Barack Obama Elected President!

[JackPeyton]

This is kinda how i feel, i guess i just do not understand why the winner is not picked on popular vote, because thats how it should be done, IMHO.

[Roman]

From CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider

(CNN) – South Dakota may have gone solidly for Hillary Clinton – but there’s a clue buried in the exit polls that suggests the healing process in the Democratic Party may already be underway.

A significant majority of voters – roughly seven in 10 – said both Democratic candidates were honest and trustworthy. It’s the final night of the primary season – but the first time that has happened since voting began in Iowa five months ago.

It may also be one sign that primary voters who did not support Barack Obama the first time around may be willing to believe the best about the Illinois senator heading into November.

[Roman]

An initiative that would again outlaw gay marriage in California has qualified for the November ballot, the Secretary of State announced Monday.

California Secretary of State Debra Bowen said a random check of signatures submitted by the measure’s sponsors showed that they had gathered enough names for it to be put to voters.

The measure, known as the California Marriage Protection Act, would amend the state constitution to “provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

If approved by a majority of voters on Nov. 4, the amendment would overturn the recent California Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in the state. It is similar to gay marriage bans that have been adopted in 26 other states.

“This signifies the fact that California voters really do favor and will come out to vote for the protection of historic marriage,” said Ron Prentice, executive director of ProtectMarriage.com, a coalition of religious and social conservative groups behind the initiative.

In response to the Supreme Court’s May 15 ruling, California public health officials already have amended marriage license applications to read “Party A” and “Party B” instead of bride and groom. Local officials have been told to start issuing the revised licenses to same-sex couples on June 17.

Gay men and lesbians would still be able to get married between then and the election, even with the initiative pending, unless the court agrees to stay its decision until after Nov. 4, as the amendment’s sponsors have requested.

Equality for All is fighting the initiative. A recent Field poll shows that the majority backs gay marriage, while an LA Times poll shows more support for the ban. Clearly, it is a contentious issue and you can count on the Republicans playing it up to encourage the social/religious conservative voter turnout.

Now I wonder how this will play between the two?

[JackPeyton]

We live in sucha hateful place, sometime i forget, so im glad when i read things like this and they remind me.

[GHJunkie4Life]

Lol this is like the 2nd time in 24 hours I've seen you act the VICTIM.

Umm please no one in this thread is attacking you. You're not even a Democrat right? From all your posts in this thread it seems like you don't care either way.

I think Roman is entitled to his opinion and he definitely hasn't treated anyone unfairly...

Again the victim role is kinda hypocritical considering the catty remarks you make everyday...

HRC's speech was ridiculous last night. I watched it in its entirety thinking that maybe she'd be gracious and acknowledge defeat. Instead she continue to be in denial.

Even CNN commented on it. Several of the anchors mentioned that her chances of being VP went down significantly last night given the tone and content of her speech. As an Obama supporter I will admit that a lot her policies were appealing to me. And she did a good job of pretending to care about the voters and her supporters there in the room. If I didn't know any better I'd think she actually cared about those people rather than just simply using them to get the VP spot.

I think it was Rolande Martin who said her chances went from 50/50 to 20/80. That being an 80% chance that she will not get the spot...

I'm glad too...

His speech on the other hand was incredible. And the crowd was so awe inspiring.

[Roman]

Do you think she should take a few days, step back and see what's what........and then see if she and Obama can come together?

I was watching MSNBC, and some on there didn't give her speech high marks, but I also think she was telling those that supported her that she appreciated them.

The tone may have been harsh at times........but I do feel the sentiment was there.

[GHJunkie4Life]

I honestly don't know what should happen now. She's done what no other Republican has done in years. Divided the Democratic Party to its very core. I think at this point she's created so much animosity in th Obama camp that the very thought of her sends some people into a frenzy.

I'm willing to concede that she may have been genuine. I think John McCain's speech was ultimately the worst speech of last night and possibly his worst during this whole cycle. He just sounded and acted like Dubya to be honest. He offered nothing but the same old policies that created this situation in the first place.

I have a question though Roman...what are your Top 3 picks for VP For Obama?

Personally I'm feeling Ed Randell, Bill Richardson, and Evan B. I think Rendell would be awesome because he's from PA and he seems to be a real fighter that would do well with bringing working class voters who don't enough about Obama to feel comfortable voting for him.

Bill Richardson on the other hand COULD bring the Latino vote and also brings credibility in terms of experience and foreign diplomacy.

And Evan B is also another experienced guy but he lacks personality so he's my least likely...

[Roman]

I saw the speech where BR endorsed Obama, and then they had a Q&A afterward.

The two of them standing together.......damn. It was pure political magic.

So, I put him first.

Second......Joe Biden. A hawk, a mavarick, and someone who can get right down in the mud with you and say "I've got all weekend. Hope you bought your lunch and dinner."

Third.........the lady senator from Kansas. Selibus or something like that. I can't remember her name. LOL But she can reach apart party lines, help get the working-class vote, and her negative numbers are low. That's the key.........someone needs to be his RM who won't take away from the issues.

[Roman]

(CNN) -- After emerging as victor in the long and and bruising contest to seize the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidential race, Barack Obama's next move is to choose a running mate.

Barack Obama has a broad spectrum of candidates as potential running mates.

Hillary Clinton, whose tenacious refusal to surrender the nomination contest turned the Democratic race into one of the most nail biting in modern U.S. political history, has indicated she would be willing to sign up on a joint ticket.

But while Clinton's appointment could help heal rifts in the party after weeks of divisive campaigning from both candidates, Obama has the pick of a broad field of candidates from across the political spectrum. iReport.com: Whom do you see as VP?

Here is a list of possible frontrunners:

# Evan Bayh: What he lacks in charisma, the telegenic Bayh makes up for in national security credentials, having served on both armed services and intelligence committees in the Senate.

# Joseph Biden: A six-term senator who helms the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden, could offer the heavyweight foreign policy experience that Obama is often accused of lacking. But at 65 -- and seen as part of the U.S. political furniture -- he could undermine Obama's message of change.

# Michael Bloomberg: Since ruling out his own independent bid for presidency, the current mayor of New York has been seen as a potential running mate for both Obama and McCain. For Obama, the media tycoon and former Republican would help mitigate the Democrat's problem with Jewish voters brought on by outlandish rumors that he is a Muslim, but do little to attract the white, working class vote.

# Wesley Clark: This former NATO commander, who failed in his bid for the 2004 presidential nomination, was seen as a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter -- a fact that could help unite the party. But the 63-year-old's tough reputation as a no-nonsense soldier is unlikely to win much backing among party activists.

# Hillary Clinton: While the "dream ticket" of a Obama-Clinton campaign could help harness Clinton's powerbase of women and white working-class Democrats, the prospect of uniting the two rivals has won mixed support. A non-scientific CNN.com poll said 60 percent of people were not in favor of the move.

# Chris Dodd: A long-serving senator with solid foreign policy credentials who was previously considered as a running mate for John Kerry's failed presidential bid in 2004, Dodd presents the same problems as Biden.

# Chuck Hagel: A close friend of fellow Republican John McCain -- Obama's general election rival -- Hagel's strong anti-war in Iraq stance has generated cross-party appeal and though an unlikely choice he could be seen as the man to attract wavering Republican voters.

# Ed Rendell: As an outspoken Clinton supporter, a Rendell partnership could rally support for Obama and as governor of swing state Pennsylvania, he could help secure key votes, but his popularity is limited outside Philadelphia.

# Bill Richardson: The New Mexico governor, who identifies himself as Hispanic, could help sway the burgeoning Latino vote in addition to lending heavyweight foreign policy credentials as a former United Nations ambassador.

# Kathleen Sebelius: The two-term governor of mainly Republican Kansas, Sebelius has proven cross-party support but the rising Democratic star still lacks a national profile.

# Jim Webb: Another rising star, straight-talking Webb has already dismissed his vice-presidential prospects, but his appeal as a Vietnam veteran and successful novelist are clear. Webb's bluntness, however, led one commentator to label him an "unguided missile."

Other names mentioned in the running include: Former South Dakota senator Tom Daschle, North Carolina Senator John Edwards, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, former Armed Services Committee chairman Sam Nunn, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.

[GHJunkie4Life]

Quick comment about Biden...he's definitely at the top of the list. The problem is that he does kinda represent "Old School Washington Politics" and the such....he's gotta prove that he's behind Obama wanting to change things in Washington for the better. Maybe prove is the wrong word. I mean he's gotta show that he and Obama can bring the two methods together in a great way that provides strength and unity for the party.

However I totally agree about him getting down and dirty. He's a fighter and if theres one thing I know this election cycle its that it will be DIRTY. John McCain may claim he's going to take the high road but I frankly don't doubt for a second that he'll come at Obama just as bad as Clinton has (probably worse) and Obama will need to fight back with everything he's got.

Biden would definitely add some real strong teeth to the ticket.

The lady senator seems nice but if he picked her the Clinton supports would riot. Plus while I do believe America has evolved and achieved a lot in terms of race and gender relations I fear that it may be too much "change" for 1 single election. A final thing to note that Selibus really doesn't have that much name recognition outside of Washington. I hadn't heard about her until they started all this "Is Clinton vying for the VP spot?" debacle weeks ago. She might not have enough reach to really help him.

[Roman]

This is why I can't see someone like Jim Webb, or Claire McCaskell running with him.

He has to go old school. Someone the american people can trust of, God Forbid, something happened to him.

IA with you 1,000% about JB. He may be too "Old School Washington" for many.......and, he didn't do well when he ran for president, so he may come off as dammaged goods in aVP role. But......he would be one hell of a SOS or SOD in a admin.

Who he picks will go a long way into getting him to the OO. But they both need to do alot of work once they get there. JM gave quite possibly the worst speech I have ever heard him give. He was all attack dog.........and no substance. I just don't think last night was the right place to give that type of speech.

I will also add this.......the 527s on both sides are about to do stuff the likes of which has not been seen in presidential politics in many moons. That is where the dirt will come from.

[Southofnowhere]

Obama needs to pick a woman or Gov.Bill Richardson.

[2shane8]

HUH?

Choosing a female running mate (and showing that he really does believe in CHANGE) would be a sure-fire way to get a lot of Clinton supporters to vote for him. I don't think they would riot at all.

I would be able to vote in good conscience for an Obama-Sebelius ticket.

[Wales2004]

You might be a rarity if you go by the media who keeps pressing the idea that Clinton supporters would see any other female VP candidate as a slap in the face.

I still stand by my one at a time belief when it comes to change. I think it will overwhelm too much of the electorate to have a minority and a woman on the same ticket this time around.

I just heard one of Clinton's supporters Rep Crowley (I think his name is) saying that it looks like Obama may be the nominee. I think it's funny that her people last said that he needed to get the delegates to be considered the nominee and now that he has the delegates, he is still not the presumptive nominee until she decides what she wants to do. I think he's the presumptive nominee by the rules until the convention where he will become the nominee unless there is a challenge. But it's too much to ask to refer to him as presumptive until the shake down is over.

File this under "i said everything I could to try to destroy you and now I want to give you orders:"

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/...pick/#more-7579

[Roman]

Ok. I am looking at MSNBC, and apparently there are Clinton supporters that are PISSED about that speech past night. One is talking about it right now.