Interesting story, Chino. I read through a couple of the blogs and everyone raises good points. I hadn't thought about the point of not supporting the progressive black woman because she couldn't win and didn't plan on running a real campaign.

At the end of the day, for me, I recognize that I am going to need to dismiss or out-right ignore some things that are done that don't make much sense to me. I imagine Barack will need to do some things that seem like more of the same, but are really part of getting elected in the first place.

Dude better step up to the plate come January 2009, though, because this kind of nonsense has to end if we are ever going to truly fix this county.

Has everyone read this?

http://pressblog.org/npc/SteveOHearn/2008/06/16/who-is-larry-sinclair/

UPDATE: For those of you who are at work and cannot watch the video, continue reading for the full text of Obama's statement...

Hi, this is Barack Obama.

I have an important announcement and I wanted all of you – the people who built this movement from the bottom-up – to hear it first. We’ve made the decision not to participate in the public-financing system for the general election. This means we’ll be forgoing more than $80 million in public funds during the final months of this election.

It’s not an easy decision, and especially because I support a robust system of public financing of elections. But the public financing of presidential elections as it exists today is broken, and we face opponents who’ve become masters at gaming this broken system. John McCain’s campaign and the Republican National Committee are fueled by contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs. And we’ve already seen that he’s not going to stop the smears and attacks from his allies running so-called 527 groups, who will spend millions and millions of dollars in unlimited donations.

From the very beginning of this campaign, I have asked my supporters to avoid that kind of unregulated activity and join us in building a new kind of politics – and you have. Instead of forcing us to rely on millions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs, you’ve fueled this campaign with donations of $5, $10, $20, whatever you can afford. And because you did, we’ve built a grassroots movement of over 1.5 million Americans. We’ve won the Democratic nomination by relying on ordinary people coming together to achieve extraordinary things.

You’ve already changed the way campaigns are funded because you know that’s the only way we can truly change how Washington works. And that’s the path we will continue in this general election. I’m asking you to try to do something that’s never been done before. Declare our independence from a broken system, and run the type of campaign that reflects the grassroots values that have already changed our politics and brought us this far.

If we don’t stand together, the broken system we have now, a system where special interests drown out the voices of the American people will continue to erode our politics and prevent the possibility of real change. That’s why we must act. The stakes are higher than ever, and people are counting on us.

Every American who is desperate for a fair economy and affordable healthcare, who wants to bring our troops back from Iraq. Who hopes for a better education and future for his or her child, these people are relying on us. You and me. This is our moment and our country is depending on us. So join me, and declare your independence from this broken system and let’s build the first general election campaign that’s truly funded by the American people. With this decision this campaign is in your hands in a way that no campaign has ever been before. Now is the time to act. Thank you so much.

Whatever. Sorry for that interruption. All I have to say about that is that anyone who comments on this thread automatically triggers a $10 contribution to the Obama campaign.

Yeah, go figure, I'm tired of donating whenever Seaton posts. That dude's fuckin' relentless. My own commenters, on the other hand, well, y'all tend to be - how to say it without steppin' on some toes here - not quite as relentless.

For shame. Or not. It's in your hands now, losers.

Chino:

You raise, through this Georgia race, a very important issue, and that is whether progressives are going to be able to accept poitical reality in DC. Politically speaking, the endorsement of a well-funded incumbent is a no-brainer. Anyone who thinks that Senator Obama, in the midst of the presidential campaign, is going to buck trends and disrespect incumbency, needs to learn a bit more about how Washington, D.C. works. Incumbents don't like to be challenged, and it makes them nervous to see other incumbents challenged. DC, like so much else, is all about equilibrium.

A successful politician cannot change the system unless and until that person acquires a knowledge of the system he or she is trying to change. That means that, if Senator Obama is going to bring progressive change to DC (and that has to be a long-term goal), the irony is that the key to his success at the threshold is learning about the current system from the inside. This is yet another example of that education process.

For some reason, links to her campaign effort are hard to find. So...

Here's her campaign site, and here's a video she did called 42 Reasons that you should definitely watch.

She needs your help!

*ding*

Recommended!

OK, then. Things have settled down. Time for the bombshell.

------ Forwarded Message
From: Chino Blanco
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:25:22 +0800
To: Steve O'Hearn [redacted]
Subject: Re: What did you think of what you heard on Wednesday?

Steve,

Honestly, I care because, to me, it all felt like a smear job from the get-go - and the NPC wound up looking complicit. Maybe it's just because I'm some schmo who happens to look up to guys like you and the NPC and expect y'all to make the right call, in the expectation that y'all will step up and do your jobs, rather than waste time condescending to peons like me.

With that chip now off my shoulder, let me say, frankly, this seemed like an easy call - entirely too easy, if you'd just bothered to investigate Larry at all before adopting that tone in your post that suggested that all of us who questioned Larry's appearance were simply answering the call of marching orders emanating from FDL. As if. There are enough bogeymen to deal with already without our side comin' up with fresh ones of our own, don't ya' think?

In any case, thanks for replying. I think we're on the same side, but I still think you blew it this time around.

And I still wonder how the NPC manages to avoid liability for providing a platform for known criminals and the mentally ill. Scoff away, but that just seems wrong. Time will tell, won't it?

Best Regards,

Chino Blanco

From: Steve O'Hearn [redacted]
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:06:30 -0400
To: Chino Blanco
Subject: RE: What did you think of what you heard on Wednesday?

I didn't go to the event. It was the same time as the Tim Russert funeral you know - many were over at the Kennedy Center, the Club was empty, although the radical left's assault on the Club over this guy attracted so much attention that many crews went out of their way to attend it. And I heard he was arrested afterwards but haven't confirmed that. Anyway - I'll probably blog about it today but we'll see.

What do you think about the guy? I finally found his Youtube video and he doesn't come across as credible, not to me. Too light on details - like - how did he get connected to Obama? Why were they in the limo? What do they have in common that brought them together.

The only thing that makes me think twice about him are emails like yours and the hundreds of others I've received - why do you care so much about this guy?

-----Original Message-----
From: Chino Blanco
To: soh@pressblog.org [obviously not redacted]
Sent: 6/19/08 2:00 AM
Subject: What did you think of what you heard on Wednesday?

You mentioned on your blog that you’d be listening. I’d be curious to see your reaction to what Mr. Sinclair had to say. Will that be posted on your blog anytime soon?

------ End of Forwarded Message

OK, I get 21 non-Chino comments thus far.

I'm gonna settle the bill and then we continue.

Keep in mind that, per my latest qualification of whatever pledge I supposedly took before this all got started, I'm only payin' for the next 8 non-Chino comments. So, let's keep it fun and informative, K?

Check it:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/TrollBowl

Somebody apparently snuck up and donated $10 while I wasn't lookin'. Good for you. Means we're down to 7 fun and informative non-Chino comments. Cool.

$10 for Obama please. Ka-ching!!!!

PS Obama would surely prefer a certain ally like Thomas to a conservative maverick like Barrow, but the campaign must have calculated that Thomas wouldn't win the district against a Republican. The majority of voters in much of the country do not agree with with many progressive positions. We can exclude dissenters and seethe in the opposition, or we can work with those we disagree with and get some laws passed. John Barrow will surely buck the party on some crucial votes, and people will howl with rage, but a Republican would vote against the party far more consistently.

OK, so I'm scarin' everybody off. Fair enough. Let's talk about what's warming my cold heart as I peruse the rec'd list:

Larry Sinclair: This is EXCELLENT News For Obama!
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/06/larry-sinclair-this-is-excelle.php

Larry Sinclair Ends His Press In Handcuffs
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/06/larry-sinclair-ends-his-press.php

Open Question - Why Don't Libel and Slander Laws Apply to Political Candidates?
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/06/open-question-why-dont-libel-a.php

Read 'em and weep. Or read 'em and rejoice. As bad as it may suck now, we're gettin' a lotta shit outta the way this election cycle. Fuck Steve O'Hearn and the NPC. We're comin' for ya'. It's our country, our rules: the same rules you apparently somehow never learned or somehow conveniently forgot.

Deal.

Look, if I was Ta-Nehisi Coates, I'd already have offensivetoyou here telling me about how he's seen every Morgan Freeman flick since way back before Sidney Poitier ever came onto the scene.

And it's only in that sense that I wonder ... where are my fuckin' trolls?

And it's not just a racial thing. Hell, if I was Geraldine Ferraro, you know I'd be gettin' better than what I'm gettin' now ... rather than havin' to literally pay for comments, as I'm doin' now ... Hell, folks would be payin' me to comment, wouldn't they?

I give up.

Dang, Chino! I read your post, but...this thread! Cripes! This thread's all over the place! 67 comments long! I'm skimming thru--first, we're talking about the U.S. Congressional race in Georgia; next, um....Taiwan's single payer system?? Next, Larry Sinclair and the troll bowl?

You're not making this easy for me, Chino!

Anyway, I came over to pay my respects because you were dropping so many damn hints on other threads.

Are you lonely, Chino? Awww. We love you. You da man. You da chain-smokin', fedora-wearin', wise-crackin' man!

As we seem to be gettin' to that time in the thread when typically the good-byes are said, loose ends tied up, apologies extended, and forgiveness granted, let's circle back to Steve O'Hearn, Chair, New Media Committee over at the National Press Club.

Steve replied to my latest email with plenty of courtesy and asked me to check out his latest post:

http://pressblog.org/npc/SteveOHearn/2008/06/19/who-is-the-national-press-club-kos-you-need-to-know/

I'm not gonna delve too far into the discussion Steve and I had about the NPC and the whole l'affair Sinclair. It was way too 'inside baseball' and would no doubt bore you.

But just let me say that Steve O'Hearn is a stand-up guy.

And the work he's doin' over at the NPC is valuable.

And the NPC itself continues to keep and promote the highest standards of journalistic conduct.

But most importantly, it keeps and maintains a members-only area on the top floor of the building, with a lounge, restaurant, bar, and gym. Where people referred to as "staff" will soon have the pleasure of looking after people like "me" ...

Did I mention that the NPC is a bulwark against all the dark forces gathered against our free press?

Did I mention nobody mixes a meaner Long Island Ice Tea than Paulo who works the lounge bar Saturdays?

Alright, alright, time to quit pokin' fun and give Steve a break. Done.

Done. Cough it up.

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/06/tips-for-getting-your-blog-rec.php