Starting Gate: Is It His Party?

When then-Vice President Al Gore stood on a Los Angeles stage late in the summer of 2000, it's doubtful that he was very familiar with a young Illinois state senator by the name of Barack Obama. It was Gore's moment to take the reins of the Democratic Party and make it his own.

His eventual loss and subsequent decision to recede from active politics left the party without a truly dominant leader and, by default, largely in the hands of the Clintons. Gore's endorsement of Obama in Michigan last night put an exclamation point on a dynamic that has gradually been taking shape over recent weeks – it's Obama's party now.

The presumptive nominee has already seized control of much of the Democratic National Committee and has instituted rules banning the DNC from accepting money from lobbyists and political action committees in order to bring its fundraising guidelines into line with his own. Democratic leaders, including many who were strong supporters of Hillary Clinton in the primaries, have rallied to his side. And now, Al Gore has stepped in to provide his seal of approval.

But for all that Obama has done to coalesce the party in the wake of the long process, there are signs that he's got a ways to go, particularly to woo over those Clinton voters who told exit pollsters they'd rather support John McCain in November.

In the latest Washington Post/ABC News poll, nearly a quarter of Democrats said they remained dissatisfied or angry with the outcome of the nomination battle. McCain does better among Republicans than Obama does among Democrats while independent voters lean slightly toward Obama at this point.

When it comes to picking a vice presidential running mate for Obama, 46 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents favor Clinton. That's a topic that has a lot of people buzzing today after the Obama campaign yesterday announced the hiring of former Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle.

It's not that Solis Doyle joined the campaign but in what capacity that raised eyebrows. She will be the chief of staff for the vice presidential nominee, a strong signal of some sort. A longtime confidante of Clinton's, Solis Doyle was dumped in the wake of a string of primary losses in February and blamed by many on the campaign for it failings. Would Solis Doyle be put in that position if Obama wants Clinton on the ticket?

Gore's endorsement demonstrates the strong desire among Democrats to move forward but those pesky primary wounds linger. Is Obama's campaign risking inflaming them further with the Solis Doyle hire?


Around The Track

McCain yesterday called for lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling, saying that such a move would be "be very helpful in the short term resolving our energy crisis."

The McCain campaign is also up with a new ad on global warming, running in battleground states. The ad stresses McCain's difference with President Bush on the issue: "John McCain stood up to the President and sounded the alarm on global warming ... five years ago. Today, he has a realistic plan that will curb greenhouse gas emissions. A plan that will help grow our economy and protect our environment. Reform. Prosperity. Peace. John McCain."

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and MoveOn.org is launching a new ad hitting McCain on Iraq in select markets. The ad features a mom holding her infant child and addressing McCain directly: "Hi John McCain. This is Alex. And he's my first. So far his talents include trying any new food and chasing after our dog. That, and making my heart pound every time I look at him. And so, John McCain, when you say you would stay in Iraq for 100 years, were you counting on Alex? Because if you were, you can't have him."

The Politico looks at whether Democrats are using "code" words to make an issue our of John McCain's age.

[ksh1022]

I don''t care about McCain and his ex-wife. How stupid! I am a reg Dem and have voted Dem since 1980. I agree that the Dem party has become a party of far left nut jobs. They select the inexperienced far left guy with racist affiliations and wonder why moderates like me find McCain more appealing. We wanted Hillary but McCain is the next best choice.

[mattcat25]

A vote for John McCain is a vote cast for Corruption and War Mongering.

America the Beautiful?

[jack3213]

It is terribly frightening to think a person like this, ''Obama'' would have a chance to be chosen to lead this wonderful country- Too many people just don''t ''get it'' and I pray each day they wake up -for the safety and the security of this beautiful country: Vote MCCain 2008.

[kmccliment]

They do indeed. The economic goal of the neoconservative movement is the creation of a new ruling class. A new aristocrisy or royalty where there is a tiny untouchable upper class and everyone else are basically serfs and servants to them.

Really: what is your basis. what is this new class called? what facts do you have? show me numbers.

Do you think back in the depression our parents wined like little kids and said the politicians are trying to make a new class in society. no they sucked it up and got through it. thats what we need to do. not wine. If you want more taxes, vote Obama. Taxes wont make you rich.

[ghostdog8]

Now that Obama has taken over the "Party", they should rename it the LWNCP (Left Wimg Nutcase Party). All the true Democrats are leaving it and either becoming Independents or Republicans. I just switched from Democrat to Independent myself and will vote for McCain in November. I am putting country ahead of "Party" as I am sure many others will do this election year.

[mattcat25]

I cannot vote for Obama!!! I will have to vote for Mcain. I feel Obama is going to ruin our country not help it.
Posted by yvonnedorsey at 03:55 PM : Jun 17, 2008


the country has been ruined by the Republicans and the Bush Administration, what we, you and I should do is vote the ruinators out of office.

we should.

[yvonne dorsey]

I cannot vote for Obama!!! I will have to vote for Mcain. I feel Obama is going to ruin our country not help it.

[lsageinaz]

Rowdywikka, darlin''. Check out transference in your Merriam Webster. I understand your hurt and frustration with Hill and her mate, but using a forum like this (hundreds of readers) to express it is a new level of self indulgence. None of us can change what Hill and her boy became when they were all grown up.

[Regensburger]

phillysage: You refer to your enthusiasm, anger and depression. What does your position have to do with the issues, the candidates'' positions, or their ability to address your interests? Posts like yours do nothing so much as give sexists ammunition for their claims that women are overly emotional and irrational. There''s nothing wrong with emotions, but you have to engage your mind--the one I''m confident you do have--as well. Come around!

[mattcat25]

The Republican Party has quite a platform for the American People.

Posted by Mattcat25 at 02:36 PM : Jun 17, 2008

They do indeed. The economic goal of the neoconservative movement is the creation of a new ruling class. A new aristocrisy or royalty where there is a tiny untouchable upper class and
Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 02:38 PM : Jun 17, 2008


Republican Supporters that aren%u2019t in the top 1% have the need to follow. They can%u2019t think for themselves, they are completely reliant on the direction from their master and keeper. Most Republicans are only able to spew Rush Limbaugh/Fox News style talking points because it takes no effort. They%u2019re under the impression that their masters will take care of them, or they could be left out in the cold, which is where they%u2019re putting themselves.

Americans need to vote for what is in their own better interests in this election.