@68 (S.D.) — I couldn’t agree more. There is no perfect candidate, and Barack surely isn’t one. But to say that anybody who supports him is ignorant only shows the ignorance of the people making that assertion.

#75 — GREAT! IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO GET YOUR TICKET FOR THE OBAMA TRAIN…WOOT WOOT……LOL!!!

Ohh and for those who have proven evidence that McCain will rip Obama to shreds but that Hillary can beat McCain, please present it. I’m always open for new information and knowledge ( I guess its a black thing.) But in the mean time, check this out..

http://www.cnn.com/2008/P...hups.schneider/index.html

YAAAAAHHHHHH! ALL ABOARD THE OBAMA TRAIN! WOOT WOOT! CHANGE HERE WE COME! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

Yes We Can! Yes We Can! **Bust out w/ the butterfly**.. Yes We Can! This is fun!

YES WE CAN!

*Does the Soulja boy*

@ #52
Yeah, Obama has a lot of showmanship. I am Team Obama, but I am beginning to get concerned that he is a good salesman rather than the fact that he has a good product to offer.

Uh Ohhh!
Yes We Can! Yuuuuuuulee LoL A

COME ON THE TRAIN AND RIDE IT, WOOT WOOT! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

…………WAIT……………….

Yes we can to what?

………………………
…………………..
…………….
……….
…..
…
.

WHO CARES I LOVE HIS SPEECHES! WOOT! CHANGE! CHANGE! CHANGE! YES WE CAN!

Hillary’s supporters are threatened at best. They’re terrified that Barack will be in the final election. Notice how they can never give any good reasons as to why we should vote for Hillary.

They’re expecting her to take TX, Ohio, and PA. I’m telling you now, it is still not going to end for Obama.

I just love how “whitey” Hillary supporters continuosly love to pull the race card. If Clinton goes head to head with McCain come Novemver, her ass is gonna lose without a doubt. Barack would have a better chance.

#83,

You said you weren’t team Obama at all before. And how do you know Hillary aint just a good..well bad salesman? Any of the candidates can be lying about what they plan to do..

#85 (Huh?)

Oh you forgot? Yes we can to change! (continues hitting the electric slide). Yes we can to universal health care without garnishing people’s wages (Like Ol Hill plans to do)! Yes we can to increased support for ex-offenders to decrease rates or re-entry back into prison (a subject that Ms. Hill aint even touched on yet)! YES WE CAN! (STOMP!)

@ 87

YES WE CAN TO INCREASED TAXES! WOOT!

YES WE CAN TO ENDING THE WAR AND BEING PUT IN A VULNERABLE POSITION! WOOT!

YES WE CAN TO A POOR ECONOMY! WOOT!

YES WE CAN PUT OUR FUTURE IN THE HANDS OF SOMEONE WITH INSPIRING RHETORIC! WOOT!

YES WE CAN SAY WE WILL MAKE A CHANGE, BUT OFFER NO CLEAR ANSWER AS TO WHY! WOOT!

YES WE CAN BRAINWASH PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN A FALSE MESSAGE! WOOT!

YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

get it bama!

The San Antonio express which is the most popular news paper among latinos (San Antonio is litterally 70% latino) has ENDORSED BARRACK OBAMA:

Editorial: Obama better choice for Democratic nod

San Antonio Express-News

America needs a president that tries to create unity out of diversity, marshalling all the forces — red, blue or purple — that make this country great.

Sen. Barack Obama is the Democratic candidate that offers the best chance to reach that lofty objective.

Obama is generating so much excitement that Sen. Hillary Clinton, once leading comfortably in the polls, is bracing for the fight of her life.

The Democratic nomination battle reflects the unique qualities each candidate brings to the table, qualities that center on character more than issues.

The rivals differ little when it comes to their positions, except on health care; Clinton favors mandated insurance, while Obama proposes a system that is affordable for everyone, leaving it up to the individuals to decide whether they want to sign up.

But the main difference comes down to approach. Obama expresses a message of hope that emphasizes what is good for the country, not the party.

Obama tends to falter in debates, his words sometimes unable to express the passion he feels inside. On the campaign trail, however, it is a different story, his words ringing with a clarity and energy that have been missing from a bitterly divided political landscape.

Clinton talks about her vast edge in experience, but much of it came as first lady, when her attempt to reform health care proved a colossal failure, mainly because of her inability to do what Obama advocates — reach across the aisle.

Before he was elected to the U.S. Senate, Obama earned a law degree from Harvard Law School, worked as a community organizer, taught law at the University of Chicago professor and spent eight years as a state senator in Illinois.

He has spent less time in Washington than Clinton, but he lacks the polarizing baggage that undoubtedly would hamper a Clinton presidency. And the fact that he is less embedded in the traditional ways of Capitol Hill has real advantages.

In addition, Clinton and her husband are running a campaign that has been, at turns, nasty and undignified. The Clinton team’s win-at-all-costs approach is a turn off to many voters, who are ready to leave today’s dysfunctional political culture behind.

Obama he may have a hard time translating his words into action. But embracing his message of hope and a new approach to American politics is a far preferable gamble than the prospect of another era of Clinton politics.

Just because some of you are unfamiliar with Obama and his credentials, it doesn’t mean the rest of us are. You can post as many comments as you want, but you will not sway myself or anyone away from Obama. I’ve come to realize that some people hate to see others so excited and enthustiatic about Obama. If you don’t have faith in his abilities that’s fine, but some of us do, and will continue to do so regardless of how many quotes your pull from newspaper or silly top ten list you create. I’m not sure if your trying to prove a point of some sort, but trust me, your not suceeding at it.

If you are undecided - then do some research. If you have choosen a candidate -then you should support him or her. And if you don’t plan to vote at all - then step aside so that the people who are participating in the process can get to work. This is not romper room, it’s a presidential election. I find some of the comments I read on these politcal post to be extremely immature.

I am an Obama supporter and I am an extremely informed voter. He is not just the best candidate in the race, but the best candidate the democratic party has seen in years. America will be missing out on a great oppourtunity by not electing this man. He’s the only person in the race capable of truely moving this country in the right direction. I hope that anyone who’s on the fence about Obama takes the time to research his past (community organizer, civil rights lawyer, law proffessor, state senator, us senator). I garuntee you, you will see this man has the character, principle and track record to lead!

OBAMA 08′

I have to address the Mc Cain supporter first. I’m an independent, usually leaning to the right. Was a strong supporter of John Mc Cain for quite sometime, but now I give my vote and all my support to Barrack. John Mc Cain is a good candidate, but frankly he doesn’t even have strong support from grassroot conservatives. Republicans have been such a strong force in politics for so long because of their ability to attack Democrats, and potray them as weak on national security and a detrement to the economy. Now things have changed, Bush’s mistakes have forced many people to take a closer look a politics. Their despise for the failures of the Republican party is the engine to the Democratic party’s cleanup truck. Mc Cain is uninspring, and lacks the ability to convince his own party he is a conservative. Meanwhile Barrack is convincing America, bit by bit, that we are ready and excited about our first black president. People can go on and on about how all these people gonna eat him alive, but the Republicans have more bark than bite. Barrack’s biggest inhibitor is the messed up system of the Democrats, where so called “super delegates” make up 40% of the vote. Yes, they should have power but it should be limited. And, people who are no longer active politicians shouldn’t be voting either. You’re gonna have alot of ex Bill Clinton Administration workers voting between Barrack and Hillary. Now thats fair politics for you.

I meant ex governors, and senators who are considered “super delegates”. They should not have a more powerful voice than the ordinary citizen. Especially in such a case where some of the people who worked under Bill Clinton have to choose the wife of their ex boss or some “new jack” {as he will be consdidered}

#89 (Huh)

Hold up. So you support the war in Iraq? WOW… Ok, now I can’t even respond to you no more. You’ve proven your point (which is that you are pointless)

OBAMA 08

Excellent posts from #91 and 92. Very well said.

clinton will get pa, tx, and oh and if it comes down to it. they need to give hillary her delegats from winning florida adn michigan.

clinton 08

Its pretty much neck & neck I see.

Don’t believe the hype It is not just Black Voters that is causing Barack Obama to win he is also winning in states like Utah,Nebraska,and Colorado and this is just to name a few of the states.I’m a Black woman born and raised in Denver and when he came to DU to speak. It was truly amazing it was thousands of us out there standing in line in the cold of January meaning “people” black, white, asian, spanish all there for one reason, because we truly believe in change and that Barack Obama is the best candiate right here and right now to lead us into the future. How can we expect a different out come if we keeping using the same players. I’am soo excited about witnessing this in my generation. I recommend for al the upcoming primarys and caucus’s support Obama 08. Make your vote count.

I”m sick of people asking the question if i’m just voting for him because he is black. To that I ask you are you voting agaisnt him because he’s black. Honestly I believe everything he stands for when it comes to what i want my america to look like and my daughters America to look like the fact the man is black is just icing on the cake. I swell with pride and believe YES WE CAN!!.

THIS WILL BE MY FIRST TIME VOTING AND IM SO HAPPY.

THIS WILL BE MY FIRST TIME VOTING AND IM SO HAPPY.

i am soooooooooooo glad about last night. not only did obama win, he straight mollywocked clinton’s shady self. people, please elevate beyond the racial side of politics. it truly shows ignorance and barack has so much more to offer than a pound on the black-hand side. do not be fooled by the propaganda. RESEARCH COMPLETELY and be honest with yourself. make informed desisions..i sure have…OBAMA ‘08!!!!!!!!!!!!

@ huh? 88
SHUT THE FUCK UP ….
YES WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERANCE
YES WE CAN MAKE BETTER HEALTH CARE
YES WE CAN BRING DOWN THE OVERSEAS THREATS TOWARD AMERICA
YES WE CAN CREATE UNITY
YES WE CAN GET RID OF A DYNASTY
YES WE CAN PROVE THAT YOUR IGNORANCE IS NO LONGER NEEDED THANK YOU!!!

“Huh” is an ignorant idiot. He/she is best left ignored. Anywho. Obama just won Maine.

Obama: 57%
Clinton: 42%

He should be able to get TX and Ohio as well. It looks as if Texas could be right up his sleeve. Hispanics are already endorsing him over in San Antonio.

Barack Obama for our 08 President.

Ok to everyone who was saying that Obama supporters seemed like cult members….that is not true that what happens when people r truly passionate about somebody. Admit or not…Sen. Obama is the JFK of our times….but some people are afraid of change and moving forward. If this was slavery times they prob. would be the ones sayin “theres no need to be free master good to us”. LOL!!! Its time for a change America…and I believe Mr. Obama will be the one who brings it to America.
Obama OHHHH eight!!!!!!!

LMAO @” Don’t complain when she starts to increase the taxes on Korean lacefront glue.”

#25 ONEMIL02 Said: “Side note, I saw an earlier comment about him being a “Rock star.” My god, I tell you so I guess a rock star can run the white house. Still shows people are voting for him for the wrong reasons.”

- You sound like a repressed idiot. Learn to comprehend analogies and stop hating.

I am not going to argue with Hillary supporters (it’s pointless). I just have one question, why is it so hard to believe that African Americans are voting for Barack because of his stance on the issues and not his skin color?

I have yet to here why I should vote for Hillary from her supporters lol.

Anyways Barack is in my prayers everyday and if the presidential nod is for him he will get it. It dose not matter what America thinks if God wants him to have then he will get it. I’m proud of him either way.

Barack 08

We got Maine! We Got Maine! I guess it’s because of the black vote there too huh?

OBAMA JUST TOOK MAINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OBAMA 08′

It’s good that there is at least debate about the issues. Just get out and vote. But it does get to me about it being the black vote propelling Obama forward. I do wonder what the spin will be for the Maine vote. Anyway, we all have our different reasons for supporting the candidate that we like, but hopefull it is based on research not just impulse, however, the honest truth is that I have to like both the candidate’s stand on issues as well as have a good feeling about who they are as a person and leader.

OBAMA for 2008!!

#59

let’s keep it real-obama is more ELECTABLE then hillary

Obama won a Grammy!

Well he won Maine - so let the Obama train roll on. You know aside from his policies and the so-called emotion of his supporters I think he lives his life above-board, disciplined and positive. He’s not perfect, but he attracts this energy. I’m beginning to understand what “The Secret” is all about and Kaballah and other philosophical/religious/etc training and teachings are all about. That’s why he’s been so successful. If he’d gone on negative attack campaign mode against Billary he may have been derailed by now. That’s also why their negativity is backfiring on them right now. So it’s all good. And you know even if he doesn’t get the nomination or win he’s really already WON because he has inspired so many people to take action, get involved in the gov’t and believe that they can make a difference. And I for one am very grateful for that gift. He helps us realize how wonderful we all are.

OBAMA WINS A GRAMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This man is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!

Here’s the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zra956hgy30

@ 63, like the KKK?When their own was voting for their own.I think some of you need to watch the History channel and learn the dirt and read on what happen and what is still happening.And you see that picture?Is it all just black people?So are those white folks just and IGNORANT too?Or is it just black people?I also hate that CNN tried to make it 82% blacks voting for Obama (NE), if its 82, what about the 18%?They making it a race thing and it’s kind of making me sick to my stomach.I lived in Omaha,NE and there’s not that many blacks up there.I mean BARELY.A lot of Latinos, but not many blacks.Once again I’m not even going to pay attention to the news.

I’m still undecided, but I’m about 75% towards one particular candidate.
I just wanted to add that in doing my research for each candidate, I really didn’t get caught up too much on the platforms per se because I know most presidential platforms never see the light of day anyway. Not to mention Obama and Clinton’s platforms really only differ on a few things. I try to look more at philosophies and what kind of ideas the person will bring to the table and also whether I think the person is tough enough for the job.
Three things I wish people would realize and put in perspective:
1) The president only has so much power. All these ideas on healthcare reform, etc, are just that ideas. So to hear people say what Obama or Clinton are “going to do” as if it is a given is a bit naive. There is such a thing called CONGRESS. Which leads to my 2nd point…
2) I wish people would not only pay attention to the presidential race every 4 years and be this excited and involved for every LOCAL election. Congressman, senators, state delegates and senators, etc. These politicians do more to DIRECTLY affect you than the president does. Bills have to go through Congress, through those same ppl that YOU elected…well that’s if you vote more often than every 4 years.
3) I wish people would remember that McCain, Clinton, Obama, etc, they are POLITICIANS. And all politicians lie. They say what needs to be said to win. It’s a matter of us, holding them accountable to their “promises”. That’s not done nearly enough. So, I am trying to see past the smokescreen of “hope” and “change” and look at it for what it is. These are all politicians making big promises, but don’t forget that they can’t forget who got them elected (i.e. $$). There are probably so many behind the scenes deals going on right now…I don’t even want to know. But, my point is, don’t just put that on one particular candidate, they are ALL doing it b/c remember they are politicians.
Oh, last thing, technically every campaign can tout “change” as a mantra b/c ANYONE besides Bush will be a change. I think I’m annoyed with the over-use of that word. lol
So in short, I’m not going to bash anyone for their choice, but just make it an informed decision and keep it in perspective, don’t get caught in the hype. This is real. We are in a war. The economy is in the toilet. It will get worse before it gets better. This is a pivotal election. Make your choice carefully and wisely.

[...] has been a great weekend for Obama; he won Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington on Saturday. He also gained all three of the Virgin [...]

Obama wins big in Maine caucuses
Clinton shakes up her campaign, replacing manager
Katharine Q. Seelye, New York Times

Monday, February 11, 2008

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(02-11) 04:00 PST Virginia Beach, Va. — Sen. Barack Obama tallied his fourth decisive victory of the weekend in a state nominating contest on Sunday, winning the Maine caucus, as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton replaced her campaign manager and longtime aide in the biggest shakeup of her campaign to date.

In a fast-paced day of developments, and with the candidates facing another big round of contests on Tuesday, Clinton replaced Patti Solis Doyle, who has led her campaign since it began last year, with another longtime aide, Maggie Williams. The switch was seen as a way for the campaign to send a signal to donors and other supporters that it was regrouping and was poised to right itself.

Hours before the Clinton campaign announcement was made, Obama was intensifying his criticisms of Clinton, and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, questioning their ability to bridge the nation’s political divide and achieve change.

The Clinton camp also confirmed that Hillary Clinton had met secretly with former Sen. John Edwards on Thursday in North Carolina. Edwards, who has dropped out of the race, has not endorsed anyone and he is being courted by both candidates, who hope his backing will give them a crucial push over the top, as the race comes down to a state-by-state battle for delegates.

On top of it all, Obama beat Bill Clinton for a Grammy, winning the spoken word award for the audiobook version of his memoir, “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.”

Both campaigns spent the day focused on the Potomac region, with voters in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia preparing to vote Tuesday. And both campaigns found their planes rerouted late in the day because of high winds and brush fires.

Earlier in the day, at a high school gym in Alexandria, Va., Obama said the Clintons had been unable to assemble a working majority in Congress in the 1990s, when Bill Clinton was president.

“She’s a smart person, she’s a capable person, she would be a vast improvement over the incumbent,” Obama said in response to a question at a rally with 3,000 people, with 1,200 more listening in an overflow room. “What is also true is, I think it’s very hard for Sen. Clinton to break out of the politics of the last 15 years.”

Obama said the country is divided politically, with about 47 percent on each side and the rest in the middle, and that Clinton would be unable to bring people together.

Obama said he would be able to create a working majority because he does not demonize his opponents and because he has been able to attract independents and Republicans.

Clinton was campaigning nearby at the time and dealing with the resignation of Doyle, with whom she has had an almost mother-daughter relationship, and the announcement of Williams as her successor. Williams was her chief of staff when Clinton was first lady, and is widely seen as someone who can deal frankly with Clinton on the most sensitive matters.

The shakeup came as Clinton’s sliver of hope for February, in Maine, disappeared. She had been hopeful because Maine’s demographics - blue-collar voters who are older and make less than $50,000 - fit the profile of voters who have supported her elsewhere.

But Maine is a caucus state, and Obama has won almost all caucuses, which depend on deep organization and a passionate following. With turnout high, despite heavy snow throughout the state, Obama won big, 18 points over Clinton.

In the overall race for the nomination, Clinton now leads with 1,136 delegates, including separately chosen party and elected officials known as superdelegates. Obama has 1,108.

Clinton’s supporters were increasingly surprised that Obama had out-organized her in state after state, and those losses added to their concern.

The stream of losses came at the same time that the campaign announced it was low on money and had required a $5 million loan from Hillary Clinton to keep going. The campaign has raised more than $10 million since Feb. 1, but the image of a campaign in trouble has lingered.

The campaign had braced for a shakeup ever since Clinton lost Iowa, but it was delayed because Clinton won New Hampshire. At that point, Williams, a longtime friend of Clinton’s, had been worked into the campaign structure anyway. Over time, “it just became untenable for both of them to be essentially sharing the same job,” as one campaign ally put it, speaking of Williams and Doyle.

Obama’s win in Maine, after decisive victories on Saturday in Washington state, Louisiana and Nebraska, positioned him to sweep the contests this month until the calendar flips to March. At that point, the campaign moves to Texas and Ohio, where polls suggest voters are more favorable to Clinton.

Delegate count
Democrats

Clinton: 1,136

Obama: 1,108

Needed to nominate: 2,025

Total delegates: 4,049

Republicans

McCain: 719

Huckabee: 234

Paul: 14

Needed to nominate: 1,191

Total delegate: 2,380

Source: Associated Press

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

February 10th, 2008 9:16 PM Eastern
Obama Wins Maine
by Bonney Kapp
Barack Obama won Maine handily tonight - an “upset” per the Obama campaign, even though the polls going into today’s caucus favored Obama. According to his campaign manager, “Obama has now won 20 contests to Clinton’s 11; he’s won a larger share of the popular vote; and he’s projected to more than triple his current pledged delegate lead since Super Tuesday from 27 pledged delegates to 84, a net gain of 57 pledged delegates.”

Here’s what he told some 18,000 in Virginia Beach after he heard the results.

And the memo sent out by the Obama Camp:

Today, Obama won an upset victory in Maine, a state where internal and external polls had Clinton leading in the days leading up to the caucuses. Obama is projected to win 15 delegates to Clinton’s 9, capping off an Obama sweep of this weekend’s contests.

Barack Obama has won nearly twice as many states as Hillary Clinton. He won a Red State, Purple State, and Blue States this weekend – showing he has broad national appeal and can win in every corner of this country. Obama has now won 20 contests to Clinton’s 11; he’s won a larger share of the popular vote; and he’s projected to more than triple his current pledged delegate lead since Super Tuesday from 27 pledged delegates to 84, a net gain of 57 pledged delegates.

This weekend’s net gain of 57 pledged delegates represents more than the 42 delegate net gain that Clinton won in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Tennessee and Arizona – combined.

While Obama’s victories demonstrate his broad national appeal, he still faces an uphill battle in every upcoming contest because the Clintons are far better known and have a political machine that’s been honed over two decades. But the more voters get to know Obama and his message of change, the more they support him, which bodes well for the upcoming primaries.

Obama’s victories reflect what a recent Time poll confirmed the other day – that he is the candidate best suited to win Independents, play well in Red States, and beat John McCain in November. As the nominee, Obama will also help down-ballot Democrats get elected to Congress across the country, especially in those Red States where Democrats haven’t fared well for decades. So Obama won’t just win an election, he’ll win a new majority for change, so we can finally solve the problems we’ve been talking about for decades.

Clinton Shifts Campaign Chief as Obama Sweeps Weekend Contests

By Mark Drajem and Kristin Jensen

Feb. 11 (Bloomberg) — Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton replaced her campaign chief as rival Barack Obama won Maine’s caucus vote, sweeping the weekend contests.

Obama won about 60 percent to 40 percent for Clinton in Maine yesterday, where 24 pledged delegates will be split proportionally. Obama scored victories in the Louisiana primary, caucuses in Washington and Nebraska, and the Virgin Islands convention a day earlier. Voters in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia go to the polls tomorrow.

“The momentum has clearly shifted to Obama,” said Stephen Wayne, a government professor at Georgetown University in Washington.

Clinton yesterday replaced campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle, who has run the New York senator’s campaign since she entered the presidential race in January 2007, with longtime adviser Maggie Williams. Solis Doyle, who will remain as a senior adviser, said she was stepping aside and cited the strain of the extended fight for the nomination.

“This has already been the longest presidential campaign in the history of our nation, and one that has required enormous sacrifices from all of us and our families,” Solis Doyle said.

Concern

Clinton’s staff shift is a sign of concern, said Steffen Schmidt, a professor of political science at Iowa State University.

“When a campaign changes managers at a crucial moment as the finish line is within view it means there is something not right,” he said.

The Clinton campaign didn’t make the change because it was worried about the nomination fight, Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said. “We’re doing great,” he said. “It’s a competitive race.”

Clinton, 60, and Obama, 46, an Illinois senator, are neck and neck in the race for the nomination.

At least 2,025 delegates are needed to win the Democratic nomination. Both campaigns have said they expect a protracted fight that may go on through the last primary in June. Before the Maine vote, Obama had 910 pledged delegates to 887 for Clinton, based on unofficial counts tallied by thegreenpapers.com, a nonpartisan Web site that compiles election statistics.

The tally doesn’t include the 796 so-called super delegates, Democratic Party officials and officeholders who aren’t bound by primary or caucus results and can back whomever they choose.

Obama’s campaign estimated he would win 15 of Maine’s pledged delegates to nine for Clinton.

`Civil’ Fight

Clinton, in an interview with CBS News’s “60 Minutes,” said the fight for the Democratic nomination has been “incredibly civil by modern standards,” and she will be able to better withstand attack ads by Republicans during the general election campaign.

“Until you have been through this experience, you have no idea what it’s like,” said the former first lady. “And I think that I am much better prepared and ready to, you know, withstand whatever comes my way.”

Both Clinton and Obama are courting the endorsement of former presidential candidate John Edwards. Clinton met with Edwards on Feb. 7 at his home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, said Elleithee. He declined to comment further about the meeting, saying it was a private conversation.

Obama and Edwards

A spokesman for Obama said he had no information about a possible meeting between Obama and Edwards.

The contests in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia tomorrow will determine 168 delegates, the most since 22 states held Democratic primaries or caucuses on Feb. 5.

Obama, who picked up the endorsement of the Baltimore Sun yesterday, is ahead of Clinton in both Virginia and Maryland, polls show.

Obama leads by 53 percent to 37 percent in Virginia, according to a poll published in the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk yesterday. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

Obama campaigned in suburban Virginia yesterday, accompanied by Governor Tim Kaine and Representative Jim Moran. He spoke at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia.

Clinton campaigned in Manassas, Virginia, and Bowie, Maryland, yesterday. She canceled an appearance in Roanoke, Virginia, when severe winds prevented her plane from taking off from the District of Columbia area.

In Louisiana, Obama had 57 percent compared with 36 percent for Clinton. Obama had 68 percent of the votes in Washington to 31 percent for Clinton, and 68 percent to Clinton’s 32 percent in Nebraska.

Obama also won the three pledged delegates available in the territorial convention in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Associated Press reported.

To contact the reporters on this story: Mark Drajem in Washington at mdrajem@bloomberg.net ;

Last Updated: February 11, 2008 00:09 EST

I I am a Jamaican living in Barbados but I have been so intrigued with the race for the White House. Its a historical moment when I see Martin Luther’s dream unfolding before the world. An African American man having the audacity to change leadership, governance and the world. I urge all black Americans to vote for change. Never mind the naysayers who are afraid of change and their own power to propel that change. Black people, get up, stand up and fight for your right. The time is now. Who would have thought we would live to see this day. This is history in the making, be a part of it. Obama is the man.

Obama takes aim at McCain
VIDEO: Obama wins Maine
EVAN VUCCI/AP
Barack Obama, with a surging delegate count, speaks during a rally at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., yesterday. Email story
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U.S. election coverage Interactive: U.S. Primary Tracker Democratic race results Feb 9 & 10 AP Video: Clinton responds to ‘pimped’ comment AP Video: Huckabee ‘ices’ Colbert Canucks catch U.S. election fever AP Video: McCain wins big AP Video: NY Times endorses Clinton, McCain AP Video: Obama’s N.H. concession speech AP Video: Bill Clinton on Obama ‘fairytale’ AP Video: Clinton’s ‘moment’ Voices: Hillary Clinton’s ‘moment’ CAMPAIGN SITES
Hillary Clinton (Democrat) Mike Huckabee (Republican) John McCain (Republican) Barack Obama (Democrat) Democratic presidential hopeful looking ahead to Republicans as Clinton has campaign shakeup

Feb 11, 2008 04:30 AM
Tim Harper
WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON–In shifts both subtle and significant, Barack Obama has begun looking past Hillary Clinton to a general election matchup with Republican John McCain, telling voters how his presidency will change the world’s perception of America.

He is doing so as the perception of the Democratic race is also changing, a reassessment fuelled by Obama’s fourth victory of the weekend yesterday in the Maine caucuses and a shakeup at the top of the Clinton campaign.

Obama’s Maine victory comes on the heels of sweeping victories he racked up Saturday in Washington state, Louisiana and Nebraska and amid expectations he could repeat the feat tomorrow when Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia all vote in the so-called “Potomac Primary.”

The Clinton camp sought to couch the resignation of campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle as part of a “seamless” transition. But it comes in the midst of what is promising to be a grim month for the New York senator, who has fallen behind in pledged delegates and the money race to her younger challenger from Illinois.

She had sought her port in her February storm in Maine with its 24 delegates, but Obama won the caucus handily.

Solis Doyle, a long-time aide to Clinton, will remain with the campaign but will be replaced at the top by Maggie Williams, another close confidante of the candidate.

At a rally yesterday in a Virginia suburb of Washington, Obama fleshed out his policy on Latin America and Africa and said he would have credibility in the Muslim world that no previous president had.

He also addressed a voter from his native Hawaii who said her heart was “torn” because her 9-year-old son adored the Illinois senator, but her husband was knocking on doors in support of Clinton.

“The day I am inaugurated, I think this country looks at itself differently,” Obama told the woman.

To put the exclamation point on the weekend, Obama even won a Grammy award for the spoken edition of his book The Audacity of Hope, beating out, among others, former president Bill Clinton.

Obama also appears to have now taken the lead in delegates chosen by voters, while Clinton maintains a slim lead overall thanks to her support among the so-called “superdelegates” comprised of elected Democrats and party brass.

She is attempting to tread water until March 4, when she believes Ohio and Texas can revive a flagging campaign.

Obama stressed his electability yesterday. Clinton, he said, starts with 47 per cent of the country against her. “That’s a tough place to start,” he said.

Obama said he has the ability to bring people together because he refuses to “demonize” opponents and can forge the working majority needed in the U.S. Congress to enact his policies.

“It is very hard for Senator Clinton to break out of the politics of the last 15 years,” he said in Alexandria, Va. He also reminded his backers that Bill Clinton was president in 1994 when Democrats lost the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, a number of governors and state houses in mid-term elections.

“Regardless of what policies they wanted to promote, they didn’t have a working majority for change,” he said.

His ability to reach out to independents and disaffected Republicans is the reason why he consistently outperforms Clinton in polls testing Democratic support against McCain, Obama said.

“That’s where it matters.”

In Manassas, Va., Clinton told supporters she is constantly asked by supporters why she is being so specific in her stump speeches.

In an apparent swipe at Obama, she said she has taken that campaign tack because she wants voters to hold her accountable.

“People come to me all the time and say, `why don’t you just give us one of those great rhetorical flourishes and get everybody all whooped up?’” she said.

Obama, in a question-and-answer with supporters, said the U.S. had neglected Latin America under George W. Bush and he said he would meet Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

He said Chavez was consolidating power, had “despotic tendencies” and was using oil money to fan anti-Americanism, “but it is not enough to say `I oppose (Cuba’s Fidel) Castro and I oppose Chavez and that’s the end of it.”

He said Latin America will no longer be a junior partner in its relationship with Washington, and he will travel the region to talk to leaders about human rights, political prisoners in Cuba and hemispheric trade ties.

He also accused Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki of being unwilling to ensure votes were properly counted in that country’s recent election which sparked ethnic tension and tribal clashes that killed thousands, damaged tourism in the country and drained its coffers.

“The transitioning of power peacefully is something African leaders must embrace,” he said.

The most poignant moment of the day, however, came when he tried to sell the woman from Hawaii on his candidacy over Clinton’s, bringing her 9-year-old son up on stage.

He spoke of his birth in Hawaii, to a Kansas mother and a Kenyan father, as well as his childhood time spent in Indonesia.

Her son, one day, will look at America’s 44th president and think, “hey, he’s got a funny name like me,” Obama said.

He said he would change the perception of the presidency in the U.S., but also the perception of America in the world because when he travels to Africa, he would have credibility not just because he knows the leaders, but he knows the people. And when he travels to Muslim countries, he could say he knows the leaders but also the culture of the Muslim nations he visits.