Let's have one thread for all news regarding the US and A presidential election.

Let the games begin!

(go Hillary!)

Clinton takes Nevada for Democrats after tense clashes with Obama

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Senator Hillary Clinton won the Democratic presidential caucuses in Nevada on Saturday, narrowly defeating rival Barack Obama in a race that laid bare new tensions between the two candidates.

Clinton, seeking to become the first woman elected U.S. president, won 50 per cent of the support among caucus-goers in the Silver State, with Obama finishing second with about 45 per cent.

The win gives Clinton a new shot of momentum ahead of next weekend's influential Democratic primaries in South Carolina, where about half of the voters are African-American.

But the Nevada race was marred by accusations that Obama supporters tried to intimidate some casino workers in Las Vegas, who supported Clinton against the wishes of their union leaders.

A Hispanic group supporting Obama also aired radio advertisements proclaiming the former first lady "does not respect" Spanish-speaking voters in the state.

"We won a huge victory by overcoming institutional hurdles and one of the worst negative ads in recent memory," Clinton strategists Patti Solis-Doyle and Mark Penn said in a statement following the Nevada vote.

"Our campaign also received numerous reports of strong-arm tactics designed to discourage our voters from caucusing."

The Democratic candidates turn next to South Carolina, which holds that party's first primary in the U.S. South on Jan. 26.

An American Research Group poll released Friday showed Obama with 45 per cent support in South Carolina, where he'll face his first significant test of support among black voters. Clinton was second with 39 per cent, according to the poll.

While Clinton has a strong campaign organization in South Carolina, she triggered anger among many black political activists last week by suggesting former president Lyndon B. Johnson was more responsible for civil rights victories in the U.S. than Martin Luther King Jr.

Obama and Clinton go head-to-head in a Democratic candidates debate in South Carolina on Monday, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in the United States.

I wonder how far Big Bird would come in US elections..

Already my thread went down the drain! :hurt:

Is it time for a new confession? That might just save it.

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

Did anyone watch the South Carolina debates tonight? I keep hearing on virtually every media outlet that Obama won, but I really find that hard to believe. He got lots of applaus, but the majority of the auditorium was black and honestly, I don't think his answers to many of the questions were THAT good. In fact, he really appeared to be on the defensive all night.

At the Debate, Obama Does Not Soar

http://www.observer.com/2008/debate-obama-does-not-soar

The paradox that is Barack Obama came into sharp, almost painful, focus tonight: He is, at once, one of the best television candidates in political history and one of the more underwhelming.

Obama’s political star was launched when he delivered a dazzling address on national television at his party’s convention in 2004. His oratory was mesmerizing, his message inspiring, and his appearance and manner made him an instantly likable figure to millions of Americans. That Obama—Big Speech Obama—is tailor-made for television.

But then there’s Debate Obama, a hesitant, stuttering, easily rattled and mostly unsmiling public performer who litters his platitudes and “uh’s” and misses countless opportunities to throw his opponents’ taunts back in their faces. Debate Obama unwittingly affirms Hillary Clinton’s suggestion that he lacks the seasoning to withstand the scrutiny of a fall campaign and leaves those who have only seen Big Speech Obama wondering, “Is this really the same guy?”

The shortcomings of Debate Obama were once again on display tonight in Myrtle Beach, S.C. They aren’t easily visible in transcripts and print news summaries, but anyone watching the proceedings on television—and there were several million such people tuning in on CNN—could see them, particularly when Obama’s two rivals directly engaged him.

His extended exchange with Hillary Clinton early on, in which he ridiculed her for sitting on the Wal-Mart corporate board and she labeled him a slumlord coddler, vividly illustrated Obama’s weaknesses in debate settings.

Obama instigated the back-and-forth by arguing—very correctly—that Hillary and Bill Clinton have relied on gross distortions and factually inaccurate assertions to attack him in recent weeks. He made his case haltingly, tripping over some of his words. He mentioned some of the areas where the Clintons have not played fair—for instance, Obama’s record on the Iraq war—but the packaging was sloppy. He jumped around from one thought to the next, seemingly intimidated by either the idea of going on the offensive or the challenge of confronting Hillary, who stood a few feet away staring directly at him, to her face. He wrapped up his indictment with a platitude.

“I think that part of what the people are look for right now is somebody who is going to solve problems and not resort to the same typical politics that we see in Washington,” Obama said.

In fighting back, Hillary was hardly warm, but she was forceful, confident and utterly unflappable, unwilling to cede an inch and ready with a snappy reply to each of Obama‘s charges. Her presentation gave casual viewers the distinct impression that, when it comes to her campaign’s attacks on Obama’s record, there’s a there there—even when there really isn’t.

She rapidly reeled off, for instance, a seemingly thorough accounting of Obama’s history on Iraq, conceding up front that “we are not in any way saying that you didn’t oppose the war. You did. You gave a great speech in 2002 saying you opposed the war in Iraq.” But then, she said, that speech was removed from Obama’s web site in 2003, and that in 2004 he was proclaiming “that he agreed with President Bush in his prosecution of the war” and that over and over as a senator he’s voted to fund the war.

She did the same thing on the subject of Obama’s 130 “present” votes in the Illinois state Senate, suggesting that he was so afraid of taking a position that he refused to take a stand on sex offender legislation.

“Senator Obama,” Hillary said at one point, “it is very difficult to have a debate with you because you never take responsibility for any vote.”

You can imagine Big Speech Obama having a field day in this situation. Was Hillary Clinton, the same woman who has refused to apologize for helping to send the nation into a disastrous war, actually accusing someone else of not being straight about his voting record?

But he squandered opening after opening to defuse her attacks and to turn the tables on her. When the subject of his present votes in the state legislature came up, he could have shamed Hillary for using them in an inflammatory and deceptive mailer to women in New Hampshire that suggested Obama had voted against abortion rights in Illinois—even though Illinois pro-choice leaders in Illinois had asked him to vote present every single time. Instead, he stammered his way through a confused explanation of his rationale on the sex-offender legislation, a response that even prompted John Edwards to join Hillary in piling on Obama.

Edwards began lecturing Obama about the tough votes he himself had to cast as a senator from North Carolina and asked, rhetorically, what would have happened if he’d just decided to stay home as a senator whenever there had been a tough vote.

Obama could have smiled and told Edwards that if he’d done that, we might not be in a war right now, since Edwards—like Hillary—voted for the Iraq war in 2002. Instead: More stammering.

It’s probably unfair to expect Big Speech Obama to show up in debates. Delivering prepared remarks from a podium is much different from fielding questions and charges from a media panel and your reporters. But the incongruity between Big Speech Obama and Debate Obama is nonetheless harmful to Obama’s campaign—especially since the majority of voters from this point forward will learn about the candidates through televised debates, and not by attending speeches.

Lots of polls have Clinton beating McCain moreso than Obama - despite his claims to the contrary. Although it will still be close. McCain is pretty moderate and people really like him.

Democrats vote in South Carolina

Some are predicting record turnout in South Carolina
Democratic Party supporters in South Carolina have been taking their opportunity to influence the contest between US presidential hopefuls.
Voting has been brisk, with some officials predicting a record turnout.

Barack Obama has a comfortable lead in the opinion polls ahead of Hillary Clinton, with John Edwards third.

This is the final test for the Democrats before Super Tuesday in 10 days' time, when more than 20 states will vote in primary contests.

Republicans have already held their poll in South Carolina, and are now campaigning for their next primary in Florida on Tuesday.

On Saturday morning long queues of voters formed at polling stations in South Carolina, amid chilly, overcast weather.

It is thought more than 300,000 people may express their preference before polls close at 1900 local time (0000 GMT).

BBC

Well, Obama won. :hurt:

their elections are so boring, no wonder no one is voting

Should we add puppets and pyrotechnics to keep your attention? Jesus, I can't STAND idiots.

What are you talking about? There has been record turnout in almost every state so far. :manson:

The US is a federation so it takes them forever to vote for a president, unlike unitary countries like the UK and most of Europe where elections are done in what seems like record time. However, considering the US president is actually elected by the Electoral College and not by the popular vote, this whole pantomime does seem a bit pointless.

BIG BIRD FOR PRESIDENTE :alexz:

Ugh. Most people are saying we may not know the Democratic nominee until late summer( because in their primaries, it is not winner take all). Edwards could be kingmaker.

Good news: Rudy Julie-Annie is looking like he is toast. I cant stop laughing.

Yeah because that's what really entertains me
I meant what mingemuncher said there.
Elections in Americuh last way to long and I don't know who can get excited for so long
and always choosing between two political systems is not really a democracy

How so very true.

So Edwards is out. As is Giuliani.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7218879.stm

I guess I'm the only one who is for Obama.

Not that I get a say, but I'd prefer Obama to Clinton as the Democrat candidate. The thought of another Clinton in the White House is just too much, they way the amoral Clintons demolish anyone who gets in their way is vile. Unfortunately that style of politics became a practice of 'New' Labour who learned all about the Clintons' dirty tricks from Alastair Campbell and used them in UK politics. It just left everything looking dirty and Parliament looking sleazy and compromised, even more so than it did under the Tories.

Yes We Can - Barack Obama Music Video

Whatta mess :lmao:

I liked Peter Hitchens' description of Hillary Clinton as the world's first militant feminist doormat. She's such a cunt.

Why does this Barack guy keep calling himself Black when he's mixed race? Why doesn't he call himself White instead?

I totally disagree. The Republican slime machine is so unwavering, so total in its intent at destruction that they will stoop to any level to win. Only Bill Clinton was able to weather their attacks and win, twice! Since then they have systematically dismantled Gore and Kerry and countless Senators and Congressman. For fucks sake, they convinced the US to elect the dumbest piece of shit as Prez, twice! They own the media.

Hillary would be a fantastic President, as would Obama.

The public may be finally wising up to the GOP. But one thing I know- Hillary Clinton will not be swiftboated by these motherfuckers. That bitch will slit their throats while she is filing her fucking nails.

Ohhhh today is soooo exciting! I never knew politics were fun. :lmao:

Anyway, Im rooting for Hillary. I like Obama now actually after watching a debate between him and Hillary. He sounds like he could run the country good. I would rather it be Hillary as president and him as vice, but as long as a god damn republican doesnt get it I don't really give a fuck.

I'm buying a gun for everyone who voted for Obama, leading him to win the Dem. nomination, leading him to lose the presidency to another Repubiccunt, so that they can kill themselves for being so fucking stupid. Cheers. :D

There was a mock election today during lunch at my high school. I didn't vote because I really couldn't give two SHITS about politics, but McCain "won" for the Republican'ts and Obama "won" for the Dems.

Carry on B)

Hillary's message to the U.S. gays:

As I have traveled around the country these past twelve months, what I sensed in my heart has been confirmed – America is embracing its LGBT sons and daughters with an acceptance and understanding as never before. On the campaign trail, a father of a gay son will ask about ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. A woman will ask why she can be discriminated against just because of who she is. Sometimes they wait furtively for the crowd to thin and then whisper their confidences in a soft voice and sometimes they stand up proudly at town meetings and want me to share my views on how I will help lead the change to assure that this country fulfills its promise to everyone.

Let me tell you what I have been telling voters across America. I am fully committed to the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans. For seven long years, the Bush Administration has tried to divide us - only seeing people who matter to them. It's been a government of the few, by the few, and for the few. And no community has been more invisible to this administration than the LGBT community.

I will change that. The best evidence of what I will do as President is what I have already done.

* I am proud of my record as First Lady, as a U.S. Senator and as a candidate for President in working toward the fair and equal treatment of LGBT Americans.
* I am proud that as Chair of the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee in 2006, I worked closely with LBGT community to develop a smart strategy that defeated the Federal Marriage Amendment. I am proud of fighting the FMA as divisive wedge politics at its worst.
* I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, and the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligation Act which would grant the same benefits (including health insurance) to domestic partners of federal employees that are currently offered to employees’ legal spouses.
* I am proud to have authored the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which expands access to vital treatment options for low-income individuals living with HIV, and fought to fully fund the Ryan White CARE Act.
* I am proud that I hired a National Director of LGBT Outreach within a month of announcing my candidacy for President and to have openly gay and lesbian staffers serving at all levels of my campaign.
* I am proud to have a National LGBT Steering Committee of over 130 that includes openly LGBT elected officials, Board members and opinion leaders on issues ranging from transgender rights, to HIV/AIDS, to “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”.
* I am proud to have marched in Gay Pride parades as both First Lady and as Senator and to have spoken in front of so many LGBT audiences ranging from the Human Rights Campaign, Empire State Pride Agenda, the Hetrick Martin Institute, PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis), and the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
* I am proud to have fought Republican efforts to demonize and marginalize the LGBT community, and I will continue to do that as President.

We have so much work to do. When I am President, we will work together to make sure that all Americans in committed relationships have equal benefits and that nothing stands in the way of loving couples who want to adopt children in need. We're going to expand our federal hate crimes legislation and pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and assure that they are both fully inclusive of all people. And finally, we will put an end to the failed policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice – the traits that define our men and women in uniform – have nothing to do with sexual orientation.

My father was a conservative Republican, who held very traditional views for much of his life. Yet in his last years, it was a gay couple who lived next door who provided much of the compassion and comfort he and my mother needed as he grew ill. And it was that same neighbor who held his hand as he died. If my father can move, America can move.

To each and every LGBT American, I say this. You have done so much to help this country understand your lives by simply being open and honest about who you are and living your lives with dignity. Thank you for your courage. It is time that we recognize your hard work. I know that this country is ready for changes in the law that reflect the evolution in our hearts.

America deserves a President who appeals to the best in each of us, not the worst; a President who values and respects all Americans and treats all Americans equally no matter who they are or who they love. I want to be that President. I want to be your President.

She is really proud

I wav Hiwawy

she cute.

yes yes yes!!!!

luv her.

She has told that particular story a million times. :files:

Well if I hear Obama say the word "change" one more time I think I'm going to sign up for the KKK. :files:

Bill has been told to shut up and can the smears against Obama, he plays as dirty as the next cunt. These people are invariably vile and sleazy. Hillary sat next to the lying toad as he denied having sex with Monica, knowing the philandering old letch had fucked the hog. She sold her soul and put up with his womanising on the understanding that he'd support her bid for the presidency when her time came.

There's an old saying that power doesn't corrupt, it just attracts the corruptible. They're all disgusting.

Build a bridge and get over it. If people still hung up on to the Bill-Hillary relationships thru his womanizing antics, which has got NOTHING to do with the rest of us or US politics, then people shouldn't waste time to bother to vote then since they have no understanding of the real political issues.

I can't vote in US elections, I'm not American.

If Bill's old ways are irrelevant, why is the old dog on display throughout this bitch's campaign? Why was he chucking shit at "Black" man Obama, until Bill was told to shut the fuck up as he was just getting embarrassing?

Hillary's campaign has rode so far on the dovetails of her husband and has been as vile,dirty and underhand as they come. It's odd that the one piece of shit which could stick against Obama, his property deal with a guy who's now in prison, hasn't been aired by the Clintons. I imagine they don't want people to be reminded of their own past dodgy dealings with property transactions and commodity brokers.

Bill's womanising is one thing. Lying about it, with the knowledge and complicity of his wife, is the issue. It reflects on the honesty and integrity of him and his wife. Oh well, I suppose you can't really expect much from politicians.

Mitt Romney "steps aside" in his bid to become the Republican party candidate for the White House.

Can we pin this please?
and I want to be in charge of it

BTW, Did you guys hear that Obama wants to set crack dealers free on the streets? Yep, he said it at the Iowa forum. He wants to commute the sentences of THOUSANDS of crack cocaine dealers.

He plans to let them out of prison and put them back in your neighborhoods. Spread it around

In the general election, the Repugnants will run a Willie Horton style ad on Bambi’s ass over this. Can’t you just see it? Footage of mean and scary looking crackheads jerkin’ and scratchin’ them stinky selves, and a voiceover:

“There are over 1 million convicted crack dealers in prison today. Barack Obama, who has admitted to cocaine use himself, has said he favors letting them out of prison to continue victimizing our children. John McCain doesn’t believe our children and our neighborhoods should be at the mercy of drug dealers.”

I don't see why it should be pinned, it's just one country on the planet amongst many which happens to be electing its leader. I don't see what's so special about it, especially as I think most people on this forum aren't from the US. We're all equals here, it's a true democracy.