CNN

The real problem about Obama, is he himself, says very little, just a pep talk, cheerleader rap, maybe, what are you going to do as president to advocate for the people. This American Idol syndrome that students think it is ok to cheat on exams, vote twice or more in presidential elections, fudge legal loopholes, allowing outside students to vote, what has Iowa and New Hampshire proven politically? Nothing, we are worse off politically than 4 years ago, when we had problems in the general election. Republicans voting democratic, independents voting in primaries, this is bull, bunk, and paints an unrealistic picture of falsified tomfoolery, and the media calls this representative democracy at work. The founding fathers are rolling in their graves, Lincoln is wondering, should I finally return and complete my final term, as these folks know nothing of an honest candidate with charisma.

You Obama supporters quit your whining. and wake up! Obama has gotten a free pass by the media. The media darling has had very little scrutiny. Anytime questions are raised about him you start crying "negative!". Wait till the general election when the republicans swift boat him. Also, his speech stumps are not that genuine and inspiration al when they keep sounding more and more like Edwards' speeches. And another thing: Edwards is truthful when he claims to be the "son of a millworker". Obama took this from Edwards and claims to be "the son of a sheep herder". His father was a rich farmer from Kenya

Senator Edwards, I would NOT vote for you because you are making your case only on of the expense of Hilary Clinton.

Gentleman?! What is it? On the debate you ware like a Hyena over her, before her suit... Is that a simple jealousy lire most of American women (surprise for me, even Pakistanis are more advance in this meter and Bhutto was killed from her enemies).

Second, do you deny that "Clinton's machine" work peaty well for americans for 8 years ?

It is partly your fault. Why didn't you win the Election in 2000? Now you are blaming Hilary that America is really in a big ...

You still play your ego agenda, Sur! Obama will be chewed and spit from Republicans, because he has not very much to offer then word "Change" (He sounds to me like those communist leaders who had been feeding the people only with nice word and hopes of future almost heavenly life; UTOPIA, eh , worked for some period).

Americans , please, just do not compare him with JFK.

If you really are talking from your heard, it is not late you to make some REAL CHANGE- make sure Democrat to be in the Oval office this time even that is not you.

As I rite on a CNN goes a Braking New about Iranians? I imagine Senator Obama in the Oval office with pence full of..

Wake up Americans, it is very serious , do not blow it again!

All of the presidential candidates are selling us short due to their lack of experience in foreign policy. No hands-on, no- on-the-job training knowledge to deal with the fact that the world is running out of oil and 60% of our imported oil comes from the Middle East. The fact that we are in Iraq and the Middle East to secure our supply of oil, to keep the wheels of our capitalistic industry turning. Wake-up Americans, and elect our next president who has lived in the Middle East for at least ten plus years, a candidate with experience and knowledge from the world to govern the world. Who is this person? Where do we find him? Definitely not the present candidates. The American people should manage their own destiny by advertising on the web and newspapers for the candidate with 10 – 25 years of experience in the Middle East. Otherwise, the United States will continue to venture down the same path as the illiterate failed Roman Empire, destruction from within. Do we repeat history to become one of the failed Empires?

Wow... You just described my choice for President of the United States..Ron Paul
Frank if you seriously want all of those things take a look at Ron Paul and you will see he completely understands all of this. I may sound crazy but he confronts all of the issues you just stated and most importantly how it is leading us to become another failed empire. You need to take a serious look at Ron Paul because if you think nobody is running for president willing to admit and deal with these things your are mistaken.

Well said Scott.

PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL AMERICA!!!!

This country is in a huge mess at home and throughout the world!
As Americans we have slid down the mountain. Our politicians are slaves to corporate lobbyist. We are stuck with consistent Presidential vetos. We are going NOWHERE FAST! I too think Obama is a good man but democrats as always will
have to deal with the the great divide in our country. It's great to use the word
HOPE we all want hope for the future. But please try to be a realist. My family needs a sure thing. We don't gamble and I beleive many Americans are so
disgusted with this administration that they are willing to roll the dice! The attitude is (This sounds WONDERFUL) lets get on this bandwagon. My family has never heard Obama truely answer the diffacult questions, where are the direct questions with the public at his rallies? I could see him as a Vice President learning for the 8 years. There is a great deal at risk in the next 4 years. The wars alone will consume enormous amounts of time. The next President needs to be able to take immediate action and not feel his/her away around, there just is not anytime for weak experience. Yes CHANGE is the word! We all know and the candidates know that we have to have change because what is going on does not work. Please make sure you do your HOMEWORK concerning which lobbyist are connected to whom and think about how that could effect immediate actions! EDWARDS has the passion, experience and foriegn relations, CLINTON has experience, foreign relations but there is the on going dynasty factor (which some feel is tired).
Thank you for reading how my family feels.

ASK YOURSELF WHO IS THE STRONGEST WE DEMOCRATS CAN PRESENT

TO FACE THE REPUBLICANS HEAD ON AND WIN THE OFFICE!

every one is right Obama will bring about change like Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton helping run the country. Edwards in 2008

Scott, you asked about pressure.

One thing i can tell you about growing up a minority, you are always under pressure. Pressure to not fall under the same old stereotypes, pressure to prove the critiques wrong. He has dealt with it at every level of his political career and has always handled it well.

We saw how Clinton handled pressure when he was in the white house. We also saw how the Clintons handle it in campaigning – scorched earth.

At that level it is tough to judge, but i can say that character and values matter more than experience.

A persons values can never change, if you have the right values pressure cannot get you to do things that go against your core value.

You will have to judge for yourself, but values of choosing, south Chicago streets over Wall street, and being a civil right lawyer instead of a lawyer who pursues frivolous litigation for monitory reward speak to a good set of value, not taking money from lobbyists for short term political gain also speak to strong values.

"By the way, I'm an Independent who is leaning towards Sen. McCain but still undecided."

I feel sorry for you. You've chosen a man who's turned into a far-right religious extremist and Bush butt licker. As I've said, from war hero to political coward: anybody who praises James Dobson has a screw loose.

Gads. There goes Edwards AGAIN, one day after stupidly saying that Hillary was finished based on Iowa.

Edwards has the best health care plan, and has other great visions of helping Americans live their lives.

But I can no longer support his candidacy. I am SICK AND TIRED of Dems attacking Dems, when we have criminal domestic terrorists running the country, and Edwards by a large margin is the prime offender.

Goodbye, John. You've lost my support.

It's down to Obama and Hillary for me.

Truth is, Edwards made MILLIONS suing companies as a trial lawayer. This is what counts for his experience in "taking on special interests, lobbyists and corporations".

Obama on the other hand turned down working for the major law firms and went to work on the streets as a community organiser.

Worth knowing.

Obama is more trustoworthy.

Obama wins because he wants to lead the 'United States'. Hillary wants to beat the Republicans. Edwards wants to beat the corporation. Obama brings the country together. Hillary and Edwards further divide the country.

There is something about Obama that dosen't seem right. I haven't put my finger on it. I think caution should be used when casting a vote for this one. As for Edwards, Maybe fighting your way out of the mills proves to the rest of us that there is hope in the American Dream!!

I am so tired of hearing Obama say "I was against the war'". That is easy to say when you weren't even a senator the. What about the vote on Iran recently? He says he is against it. But he didn't bother to vote on it did he? Wimpy way to say whatever is politically correct at a later date. Just wait until tonight when Edwards puts Obama to shame on the debate floor. Obama gives a hell of a good speach. I will give him that. He just can't hang in there during the debates. That tells me that 1. he has a great speachwriter and 2. he has a lot of fluff and says things that get people motivated and that is about it

Ask him what he has done for the African-American community. Not much. Could it be because he is to busy playing to the CEO's and other leaders? Probably. I think that in a few years he could be a good leader or presidential material. He is just not ready now. He needs to get some more votes in and some good legislation passed. He has not done much of either.

Edwards '08

I am from New Hampshire...I have followed the Obama, Edwards and Hillary campaigns as they have evolved for almost a year now and amazingly Obama's use of "CHANGE", "HOPE" and even the language in his healthcare plan have been copied from John Edwards. John Edward's language, stand, strength and convictions have remained consistent. He is who he is and he believes and stands by what he says.

Now for Hillary, I have watched her change who she is over and over to yeild to the crowd or flavor of the day. Not an appealing characteristic nor is it one that makes me— a studied voter— feel confident that she won't do the same when appealing to the lobyists, corporate interests, or even foreign leaders. Scary stuff!

It is good to see variety of supporters here. But what we the American really need is person who is with experience and willing to change. Obama does not have the enough experience in office and he would really drown in washington if he win the President. He would not be able to deal with many issues and budget that we need to bring out of bad debit that Bush has created a lot since his 8 yrs tenure. I know that no people from Republican side are good for the office.

Many of you said that Obama is good for us but do you guys really think he can deal with all of pressure and issues that would dump on his laps once he become president?? That is one thing we need to think careful. I not sure if Obama is ready for office and wonder if he would cause more mess becuase of unexperience?? We do not need more of the mess and we need experience one to bring us out of messy in some way. Obama may be ready for office in 8 yrs then he would be a good candicate for president.

It is hard to believe that Edwards is the champion for the little guy when he lives in a 28,000 square foot house. How normal is that?

Obama is the closest to normal among us.

I like John Edwards but it's a pity dashed expectattions cut in deep like a hot knife on butter. I don't blame his campaign for the frustration and disappointment. Sometimes, you can't help it but gasp out you know.

I know many don't want to hear comments like this, and I'm excited about Obama too. But Edwards is speaking the truth. On two issues of central importance to Dems - health care and the environment - Obama has shown he is beholden or at least sensitive (too sensitive in my opinion) to corporate interests. Edwards highlighted the health care legislation Obama pushed. Worse in my mind (and one I'm having a hard time getting over before I pledge to vote for Obama) is his authoring of legislation that would give federal money for coal-to-liquid plants and that would open up federaql lands to coal mining. These policies are just WRONG for the environment. Obama is a smart guy though, and I understand as a Senator that he needs to sometimes act in his state's interest (there's a lot of coal in Illinois). I just hope he sees the light and denounces these previous proposals.

Before endorsing a candidate try to look at their records, acheivement and experience, not what their writters and campaign managers tell them to say, so let us start:: 1- Obama, does he have any??? I do not think so
2- hillary, any record? no, other than being first lady for 8 years which means nothing.
3- Edwards: again none
Then you have the most qualified candidates drop out of the race because of lack of support , media coverage, etc.....
It is ok for us to need change , fresh start,ETC...I believe this exactly what we wanted 8 years ago, and then what did we get GEORGE W BUSh.
SO EVERYBDODY PLEASE BE CAREFUL BEFORE ENDORSING ANYBODY,DO YOUR RESEARCH , AND PLEASE DO NOT RELY ON THE MEDIA!!!!! BEFORE WE ELECT ANOTHER DISASTER( GEORGE W BUSH).

I am so glad the gloves are coming off! Aside from lofty speeches which anyone could write for him, I'm not sure Obama has undergone ANY scrutiny of his qualifications and record. At least Edwards has been under scrutiny for most of his political career and withstood the strong light of reporters' questions. Obama has enjoyed an unprecedented period of "grace" from such scrutiny. It's time voters take a good hard look lest we wind up with yet another president who is affable but hasn't got a clue what he's doing. Remember Katrina anyone?

I am so glad the gloves are coming off! Aside from lofty speeches which anyone could write for him, I'm sure Obama has undergone ANY scrutiny of his qualifications and record. At least Edwards has been under scrutiny for most of his political career and withstood the strong light of reporters's questions. Obama has enjoyed an unprecedented period of "grace" from such scrutiny. It's time voters take a good hard look lest we wind up with yet another president who hasn't got a clue what he's doing. Remember Katrina anyone?

Its politics plain and simple.... I guess it would have been better if he stood starkly against the lobbyist and head butted with them for years to come. Hmm.. Legisligation going nowhere... Dude wake up.... If you haven't learned by now that sometimes you're going to have to give some to get some. Its the nature of the beast. Its the definition of politics. In the long run, the legislation has helped more than it has harmed. THATS A WIN TO ME! And this just shows that even with his "lack of experience" he can do what it takes to get the job done!

OBAMA IN 08 AND 2012...... Keep this going!

To Ted, I went to Obama's website, the one you suggested, and I could not find any clear talk with details in any of his speeches. Can you give me link to a specific page on this site where you read any specific details he provides?

Thanks

Senator Obama is truly the hope of our nation...extremely well educated and well informed about the complete American society. Hope truly is the major component of our country's need to right the wrongs done to us all in the name of progress. I do not trust Ms Clinton or Mr Edwards but I embrace the honesty of Senator Obama and his innate ability to actually work with the powers that really control this great county. When I listen to him, I feel that he truly is the man that will inspire us to greatness once again. We the people...only Senator Obama knows what our forefathers meant in their wisdom to make America strong forever!

Go Barack Hussein Obama! Do it Barack Obama.

I think Obama is a typical politician that is all talk. ANd I always like to support what I say with something to reference. This is from the front page and highlighted feature of Obama's senate website.

Washington, DC – Today, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced that a provision authored by Obama and Senator Hagel (R-NE) in the Senate and advanced by Schiff in the House requiring a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction plan passed as part of the omnibus appropriations bill. This provision requires the President to submit to Congress a comprehensive plan for ensuring that all nuclear weapons and weapons-usable material at vulnerable sites around the world are secure by 2012 from the threats that terrorists have shown they can pose. The Senate passed the omnibus appropriations bill last night and the House approved the same bill today. It will now be sent to the President to be signed into law.

Sounds like Obama is behind a law to REQUIRE the president to interfere around the world, which is a change we don't need.

Weird, i thought Obama would thank Kucinich.. I believe that what happened. kucinich's people backed barack, He won't have that in NH

I'm surprised John Edwards is going negative and attacking Obama. Edwards has received a large amount of money from trial lawyers, plus he voted to authorize the Iraq War, the Patriot Act, and only apologized for his vote on the Iraq War prior to running for President again.

People want change. They do not want one "progressive" democrat attacking another after losing by 8 points in the Iowa Caucus.

John should run on his merits, and not have his camp pull Clinton-esque attacks.

I am actually getting a little irritated with Edwards the past few days. Most of all, I was surprised that he didn't congratulate Barack Obama in his Iowa concession speech. Hello?

Obama is a joke. Empty suit. I do consider myself an intellectual Democrat, and nominating Barack Hussein Obama would be disastrous to Dems in a general election. And ask yourself this about Obama: What was Obama doing in his state senate office while his constituents suffered due to now indicted slumlord Antoin “Tony” Rezko, Obama’s friend of 17 years? Well, Obama was busy writing letters to get even more government money for his friends, including Rezko.

Edwards, how 'bout some cheese with that "whine"? Be a professional and simply own up to the fact that you were simply bested by the better candidate.

An American president will not totally succeed in everything, but he/she must be able to implement the best possible solution in times of adversity to keep our country on course.

The way you manage defeat now, is a great indication of how you would probably manage it in the White House; and a candidate with tons of excuses and NO resolutions, is not someone I would trust to lead our country, and most importantly, command our Armed Forces. In times of defeat, remain poised, remain effective, hoo-yah?

Good grief, you people are so gullible. This is what's wrong with America – we won't vote for the people who tell us the truth, and then act surprised to discover we've been lied to again by the guys who told us exactly what we wanted to hear. Folks, Edwards is right. The corporations control everything. Wake up and smell the coffee. Our friend Obama, nice fellow though he is, is no boat rocker. This guy is status quo, all the way. Behind that wonderful fresh look, and that sparkling speech-making, is a guy who wants to leave everything basically as it is. He's not going to fix health care. Read his health care plan on his website; look at all his campaign cash – he's been bought by industry. He's not going to fix Iraq. He wants to have some long, drawn out "reduction" in combat troops. He says he wants to "sit down" and negotiate with the companies that run our country. We need somebody who is going to fight against the corporate greed that is ruining our lives. Our country is in trouble. We need real, actual change. Wake up!

NOBAMA PLEASE! That guy is like a car salesman, yeah, everything will be rosy when I am elected for President. How can you make a change if you don't have experience and what change do you have in mind and how are you going to implement it? You can fool these young kids but not me. I've seen enough of phoney politicians like you. I'd rather respect a beggar than a dirty politician.
Oprah should stick to her TV job. Her endorsement for Obama WILL NOT PERSUADE ME.

GO HILARY! You'll be a good president.

By the way, Obama is the ONLY Democrat I hear a large number of Republicans say they could "stomach." I definitely don't hear the same things about Hillary or Edwards. Anybody who thinks Obama is unelectable must be joking. He beats all the Republicans in a head to head matchup. The Republicans have six candidates who each play to different wings only and don' t please or motivate the rest of the Republican cliques – Huck (Christian conservative), McCain (militarist reformer), Giuliani (war hawk social liberal), Paul (libertarian), Romney (Wall Street/corporate conservatives) and Thompson (economic conservatives). The Republicans are in bad shape whoever they pick.

Hillary or Edwards would unite the Republicans around their candidate just for the sake of being against the Democrat, but I see Obama as leading a lot to splinter off and vote Democrat. His message of unity is different from Edwards' message of division or Hillary's message of , um, herself. Sure, it's weak-kneed and fluffy, but I think that makes him electable.

Look at pop music. Most people like it if it has a pretty surface, regardless of depth. Obama does have depth and consistency, I believe, but even if he didn't, I still think he'd be the most electable candidate on either side of the aisle because he's got the most centrist appeal and appeal to even the apolitical.

(I support Paul, by the way. But Obama would be second choice.)

Tell me something...how EXACTLY to you gain "experience" being the President of the United States, unless you've actually BEEN the president of the United States? I mean, I don't care how long you're a senator or even if you're the President's wife. It's not the same as actually BEING the president! Oh sure, you may have travled more and had your opinion heard more, but the person who makes the FINAL decision is THE PRESIDENT...and last I checked, NONE of these people have ever been president. I could read up a lot on foreign policy too. In fact, I can go and get a doctorate on foreign policy...that doesn't automatically make me qualified to be the President, and the same holds true for all of these canidates. I think people are throwing around this "experience" rhetoric a little too much.

A.) So unions aren't considered "special interests," John Edwards? You've been wooing them ever so strongly. Obama has in this election gone after the support of people, not organizations and lobbyist groups. Unlike you.

B.) Yes, corporations are worthy of criticism, but they still play an important part in society and employ most of the population. Therefore, one can't shut them out of the debates anymore than unions should be shut out of the debates. There's a big difference between going for consensus among all sectors of society and catering to special interests. Obama has clearly done the former, and you the latter.

C.) If you win this fight against corporations, how can you be sure you won't hurt workers and the poor? Unions have priced themselves out of the labor market. Job cutting, outsourcing and inflation will result from your minimum wage hike, and will hurt the lowest class the most. Government welfare made the poor poorer and lazier. Universal healthcare has been an absolute disaster in most of the countries that have implemented it. Obama has the most reasonable plan of the Democrats – use the market where possible and use government where the market fails. That's the only way health care costs will go down. Naturally there are market failures because of the nature of healthcare where doing a bad job can make you even more money. But nationwide healthcare will just reduce quality and quantity of care, leaving many unable to get into hospitals, like in Sweden or Britain.

You should buy $300 worth of basic economics textbooks in lieu of that next haircut, Edwards.

I do hate the dirt in the campaign...
BUT, we need to know what these people did in the situations they ask us to use as their experience. Someone has to point it out, and if it is another candidate, so be it. Is it all talk? On all sides?
Let's go ahead and "Shake out the rug"...
Then see who we really think could do the job.
We are "on trial" throughout the world now, our money is losing value... We might just need a good trial lawyer to fix our standing in the world, And we definately would want the best!

President Obama! After he takes New Hamshire, it's all over. He will get at least 90% of the black vote nationwide. Yeah baby!!!!! GObama!!!

people want change …..In current polling, most Americans have a very low opinion of the Senate…of which Obama is part of…… much lower than their view of the President.

If people want real change, they will have to focus on a Governor to give it to them. America has NO faith in their Congressional members like Obama.

I can't believe how many ppl are posting comments like "Doesn't he realize most of america is employed by these corporations?!?!?" as is that is supposed to absolve them of the fact that these "employed" americans make little enough to still qualify for medicaid and two working parents can't afford elementary school supplies let alone a college education for thier children. So for John Edwards who would probably be way to nice to reply to you ppl of limited intelligence, I will step in and answer...YES! WE ALL REALIZE MOST AMERICANS ARE WORKING FOR THESE COMPANIES. The fact that we are STILL not making enough to afford a doctor or a future while corporate managment gets MULTIMILLION DOLLAR "Golden parachutes" severance packages for being fired for incompetence is the problem. This is nothing new to america...anyone with even a small understanding of our history will remember the "robber barons" that once plagued our nation and the "carpet baggers" that came down south after the revolutionary war. What does amaze me is the GUTLESNESS and COWARDICE of so many americans these days to stand up to what has amounted a coup of the american government by multinational corporations. Where are the children of the factory workers that stood up to the "pinkerton men" of the last great depression? Have the seeds of courage that once allowed common men to tell the british empire "We will not stand for this any longer" and make good on the promise entirely been extinguished from our midst? Worst of all are these sniveling sycophants that beg and whine at our corporate masters knees in fear thier supply of table scraps will be withheld if they display the slightest precurser of a spine known as independant thought. God you ppl who are arrogant enough to bad mouth your betters disgust me. If your really that big a coward go hide while the rest of us fix the mess you ignore and fear not...when the fighting is over we will see to it that your table scrap existence continues. Though you will be required to stem the tide of blithering flattery that your current masters relish so. We shall have no need of your simpering flatulence.

this is ridiculous. the reporter paraphrases a reasonable criticism ("he watered down the bill with the help of a corporate lobbyist") in to the spin "corporate sellout" and then uses that as the headline. and all you buffoons jump on it, as if Edwards said it.
what won't you fall for?

I am curious? Is Obama a muslim?

Edwards made the majority of his money as a trial lawyer pretending to the be the saviour of the poor but in fact collecting millions in legal fees. GO AWAY, Dirty trial lawyers can never be trusted.

Edwards is definitely too one-dimensional. There are greater problems in the world than corporate greed... if he keeps that speech up he's going to start sounding fanatical.

Someone said that Obama needs to get "hit hard" by his opponents before he's elected so the public can see if he folds or not. I think the fact that there isn't much he can be "hit" with speaks volumes. Don't you think if he really had skeletons in his closet, Clinton and Edwards would have pulled them out by now and splashed them all over the place? They've all tried pulling the trivial tricks (ie: Hillary's desperate 'he had presidential ambitions in Kindergarten ploy). It simply hasn't worked.

Obama just needs to stay true to what he's been saying from the start – which he undoubtedly will. He's the most honest politician around lately, it seems.

Obama is trying to bring this country together because our solider in Iraq and Afghanstan aren't just one color of nationalities it's all Americans who had died and struggling to understand that "Huessin" never attacked us???? So stop this and try to find the good in each other. I'm sick of this. ignorant only limits you.

Obama,

if you think of having Edward as a VP, which I don't think is a good choice, please have him go through some course of anger management or something.

To those of you who think Obama isn't confrontational enough and use the failure of the Democratic congress to stifle Bush as proof, let me ask you what strategy you would have suggested. The House majority is pretty slim and the Senate majority even slimmer–far from filibuster-proof. Maybe the Democrats learned from Gingrich's mistakes in '94 and recognized that, when Congress gets into a pissing match with the President and shuts down the machineries of government in the process, Congress usually loses.

The Democratic victory in 2006 was the first half, and the second half comes in 2008.

As for those of you who believe the Republicans are desperate for an unelectable Obama to be nominated, you may be right. I say give 'em what they want. They're riding the tiger–this is way bigger than they think it is. Some people are saying "America isn't ready for a black president." What sort of sign or portent do you think will signal this readiness if it wasn't last night. Do you think the US electorate will fill our some form that says "ready now"? Waiting for it to be burned across the sky by comets?

I'd be happy with Edwards and could work up considerable enthusiasm for Clinton–Democrats should not forget how awful the last eight years have been–but I'm for Obama. I think the disappointments and soul-crushing agonies of the last forty years have turned us into cynics about what our country can be. Obama is not a magician and he'll disappoint us plenty, I'm sure. What person wouldn't? But I, for one, am not going to let cynicism rob me of the deep faith that something different and remarkable can still happen in this experiment we call the United States.

At least Obama got it passed! Edwards would never create a healthcare plan by yelling and shooting off empty threats at the corporate types and lobbyists. Obama will pull together a broad political coalition through being "nice" and then get real things done for the American people.

Edwards, you claim to be a Baptist Christian. Put your money where your mouth is. Sell your possessions, give all you have to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven.

Would you have been able to run for Senate, or President, if you didn't live in a $15million home in Chapel Hill, NC?

And what about this war in Iraq you voted to support? Now that you have left the Senate, you've changed your mind? At the same time that the American people happened to change their minds?

Snicklefritz-

Is there a valid reason NOT to mention his middle name? Afraid that it might remind folks of his Muslim heritage and conjure up some kind of association with another Hussein? What about his last name? I know of a certain individual that has a somehwat similar first name. Maybe we shouldn't call him by his first name either? The man is all about "change". Maybe he should change his name.

I think all the candidates have valuable skills and different talents to offer: Obama is an intellectual and his speech was so inspirational, he acted like a true president should be. Edwards seems like a take-action, take-charge personality who will get things done while Hillary is a polished politician and a diplomat. I wish they all could be elected for a high-ranking office! I think we should be glad that such qualified and able people are willing to take on the mess that Bush has created–why should we resort to name-calling and negative opinions? After the past 7 years of hell, I think we should all stand behind the Democratic nominee, whoever he or she may be.

Obama got acting lessons from Oprah. Give us a friggin' break!

"Watch Obama, most times when he give a passionate speech he maintains a serious expression throughout. People study these mannerisms and can tell who is phoney and who is not."

He has been watching Bill Clinton tapes. Get real. This is making a real joke of us again internationally. God help us all if you think Obama is the one. And, I mean God help us all.

It is more important to consider the type of funding taking place now in the presidential race. Donors to the Obama campaign have to agree to a disclaimer stating they are not affiliated with any lobbyist group or PAC organization. It speaks volumes to the type of honest campaign Obama is running.

Barack Hussein Obama will not win the general election even if he is nominated. Any way, he will not be nominated because by Feb. 5 a clear nominee wil emerge . Obama is a one hit wonder, and he won Iowa because Republicans and independents could vote with the Democrats. In all other places where only Democrats can vote, Barack Hussein Obama will not even come in third. Republicans want to run against Barack Hussein Obama because they know he will be the easiest to beat. Think people, think. Republicans want Barack Hussein Obama to win. Simply put, Iowa was Hijacked by Republicans and Independents for Barack Hussein Obama. The only other state he will win, will be his home state Illinois, and he will lose the rest.
YOU ARE EXACTLY CORRECT, IKE IN WOODBRIDGE, VA.! REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDANTS WERE ABLE TO VOTE IN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCAUS AND THEY HAD EVERY INTENTION OF VOTING "AGAINST HILLARY" AND NOT FOR ANYONE! I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THIS NATION WANT AND NEED A CHAMPION,. WE ALL DO! BUT WE ALSO DESPERATELY NEED EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY IN FOREIGN POLICY. SENATOR CLINTON IS CLEARLY THE BEST CHOICE. GO HILLARY!

Some amazing comments on here! My favorite this evening is Ike W from Va. Can you say MORON?

You really need to understand the Constitution, or learn to read it.

You did spell Barack's middle name correctly, I give you that.

People who write things as you did are the REASON why OBAMA WILL WIN! Your days are over! The politics of fear and hate are coming to an END! HOPE IS ON THE WAY!!! OBAMA 08!!!

Tired of hearing candidates complain about others being a 'corporate' sellout. You can also sell out to unions, environmental support groups, and other special interests and be just as controlled and dishonest because of it. Corporations are not all evil, and as a party if we continue to portray them as such it will seriously damage our chances with moderate independent voters come general election time.

Obama "unites" people? Reminds me of when wildebeests run UNITED over a cliff to their deaths or into the crocodile pits, just because the ones in front of them are running.

You ask half Obama supporters to tell you what he would do about ANYTHING, and they don't have the slightest clue. Doesn't matter, he doesn't have any chance whatsoever of winning a General Election, and every Republicans candidate and strategist in the United States knows it.

I'm so sick of all of this lying! Walt from Texas said this:

Walt, Belton, TX January 4, 2008 4:04 pm ET
Considering Edwards (1) owes his fortunes to corporate money and (2) got most of his campaigns funds from corporate money, where's Edwards' support from the little people he condescends to?

Most of Edwards' contributions comes from SMALL DONORS. Edwards hasn't raised as much money as Clinton and Obama, mainly because he doesn't get the corporate money that they get. Obama's supporters are the worst elements on earth. They just pull lies out of their back pockets.

Most of Barack Obama's support comes from big money donors, Wall Street, and big businesses.

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=21&ItemID=13177

As much as I despise the Republican Party, if Obama is nominated, I'm going to enjoy laughing in his supporters faces as he loses by over 20% to Mike Huckabee.

Did anyone ever give any thought to why Obama voted against going to war in Iraq and against Muslim's and possibly religious connections???

Has CNN reported anything on how the Obama campaign sent flyers around SMEARING John Edwards in Iowa?

Of course they haven't because Obama defecates golden pellets, and walks on water.

Obama is probably our best chance against extremism. What is extremism? It's a battle of ideas, of hearts, or minds – what's more attractive. Either we attract the young, give them hope, get them engaged, producing productive member of societies, or take the risk of them getting attracted to extremism because nobody care. He fight cynicism now. Next, he fights extremism – and he fights it the intelligent way. If we fight the military way, we not only lost lives, we are just going to bankrupt ourselves. That money can be better used elsewhere.

K Street Endorsements

Hillary Rodham Clinton (55)

Barack Obama (16)

John Edwards (NONE)

http://www.rollcall.com/politics/kstendorsements.html

As far as hedge funds go, Clinton and Obama have both received 4 times (almost $1,000,000) as much money from hedge funds as Edwards. They also received money from Fortress Investment Group (the one Edwards worked at), which also gave money to Chris Dodd and the DSCC.

End of discussion.

The media knew that Clinton and Obama have received money from Fortress Investment Group, yet they never BLAMED THEM for any foreclosures, or at the very least asked Clinton and Obama why they didn't give Fortress it's money back.

Such hypocrites.

Friend –

Here's the video and full text of Barack's speech from Iowa last night. Thank you for making this historic victory possible:

http://my.barackobama.com/iowaspeech

Barack's already in New Hampshire, where there's a debate tomorrow night and the voting happens on Tuesday.

Please take a moment to watch the speech and share it with someone you know. Now's the time to get everyone involved:

http://my.barackobama.com/iowaspeech

Thank you,

David

--- Original Message ---
From: Barack Obama
Subject: Turn on your television

Friend –

We just won Iowa, and I'm about to head down to talk to everyone.

Democrats turned out in record numbers tonight, and independents and even some Republicans joined our party to stand together for change.

Thank you for everything you've done to make this possible.

Barack

Edwards knows as well as anyone that compromise is how laws get passed. Pity he overplays his "fight the coprorations" mantra; I tire of the constant repetition.

Edwards always gives me the impression that he thinks he's better than the average person.... like maybe he'll take your vote & your contribution, but he really wouldn't want to have the spend any time with you beyond that. Just kind of a fake haughty personality....

2008 will see a historic change to include Senator Obama's true potential. He is whip sharp an has a strategy similar to a book titled "The Art of Peace", transforming negative energy into positive energy and eluding attacks. He is an intelligent, clean person, a Christian, and with a multicultural heritage (like my own), with no special interest or favor to any particular group. Positive change is long overdue and this will be a progressive move for America on the world stage.

As one who grew up in the Great Depression, I remember when we had another man who had very big house, was very rich, and wanted to be president. This man became president, and in his presidency, he did more for the common working man than the Republican Party has done in its entire existence.

The mansion he lived in was called Hyde Park and his name was Franklin Roosevelt.

Just how poor must one be, before he can try to help working people?

This guy, Tom Edmonds must be a Republican or was one. There is nothing positive in his criticism. Just slash and burn reutoric. "ONLY RIGHT WINGERS" act and shout like this guy. He doesn't have one iota of evidence or proof. He must be halucinating. I wonder is drug behind his behavior. Show me the meat.
Or, just keep ur lips closed.

I would be so much happier if they were attacking McCain for being so incredibly anti-choice. Choice relates to freedom, and without it, women, blacks, and all oppressed groups are merely slaves to white, corporate patriarchy. All of the hair is falling out of that white, corporate head. A new America is emerging in its place.

As long as a democrat wins the election, I believe our country–and the world, for that matter–will be okay. Until the Repubs catch on to the fact that the only constant in this world is change and our best bet as humans is to affect it positively, then...well, I'll have to vote for the watered down version of the radical I wish were in office: Any Democrat Will Do.

Edwards is not going to win, whether we want him to or not. I just hope our country is ready for a black man or a white woman. Not that it matters...they're all politicians in suits. Well I take that back. Obama seems like less of an alien-robot than the rest of them. I just hope he has the networking capabilities to surround himself with a stellar staff and cabinet. Behind every great president is a great cabinet, and a great country. Behind every great country are joyful citizens reclaiming their rights, finding peace, and building a better world.

You Obama fans have got to be kidding. I cannot believe that you are falling
for another Bush like. The man is obviously fooling all of you with his nice rhetoric.
He is nothing more than an empty suit. Remember "uniter not divider"?
Giving inspirational speeches does not qualify one for the Presidency.
Otherwise, we'd have ministers and preachers running.
The man never specifies his policies. He is terrible at debates, is
non-committal and flinches. He doesn't fool me in the least with his
feel good talk. I felt the same way about Bush . I had him all figured out
way before the Nation finally did.
EDWARDS IS THE MAN!!! He's the real fighter for the common man.
He's beaten the big boys over and over again. Wake up!
I have never backed down from any fight so I identify with him. I feel
for the oppressed, those who don't have representation.
Those of you who say we work for the corporates so we should not confront
them do not understand what Edwards is referring to.

Senator Obama, like Huckabee, is sufficiently amorphous and vague in his presentation that any person can read him or herself in Obama's words. Just like a horoscope. You can see what you want to see. Huck is superchristian version of the same thing.

I prefer a hard-ass like Clinton or Edwards.

The media and general public doesn't understand that electability is the most important thingk. Obama will get slaughtered by the Republicans. Democrats better wake up.

While I feel Mr. Obama is well spoken and has the ability to sway Americans, I still feel he has the black population of Americans in his greater interests rather than the country as a whole. I recently watched Rick Sanchez on CNN in which his interview included only black Americans and the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Their discussion was not on what his impacts would be to help the country, they were directed towards the black community.
The Reverend Jackson went so far as to discuss statistics of 2 1/2 million people in prison and 1 million being young blacks calling for some type of urban reform. I came from a very poor white family in which my father was disabled. I, nor any of my 4 brothers and sisters felt the need to go and commit a criminal act. I am not racist, I am a realist. Several great men and women are recorded in history as coming from broken families or bad childhood environments. They overcame and adapted, and had the will and desire to change.
I would not vote for Mr. Obama only on the basis that I think more attention would be spent on trying to assist the black community rather than the country as a whole. I think there is more racism and bias from the black community than the white and that in order for the two to co-exist they need to be treated as equals and not compared to one another.I would like to know if there are any all white schools or universities, or any all white entertainment networks. There are several black schools and universities and entertainment networks. Why, if"All Men Are Created Equal" is this allowed to happen?

Americans are truly the most stupid people in the world. How do people like Bush and Obama, with no real achevements win elections? How are a mass of people easily deceived by rhetoric and feel good talks over substance? I am thankful I am not American. Truly thankful.

Dong get me wrong, I want to believe Obama is a real change candidate, but there is still no substance there. Far from desperate, Edwards is calling Obama out for his accommodation of corporate lobbyists in the very recent past. Compared to Edwards brave stand against corporate control of our government and specific proposals for REAL reform, Obama's message is vague and non-committal. Furthermore, Obama's track record as a community organizer, while laudable, does not compare to Edward's lifetime of fighting for the little guy and the middle-class against the robber-barons and gilded-agers who are undermining our nation's economy for their own enrichment. Not to mention the fact that Obama has accepted tons of corporate money for his campaign and Edwards shunned it. This translates into real differences in how they would govern and lead. Edward's plans don't compromise to corporate interests. Obama talks change while accommodating behind the people's back.

Ike Woodbridge VA

I feel sorry for you Ike! You poor, little, pitiful boy. You mentioned Barack's middle name 5 times in your blog that was mostly void of intelligent thought. Why is it that backwards, tiny minded people like you get such a kick out of his middle name?? Why don't you people from the back woods of VA mention the other candidates' middle name repeatedly? IT IS because your ignorant small minds get all hyped up when you see the name Hussein! AHHH that sounds like a terrorist!!!! Bomb something quick!! I can't believe you think that republicans voted in Iowa for Obama just to get him the nomination!!! LOL ROFLMAO He says Iowa was hijacked by Republicans and independents!! See he's above post, I'm not going to repost it. It's funny and sad though!

Obama cannot win in the general election.Come on, we all know it!
The vote in Iowa was another grand and futile gesture which the Democratic party seems so eager to make nowadays.
With the drug use and his only history as a freshman senator being running for office this would make the Swift Boaters look like a garden party!
John Edwards is the only Democrat I will cast a vote for as President this year.
If it is either Hillary or Obama I will for the 1st time in my life , not support the Democratic candidate for President!
And trust me when I tell you I am not alone!

Clinton or Edwards but never Obama!

I have one word-EXELON. Google Exelon and Barack Obama and you will learn about how he has taken money for his campaign from the company that owns all the Nuclear Power Plants in Illinois. Some of which have polluted the ground water in communities where their plants are operating. How has Obama responded? He has supported legislation to give billions of dollars of subsidies to the Nuclear Industry that has not been successful in more than 50 years...this is called Corporate Welfare. Exelon and Obama are not what our country needs in 2008. We need a president taht will tell the truth and that man is John Edwards.

I have seen passionate speakers and some times Edwards does not remind me of one. Whenever he gives his speeches, he seems to smile everytime he gets an applause from the crowd, even when the topic is serious; reminds me of the incumbent who smiles whenever he makes a complete sentence.

Watch Obama, most times when he give a passionate speech he maintains a serious expression throughout. People study these mannerisms and can tell who is phoney and who is not.

Ardent Republican supporters would take heart from reading those comments in which supporters of each Democratic candidate engage in harsh attacks, even vilification, other Democratic candidates.

My deepest fear is that Republicans could easily win the Presidency by fair means or foul (the big bucks backers of Swiftboat attacks are already contributing in record amounts to Repubican candidates), if Democratic supporters generate the fertile soil for Republicans to effectively smear our nominee next fall.

I have minor reservations about all the Democratic Party candidates, but each and every one is massively preferable to all Republican candidates. Whoever wins the Democratic Party nomination must be given our unequivocal and enthusiastic support, so the less we denigrate sister and brother candidates now, the better our chances will be for victory come November.

The young people are impressionable...they turned out last night in Iowa and stood up for Obama. I like Obama but I don't want a "rock star" for a President...we need a leader.
The best choice..who the heck knows. The negative crap is just starting, Iowans won't stand for it and I hope all of the other states hosting the candidates will do the same. Look for substance, experience is hard to find. All the candidates are better at campainging than they are being or having been senators.
Hey!!!! Do Hillary and Obama get paid for their senate duties while on the stump???? Suppose my boss would let me try the same?

Actually, the world has plenty of oil. The problem is that the vast majority of it is in foreign lands and the US (among other countries) has become dangerously dependent on this foreign oil. New alternatives for energy are needed now–a feat that can be accomplished with great American leaders, scientists, and the power of the people. Obama for president.

Rod,
you are scary and have no hope. When Obama wins NH it will be very difficult to stop him cuz he will be on national fire.

You wrote:
"and the Obama team of experts has prepared him well to carry on that tradition"

No my friend, he's not one of those surround-yourself-with-smart-people-for-help kind of guy.
He is a lawyer and a Columbia University and Harvard graduate...he doesn't need people to tell him how to think and make decisions...it is inherent in him.

Obama started being an inspirational leader before Bush came into Office...check your facts, he was a member of the IL state Senate from 1997 to 2004.
Bush first took office on January 20th, 2001. Therefore Bush's blunder could not have gotten him on the IL state senate in 1997, it was Obama's own hard earned appeal my friend and that's what carries him through today!

ASK YOUR SELF: if the Bush blunder is what makes Obama powerful, how come every politician in this country[esp those agains the Iraq war] isn't powerful?

Speak the fact and the truth and you will be set free. Hate will not do!

You also wrote: "Even distinguished blacks like Shelby Steel say he can't win"
We the intellectuals who rightly follow Obama don't buy these kinds of arguments. The problem with this particular one is that it is a Hasty Generalization.

Shelby Steel still has time to change and join Obama for a better America for both blacks and whites!

Lastly, Obama and Cater are two different people so we don't expect he is going to perform like Cater. How come Bill Clinton's appeal and limited experience didn't make him to flunk like Cater ?

Obama is a sell out !!

Obama isn't this fresh start. Nor does he have any changes. Obama in case he has forgotten is part of the baby boomers he is knocking. This will come back to bite him. Let's hear the change – please someone in NH ask him that one question. What changes are you going to make if (haha) you're elected?

Clinton 08

"Former" Senator Edward can honk / attack and suggest ALL the programs all he wants from the "outside" and Hillary and Obama will get things done from the inside by becoming our President and Vice President in 2009!

Thats called a polite political SLAP in the FACE Mr Edwards! Edwards can try all the issues, raise any objection, run all the 527 third party ads, but with public money he is no match for Hillary and/or Obama in 2008.

For a little national election snapshot: http://uselectionatlas.org/2008.php
Read democratic blog The Left Coaster: http://theleftcoaster.com/

we don't need to hear cheap shots at this point, we need hope.

Edwards has my vote, now and forever. HIs speech at the National Democratic Convention 4 years ago brought me to tears (throughout the entire speech) and he won me over!

We need a candidate who's passionate about change, but who is READY to lead...not one who is still cutting his teeth.

EDWARDS ALL THE WAY, BABY !!!

Sincerely,

Former UPS worker who worked 2 jobs for several years to make ends meet after the last round of major Tech Sector layoffs.

you know i encourage those of you who are calling Edwards a fake and a phony to just look at his record and then look at Obama's record. What you will find is that Obama took $1.5 million from corporate interest groups during his senate run and you will also find that he has 8 corporate lobbyists on his current staff. Now how can you find corporate interest in Washington if they are helping you make your decisions? John Edwards is the only candidate who will fight and stand up for the right thing.

Thanks Seth in Boston. I really like both Edwards and Obama; I rallied with both of them when they came to the California Democratic Convention here in San Diego in April of last year. I could see that Obama was much more of an attraction and he gave a great speech, but then it was Edwards the next day who really hit a home run with a strong speech big on vision and specific things he wanted to do as president. So I've been quietly supporting both of them and dreaming of an Edwards/Obama ticket.
The one thing that I really think will hurt Obama in a general election (even in the primaries) is his position that undocumented aliens should be issued driver's licenses. That is not going to play well with a lot of Americans, including many Mexican-Americans who recognize we need to define certain rights and privileges in our country for those who are citizens or legal residents. When Obama stumbled on that answer, it opened up a weak area for him that will surely be exploited with venom by the Grand Oil Party. Edwards was right to simply answer, "No, I don't"(think that they should be granted DL's).

Mr. Edwards: With a comment like he made in this article, your campaign manager is a liability and must be terminated. Mr. Bonior's comment about Obama being a corporate sellout will cost you votes and kill any chance you have of reaching the White House. A very public apology or reprimand is in order.

I didn't want to coronate Hillary and I don't wan't to do it for Obama either. I think this is a legitimate issue that we need to hear more about. I hope the media will actually give us information on this subject. I don't like the idea of giving health insurance companies a seat at the table to help write healthcare legislation. Why should they be at the table? They don't represent the people, they represent their profits. Sure they can be called as witnesses and provide their testimony but to give them a seat at the table to actually help formulate policy is just plain nuts.

John Edwards is the wrong man at the wrong time for this election.

America is badly in need of change, change of direction, of vision, and division.

Who could not take Obama's line from his speech to heart last night: we are not red states and blue states, we are the United States.

Obama is the only candidate that can make that happen. The time is right in America for him and for every American - it really is morning in America this time!

To all of you who say Barack stands for nothing and gives no details, go to BarackObama.com and read all his postion papers and then come back and speak informed and intelligently.

People sling mud when they have no true credentials to stand on. Can you say "desperate"? I wouldn't vote for Hillary or Edwards. The "sellout" comment was too much for me to take. When the Clinton camp started talking about the drug use, I was hugely disappointed. So many people have done stupid things in High School and College, but at least Obama was honest enough to talk about it years ago BEFORE anyone called him out on it. Also he used it as a teaching tool for kids. I respect that. How many of us are honest about exposing to the public the stupid things we did in our youth? Politicans paint the picture that either they were too pious to do studpid things or they didn't inhale.

John probably is desperate to win the state of NH but I don't see Obama as a strong fighter for the middle class and the people Edwards prosecuted as a lawyer were the drug and insurance companies who were taking their own self interests over the middle class interests to maximize their own profits. I haven't seen anywhere where Obama has done that so I support John over Obama and surely Corporate Clinton.

William Z;

Read what you wrote and insert Hillary Clinton in everywhere you have used Barack Obama and maybe you can see the truth, you are out of step with the Wave of change about to hit this country.

Obama is a phony and the whole country will pay when the American Idol hype wears off, and we have real and substantial issues to face. This cult of personality around Obama is downright creepy.

Here is goes again. Edward apparently didn't learn anything from Iowa. Despite the strong organization from Hillary and the national lead in the poll, she loses because she went negative. Huckabee wins because he mostly stays on the positive. He got off track for a while, but correct himself and stay on the positive. Attack and you will self destruct just like Hillary. You have to find another strategy. Oh, I am sorry. You don't think talking will work. Attack is the way for you. No way you will be elected. America have seen enough destruction. They need to heal.

Sage ... wake up and smell the hope in the air,

Edwards has no chance to win anymore contests. He is on his last leg hoping to negative attack his way to a win, but we know its not going to work, especially not in NH.

Since you mention the South .. he is running a distance third in SC, even his home state will not vote for him.
His time is over, tell him to step aside and endorse the next President of the United States: Senator Obama.

NObama please.

It's easy to talk about change but nothing he has said is anything different. I've seen him in the debates and on Charlie Rose. Everything he says is all feel good stuff without any substance. His answers to questions are all non answers like so many other politicians. Americans are easily fooled by clever politicians (how else could Bush get elected twice) and the Obama team of experts has prepared him well to carry on that tradition. I'm a life long Dem and I've been fooled before. It's easy to see the Obama appeal after the last seven years of the worst president this country has ever seen. It's the same appeal Jimmy Carter had after watergate. Carter won but he was a disaster as president (love him now) just as Obama would be. I think if we nominate Obama we hand the presidency back to the repubs. Even distinguished blacks like Shelby Steel say he can't win. I personally would consider a third party candidate if Obama is nominated and I have always voted Dem. I hope the people of New Hampshire won't be fooled by the Obama illusion. We need a strong effective Dem in the white house and it ain't Obama! Don't be fooled again!

Elections seem to have been won by TV adds (lots of them) The millions of dollars it takes for candidates to fund these adds must come from Corporations
needing to buy the next President–as they did the last. Doesn't this fact make the
Democrats slaves to the same Masters? The tube of the Blue-Teacher is a one way street of communication. How can americans of the rank and file respond to such a rigged setup?

The two party system is rigged by Big "B". Look at what has happened to any other party that has tried to break through the mold. They weren't even allowed to get into the debates. As long as the Oligarchy and Plutocracy is allowed to rule, the working stiff can only stand helplessly alone and watch the rich get richer and the poor-continue-to get had. It has been so sinve 1973, and, will continue.
America has been dumbed down since the 60's; wake up people and get Literate.

Antoin Rezko

For years, Antoin "Tony" Rezko was a strong advocate of grassroots Arab American activism in Chicago, providing funds for election campaigns and community outreach from profits he earned from an inner-city rehab program and from his growing food franchise business.

Born in Aleppo, Syria. Rezko moved to Chicago after graduating from high school. He holds a bachelors and a masters degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology in civil engineering and construction management.

Rezko was often the largest contributor to Arab American campaigns for political office. Rezko once said that he felt proud to be able to contribute to his community.

Rezko is a member of the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, which was founded by Lebanese American Danny Thomas and has many Arab American members, and also other philanthropic organizations around the country, many that serve Arab American interests.

But several years ago, Rezko’s generosity began to appear on campaign disclosure forms for prominent politicians in Chicago, Cook County and Illinois.

Today, those ties have made him the focus of an intense investigation surrounding allegations he profited from political favoritism and is involved in an abuse of set-aside programs that give minorities a preference in winning state, county and city contracts.

Rezko is a co-owner of Rezmar which rehabs buildings in the inner city. With his Jewish American partner, Dan Mahru, Rezmar has transformed abandoned eyesores into livable residences.

As Rezmar grew, Rezko entered the food service business and today holds franchise rights for the Panda Express Asian fast-food chain in five Midwestern states, including Illinois, and in Papa John’s, the nation’s third largest pizza chain.

Last year, in a dispute with Papa Johns, Rezko renamed his 30 Chicago-based pizza franchises "Pappa Tony’s." Today, Rezko reportedly owns more than 125 restaurants around the Midwest and employs more than 3,000 people.

Illinois is divided into three levels of political clout, beginning with Chicago, Cook County and the state of Illinois. Chicago and Cook County have always been Democratic controlled. The state was Republican controlled under Governors Jim Edgar and George Ryan, and now is under Democratic control under Blagojevich.

With the blessing of Chicago Mayor Daley, Rezko’s restaurant ventures included several exclusive franchises along the city’s beachfronts, on Chicago Park District property.

When Cook County Board President John Stroger ran for election, Rezko made the single largest campaign contribution to his campaign, more than $90,000. In October 2000, Stroger introduced a resolution praising Rezko’s commitment to the county.

Stroger, the county’s first African American county board president, is enjoying his second term in office. He has named Rezko as honorary chairman of his upcoming re-election campaign.

Rezko also became an adviser to former Gov. George Ryan, who was later indicted on unrelated government corruption charges, and to Blagojevich. Rezko was introduced to state politics and Ryan’s predecessor, Jim Edgar, by Talat Othman, a longtime fundraiser for state and city government officials. Edgar is now an associate of the PR firm Rezko hired to represent him.

Rezko raised more than $500,000 for Blagojevich.

Under Blagojevich, Rezko’s role changed expanding from fundraising to helping to name individuals to head key state offices and commissions including several Rezko colleagues.

But controversy soon erupted.

In 1997, Panda Express won the right to open a lucrative concession at O’Hare International Airport under the city’s Minority Set-Aside program which directs large contracts to companies owned by Women, African Americans or Hispanics.

The city awarded a 10-year contract for O’Hare Airport to Crucial Inc. in 1999, which the city believed was owned by an African American, Jabir Herbert Muhammad, the son of the late Elijah Mohammad.

Crucial Inc.’s annual revenues skyrocketed from under $200,000 in each year before opening at O'Hare, to nearly $6 million in 2002, according to recently published reports. Crucial Inc. has earned nearly $16 million in its first four years at the airport.

Last March, Chicago officials charged that Jabir Herbert Muhammad had acted as a front for the real owner, Rezko, who is of Syrian Arab heritage and does not qualify for minority set-asides.

According to Mayor Daley, Jabir Muhammad founded Crucial Inc. in 1976. It was certified as a minority business in 1989. Rezko had been involved with the company since 1983, serving as a vice president and general manager. In July 1997, the company’s minority status lapsed but the forms were not renewed.

Although Muhammad said he ran Crucial Inc., city officials said the company was run by Abdelhamid "Al" Chaib, and longtime friend and Rezko business associate.

Rezko later told the Chicago Tribune that he did not do anything wrong and is surprised by all the attention. Daley said the city’s investigation showed that Crucial Inc. should never have received the contract and should be stripped off its minority business certification.

Rezko’s clout grows

Crucial Inc. was also hired as a subcontractor to telephone giant SBC Communications, which received an exclusive deal to provide 1,000 pay phones for Cook County Government.

A spokesman for Stroger said County officials are investigating to determine whether or not Crucial Inc. still meets the county’s minority business criteria. Six of Rezko’s relatives have been placed on the Cook County payroll, according to published reports.

In state government, Rezko’s ties resulted in a prize greater that lucrative financial contracts. At least three of his associates were appointed to influential positions overseeing hiring, contracts and policy.

They include:

Former business partner Jack Lavin, named to Gov. Blagojevich’s cabinet as Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. He served as Rezko’s former CFO. Lavin is an officer of Crucial Inc.
Winnetka Podiatrist Fortunee Massuda appointed by Blagojevich in 2003 to sit on the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board. He is a partner in a real estate venture with Rezko.
Kelly King Dibble, a Rezko business associate, was named by Gov. Blagojevich as executive director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
Abdelhamid "Al" Chaib, vice president of Crucial Inc., is the sole owner of the Subway sandwich shops that have secured the rights to operate at seven of the State’s Tollway oases. Chaib also is a director of Rezko Concessions Inc., which is Rezko's portion of the joint venture with Panda Express, state records show.

Already Rezko has become a target in the upcoming election campaign, Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka has alleged that Rezko is a part of a "shadow government" pulling the strings in the Blagojevich administration.

Rezko has a long history of supporting Arab American causes. He made a significant donation to help establish the Ibn Rushd Lectureship in Arabic in 2002 at the University of Chicago. Rezko served as a former Executive Director to the Muhammad Ali Foundation. And, he was named "Entrepreneur of the Decade" by the Arab-American Business and Professional Association. The president and founder of ABPA is a generous and successful Chicago Arab American businessman and political adviser, Talat Othman.

Another Arab Americans targeted

Recently, Ali Ata, the former president of the Chicago Chapter of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and a close associate of Othman, also came under scrutiny, this time by Chicago’s other newspaper, the Chicago Sun-Times.

Ata was a major contributor to the candidacy of Blagojevich, who served as a congressman before becoming governor. Ata reportedly donated more than $60,000 to Blagojevich. Ata has been active in supporting Arab American causes and was instrumental in helping to make ADC active in Chicago.

But Ata’s ties to the state date back to Edgar and Ryan. He and three partners received more than $3.2 million when they convinced the state to lease a building they owned at 3500 W. Grand Avenue on Chicago’s poverty-stricken West Side in the early 1990s.

Yet, the group, which included Faisal Mohammad, a prominent member and executive director of the the nearby al-Aqsa School which is located across from the Mosque Foundation/Bridgeview Mosque, reportedly defaulted on the property but failed to inform the state.

In January 2004, Ata was appointed to a $127,000-a-year job as executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority, one of Blagojevich's showpiece government streamlining initiatives, even though he had no finance experience and held a degree in engineering. Ata left the post in March 2005 following a state audit of his agency that criticized its performance and practices.

A month later, Ata was offered a three-year contract worth a total of $165,600 to be a consultant to the Illinois Finance Authority on a coal-related energy initiative downstate. He declined the contract, according to the Sun-Times, after the newspaper began inquiring about his employment and the building lease.

State Auditor General William Holland criticized the Finance Authority's accounting and financial reporting practices during Ata's first six months at the helm. Ata told the newspaper he was not surprised because he faced "the herculean task of consolidating five state financial offices into one."

Blagojevich aides praised Ata’s performance.

But apparently, Ata may have violated state law by failing to disclose in annual state economic interest forms his interest and ownership in the 29,000 square foot, west Grand Avenue property.

Ata said he was not trying to hide anything. The building defaulted in 2003 and he took the job in January 2004. The form he would have completed in 2004 would have covered any interests in state contracts in the prior year.

A marketing executive with a water treatment chemical company in Naperville called Nalco, Ata is also an investor in several real estate ventures, including redevelopment project in Chicago at Roosevelt and Clark in which has a $50,000 stake.

He redevelopment is being led by Rezko’s firm, Rezmar Corp. Other investors in the Roosevelt and Clark development, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, include Michael Rumman, the outgoing director of Blagojevich's Central Management Services Department, and powerful state lobbyist William Filan, the cousin of Blagojevich's budget chief, John Filan.

In published reports, Ata insisted Rezko did not land him the post, claiming he has known Blagojevich longer than Rezko. Ata’s political ties date back to the Edgar administration. He served as a co-chair on fundraisers organized on behalf of Edgar, Ryan and Blagojevich.

Ata acknowledged that a Rezko nephew received a paid internship with the Finance Authority last summer while he was at the helm.

None of the individuals named in these controversies have been charged with wrongdoing as the investigation continues.

It is a shame that the community doesn't raly around these great leaders to help them and support them.

(Ray Hanania is an award winning Chicago journalist and nationally syndicated columnist. He can be reached at rayhanania@aol.com.)

END

Rezko restaurants avoid property taxes/Chicago Sun-Times /June 26, 2006

Clout-heavy restaurant firms didn't pay property taxes: suit
By Steve Patterson & Chris Fusco, Staff Reporters

Restaurant companies linked to political insider Antoin "Tony" Rezko that shut down three eateries at O'Hare Airport after being accused of minority-business fraud now have another problem: A lawsuit alleges they didn't pay their property taxes.

Crucial Inc. and the Panda Express restaurant chain allegedly owe $216,884 for back taxes and other fees to Host International Inc., which runs concessions for Chicago's airports. Host's lawsuit claims Host picked up the six-figure tab for Crucial and Panda and is now owed the sum by the two firms and their insurer, Washington International of Itasca.

The total owed to Host includes tax bills going back nearly three years, as well as costs that Host bore to remove signs and other "miscellaneous equipment" from three Panda Express storefronts at O'Hare.

O'Hare sites closed last year

City officials last year alleged Crucial was a phony minority "front" for Panda and Rezko, a top fund-raiser for Gov. Blagojevich and other politicians. Crucial, which had an operating agreement with Panda, won the O'Hare concessions in part because it was certified as a minority-owned business. Crucial's largest shareholder was listed as Jabir Herbert Muhammad, son of late Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad. Rezko's ownership stake was smaller.

But city officials concluded Muhammad, 77, was not running the day-to-day operations of the restaurants as required by the city. Rather than fight City Hall, the companies agreed to move out of O'Hare in July.

Reached last week, Muhammad said he was unaware of any problems regarding Crucial tax payments and "you know as much as I do about it all."

Court records show neither Rezko, who could not be reached for comment, nor Muhammad have had lawyers file responses to Host's charges. The next court hearing in the case is set for October. Lawyers for Panda and Washington International could not be reached.

While the Host lawsuit adds to Rezko's food-related legal troubles - firms linked to him also have been sued by a pizza chain - Rezko recently won an apparent victory in court. A suit last month by LaSalle Bank that claimed that Rezko owed $325,000 on a loan it gave him was dismissed shortly after being filed.

Edwards needs to go away.

I cringe every time he says he's a fighter ... remember the VP debates of 2004?

Dick Cheney, one of the most unpopular politicians in America, absolutely SCHOOLED John Edwards.

Edwards came across as an amateur, milk-toast whimp. As an attorney I will freely admit he can make a nice closing argument, but I haven't seen him slay any dragons on the Senate floor or in the American marketplace.

At this point he doesn't know what else to do but campaign. It's rather sad.

John Locke Article View
On the File menu, click Print to print the information.

John Locke
II. Empiricism

Locke’s empiricism emphasizes the importance of the experience of the senses in pursuit of knowledge rather than intuitive speculation or deduction. The empiricist doctrine was first expounded by English philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon early in the 17th century, but Locke gave it systematic expression in his Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690). He regarded the mind of a person at birth as a tabula rasa, a blank slate upon which experience imprinted knowledge, and did not believe in intuition or theories of innate conceptions. Locke also held that all persons are born good, independent, and equal. See Epistemology; Philosophy: Modern Philosophy.

--------------------------–

"John Locke," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
© 1993-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

It's about time somebody pointed out that Obama may talk the talk (& he does do that very well) but he doesn't walk the walk. If he's the change then why is he financed by the biggest lobbyists around? He's just the same old drink in a shiny new bottle. Just like everything Oprah sells, he's the newest fad she likes and America is lapping him up. Let's just hope Oprah and America doesn't make another awful blunder.

John Edwards is to presidential elections what the Oklahoma Sooners are to BCS bowl games. Nice try, thanks for playing, now let the other guy have the trophy.

John, didn't you learn anything in Iowa. The voters do not want he bickering. Stop the negative or you will be the next one to go. Play like a good child and you might have a good shot at VP.
When you attack everyone else it appears you do it because you have nothing positive to say about yourself.
Wake up John the voters do not like it!

Edwards better watch his mouth if he wants the VP nomination...

Johnny is certainly desperate. Juts think about it – of the three dems standing, Johny cannot take any of the Hillary deserters – they will go 80% to Obama. Many of Johnny boy's own suporters will also leave him for Barak once they deem that Obama is indeed viable, which last night they witnessed.

That leaves Edwards with about as much support as the recently deceased Biden and Dodd combined. Time to go back to your "Upper Half of Two Americas" 25,000 ft. house and $1000 hair cuts...

On the basically good vs. inherently unwell thought I mentioned in a previous comment, it was probably political theorist John Locke I was referring to and not the "blank slate/tablett" dude?

Oh please John why did you have to open your mouth, I hope that you would have realized what damage, slamming the others have done, I am so sick of hearing this junk. I just would like a candidate to be up front..
Let it go,learn from the past mistakes.
This is so childish. I want a person who is a grownup to lead this Country.

I am hopefull reading all of the comments on this thread thus far, and in the main I am proud of you USAers-"Philadelphians". This land is my land, this land is your land, sometimes? Boy the joy when that really means something, when it is demonstrated. The fire, the light that beems, the butterflies. the goosebubs, the emotional roller coaster ride.

I'm in an excellent mood because our contemporaries are a 'hung jury'! For the most part people are basically good.

That whole Thurrow (or is it Russow, spelling?), are people inherently 'upstanding or downcast', it's basically settled for me evidenced by my previous statement.

We are big infants, grown babies, our inner child is there somewhere. Yes there are incourigible entities we must account for, but "united we stand and divided we fall" another great man once said.

Good people, honorable people, my fellows we people of integrity let's do this to the best of our individual and collective abilities!

I am with Chris, The only chance for a Dem. in office is Edwards. Obama has no experience and has cocaine issues that will hurt him in a presidential election. And Hillary... well lets not get that started.

Three LOBBYISTS are WORKING FOR OBAMA CAMPAIGN, they're in his PAYROLL.

These three lobbyists, are lobbying for over a dozen corporations that includes Walmart, Lockheed-martin and British Petroleum.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/lobbyists-on-obamas-08-payroll-2007-12-20.html

Biggdawg January 4, 2008 3:52 pm ET

Unspoken by CNN is what legislation ultimately passed. Similar to Clinton, Obama failed to get consensus and ultimately the legislation that passed was legislation that simply called for a "study" on the issue of health care. That's it. No substance resulted.

Ummm Biggdawg...I read the history on the Health Care Justice Act that Obama got passed....the "study" was a PART of it...the idea was to make it state policy to provide universal health care..what ulitmately passed was a state GOAL to provide same....in doing so, Obama successfully dealt with COMPETEING interests to get this passed...That's a HECK of a lot more than Hillary can say she has done with all her "experience" getting universal health care passed...the reality is this....UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE WILL NOT GET PASSED IN THIS COUNTRY BY DEMANDING IT....So how do you get to the end zone when there are an equal number of people on both sides of the issue?? Obama has been successful in the past getting this done....

GoBama Go!!

Obama wasn't in office when the vote on the war happened. To say that " I would have voted no " takes it out of the realm of honest discussion. The fact that he has no real voting record means that you don't know WHAT he would have done. So, when you vote for him you are voting for what you believe to be his personality...not his work record. When was the last job you got because of your hair cut?

I'm not saying don't vote for him ... but stop being naive about this thing. It's a popularity contest. Plain and simple.

If you don't think there is some stink on all of them.....Repub and Dem .... you are an uninformed child.

That being said, my prediction is the nomination goes to Edwards. Gotta win the South to get into the WH .... like it or not. It will be very much down to the wire. Three way horse race. Hillary will be extra strong in the Northeast, Obama strong in midwest, and Edwards strong in the South.

South wins it for Edwards.

Obama represents NO change whatsoever. What change? Until you CONCISELY declare the truth, that corporate America – private equity, venture capital, trust fund, hedge fund, offshoring, Swiss banking, hard lobbying America – is the root of all of our problems, then you, sir, can not solve Ameria's problems. Edwards is the ONLY real deal. The rest are just Democrats in name only. Practically a bunch of Republicans. There is ZERO NEED to "bring the country together". The Republicans have no chance no matter who the candidates wind up being. It' time for some real payback for the American people. Billionaires need to START paying some taxes. If you base your vote on anything else, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn.

I am a realist, Obama and Hillary are unelectable. If either gets in office the republican's win hands down. Our only change is Edwards.

Cleveland, OH

I'm black, Republican and find Obama to be an interesting candidate so far. But John Edwards should be the last person to be talking about Obama this way, because he made his millions as a lawyer who took advantage of a litigious society gone wild.

When he talks about ending corporate greed in America, he has to always remember he is the epitome of that greed. Can he who is a part of the problem become part of the solution?

The Republican Political Machine is gonna tear Obama apart!
Why do Democrats shoot themselves in the foot, time & time, again by voting for Feel- Good Politicians who'll tell you what ever you want to hear BUT have little to no substance?
If Obama wins, Get ready for another 4 years w a Republican in the White House.
At least Kerry was a war hero & a Senator of many years.. & look what they did to him! ONLY Hillary has a shot of taking on the Republican nominee.
Iowa proves, once again, it's a mistake to ever underestimate the emotional stupidity of the American voter!

I do beleive you are confusing PASSION for anger.

My family needs a President with PASSION from his soul!

YOU KEEP SHOWING THAT PASSION FOR ALL OF US JOHN EDWARDS!

John Edwards should tone down his mesage, he will soon face Obama in his backyard and then it will be over and if he has a fraction of self worth left in that smile he will congratulate Obama and support him.
I shouldn't comment on what others have written in this opinion page, opinions are not something of truth, however all truths will be self evident.

Oh enough already with the corporate greed and corporate scandals. This is a CAPITALIST SOCIETY! Last time I checked, corporates were in business to make money which in turn pays people's salaries, which in turn drives the economy which in turn makes the USA the greatest and wealthiest country on this planet. AND, it sounds silly coming from a millionaire.

Every corporation is not a evil monopoly hell-bent on making their money on the backs of underpaid migrant laborers, cigarettes and oil, so please give it a rest.

We've heard your corporate bad guy speech and we've heard your "Mills of North Carolina" speech., fair enough, but: Please, please tell me you have something else to say.

Mike Toussaint

I hope the Obama campaign stays focus and positive. Sending out an email response simply pointing out the facts of Obama's achievement of getting over 150,000 Illinois children is commendable.

Edwards is sore loser who knows that his presidential run is almost up.

Edwards has neither the organization nor funding to continue campaigning past Nevada. The best case scenario for Edwards in the following primiaries is:

NEW HAMPSHIRE – finishes a distant 3rd to Obama and Hillary.
NEVADA – finishes dead last behind Richardson
SOUTH CAROLINA – finishes 3rd behind Obama and Hillary or drops-out!

John, stop wasting precious time campaigning. Spend time with your wife (who has an incurable form of cancer) and your kids (7 to 25 years of age), and continue your private endeavors to help the poor.

Obama won because he paid for buses that brought college students in for the election. Probably told them there was a keg party afterwards.

The Edwards campaign is grasping at straws and is looking foolish in picking the health legislation issue in Illinois to knock Obama with. Let's face it, compromise is what good politics is all about. It isn't always that way, but Obama accomplished it with finesse, intelligence and integrity. This approach to politics is representative of the changes that Obama is about.

What? "Sellout"? That's what would-be hipsters say about bands that have sold too many records, when they used to be so "underground". "Sellout"? You want to talk about meaningless rhetoric, that's a good term to use as an example.

Obama is an inspiration for our country. Do your best research before voting for anyone else. This man is special. GO OBAMA!!!

I have to agree with Richard in San Diego. Aside from my negative tone towards Edwards I think of him as a good alternative to Obama. Their stances are against the status quo, only I agree more with Obama's, obviously. We do need to unite, and I don't think Obama is the one that is making the attacks. Questioning someone on their voting record is fine, but to add that extra little bit (sell-out), that is the step that Obama is not making. I have yet to hear any character attacks from the Obama camp. And I have been paying (very very very) close attention to the front runners on both sides, using multiple sources, that I must say do not generally agree with each other.

Obama is not perfect, but for a politician... come on. Be realistic first, a little optimistic second.

I have noticed some very bizarre blogs on the Obama site, and I try to settle those down a bit by urging for them to be a bit more humbled ( at least until the man is in the white house, if that ever happens). It bothers me too that some people behave that way, but if you are an honest supporter of any candidate, you know there are people like that on all sides.

go get 'em john and as for obama, you are a phony since when have the republicans asked for us to join them at the "american table" as you wish to do for them ? for 7 years they have ignored us and the same people from the otherside you want and need to back you, calling it working with both sides of the isle, here's a phrase you better get used to, your a phony, a clown and most of all a sell out. you have stolen edwards platform from '04 and have called it your own. here's to HOPING you fail in NH and if you do win I have no problem sitting this election out. Go get 'em Edwards !

They are all sellouts. You're deluding yourself if you think otherwise.

Anto...you are not able to vote? Then you must not be an American citizen!

John Edwards is a pathetic patronizer.

Hillary Clinton is an arrogant wannabe.

Barack Obama is no more than a self-styled hipster vying for validation.

He has done nothing as a US Senator short of campaigning for President.

His no vote on the war was a tactical first step toward this run.

He is dangerously naive and inexperienced to even be considered as a viable candidate for the country's highest office.

This election should not be reduced to a popularity contest (Oprah). This is a very serious matter.

Change? There are thousands of alternative directions to consider for this country to take, all of which would be change. But do we need change for the sake of change, or do we need a direction only a proven leader can effect?

Is there not anyone worthy to represent the Democratic Party?

The sea change in Congress has been a disaster – producing absolutely nothing.

The Republicans have not had the answers either. Hold on to your hats America, the gale force blowhard winds have just begun to soar through the air.

Interesting that Edwards' spokesperson is saying this now, and not Edwards himself. So maybe this is what the candidate believes in his heart - or maybe it's his handlers seeking more spin.

The key point is the concept discussed - how best does our government structure greater social success, by either integrating corporate interests or not?

Based on John Edwards' loudest campaign message, all corporations are evil, to be ignored and controlled by Government. Well, that's exactly the point of view of our "experienced" Democrat Hillary did when Bill assigned her to create a viable system of universal Healthcare for all Americans back in 1993. She excluded all corporate input, all Congressional input, and sought no input from those who had to pay for it. She was too smart for that, she thought, to allow evil corporate interests to pollute the common good.

So much for Hillary and Bill being an agent of change - while leaving out the voice and impact of corporations, and the millions they represent.

Yet inclusion is supposed to be a major concepts of the Democratic party. But as history demonstrates, blindly excluding the corporate world only leads to failure and misrepresentation of this legitimate and major foundation of our society. So the partisan battle goes on, year after year, because the spirit of our Pledge of Allegiance is not followed - "with liberty and justice FOR ALL."

CE, Wisconsin....

I applaud what you wrote. It was to the point and spot on. Congratulations and thanks for the lesson in recent history.

The man is a lawyer, for pete's sake!!! He knows ALL about cutting deals. He doesn't care if the client (in this case, us) gets a fair shake...only that he gets his cut of the pie.

1st of all congratulation Mr. Obama for your win last night in Iowa. you won it fair and square good job!
And Mr. Edwards is right also. Now it is about time to look beyond the inspirational speeches and hold Barack Hussein Obama to the real test and standards as the other candidates. While you ride the wave under Oprah's skirt and the media support, we the real citizen's now need to know the full story before making our choices.

Who is Tony Rezko? and why are all the records of the meetings with lobbyists wiped out?

Edwards makes me sick to my stomach. This guy is an ambulance chaser, who made millions suing the medical establishment. He drove many professionals out of the business and is partially yo blame for escalating costs. Now he's throwing stones at Barack. He would not make a peep if he were the one getting all the money and contributuions!!! he's the most vapid, biggest empty suit I've ever seen.

I'm a republican, but I'd vote for Barack over any other democrat and half of the republicans, including Huckabee and Romney.

Barack Hussein Obama will not win the general election even if he is nominated. Any way, he will not be nominated because by Feb. 5 a clear nominee wil emerge . Obama is a one hit wonder, and he won Iowa because Republicans and independents could vote with the Democrats. In all other places where only Democrats can vote, Barack Hussein Obama will not even come in third. Republicans want to run against Barack Hussein Obama because they know he will be the easiest to beat. Think people, think. Republicans want Barack Hussein Obama to win. Simply put, Iowa was Hijacked by Republicans and Independents for Barack Hussein Obama. The only other state he will win, will be his home state Illinois, and he will lose the rest.

SETH FROM BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS,
I'm also a Seth!
I'm also a Bostonian!
I'm also an Obama fan!
Holy f(#^!

P.S.
Go Obama

Please dont belive Obama. He is not telling the truth on the health care insurance. I live in Illinois and paid hundreds of dollars everytime I take my kids to hospital.
Even for small dose of tyelnol, the hospitals charge exorbitantly and the insurance decline to cover anything. I am not eligible to vote in this country, but I follow the elections everyday. Please select some else(or dont vote at all) but not obama. Because I know he lied on healthcare.

Let me direct this comment to mostly the Edwards supporters. It is not too late to join the Obama campaign. Edwards is heading down the "dark path". With an angry waning message on 'Corporate Greed', Edwards knows that he is out of organization resources and money once the Nevada primary is over and he has no hope of being a VP candidate of Obama or Hillary.

I agree with a previous blogger. Edwards has recently been sounding like he is running for Attorney General of NC vs US President. I urge my fellow Americans don't support Edwards because once you go negative it is hard to stay positive!

From his radical stance on abortion to his prominence in the corruption scandals that has been virtually ignored by the mainstream media, Barack Obama is not fit to be Senator - not to mention the next President of the United States.

Obama has declared his presidential intentions, but it is up to well-informed and energetic conservatives like you to spare our nation from the scourge of a far-left President Barack H. Obama

You did such a Good Job For the people of North Carolina, That they voted you out? were you fighting for them then JOHN?

You cost Kerry the election when DICK CHENEY Mopped the floor with you in the Vice-presidentail Debates!!!!!!!!!

This from an ambulance chaser!!!

Edwards was a decent candidate for Vice-President, but he doesn't have the balls to represent America on every level! He should work on his speeches and improve his record by voting for something that makes a difference, a POSITIVE difference! Stop wasting your energy on negativity, it just shows 'Mericans you're actually not that smart, and the "corporate sellout" phenonmenon is not new, nor i s it always bad. Do we have to engage others to get what we want? Is it necessary to make some concessions? Isn't open dialogue the name of the game when it comes to representing millions of people in the world's largtest market? Somebody send a memo to the Edwards campaign and get that "politician" off the television and into the REAL arena! send him to Illinois and see what kind of "deal" he can get for healthcare. In fact, what has he done for North Carolina children in need? You're very uninteresting Mr. Edwards!

Corporate lobbyist should not be allowed to give money to any Presidential Candidate or politician for that matter! Yes a sellout is a sellout, brokering a deal that will just sit there most of the time. So if nothing ever gets passed the legislation the politician takes credit for something (see I tried) knowing it would never make it and satisfying the corporate lobbyist or special interest group!

John Edwards stands for integrity and values that this country is demanding!!!

Kris-From the SHOW-ME-State
MIssouri

And now the show begins

Wow! I thought Hillary would go negative, but I guess since Edwards has nothing to lose his campaign is going after the front-runner. AHHHH! Say it again with me, Obama the front-runner...AHHHH!

Edwards wants to keep fighting corporate America. Does he realize that most Americans are employed by these companies? What he is doing is dangerous: pitting working Americans against their employers. Unless he has enough room in the federal government to employ those who will be laid off by private companies due to his future draconian policies.

At least Obama understands that most private companies are owned by decent, honest, hard working, patriotic Americans with families, who also want to help make this a better country; and that it will make better sense to work with them.

Come Edward please cut the crap. Obama can not be stopped. He unites people, black, white, chinese ....etc

I really don't like the negative exchanges between Obama and Edwards, or their more rabid supporters. Most of the people I know who are in either camp like the other candidate as well. They have much in common with their presidential runs and stances on the issues. They are both viable progressive alternatives to the DLC corporate Democratic establishment types like Hillary and co. Ideally, I would have liked to see an Edwards/Obama ticket--I don't think the Republicans could beat that, and I think they would actually pair well together in working for a common vision of the changes they would like to see. I think Edwards would be the stronger contender in the general election, but i he does not do well in South Carolina or Nevada, I hope Edwards will drop out and endorse Obama. The main point is to stop Hillary and get a new face in the White House that is committed to getting us out of Iraq, and not triangulating on the issue. Stop the bitterness! Obama and Edwards supporters look at the big picture and unite!

Obama's philosophy of bringing about change by working together with all parties involved to try and accomplish what both Hillary and Edwards have failed to do because they are too egocentric and negative. One thinks that they can force the opposition to do as they wish, the other tries to cut deals that leave out the ones they say they are trying to help... but after 14 years, and no successful healthcare plan... how can anyone trust Hillary on healthcare? She was put in charge of that in 1993!

Anger, frustration and finger pointing has been the status quo in politics over the last few decades. We need accountability, accessibility and compromise for the greater good. Anything else is just empty rhetoric on the campaign trail that won't come true once they get that power. Only Obama's record has held up to the scrutiny. Oh yes, you can spin it if you like to be "selling out" instead of at least getting something done when people needed it. And where did Obama benefit from this in his pockets? He has the lowest net worth of any of those three by a LOT! So where did he sell out?! He wrote a book, got a 1.9 million advance for the next one. That's his fortune thus far... so where is this sell out money you are suggesting he has Edwards?

Skewing the facts does not fool those that can read the truth on the Illinois government sites. Taken out of context, just about anything can sound bad.

Obama was against the war in Iraq. Obama has the charisma and intelligence to be a great President.
Obama has not flip-fopped like Clinton and Edwards not even mentioning Romney & Giulliani

Curtis Knapp
Uppsala, Sweden

WASHINGTON—“Powerful forces and powerful interests stand in your way,” the candidate said, “and the odds seem stacked against you—even as you do what’s right for you and your family.”

He would fight these powers, and take on in particular “big tobacco, big oil, the big polluters, the pharmaceutical companies, the HMOs.” Sometimes, the candidate declared, “you have to be willing to stand up and say no—so families can have a better life.”

John Edwards, 2008? No. Al Gore, 2000.

And here is the source
https://webmail.roadrunner.com/webedge/do/mail/message/view?msgId=INBOXDELIM6183&l=en-US&v=rr

The only thing that changed from 2000 is that it has gotten worse and a more serious surgery is required.

The entrenched economic interests have profited from a system of legalized briberty and good wishes are not going to cut this Gordian knot. Both Obama and Clinton are following Edwards agenda – he is moving the discussion. Exactly how is Obama going to talk the Health Industry into giving up its monopoly?

I feel for Edwards. He pinned all his hopes on Iowa and now has nowhere to go. It is tough to end a campaign. I admire Biden and Dodd for knowing when to call it quits and did so gracefully.

THe type of negative campaigning Edwards and Clinton will have to resort to does not become them. It will make the democratic party look bad.

They are all good people, it is just Obamas time.

The 90s were the right time for the Clinton. It is time for the next generation.

Edwards better distance himself from those comments and swiftly fire that guy. Swiftly. Hrm why did that word just come to mind..

Edwards is the corporate sellout... that hedge fund he worked for just a year or so ago... was a subprime lender with investment havens offshore. That is a corporate sellout Mr. Edwards. And what did you find so great about those bankruptcy bills that the credit card companies loved so much and you supported. And how about this mysterious 527 of yours headed by a lobbyist and getting a half million dollars from some shadowy corporation called Oak Springs Farms? No you are the corporate sellout Mr. Edwards, though you rant about fighting like Bush and jump on Obama for wanting to talk problems out. Well, I am tired of the Bush approach which you, Edwards, seem to have adopted... all fight and no talk.

Obama got something done in Illinois. What have you accomplished lately John?

So Dems control congress now. How's that conciliatory tone of Obama's working out? Are we pulling out of Iraq? Any new healthcare bills pending? How about cracking down on runaway profits for oil companies . . . are we doing anything about them?

Leave it to a bunch of youngsters to ignore the what's going on in front of their own eyes. Here's a news flash for all you kids: compromise with the powers that be WILL NOT WORK.

But i guess if you can ignore Obama's repeated votes to fund the war (Edwards voted AGAINST funding) and lack of a universal healthcare plan, you can ignore anything.

Too bad this generation of "All you need is love" morons doesn't understand that you have to at least fight the power like the last one did.

Is it possible these kids a dumb enough to think different color = different politics? If so MLK must be rolling over in his grave as we speak.

This politicing is normal and necessary for someone who need a fair first or solid second to have any chance.

Obama is being labeled a god by the media and his supporters, but when it comes to the general election, all his dirty laundry and the "swift-boat" bs will air and attack him from the GOP. We've yet to see him get hit and we need to see how he rebounds from this and other, harder attacks. Before the primaries are done, we (Dems) need to see if Obama can keep floating over such attacks, or if he'll mess up and eventually fold to them like Kerry did in '04.

Alternatively, we've seen Edwards and Hillary both be attacked like this before. Hillary is constantly attacked in this manner and survives through them pretty easily. Edwards is usually harder hit by them. I expect the "flawless" Obama will get dragged down by them, but not until the general election.

Yeah Obama is a corporate sell-out that's why he lives in a multi-million dollar mansion in North Carolina and represented hedge funds.

Oh wait! Doh! That's Edwards..... Edwards is the corporate sell-out, he must have been talking about himself.

Oooops John Edwards, some of us really did like you, but now that you've gone negative against Obama..... time to drop out.

Obama is just another politician who will say and do anything to get elected. Edwards doesn't need this job, nor, I'm sure, does he have a burning desire to be doing this while his wife may be dying. But apparently both she and her husband know how important it is for us to elect someone who will put the screws to the health care industry, the drug industry, the oil industry and everyone else that is screwing the middle class to within an inch of its existence. He needs to stop smiling so much, though, and get angry. He should watch Peter Finch in "Network" and make "we're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore" his campaign slogan.

Congrats to the Obama campaign for putting Sen. Clinton and her self proclaimed
'experience" in perspective. Hopefully Billary will fail in NH and get out of the race. By the way, I'm an Independent who is leaning towards Sen. McCain but still undecided.

John Edwards is finished. He's finished, done, history. He lost. Now stop whining about it.

Edwards practically created his own 527 to run a bunch of negative ads against Obama. Hillary had ASFME run a bunch of negative ads against Obama for her. It didn't work. Iowans saw through their desperate attempts.

I'm looking forward to the day when we don't have to listen to the hypocrisy of the Edwards or the Clintons.

Edwards, shut up!
Ask Mitt how the negative campaigns are working out!

Edwards '08

I supported Edwards the last time around but have been with Obama this primary season. Edwards was previously a member of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council and espoused a more consensus oriented style while speaking of Two Americas.

Now he is the angriest man in America championing the populist cause, but surprisingly after campaigning in Iowa since '04 he lost the union vote to Obama.

He has taken several stances with strident rhetoric that does not match his past actions. Let me be specific:

1. Voted for the Iraq War before he oppesed the War.

2. He supported and worked for a major Bankruptcy Bill (Bank of America has major opperations and influence in his native North Carolina) that is draconian in its support of corporate interests v. individuals. He later admitted was a mistake- see You Tube.

3. He attacks trade agreements but, once again, he supported Favorite Nation Trading Status with China that has opened the door to cheap AND sometimes Dangerous products for China. Dennis Kucinich chastised him for this because as a trial lawyer, he should have seen the product liability implications of this action...on second thought I guess this would be good for some of his fellow trial lawyers.

4. He advocates gutting No Child Left Behind. Yes, you guessed correctly if you said that Edwards also voted for this bill.

So now he has decided to negative after his 2nd place "victory" in Iowa. He was a full 8 points off the lead and only a point from being in third. He is taking shots that he is not the "glitzy, glamorus" candidate. That and $400 bucks will get him a haircut.

Obama won because people chose him. To the losers, they will always be a reason for them to be sour. I think Edwards is just one of them. But it is just the beginning, lets see in New Hampshire.

Edwards is the most arrogant candidate ever. Did he learn nothing from Mitt Romney's failure last night? He'd better watch it or he's going to ruin any chances he has of doing well in New Hampshire, Florida and the Feb. 5. voting areas.

Considering Edwards (1) owes his fortunes to corporate money and (2) got most of his campaigns funds from corporate money, where's Edwards' support from the little people he condescends to?

Wow! Now THAT'S negative campaigning. All the Republicans try to nail Romney for showing contrast adds and then other candidates get to drop these character assassinations for free? Hypocrisy at it's finest.

The one problem with Edwards (who I like) is that he is too one-dimensional in his campaigning. You cant tie everything in the world to corporate greed. Some of Americas problems dont have to do with corporations.
I liked his post-caucus speech, but it sounds like more and more the running to be Attorney General instead of President.

Edward's is showing just the kind of old politic's that we are trying to get away from. It will be his downfall. Obama just needs to stay focused on what he said in his speech in Iowa. I really have hope for our country.

I always knew Obama was phoney. The thing with him is that he hasn't been vetted, and the moron Democrats in Iowa fell flat for this guy.

Richardson '08

Edwards, You went after HRC and Obama wins in IA now you want to go after Obama probably HRC wins in NH. You would never win with your phony rhetorics. Go away, everybody knows you are a phony.

Edwards only claim to fame is that this trial lawyer of a fraud, made million of millions of dollars pretending to care about the poor in America,

Unspoken by CNN is what legislation ultimately passed. Similar to Clinton, Obama failed to get consensus and ultimately the legislation that passed was legislation that simply called for a "study" on the issue of health care. That's it. No substance resulted.

But of course those facts would not be consistent with the narrative, so let's not let them get in the way....

Obama did well because he is something exciting and new. Obama also, frankly, seems like an honest, decent person.

Another form of Howard dean scream from Edwards!

Don't even try it Edwards.

Edwards should have taken a peak at the GOP race in Iowa and noted that attacking and being negative turns away voters.

Is that desperation in the air or is John Edwards speaking? Maybe it is a little of both. I understand the need to examine someon for the presidency, but Edwards attack seems limiting and almost childish. We could examine what he has done in office the past 4 years. Oh wait he hasn't been in office the last four years to create a record. The reason Obama won in Iowa is because of these kinds of attacks against him by Edwards and Clinton.

wow, Edward desperation has started to set in!

GObama!

Edwards is carrying chips on his shoulder from the mills of Carolina. LOL

Talk to the American people!
Ignore the yapping at the heels.
It is the loser's last stand; and he will do and say anything; in order to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

Corporate people ARE Americans too. They need to be made to join in UNITY FOR AMERICA, FOR CHANGE FROM THE OLD B!TCHING WAYS!

Don't fight Edwards who is carrying chips on his shoulders from his families years in the mills.

All of the presidential candidates are selling us short due to their lack of experience in foreign policy. No hands-on, no- on-the-job training knowledge to deal with the fact that the world is running out of oil and 60% of our imported oil comes from the Middle East. The fact that we are in Iraq and the Middle East to secure our supply of oil, to keep the wheels of our capitalistic industry turning. Wake-up Americans, and elect our next president who has lived in the Middle East for at least ten plus years, a candidate with experience and knowledge from the world to govern the world. Who is this person? Where do we find him? Definitely not the present candidates. The American people should manage their own destiny by advertising on the web and newspapers for the candidate with 10 – 25 years of experience in the Middle East. Otherwise, the United States will continue to venture down the same path as the illiterate failed Roman Empire, destruction from within. Do we repeat history to become one of the failed Empires?

John Edwards why didn't you fight the special interests when you were in the senate? you phony