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!
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."
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Just to revisit immigration, the Uniting American Families Act -- which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination by allowing the same-sex partners of U.S. citizens and legal residents to gain lawful resident status -- has 10 Senate cosponsors, none of whom bare the last name Clinton or Obama according the Library of Congress's Thomas website. Sen. Ted Kennedy, who just recently endorsed Obama, is one of those cosponsors.
The bill was originally sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy in the Senate and Rep. Jerrold Nadler in the House, where it has 87 cosponsors.
This has been a far funnier night than usual, which I'm personally enjoying. It seems that by jabbing the president, G-Dubbs as I call him, and already attacking the Republicans, they're having fun. I like this.
Citizen question for Clinton about how she can stand for change when in the last 30 years, the same two families have been in office. She says everyone is unique, needs to be judged on his or her merits. Says the best line of the night so far. "It took a Clinton to clean up after one Bush, and I think it'll take another to clean up after this one."
Clinton says she's honored to have the support of three of Bobby Kennedy's children and speaks of her friendship with Sen. Kennedy. Says each candidate needs to be judged on their own merits.
Barack mildly mentions the endorsement event with Sen. Kennedy, but moves on quickly. Instead talks about the new wave of voters that this election is generating and how those new voters aren't accepting the old standard of politics.
Barack is asked about his experience, or perceived lack of experience. We get a quick CV of Obama's political history. He respects Clinton's record, but believes his skills are what's necessary to get the country going.
Clinton talks about her experience as a lawyer for the children's defense fund, working for President Carter and First Lady. Hails her experience around the world. Must say, she comes off serious business.
Responding to a question of how each plans to handle the business of running a financial institution when they haven't run a company, Clinton makes a dig at Bush, calling him the CEO/MBA president. Barack pipes in that Romney hasn't gotten much of a return on his investment in this election. Nicely done on both sides.
Seriously, Hillary's right: we've seen what we get when we have a business man (Oilman/ Baseball club owner) in office... do we really want another one?
Obama started off as a community organizer (reflected in his grassroots effort in Iowa). Then as an attorney. He was at the Illinois Leg. for some time and then to the U.S. senate.
I think what is clear is the fact that Obama has had a good amount of local experience. Does that matter to voters? That's depends on your outlook, I guess.
A citizen asks about inner city unemployment in the black community caused by immigration. Barack says he doesn't think the jobless problem is caused by illegals coming across the border. He proposes a system to integrate immigrants legally into our society. Blames the Bush administration for the economic decline of poor Americans.
Hillary says it's the employers exploiting undocumented workers that are the enemy. If we can tighten the borders and crack down on rogue employers, and help other nations create a better economic situation within their own borders. Drivers' licences are an issue for down the road.
Barack invokes Sen. Kennedy for the third time tonight when answering a question from Wolf about him calling his immigration policiy the only "humane" system. References his partnership with the senior senator for immigration reform. Wolf interrupts twice to stoke the "humane" fire. Barack calls him on it.
Hillary defends her involvement in immigration reform way back in 2004, before Barack entered the Senate. Calls Congress' system "mean spirited." Brings up the Farm Workers endorsement she picked up last week.
Barack points out that Hillary has wavered on her stance on drivers' licenses over the last six weeks. He says he's not criticizing, but it points to how complicated this problem is. Hillary responds pointing out Barack's wavering.
The feed just went down...collective cry from the press room. We're back on.
Here's a topic that's been largely ignored for the Democrats: Immigrtions. The question is how would the candidates help those who lose jobs to immigrants, specifically African Americans.
This is a case of scapegoating, Obama says. We have a real difference with the other party. We have to get control of our borders, and we must crack down on unlawful employer practices. But there also has to be some pathway to citizenship.
Economic impact: Lack of investment in infrastructure and other federal problems with economy has not helped.
Hillary: In many parts of our country, because of employers who hire illegal immigrants, which push out American workers. We need a comprehensive immigration reform solution. Tightening borders and increasing security, helping create more jobs for South America and Mexico would help.
Illegal immigrants in the U.S. should pay a fine, back taxes, learn English, and then apply.
Very diplomatic answers, considering they're in Los Angeles.
Barack talks about how getting rid of Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy will fund his healthcare plan. Hillary agrees with the rollback, which she says would generate $55 billion. Another $55 billion could be saved by modernizing the healthcare industry, like electronic medical records.
Wolf points out that taxes under both of these system would go up for millions of Americans. They'd be the richest Americans, of course, but it's a rise in taxation. Barack calls it a moral responsibility. Hillary says we're simply going back to pre-Bush days (read: Bill). Lots of clapping from the audience.
Their healthcare policies would cost a lot of money (hundreds of billions, in fact) Barack was probably right in saying that the Republicans can't really argue about tax cuts and fiscal responsibility.
Would Hillary tax the rich? Would take the tax cuts set to expire and put them into the healthcare tax credits. The rest would come from modernization and making the industry work more efficiently. (Enormous tax giveaways have been given to the highest-earning people... Also, would use electronic record keeping, which is another tactic that the candidates suddenly love this cycle).
Wolf asks how Hillary differs from Barack. She answers, very little. The real difference is between them and the Republicans. She goes on to name healthcare, mortgage crisis and international relations.
When Barack is asked, he agrees on healthcare and mortgage crisis. Barack adds that he wants to stop special interests in Washington and reminds us once again that he was against the war from the beginning. But he also takes the opportunity to distance the both of them from Bush.
Barack and Hillary take on healthcare. Clinton says, We as democrats need to acheive universal health care. Barack is saying it does need to happen, but there are steps to getting there. He's going to bring Dems and Reps together to overcome the lobbyists and develop an affordable system. And he'd make negotiations transparent and televised.
Hillary says her failed bid for healthcare reform in 1993 did result in children being covered. She says drug companies need to be a part of the negotiations, because they have the goods. She calls the health care industry "crafty." Hillary makes a subtle crack at Obama's transparency wish, by calling it a "heavy lift."
Basically, as both candidates know, they're going to have to find a way to beat down the corporate monolith that is the collective health care industry.
Hillary: "The differences between Barack and I pale between the differences we have with Republicans." Universal Healthcare: Obviously... this is Hillary Clinton. She's probably the face of the healthcare debate Mortgage Crisis: there are 95000 homes on foreclosure in California right now; freeze interest rates for 5 years. Foreign Affairs: We have serious threats; we need a full diplomatic effort, but we can't immediately head to enemies' turfs to chat.
Barack: Healthcare: "95 percent of our plans are similar;" both want to emphasize prevention; The reason people don't have healthcare is because they can't afford healthcare, so we must reduce costs. Mortgage crisis: $10 billion fund to bridge lenders and borrowers; freeze would cause interest rates to go up later for people buying now Reducing special interests/ lobbyists in Washington Iraq: Opposed from early on; wants to elevate diplomacy; if we are meeting with [Iran] it will keep us safer
Hillary's wearing a brown suit with a flash of baby blue necklace poking out. She looks pretty and relaxed. Cut to Antonio Villaraigosa clapping heartily, presumably for his girl. Obama looks classic as always in a dark grey suit and lavender-colored tie. Cut to Rob Reiner, a heavyweight Hollywood political backer (and the man responsible for The Princess Bride).
Obamam kicks off by tipping his hat to Sen. John Edwards. Continues with kind words for Hillary, calling her a friend before these shenanigans began and a friend after it's over. Obama thinks this isn't a question of white v black, women v men, old v young. It's looking forward v back.
Hillary says she fervently hopes the next president is either her or Barack. But realizes that whoever it is, inherits a stack of problems with the war, the economy, the environment. She's grateful for Sen Edwards and Elizabeth's courage in leadership. tips her hat to Edwards' fight against poverty. Calls herself a problem-solver.
Nicely done on both sides. Very cordial and graceful
"I as a Democrat hope you are looking at the next president."
Both candidates look toward the future while evaluating the current state of the U.S. and the rest of the world: global warming, economic peril, war & conflicts, poverty, and such.
It's interesting to watch the beginning of the debates when the candidates are civil with each other.
CNN is doing the walk-through right now. There will be 90 minutes of debate time after the commercial interruptions and bathroom breaks. Wolf just tested his mike by saying, "And the Oscar goes to..." Good one, Wolf.
Wolf is excited to be here. Can't believe his luck at getting paid to do this. He's going to let them debate this one out. More from the candidates, less from the moderators.
Someone from the audience asked, "Where's Anderson?" Lots of laughter. No, seriously, where's Anderson? The GOP gets the sneaky silver fox? Not fair.
Someone else asked, "What's your favorite movie of all time?" Wolf answers, Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Don't know what to make of that. I would have thought he was an All the President's Men kind of guy.
First off, CNN has video of how the set was put together for the Republican debate last night at the Reagan Library. It's pretty fascinating to see all of that construction for a 90 minute event. Thank goodness we're not in television.
I went outside to see what the crowd was up to, and I witnessed 6 kids fighting about their candidate. Two younger girls for Clinton, four boys for Obama. It was probably Hollywood High School students hanging out after school (it's 2 blocks down). I don't think they were even old enough to vote. Definitely old enough to care, though!
Just ran into Bob Mulholland, the campaign advisor for the California Democratic Party. Bob says that the Dems are looking for LGBT people to make up 12% of the state's 441 delegates at the The Democratic National Convention this August in Denver.
Not bad. LGBT comes in as the third highest group after Hispanics (26%) and African Americans (16%).
Outside of the Kodak theater -- which is really just a mall with the theater where they have the Oscars -- there's some crazy rallying going on outside. Personally, with all of those Clinton and Obama supporters mixed together, I exepect a riot.
Take a peek:
Before leaving for the Kodak, a friend I quite respect said, "Don't let us down." Kind of heavy, but I get what he meant. Blog about the issues, talk about the candidates' stance on health care and the economy rather than the ever-evolving soap opera (e.g., The Snub) that serves as political commentary these days.
Fair enough. But it's harder than you might think. Issue for issue, there isn't that significant a difference between Clinton and Obama. Take the War in Iraq: Clinton says she'll bring troops home within 60 days of taking office. Obama will begin withdrawal immediately with all combats troop pulled within 16 months. OK, that one's easy. Only John McCain appears foolish enough to herald a war that 30% of the country approves of. (Who are these people?)
But healthcare: both want an affordable universal health care plan similar to what Congress is offered. The economy: cut taxes for the middle class, increase jobs. Education: improve our schools, make higher education more affordable. Domestic partnerships: sure, as long as it's not called marriage.
What distinguishes Clinton and Obama is the soap opera, or as CNN continuously puts it the "history in the making." The Democratic candidate for president (and god willing the future President of the United States) comes down to a woman or a black man. That's drama. There's no avoiding it.
Consequently, the crowd outside the Kodak right now resembles the screaming throngs that hang outside the Academy Awards. There are signs and t-shirts and screaming. There are the instantly iconic Shepard Fairey posters of Obama and a sea of bobbing Hillary cards. People are offering 100s for a ticket into the show. It's a spectacle to match the political spectacle we've come to expect from this election.
All of this to say, sorry respected friend. There's no avoiding it.
Well, we're off to see the last two standing Democrats battle it out for your super-mega-tsunami Tuesday votes: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton (sorry Mike Gravel, who is still technically in it to win it). No holds barred. No rules. No time limits. Just the senators and Wolf Blitzer, of "so poor and so black" fame.
And why is this so important? It all comes down to more than half of the 2,025 delegates needed for a Democrat to win the nomination. And they have to shine because the count can come so close that Super Delegates may decide this one at the DNC.
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