Clinton Backer/Fundraiser Supports McCain

"Lynn Forester de Rothschild, a prominent Hillary Clinton supporter and member of the Democratic National Committee’s Platform Committee, will endorse John McCain for president on Wednesday, her spokesman tells CNN.

The announcement will take place at a news conference on Capitol Hill, just blocks away from the DNC headquarters. Forester will “campaign and help him through the election,” the spokesman said of her plans to help the Republican presidential nominee.

Forester was a major donor for Clinton earning her the title as a Hillraiser for helping to raise at least $100,000 for the New York Democratic senator’s failed presidential bid."

From CNN Ticker

McCain Palin Take on Economic Crisis

Obama Palin and the About to Die Argument

If one were to listen to the Democrats over the last couple weeks, you might conclude that Senator McCain is terribly ill just waiting for November or January to keel over. The line of attack is to tell voters that Sarah Palin will be president, and that she is not qualified for that job.

So for a moment lets ignore the morbid, and highly suspect premise of this argument. It's Palin v. Obama. It's a first term Governor v. a first term Senator. Both are short on foreign policy experience. They each have some experience, but not an extensive foreign policy record. Palin wins on executive experience; she's run a state, she has run a town; she's the commander-in-chief of the Alaska National Guard. What's particularly surprising is that Governor Palin has the edge of legislative achievements. This is an area that Senator Obama should win as his experience is almost completely in the legislative branch, yet he has no major pieces of legislation in his name in the U.S. or State Senate. It's not that he has no legislative experience but it is sparse and it is mainly on politically safe issues.

Palin's legislative accomplishments actually eclipse Obama's. She pushed through bipartisan ethics reform bill in Alaska. She passed a tax increase on oil company profits, and she enacted the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) to set up a natural gas pipeline in Alaska. She has taken on her own party in big ways by ousting two entrenched incumbants, resigning her post at the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission as a protest to 'lack of ethics', and opposed the reelection of Republicans Don Young and Ted Stevens because of ethics/corruption charges. Senator Obama does not have a bipartisan record, or a history of taking on his own party in any way.

So if Governor Palin were running for president I would have some doubts about her foreign policy experience, somewhat similar to those I have about Senator Obama's foreign policy experience. However, she's not running for president. Yes, it is possible that she could become president, but on the other hand Senator Obama would definitely be bringing a lack of foreign policy experience to the White House. If Governor Palin did have to take over the Presidency, her vice presidential experience would eclipse any experience Senator Obama now claims to have on foreign policy. The only way the Obama campaign has even the slightest opportunity to win the experience argument against Palin is to convince everyone McCain is on his last legs. Granted no one is guaranteed a particular life span, but this argument is a stretch and rather grim.

It is the team element of the Palin pick that makes McCain/Palin combination so strong. There is legislative and executive experience on the Republican ticket. There is a foreign policy expert, and there is an energy expert, they both have a history of working across party lines and battling corruption, there is military experience, there is 'beyond the beltway' experience. They both have a background and history of reform. On the Democratic side Obama chose an experienced Washington insider, who brings foreign policy experience, but dilutes the message of change. The match is awkward with the experienced candidate in the two slot and the novice at the top of the ticket. This has left the Obama campaign with the 'About to Die' argument leaving another ding in the 'politics of hope' mantra.

Obama Palin and the About to Die Argument

McCain Palin Reform Ticket Tackle Change

Reform: 1.the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.: social reform; spelling reform.

Change: 1.to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.

From Dictionary.com

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There is a difference in the promise of a change versus the promise of a reform. First, a reform ticket acknowledges the good of the initial structure, and seeks to route out what has corrupted it. The promise of change simply says things will be different; possibly better, possibly worse, but definitely different. Change lacks specifics, reform seeks the goal of fixing the problems.

While reform includes some change, the basic promise differs, and this is evident in the two campaigns. The Obama campaign promises to be different than President Bush. Different how? In party affiliation, in political philosophy, a broad sweeping promise to not be 'him'. However, the McCain campaign says through reform they'll fix Washington. Washington is 'broken', but it is not inherently bad. The government structures of America are quite remarkable, however, with power comes corruption and the McCain/Palin ticket seeks to rectify problems of waste and corruption. The 'reform mantle' take a sliver of the 'change argument' and focus it on specifics. The idea of change is often appealing, but change can be good and it can be bad. Simply promising not to be 'that guy' is not concrete plan for what type of change one seeks.

McCain Palin Reform Ticket Tackle Change

Why It’s Okay for Democrats and Independents to Vote McCain

Experience; that's the short answer. Experience is not a minor issue, ask any employer what they look for in a job applicant and see if there are any who don't rank experience as a top requirement. For Independents a vote for McCain is hardly a stretch. Senator McCain has exhibited an independent streak over the years that has endeared him to many Independent voters. If you look at the primary results it was Independents that either put him over the top, or gave him his margin of victory in numerous states. Senator McCain is also well liked among many of his Democrat colleagues. President Clinton, Senators Clinton, Biden, and Fiengold have all made glowing statements about Senator McCain. These comments have been far more complimentary than some made by conservatives that don't appreciate Senator McCain's penchant for breaking with the party line. Senator McCain has a history of not only getting along with Democrats, but working with them on successful pieces of legislation. For moderate or conservative Democrats they may have issues where they disagree with Senator McCain, but the prevalent belief is that Congress will remain under Democratic control, and Senator McCain clearly can work with those Democrats to create a balanced government.

Finally the party faithful, and liberal Democrats. It's understandable why some on the left would find it difficult to vote for any Republican if they never have before, or if they have strong objections to the Republican party. Senator McCain is an unrepentant Republican, but he has also repeatedly put his country's interest before that of his party or himself. He has long championed the idea that people 'dedicate themselves to something beyond their own self interest'. He has not just talked about it, but has lived it, and his family has lived it, as his sons currently serve in the military. Senator McCain has a superb human rights record. He was a critical player in getting anti-torture legislation passed. He consistently is a champion of the oppressed whether it is in Myanmar, Georgia, or Darfur.

Other Democrats and Independents are also coming to the conclusion that Senator McCain is the most qualified candidate ready to become President of the United States...

Lisa Sisinni: Why I, a Clinton supporter, will vote for John McCain

I've never voted for a Republican presidential candidate, but this year is different. I'm voting for John McCain.

Throughout the primary season, I supported Hillary Clinton. Between the final two Democratic contenders, Hillary was the only candidate who demonstrated leadership and a true understanding of key issues. She inspired millions of women around the country, Democrats and Republicans alike.

When Barack Obama became the presumptive Democrat nominee, I was faced with a difficult question: Could I support a candidate who gives good speeches but has no substance and little experience? No.

Angry Clinton supporters toast McCain, roast Obama

The last place Kathy Archuleta could have ever imagined she'd spend the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, was at a happy hour sponsored by the Republican Party.

But the 54-year-old Democrat joined several other Hillary Clinton supporters, along with volunteers and officials from John McCain's campaign, at a Happy Hour for Hillary.

The event, sponsored by the Republican National Committee and approved by the McCain campaign, was a chance for McCain and Clinton supporters to come together for one cause: their opposition to Barack Obama's candidacy.

Why It’s Okay for Democrats and Independents to Vote McCain

Bill Clinton John McCain Endorsement?

Sure sounds like an endorsement. Certainly not a reach to see McCain as Clinton approved.

Bill Clinton Endorses John McCain Sort of

Praying for Democratic Party Unity

Original at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/communityservice/4spx. Click image for a larger screen grab.
The prayer request is for...

From 6/1-8/6 Watching the spectical on Sat. at the rules meeting breaks my heart. We can't wait for HRC to see the light on her own, we need to begin praying for her and her supporters now. Please commit to praying for them daily to 1) stop trying to hurt the Obama's and the Democratic party. 2) Pray God will speak to them all and change their hearts so their only pursuit will be party unity and whole heartedly backing Sen. Obama.

Wow, not too condecending is it? So what should we all be praying for today? World peace? An end to violence against children? Religious harmony? Nope. We' should all get on our knees an pray that Hillary Clinton and Hillary Clinton supporters see the light (or the one) and stop picking on poor little Barack Obama.

--Don't worry it counts as Community Service.

Obama Website Asks People to Pray for Clinton and Her Supporters