Possible Fireworks on the Democratic Convention Floor?

With the Demoncratic Convention coming up in Denver, I found it interesting that I would stumble upon this little "tidbit" at

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4481224.ece:

Tim Reid in Washington, August 8, 2008

Hillary Clinton could yet derail Barack Obama’s presidential campaign after video emerged yesterday of the former First Lady refusing to rule out a divisive floor vote at his nominating convention this month.

The tense behind-the-scenes battle over how to recognise Mrs Clinton’s achievements at the Democratic Convention, which opens in Denver on August 25, burst into public view with footage of her telling supporters that she was looking for a “strategy” for her delegates to be honoured.
Mrs Clinton, filmed talking to mainly women supporters in California last week, refused to rule out the prospect of including her name in an open ballot of all members of the convention. The move would be unprecedented for the leading losing primary candidate in recent times because it would force delegates to pledge publicly their support one by one.

“I believe we will come out stronger if people feel that their voices were heard and their views respected. That is a very big part of how we actually come out unified,” Mrs Clinton said. She received 18 million votes in the primary campaign, narrowly lost the pledged delegate race and registered a string of thumping victories over Mr Obama in the later stages of the nominating battle.
Mrs Clinton’s aides said it was highly unlikely that she would go as far as to demand a nomination roll call but the negotiations between the campaigns reflects the considerable bitterness that still exists, particularly with Bill Clinton and many of his wife’s supporters.
Mrs Clinton has been given the leading speaking role on the second evening of the convention — the night is effectively hers — but until late last night Mr Clinton’s role had yet to be determined. Faced with growing anger inside the Clinton camp of leaving a two-term president in limbo, Mr Obama personally offered a speaking slot to him hours before he departed for a week's holiday in Hawaii. It is understood Mr Clinton will make his speech before Mr Obama's vice-presidential pick addresses the convention.

Publicly, Mrs Clinton is doing much to help Mr Obama and is calling on her supporters to back him. She will campaign on his behalf in Nevada today, and in Florida just before the convention. After the video footage emerged, Mrs Clinton issued a statement saying that no decisions had been made on the convention, adding: “Senator Obama and I . . . will ensure that the voices of everyone who participated in this historic process are respected and our party is fully unified heading into the November election.”

Privately however, the Clintons remain sceptical that Mr Obama can win the White House. Although most voters will not focus properly on his race against John McCain until after the conventions have ended in early September, Mr Obama has stalled in the polls. A new survey also diagnosed a fresh concern for the Democrats — “Obama fatigue”. Nearly 50 per cent of voters feel that they have been “hearing too much” about Mr Obama.

The Clinton camp is also irritated by what they perceive as Mr Obama’s failure to work harder to help to pay off her campaign debt and to reach out to her supporters.

In Denver, diehard supporters are planning to demonstrate on her behalf, a prospect that unsettles the Obama camp. The groups include PUMA (Party Unity My Ass) and Just Say No Deal Coalition. David Axelrod, Mr Obama’s campaign manager, said: “We’re going to work this out.” He added that Mrs Clinton was “making a good-faith effort on behalf of Barack”, and the campaigns were talking every day.

Now, here's what came a few days ago from Hillary's official email campaign, to which I am subscribed:

I cannot wait for the lights to come up and the cameras to roll at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. When I join Democrats from across the country who are unified and ready to get to work to elect Barack Obama, I want you there.

I hope you will take this chance to come and cheer us on!

So many people have reached out to help us pay down our campaign debt, and I was just overwhelmed by the generous spirit of so many of you. I'm pleased to announce that Leslie of Tacoma, WA won our contest and will be joining me for dinner soon. But so many people participated that I knew I just had to give you another chance. So will you enter today for the chance to join me in Denver?

Join me in Denver. Contribute today.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see an event that will truly make history. I'll make sure you get great seats to see me speak on Tuesday night when I address the nation and see Senator Obama accept the nomination at Mile High Stadium on Thursday.

We're going to have an amazing convention and head into the fall campaign unified and ready to work. And if you contribute today to help us pay down our campaign debt, you might be the one to join me in Denver!

Personally, I've had a hard time reading those "let's get behind Barrack" emails from the Hillary PR camp (still working on retiring her campaign debt), because it all seems too artificial. Not that I'm doubting Hillary's sincerity. She's a dedicated Democrat, and having a Democrat elected this November would be her priority. But 18 Million voters have been shoved aside to make way for a forced agenda. (Hmmm, do we see any parallels to 2000? 2004?)

Personally, I believe Barrack Obama is the Republicans' secret weapon. Whoever has been behind the push to get him into the position of Democratic Presidential candidate, had an ultimate goal of electing John McCain, because they knew B.O. would alienate the populace and ultimately self-destruct.

My position on this remains the same. WRITE-IN HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION (that is, of course, unless we get a deligate uprising in Denver and Hillary gets the call to lead the Dems as the official Presidental Candidate!).

Deb Adler

©2008 Deborah Adler. All rights reserved.

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Write-In Hillary Clinton for President in November

It’s official. I’m starting the movement now:

Write-in Hillary Clinton for President in November.

Obama is busy out there proving what I (and the 18 Million others who voted for Hillary in the primaries) knew all along. Wonder-boy is all fluff and no substance. Charisma is great for dictatorships but in a democracy sooner or later you need more than just “good looks.”

You need experience. You need to know how to negotiate in the “Big Boys Room” without getting cremated. Hillary has that experience from her years in the Senate, not to mention her behind-the-scenes activity during Bill’s White House years.

As for diplomacy, Hillary wins hands down. Class (as in “quality” not “position”) rules in this arena. Boyish charm won’t go the distance - after all, it hasn’t worked for Georgie-Boy.

If it’s true that “behind every good man is a good woman” perhaps the Dems will get the hint and place Hillary in the VP Seat. At least that will appease some of the populace.

I’m going for the whole enchelada. If Hillary does end up on the Democratic ticket as Obama’s running mate, I’m still going to write her in for President in November. If you care about this country, I suggest you do the same.

May the best candidate win.

DA

©2008 Deborah Adler. All rights reserved.

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How Do You Spell "Class?" H-I-L-L-A-R-Y C-L-I-N-T-O-N

As a woman I was crushed the day the Hillary Clinton "suspended" her campaign. She has, after all, won more of the popular vote than any other primary candidate; she was sold down the river from day one by the media; and she has a hell of alot more experience that you know who....

But she has effectively made her mark on history, and, "Yes, Virginia, Hillary Clinton blazed the path for the first woman to be elected president to walk down in the very near future."

Here are excerpts from her speech from that day. They are missing most references to Obama because I wanted to feature her strength and class - and it's my blog!



“Thank you so much. Thank you all.

Well, this isn’t exactly the party I’d planned, but I sure like the company.

I want to start today by saying how grateful I am to all of you – to everyone who poured your hearts and your hopes into this campaign, who drove for miles and lined the streets waving homemade signs, who scrimped and saved to raise money, who knocked on doors and made calls, who talked and sometimes argued with your friends and neighbors, who emailed and contributed online, who invested so much in our common enterprise, to the moms and dads who came to our events, who lifted their little girls and little boys on their shoulders and whispered in their ears, “ See, you can be anything you want to be. ”

To the young people like 13 year-old Ann Riddle from Mayfield, Ohio who had been saving for two years to go to Disney World, and decided to use her savings instead to travel to Pennsylvania with her Mom and volunteer there as well. To the veterans and the childhood friends, to New Yorkers and Arkansans who traveled across the country and telling anyone who would listen why you supported me.

To all those women in their 80s and their 90s born before women could vote who cast their votes for our campaign. I’ve told you before about Florence Steen of South Dakota, who was 88 years old, and insisted that her daughter bring an absentee ballot to her hospice bedside. Her daughter and a friend put an American flag behind her bed and helped her fill out the ballot. She passed away soon after, and under state law, her ballot didn’t count. But her daughter later told a reporter, “My dad’s an ornery old cowboy, and he didn’t like it when he heard mom’s vote wouldn’t be counted. I don’t think he had voted in 20 years. But he voted in place of my mom.”

To all those who voted for me, and to whom I pledged my utmost, my commitment to you and to the progress we seek is unyielding. You have inspired and touched me with the stories of the joys and sorrows that make up the fabric of our lives and you have humbled me with your commitment to our country.

18 million of you from all walks of life – women and men, young and old, Latino and Asian, African-American and Caucasian, rich, poor and middle class, gay and straight – you have stood strong with me. And I will continue to stand strong with you, every time, every place, and every way that I can. The dreams we share are worth fighting for.

Remember - we fought for the single mom with a young daughter, juggling work and school, who told me, “I’m doing it all to better myself for her. ” We fought for the woman who grabbed my hand, and asked me, “ What are you going to do to make sure I have health care? ” and began to cry because even though she works three jobs, she can ’ t afford insurance. We fought for the young man in the Marine Corps t-shirt who waited months for medical care and said, “Take care of my buddies over there and then, will you please help take care of me? ”We fought for all those who’ve lost jobs and health care, who can’t afford gas or groceries or college, who have felt invisible to their president these last seven years.

I entered this race because I have an old-fashioned conviction: that public service is about helping people solve their problems and live their dreams. I’ve had every opportunity and blessing in my own life – and I want the same for all Americans. Until that day comes, you will always find me on the front lines of democracy – fighting for the future.

The way to continue our fight now – to accomplish the goals for which we stand…

Now when I started this race, I intended to win back the White House, and make sure we have a president who puts our country back on the path to peace, prosperity, and progress…

I understand that we all know this has been a tough fight. The Democratic Party is a family, and it’s now time to restore the ties that bind us together and to come together around the ideals we share, the values we cherish, and the country we love.

We may have started on separate journeys – but today, our paths have merged. And we are all heading toward the same destination, united and more ready than ever to win in November and to turn our country around because so much is at stake.

We all want an economy that sustains the American Dream, the opportunity to work hard and have that work rewarded, to save for college, a home and retirement, to afford that gas and those groceries and still have a little left over at the end of the month. An economy that lifts all of our people and ensures that our prosperity is broadly distributed and shared.

We all want a health care system that is universal, high quality, and affordable so that parents no longer have to choose between care for themselves or their children or be stuck in dead end jobs simply to keep their insurance. This isn’t just an issue for me – it is a passion and a cause – and it is a fight I will continue until every single American is insured – no exceptions, no excuses.

We all want an America defined by deep and meaningful equality – from civil rights to labor rights, from women’s rights to gay rights, from ending discrimination to promoting unionization to providing help for the most important job there is: caring for our families.

We all want to restore America’s standing in the world, to end the war in Iraq and once again lead by the power of our values, and to join with our allies to confront our shared challenges from poverty and genocide to terrorism and global warming.

You know, I’ve been involved in politics and public life in one way or another for four decades. During those forty years, our country has voted ten times for President. Democrats won only three of those times. And the man who won two of those elections is with us today.

We made tremendous progress during the 90s under a Democratic President, with a flourishing economy, and our leadership for peace and security respected around the world. Just think how much more progress we could have made over the past 40 years if we had a Democratic president. Think about the lost opportunities of these past seven years – on the environment and the economy, on health care and civil rights, on education, foreign policy and the Supreme Court. Imagine how far we could’ve come, how much we could’ve achieved if we had just had a Democrat in the White House.

We cannot let this moment slip away. We have come too far and accomplished too much.

Now the journey ahead will not be easy. Some will say we can’t do it. That it’s too hard. That we’re just not up to the task. But for as long as America has existed, it has been the American way to reject “can’t do” claims, and to choose instead to stretch the boundaries of the possible through hard work, determination, and a pioneering spirit.

It is this belief, this optimism,…that has inspired so many millions of our supporters to make their voices heard… to say: Yes we can.

Together we will work. We’ll have to work hard to get universal health care. But on the day we live in an America where no child, no man, and no woman is without health insurance, we will live in a stronger America.

We’ll have to work hard to get back to fiscal responsibility and a strong middle class. But on the day we live in an America whose middle class is thriving and growing again, where all Americans, no matter where they live or where their ancestors came from, can earn a decent living, we will live in a stronger America…

We’ll have to work hard to foster the innovation that makes us energy independent and lift the threat of global warming from our children ’ s future. But on the day we live in an America fueled by renewable energy, we will live in a stronger America.

We’ll have to work hard to bring our troops home from Iraq, and get them the support they’ve earned by their service. But on the day we live in an America that’s as loyal to our troops as they have been to us, we will live in a stronger America…

This election is a turning point election and it is critical that we all understand what our choice really is. Will we go forward together or will we stall and slip backwards. Think how much progress we have already made. When we first started, people everywhere asked the same questions:

Could a woman really serve as Commander-in-Chief? Well, I think we answered that one.

And could an African American really be our President? Senator Obama has answered that one.

Together Senator Obama and I achieved milestones essential to our progress as a nation, part of our perpetual duty to form a more perfect union.

Now, on a personal note – when I was asked what it means to be a woman running for President, I always gave the same answer: that I was proud to be running as a woman but I was running because I thought ’d be the best President. But I am a woman, and like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious.

I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us.

I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of. I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter’s future and a mother who wants to lead all children to brighter tomorrows. To build that future I see, we must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and mothers, and that women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal respect. Let us resolve and work toward achieving some very simple propositions: There are no acceptable limits and there are no acceptable prejudices in the twenty-first century.

You can be so proud that, from now on, it will be unremarkable for a woman to win primary state victories, unremarkable to have a woman in a close race to be our nominee, unremarkable to think that a woman can be the President of the United States. And that is truly remarkable.

To those who are disappointed that we couldn’t go all the way – especially the young people who put so much into this campaign – it would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours. Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you’re knocked down, get right back up. And never listen to anyone who says you can’t or shouldn’t go on.

As we gather here today in this historic magnificent building, the 50th woman to leave this Earth is orbiting overhead. If we can blast 50 women into space, we will someday launch a woman into the White House.

Although we weren’t able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it ’ s got about 18 million cracks in it. And the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time. That has always been the history of progress in America.

Think of the suffragists who gathered at Seneca Falls in 1848 and those who kept fighting until women could cast their votes. Think of the abolitionists who struggled and died to see the end of slavery. Think of the civil rights heroes and foot-soldiers who marched, protested and risked their lives to bring about the end to segregation and Jim Crow.

Because of them, I grew up taking for granted that women could vote. Because of them, my daughter grew up taking for granted that children of all colors could go to school together. Because of them, Barack Obama and I could wage a hard fought campaign for the Democratic nomination. Because of them, and because of you, children today will grow up taking for granted that an African American or a woman can yes, become President of the United States.

When that day arrives and a woman takes the oath of office as our President, we will all stand taller, proud of the values of our nation, proud that every little girl can dream and that her dreams can come true in America. And all of you will know that because of your passion and hard work you helped pave the way for that day.

So I want to say to my supporters, when you hear people saying – or think to yourself – “if only” or “what if,” I say, “please don’t go there.” Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward.

Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been. We have to work together for what still can be….

To my supporters and colleagues in Congress, to the governors and mayors, elected officials who stood with me, in good times and in bad, thank you for your strength and leadership. To my friends in our labor unions who stood strong every step of the way – I thank you and pledge my support to you. To my friends, from every stage of my life – your love and ongoing commitments sustain me every single day. To my family – especially Bill and Chelsea and my mother, you mean the world to me and I thank you for all you have done. And to my extraordinary staff, volunteers and supporters, thank you for working those long, hard hours. Thank you for dropping everything – leaving work or school – traveling to places you’d never been, sometimes for months on end. And thanks to your families as well because your sacrifice was theirs too.

All of you were there for me every step of the way. Being human, we are imperfect. That’s why we need each other. To catch each other when we falter. To encourage each other when we lose heart. Some may lead; others may follow; but none of us can go it alone. The changes we’re working for are changes that we can only accomplish together. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are rights that belong to each of us as individuals. But our lives, our freedom, our happiness, are best enjoyed, best protected, and best advanced when we do work together…

We will make history together as we write the next chapter in America’s story. We will stand united for the values we hold dear, for the vision of progress we share, and for the country we love. There is nothing more American than that.

And looking out at you today, I have never felt so blessed. The challenges that I have faced in this campaign are nothing compared to those that millions of Americans face every day in their own lives. So today, I’m going to count my blessings and keep on going. I’m going to keep doing what I was doing long before the cameras ever showed up and what I’ll be doing long after they’re gone: Working to give every American the same opportunities I had, and working to ensure that every child has the chance to grow up and achieve his or her God-given potential.

I will do it with a heart filled with gratitude, with a deep and abiding love for our country– and with nothing but optimism and confidence for the days ahead. This is now our time to do all that we can to make sure that in this election we add another Democratic president to that very small list of the last 40 years and that we take back our country and once again move with progress and commitment to the future.

Thank you all and God bless you and God bless America.”

-Hillary Clinton
June 7, 2008

©2008 Deborah Adler. All rights reserved.

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Loving Fans Donate to Actress' Favorite Charity

Fans of actress Laurel Holloman, who has starred in 5 seasons of Showtime's The L Word, are working on a unique birthday gift to present to her. Through numerous online chat rooms and message boards, fans of the actress are working together to "present" Ms. Holloman with a substantial donation to her favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders. Donations are fast closing in on the $6,000 mark. Each time a target (set in $2000 increments) is reached, a new target is set at $2,000 more.

Donation site is http://www.firstgiving.com/laurelhollomanonline.

Doctors Without Borders Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural and man-made disasters, and exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries. A private, nonprofit organization, Doctors Without Borders was founded in 1971 as the first non-governmental organization to both provide emergency medical assistance and bear witness publicly to the plight of people it assists.

Online donors can leave a message along with their contribution if they wish. Organizers of this fundraising drive hope to see the donations continue to come in after the actress' birthday on March 23rd, but are definitely excited about this generous way of letting their favorite performer know how she has impacted their lives through her work while benefitting the lives of others.

More information is available at http://www.ourchart.com/node/380458 and http://www.laurelhollomanonline.com/.

©2008 Deborah Adler. All rights reserved.

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HELP US SHOW OUR STRENGTH

SUPPORT HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT. WATCH THIS VIDEO NOW.

https://contribute.hillaryclinton.com/march31.html?sc=1734&utm_source=1734&utm_medium=e&ta=0

Peace,
Deb Adler

©2008 Deborah Adler. All rights reserved. NOTE: All video rights belong to HillaryClinton.com. I own nothing.

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Obama's "Sudden" Rise???

Does anybody else smell a dead fish?

Face it folks, politics is about money, and somebody alot bigger than "the people" have gotten behind our shiny-faced boy to push him ahead. Even the Teamsters gave him a vote of confidence - in plenty of time to possibly undermine the Ohio and Texas primaries. I grew up in Oak Park, Michigan - right next to Detroit. I remember when the Teamsters were somewhat less than welcoming to anyone but a WASP.

Watch the drama unfold. The fact is the outcome has already been determined somewhere on a distant island in a smoked-filled room. All the players have to do is play it out. Manipulate the populace and they'll fold....just like always.

Unless...do you think that "we the people" might still find our way out of the illusion in time to figure it out and CHANGE IT?

Do you REALLY want to make a difference? Forget about what Oprah says, and all the other heavies who have been manipulated, coerced or otherwise put into place to persuade the populace...LOOK BEHIND THE ILLUSION...

Rememeber the slogan of the 60's..."Question Authority!"

WHO SAYS "It's all but over" -- ???? -- only the lackeys who want you to believe it. Let's fool them! Take charge of your destiny. Stay focused. The sheep - that would we, the expendable masses - are being led to the edge of the cliff.

Time to WAKE UP.
-D

©2008 Deborah Adler. All rights reserved.

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Video of Deb Singing "Livin' Your Dreams" at Ancient Village Opening Aug 2007

Thanks to Alannah Ryane at http://www.ryaneinc.com/ for posting this on YouTube!

Livin' Your Dreams ©2005 Silverstream Music Inc.

©2008 Deborah Adler. All rights reserved.

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