Six years ago….. Barack Obama announces his candidacy

Springfield, Illinois, February 10, 2007 – Photo: Pete Souza

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Text of the speech here

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NYT: Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, standing before the Old State Capitol where Abraham Lincoln began his political career, announced his candidacy for the White House on Saturday by presenting himself as an agent of generational change who could transform a government hobbled by cynicism, petty corruption and “a smallness of our politics.”

…. It was the latest step in a journey rich with historic possibilities and symbolism. Thousands of people packed the town square to witness it, shivering in the single-digit frostiness until Mr. Obama appeared, trailed by his wife, Michelle, and two young daughters….

…. The formal entry to the race framed a challenge that would seem daunting to even the most talented politician: whether Mr. Obama, with all his strengths and limitations, can win in a field dominated by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who brings years of experience in presidential politics, a command of policy and political history, and an extraordinarily battle-tested network of fund-raisers and advisers.

…. “If a campaign is premised on personality, then no, I don’t think you can stay fresh for a year,” he said. “But if the campaign is built from the ground up and there is a sense of ownership among people who want to see significant change, then absolutely. It can build and grow.”

More here

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Photo: Callie Shell

60 Minutes (2007 & 2008)

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Tonight – 7.0 ET: The President and Hillary Clinton on 60 Minutes (Link to interview)

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And 2008….

rise and shine

Morning everyone. Back soon, chat away 😉

Almost forgot…..again!

rise and shine

Steve Benen is back blogging, phew! Link

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11:15: First Lady Michelle Obama joins Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to announce new proposed rules regarding health care for veterans and injured service members. (CNN Live streaming)

12:15: Jay Carney briefs the press.

2:15: PBO welcomes President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia to the White House.

3:15: PBO and Michelle Obama host the Diplomatic Corps Reception.

5:30: PBO participates in an interview with YouTube and Google+ to discuss his State of the Union Address.

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I never thought I’d say this: well done Jake Tapper.

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In a small gathering in Midtown Manhattan on November 29th, 2007, Senator Barack Obama is asked what he would do to begin to bridge the “wealth gap” between America’s very rich and very poor:

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Thanks lamh!

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Morning everyone 😉

just sayin’

November, 2007

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Funny, the President said the same thing to John Boehner today:

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President Barack Obama talks with Rob Nabors, Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs, in the Oval Office, Dec. 22, 2011. Nabors informed President Obama that a bipartisan agreement was reached to extend the payroll tax cut. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

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good afternoon people

U.S. soldiers begin their journey home from Iraq at the al-Asad Air Base, west of Baghdad, on November 1. President Barack Obama announced on Oct. 21 that American troops would fully withdraw from Iraq by year-end.

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Original video here

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KTRK’s Dave Ward with Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at the White House

The President was interviewed by these local channels today:

Portland – KGW, NBC, Tracy Barr
Phoenix – KSAZ, Fox, John Hook
Denver – KUSA, NBC, Adele Arakawa
Minneapolis – WCCO, CBS, Amelia Santaniello
Houston – KTRK, ABC, Dave Ward
Omaha – KETV, ABC, Rob McCartney
Tampa – WTVT, Fox, Mark Wilson
Hampton Roads – WAVY, NBC, Tom Schaad
Philadelphia – WPVI, ABC, Brian Taff

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President Barack Obama signs a proclamation to designate Ft. Monroe, in Hampton, Virginia, a National Monument, in the Oval Office, November 1. The President was joined by, from left to right, Mayor Molly Ward, Hampton, VA, Secretary Ken Salazar, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Lacy Ward, Jr. Director, Robert Russa Moton Museum, Farmville, VA

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From 2004 and 2006, posted by American Bridge on YouTube today:

🙄

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February 2009: Vice President Joseph Biden shares a moment with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s mother Dorothy Rodham during a ceremonial swearing-in for Sec. Clinton at the State Department

Asked about the death of Hillary Clinton’s mother today, President Obama called her “a strong, determined, gifted person”. “For her to have lived the life that she did and to see her daughter succeed in the pinnacle of public service in this country, I’m sure was deeply satisfying to her.”

President Obama speaks about the passing of Dorothy Rodham, November 1

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PCTC

Thanks Ladyhawke – PCTC just gets better and better, it’s completey brilliant

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KGO: Scott Olsen, the 25-year-old Iraq war veteran who was injured by a projectile during Tuesday’s “Occupy Oakland” demonstration, remains in fair condition.

On Saturday, a spokesperson for Highland Hospital said Olsen …  had been transferred to another undisclosed hospital.

The spokesperson also said documentary filmmaker Michael Moore tried to visit Olsen on Saturday. The hospital said the family has asked for Olsen’s privacy and asked Moore not to try to visit Olsen and the hospital again.

“We have a very, very polite message to Mr. Moore: Mr. Olsen is not here,” the hospital spokesperson said, “and if you do find out where he is, the Olsen family doesn’t want you to come there either.”

More here

As BWD put it on Twitter, what a “disgusting opportunist” Moore is. What on earth made him think that the Olsen family would want him at Scott’s bedside? Especially after they had asked for privacy? Oh boy, I used to love Michael Moore….

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Oooooooh Jon!

‘playing scrabble with the dog’

Thanks ChristiMtl 😉

Down memory lane …

2007

Thanks Ladyhawke 😉

the counter-puncher

2007

Thank you Loriah 😉

what a journey!

apologies, but….

….I know, I shouldn’t waste blog space by mentioning the half-termer from Alaska, but I had to share this nugget from Media Matters:

You know the ‘creature’ has been spewing her bile all over Michelle Obama for her support of women who choose to breastfeed?

Ready for this?

2007:

Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, has issued the following proclamation:

….breastfeeding is recognized as an unequalled means of providing food for infants …. throughout their lives, breastfeeding can offer children protection against serious health conditions …. breastfeeding forms the most basic bond between mother and baby and is a foundation for lifelong health and wellness … government and community organizations have a vested interest in protecting and promoting breastfeeding as a means of preventing infant malnutrition, morbidity, and mortality …

….during October, organizations throughout our state will promote the importance of breastfeeding. This year, in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week – October 1 through October 7 – the State of Alaska will support networks that encourage and promote breastfeeding in all communities.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Palin, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim October 2007 as:

Breastfeeding Awareness Month

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Warning: this video features the half-termer:

Oh boy. Crawl back under your rock, you worthless piece of slime 😉