obama

Obama's grandmother has died

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Madelyn Dunham didn’t live to see her grandson (hopefully) become president.

Dunham passed away peacefully at her home shortly before midnight Sunday night (5 a.m. ET) following a battle with cancer, according to a campaign spokeswoman. She was 86 (the same age my mother was when she died).

“She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility,” Obama said.

“She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure.”

Obama and his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng asked that donations be made for the search for a cure for cancer in lieu of flowers. A small private ceremony will be held “at a later date.” (via CNN)

Half Empty

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Although everyone is optimistic that Obama will win the election easily, I just can’t share in the euphoria. I’m still very afraid that McCain could win or steal the election. Remember 4 years ago when everyone was certain Kerry would win? We all saw what happened then. Convince me it won’t happen again.

For the last week I’ve been a basket case. I’m constantly on edge, and whenever I see McCain or Palin in the news or see one of their attack ads, I completely lose my temper and start cursing & screaming. I just can’t relax until it’s all over and Obama wins, but I’m very afraid that it might not happen.

Getting out the vote

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Today was the second time I went out canvassing for Obama. Two weeks ago I went out with another volunteer. Last weekend I didn’t feel too well, so I stayed in the office and made calls. Today I was out on my own. The office gives us a list of addresses of Democrats who are infrequent voters. The objective is to make sure they vote.

More than half of the people on my list today had moved or weren’t home. A lot of the houses looked like they were abandoned, most likely foreclosures. We just skip any houses with McCain signs, like this one.

Hostile territory

Obama leaving campaign trail to visit grandmother

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We all need to keep Barack Obama’s grandmother in our thoughts & prayers. Madelyn Payne Dunham, who helped raise him, was released from the hospital late last week, but her health had deteriorated “to the point where her situation is very serious.” Barack Obama is canceling nearly all his campaign events Thursday and Friday to fly to Hawaii to visit her.

Colin Powell endorses Obama

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Powell said exactly what needed to be said:

It troubled me. You know, we have two wars. We have economic problems. We have health problems. We have education problems. We have infrastructure problems. We have problems around the world with our allies. And so those are the problems the American people wanted to hear about, not about Mr. Ayers, not about who is a Muslim and who’s not a Muslim. Those kinds of images going out on al Jazeera are killing us around the world. And we have got to say to the world it doesn’t make any difference who you are or what you are. If you’re an American you’re an American.

McCain still has some honor

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McCain is starting to speak out against the vicious anti-Obama attacks. At a recent town hall event, McCain acknowledged the “energy” people have been showing at rallies, and how glad he is that people are excited. But, he says, “I respect Sen. Obama and his accomplishments.” People booed at the mention of his name. McCain, visibly angry, stopped them: “I want EVERYONE to be respectful, and lets make sure we are.”

Later someone said: “I’m scared to bring up my child in a world where Barack Obama is president.”

McCain replied, “Well, I don’t want him to be president, either. I wouldn’t be running if I did. But,” and he paused for emphasis, “you don’t have to be scared to have him be President of the United States.” A round of boos.

Something very scary is happening

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The attacks and rhetoric we’re seeing from the McCain-Palin camp now goes far beyond run of the mill gutter politics to something far more dangerous. Campaign events for McCain & Palin look more like KKK rallies with shouts to “kill him“. They’re tapping into seething racism to fire up the base.

Andrew Sullivan points out how dangerous this can be:

But they are also very very dangerous. This is a moment of maximal physical danger for the young Democratic nominee. And McCain is playing with fire. If he really wants to put country first, he will attack Obama on his policies – not on these inflammatory, personal, creepy grounds. This is getting close to the atmosphere stoked by the Israeli far right before the assassination of Rabin.

Meanwhile, Sarah Palin and her husband have been involved with a genuine terrorist organization, the Alaskan Independence Party.

If McCain had one shred of decency, he’d denounce these verbal attacks and tell his supporters to show some respect for Obama.

Vampire Weekend joins Crosby & Nash to support Obama

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Vampire Weekend is playing a special show in New York City on Sunday, Oct. 12. All proceeds from the show will go to helping Obama win in swing states.

With Wall Street in economic turmoil, Music for Democracy has proposed an economic stimulus package for this Sunday’s fundraiser event in New York.

“We’re releasing 100 pairs of tickets at $55 per pair to provide economic relief to fans of Vampire Weekend and Crosby & Nash to enjoy our intimate event at St. Raphael’s Catherdral on Sunday,” said Music for Democracy executive director Mitch Manzella, “These tickets will not be available at the door, they are only available through our online ticketing system.”

To purchase these special limited tickets please visit:

http://www.musicfordemocracy.org/nyc

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