Today's mailbag included a JoMo tree killer (well a small tree I'll grant) trumpeting Senator Obama's endorsement. This is what I sent to the good Senator:
I am in receipt of the mailing from Joe Moore, the 49th Ward Alderman in Chicago, trumpeting The Senator's endorsement. I will assume that the endorsement is a pro-forma process intended to satisfy the Democratic machine that is alive and well in Cook County. I can think of no other reason to support an alderman who is so out of touch with his constituents that he considers the wasting of political capital on a Hollywood celebrity's personal peccadillo a worthwhile cause. That is probably the most egregious example of Mr. Moore's lack of political wisdom.
Mr. Moore has run on his record, standard Electioneering 101, and consequently has lost this voter's respect or trust. His 3 opponents have raised critical issues, which he chooses to ignore, trumpeting instead the fact that 16 years ago he brought CAPS to Rogers Park, which the academicians supported as a worthwhile effort to address community policing efforts. The fact that the current CAPS process appears to be broken is not a consideration. He has claimed to be a progressive alderman, while assiduously protecting a slumlord whose negligence aided and abetted the deaths of 6 immigrant children.
I want very much to support Senator Obama in his run for the Presidency, but I have no interest in supporting anyone whose behavior and actions amount to "business as usual" politics, including tit-for-tat endorsements, whether for aldermen or mayors.
The Senator needs to carefully consider just what it means to be a leader, and a visionary, before he travels much further in his quest for the White House. He may find himself lumped in with the rest of the so-called leaders of both parties who would rather count votes than serve the best interests of this country. The voter dismay that thumped the Republicans in 2006 can just as easily make itself felt in Democratic ranks in 2008, which is how the Republicans gained control in the first place.
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Posted by Kheris
19 comments:
I received this mailer, too, and was dismayed to see Obama link himself with an odious local politician.
It had the feel of a 'pro forma' endorsement but it raised my hackles nonetheless.
Too bad that Obama, who is really the best presidential candidate,and the only Dem (or Pug)who seems to be cognizant of the shitstorm this country is about to enter, feels it necessary to endorse whatever Dem happens to be holding office at the moment.
I will continue to support Obama for President, but those of us who are offended by his endorsement of Moore should write his office and let him and his handlers know that the coupling of his name with Moore's isn't serving him politically.
Carol,
Here's how you can reach United States Senator Barack Obama
Referring to the Ramirez children as immigrants may not be correct. If a child is born on US soil, he/she is considered a US citizen right? The family had been in the US for about 15 years so some of these children were no doubt born here.
Any legal experts out there? At any rate, Obama's sticking with the Machine to garner my vote isn't sitting too well with the morning coffee.
Well written Khreis.
Well for all you people who are now wary of Obama you can always have Nader again he's perfect for you. No chance of winning, self important to a fault, and of course he's done nothing since the seat belt but he's always around just in time to take money from Dick Cheney and ruin the Democrats chances.
I'm sure Obama will stop raising massive amounts of cash, sit down and answer your letters regarding an unknown Chicago alderman. I love it though, write your congressman (senator) because he's on a mailer...hmmm.
Also if I may bury the hatchet for a second, I'd like to ask you bloggers if you think Obama can win. Won't white people poll 7% above what he'll get, everyone will say I'm for Obama, then get in the booth and vote for the white candidate. I think that's why you see polling suggesting Blacks aren't Obama crazy, we like him but don't think he'll get pass the basic racism that is America, I'd welcome any thoughts.
Roxy.
I believe he can win and that he will blow away the other candidates. He's not only more charismatic, but he's also more qualified, than the other Dem candidates, including the distinctly uncharismatic Clinton.
Obama easily makes it with groups of people who you would think would instantly write him off because of his race, or his distinctly urban,liberal leanings.
Most of all, he has the gift of being able to talk about extremely unpleasant things that we face- like the permanent energy crunch that no other candidate wants to touch- without touching all his listener's negative buttons; and he projects competence and decency.
Most of all, he is not tainted with the war. Clinton will NEVER get around that, and I don't believe Edwards will, either.
Toni
Good point on the Ramirez children, I stand corrected if they are born here.
Roxy
Obama's strengths are in his personal story and the vision he brings to the table. He appears to be genuinely focused on the qualities we share and join us together as a nation. That, I believe, is what will resonate with the voters. Time, of course, will tell.
I was curious if anyone has verified whether or not Senator Obama actually issued that endorsement. From what I have been told regarding other aldermanic races, Obama is staying clear of those (since in many cases more than one supporter of his is seeking the same office). So why would Obama do anything differently in the 49th Ward?
For all I know, lacking any independent verification, the supposed endorsement of the Alerman by Obama is bogus, made up by Moore to once again bamboozle voters. The photo of the two of them could have been taken some time ago (perhaps during Obama's general election campaign in 2004), so by itself it may not provide any clues.
I suggest you call Obama's campaign and/or Senate offices to find out one way or the other as quickly as possible. should the claim prove to be untrue, voters need to be made aware of this immediately.
I called Obama's campaign office and it seemed like news to them. They are checking if it is true and will get back to me.
The number there is 312-819-2423
I called Barach's Chicago Office and they seemed suprised at the endorsement. They asked that I call back after hours. It seems they can not speak of political issues during business hours. So I will call Ken back. He's at 312-399-5370 after 7pm.
If this endorsement is untrue, Joe will have quite a bit of explaining to do on Chicago Tonight next week.
If Randall Sherman actually cared about Honest Government, you'd think he would know better than to ask people to call a GOVERNMENT office with a POLITICAL question. You guys are all whining because you know Joe is going to win. This clinches it. Why would it be surprising that Moore, who supported Obama very early in his primary bid would return the favor? The only people who don't like Joe are Republicans like Westgard, Mannis, and Gernhardt, who would probably have rather seen Keyes than Obama get elected.
northcoast, kheris, I agree on Obama. However I'm worried about that gun loving, swing voter in states like Michigan where Dems have done well. Someone like McCain could pull some of those voters, same for states like Ohio, Penn. However he do as you say northcoast, and do well in changing states like New Mexico, Nevada, and dare I say Florida. It is interesting to see the wide variety of people supporting him.
I know a few "machine" democrats. People I know all agree that Clinton has major problems. She's trying to run the general before the primary, smart if you can do it. Time will tell.
It would really suck for Moore if the Obama thing was just a photoshop endorsement, but I think Moore was with Obama before most American knew who he was. Wasn't there an event at the Heartland for Obama via Moore. Anyway a fake would be a stinker, but if real...
Roxy
"nobody loves you til somebody loves you..."
Haven't posted in a while but I'm enjoying watching the rats come up through the scuppers...reminds me of the pack of rats you can see in the the dumpsters by *eartland vomitting their little guts out (hmmm, I wonder why...)
Roxy (& your ilk), where were you months ago before the campaigning got hot & heavy. Do you really believe the crap you post? (does Guyana mean anything to you??) There's a runoff coming and there's no way Moore(or less) wins, so here you are attacking and defending, trying not to sound like the shrill whiny little brats you are.
Do you hear that whistle, little rats?? That's the train coming into the station-- it's the end of the ride for you. Joe's little patronage army better start brushing up on their resumes. Maybe I'll stop by to check on you consoling yourselves over a few stale beers at that Lunt Ave craphole you all love so much!
So long losers!
Obama at the Heartland circa Feb 2004.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid416308493/bclid416343960/bctid422561644
let us never forget Obama endorsed Stroger - now there is another case of credibility
If in fact this is an 'endorsement' that isn't, I should think the email contacts to the Senator's office, combined with the phone calls already in the mill, should resolve the question. I'd love to know what the Senator's office has to say about it. And if this is a case of JoMo using a past comment to boost his case, well then I rest my case: the man is out of energy and ideas. Time for a change.
Note to Nobody: I included the government office of Senator Obama only because that would be listed in the telephone directory for any resident. The government office is certainly permitted to give a constituent the telephone number for the office-holder's campaign office, which in this case would be a new number not found in a telephone directory. Why should people have to pay another $2 or so for a directory assistance call just to verify the obvious... that Joe Moore is a lying SOB!
“Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.” This saying is adapted from a line in the play The Tempest, by William Shakespeare.
Political interests can bring together people who otherwise have little in common.
A wise streetwise pol once told me: "Ya dance with the one that brings ya."
For a shrewd politician like B.O. he will dance around pols like Moore if he figures there's more to gain than to lose by doing so. B.O. wouldn't have got this far by not hanging with the powers that can be a benefit to his political career. And whether Moore has officially received his endorsement or not, remember B.O. is looking at his future and not Moore's. Because in the end, B.O. is on a rocket ride, and Moore is on a slow train to nowhereville.
Fart person
See you at the polls
Roxy
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