Obama is doing very well right in red states typically won by republicans in recent past elections.

• Montana: Bush won by 11 points in 2004, Obama leading McCain by 5 points
• Colorado: Bush +4, Obama +5
• Virginia: Bush +8, Obama +2
• New Mexico: Bush +1, Obama +3
• Florida: Bush +5, Obama +2
• Indiana: Bush +20, Obama +1
• Georgia: Bush +16, McCain +1
• Mississippi: Bush +20, McCain +4
• Alaska: Bush +26, McCain +4
• North Carolina: Bush +13, McCain +4

What is really interesting is that McCain is only leading by one percentage point in Georgia when Bush won the state by 16 points.  Also, McCain is leading by a mere four points in Mississippi, Alaska, and North Carolina, all states that Bush won by landslides in 2004.  I guess we all understand more why McCain has put Bush’s point person in charge of the day to day operations of his campaign.

YONGBYON, North Korea - North Korea destroyed the most visible symbol of its nuclear weapons program Friday in a sign of its commitment to stop making plutonium for atomic bombs.

An explosion at the base of the cylindrical structure sent the tower collapsing into a cloud of white and gray smoke that billowed into blue skies as international journalists and diplomats looked on, according to video footage filmed by broadcaster APTN at the site. Read story

President Bush announced this morning that the United States has moved closer to its goal of ridding the world of North Korea as a nuclear threat and dismantling the socialist state’s nuclear programs.  North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006 and has the capability to produce more.  Therefore, the fact that North Korea has handed over documents regarding its nuclear activities is a big step towards the larger goal of nuclear disarmament.  The United States intends to lift sanctions and its designation of North Korea as a terrorist state in 45 days if North Korea follows through with its promises.  Bush says that if North Korea does not follow through with its promises more restrictions will be placed.  Noteworthy Comment:  It is only because Bush changed his policy about direct talks with our enemies that this development took place.  Can you say thanks Sen. Obama.  Apparently the criticism of Obama as being naive is without merit.  This is the third time Bush has changed his position to that of the Illinois senator regarding foreign policy and received successful results.  FYI:  John McCain takes an even harder line against and regarding talking to our enemies than President Bush.  Sen. MCain has called Obama’s policy in this regard inexperienced.  Obama has said that he has better judgement and that experience in Washington does not substitute for such judgement.  Todays development seem to ram forward that point.  Ding, ding, ding,…..another round for Obama.

Congressman and superdelegate Brad Miller endorsed Barack Obama after meeting with Obama during the Senator’s visit to Capitol Hill today.  Miller released the following statement. 

“I will cast my vote as a delegate in Denver for Senator Barack Obama. The decision was not easy. Senator Clinton has run an impressive campaign, and has spoken eloquently to the concerns to working and middle class American families. She is one of the great leaders of this generation.”  Senator Obama understands that he has the chance not just to win the election this year, but to be a great president. Americans know that Republican policies have failed because their ideas are wrong. Americans know that our government has not acted to use Franklin Roosevelt’s words, as trustees for the whole people, but have taken the side of powerful economic interests on every issue. Americans want a fundamental change in course.  Senator Obama seized that opportunity. If Senator Obama and Democratic candidates up and down the ticket win this year and then deliver next year, we can build a consensus that will last a generation.”

Rick Larsen, the Congressman and one of the superdelegates for Washington state, gave the following reasons for his recent endorsement of Barack Obama.  

Larsen said Obama is “the best candidate to turn our best hopes for a better future into reality.”  He went on to praise Obama’s fortitude in North Carolina and Indiana by saying,  ”he can take a pounding and come back strong to deliver his message of hope and change. He is tough as nails…….This week, Senator Obama has proven that he is tough and resilient. He has shown that he can take a pounding, come back and continue to communicate with the public to deliver his message of hope and change.   In my district, Senator Obama has strong grassroots support.  He has inspired and energized my constituents like no other candidate.  I believe that Senator Obama will be the best President for our country. I have been particularly impressed by Senator Obama’s truth-telling on a proposed gas tax policy – a proposal which would make little or no difference for Americans paying too much at the pump.  Our country faces great challenges.  As President, I believe that Barack Obama can unite our country to overcome obstacles and deliver real change.”

Congressman and superdelegate, Brian Baird also of Washington state, endorsed Barack Obama today. Baird gave the following statement regarding his endorsement.

“Our nation faces extraordinary challenges domestically and abroad,” Baird said in a statement released by the Obama campaign. “I believe Sen. Obama will bring a vision of unity that will rekindle the very best of our society and help all Americans move past the partisanship of the past and into the progressive partnership of the future.  It has been many years since Americans, particularly young Americans, felt the sense of enthusiasm, hope and involvement that Senator Obama has inspired. We need to nurture that enthusiasm for the good of all Americans, and I look forward to working closely in Congress with President Obama.”

I guess Sen. Obama’s trip to the House floor during session today really paid off.  That puts the total delegates, including superdelegates,  for Obama at 1851.5, and for Clinton at 1695.  Obama needs 173 to hit the 2025 that clinches the nomination.  Clinton needs 329.5 to reach the 2025 number. 

Trickle, trickle, drip, drip. 

Barack Obama wins North Carolina by a whopping 14 point margin 56-42!  Sen. Clinton wins Indiana by a slight margin of 51-49.  Sen. Clinton said in the days leading up to the North Carolina that the state would be a game changer.  Apparently North Carolinians made the decision that they would not be gamed.  Both states experienced record turnout during this primary.  Over 1.5 million voters turned out in North Carolina.  Over 1 million voted in Indiana.  Obama shifts to general election mode and most say that the elected delegate is over.  Most say that Obama is now the nominee.  Obama improved his numbers with women in both states.  Clinton has had arguably the best four weeks of her campaign with allies such as the press, republicans, and John McCain.  Obama on the other hand has had the worst four weeks of his campaign and the Clinton campaign was unable to capitalize on it.  For the past two months Obama was hit from all sides; the media, all the Clintons, the republican party, John McCain, Rush Limbaugh, etc.,  and Sen. Obama weathered the storm beautifully.  The idea that this freshman Senator from Illinois will be the nominee for the President of the United States is an absolutely extraordinary accomplishment of Obama, his campaign, and the American people.  Anyone who says that he cannot beat Sen. McCain in the general election are simply blowing smoke.  Obama has shown numerous times what he is made of and now it’s time for the superdelegates to put us all out of our misery and call this thing.  Clinton’s numbers with core democratic groups such as African-Americans are becoming more and more dismal.  While Obama’s numbers with women and low income white voters have steadily improved.  Clinton won a mere 6% of the African-American vote in North Carolina and only 8% in Indiana.  These numbers are down from Ohio and Pennsylvania which were 13% and 10% respectively.  Obama increased his popular vote number by 240,000 votes.  This is more than Clinton the 200,000 votes than Clinton won Pennsylvania by.  The question now is when will Clinton bow out gracefully?  Does not make sense for Clinton to continue this race if there is not a realistic chance of her winning in the popular vote or in elected delegates?  Not really.  There is no rational reason to continue.  Superdelegates now do not have a reason to hold back and drag this race out until June.  Clinton has lost her last chance to pull an upset and it is time to unify behind the nominee.  UPDATE:  Tim Russert proclaims Obama the nominee and Clinton cancelled all morning interviews and campaign appearances for today.  It looks like this is finally coming to its conclusion folks.

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Barack Obama speaks about his life, background, patriotism and the American Dream in North Carolina Friday night. 

Barack Obama JJ Dinner in North Carolina

That’s the choice that you have North Carolina.  You know during the course of this campaign, I was very proud to say we were running a positive campaign.  We didn’t want to get caught up in the bickering, the back and forth, and the tit for tat.  But you know, I wanna just say this publicly, that there were times where we slipped into the old habits; there’re times we have been less than perfect.  I’m reminded every day of my life, by events or by my wife, that I’m not a perfect man.  And I had to tell my staff just a couple weeks ago that let’s remember what this campaign started with–the spirit with which we began.  Because, ultimately this election is not about Barack Obama; it’s not about Hillary Clinton; it’s not about John McCain.  It’s about you; it’s about the American people; it’s about your hopes, and your struggles and your dreams.  I noticed that, over the last couple of weeks, there’s been an attempt to make it about me.  He doesn’t wear a flag pin.  He’s gotta funny name.  That ex-pastor of his, that’s a problem.  I understand this.  

And so, I just wanna close by saying a little bit of something about my values, my character, why I’m here.  You know I was born to a teenage mother.  My father left when I was two.  So I was raised by a single mom and my grandparents, grandparents who were born in a small town in Kansas, during the Great Depression.  They didn’t have a lot.  And when Pearl Harbor was bombed, my grandfather joined the army and left my grandmother with a new baby and she worked on an bomber assembly line while he fought in Europe in Patton’s army.  And when he came back, part of that arsenal of democracy–there was a government there who understood that if we invest in these young GI’s coming home, we might build the middle class.  So he got a GI bill that allowed him go to college.  And there was a government that understood that if we loan families enough money to buy their own home, that will boost the economy, and it won’t just be good for the economy, it will be good for families.  And so they bought their first home with the help of  an FHA loan.  And as that little baby, my mother, got bigger, and she was ready for college, there was financial aid there to make sure that even though they didn’t have a lot of money, she could get a good education.  And when I got a little bit older, even though my mother didn’t have a lot of money herself, she was able to provide me with the best education possible.  And when after school I met my wife, it turned out she had the same story–a father who worked as a shift worker for the city and never went to college.  A mother who worked as a secretary for the city and never went to college.  And yet somehow they were able to support two children and buy a home and send their kids to college and retire with some dignity and respect.  

And so I understand that I am here before you today, just as my wife would be, as the beneficiary of everything that is good about this country.  My story is not possible except in the United States of America.  I could not be here were it not for the fact that somebody, somewhere stood up for me.  And because one person stood up, a few more stood up, and then a thousand stood up, and then a million stood up.  That’s why Hillary Clinton can run for president.  That’s why I can run for president.  Because somebody stood up, and the question now is, will the Democratic party stand up for the next generation?  That’s my patriotism.  That’s why I’m running for President. Those are my values; those are your values, North Carolina.  That’s what we’re fighting for in this election, and if you’ll stand with me, if you’ll vote for me, I promise you, we will not just win this nomination, we will win this general election.  And you and I together will change this country and change this world.  God bless you.  God bless America.

Kantor: “Look at Indiana - 42-40. It doesn’t matter if we win; those people are shit.” The original video also alleges that Kantor said “How would you like to be a worthless white ni***r?” UPDATE:  Kantor and the director of the film dispute the video’s authenticity.   Kantor denies that he has ever used the N word. However, it does appear, at least in the documentary “The War Room,” that Kantor did refer to Indianans as “sh*t.”  Judge for yourself.

The Washington Post printed this story in 1993

“War Room” is shot in the nonscripted, cinema-verite style by D. A. Pennebaker (whose follow-around films on President Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey and Bob Dylan are documentary classics) and Chris Hegedus. Whether Carville and company are play-acting somewhat for the cameras becomes less important as the film progresses. One can only keep up an act for so long — especially in the throes of a campaign. Carville’s tearful farewell speech to his staff as they close up just before the election, Stephanopoulos’s frank talk with a potential blackmailer and a Mickey Kantor comment about the people of Indiana (when it looks as though Clinton’s ahead in Dan Quayle’s state) attest to this. Read the remainder of the story.

McCain allegedly told the North Carolina republican party not to run attack ads raising the Wright issue.  North Carolina Republican Party response…….not so much.  Sen. McCain, are you not the leader of the Republican Party?  If you can’t control your own party, what kind of leader are you, or more importantly, will you be?  John McCain and the Republican National Committee supposedly expressed outrage along with submitting a plea to the local GOP not to run the ad.  wink…nudge.   Flashback:  When a similar attack ad was run against Harold Ford during his U.S. Senate run in Tennessee, there was also mock outrage from the RNC and from the then republican nominee (now U.S. Senator).  Yet, the ad continued running…….now, Ford is a pundit for MSNBC.  Lucky for Obama, it does not seem that the Wright issue is hurting him like the Playboy issue hurt former Congressman Ford.  The problem that this writer has with the North Carolina situation is that McCain has played this both ways.  The Arizona Senator plays the good cop and gets credit for taking the high road by telling the local North Carolina RNC not to run the ad.  He also wins on the low road because the ad runs and possibly dings the Obama campaign after which McCain benefits.  Somehow, I think this ad will not be going away any time soon.  Even if the ad is not run in North Carolina, the main stream media has ran it 150, 000 times, accomplishing exactly what the GOP wanted to accomplish.  This is despite McCain’s continued, hmhmm…..protestations.  Something else interesting about rejecting and denouncing this ad.  When Hillary Clinton was asked to comment?…….crickets, crickets, crickets.  There has been silence from the Clinton campaign. As a matter of fact, Hillary Clinton has refused to comment on the GOP attack ad at all.  If this had come out against Clinton and Obama had refused to comment, Clinton would have been on every news outlet asking why the silence?  Word to Obama….I don’t know if a knife in a gun fight is your best weapon. 

Why do you think that the North Carolina republican party is running an attack ad against Senator Barack Obama and nothing against Clinton?  Why do you think Clinton remains in this race even though she, being the very smart woman that she is, realizes that there is no way that she can win this nomination without ripping the democratic party apart?  2012 is the answer to the second question.  By prolonging the race, Clinton helps out her self described “very good friend” John McCain get elected in the fall.  Given McCain’s age, and the current state of the union, it opens up the possibility for another Clinton White House in 2012.  As to the first question regarding the GOP attacks.  The GOP has much more material against Clinton than they do Obama, yet they decide to release two attack ads during a democratic primary.  The GOP continues to spout that they think Clinton will be the harder candidate to beat in a general election….yet they are running attack ads against Obama.  Why not let the candidate that you (GOP) allegedly perceive as the weaker opponent win the primary thereby making a GOP win in the fall much easier?  If I thought that the weaker opposing candidate was about to become my opponent in a general contest, I certainly would NOT put out attack ads against that weaker candidate so as to get the person I view as a stronger opponent nominated.  If I were the opposition, I would try and destroy the stronger candidate before he/she becomes my opponent in the general.  Think about it.  The GOP has issued two attack ads against Obama in a democratic PRIMARY!  Unprecedented!  And please do not drink the kool-aid suggesting that Clinton has been vetted and that the GOP does not have a war chest of Clinton ammunition that has been built up since the idea of Hillary Clinton as President first surfaced six years ago.  The GOP is salivating over the possibility of running against Clinton.  An email was sent last night from Rick Davis, chairman of the McCAIN campaign, pushing Clinton’s candidacy and talking up what a better candidate she is in comparison to Barack Obama.  Clinton is a tremendous fundraising tool for the republican party.  The GOP knows that a Clinton candidacy is a unifier like no other.  What also seems to be a new hot topic for main stream media is the fact that a larger percentage of Clinton than Obama supporters say that they will not vote for Obama in the general election but will instead vote for McCain.  HEY MEDIA!!!……it’s called posturing!  Given the way Hillary has run her campaign, are you surprised that her supporters will consider false threats as a tool in this race?  In other words, use fear to scare up your preferred result.  I very seriously doubt that when McCain puts all his cards on the table with respect to Iraq, the economy, education, etc., that few voters will actually vote McCain over Obama.  Especially for those whose only issue with Obama is that he is not Hillary Clinton.  Give me a break.  Has Obama run the U.S. into a ditch like the Bush policies…which McCain has pretty much vowed to continue?  Really, lets be honest…for democrats, the most important thing is getting a democrat into the White House.  Perhaps initially there will be anger and discontent among some disgruntled Hillary supporters…but I guarantee you that once the plans of Obama and McCain are laid side by side, democrats will have a clear choice.  Not to mention that Obama has played by the rules and won by the rules.  If Clinton were somehow to get the nomination, it would be through favoritism and a subsequent changing of the rules just to give Clinton the nomination.  How do you stay angry because your candidate did not illegitimately gain the nomination when the majority of the electorate legitimately voted for the other candidate?  Supporters may be angry for a second, but there is no sustainable basis for such anger.  The opposite can be said of Obama supporters if Obama were to be denied the nomination at this point.   A real test to the voting public’s resolve in demanding a different kind of politics will be whether it will reject the attacks of Clinton and the GOP attack machine as the distractions that they are intended to be. 

In a statement released to the Associated Press on Sunday night,  Sen. Amy Klobuchar endorsed Barack Obama for President.  In her statement Sen. Klobuchar said Obama “has inspired an enthusiasm and idealism that we have not seen in this country in a long time.”  The Senator compared Obama to former vice president and Minnesota Senator, Hubert Humphrey.  Obama won Minnesota by a wide margin in February over Clinton.  The official announcement will be made later today.  Also, in an effort to begin the process of uniting the party, seven North Carolina Democratic House members plan to endorse  Obama as a group BEFORE that state’s primary on May 6th.