RSS Feed for This PostCurrent Article

A Touch of Class (& OPEN THREAD)

By SusanUnPC on February 20, 2008 at 2:03 PM in Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Washington state

Please talk election results out of Pakistan, Kosovo, whatever. I’m working on another new post, but want to give you all a chance to talk other subjects. However, I just have to point this out: While Barack Obama interrupted Hillary Clinton’s speech last night — a breach of political etiquette — she had the class to call him directly and congratulate him, according to Huffington Post:

Moments after Sen. Barack Obama concluded his victory speech in Houston, Texas, his campaign received a call from Sen. Hillary Clinton congratulating him on his victory.

I don’t recall that he has EVER called her on a single of her state victories. I recall several reports that he did NOT call her after her victories. I hope I am wrong that he has NEVER called her, as is courteous practice following individual victories. Below, about Washington state’s primary results yesterday:

ALSO: While it was embarrassing to me personally that Washington state caucuses voted so strongly for Obama — and while it was immensely frustrating that the state Democratic party disenfranchised me since I couldn’t go to the caucus (nor could all the people who have to work on Saturdays, or are in hospitals or nursing homes or otherwise unable to get out) — it was heartening to open my local newspaper this morning, and see this A.P. report:

Obama, who had hammered Hillary Rodham Clinton in the state’s Feb. 9 caucuses, had a tougher battle among the broader electorate in the nonbinding, no-delegates primary.

Although he won the caucuses with 68 percent, he was struggling to break 50 percent against Clinton in the primary.

Thankfully, I mailed in my ballot well in advance. Even though I knew the state party had decided that my vote wouldn’t count for anything. At least the state Republicans allot a percentage of delegates to the results of the statewide popular vote.

(There’s no link to that A.P. report. I typed it from the newspaper story. But it’s probably up on the Web at GNews, and elsewhere.)

  • Simon

    Per Chicago magazine, re: rezko, and stuart levine:

    The two disguised the kickbacks as consulting fees or finders’ fees for themselves or as campaign donations to favored politicians, the government claims. The alleged fraud involved nine different bribery and extortion schemes spinning at once—what the U.S. attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, called “a pay-to-play scheme on steroids.” Levine, Rezko, and certain accomplices not identified by name in the indictment could have reaped more than $8 million if all the schemes had worked, prosecutors said.

    • grannyhelen

      Obama’s “Reagan” moment on Rezko:

      Responding to questions about Rezko and the home sale last month, the Obama campaign repeatedly cited the candidate’s on-the-record statements: “I don’t recall exactly” conversations about the house with Rezko; “I am not clear” how Rezko decided to join in the purchase; and “I may have mentioned to him the name of a [developer] and he may at that point have contacted that person.”

      Pressed for more details, the campaign declined to provide any that were not then part of the public record.

      link: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4315880&page=1

      My beef with this has been Obama’s mishandling of this thing. Hillary’s Hsu moment was successfully quelched, while this has dripped, dripped, dripped away…

      …it doesn’t inspired confidence for Obama’s readiness to take on the GOP sleeze machine in the GE.

      • Simon

        Hsu, though Is different, as Hsu is a fund raiser for many, without seeking to use his political candidates to extort funds or launder moneies, among other differences.

        Rezko goes straight back to Syria, is a friend of Auchi, maybe connected to the mob, and has lines that are direct to criminal activity.

        And isn’t Rezko part of a larger, organized RING?

        Big difference between the two, big big difference.

        • grannyhelen

          O I know – the point I was making is in “crisis management” – Hil’s good at it, O doesn’t seem to get it.

          • Simon

            OK, I missed it, sorry.

            • http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

              Simon, I wish you could cover the Rezko trial for us. I worry about the MSM covering it accurately — and getting the connections to Obama, which Fitzgerald is sure to bring into the trial.

              • Simon

                Thank you, Susan, I hope you’re feeling better.

                Rezkowatch has been a wonderful resource, as have the Chicago papers. The more I google, the more information I see, what is left unsaid, and I am astonished Obama felt he could get away with this, this level of corruption. The whole IL circle of Rezko fed politicians just stinks, and Obama was a large part of that ring.

                The man is simply not qualified to be President. (I will stay on top of it, and do my best to post.) Bush got away with Obama’s antics, but Bush was a Bush, Obama’s big protector was Rezko, at best, now, Kerry or Kennedy, and that still ain’t a Bush.

                Again, though, rezkowatch is a superior site, as are the London Times, and the Chicago papers.

                We dont hear it on the news, conflicting with the Obama narrative, I suppose (oh, Madonna writes another children’s book, how sweet) but many blogs, citizens are on top of it, really angry Obama isn’t being vetted, asking very intelligent questions.

                Where are the journalists?

  • John Witherspoon

    Sore loser much?

    Oh and yer wrong:

    http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/08/nh.main/index.html

    and since she had yet to acknowledge losing 8 straight, it was about time….

    Obama still won the primary, by the way…. But most people didn’t bother to vote, as it clearly isn’t going to count. Oh noes, he won a non binding primary by less of a percentage than he won a binding caucus! Looks like old hill is over… I, personally, hope you cry about it!

  • S. Markom

    This is out of control:

    “I’ll do whatever he says to do,” actress Halle Berry said to the Philadelphia Daily News. “I’ll collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear.”

    • Simon

      Scared, aren’t ya?

      Because no matter what happens, they know.

      And they don’t like it.

      • S. Markom

        Scared? No.

        Just pissed off.

        What do I have to do to have Halle Berry do something for me. :)

        • Jacek

          This is the BEST comment I have seen on this blog, so far.

          • Simon

            This is the BEST comment I have seen on this blog, so far.

            Are you hard up, too?

            Maybe you should go over to kos.

            I’m kidding…

            And MY original response was meant for J Witherspoon, sorry, I should have quoted.

            • S. Markom

              Maybe you should go over to kos.

              . . . if you enjoy being censured and put in blog prison:)

        • Simon

          What do I have to do to have Halle Berry do something for me.

          Ask her if she takes American Express.

    • http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

      What she said.

      (Oh god, some famous people just shouldn’t open their mouths. That’s so robot-like. Why doesn’t she just join Tom Cruise’s “religion.”)

      • S. Markom

        Why doesn’t she just join Tom Cruise’s “religion.”

        . . . because she has found a better religion in Obama which provides her with a real purpose and a mission . . . picking up paper cups.:)

      • John Witherspoon

        whats wrong with tom cruise’s religion? All religions are batshit crazy. Including yours. what makes one better than the next?

  • jarhead5536

    About him stepping on her speech. That was just rude, and I’m glad someone else called him on it. He is getting way too cocky for my taste…

    • Simon

      Deutsche Welle, Germany :

      Russia said on Wednesday, Feb. 20, that sending an EU mission to Kovoso would be a breach of international law, and called the plan symbolic of the West’s double standard in recognizing Kosovo’s independence from Serbia.

      The European Union has already agreed to send a mission to Kosovo, consisting of some 2,000 police officers, justice and customs officials to aid and train authorities there and help stabilize the region following Kosovo’s declaration of independence.

      Russia on Wednesday said Kosovo’s proclamation of independence was a “gross violation” of international law and said the EU mission had no legal basis since the decision was made without approval from the U.N. Security Council.

      “The European Union, unilaterally, and without any sanction from the UN Security Council, is sending a mission to Kosovo to ensure the supremacy of the law,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters at a news briefing with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan.

      “To put it mildly, it is a bitter irony that this mission to ensure the supremacy of the law in Kosovo is being sent in breach of the highest international law,” he continued.

      Fear separatist tension will spread

      Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
      Lavrov also repeated at the news conference Russia’s prior argument that existing Security Council resolutions say that Kosovo is part of Serbia.

      Russian President Vladimir Putin had already said last week that the West was guilty of double standards in pushing for Kosovo’s independence, a charge Lavrov reiterated.

      Furthermore, Russian said the West’s recognition of independence would stir up strife in the Balkans and would open up a “Pandora’s box” of separatist tension across Europe.

      Even the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church said Kosovo’s independence bring about disorder.

      “It is an … event which has unilaterally upset the balance in the world and could lead to very tragic events in a whole host of areas across the globe where separatist sentiments are warming up,” Patriarch Alexiy II said.

      “Former brutality negates moral rights”

      Russia is a close Serbian ally, and as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, opposed Kosovo from making its split from Belgrade.

      Kosovo delared its independence on Sunday, with the United States and many of Europe’s largest nations, including Germany, having recognized the state. Serbia has since recalled its ambassador from Berlin.

      Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Kosovo Albanians in Europe even celebrated Sunday’s declaration of independence
      The West has maintained that Serbia relinquished the moral right to rule the people of Kosovo due to brutality under the late Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

      Serbs, however, see Kosovo as the cradle of their culture and the region is home to numerous Orthodox monasteries, prompting Serbs to say they will never surrender the province.

      The EU is expected to deploy its mission by June. Authorities are to help oversee institution-building, and would have limited rights to help fight organized crime and corruption or track down war criminals.

      Kosovo has been a UN protectorate since 1999 when NATO carried out bombing raids to end a conflict between Serbian security forces and ethnic Albanian separatists. Technically, however, it remained part of Serbia.

      Do they all use the same PR firms?

      I could be reading spew out of Cheney camp.

      Obama only has Kos…

  • MItchman

    While Barack Obama interrupted Hillary Clinton’s speech last night

    It’s called a “concession speech” for a reason, Hillary was supposed to concede the contest (WI) and publically congratulate Obama. She didn’t and he didn’t let her get the TV airtime. Good for him.

    Maybe he does know how to play this political game after all.

    – Mitchman

    • Simon

      She didn’t and he didn’t let her get the TV airtime. Good for him.

      That’s called tit for tat, it’s obnoxious, indicative of a lack of class.

      Boy, you Obama supporters really DO have low standards, in everything from your intellectualism, to your candidates.

      And it shows.

      As long as we’re being honest…

      • Simon

        Did Russia officially start referring to Europe and America, as “the west?”

        Was this the reporter’s phrasing?

      • TeakWoodKite

        The only thing sharp from Obama’s camp are the elbows. But hey, it’s a contact sport. Get ready for the political speech of preemption and marginalization, where Obama as he has said after the March 4th contests “The Party will have to look at it.” as if game set match.
        I truley want to see a knock down drag out floor fight at the mile high convention…With viewers texting in a blow by blow score.

        OHHHH the Huuumanity… and the new Ice cream flavors…”Cherries for Change” mmmm

        Mushariff won’t step down…the ticker just said.

        • Simon

          The only thing sharp from Obama’s camp are the elbows

          And there are no sane minds in the Democratic party that truly understand the liability, the monkey, this man is carrying on his back?

          THIS is why democrats lose elections, btw.

        • Simon

          Why does there seem to be this animosity between the English, (speaking of the west and sharp elbows), and the Russians?

          Is there a recent historical precedence?

          I know the murder of the Russian “journalist”
          (plutonium in the tea) is an issue, is it that?

          • TeakWoodKite

            OIL + Bush

  • cloudy

    There’s a petition going round to get the FL and MI delegates seated. Please sign it here:

    http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/seatourdelegates/index.html

  • cloudy

    I know it’s not getting a lot of coverage anywhere, but the Hawaii caucus was ridiculous. After waiting 2 1/2 hours in line to cast my ballot I was handed a scrap piece of paper (they had run out of ballots) to write my vote on and asked to stuff it in an open envelope lying on a table. No one asked me for my license to verify my identity. The checkpoints to verify that I was legal and eligible to vote almost non-existent. Also, I was handed 3 scraps of paper so could have easily written in on all three and “voted”.

    • TeakWoodKite

      Post that to Brad blog…WOW.
      I presumme that Hawaii has voter id laws?

    • http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

      Are you kidding me? Yeah, at the 2004 caucus here, fortunately since I’d been trained in the caucus rules well by Howard Dean’s campaign materials, I was able to speak up about rules being broken. Pissed them off too. Private ballot is much fairer, and is controlled by county and state employees — it’s got a lot of problems too, but on the whole is far more honest.

      (We vote ALL absentee in this county to save money, and I’ve never heard a soul complain about the county clerk’s office’s handling of ballots. They’re honest. Whereas in caucuses, you have a bunch of party people who mostly don’t know what they’re doing, or don’t care to be honest. Including that old bat who’s the precinct committeewoman for my precinct. Funniest thing — she never called me to make sure I’d come to this year’s caucus and vote. I thought that’s what precinct committee people were for. To get out the vote. Huh.)

  • Patrick Henry

    Yes..Obama has a certain Air of Male Arrogance…and has especially displayed it toward Hillary in the dedbates many times in my opinion..when He Sticks His Chin Out..Head titled back..Looking down his Nose at Hillary..He hasd never really treated her nice during this Campaign and has looked for any excuse to put her down or Create False Flag Issues himself..

    Remember…There were Two George W. Bushs that became President TOO…The One who Campaigned as a Uniter…and the One who became a Power hungry Divider..Once He got elected..The american people even Fell for his sales Pitch Twice..thats how gullable the people can be ..when they just listen to the Talk and NOT at the Substance..When the Mass Media..and its enablers deliberately Control Public opinion…Because its all a Game to them..and THEY
    get off on knowing they Have The POWER to Control people..

    Susan..I Know what you mean…The State funds a useless Primary…forces people to choose Democrat or Republican or thier ballot is thrown out..and hen the Obama People know all they have to do is JAM the Precinct caucus ..to get the delegates..

    What an Unfair..UnDemocratic System..There is not much Hope..when You see Obama Playing the Same Old Game..for the same old Reasons..and knowing in Your heart is all Politics as Usual..with Brand new Super Bowls Adds..for a Better Sell..

    Thanks Susan for all your Hard work..and good Articles..at least here at No Quarter..I can read some REALITY BASED OPINIONS..

    I Believe in Larrys Rally Cry..”NEVER AGAIN”

    “NEVER AGAIN” “NEVER AGAIN”

    And shame on all the Men..who are only supporting Obama because he is a man too..and think Only a Man can Beat McCain..If you think Its time to end Racism
    in America by Supporting Obama for President..or even if you are doing just because he’s the “MAN” and he’s got the Momentum ..Black or Not…then I challenge you to also End the Predjudice and Sexism
    against Women as being Inferior..then I tell You..
    Hillary Clinton is MORE Qualified to be President that Barack Obama..and shame on all You Democrats for selling her out…If Obama wasn’t in the race You ALL would be Supporting Her..saying Good things about her and Cheering her On..

    Thats the Real TRUTH..

    • John Witherspoon

      Uh, why cant hillary JAM the caucuses with her people? oh right, she doesnt have as many. What part of a caucus is undemocratic now? Smoke smoke craaaack!

      • Simon

        Uh, why cant hillary JAM the caucuses with her people? oh right, she doesnt have as many.

        It’s an internecine move, that is hurting Obama, even if he’s too stupid to get it.

        That’s why.

        And it’s cheating.

        • http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

          Yeah, and with a bunch of young kid who’ve never bothered to pay attention much to politics before. I think I told you here about the longtime Democratic consultant Kathy Allen of Seattle who went to her Seattle caucus, and got drowned out by the young kids — they told her she was the OLD way. She is NOT. She is wonderful, dynamic, and has worked her ass off for Democrats for decades. They wouldn’t even know that of course. They’ve probably never lifted a finger for a single Democratic race before.

          • John Witherspoon

            my caucus in seattle was 4 young people to 93 people over 35. Obama still got 4 out of 5 delegates, and 3 of the 4 young people, including me, were uncommitted because we weren’t fool enough to like either candidate (I described it as the empty suit vs lieberman lite). On obama’s side was Jim Street, who has held elected office in seattle, and is about 60. Hows that for an anecdote?

      • Mike Howell

        The working poor have to work.

        College kids have nothing better to do with their time.

        Their idea of civic participation is voting in a caucus for the hiphop channel candidate.

    • TeakWoodKite

      If you think its time to end Racism
      in America by Supporting Obama for President

      The issue of race will be come more charged than ever in this country as an unintended consequense if Sen. Obama if he wins. Why?

      Because every thing I have heard, seen or witnessed as it relates to Obama and the foaming at the mouth MSM is about race. Name me an ethnic group that has not been sliced and diced, with the underlying current growing stronger but always below the radar.
      Obama has not had a presser to address this and he won’t because it works in his favor to keep it polorized.

      Under the hard cold light of reality, bigotry and racism are alive and well in the US and just not in the typical sense of the words either. Obama is not a “vision” guy contray to the what alot of people have been sy-op’ed to believe.
      Obama:
      “We are tying them up in a straightjacket and forcing them into a conversation only with the converted. ” Bingo! Asymmetrical racism

  • Alan L.

    The Obama supporters are absolutely the biggest jerks I have ever seen. While they are gleefully insulting Clinton at every turn, they are apparently too stupid to realize that without a lot of votes from her supporters, their candidate can’t win in November. Or maybe many of them don’t really care about that, and all they want to do is get rid of Clinton. Whatever, I can already count several Clinton votes which Obama won’t be getting.

    • James D

      Exactly. Their candidate preaches about ‘unity’, ‘bridging the divide, yet his followers take every chance to insult us Hillary supporters. You need us if you want to win the white house come November.

  • http://thumbsnap.com/v/78mn2yFc.jpg 1Watt, eggumacated
    • TeakWoodKite

      1 Watt:I think came from

      http://www.thespywhobilledme.com/the_spy_who_billed_me/

      an interesting read. Reminds me of the advance rocket motor designs for the new version of the shuttle were down loaded from a nasa contrator…
      Billions in US R&D down the tubes.

      • http://thumbsnap.com/v/78mn2yFc.jpg 1Watt, eggumacated

        yes, just giving Agonist credit for pointing it out to me, they link to your link.

        • TeakWoodKite

          Same to you for the reminder to check the spywhobilled me.. :)