Last words from the Obama camp

I spoke with California DNC Chair Art Torres, who hugged me when I started talking to him, for some reason, and asked him about the Democrat's strategy to have representational delegates at the DNC convention. Apparently, it's something they've been doing at least since 1988 when Rev. Jesse Jackson ran for the Dem seat, who ended up winning well over 1000 delegates. Anyway, it's a process that each state chair is able to configure.

I went out in search of quotes from Obama supporters. There was a decent number of pandering politicians giving canned quotes on both sides littered across the 4th floor mezzanine in the Kodak theater. I set out to ask them, why wasn't anyone posing questions important to gay and lesbian voters?

I was glad to talk to Maria Elena Durazo, the head of the County Federation of Labor, who announced she was backing him a few weeks ago. Her support is significant, given Los Angeles' high number of Latino workers involved in labor-based work.

"I think his approach is based on inclusiveness," she said. "When he was working as a community organizer he worked on the basis of unity. He had to pull people together to get things accomplished. This is going to apply to all of our communities: gay and lesbian, Latino, African-American... everyone."

Then I made my way over to San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, who said that Obama's "message is all about coalition building. He's been a fighter for civil rights, and his knowledge as a professor has built his knowledge on Constitutional rights."

Well said from a DA!

OK, I'm off to the voter party outside and then I'm going home!

What about LGBT?

 

Just had a chat with California Congresswoman Laura Richardson (pictured here with Nancy Pelosi)--a Sen. Clinton supporter--about the debate. She was visibly relieved that we got through it "fairly civil," giving us a look at the platforms of two qualified people running for President.

I asked her whether she thought the focus on race and gender in this campaign had obscured the issues of other minorities like LGBT people. "It's been an unfortunate part of this campaign that two issues have dominated," she says. "It's not only about age and race. If we can get on a civil path, we can ask the questions Americans care about. This is a historic chance to deal with issues like don't ask, don't tell, ENDA, same-sex partnerships."

She went on to say, that while this debate didn't include one single mention of anything gay, "Discrimination is discrimination. When you look at Clinton, she's spoken clearly in the past about gay and lesbian issues. Nothing has been coated in a thin veiled response. She will be the most progressive President."

The Aftermath

Well played. Both Barack and Hillary seemed to have decided to come out with graciousness and civility. The two actually seemed for the first time in some time to like each other. Thank god. I don't think we could take much more sniping. No thanks to Wolf. Geesh. I think the good-natured approach was cramping his style.

I wonder if that debate changed anyone's mind? Or helped make the decision for the undecided?

It seemed they showed the strengths we've seen from each of them: Barack's ease and integrity; Hillary's strength and experience. And both kept coming back to rest on these characteristics.

Censorship

I was glad to hear Obama mention the industry's responsibility to censor & market accordingly (I was in the debate hall, so I couldn't type). However, more importantly, parents need to not let the television (and now, the computer) be the babysitter. You may remember a story we ran in late 2007 about a woman suing a hotel chain because her kids came across some gay porn while she was in the shower.

Also, funny that he mentions American Idol. This whole election season feels like a Ruben/ Clay showdown.

What a love fest

That dream ticket question... that's important. I think that of the majority of Clinton and Obama fans would be glad to see them together on a ballot. Wouldn't it be more of a sitcom to have Hillary, Barack and Bill all in the same house? Oh, all of the comedy that could happen!

Personality Plus

Question for Barack about violence and sex in the entertainment industry. He says it's primarily parents' responsibility. Cut to Spielberg, clapping. Yeah, Barack, don't mess with Indy.

Hillary gets a question on reining in Bill. Causes her to laugh heartily. In the end, she says, it's her campaign, her presidency.

Final question: Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket? Lots and lots of applause. Barack: Happy to be on the road with Hillary, but it's premature to talk about vice president. He uses the time to talk about the kind of cabinet he wants. No "yes" men, lots of challenging personalities. Subtext: He's not running with Hillary.

Hillary: Says no doubt that no matter what happens, there will be a unified front in the democratic party. Subtext: She's not running with Barack.

Being right

The Iraq War topic heats up the debate. Barack says it's not just important to be prepared on day one, but to be right on day one. Oooh. That could come back to haunt him.

Hillary fends off Wolf's pleas that she admit she was wrong and naive to support the war in the beginning. She won't. I have to say it, this line of questioning is such a bore. Every debate we waste so much time on that original decision. Just fix it. All this talk about looking forward and we can't get off what happened in 2001.

Inside the Kodak

I slipped out of the press room and into the theater, which is grand and beautifully lit. The press seats are up in the third balcony, though. It causes complete vertigo when you look at the stage. But when I could watch, Hillary and Barack, looked more intimate than they do on the television screen. They seemed to be having a combined interview rather than a debate.

Minimal blood spillage.

Yo, Wolf Blitzer

Stop trying to make them kill each other. They're not going to be cut throat. It's just not the tone. This is LA, baby. Go with the flow.

Iraq Endate?

They're going to inherit 130,000 soldiers will be in Iraq by inauguration day.

Hillary: I've been clear in saying that I will begin to withdraw troops in 60 days and that they should be out in a year. We have to plan it right. I'll start a plan to withdraw my first day in office. We also have to think about the civilians there (drivers & translators, business people, embacys). Mainly the Iraqis have to take responsibility to pull out properly.

Barack: I will end this war, no permanent occupation. When John McCain suggests we might be there 100 years shows a lack of understanding that we have a host of global threats. We are neglecting foreign policy elsewhere in the world, like China. We have to be clear on our missions.

They share a lot of stances (civilian/ embassy care etc.)

I'm glad that Obama mentioned McCain's 100 year strategy (twice). For those of you worried that John McCain could win the presidency, this should be the #1 thing that sets him apart from either Democrats

UPDATE: Both of them have gone after McCain's century strategy.