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Tag(s): Barack Obama; Campaign Endorsements; Campaign Finance And Reform; Campaign Finance Reform; Funding; Military; Money; Moveondotorg; OBAMA DEMOCRATIC FUND RAISI; Politics; (more...) Progressive Problems; Progressive Values - Issues (less...)
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June 21, 2008 at 09:17:48

Have Progressives Been Foooled?

by Kevin Zeese Page 1 of 6 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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Is Obama Running a Big Business, 527, Dirty Money Campaign?

Not only is Obama going to swamp McCain in funding now that he has abandoned the campaign finance system (one estimate of the Obama Campaign is it will have $600 million to spend compared to McCain's FEC limited $85 million) but it looks like Sen. Obama will not have to deal with the Swift Boat version of an anti-Obama campaign. Further, the veil is being lifted on the myth that Obama is the candidate of small, non-corporate donors. His campaign is looking more and more like the traditional big business fueled campaign and the policies he is putting forward demonstrate why big business is supporting him. Where's the change?

The Politico reports (see below) that there are currently no anti-Obama 527s, none are planned and no funders are showing interest. While McCain is denouncing groups that try independent efforts at influencing the outcome of the election -- and that is one reason such groups are staying out of the race on the Republican side -- Obama is working closely with MoveOn.org. Paul Tewes -- a high level Obama campaign operative also manages MoveOn's Iraq war efforts and their Americans Against Escalation in Iraq. (See below the Politico article for more on this). MoveOn has been playing the role of a Democratic Party arm but the Tewes connection makes it more specific -- they seem to be an arm of the Obama campaign. This coordination with a political action committee is similar to the contrast between McCain and Obama on campaign finance -- who is the clean money candidate? [SEE UPDATE BELOW IN COMMENTS]

The Washington Post (see below) has looked behind the claims that Obama is creating a new politics with small donors and finds that there are less small donors in 2008 compared to 2004, that Obama is getting big business support and this is the politics of "the usual" not of "change." This is consistent with the tracking of Obama's support from OpenSecrets.org which finds Obama reaping in big support from big business interests. He is pulling in massively from representatives of the industries he is showing support to: health care -- where he moved from single payer to health insurance subsidies, coal and nuclear -- where he favors clean coal and nuclear as a solution to energy shortages, big finance -- where he oppsed putting a cap on usurious interest rates. No doubt his flip flop to support protection for the illegal spying on Americans by the telecom industry will garner support there as well and his speech to AIPAC should get the right wing pro-Israel money flowing into his coffers. Now that he is hiring the Clinton fundraising team and the corporate interests that support the Democrats have a candidate -- Obama should be rolling in the campaign donations of big business like no other candidate before him -- even George W. Bush will be jealous when this campaign is over.

By the way, when it comes to support from militarists -- Obama and McCain are virtually tied when it comes to donations from military contractors. (McCain, John $300,034, Oama, Barack $296,673, Nader, Ralph $700.) This is not surprising since Obama has sent clear signals to the military industrial complex that he is no threat to them. His promise to expand the military, already bloated and wasteful, with 92,000 more troops will result in tens of billions annually to defense contractors. And, his promise to leave the private security mercenaries should make the Blackwaters of the world feel secure that the so-called change he is bringing will provide them with billions in contracts. In the next reporting cycle Obama should capture the support of the military industrial complex in a dominating way since the election is looking more and more like Obama's at this early stage. See www.electoral-vote.com.

It is interesting that some anti-war progressives like Progressives for Obama and the weapons industry are supporting the same candidate. I wonder if it were McCain who opted out of the campaign finance system, planned record fundraising from big business representatives, had staff who were also consultants to PACs and 527s and had put out the false myth that he was raising his record hundreds of millions from small donors -- whether progressive Democrats would by shouting? Calling him corrput? Describing him as a sell out? But, when it is Obama they sit silently, applaud at his calls for "hope" and "change" and urge others to vote for him rather than candidates like McKinney or Nader who actually stand for clean campaigns.

Broke: GOP third-party effort nonexistent

By Jonathan Martin

In a web video emailed to supporters Thursday, Barack Obama explained that he was opting out of the public financing system because John McCain is “not going to stop the smears and attacks from his allies running so-called 527 groups who will spend millions and millions of dollars in unlimited donations.”

Republicans can only wish that were the case.

Obama’s alarmist prophecy — a bit of typical campaign rhetoric meant to scare his own donors into reaching for their credit cards — is wildly at odds with the flatlined state of conservative third-party efforts.

The truth is that, less than five months before Election Day, there are no serious anti-Obama 527s in existence nor are there any immediate plans to create such a group.

Conversations with more than a dozen Republican strategists find near unanimity in the belief that, at some point, there will be a real third-party effort aimed at Obama.

But not one knows who will run it, who will pay for it, what shape it will eventually take or when such a group may form.

More worrisome for Republicans who believe such an outside attack apparatus is essential to defeating Obama, some key individuals and groups who were being looked to for help say they won’t be involved.

T. Boone Pickens, the Texas oilman who gave $3 million to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and who numerous GOP sources said was being looked to as a funding source this year, is sitting the race out.

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Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Kevin GosztolaKevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name

I Think They Have Been Foooled But Does It Matter to Them?

Too many cling to Barack Obama like he is some lottery ticket that could win them millions of dollars if the right number is called.

As the election progresses, they are hearing numbers called that do not match but still have a couple numbers left that might win them big. They wait patiently (or impatiently) staring at this lottery ticket hoping Obama will make the right move to make all their blind faith in his (fake) populism worthwhile.

This lottery ticket appears to come with a disclaimer. Do not vote for third party or Independent candidates. If you do, all numbers will be void even if the right number on your ticket is called later on in the election.

Progressives freeze up. They know Nader and McKinney are saying all the right things about Obama and what America needs to do to repudiate the Bush Regime, but they lack the fortitude or will to organize outside the friendly confines of the institutionalized activist organizations established in America or the corporate media that feeds them information on who to vote for and who is "electable."

"Electability" is what validates this lottery ticket. So long as Obama is "electable", they will ask nothing of him and wait for him to make his move so they can cash in.

by Kevin Gosztola (211 articles, 113 quicklinks, 68 diaries, 809 comments) on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 10:14:35 AM

Kevin Zeese is Executive Director of the Campaign for Fresh Air and Clean Politics (www.FreshAirCleanPolitics.net) whose projects include Voters for Peace (www.VotersForPeace.US., True Vote (www.TrueVote.US and www.TrueVoteMD.org) and Climate Security (www.GlobalClimateSecurity.org). He is also president of Common Sense for Drug Policy (www.csdp.org).
Kevin ZeeseKevin Zeese is Executive Director of the Campaign for Fresh Air and Clean Politics (www.FreshAirCleanPolitics.net) whose projects include Voters for Peace (www.VotersForPeace.US., True Vote (www.TrueVote.US and www.TrueVoteMD.org) and Climate Security (www.GlobalClimateSecurity.org). He is also president of Common Sense for Drug Policy (www.csdp.org).

MoveOn Closes 527

An update on MoveOn:

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/moveon_to_close_its_527.php

Exclusive: MoveOn To Close Its 527 In Response To Obama's Candidacy

By Greg Sargent - June 20, 2008, 12:05PM

MoveOn, the advocacy group supporting Barack Obama, has decided to permanently shutter its 527 operation, partly in response to the Illinois Senator's insistence that such groups should not spend on his behalf during the general election, I've learned from the group's spokesperson.

MoveOn's decision, which will dramatically impact the way it raises money on Obama's behalf, is yet another sign of how rapidly Obama is taking control of the apparatus that's gearing up on his behalf.

By shuttering its 527, MoveOn is effectively killing its ability to raise money in huge chunks from labor unions, foundations, and big donors who would give over $5,000. The decision doesn't mean MoveOn will stop spending on Obama's behalf. Instead it will raise money exclusively with its political action committee, whose average donation is below $50 and will even be raising money with things like bake sales starting this weekend.

To put this in perspective, MoveOn's 527 raised $20 million for the general election in 2004 -- and at least half of that came from donations over $5,000.

"This is an affirmation that we, like Senator Obama, believe that this election can be won by ordinary Americans giving small donations," MoveOn spokesperson Ilyse Hogue told me.

MoveOn's 527 has been dormant since 2005, but the group had held open the option of starting it up it for the 2008 election -- until Obama's success with small donors showed that huge sums could be raised without it.

The move could also make it tougher politically for John McCain and the GOP to benefit from 527s, which can raise money in unlimited sums, on his side. While he has generally disapproved of such activity, he recently said that he couldn't control negative ads by such groups.

"The hope is that Republicans will match this, so that the voices of ordinary Americans can drive this election," Hogue said.

Late Update: It should be noted that the group has not traditionally been driven by large donations during non-presidential race times. It has raised $122 million since it opened in 1998 -- and only 10% came in donations of over $5000. But during the 2004 race, of course, it was another story.

by Kevin Zeese (77 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 44 comments) on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 12:27:50 PM

Virginia Simson is a spiritual journalista/activist who runs a visionary planetary tutorial blogspot, www.ladybroadoak.blogspot.com as well as a blog on the uranium industry and depleted uranium at www.lowlevelradiation.blogspot.com. She feels that we must educate the young as to the real issues of the day - economics, clean energy, a drug free lifestyle, friendship and concern for the environment. We must plan for seven generations in the future. She unconditionally supports impeachment and...

to see more of bio, click on member name
ladybroadoakVirginia Simson is a spiritual journalista/activist who runs a visionary planetary tutorial blogspot, www.ladybroadoak.blogspot.com as well as a blog on the uranium industry and depleted uranium at www.lowlevelradiation.blogspot.com. She feels that we must educate the young as to the real issues of the day - economics, clean energy, a drug free lifestyle, friendship and concern for the environment. We must plan for seven generations in the future. She unconditionally supports impeachment and...

to see more of bio, click on member name

The youtube video from Alberto J. Mora says it all.

Why would anyone, ANYONE support Obama when he says nothing about THIS:

click here is NO CHANGE with Obama.

Good work, Kevin!

We will overcome ..

by ladybroadoak (38 articles, 20 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 390 comments) on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 1:26:27 PM

Sorry

That link didn't work for some reason, hope this one does

click here the torture issue that will lead to CLEAN ELECTIONS.

by ladybroadoak (38 articles, 20 quicklinks, 12 diaries, 390 comments) on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 1:30:47 PM

I am an American. And I am terribly worried that Bush will attack Iran in an "October Surprise" so that McCain can become president.

Iran has a population of over 70 MILLION people, two thirds of whom are under thirty. After the very first missile is sent, an army of over ONE MILLION very nationalistic IRANIANS will rise up against our small army and likely destroy it. And, or course, very tragic things will happen here in the US.

Bush and his cabal, though, do not...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Prantha TrivediI am an American. And I am terribly worried that Bush will attack Iran in an "October Surprise" so that McCain can become president.

Iran has a population of over 70 MILLION people, two thirds of whom are under thirty. After the very first missile is sent, an army of over ONE MILLION very nationalistic IRANIANS will rise up against our small army and likely destroy it. And, or course, very tragic things will happen here in the US.

Bush and his cabal, though, do not...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Why don't you just give us the key names or

the title of the YouTube video.

copy everything after the "com" (including the slash) and say "it is on youtube.com at "/dfkjjlaia/lkj123109u0778" for example."

by Prantha Trivedi (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments) on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 3:39:34 PM

I guess we should vote for McCain then . . .

When I fill in my donation form, I am asked my profession. I am a lawyer. I am then categorized as a "special interest," which I resent.

My clients are writers (mostly comic book writers), artists, animators and computer geeks. I negotiate with production companies and television networks. In other words, I am not a "special interest." This is the problem with these categories. All lawyers complain about this category.

But do you recommend that we vote for Bush III? Are you saying that Hillary would have been better? (I cannot imagine that!)

What is your solution?

by Prantha Trivedi (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 6 comments) on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 3:51:47 PM

Ed Encho is a free lance writer, activist and consultant who resides in West Central Florida and author of the upcoming "A Monolithic and Ruthless Conspiracy".
Ed EnchoEd Encho is a free lance writer, activist and consultant who resides in West Central Florida and author of the upcoming "A Monolithic and Ruthless Conspiracy".

2010 and Beyond

Of course progressives have been fooled, when it all comes down to it they are only slightly more difficult to manipulate than their conterparts on the right. Do you really think that the system and the oligarchy is going to allow any true challenger to the status quo? The primary difference between the two candidates is that one is a neocon hellbent on continuing the maniacal PNAC policies of the Bush-Cheney junta. Obama would definitely be much better overall simply because he is NOT a neocon but he still has intimate connections with Wall Street looters, globalists and while at least he would not pursue the ruinous neocon policies that have brought this country to our knees he is more a product of the system that ultimately has a one world corporate government as the endgame.

That being said there is some hope in the youth that flocks to Obama (they are still naive and not jaded as a lot of us are) and in the Ron Paul movement which in my opinion gives us the best shot at returning the rule of law to the land as they are already organized, have a manifesto, appeal to antiwar progressives and liberals who are open minded and are reaching out to the ACLU and other groups as is evident by the alliance against the latest betrayal of the Israel Lobby lackeys in Congress with the Steny Hoyer spying bill.

It is not realistic to expect anything other than a derailing of the neocon juggernaut in 2008 with the thoroughly corrupted system that we now are faced with but with the rising involvement of the younger generation as well as the coalescing resistance movement against the corrupt government it is possible to believe that 2010 will be a real opportunity for change.

Direct action and infiltration of both corrupt parties at the local levels is a start and a focus on a return to both the Constitution and American ideals is the rallying cry beyond 2008.

To those who know the real score we need to set our sights on 2010 and beyond and in reforming the system itself.

Just my two cents

by Ed Encho (7 articles, 18 quicklinks, 56 diaries, 391 comments) on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 4:02:57 PM

American Expat in Asia
pftAmerican Expat in Asia

It Didn't

Have to be a choice of Hillary and Obama. Hillary for obvious reasons. Obama was an unknown, but he is well spoken and intelligent. He also wrote a book in 1995 called Dreams From My Father. Americans don't read books though. There is a lot in there to make you concerned, you can read it.

His father figure in Hawaii was only mentioned by the name of Frank. I did not think anything of it at the time, but have recently found out that it may be that Frank was in fact Frank Marshall Davis, a bonafide Communist Party member. His father was Marxist and met his Mother in Hawaii as both were studying Russian in the early 60's.

And Pastor Wright story gets sat on until Obama has a nice lead and Edwards is out of the race. Why the delay? Pastor Wright is referred to in his book Dreams From My Father, and is quoted. Don't these so called journalists even read the books written by Presidential candidates?

But Fox leaves this alone and Murdoch is saying nice things about Obama.

Whats that tell you. Obama is with the program.

And then there is the disgraceful performance of this Democratic Congress.

1 + 1 really = 2.

You do not have any representation no matter who you vote for, because the candidates have been preselected by the international globalist ruling elite. And you have already surrendered so many liberties in order to be kept safe that at this point you simply have to accept your fate. Sit back and enjoy the show, as they continue to dismantle the economy of the bottom 90 pct'ers as we march on to a world currency and one world government that will finish off America as a superpower, and make us subservient to the IMF who will seize our assets to pay for the countries debts.

Progressives have not just been fooled, they had both pockets picked and been gang raped. After the fact they ponder what that soreness was all about and look for the holes in their pockets which disappeared their money, not even considering the possibility the pockets were picked when their pants were down around their ankles.

by pft (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 466 comments) on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 6:57:28 PM

I am a retired opera singer. I was a leading soprano with the New York City Opera for ten years. I am a strong supporter of Dennis Kucinich and worked for his campaign in 2004. I believe that he is the ONLY honest man in congress. He has been working against this insane war since before it began. I am 72 years old and I have been so frustrated with the media, the Congress and the American people that they don't tell the truth.
CaronomeI am a retired opera singer. I was a leading soprano with the New York City Opera for ten years. I am a strong supporter of Dennis Kucinich and worked for his campaign in 2004. I believe that he is the ONLY honest man in congress. He has been working against this insane war since before it began. I am 72 years old and I have been so frustrated with the media, the Congress and the American people that they don't tell the truth.

Quel surprise!

I hate to say I told you so but when I read about the amount of money that Obama had raised, what other conclusion could be reached than the fact that he is just another politician. Murdoch???? Deliver us all from this donor to Obama.

But try to get the American public to hear the truth. Try to get people to vote for Dennis Kucinich when the MSM has made him look like a kook. Well, that kook has all the right answers - a not for proflt health care plan that would protect every person in this country; an end to this evil war; an end to NAFTA and the other outsourcings of jobs; a dept. of peace; etc.

It sounds like Utopia, doesn't it? Well, it could happen if Kucinich were our president.

by Caronome (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 223 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 8:25:46 AM

Joel S. Hirschhorn is the author of Delusional Democracy - Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government (www.delusionaldemocracy.com). His current political writings have been greatly influenced by working as a senior staffer for the U.S. Congress and for the National Governors Association. He advocates a Second American Revolution, beginning with an Article V Convention to propose constitutional amendments. He is Chair of the Independent Party of Maryland.
Joel S. HirschhornJoel S. Hirschhorn is the author of Delusional Democracy - Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government (www.delusionaldemocracy.com). His current political writings have been greatly influenced by working as a senior staffer for the U.S. Congress and for the National Governors Association. He advocates a Second American Revolution, beginning with an Article V Convention to propose constitutional amendments. He is Chair of the Independent Party of Maryland.

genetic flaw in progressives

Seems to me that the embrace of Obama by progressives reveals their genetic defect that makes them vulnerable to chronic self-delusion. Obama is a sham, just another untrustworthy politican that will end up disappointing those of his supporters that still have some small part of their brains able to see objective reality.

SOLUTION: DO NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA OR MCCAIN; VOTE FOR INDEPENDENT OR THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE - PREFERABLY NADER....

TIME TO REJECT THE TWO-PARTY PLUTOCRACY.

by Joel S. Hirschhorn (126 articles, 31 quicklinks, 58 diaries, 508 comments) on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 12:53:35 PM