats are especially apt to say their views are unchanged ; Republicans are the most likely to say their view has been affected; 36 percent [of independents] said it made their view less favorable.

“Poll: Wright Hurting Obama”

A new Rasmussen Reports poll shows that Sen. Barack Obama's campaign has suffered damage as a result of his relationship with controversial pastor Jeremiah Wright.

According to Rasmussen, Obama's favorable rating has dipped to 47% since Thursday, a drop of five points. At the same time, his unfavorable rating has jumped from 44% to 50% among all voters. Among white voters, that number goes up to 54%.

"John McCain continuing to hold a six-percentage point lead over both potential Democratic opponents." (3/19/08)

While the full impact of Obama’s speech will not be known for some time, early indications are that it may have helped Obama more in the Democratic Primary competition than in a potential General Election match-up. Obama is currently seen as having a 43.5% chance of becoming the next President while expectations for McCain are at 39.8%.

[Obama’s favorable ratings are down 8% since mid-February when he was viewed favorably by 56%, but as of Wed., 48% favorable, 49% unfavorable.]

“Just 8% Have Favorable Opinion of Pastor Jeremiah Wright”

Seventy-three percent (73%) of voters say that Wright’s comments are racially divisive. That opinion is held by 77% of White voters and 58% of African-American voters.

Most voters, 56%, said Wright’s comments made them less likely to vote for Obama. That figure includes 44% of Democrats. Just 11% of voters say they are more likely to vote for Obama because of Wright’s comments.

However, among African-Americans, 29% said Wright’s comments made them more likely to support Obama. Just 18% said the opposite while 50% said Wright’s comments would have no impact. [79% and people wonder why AA Dems such as Virgil Fludd aren’t trusted.]

Sixty-six percent (66%) of voters say they have read, seen, or heard news stories about Wright’s comments.

[Where has the other 1/3 been? Watching American Idol or listening to rap?]

and a good old slice of South GA watermelon and a ticket on the Grey Dog back to Chicago.

What a joker. He actually thinks he can win a knife fight with Bill and Hillary.

Jeff, you really think the Clinton's are going to let him win. I'm sure old Hillary has something a lot worse than Rev Wright to drag out at the Convention.

And I have to admit, it surprises me too. Here’s what I think: I think that the super delegates who will decide the election are not so enamored with the lovability of the Clintons (shocking, I know, and you may disagree) as with the fear that if the Clintons are crossed and then come into power, there will be repercussions that last through the 4 or 8 years of a Clinton administration. I think the Clinton campaign set this up as their best shot before Pennsylvania and it’s not going to end up working with the D’s. The R’s will have their shot later but that’s a different story. Right now, I believe the Clintons have taken their best shot and the supers are going to see that it’s not going to work and they will flock to Obama if they can be convinced that Obama will get the nomination (i.e. that Clinton cannot steal it, which is the only way that Obama can lose at this point). I keep hearing rumors that Obama has a block of 50 or more super delegates waiting to endorse him when it becomes apparent Clinton cannot win. This will happen before the convention and regardless of the outcome of Florida and Michigan. My analysis, honed within another group of very political people not represented here on this blog but with whom every delegate has to be justified, shows Obama needing 109 more super delegates after June 3. A mass endorsement of 50 supers will relegate the Clinton campaign to inevitable loser status, leading to a massive number of supers coming to Obama to end the thing with minimum bloodshed. The key here is not what Clinton can do but at what point can they safely be denied the power to retaliate. To be clearer, if it was quantum physics, this would be a collapsing probability wave.

Obviously this is just my opinion but I am becoming more and more convinced that the nomination is Obama’s and Clinton cannot stop it. Having said that, I am leaning slightly toward projecting McCain winning the election; but so close as to be too close to definitely call one way or the other. But that’s another story too.

I like Obama. I like McCain. There is a candidate that I do not prefer. It looks like the election is going to work out to my satisfaction.

A lot of the super delegate’s owe Bill and I am sure he’s going to put a lot of pressure on them to support Hillary.

There have been a few supers that thumbed their noses at Hillary like John Lewis, which was predictable John had to cover his own rear.

I realize with your connections, you have access to a lot more information than anyone on this site.

We’ll have to wait and see if your scenario plays out. If it does yeah stick a fork in her she’s done.

I still think old Slick Willy has another trick or two up his sleeve and If he does he’ll unleash the dogs on Obama.

He should have hired James Carville and Paul Begala from the start they would have shredded Obama by now.

I seriously think you are wrong. I think this is the Clinton’s best shot. But we’ll see, we’ll see. If it doesn’t happen before Pennsylvania it’s going to be useless so we’ll know in the next few weeks. I think they thought they were going to win the Michigan/Florida redo and Obama completely outfoxed them. Totally destroyed their Michigan strategy. It might hurt Obama in the general election, but for down and dirty politics, he wiped the floor with her and made it look like it was her fault. I’m awed. It is an amazing thing to watch but I think the Clinton’s have met their match. We’ll see, we’ll see. At least it’s interesting to watch, even if it turns into a train wreck.

I haven't heard the speech in its entirety yet, but I've heard some positive feedback from MOST of the "neutral" media so far.

However, Hannity of course is already ripping it to shreds as I post this.... succulent pieces of red meat for his audience (go get yer fill, Git, beav and beeper!).

I don't have cable. How am I going to tune in Hannity?

But give me some of that red meat. Eat Beef! Support my family.

________

"I'm Pro Choice - On Light Bulbs

that's where I heard his rant today, driving home (750 WSB, I believe).

You don't have cable?

I hate to say it but Hannity is as bad as Al Franken they both make me want to throw up.