Waiting for the kiss
The risk is that the Hillary Barack meeting is simply too farcical for primetime as this piece wittily suggests. There is something about Unity that screams out fake.
We are all going (I am staying at the Back Side Inn, which I hope is not named symbolically) to see history made but important as this day is it is about faux history, ersatz history, not the kind that comes from the gut and stands the test of time.
Meanwhile where is Bill? Physically the answer is well-known - he is in London for the Mandela birthday celebrations - but mentally, intellectually, psychologically?
This piece sets out the issue.
I shall report from Unity just as soon as I see them kiss...
A postscript from the closed-door meeting for fundraisers and the two candidates in DC on Thursday night: a contact of mine tells me that the irrepressible Terry McAuliffe (Hillary Clinton's campaign chair) introduced her thus: "And now ladies and gentlemen, the next ............. Speaker!"
There was much laughter and reduction of tension. My contact (a Hillary fundraiser) suggests that at least one prominent Hillary backer was saying openly that the meeting had convinced him to get through his grief, denial etc to the final stage that would allow life to go on, and presumably the money to flow to the Obama camp.
Hello, I'm 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~32~RS~)
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It's my thinking that the value of Hillary Clinton's inclusion in the campaign is overrated. Obama stands against machine politics, special interest groups and lobbyists. These are all the things she represents. We stood behind Obama in part to get rid of the Clinton machine.
I think the republicans now have a lot of ammunition to use against Obama. If Bill joins the team they will have more - much more.
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On the money! 'it is about faux history, erzatz history...'
A 'unity meeting' in Unity, NH? Puhhleaze, don't insult my intelligence even more, folks.
Obama's ersatz 'Presidential Seal' was insulting enough earlier this week.
This is about dividing the spoils of any potential victory, and in the meantime, how to spend all...that...money!!, and how to ensure that generous amounts of it are spread around to those nearest and dearest.
Expect to meet many 'consultants' between now and November.
Unity, New Hampshire, indeed!!
Can't even begin to write what comes to mind about your accommodations and this occasion, Mr. Webb. I'd be justifiably unpublished!
Thanks for keeping your sense of humor about you--you will need it going forward!
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I'm astounded by the 'Forest Gump' theory as applied to politics...somehow someone who had 143 possible Senate sessions (but didn't attend them all) between his election to the Senate and the day he filed his intent to form a Presidential exploratory committee is more qualified to be President purely by venture of his lack of experience and his ability to collect money by Internet from people who lack experience? By this notion the candidates should have been drawn from a pool of Wal-Mart door greeters...they truly lack political experience. We could spend the first 2 years of the Presidency teaching the new President to read, and showing him how to eat with all of the flatware instead of just his butter knife.
A few years ago I had an Aortic valve replacement. I was tempted to choose a surgeon right out of residency because he would have no experience to clutter the simplicity of his thinking or constraining his creative juices. But I reconsidered and went with the veteran, heart-lung transplant guy.
Oversimplification and inexperience are not virtues...every Kindergartner possesses these qualities...they just don't have the slick script writers...."Have faith...change is coming!"
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It wasn't long ago that Senator Clinto said that Senator Obama is not fit to be Commander-in-Chief of the US Armed Forces. Was she lying then or is she selling us out now? Her campaign fund is 22 million dollars in the red, 12 million of it to Hillary Clinton individual. Will Barrack Obama buy her support by giving her back the money she spent to defeat him? What a pair of crooks if he does.
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according to the following link:
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/06/unity_cant_get.html
The BBC has booked all 7 of the rooms in
the Back Side Inn. I'm sure that the Secret Service
people will be jealous.
But I understand. If I had to kiss Hillary, I
would want to do it in as remote a place
as possibly could exist, and I hear that
it is high season in Vanuatu right now.
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allmymarbles:I agree.HRC represents every conceivable vested interest.
A few weeks ago an angry Ms. Clinton berated Obama that he was not fit to be the C-in-C of the US armed forces. Has she reconsidered Obama's unfitness in the light of Obama's signal to relieve some of her failed campaign debt?
BTW, Obama's campaign wil be much lighter without the Clinton couple's diagreeable baggage. Hillary's overweening vanity, arrogance and ambition will pose incompatibility problems to Obama.
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Justin writes "There is something about Unity that screams out fake." Come on now, it has a charming ring about, the name itself and 107 votes each - MGM couldn't have done it better. Not everyone is as cynical as Justin.
Whether Mrs Clinton will be an asset is yet to be seen, but there are seventeen million voters who still need to be mollified. Mr Obama is quoted as saying "I'm going to need Hillary by my side campaigning during this election, and I'm going to need all of you." The phrase "by my side" as applied to her indicates (to me, at least) that he's not about to ignore her and may yet have important plans for her. She's by far the better debater and may have a part to play somewhere along the line. Just because she conceded doesn't mean to say she's going to drop out of sight. I have a feeling that we're going to see a lot more of Mrs Clinton between now and November.
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Havig read the last few blogs and tried, with limited success to follow the whole process. I cannot help feeling that it is high time the United States had a new Constitution.
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There is no possible way that either Obama or Clinton are sincere about this mutual admiration festival. I see it as being motivated by two different objectives, both cynical and serving to show the the low ethical standards and the low caliber of the American political class. (I make no claim that this is lower than that of foreign politicians, however.)
On the part of Clinton: Shameless pandering and theater to grub for money and to ensure that she is able to maintain some stature within the party apparatus in spite of having attempted to torpedo Obama's chances in November for her own ambitions.
On the part of Obama: Shameless pandering and theater to secure the votes of former Clinton supporters.
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Waiting for the kiss?.
Noble
." The complete life, the perfect pattern, includes old age as well as youth and maturity. The beauty of the morning and the radiance of noon are good, but it would be a very silly person who drew the curtains and turned on the light in order to shut out the tranquillity of the evening. Old age has its pleasures, which, though different, are not less than the pleasures of youth." Somerset Maugham
Happy Birthday
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#6 ennaren,
I think the deal may have been to allow the Clintons to campaign with Obama to shore up whatever clout they had left. It is possible that if Obama had not agreed, they would have sabotaged his run fot the presidency. I put nothing past him, or her. They are as far down on my list as the sanctimonious weasel, Joe Lieberman.
As to Lieberman, I hope he runs as McCaim's vice president The democrats hate him and any republican with eyes will see him for the slime he is.
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ennanam. I have no idea why they removed your comment. It seemed benign to me.
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ennanem. Do you think they will remove mine too?
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re: #13 allmymarbles
"Do you think they will remove mine too?"
If you were referring to post #11, they just might. Many would consider the characterization somewhat disrespectful towards slime.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
I see there are several small places in the USA called 'Friendship'. Can we expect a Clinton/Obama tour of amicably named places? Amityville NY later, just to reinforce the message, perhaps? Will there be a final breakup in Hell, Michigan? Perhaps they could take a weekend break, fly over to the UK, and do a deal in Deal?
It's so . . well, tawdry, isn't it? How on earth can you take someone seriously who pulls a blatantly insincere, not to say trivial, PR stunt like this? Even New Labour's spin doctors never came up with anything as transparently silly as this.
(I forebear to make any of the obvious jokes about the Backside Inn, tempting though it is; I doubt the moderators would pass them, and I daresay the BBC team has already run through the whole gamut anyway.)
Well, it's certainly cheered me up on a rather depressingly grey day (quite apart from the depressing news from Zimbabwe) in London.
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I watched Thursday evening as reporters "sneaked out" mobile phone video of the kiss-kiss event with Obama and Clinton. It was enough to make one lose supper.
My interest in Obama was in the hope, his favorite word, that he would indeed be a breath of fresh air in a nation that has gone stale. Now, he's courting Clinton and the stale, egocentric politics of her and her husband.
Everyone seems concerned about wooing back the Clinton voters. What Clinton voter in his or her right mind is going to vote for John McCain anyway? What about voters such as myself, who are now giving Obama second thoughts because of (a) his turnabout on public campaign funding and (b) his courting of the very family that defines what's wrong with American politics?
November is coming, and I'm feeling like Gilbert O'Sullivan for yet another presidential election..."Alone Again, Naturally."
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Its ok, if they stick with this cutesy way of choosing places to hold events, when they win they'll hold it in Success, NH (population 0 people and about 200 moose), and yes, its a real place
Conversely, McCain might respond by holding an event in Freedom, NH, which unlike these other adorable town names, actually has a reasonably substantial population (by North-Central NH standards anyway)
Just wait, and when it all happens, feel free to vomit
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Ennaren & Ms marbles,
Well said, both of you, but I agree with Peter on the implied insult to slime.
Unity looks like a nice place. Both NH and Vermont are fine places full of fine folk. As a side observation, 90% of the land was agricultural 200 years ago, but as the better land opened west of the Appalachians, the farmers left, and now almost 90% of the land is forest. There is yet hope for the Earth.
;-)
ed
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NHGeoffB, #18, if HRC and Obama really need
to get things going, they could have a meeting
in Intercourse, Pennsylvania. (yes, a real place,
so don't moderate this out).
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Hillary and Barack have sensibly decided to put their differences aside. They are excellent Senators with real grit and determination. By working together they should be able to garner votes and wrest the Presidency from Republican hands. The last eight years have been a really bleak period for America with no clear direction. America has sunk to its nadir and its global influence has been on the wane. Strategically Obama and Hillary should be able to convince American voters that real change is on the way with key issues tackled sensibly especially the disparity between rich and poor; the priorities for American foreign policy, the importance of women and real equal opportunities etc.The Democrats have a wonderful opportunity. Everyone is expecting Obama to make the sensible choice of running mate. Together with Hillary the Democratic Party would give the Republicans a drubbing.
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I don't think that Obama has too many choices regarding Clinton if he wants to keep her from sabotaging his campaign. (Which, I believe she is perfectly capable of doing. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.)
Also, I think she held onto the campaign as long as possible so that Obama would have to help her out of debt. I don't think he needs her fund raisers. Obama has raised millions from small contributors. I know people who have been contributing $25 each month since last November and they will continue to do so.
I don't know what all the flap is about Obama refusing public funding. McCain needs it because I don't think he can get the contributions otherwise.
It is about money. As my old dad always said: 'Money talks and b---s walks.'
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I normally don't like or support Democrats, because they're a little soft in the head, but I like Joseph Lieberman, probably because he stands for what he believes in even when it disagrees with the party line.
I like him so much I gave him $10 when he lost the democratic primary (to one of Soros' weasels) and ran as an Independent.
I'm sure he didn't need my $10 because he won more votes than the democratic and republican nominees put together, but I showed my support at least.
We need more politicians to ditch their parties and run as independents, maybe then more people will actually pay attention to the issues and stop brainlessly checking for an R or a D next to the candidate’s name.
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#22. aquarizonagal "I don't know what all the flap is about Obama refusing public funding." It's because he reneged on his promise to use it.
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Reuben,
I agree about independents, but not about Lieberman, who's not really independent, but just a shill for AIPAC.
Ifwe must have parties, the more the merrier.
Salaam/Shalom/Shanthi/Dorood/Peace
ed
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16. Brit-ish-ish...
Unfortnately this 'blatant' insincerety will likely work...Obama's supporters are as inexperienced at life as he is on The Hill, and are mostly comprised of Xbox slackers sleeping on Mummie's couch til 10 a.m. before the go off to their 18 hour work week at Starbucks, or life-long public employees and school teachers, in other words career trough-suckers who depend on large and burgeoning government...they are of course going to change the course of the world (which they know nothing of) one $5 dollar Internet donation at a time. "Have faith! Change is coming!" fits nicely on a bumper sticker, and is well within the grasp of the short-attention-span generation who are convinced that wishing is as good as doing.
Meanwhile, any business which can will be moving more of its operation off-shore in self-defense of the impending wave of social justice (and statutory policies) which will flood America...after all corporate Amercia and the 'old boys' of DC are the problem and are in cahoots.
There's nothing wrong with America that naivete and organized labor can't fix. You go Forest!
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The kiss!....
Check out the expression on the guy on the right!
xxx
ed
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re: #24 David_Cunard wrote:
". . . public funding. It's because he reneged on his promise to use it."
If you would only do some simple research, you will find that the original commitment was to use public funding if the Rep candidate and Obama could negotiate to reasonably limit ALL campaign expenditures to include the parties and 527s, etc.
Such an agreement was not reached, even though exploratory negotiations were initiated. Thus Obama decided to forego taxpayer funding and use his cash machine instead.
I am not an Obama supporter: he is as sleazy as McCain. However, it would serve to raise the level of discourse on this blog if people actually posted factually instead of TV or press sound bites.
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re: #25 Ed Iglehart wrote:
". . . Lieberman, who's not really independent . . ."
Actually, I have a slightly different take. Lieberman is independent in name only, he actually represents the Likud party in the US Senate.
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Gee, peterm99, do you think all those editorials about Obama's turnaround on public financing were just repeating sound bites? Must be an epidemic of some sort.
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Ed (#25): you said that Leiberman is 'not really independent, but just a shill for AIPAC'
What is a 'shil'?
Of course Leiberman, a devoutly orthodox jew would support Israel, but I hardly think that AIPAC has enough pull to beat both the Democratic and Republican parties in an election, only popular support from the people of Connecticut could do that.
Are you dismissing Joe Lieberman's successfully independent run against both parties because he's Jewish?
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#28. peterm99 - That's not how Karl Rove and the Republicans see it; it's going to be used against him along with any other flip-flops he makes. Tell them, not me!
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re:#30 AndreainNY
Check out Feb08 USAToday op-ed by Obama
I don't want to quote a lot, for fear of getting the post rejected, but just a couple of sentences/phrases should give you the gist:
". . . campaign-finance laws are complex, and filled with loopholes that can render meaningless any agreement that is not solidly constructed . . . I propose a meaningful agreement in good faith . . . to commit to discouraging cheating by their supporters; to refusing fundraising help to outside groups; and to limiting their own parties to legal forms of involvement. . ."
Then check out reports of at least one early meeting between McCain and Obama representatives to negotiate (I don't have the source handy, but Google ought to work). Obviously, no agreement was actually reached.
The earliest comments in 06 and 07 were little more than agreements in principle, but when it came to implementing the philosophy into a firm agreement with conditions acceptable to both sides, that didn't work out. I am not saying that Obama enthusiastically and aggressively pursued such an agreement before deciding to go with his cash machine; he's also just a sleazy politician like McCain.
I do believe that statements that say he broke a promise or reneged on a commitment are simplistically incomplete and are thus equivalent to lying by omission.
As you and I both know, the press tends to be lazy and, in my opinion, in this case took an easy opportunity to bash a politician in order for them to appear high-minded and on top of things. Personally, I like to see politicians bashed and ALL of them have a lot to be bashed about, but in this case, I can't see any legitimate justification for it.
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re: #31 Reuben34g
Lieberman is (according to the opinion of many people, of whom I am one) the one most actively pushing for a US foreign policy that is detrimental to the overall interests of the US but dovetails nicely with the interests of Likud policy.
Lieberman being Jewish has nothing to do with anything - there are lots of politicians who are Jewish but don't advocate for Likud interests ahead of US interests. There are also a lot of non-Jews who advocate for Likud interests ahead of US interests. Religion is a total red herring here.
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re: #33
That should read "Feb20 08" instead of "Feb08"
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#9, I have no doubt that Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton are not and never will be bosom friends.
It doesn't matter.
If they're able to set aside their own feelings to work together for the greater good of their party, there'll be no stone throwing at them from these quarters.
# 17, I don't think that Mr. Obama is "courting Clinton". I think he's simply being pragmatic.
Also, in this day and age when we get plenty of bold headlines trumpeted forth from the media, but very little detail behind them, perhaps there's something out there that actually takes the time and trouble to explain why Mr. Obama reversed his position on public funding. In fact, I know there is, and I was just too lazy to note it down at the time. Will try to find the article in question, which also asked why no one was paying any attention whatsoever to Mr. McCain's own "interesting" doings on the campaigning and money front....
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Reuben,
Some of the most staunch anti-zionists are "devoutly Orthodox" Jews.Salaam, etc.
ed
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#s -- 12,13,14: allmymarbles/peterm99.
Thanks for your empathay. My comment (#6) has been restored;obviously, there is nothing in it that could be construed as breaking the House Rules.
I endorse peterm99 (#28): "Thus Obama decided to forgo taxpayer funding and use his own cash machine instead."
I am astounded Obama's decision has been viewed as reneging on a commitment. I think, there should be no objection if he feels he can manage without the Treasury input. After all. $85M is not peanuts. A substantial sum, such as this, could be diverted towards public welfare.Kudos to Obama for declining the offer which, in any case, is his entitlement.
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I voted for obama because I do not want hill'er'y near power. nor Bill.
I also thought they would be the Kiss of death but oh well screw it .
Why does he have to even listen to her.
because her rabid supporters.
who have disgusted me through out this campaign.
Hill'r'y is the special interest he has to watch for.
still if she can help and stop trying to gain power.
If she can learn,then she could be an asset in some corridors.
I would not drop Obama because he spoke to the creature (Hillbill polly tick)after all his reasoning that speaking to enemies is one reason I voted for him.
Ed and all who followed the health care debate check out the new Bill Moyers program.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/06272008/watch2.html
one about workers being forced back to work when injured , to oil and the reason for war.
It's a great one and relevant to several discussions here.
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Ed:
Leiberman's political interests have more to do with the United States and his constituency Connecticut, that is why neither AIPAC, not the Israelis are talking much about
The anti-zionist ideas of the Chasidim I've spoken with were quite different from the anti zionist stance of Hamas, Hezbollah and Fatah.
The Orthodox aren't saying Jews shouldn't be going to the Holy land to make their own country, they only said that it isn't the right time yet.
You haven't answered my question about the antisemitizm that could be inferred from your comment, and haven't you explained what you meant by that crypic term: "Shil".
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It's because he reneged on his promise to use it.
no he said he would concider it or something.I watched and never saw that promis that you'll talk abotu.
but then some here are really bad at comprehension.
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A shill is an associate of a person selling goods or services or a political group, who pretends no association to the seller/group and assumes the air of an enthusiastic customer.
wikipedia.
crap but there you go.
A perfectly reasonable and polite way to describe him.
And if you want to raise ANTI SEMITISM then go get better educated on the history of the word.
Since the 1900 anti semitism has become a reference to anti jew.
before that it refered to negativity to all semites. The Jews are but one of many semetic tribes indigenous to the area.
The fact that you use anti semitism at a time when half of america thinks Obama should not be voted for because his name is Hussain, is very funny.
If anti semitism is to be restricted to anti jewish sentimants then how do you refer to the HUGE PREVALENT AND ACCEPTED ANTI-XXXXX sentiments that are so obviously gripping the USA.
what word should we use for the XXXXX people.
After all they now have semite taken away.
even the word for their oppression has been stolen.
And by the way I have met plenty of very nice Jews who are offended by the zionist bull and retoric.
they were happy in the UK .
saw no reason to depose others or build settlements.
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worse at comprehension than my spelling and typing .
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Jack # 39,41,42 etc,
Impressed with you on earlier and other threads, and today excellent. Forget your favourite antagonist, [you know who] and the comp, spelling and type faults. As usual, everything from you from the heart, [including lots of kisses I see]. {XXXXX}
Ed had better watch his step.
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cheers mate,
but i like to poke him to see if he still moves.
I live in hope.
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The posts here are lively and interesting.
This message board has what I would call a good system in that each message is numbered.
Some messages, it is often seen, quote just the names against the messages even while discussing parts of it.
I think, it will be of great help if the messages quote the serial numbers as well. That will facilitate quick and easy referencing.
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jacksforge
Looks like you have a secret admirer. In #44 WaterMANaquarius has revealed strong affection for you. I hope you two will be very happy together. Who knows where this could lead. I now pronounce you ??????
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
The continued sulking over the Obama-Clinton relationships during the primaries is increasingly becoming unproductive to the task of winning the White House. Remember Obama has only won the war, not the battle! Indeed the practically assured key to his winning the battle is having Hilary 'campaign by his side' as his Vice-Presidential candidate not only because he needs the votes of all Hilary's supporters, but also because of her indispensable political value from her experience with the Washington technocrats and the establishment. She has made the mature initiative of reaching out to her supporters on his and the party's behalf. Obama and the party need to reciprocate this gesture in Denver in August for the real victory in November...
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Waterman: I just caught up with your birthday wishes, for which I thank you. In my youth in England Somerset Maugham was one of my favorite authors, and I must re-connect with that wonderful story-teller.
I haven't contributed to this column because the very thought of this faux "unity" makes me sick! Oops! I just did!
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MA i believe you must be Jealous.
for though my tendancies are not that way I think you may be???
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What you are seeing is just the beginning of what promises to be a very heated presidential race.
There is fast growing dissent among the Democratic party concerning the way the primaries were handled.
Get more news at
justsaynodeal.com
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/
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Sorry I'm so late on this but The Back side Inn? too funny
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