On January 8, 2008: The Power of Millions of Voices

Despite predictions to the contrary, both Hillary Clinton and John McCain won their New Hampshire primary votes in 2008. And also despite predictions to the contrary, then-Senator Barack Obama lost that primary vote.

The people spoke. Just when you thought they were doing one thing, they zagged and went another way. Regardless of the outcome of that election, the point is that the people have the power to do what they want.

During tonight’s town hall on the subject of gun control, CNN announced their newest poll showing that 67% of Americans support President Obama’s recent actions to strengthen gun sale background checks.

Although the chorus of cynics is loud and dissonant, and the odds seem impossible, 67% of Americans are ready for change.

When he lost the New Hampshire primary in 2008, Mr. Obama told the disappointed crowd that he was “still fired up and ready to go.” “We know the battle ahead will be long,” he said.

“But always remember that, no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change…When we’ve been told we’re not ready or that we shouldn’t try or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed…Yes, we can.”

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For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.

Hey Joe

In 2008, the third presidential debate was held on October 15. It was fast-paced and sometimes heated. Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher was in the audience and John McCain took advantage of the opportunity to speak to him directly: "Hey Joe, you're rich. Congratulations."

McCain was referring to the encounter Wurzelbacher had had with Barack Obama regarding Obama's tax plan which called for tax hikes on those making more than $250,000 per year.

During all of the debates with McCain, Obama remained "cool under pressure, smiling through the attacks. That's the demeanor Obama's had throughout the three debates that has served him well," as noted by George Stephanopoulis of ABC News.

After the first presidential debate of 2012, Obama was widely criticized for his lack of energy and his demeanor. The second debate is tomorrow night, where most expect Obama to be back on his game.

Talking Loudly

During the second presidential debate on October 7, 2008, Barack Obama stated: "If we have Osama bin Laden in our sights and the Pakistani government is unable or unwilling to take them out, then I think we have to act and we will take them out. We will kill bin Laden; we will crush Al Qaida. That has to be our biggest national security priority."

John McCain responded that his hero Teddy Roosevelt used to say talk softly but carry a big stick. "Senator Obama likes to talk loudly," said McCain.

As it turned out, President Obama also carried a big stick. The president did indeed make the hunt for bin Laden a national security priority, and the world's most wanted terrorist was killed by a U.S. special forces unit on May 2, 2011.

Politics of Fear

In an October 10, 2008 campaign event now thought to depict John McCain in a good light, a woman in the audience said she could not vote for Barack Obama because "he's an Arab." McCain shook his head and said, "No ma'am, he's a decent family man, a citizen, that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues, and that's what this campaign is all about." Later, however, McCain brought up Obama's alleged association with William Ayers, a 1960's radical. So much for Mr. Nice Guy.

Yesterday, in a column for Huffington Post, Robert Reich says "The biggest motivator in this election isn't enthusiasm about either of the candidates. The Republican base has never particularly liked Romney, and many Democrats have been disappointed in Obama. The biggest motivator is fear of the other guy."

Reich goes on to say, "Republicans are well-practiced in the politics of fear and the logistics of the big lie. The challenge for Obama and Biden and for the rest of us over the next four weeks is to counter their fearsome lies with the truth."

The Choice

On October 8, 2008, BartCop.com commented on the second presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain held a day earlier: "Did you hear grumpy old Gramps call Obama "that one," last night? He treated Obama like an object - because he's half-Black?"

Mr. Obama has battled "the other" label throughout his life. Award-winning documentary producer Michael Kirk delves deeper on this topic in The Choice 2012, a PBS-Frontline presentation that premieres Tuesday, October 9, 2012. As noted in promotion for the program, the documentary "journeys into the places, people, and decisive moments that made the men who are competing for the presidency."

"Embarracuda"

"... what a desperate empty embarrassment the McCain campaign has become."

Time Magazine's Joe Klein echoed the sentiments of much of the news media on October 6, 2008, about one month before the election.

As had many, Klein referenced the 'palling around with terrorists' and ever-handy Rev. Jeremiah Wright 'God damn America' memes. He related stories about Sarah Palin and Jews for Jesus, and Todd Palin's Alaskan Independence Party.

He also mentioned Fox News show host Hannity's complicity with a lesser known "Jew-hater" who'd been publicly "exposing" Sen. Obama as a Muslim. Klein cited this piece from the Washington Times:

In 1986, when Mr. Martin ran as a Democrat for Connecticut's 3rd Congressional
District seat under the name "Anthony R. Martin-Trigona," his campaign
committee filed papers saying its purpose was to "exterminate Jew power in
America and impeach U.S. District Court of Appeals judges in New York City."

 In January 2011, Pew Research listed these religious affiliations in the 112th U.S. Congress:

304 Protestant
156 Catholic
39 Jew
16 Other or No Declaration
15 Mormon
3 Buddhist
2 Muslim

Throwing stuff against the wall to see what sticks doesn't seem to have subsided in the 2012 presidential race. Conservative meme topics describing President Obama include foreign born, Muslim, felonious, lazy, welfare President, to name a few.

The Grouch

In 2008, John McCain was struggling in the Iowa polls as the presidential race wound to the finish. McCain stopped by the Des Moines Register for a lengthy chat on the last day of September. As reported by The Washington Monthly, "It didn't go well. ... the transcripts alone don't convey just how angry and sarcastic McCain became when challenged."

Today, there is no end to the advice presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are receiving in advance of Wednesday's first debate. Many say that style will be more important than substance: looking and acting presidential will be paramount.

In a recent The Huffington Post article, political strategist Hilary Rosen offered this advice for President Obama: "Stay nice. ... One of the greatest gifts America has is a president who is kind and warm with a big smile and compassionate heart.  That is the president who will win the first debate."

Debating Expectations

In 2008, TIME columnist Mark Halperin graded the first Barack Obama / John McCain presidential debate, giving Obama an "A-" and McCain a "B-." Halperin said Obama was solid and consistent and that he "avoided mistakes from his weak debate performances during nomination season."

The first debate of 2012 comes this Wednesday, October 3. Both candidates are furiously lowering expectations. The Obama campaign notes that Mitt Romney has been sharpening his skills through 20 recent GOP primary debates. The Romney campaign cites Gallup polling showing that Obama was the clear winner of all the 2008 presidential debates.

The debate will be held in Denver, Colorado. Jim Lehrer of PBS will moderate.

Debate No. 1: Change v. Maverick

Jim Lehrer moderated the first 2008 presidential debate, held on September 26. While intended to cover national security and foreign affairs, the U.S. financial crisis weighed heavily during the opening questions. Lehrer's attempt to encourage eye contact during the opening was somewhat futile.

Senator McCain hammered Senator Obama on earmarks and pork barrel spending. Obama chastised McCain's complicity during an orgy of spending under President Bush. "You voted for almost all of his budgets. To stand here and say that after eight years you're going to lead on controlling spending and balancing our tax cuts for middle-class families ... it's kind of hard to swallow."

On foreign policy, McCain cited his reputation as a maverick, particularly when it came to banning torture. McCain touted his many foreign travels and relationship with foreign leaders, and claimed Obama's views on foreign policy to be naive.

Obama challenged McCain's effectiveness. "Over the last eight years, this administration, along with Senator McCain, has been solely focused on Iraq. That has been their priority. That is where all their resources have gone. In the meantime, Osama bin Laden is still out there. He is not captured. He is not killed. Al Qaeda is resurgent."

By 12:22 a.m. on September 27, MTV News published a comprehensive debate report on their website. Spirited commentary ensued.

Fun While It Lasted

Senator John McCain announced his VP pick on August 29, 2008. By September 26, interviews with Sarah Palin revealed a candidate who many described as sorely lacking in substance. 

One conservative columnist admitted she began to cringe even before the Governor started an interview. Citing an example of "filling space with deadwood," she offered this quote from Palin: 

“Well, there is a danger in allowing some obsessive partisanship to get into the issue that we’re talking about today. And that’s something that John McCain, too, his track record, proving that he can work both sides of the aisle, he can surpass the partisanship that must be surpassed to deal with an issue like this.”

Just shy of one month into the nomination, calls for Palin to bow out slacked a few jaws. As it turned out, it was only the beginning of a fascinating saga.

Check out the website, King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America, for info on where to purchase the book, the Writers' list, Endnotes, the editors' personal election photo diary, and more.

Respectful Suspension

The morning after a brief blackout during Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, news media covered the story. 

On September 24, 2008, Stephen Colbert had purposefully suspended his show, casting the set into darkness for a few seconds to display his respect for the financial crisis.

Mr. Colbert, referring to John McCain's surprising announcement, opined during the show's segment: "There is nothing more presidential than suspending your presidential campaign.''

Check out the website, King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America, for info on where to purchase the book, the Writers' list, Endnotes, the editors' personal election photo diary, and more.

Who Spiked the Metamucil?

John McCain suddenly cancelled his appearance with David Letterman just before show taping on September 24, 2008. He personally told Letterman he had to rush back to Washington because the economy was "about to crater."

As reported in the NY Times, Letterman was not so pleased. “'When you call up at the last minute and cancel, that’s not the John McCain I know.' He repeated that 'something smells right now' and he suggested 'somebody must have put something in his Metamucil.'"

Letterman quickly substituted MSNBC's Countdown show host Keith Olbermann. In a surprise move during their discussion of the McCain situation, The Late Show cut away to a live shot of Katie Couric's set where the makeup attendant was prepping Sen. McCain for an interview on Couric's CBS News show.

Then came the famous Letterman snarkquery: “Hey, John, I’ve got a question: You need a lift to the airport?”

Quizzed by Letterman on whether he thought the cancellation was unavoidable, Mr. Olbermann replied:  “He ditched you.”


Check out the website, King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America, for info on where to purchase the book, the Writers' list, Endnotes, the editors' personal election photo diary, and more.

Come Together

In September 2008, the Barack Obama presidential campaign was foundering - taken off-guard when John McCain's VP pick Sarah Palin began to dominate the news. With prominent Democrats fretting over tight poll numbers, Mr. Obama paid a visit to the master.

Bill Clinton had been a fiercely vocal opponent of Obama during Hillary's run at the nomination but - with the party's best interests in mind - the two former rivals met for lunch and chat at Clinton's office in Harlem on September 11, 2008.

At the Democratic National Convention last week, the Obama campaign once again called on Clinton, who gave a rousing speech in support of Obama that has been lauded by both left and right. Yesterday, Clinton spoke to voters in Florida, and plans additional speeches in other swing states.

Clinton is the only Democrat to serve two presidential terms since Franklin Delano Roosevelt. President Obama hopes to join the club in November.

BHO Leads Gallup Poll

The Gallup Poll conducted September 2 - 4, 2008 showed Barack Obama leading John McCain, 48% to 44%.

Today, Gallup's 7-day rolling average shows Obama leading Mitt Romney, 47% to 46%.

The Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina begins its 3-night run tomorrow, Tuesday, September 4, 2012.

Satire Anyone?

On August 31, 2008, political news was abuzz with John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin to be his running mate. In a hilarious New York Times column titled Vice in Go-Go Boots, Maureen Dowd used a chick-flick theme to satirize the GOP ticket, and lamented: "Why do men only pick women as running mates when they need a Hail Mary pass? It’s a little insulting."

Today, political news is abuzz with the GOP-RNC decision to allow actor Clint Eastwood free reign with an empty-chair satire during broadcast TV prime time last night, an odd appearance that is getting as much press as candidate Mitt Romney's convention acceptance speech.

Not Again

On Friday, August 29, 2008, NBC's Kelly O'Donnell broke the news that John McCain had chosen Alaska governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate. "Not again," thought Dee Dee Myers writing for Vanity Fair. "Not again because too often women are promoted for the wrong reasons and then blamed when things don't go right."

Nuance vs. Directness

In August 2008, candidates Barack Obama and John McCain met separately with evangelical pastor Rick Warren in a forum at Saddleback Church in California.

As reported by Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times: "While not a debate ... the Saturday session showed that Obama's penchant for nuance will face McCain's tendency for directness."

When asked about their greatest moral failure, Obama replied 'selfishness' while McCain said it was his 'first marriage'.

The Tire Gauge

Asked at a campaign stop about ways to conserve energy, candidate Obama advised one simple solution is to properly inflate auto tires.

Soon after, McCain aides were handing out tire gauges aboard his campaign plane labelled "Obama's Energy Plan." 

Obama responded with statistics showing properly inflated tires would reduce oil consumption by 3% to 4%, but more importantly, that his energy plan includes developing renewable fuels, curbing dependence on foreign oil, and increasing production of plug-in hybrid cars.

Happy Birthday PBO

Today is Barack Obama's 51st birthday. According to The New York Times, he'll be celebrating at his home in Chicago with a group of people who made donations to his campaign.

Obama was 46 years old when he began running for president in 2007. His opponent John McCain was 71 years old.

Obama's 2012 opponent is Mitt Romney, who is 65 years old. ABC News reported that Romney declined to enroll in Medicare when eligible last March.

Veep Stakes

On August 3, 2008, Stuart Rothenberg wrote in Real Clear Politics that the candidates being touted for Barack Obama's Vice President would likely benefit him more than those being suggested for John McCain. Rothenberg went on to note that Joe Biden, with his foreign policy expertise, would be an asset to Obama.