Roll call? Who reads the Barack Obama Group

[TayTay]

Just curious.

Tay Tay from Massachusetts.

[beachmom]

1. Beachmom now in Atlanta, GA.

[silverweb]

2. Here!

SoCal checking in. :hi:

[TayTay]

8. I am a newbie here

I would love to help organize this group, but there are people who have been here longer than me. Is there anyone I can offer assistance to who has been around for a while. Maybe we could get some things going in here and start advertising and such.

I can explain more, if you like.

"Fired up, Ready to Go!"

[silverweb]

9. Nonpaying members can't use these groups...

...so I'm really not sure what kind of organizing would be beneficial here. Most of the action takes place in General Disussion-Politics. That's what the many nonpaying members and lurkers read most and they're the people who need to be reached.

This group really doesn't get too much activity other than internal support, preaching to the choir, etc.

My suggestion would be to support other Obama people in GDP, trying to keep it positive at all times. Stay away from the slimers -- and there are plenty of them out there.

For actual boots-on-the-ground work, you're best off contacting your local campaign office and volunteering to help there. See what they need and what you can do to help.

Meanwhile, welcome to Team Obama!


Keepin' it fired up and ready to go!


_YES, WE CAN!_


GObama!

[beachmom]

11. JMHO, but I think there are advantages to using both blog orgs

And, of course, this is just adding to your excellent points and ideas:

I am interested in the Rick Warren way of thinking: there is the MegaChurch (GDP) and the bible study groups (DU group - Obama). I agree that people need persuading "out there", but smaller groups can actually have a large affect getting people donating, more people volunteering, etc. If you are friends with someone, and they give a personal story of volunteering, that may lead you to volunteer yourself in a way the big blogs or message boards don't. Calling the campaign office is really the last step after much stewing over whether to do it or not. It is also a good idea to sometimes hash out the best way to handle a topic -- I know in the past I have gotten great ideas for writing Kos diaries, etc. from chatting among "friends" first.

Obviously, people who have bought a star and want to join forums are especially motivated activists. I agree with you 100% the "out there" needs to be persuaded but sometimes that involves pow wows where there is less heat.

And, of course, morale boosters are always nice. :)

Anyway, thanks for welcoming newcomers here. I hope we can bring it home for Obama.

[silverweb]

21. You're absolutely right.

I guess our little bible study group can have a lot of influence if we put our minds to it.

It would, indeed, be great to see this group get much more active. It's a hot race out there and maybe getting better organized in here is one of the best ways to help tilt the balance in our favor.

:hi:

[goclark]

99. Glad to see you here ~ nt

[sandnsea]

12. We have been known to pay for a star or two

It helps to have info in one place, and to have a retreat from the craziness.

[silverweb]

22. Very generous...

And you're right about having information in one place and a "retreat." I can't believe how many people I've put on at least partial ignore out there just to keep my blood pressure under control.

[wildflowergardener]

16. paying

I thought you could read without paying?

Anyway it's nice to have a place to get away from the general discussion forum sometimes - often news articles are posted both in the Kerry forum and in general discussion - that way you can have a civilized discussion about it in the small forum and then there's the discussion in general discussion.

Anyway, if I was looking for info on Obama, this if the first place I'd look and probably think he doesn't have many supporters here - actually I kind of did think that at first cause this was where I went looking when I wanted to know more about Obama.

Meg

[Dr Ron]

20. Read but not post

I'm pretty sure you can read forums like this but can't post in them. One year after contributing I suddenly found that I could not post when I tried responding to a comment until I contributed and got another star.

[silverweb]

23. Good to know.

I've been a paid member for so long, I wasn't sure if non-paids could even read the groups.

It would be wonderful to make this group a dynamic repository and clearinghouse for TRUE Obama information that needs to get out!

[gratefultobelib]

142. I haven't given up. Probably never will!

[rox63]

3. Rox in Massachusetts

:hi:

[sandnsea]

4. me me

If we have enough regular people, and a teensy bit of help, I'd be glad to try to post more info. I just didn't think anybody was in here before.

[wildflowergardener]

5. here

I'm here.

Meg

[ginnyinWI]

6. I do. Hi Tay Tay!

:hi:

[politicasista]

7. Right here!

Hi TayTay! :hi:

[Big Blue Marble]

10. I check here two or three times per week. n/t

[City Lights]

13. Checking in from Lake County, IL.

:hi:

Don't check in here as much as I probably should though.

[hibiscus]

14. Checking in from California

SF Bay Area :hi: :hi: :hi:

[karynnj]

15. I just came here -

and will start to go to JK, then BO when I log on

[AtomicKitten]

17. Checking in from San Francisco.

Gobama.

[Dr Ron]

18. Would it have been easier to have just renamed the Kerry group?

Just kidding. We know what a war that would have started (but having JK on our side sure gives helps).

[wisteria]

26. Right you are.

And, it should remain that way. This is where news on Senator Obama's campaign belongs, IMO. You see, I made my way over here to check it out. If I want the latest news on Mr. Obama it is easy enough to make my way here.
Good idea keeping this all in perspective. I knew you would understand and be tolerant of those who support Senator Kerry, but have not made a commitment to any candidate yet in the race.

[MH1]

19. Hi all, MH checking in from PA

Glad to be here with such a great group!

:toast:

[JI7]

24. from California

[silverweb]

25. This is fantastic!

TayTay has done a real service just by getting people to check in -- and her idea of organizing better and getting more active using this as a base is a terrific one.

I'm getting fired up just thinking about it! :D

So how do we start?

[beachmom]

33. I guess what would be cool is if we posted articles of what the big

news of the day Barack has made, plus any attacks on him. For example, yesterday he was attacked for his perfectly reasonable remarks about Reagan and transformational politics.

I think what would be nice, and I guess we haven't gotten into it yet, would be for this to be a nice place to start the day, or go to 2 or 3 times a day, to know what is up, and be ready for the predictable attacks. Framing it up helps everyone, so that is also nice. We can also refer to DailyKos diaries. It is, however, against DU rules to "call up the troops" to threads in GD/GDP. Just an FYI there.

[silverweb]

36. Great idea.

And thanks for the warning about the rules. I haven't read them in a while, so wasn't aware of that one -- but it makes perfect sense.

[Pirate Smile]

27. I do - from Iowa. I need to start checking here more frequently.

Yes, I caucused for Obama. It was great.

[TayTay]

37. Wonderful!

Any pics from the rallies and so forth in Iowa. (Or links to threads from that.)

[ralbertson]

47. Such as, for example, this one?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4099935

[JanusAscending]

28. Hi Wonderful Lady !!!

DC reporting for duty here!! I've been here off and on for a while. I'm, as you know, in Northwest Ct. and the foothills of the beautiful Berkshires.

[LittleClarkie]

29. Little Clarkie from Wisconsin

Howdy

[Crunchy Frog]

30. Is this the new hangout for the Kerry group?

I haven't posted in here before this, but I'm supporting Obama, so I guess I might as well start. Is it okay if I join?

[JI7]

31. it's for OBAMA supporters

so yeah. one reason it's mostly Kerry people right now is because there were some problems with discussion of this in the Kerry forum since not everyone there supports Obama so thought it was the right thing to do to post more in this forum.

[karynnj]

35. But in a way, it's a good thing that issue came up

First, because the Kerry group needs to be for everyone who supports Kerry - it would diminish his support otherwise.

Second, because here we will be Obama supporters with other Obama supporters - combining forces with non-Kerry supporters who support Obama is better than staying over there.

[rox63]

32. A lot of Kerrycrats are supporting Obama

So we've wandered on over to say :hi:

[karynnj]

34. Many of us are in both places

I still am at least as interested in supporting Senator Kerry. I was already for Obama before Kerry endorsed and tried to defend him on the big boards. What I like as I have started to do that is that, as it was for Kerry, defense is easier for someone who generally does what I think is the right thing, tells the truth, and gives reasons for what he does.

[dwahzon]

38. Me too

though I see a lot of familiar nicks from DU JK forum.

[StoryTeller]

39. I'm here

I've actually been lurking here and in the Kerry group. Was promising myself I was not going to post, at all, for any reason. But I'm weak, and Tay Tay is irresistible. And then seeing all those lovely, familiar names...I couldn't resist.

I did really good for several months--didn't even check up on you all, let my star expire, and generally avoided politics. But it's luring me back in. *sigh* I wish I had more time. I shouldn't even be here--I should be working on about a million things I have to do. But I wanted to say hi.

Nebraska is having its very first caucus ever on Feb. 9th. Just the Democrats. I'm excited to participate and support Sen. Obama. It will be a truly historic event for our state, and for our nation--I hope.

Anyway, hi from Nebraska.

[TayTay]

40. Hi!

How can anyone stay away.

Thisis an exciting campaign and Senator Obama is an exciting and wonderful choice for President. Besides, you know you care about this country and the direction it's going in. So, how can you walk away! (LOL, yeah, me neither.)

Welcome! (If I may. I am a newbie after all here too!)

So, what's it like in Nebraska? Any Obama support, anyone paying attention to the caucus yet?

(It's good to hear from you!)

[StoryTeller]

42. Obama Support in Nebraska

Actually, it's seems to be coming along fine. I honestly wasn't paying very close attention to what was happening here in the state because our primaries are in May and really don't matter. I didn't hear about this caucus thing until the first week in January. If I'd known about it sooner, I would have gotten more involved with the Obama group here in Omaha.

As it is, I went to a NH return watching party the Obama supporters had here in Omaha, and they're very fired up. Most of them appear to be college students, but there was one of our state legislators there, too. They are hopeful that because the caucus has not been well-publicized and because the Obama group appears to be the best-organized in the state, that we have a good chance of winning Nebraska for Obama.

I've been contemplating volunteering as a caucus captain for Obama. We don't have an official campaign office here in the state, so it's all very grass-roots. I want to help, but I'm dithering because I'm not sure if I can feasibly do it with my other commitments.

Senator Nelson endorsed Obama, which I really don't know what effect--if any--it will have on people here. However, to my shock, my MOTHER was talking positively about Obama a couple of weeks ago. (Bright red Republican) I about fell over. I was almost scared to say anything, because sometimes she veers the opposite direction of whatever I think, just to be difficult.

Her only worry was that she'd "heard that he was a Muslim." Oh dear lord. I set her straight on that account. Haven't heard anything from her about it since then. But it was interesting.

[ProSense]

44. Wow!

:hi:

Thanks for the report. Really nice to hear from you. How's everything?

[cadmium]

53. Hi Storyteller. Good to see you

here. I am going to challenge conservative relatives -- who have been bemoaning USA's divisiveness after the 06 elections---to check out Obama. I'll be urious to see if they put their money where their mouths are.

[fedupinBushcountry]

46. Hi StoryTeller

good to hear from you. Sounds like things are going good in Nebraska for Obama. :hi:

[Island Blue]

67. It's good to hear from you ST.

Just the other night I was wondering where you'd been. Good to see you again on DU!

[ralbertson]

41. Why, what a surprise, I do, too!

[europegirl4jfk]

43. Reading it... well... since almost a year now

I was wondering where all the Kerrycrats had gone - lol, just kidding.

I came here around the time of the very first debates when I thought Obama the most inspiring candidate and posted a few times, then went back to lurker mode as I did in the Kerry forum as well for most of last year. But I check both forums at least twice a week, and I'm glad you guys all found your way to the Obama group. ;-)

For those here who don't know me: I'm from Europe and no, I can't vote for Obama. But he has my moral support, for what it's worth. :hi:

[globalvillage]

45. I do

GV in Pittsburgh

[ralbertson]

48. This is probably a good time to do the de-cloaking thing here.

Since we're making new friends in this group who may or may not have run into some of us elsewhere on DU before, I think it's an appropriate opportunity to officially introduce myself to the rest of the Barack Obama Group.

It's quite obvious from my sig line that I am a professional political staffer specializing in online content production creation and management. This is not accidental. While I was an active DUer before I became a staffer for the junior Senator from Massachusetts' in-house internet team, as soon as I did go to work for him, I switched to a new nick that has always been clearly associated with my professional situation and I now use that exclusively when I post here.

This does not mean that I stopped posting, although to be honest I did avoid posting much at all for quite some time in order to establish a clear boundary line here. Although I am a paid staffer for a professional politician, I can and do still have opinions of my own and there is no reason that I should not post them here...

...*if*, that is, there is never any doubt about who I am and who I work for. That is, imho, an unbreakable rule of political blogging: Thou Shalt Disclose. Period, full stop. No dodging, no sock puppets, no bullshit.

Even when I am off-duty, as I am right now, whatever I say in places like DU does reflect on the judgment of the guy who decided to hire me as one of his online voices. I am not going to say or do anything that will make him wish he hadn't done so. But that doesn't mean I am not going to say, or should not say, anything at all.

I had been careful not to make any public statements of support for Senator Obama in the past, because of the above caveat. I had hoped for some time that he would decide to publicly endorse Obama, and like practically all of his staffers I was delighted when he did so. That has freed me to publicly declare my enthusiastic support for Obama's campaign, and to publicly throw all the help I am able to provide bhind his efforts.

As some of the other readers already know and some might not, there has been a sudden influx of active John Kerry supporters into this group since he made his endorsement known last week. This is not a Bad Thing. As has already been mentioned upthread, we have no intentions of trying to co-opt or colonize the Barack Obama Group. Rather the contrary -- we are here to participate, to assist, to become part of *this* group for what it is and what it can be.

We came here to back Obama because we *want* to back Obama. He is a terrific candidate, with a terrific message, and the fact that a guy we also happen to think is pretty terrific believes that Obama is pretty terrific too, well, that just adds icing to the cake.

And this is a terrific group of people who've been introducing themselves in this thread to you longtime Obama supporters that hadn't met them before. I had the privilege of meeting many, though not all, of them in December of '06 when they gathered in Boston to celebrate a certain rather tall Senator's birthday. I had gotten to know many of them in DU previously, and some of them I know from way back in the '04 presidential wars.

They're good peeps. Really, really good peeps. If truth be told, an awful of what I know about DU I learned from them. And if they support Barack Obama as ably and effectively as they have supported John Kerry over the years -- and I know that they will -- then, silverweb et al, you and your candidate are very lucky indeed to have them join your online team. (And not just your online team, for that matter -- I know from experience that these guys have one helluva ground game, too.)

GOBAMA!

[JanusAscending]

49. Great Post SWEETIE !!!

Love ya!! DC

[Democrafty]

50. Another Kerrycrat, reporting for duty.

:patriot:

[divineorder]

51. Dean/Gore

Now Obama.

[MBS]

69. . . .and another

:patriot:

[cadmium]

52. I dont check it

very often, but I am totally on the Obama team.

[Inuca]

54. My first click here

Feels like home :-). Hi everybody!

[UrbScotty]

55. ih8thegop in Michigan!

:patriot:

[Luftmensch067]

56. This is my second time checking in

As I listen to the Obama speech from Atlanta yesterday...

[plantwomyn]

57. Questions unanswered in Indiana

Seems no one who is willing or able to answer the questions I asked Sen. Obama. No one who even acknowledges that my questions were of any importance. Not surprising since Obama's campaign just sent me a form letter. I called the campaign and they sent me a form email. I posted 2 weeks ago and 76 views and no answers. Crickets!

[wildflowergardener]

58. What questions

What questions did you ask? I don't see any other posts from you in this thread.

Meg

[plantwomyn]

59. Gave up on posting here after no answers.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=388x973
Posted jan. 8.

[wildflowergardener]

60. answers

Ok - well I'm new here - I only recently made my decision so I did not see your previous post, but I see it now. I did not have an answer to your question because I am still learning about Obama myself, but I went to look on his website to see what he plans to do for the rights of Gay and Lesbian's, and what he believes.

Here is the page on his website that pretty much describes where he stands on this - there are several links that go into great detail about what he supports. It sounds like maybe you've already been there though if you've read that questionaire.

http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome

Correct me if I am wrong, but believe all the major candidates support civil unions for gay and lesbians but not marriage. If they are all equal in that, then I guess you'd just have to look at the other issues and see who is the best. I have not read them all, and am not gay, so really can not help you make that decision. It may really just be a case of who is the closest to what you are looking for, even if not ideal. To be honest, I wish Kerry or Gore were running, but when that didn't pan out, I had to go find someone else, who would at least come close to someone who I feel I can support fully - for me Obama comes the closest - that may or may not be the case for you. Only you can make that decision.

It seems fairly clear that Obama has been consistent on the issue of talking to those people you disagree with. Otherwise how will you ever have a chance to change their minds?

I have struggled with this myself. I have a good friend who is a republican, who has good friends who are gay, but still believes because of her religion it is wrong and has told me it is an abomination to god - which I think is a horrible thing to believe. I asked her so you think * and * are abominations? (Friends of ours) she says no - just the lifestyle but it still doesn't make sense to me and I believe it's wrong for her to believe that. However I can't just write her off because of that even if maybe I should - because though there are many things I strongly disagree with her on she's still my friend and she knows we disagree strongly and we are never going to change each other's minds. Maybe that makes me a bad or weak person for still being her friend - I don't know. I know it's easy to say when it is some stranger - I would never be friends with a person like that - until it's a real life situation and you find out after you are already good friends that they believe things like that. All I can do is try to change her mind a little and maybe that's a good thing even if it's not enough it's something. I should probably try more to change her mind but I don't like confrontation so its a sort of a we agree to disagree thing. I also had some relatives who were horribly racist - and I argued against what they were saying but there was no talking to them - but there were still good things about them though some of their views were very very wrong. I guess there is good and bad in everyone and maybe we should be trying to change the bad parts to good by communicating with them and convincing them they are wrong, rather than writing them off as a lost cause.

I doubt I answered your question.

Ok - editing to add one more thing - obviously I would not be a good president because I'm bad at confrontation and trying to convince people to change their mind about something, but I can see if there was a person who was good at talking to people who he/she disagrees with and getting them to come around to their way of thinking, they might actually have a chance to change their minds. It seems you'd have a better chance if you get to know them first and listened to why they believe what they do - then maybe you'd have a better chance at changing their mind. If Obama is good at changing people's minds he may think the best way is to talk to them and get to know them and if you can see that you do have many things in common, maybe then you can convince them they are wrong in what they believe.
Meg

[Tulkas]

62. I think they are just downplaying an obvious wedge issue.

It seems unlikely to me that any Democratic candidate would not be in favor of gay marriage. It is just that the Republicans can latch onto that word and use it as a way to attack our entire party.

Lets face it, most people who vote Republican are not paying close attention to issues. These sound bites are far more effective than they should be.

For the moment..... civil unions that are exactly like marriages in all ways (except name) are the quickest and easiest way to insure equal protection under the law without causing a huge backlash.
Political necessitates suck, but they do exist. At least Huckabee is the only candidate who still wants to amend the Constitution because they feel the need to exclude gays. (at least I think he is the only one)


I honestly believe that the word Marriage will inevitably be universal for the union of two individuals, regardless of gender. Unfortunately it will not happen until a majority of Americans support it. Letting the issue cool off for a few years, and then bringing up that it is only semantics that separates civil unions from marriage may be the quickest way to achieve the proper result.

[plantwomyn]

63. I'd like to see this happen in time to take advantage of it myself.

By "Letting the issue cool off for a few years" I may end up never seeing it happen. As a Lesbian who has been out since 1972 I ain't got all that much time to wait and I'm getting sick of waiting for my fellow citizens to acquiesce to my demand for equal protection of the law. I'm tired of paying property taxes for straight families to have good schools for children most feel that we Queers shouldn't have and should stay away from. I'm sick of paying federal taxes for heterosexuals to have tax breaks and benefits that they receive based on their marital status. Oh and ain't it ironic that it is called " marital status". It is a status other citizens receive as a birth right but my own countrymen refuse to me.
Would anyone today tell a black American that they should have let " the issue cool off for a few years" "until a majority of Americans support it" for voting rights or the right to marry who they love. NOT.

[Tulkas]

66. I did not mean to imply that

My point was that it will happen, just not right away. I believe the polls have been swinging toward gay marriage at a rate of approx. 2-3% a year. (these numbers may be old) It will take time to get that percentage above 50%.


As I understand it, I may be wrong, Civil Unions provide the same benefits to same sex couples that marriages do to couples consisting of both genders.

As far as your Black/African Americans comparison. They were slaves until the 1860s. They were still segregated in the military through World War Two. The modern civil rights movement began in the early 1950s and the legislation was not signed until the mid 1960s. Even now "blacks" still struggle for equality and are denied it far to often. I could get into specifics on your "voting rights" comparison, but I will simply say that it took many many years for them to overcome things like literacy tests designed to suppress African American voter registration.

I'm sorry for the injustice that you have been exposed to. I wish it would change tomorrow, it won't. Electing a Democratic president and increasing the majorities in Congress should be the fastest road to true equality. Supplying the opposition with a wedge issue seems counter productive.


(Disclosure, I am a straight white male in my mid 40s, we tend to be narrow minded as a demographic, sorry)

[plantwomyn]

64. They are not all equal in gathering anti gay support.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4133344&mesg_id=4133344
Believe me you have no idea how sick I am of hearing people talk about the "Gay lifestyle". I'd like to know why they think the straight lifestyle is so superior. Is it the abandonment of women and children to poverty so the male can have a new woman and more children he doesn't support a straight lifestyle? You see how generalization can skew perception?
Oh ya, I got me a great gay lifestyle, taxation without representation or equal rights, budgeting to afford groceries, car repairs, worrying about not having health care, and cleaning up the poop from the dogs. Pure glamour.

[wildflowergardener]

65. Why they think the straight lifetyle is superior

The only explanation I can give is that it's their lifestyle so they think it's ok. It's always easier to complain about what someone else does that you think is wrong rather than your own faults.

Editing, because at first I didn't quite understand your post till I clicked on your link.
If anti gay people deciding to support obama even if he does not believe that himself upsets you, then I guess you shouldn't vote for him. Obama believes that he can change people's minds if he engages with people he disagrees with. Others feel they'll get further in a confrontational approach. If that's not something you agree with then that is your answer if all other aspects of their campaigns are the same. However I do think it's important to tell him how you feel, as you have. I am sure they get so many letters it's tough to send an individual reponse to everyone. I also got a canned response to a letter I sent to the website about a completely different issue.

Meg

[mopinko]

70. these forums are for supporters of the candidates.

concern trolls are not allowed. sorry.

[plantwomyn]

72. Maybe you didn't read the admin. welcome or the post.

Welcome: DUers who are supporters of Senator Obama for President, or have a positive view of the Senator and are open to an Obama candidacy in 2008 are welcome.

Post: Roll call? Who reads the Barack Obama Group

I read the posts in the Barack Obama Group every time I log on to DU. Hoped someone here could give me an answer to my questions. Hoped to find cognitive reasoning for the lack of sensitivity by the Obama campaign. Hoped someone would give me a reason to see Barack Obama in a different light. I know that I am not the only one bothered by this and in fact there are straight people who have also expressed their dissatisfaction.
I have called, written a letter and emailed the campaign over the last month and received form letters. Just thought his "DU supporters" would have the ability to explain how they made up their minds to support Obama and if they felt his decisions on this matter were pure politics, pure stupidity or just pure homophobia.

In 1984 I voted for Jesse Jackson in the Cal. primary. I voted for him to scream out that this country needed {still needs} to hear more voices, to be more inclusive and to have more diversity in our leadership. I thought Obama supporters here would enforce my idea that he just might fit the bill.
Sorry, but I see now that Obama supported like you have no "CONCERN" for the actions, positions, rhetoric, or beliefs of your chosen candidate. Thanks, you've helped me cross him off my list.

[mopinko]

73. look, the rules are the rules. this forum is about support, not

coming in here to stir up shit. your phony concern is bs. your contention that you would support him but for my post is patently ridiculous.
things being as ugly as they are "out there' makes sanctuaries like this all the more important.

sorry to the folks in here who are temperate enough to just let this poster slide. maybe i should, too. but this crap is starting to get on my nerves. that is why these forums have the rules they have. to get away.

[plantwomyn]

74. DUers who are open to an Obama candidacy in 2008 are welcome.

I didn't have a concern, I have questions. Again read the fucking welcome. Until less than a week ago with the addition of another questionable Rev. in support of Obama, Sen. Obama was still on my list of candidates. What I see as "patently ridiculous" is that latter on in this very thread you say "but this whole mc curkin thing really made me see the wisdom of accepting people you disagree with" REALLY! I'm fellin' your acceptance, oh yes I am. Since you are such a shinning star for support, support Obama don't mollycoddle him.
BTFW, I thought the entire idea behind DU was to get involved, not get away. My bad.

[mopinko]

75. please

i'm sorry, but i just don't believe a word you are saying here. if you wanted answers, you could have found them easily enough. he made a statement after that event making clear that he did not agree with the guy. he has a clear voting record in illinois. he has spoken many, many times about the need to end homophobia. i have had the fake outrage up to my ears. take it to gdp. don't bring it in here.
you read the message. this is not open. this is bullshit.

[wildflowergardener]

76. questions

I would think if a person had legitimate questions and an open mind to listening to them, then they are fine to post here. Whether you do or not, only you know. Because of this I made and attempt to answer your questions. I believe Obama's whole campaign is based on trying to change the mind of people you disagree with - and being open to talking to people though obviously it's not good to let the candidate forums become another place for anti Obama people to come and post anti Obama things as an attempt to cause trouble. As long as you are not a hit and run poster who has no intention of thinking about changing your mind no matter how people answer your questions, then it seems ok to post a question, at least to me. Some others outside of this forum have made up their mind and that's it - no matter how much you argue what Obama has done, it's not going to make a bit of difference. In my case I can't really advise you that well because I'm still learning about Obama myself, am not gay so what he does is not going to affect me as personally or possibly offend me as much. All I can really say is to go to his website at the link he gave you, and try to talk to the campaign as well as you can - probably best to call and then make your decision based on that.

I did look at some of your previous posts and don't see you going all around DU posting Anti Obama posts though I've only looked at a few of them - and see that you may have an open mind when it comes to Civil Unions vs. Marriage as long as the rights are the same, which I am pretty sure Obama supports so thought you might be coming here with genuine questions - sometimes it's hard to tell - it's not talking to someone in person where you can perhaps get a sense of their intentions.

One thing I'm pretty sure - is Obama as president will listen to your concerns even if you disagree with him even if he has so many emails he can't respond right now.

Meg

[City Lights]

80. Spot on, mopinko.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2654374

[Tulkas]

61. John, Detroit Michigan....

Present.......



(wow I hope everyone here has a sense of humor)

[Island Blue]

68. I've just recently started reading the Obama Group

but am just now posting. Checking in from North Carolina. :patriot:

I'm glad to see so many fellow Kerrycrats here and look forward to making new friends in this group.

[mopinko]

71. checkin' in- hometowner

hi all. took me a while to get on the bandwagon. i was holding out for al.
took me a little while realize that barack fights hard, but fights smart. not like me- throwin' it down at every little thing. but this whole mc curkin thing really made me see the wisdom of accepting people you disagree with. everyone will be at the table in an obama administration, which is how progress will be made. you don't need to make peace with your friends. you don't need to win over your allies. you need solutions that work for everyone. sort of the opposite of * and his echo chamber of sycophants.
as i said in another thread, i am just sad that illinois is so very in the bag that you can hardly get a bumpersticker.
haven't been in here too much, but i can't take too much more of it out "there".
:hi:

[ray of light]

77. Hello!

I'm here. Finally doing more than sticking a toe in the waters. It's been difficult for me to decide on a candidate because I have been working so hard for impeachment that I just haven't had the heart to look to the future.

I still feel very tentative about what kind of country we'll have by time we kick Bush out of the White House and all his rich cronies with him. So it makes it very difficult to give up the fight for impeachment. But when I look at what Obama's plans are for the country, and I look at his integrity and how he seems to understand that you have to be an honest broker, I feel that he will be able to bring positive changes and hope. I know it's not going to come easily because the toxic environment in DC. But I do believe that Obama can set our course on a new trajectory.

So...here I am. (Seeing a lot of familiar faces too.)

[AZBlue]

78. I do, I do!

[TayTay]

79. Sorry I have been absent

I'm working hard for Obama for America here in Massachusetts!

I think Super Tuesday is going to be amazing.

Again, sorry for not checking in. It's been really hectic!

[NYC_SKP]

81. I'm checking in...

:hi:

[Cha]

87. Thanks for digging this

up, SKP:bounce::hi:

[Peacetrain]

82. For everyone looking in, I read, and post

:hi:.. Iowa checking in..A year along the trail, and still here.. wow 2008

[DeepModem Mom]

83. "Retired" from posting, but lurking daily, especially here in the Barack Obama Group.

Thanks to all for activating this forum and for your valuable contributions!

[Cha]

85. That's cool, DeepModem Mom..

I'm glad you're still supporting our Prez Obama. :)

[NYC_SKP]

88. Well, thank you!

It's nice to come and find a little peace. Sadly, I think many don't know about it...

:P

[HopeOverFear]

84. I read!

[Cha]

86. Never got here during the primaries

but, I'm here now..beamed in from New York(upstate).

:hi::patriot:

[Tarheel_Dem]

89. TD from High Point, NC

:toast:

[FrenchieCat]

90. Checking in!

Place to come on Democratic Underground where the Democratic President is not attacked adnauseam!

[grantcart]

91. Yo

[Undercurrent]

92. Hey!

[Lindsey]

93. Checking in fromm Southern California! :-) n/t

[mecherosegarden]

94. mecherosegarden from California. N/T

[SeattleGirl]

95. SeattleGirl from, well, Seattle.

:hi:

[CBR]

96. CBR from Delaware! nt

[CTLawGuy]

97. here

NT

[MadMaddie]

98. MadMaddie Eastside of Seattle!!

Holla...:thumbsup:

[gblady]

100. latecomer to the group here....

just found it and am delighted to see a +++ forum on our President...

[BlueCaliDem]

101. Me - after a long hiatus from DU. :-) eom

[Arkana]

102. Yo.

Another Masshole.

[OneGrassRoot]

103. I do now -- glad I remembered it's here. :)

:hi:

[Kind of Blue]

104. Hey, You!

I'll be checking in here from now on. I can't believe I feel the need to, so I'm sooo glad this group is here.

:hi: Thanks to who started this group - great foresight!

[OneGrassRoot]

105. Hola!

:hi:

I didn't peruse back to the old posts, but I have a feeling it was started during the primaries. Thank goodness it's here though. :)

[firedupdem]

106. checking in! n/t

[MerryBlooms]

107. Me!

I slip in here and the photography group for my sanity fixes.

[Cha]

108. Hi Merry, I bet your hand made greeting cards

are beautiful!

[MerryBlooms]

109. The cards are a lot of fun

and a great craft I can do with my sister's grandbabies when they visit. They're just old enough now to use the dry embossing light box, stencils and tools. FunFunFun
Full swing into gift tags now and pressed flower/laminated bookmarks.
I may need to buy a few more gifts just so I have an excuse to make more gift tags. heh

[Cha]

112. I love photo cards..I buy a lot of them

by my friend who's sells them at our Natural Foods co-op in upstate New York.

They're mostly scenes from around the lake where she has a camp. Loons, Sunsets, Sunrises..just amazing shots in Nature.

[WheelWalker]

110. This is my first visit, over from the JBSG. I'm thinking

it's time to close ranks.

[JimWis]

111. Me

[divineorder]

113. I Do

From Ohio. Thank goodness this group wasn't deleted when Obama won. I mean, given what's going on in the rest of the site, those who still support Obama need a refuge!

[JanusAscending]

114. My sentiments, more and more lately!

Glad I checked in tonight....it's been awhile! The crap is getting too deep to wade into without hip boots in other places on DU! Sad,....very sad.

[Silver Gaia]

115. Checking in... Didn't know this place was here!

I'm glad to have found a place on DU where there's some sanity and rational thinking. I barely recognize most of the rest of DU any more. Sadly so...

I don't usually post very often, but will definitely be reading. :)

[Name removed]

116. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BeyondGeography]

117. New arrival here

Coming in from the cold...

:hi:

[Cha]

125. Hi Beyond! It's good to see

the old gang here~ :hi:

[HughMoran]

118. I guess I do now

Seems like lots of people seeking refuge from the rageaholics here - I'm down with that.

[Cha]

124. The more peeps here the

merrier, Hugh!

I mean really..one can only read so much disingenuous whining. And, that's not to say there isn't a lot of good in the other forums..so this is just another forum on DU, only it's strickly for supporting the Pres not for "bush=cheney=Obama" &"We Will March With The Teabaggers!"(and variations thereof) types.

[HughMoran]

126. Do you ever wonder what percentage of the "new" posters

are, in fact, Republican or insurance trolls?

I know there are a lot of old time people with legitimate concerns - heck, I have many issues that I'm concerned about - but since it is now open season on Obama and Democrats, there really is no way to know how many of these newer posters are indeed trolls.

[Cha]

128. There's all kinds taking advantage of

the open season..but, I think most of the nubies are definetly repukes acting like lefties to take advantage(could be wrong, of course, but the language is a give away at times).

Here's a classic.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x66544

[HughMoran]

129. Ha! That was an insta-troll. I wonder how many are reccing/unreccing and posting +1 everywhere?

Something is not right with the numbers. I don't see how some threads get over 200 recs, but a perfectly valid critique from a non-psychopath gets maybe 20 votes & more likely negative recs. What gives?

[Cha]

130. Ya got me..

I'm sick of it. This forum has strong possibilities.:)

[HughMoran]

132. What do you think about this one?

Talk about screaming "yeah, I'm a troll - what of it?" http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7283451&mesg_id=7283513

I had an opinion I just had to share ;)

[Cha]

133. My first thought was..

"asshole". So, thank you, you covered it quite nicely.:)

[HughMoran]

134. My honest opinion of such troll was deleted

:rofl:

Good thing you read it before it was ;)

[Cha]

135. Ha!

I got in under the wire.

[treestar]

136. I think they are trying to recreate Carter with the weak and ineffective meme

They figure if they can get this out there - they say it so often it becomes true - that's the right wing mind set.

[Cha]

137. They can try all they want but it's President

Obama who's there doing all the heavy lifing that they couldn't even wrap their brains around.

[Ozymanithrax]

119. Ozymanithrax of San Diego...

I am a proud incrementalist...

[NJmaverick]

120. I'm here now and I don't want to leave. This is what DU is supposed to be like

[lamp_shade]

121. PRESENT !!!

[babylonsister]

122. I'm starting right now!

babylonsister currently residing in Georgia.

[Cha]

123. babylonsister!

Good to see, sweetie. Currently a Georgia Peach~

I went down there with my sister on a road trip summer before last..quite a pretty state.

[babylonsister]

127. Hi, Cha. GD/P gets a tad heavy, doesn't it. Very frustrating, to say

the least!

Not too peachy in GA now; cold, but then again, it didn't snow here so I have nothing to complain about!

[Patsy Stone]

131. I do.

:toast:

[BlueCaliDem]

138. BlueCaliDem, SoCal here. ::waving:: eom

[gardenista]

139. Posting here today thanks to another DUer's generosity.

Both in recommending this group, and giving me a star.

Thank you.

:hug:

[get the red out]

140. I'm here now

I have added this to my groups. I can't deal with the insanity out in GD and believe it is terribly counter-productive to progress and goes against what I believed was the purpose of Democratic Underground.

[NJmaverick]

141. We've become an underground in an underground

[RoyGBiv]

143. Here ...

I think this will be the first forum I read when I sign-on.

Going to GD first is not conducive to good digestion after breakfast.

[NJmaverick]

145. No it certainly is not

[vaberella]

144. Vabby from NYC has just joined...so I'm here. n/t

[lamp_shade]

148. Good to see you here Vabby.

[TayTay]

146. OMG, this group came back

So happy to see this. The individual Dem groups can be really wonderful forums in unexpected ways.

Nice to see this come back to life!

[cliffordu]

147. I am from now on.

Thanks for having me.

[get the red out]

149. I do for sure!!!!!

Great group, people are sane there.

[ginnyinWI]

150. Me

:hi:

[lamp_shade]

154. You never left, Ginny. You were one of the original members.

Good on you.

[Sultana]

151. Sultana

from Lalaland :D

[LiberalAndProud]

152. Ok. I've been here, but this makes it official.

:hi:

[uponit7771]

153. +2

[graywarrior]

155. Another Masshole here

(Not that you're a Masshole)

[live love laugh]

156. Me! I was just alerted by someone--I'm happy I found you. nt

[Avalux]

157. I'm here now and happy to be a part of the group.

:hi: