Si, Se Puede!

Bill Richardson, '08 presidential candidate, Bill Clinton's Ambassador to the UN and later Secretary of Energy, and current Governor of New Mexico endorsed Obama today in a speech far more rousing than any I saw from him during the campaign (hey Bill - I like the beard too!) He was clearly inspired by Obama's speech earlier this week.


In a statement released earlier today, he said:

My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver. It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall...Barack Obama will be a historic and a great President, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad.

Also - significantly from the '08 Democratic candidate with some of the most extensive foreign policy - he takes on Hillary's "commander-in-chief" threshold argument:

"There is no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama has the judgment and courage we need in a commander in chief when our nation's security is on the line," Richardson said. "He showed this judgment by opposing the Iraq war from the start, and he has shown it during this campaign by standing up for a new era in American leadership internationally."

Full transcript of his speech here, and reporting on his endorsements here and here Keep Reading (if there's more)...

"I'm Here Because of Ashley"

If you missed Obama's speech, or only saw soundbites on TV, watch it here:



And/or read it here. I have to admit I got a little misty at the end.
And here is the rest of it. Keep Reading (if there's more)...

As somebody "who has little pieces of America all in me"

Obama on identity politics, Rev. Wright, Robert Kennedy and what his campaign is about:

For more including Andrew Sullivan's great commentary click below!

Full transcript of speech here. Andrew Sullivan writes:

You also have a choice: to believe that this is a sincere message given by a sincere person; or a phony message delivered by a fraud. The only way to really know which is to look at his record. It seems to me that Obama has been motivated by the same themes from the very start, and still offers the same hope of unity that has been the core of his campaign for president from the beginning.

Those who ask questions and seek answers about the influence of Wright are doing their democratic duty. It is equally Obama's duty to answer them as candidly and respectfully and precisely as possible. But those who do not want to hear an answer that gives hope and reconciles our divisions are betraying themselves and this country's potential. Reveling in cynicism and partnisanship is the act of those who truly do not love America.

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Olbermann to Clinton: "You are campaigning as if Barack Obama is the Democrat and you were the Republican."

If you've never seen an Olbermann Special Comment, they usually call to light hypocrisies of the Bush Administration. This is the first time he's said anything about the Democrats, in this case regarding the Clinton campaign and Geraldine Ferraro's comments and its a MUST SEE

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The Ugly Week that Was: Reads about the Clinton tactics

Andrew Sullivan "The hardball master has taught Hillary well" Times (UK) A good read about the divisive political games being played.

The New York Times had a slew this week:
Bob Herbert "Questions for the Clintons"
Gail Collins "Editing Hillary's Story"
Maureen Dowd "Two Against One"
Frank Rich "The Billary Road to Republican Victory"

Newsweek
Jonathan Alter "Clintons' Patronizing Tactics"

The Washington Post:
Colbert I. King "Billary's Adventure's in Primaryland"

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Injecting Race? Who? Me?

Bill Clinton this week tried this week to blame the press for injecting race into the campaign, that Hillary's campaign was not trying to brand Obama as the "black candidate" in order to divide voters and reduce the possible broader appeal of his candidacy. Oh, yeah? Then why'd you go say this:


"Clinton campaign strategists denied any intentional effort to stir the racial debate. But they said they believe the fallout has had the effect of branding Obama as "the black candidate," a tag that could hurt him outside the South." (the AP via TPM)

As Josh Marshall (mostly a Clinton supporter) at TPM states - "guess they're really broken up about it. "

(You might also recall the question used to be "Is Obama Black Enough?" and that Mr. Obama previously won the primary in Iowa, a state that is 97% white)

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