Candidates (All Of Them) Woo Bloomberg

Obama, Clinton, McCain Seek Endorsement From Independent New York City Mayor

(AP)  When Mayor Michael Bloomberg introduced Barack Obama before a campaign speech Thursday, he made it clear that none of the presidential candidates has yet to win his endorsement - a prize they've all been seeking.

After Bloomberg declared a month ago that he isn't running but might back another candidate with his wealth and support, Obama has mounted what appears to be the most aggressive effort to woo the billionaire.

Aides to the mayor and senator said he was the first to call after Bloomberg's announcement, and Obama phoned again this week to ask the mayor to give an introduction before his speech on the economy in Manhattan, and to review the text of the speech.

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republican John McCain have both called Bloomberg since he dangled the possibility of an endorsement, but have not met with the Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent. Aides to both Clinton and Bloomberg say the senator and mayor are trying to work out a time to get together soon.

After Bloomberg's introduction Thursday, the Illinois Democratic senator heaped praise on the mayor, applauding his "extraordinary leadership."

"At a time when Washington is divided in old ideological battles, he shows us what can be achieved when we bring people together to seek pragmatic solutions," Obama said.

"Mr. Mayor," he added a moment later, "I share your determination to bring this country together to finally make progress for the American people."

During his address, Obama highlighted the importance of investor confidence in the market - a priority for Bloomberg - as well as tighter regulations on Wall Street, something that Bloomberg has argued against.

Obama said the next president should expand oversight to any institution that borrows from the government; toughen capital requirements for complex financial instruments like mortgage securities; and crack down on trading activity that "crosses the line" to market manipulation.

Bloomberg, who worked on Wall Street before he founded his multibillion dollar financial information company, has said America's regulatory atmosphere is already so burdensome that it scares companies into taking business overseas.

When he introduced Obama, Bloomberg predicted that not everyone "will agree with every idea, myself included."

"But it is critical that we know exactly where each candidate stands as we make perhaps the most important decision of our lives next November," he said.

Later Thursday, Obama found time during a radio interview to praise Bloomberg's proposal to levy a toll on drivers in parts of Manhattan as a way to cut traffic and pollution. If the proposal isn't approved by the state Legislature before April 7, the city stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding that would help get it going.

Bloomberg has had less interaction with Clinton and McCain in the last month, but he has known them longer.

McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, endorsed Bloomberg in 2001 when the billionaire was running for mayor as a businessman with no political experience - a long shot campaign when it began. They are also social friends, and Bloomberg hosted a fundraiser at his Manhattan home for McCain in 2003.

McCain called Bloomberg to chat earlier this month, about a week after Bloomberg announced he would not run.

Clinton was the last to call, and aides say they are trying to set up a meeting.

A Clinton endorsement from Bloomberg might be a long shot. While they have worked well together as mayor and New York senator, there has been lingering iciness between them ever since 2005, when he was running for re-election - still a Republican - and asked her to endorse him. She backed his Democratic opponent instead, who was not expected to win.

But Clinton may have an in with Bloomberg through her husband. The former president has become friendly with the mayor in recent years and has worked with him on climate change.

[obama8years]

Obama refused to vote for a bill in the Illinois State Senate that would have increased penalties for drug traffickers.

Obama voted against a bill that would have delivered the death penalty to gang members who murder first responders.

He sponsors the Illinois Senate Bill 750 creating the %u201CHalal Food Act,%u201D providing for inspections by the Department of Agriculture to ensure that all food labeled Halal is prepared according to Islamic law.

The most horrifying thing out of all this is his child hatred. He not only supports abortion; he supports partial birth abortion. He supports leaving a surviving baby to his/her death if he or she fights for life after being subjected to the atrocities of the abortion clinic.

Of course it%u2019s all bad and there%u2019s lots more at the source.

This is an incredibly bad person with a smile like an angel. BEWARE.

[obama8years]

OBAMA TIES TO HAMAS TERROR

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency today reports that the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr., long-time pastor of Barak Obama, published an op-ed piece signed by a Hamas leader. The item appeared in the July 22, 2007 edition of his Trinity United Church newspaper on the "Pastors Page." The op-ed piece justifies attacks on Israeli civilians, and carries a supporting introduction by Wright.

Barak Obama issued a statement strongly condemning these views of his pastor. "I certainly wasn%u2019t in church when that outrageously wrong [Hamas] piece was re-printed in the bulletin,%u201D Obama added.


Obama is a long-time member of Trinity United, and his financial contributions to his church are reported to be substantial ("All told, the [Obama] couple gave $27,500 to [Trinity United] in 2005 and 2006," according to the New York Times of March 26). His moral support to the church has been unwavering. As more and more and more details of the extremist political positions of the church are revealed, Obama''s response has been to distance himself from these, but also to repeat, over and over, that he didn''t know, that he wasn''t there.

I find it very difficult to believe that an intelligent, energetic, and very political man like Obama is perpetually ignorant about what goes on in the church to which he devotes so many of his resources. If he does get to the White House, will he be in similar ignorance about the goings on of his administration ?

[jesterbelle]

OBAMA PEOPLE,BACK OFF THE HILLARY KRISHNAS.HERE''''''''S WHY.


I''''''''m beginning to think Rowdy and the other Clinton people are right about Hillary needing to stay in the race.In fact,it could end up being one of the best things that ever happened to the democratic party.To get rid of the Clintons once and for all.She is already losing on every front that counts inspite of what some people say.The longer she stays in,the more it distracts attention from Obamas'''''''' so called racism/anti-americanism,the more people get fed up with her,and there''''''''s a better than 50/50 chance that she or Bill will end up making more blunders,since neither one of them can keep their mouths shut.Obama has more than proven that he can handle her attacks,and even beat her at her own game.If it goes through the whole process,and Obama wins,the Hillary Krishnas have nothing to whine about,and most will still vote for Obama.The rest that threaten to vote for McCain will be insignificant,and shouldn''''''''t make any difference in the outcome.-----Continued below.

[jesterbelle]

Continued from above.

Hillary will look like the stupidest person in history to everyone if it goes all the way to the convention and she loses,although most of us already know she is stupid,LOL.She is already perceived as being harmful to the party,and when you total it all up,it could very well end her career,and we''''''''d never have to put up with her again.Me,I''''''''m pulling for Hillary now.I want her to keep on with her blundering and take it all the way to the convention.Lose,lose,lose,and keep on with your idiotic persistance.Ruin your chance for ever being president,and make yourself so much of a laughingstock that New York is ashamed of you,LOL!Go Hillary!On to your ultimate destruction and political ruin!Hillary in...well,never.LOL!

[obama8years]

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency today reports that the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr., long-time pastor of Barak Obama, published an op-ed piece signed by a Hamas leader. The item appeared in the July 22, 2007 edition of his Trinity United Church newspaper on the "Pastor''s Page." The op-ed piece justifies attacks on Israeli civilians, and carries a supporting introduction by Mr. Wright.

Barak Obama issued a statement strongly condemning these views of his pastor. "I certainly wasn%u2019t in church when that outrageously wrong [Hamas] piece was re-printed in the bulletin,%u201D Obama added.

[obama8years]

Obama is a long-time member of Trinity United, and his financial contributions to his church are reported to be substantial ("All told, the [Obama] couple gave $27,500 to [Trinity United] in 2005 and 2006," according to the New York Times of March 26). His moral support to the church has been unwavering. As more and more and more details of the extremist political positions of the church are revealed, Obama''s response has been to distance himself from these, but also to repeat, over and over, that he didn''t know, that he wasn''t there.

I find it very difficult to believe that an intelligent, energetic, and very political man like Obama is perpetually ignorant about what goes on in the church to which he devotes so many of his resources. If he does get to the White House, will he be in similar ignorance about the goings on of his administration ?

[jesterbelle]

OBAMA PEOPLE,BACK OFF THE HILLARY KRISHNAS.HERE''''S WHY.


I''''m beginning to think Rowdy and the other Clinton people are right about Hillary needing to stay in the race.In fact,it could end up being one of the best things that ever happened to the democratic party.To get rid of the Clintons once and for all.She is already losing on every front that counts inspite of what some people say.The longer she stays in,the more it distracts attention from Obamas'''' so called racism/anti-americanism,the more people get fed up with her,and there''''s a better than 50/50 chance that she or Bill will end up making more blunders,since neither one of them can keep their mouths shut.Obama has more than proven that he can handle her attacks,and even beat her at her own game.If it goes through the whole process,and Obama wins,the Hillary Krishnas have nothing to whine about,and most will still vote for Obama.The rest that threaten to vote for McCain will be insignificant,and shouldn''''t make any difference in the outcome.-----Continued below.

[jesterbelle]

Continued from above.

Hillary will look like the stupidest person in history to everyone if it goes all the way to the convention and she loses,although most of us already know she is stupid,LOL.She is already perceived as being harmful to the party,and when you total it all up,it could very well end her career,and we''''d never have to put up with her again.Me,I''''m pulling for Hillary now.I want her to keep on with her blundering and take it all the way to the convention.Lose,lose,lose,and keep on with your idiotic persistance.Ruin your chance for ever being president,and make yourself so much of a laughingstock that New York is ashamed of you,LOL!Go Hillary!On to your ultimate destruction and political ruin!Hillary in...well,never.LOL!

[peebo88]

Every time I see a comment about Obama being a closet racist, I cry a little inside :(
I feel so bad for our country

[peebo88]

Every time I see a comment about Obama being a closet racist, I cry a little inside :(
I feel so bad for our country