A Surge in Diplomacy

In the Spring of 2008, David Harsanyl of the Denver Post wrote a scathing article about then-Senator Barack Obama’s interest in diplomacy with Iran.

“Either Obama believes his awe-inspiring personality can win over theocratic bigots or, worse, that theocratic bigots are reasonable men. Hubris or clueless, it spells trouble.”

A cup of tea with a thug; David Harsanyi; Denver Post

Early today, Iran announced the release of four American citizens, including a Washington Post reporter, in a prisoner swap. Later, the release of another American citizen was announced. This many-faceted story is lighting up all of the “airwaves” and details are still emerging.

The Prisoner Swap comes after the recent Nuclear Deal with Iran, which came after Severe Economic Sanctions imposed by the U.S. and others almost devastated the country.

As expected, the current Republican presidential candidates are weighing in with negative reactions. In particular, Marco Rubio’s immature and inflammatory comments may eventually embarrass him.

While Rubio and other congressional Republicans were melting down over the Nuclear Deal, Germany and other European countries were rushing to do business deals with Iran.

After years of crippling economic sanctions, Iran is ripe for trade and investment. It is probably true that American investors will soon benefit greatly from this softening of relations with Iran.

President Obama has been opposed to “dumb wars” for a long time. He seems to realize that it is mostly government leaders and rebels who want war; but ordinary people long for lives of peace and prosperity, and yearn for a better future.

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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.

#StopGunViolence

“It’s not where you do it, it’s what you do.”

With those words aimed at gun sellers, President Obama announced yesterday morning new executive actions targeted at background-check reporting for gun sales on the Internet and in gun shows.

He also spoke directly to critics who “try to twist my words around.” “I get it,” he said, “but I also believe we can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment.”

The president became emotional when speaking of over a dozen mass shootings during his 7 years in office, in particular the shootings of first graders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

“The gun lobby is loud and it is organized in defense of making it effortless for guns to be available for anybody, anytime,” said Mr. Obama. “Well, you know what? The rest of us, we all have to be just as passionate. We have to be just as organized in the defense of our kids.”

Tomorrow night, President Obama will appear on CNN television for a one-hour live town hall on the subject of gun control. The program begins at 8pm ET. It is titled “Guns in America.”

The gun issue will no doubt also be raised in the president’s upcoming final State of the Union address on January 12, and during the Democratic and Republican Debates to be held the last weeks of January.

Actual voters have their turn to speak starting in February when the 2016 Caucus and Primary season begins.


Source of the president's speech: Washington Post


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.

On January 1, 2008: Milestone Money - The Race is On

As revelers rang in the new year of 2008, Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton had each surpassed the $100 million fundraising mark in their presidential campaigns. According to the Washington Post, this was the first time two candidates had eclipsed that milestone before a single primary/caucus vote was cast.

Today, as the 2016 campaign begins in earnest, no single candidate - Democrat or Republican - has raised $100 million*. Due to the "Citizen's United" ruling in 2010, half of the reported money so far has come from donations to groups like "Super PACs" (that are not subject to limits) rather than to individuals.

Republican Jeb Bush and his PACs have raised the most money so far ($133 million) but he is polling at only 4% in the latest National Quinnipiac Poll. The unlikeliest candidate, Donald Trump, tops the poll at 28%, but has been personally financing his campaign. On the Democratic side, Mrs. Clinton leads rival Bernie Sanders in both money raised ($98 million vs. $42 million) and the latest poll numbers (61% vs. 30%).

Compared to the current presidential campaign, the 2008 election seems almost quaint. Today's dollars are mind-boggling (over $560 million for 23 candidates so far). And although the concept of politics-on-social-media got its start at the turn of the century, today's campaigns live there. Tweets fly and the nightly news is made.

For the rest of this year, we plan to post interesting contrasts and comparisons between this election and 2008. We hope you will follow along.


*Source: Candidate reports filed with the Federal Election Commission on finances through September 30. "Which Presidential Candidates are Winning the Money Race," New York Times, October 15, 2015.

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.

Now is the Time

On Thursday, August 28, 2008, Barack Obama was nominated by the Democratic Party to be the 44th president of the United States, and the first African-American to seek the office of the presidency. In his acceptance speech to a crowd of 80,000 at Invesco Field in Denver, Obama said: "America, now is not the time for small plans."

Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post remarked, "A black man is running as the Democratic candidate for president of the United States. Can you believe that?"