Monthly archives: October, 2008

Barack Obama Democratic News Elections

jobs underemployment

According to our friends at Progress Illinois, a surge in underemployment in Illinois has kept the the Prairie State higher than the national average for seven of the last eight calendar years.

Underemployment figures in Illinois for the year 2007 were at 8.6%, while the national average was 8.1%, according to figures released by the Economic Policy Institute.

According to the EIP:

At 11%, the underemployment rate in September was at its highest in more than 14 years. The underemployed currently includes about 9.5 million unemployed workers, 6.1 million involuntarily part-time workers, and 1.6 million workers only marginally attached to the workforce.¹ The fact that one out of every nine U.S. workers is now either unemployed or underemployed is clear evidence of the need for a second stimulus package targeted at job creation.

Illinois was only better than the national average in 2006, when the nation saw an 8.2% underemployment rate and Illinois sat at 8.1%.

Now, indeed, might be a good time for a second stimulus package.

Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama

October 19, 2008 TL

colin powell

The New York Times reports former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell has endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States in an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” No doubt Republican-leaning moderator Tom Brokaw was flummoxed by Powell’s decision, but this will be seen as a strong endorsement of Obama’s capabilities as Commander in Chief.

Our friends at the Huffington Post report:

“He has both style and substance. I think he is a transformational figure,” Powell said on NBC’s Meet the Press.

“Obama displayed a steadiness. Showed intellectual vigor. He has a definitive way of doing business that will do us well,” Powell said.

Powell said McCain has been a good friend for 25 years. But Powell expressed disappointment in the negative tone of McCain’s campaign, as well as in his choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential nominee.

“Now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don’t believe she’s ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president,” Powell said. “And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Senator McCain made.”

He also said he was disappointed with some of McCain’s campaign tactics, such as bringing up Obama’s ties to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers.

After the interview, Powell told reporters: “I think that Senator Obama brings a fresh set of eyes, fresh set of ideas to the table. I think that Senator McCain, as gifted as he is, is essentially going to execute the Republican agenda, the orthodoxy of the Republican agenda with a new face and a maverick approach to it, and he’d be quite good at it, but i think we need more than that. I think we need a generational change. I think Senator Obama has captured the feelings of the young people of America and is reaching out in a more diverse, inclusive way across our society.”

In other campaign news, Obama’s campaign manager David Plouffe announced today the Obama campaign has raised a record $150 million in the month of September alone. According to Plouffe, this represents 632,000 new donors, with the average donation coming in at $86.

The campaign has attracted an incredible 3.1 million individual donors, with the strongest showing coming from retirees and students, demonstrating that Obama’s support spans generations.

Sarah Palin on SNL – Not Too Funny

October 18, 2008 TL

Humor

Sarah Palin snl tina fey

After almost a week of hype, the real Sarah Palin’s few minutes on the opening of this week’s Saturday Night Live concluded with a whimper.

She really wasn’t that funny.

She took some clever ribbing from Alex Baldwin during the opening scene. Tina Fey began the show with her spot-on impersonation.

The spot on Weekend Update was a bit better, but the cast really carried the show. Amy Poehler rapped and danced with other crew members while Palin sat at the desk, dancing a bit in her seat. The beginning of this sketch showed Palin seated at the desk apparently refusing to do the bit they had rehearsed. Poehler took up the rap while Palin sat uncomfortably and listened.

Her appearance fell a bit flat.

All in all, I think Tina Fey does the better Sarah Palin.

No One is Pro-Abortion, John.

Abortion

Okay, I’ve watched this debate for over an hour. Who is John McCain looking at? Barack is talking about abortion, and McCain is glaring out into the netherworld.

Obama stresses his objections to late term abortions, and hits the nail on the head stressing the need to consider the health of the woman.

McCain just lost the vote of millions of women when he mocked this concern for the “health” of a woman. McCain actually tossed his hands in the air, mockingly drawing quotes around the work “health,” saying that the idea of “health” has been stretched.

Big, huge mistake, John. But we needed to hear that, because that’s what’s in your heart.

McCain is taking a hard line that lacks compassion and any depth. McCain has sold out to the extreme right, the Neo-cons, and consummated his relationship with Karl Rove.

How much can the U.S. reduce dependence on foreign oil?

Debate Question 4: The Choice of Veep

Now, why would we be in a better position if your running mate became president?

Brilliant question. Obama is going on and on and on about Joe Biden’s numerous qualities and his incredible experience.

John McCain goes on about Palin.

Obama talks about autism.

McCain goes on about spending. Obama flashes an incredible smile. Poise on the left, rage on the right.

Question 3: McCain Defends the Dirty Campaign

Bill Ayers

McCain answers the question by dishing out more dirt at Obama. McCain is admitting nothing here. John McCain cannot answer the question.

Obama’s key response, “A hundred percent of your ads, John, have been negative.”

McCain cites ads from Obama criticizing McCain’s policies.

Again with Joe the Plumber.

At last, Obama goes for the jugular, citing the numerous examples from McCain’s campaign stops where his supporters shout, “Terrorist!” and “Kill him!” when Obama’s name is mentioned. Obama goes on, and McCain is rocking back and forth, heating up.

Will we see the famous McCain rage?

McCain is ready to blow. McCain is losing it. McCain is repeatedly interrupting Obama.

At last we’re seeing the real John McCain. Obama speaks again. McCain makes faces, looking like a child sulking.

McCain has to mention Bill Ayers — who, by the way, IS A REPUBLICAN!

Obama handles that well, and is actually keeping his cool in the face of this onslaught.

Question 2 to Obama and McCain: What Will You Cut Back?

Obama stresses “Pay-as-you-go.” Wants to eliminate “a whole host of programs.”

McCain’s looking glib. Let’s see if he answers the question.

Well, McCain starts by referring to the Great Depression. He’s interrupted by Bob Schieffer, “What will you cut?”

McCain talks about energy.

“We have presided over the largest increase in government since the Great Society!”

That’s right on. McCain has presided over this increase.

Again, McCain refers to an “overhead projector” in Chicago. Ugh. Do any of these Republicans understand science?

McCain says he will balance the budget, but comes back to “energy independence.” No specifics.

Obama refutes McCain, reminding McCain that even Fox News agrees with him on this one.

Debate 3: It’s the Economy Stupid

Barack Obama Economy Elections John McCain