22 Dec 2008 20:23 Africa/Lagos
OBAMA: The Historic Journey, a New Groundbreaking Book Covering Barack Obama's Life from Childhood Through His Inauguration as the 44th President of the United States, to be Published by Callaway Arts & Entertainment and The New York Times in Collaboration with Riverhead Books on Presidents' Day 2009
Introduction by Pulitzer Prize Winner Bill Keller, Executive Editor of The New York Times, with Principal Text by Jill Abramson, Managing Editor; Commentaries and Essays from Op-Ed Columnists Paul Krugman, Frank Rich, Thomas L. Friedman, Gail Collins, Bob Herbert, Maureen Dowd and David Brooks; Hundreds of Images by Photographers Doug Mills, Damon Winter, Steve Crowley and others
A Special Young Readers Edition of OBAMA: The Historic Journey to be Released Simultaneously by Callaway and The New York Times in Collaboration with Penguin Group (USA)'s Viking Children's Books
NEW YORK, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- OBAMA: The Historic Journey, a new groundbreaking, beautifully written and illustrated book covering Barack Obama's life, from his childhood through his inauguration as the 44th president of the United States, will be published in hardcover on Presidents' Day, Feb. 16, 2009, by Callaway Arts & Entertainment and The New York Times and distributed by Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), it was announced today by Riverhead Books Vice President and Publisher Geoffrey Kloske and Nicholas Callaway, founder and publisher of Callaway Arts & Entertainment. North American rights were acquired from Scott Moyers of The Wylie Agency.
The election of Barack Obama marked an unprecedented step forward in American history, shattering racial barriers and forever altering the political landscape. The New York Times, winner of 96 Pulitzer Prizes, has chronicled the exceptional moments of Mr. Obama's life, from when he was first elected president of the Harvard Law Review in 1990, to his memorable speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, his campaign for the presidency and his jubilant victory.
This 240-page hardcover book, a collector's item, includes:
-- Introduction by Executive Editor Bill Keller
-- Managing Editor Jill Abramson's insightful essay on Mr. Obama's life,
rise to power, and election
-- Profiles of important figures in Mr. Obama's life, including Michelle
Obama, his daughters, grandmother, mother and father, as well as some
of the campaign's controversial figures, including Rev. Jeremiah
Wright
-- Reporting by prominent Times journalists such as Janny Scott, Jodi
Kantor and Adam Nagourney among others
-- Original commentary by Times columnists Frank Rich, Thomas L.
Friedman, Roger Cohen and Bob Herbert
-- Selected essays by Times columnists Paul Krugman, Maureen Dowd, David
Brooks and Gail Collins
-- Excerpts from Mr. Obama's most important speeches, including the full
text of his Inaugural Address
-- More than 200 full-color photographs by New York Times photographers
-- Maps, charts, and graphics from The Times
This landmark publication is being released on a condensed schedule. On Inauguration Day, photographers and journalists from The Times will be working side by side with the Callaway editorial team, gathering in real time images and words from this historic moment in American history. OBAMA: The Historic Journey, which will go on sale nationally just three weeks after Inauguration Day, will be the most comprehensive and current chronicle of Obama's life in words and pictures. The final chapter will include the full Inaugural Address and a 32-page photo essay by a team of 12 New York Times staff photographers specially assigned to cover the events of the day as they unfold.
"Given The Times's extraordinary coverage, in both words and pictures, of the presidential campaign, and Callaway's superb track record of beautifully designed books, we see this as both a natural fit editorially and a remarkable opportunity to seize a significant moment in history," Scott H. Heekin-Canedy, the president and general manager of The New York Times, said. "All of us here are extremely excited about it."
Geoffrey Kloske, Vice President and Publisher, Riverhead Books, said, "We have the highest regard for Callaway's top-tier team and The New York Times' prize-winning editors, writers and photographers. To be part of such an incredible team and a landmark publishing event is extremely exciting to everyone at Riverhead."
Nicholas Callaway, Founder and Publisher of Callaway Arts & Entertainment, said, "It is an honor to work with the extraordinary editors and photographers of The New York Times on a book that commemorates this singular chapter in American history. We are delighted to have Riverhead and Penguin Group (USA) as our partner in releasing this book on a schedule of unprecedented speed."
The adult trade edition of OBAMA: The Historic Journey will be first published in a large-format (10 x 11 7/8 inches) jacketed hardcover volume. It will include 240 pages, with more than 200 full-color photographs and approximately 35,000 words of text ($40.00 suggested retail price).
The young readers hardcover edition of OBAMA: The Historic Journey will be specifically written and designed to appeal to and inspire the 8-12 age group, with age-appropriate text and a different selection of photographs and illustrations. It will be published in a slightly smaller format (9 x 10 7/8 inches) and include 96 pages, with 200 full-color photographs ($24.95 suggested retail price).
NOTE TO THE PRESS
Callaway Arts & Entertainment is a leading creator and producer of branded entertainment and literary properties across all media, including book publishing, computer animation, and family lifestyle products. Founded by Nicholas Callaway in 1980, the book division has published some of the most highly acclaimed illustrated books of our time, including Madonna's The English Roses, Georgia O'Keeffe's One Hundred Flowers, Irving Penn's Passage, and David Kirk's Miss Spider series.
The New York Times: The New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT) , a leading media company with 2007 revenues of $3.2 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 16 other daily newspapers, WQXR-FM and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.
Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the US. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group., one of the world's largest English-language trade book publishers, with established divisions and key market positions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, China, South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland. Penguin Group (USA)'s roster of award-winning, internationally bestselling authors includes Patricia Cornwell, Khaled Hosseini, Elizabeth Gilbert, Tom Clancy, Nora Roberts, Sue Grafton, Eckhart Tolle, Junot Diaz, Zadie Smith, Sue Monk Kidd, Kim Edwards, Greg Mortenson, Ken Follett, Jan Karon, Clive Cussler, Daniel Silva, Geraldine Brooks, J. M. Coetzee, Thomas Pynchon, A. Scott Berg, Alan Greenspan, Al Gore, Amy Tan, Anne Lamott, Steve Coll, Kathleen Norris, James McBride, Michael Pollan, Ron Chernow, the Dalai Lama, Toni Morrison, Nick Hornby, Terry McMillan, Tyler Perry, Harlan Coben, Robin Cook, Catherine Coulter, Eric Jerome Dickey, Robert B. Parker, John Sandford, Helen Fielding, W. E. B. Griffin, Spencer Johnson, Arthur Miller, Joyce Carol Oates, Carol Shields, John Steinbeck, Kurt Vonnegut, and Stuart Woods. The Penguin Group is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.
Riverhead Books is a distinguished and critically acclaimed imprint of Penguin Group (USA). It is home to many New York Times-bestselling and award-winning authors, including Khaled Hosseini, Junot Diaz, Kathleen Norris, James McBride, Daniel Pink, Nick Hornby, Sarah Vowell, Shalom Auslander, Dinaw Mengestu and Aleksander Hemon, among others.
Viking Children's Books, established in 1933, is a hardcover division publishing approximately 65 books a year. It is known for its classic backlist which includes Madeline, Make Way for Ducklings, and Pippi Longstocking, bestselling authors Sarah Dessen, Jon Scieszka, and Anna Dewdney, its many award-winners including Simms Taback's Joseph Had a Little Overcoat and Elizabeth Partridge's John Lennon, as well as for publishing such groundbreaking titles as The Outsiders and The Stinky Cheese Man.
Source: Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
CONTACT: Marilyn Ducksworth, +1-212-366-2564, or
marilyn.ducksworth@us.penguingroup.com; or Dave Zimmer, +1-212-366-2687, or
david.zimmer@us.penguingroup.com, both of the Penguin Group (USA); or Jennifer
Caffrey of Callaway Arts & Entertainment, +1-212-798-3175, or
Jennifer_Caffrey@callaway.com
Web Site: http://boston.com/
http://nytimes.com/
http://www.about.com/
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
RNC Chairman Responds to President-Elect Obama's Comments Regarding Governor Blagojevich
Milorad "Rod" R. Blagojevich
Here is the latest update on the case of Milorad "Rod" R. Blagojevich, the disgraced governor of Illinois.
11 Dec 2008 18:56 Africa/Lagos
RNC Chairman Responds to President-Elect Obama's Comments Regarding Governor Rod Blagojevich
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan released the following statement today.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080519/RNCLOGO)
"President-elect Barack Obama continues to provide less than forthcoming answers to simple questions related to Governor Rod Blagojevich. While it is encouraging that the President-elect has stated his office will disclose contacts with the scandal-ridden governor, it remains disappointing that his actions are in response to political pressure. Americans expect the highest degree of transparency from their elected leaders, rather than promises of openness on the campaign trail."
Paid for by the Republican National Committee.
www.gop.com
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080519/RNCLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Republican National Committee
CONTACT: Republican National Committee Press Office, +1-202-863-8614
Web Site: http://www.gop.com/
Hot Topics
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Barack Obama and the American Dream To Be Released Before Inauguration
President-Elect Barack Obama
My comprehensive book on the President-elect of the United States, Barack Obama and the American Dream has taken me over one year to write and now ready for my editors to go through it and approve it for publication before the inauguration of the first African-American to be elected President of the United States.
Distributors should contact me before January 20, 2009.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Agenda for New Leaders and the Future of Female Candidates
President-Elect Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton
"Hillary's appointment is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances."
~ President Elect Barack Obama.
3 Dec 2008 21:23 Africa/Lagos
New Lifetime Every Woman Counts Poll Sheds Light on Women's Reactions to Historic Presidential Election, Their Agenda for New Leaders and the Future of Female Candidates
The First 100 Days: Women Weigh in on the Issues They Want President-Elect Obama and the New Congress to Address; the Economy Trumps All
Vast Majority of Women Say Gender Shouldn't Matter in Cabinet Selections; but Women Approve of Clinton for Secretary of State
Next Vice President or the Next Top Model: Women Say Media Paid Too Much Attention to Palin and Clinton's Wardrobes and Not Enough to Their Policies
Despite Observing Unequal and Unfair Treatment of Women Candidates, Women Say Palin and Clinton's Runs Were a Dramatic Step Forward Toward Electing a Female President
NEW YORK, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its nonpartisan Every Woman Counts campaign to engage women in the political process, Lifetime Networks today announced the results of a national poll of women conducted by Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway of WomanTrend and Democratic pollster Celinda Lake of Lake Research Partners. The poll, the fifth in the series of Lifetime surveys of women this year, provides an in-depth look at women's reaction to the historic presidential election and its impact on the future of female political leadership.
Highlights include:
The First 100 Days: Expectations of the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress:
-- When asked what one issue should be the key matter of concern for the
incoming Obama administration, fully 71% of American women said that
the economy should be number one. All other issues-including
education, Iraq, and healthcare-were granted single-digit importance.
-- In a subsequent question in which respondents were permitted to list
the other (multiple) issues for the President-elect and new Congress
to address, health care (33%) and Iraq and Afghanistan (32%) topped
the list and an additional 14% said the economy should be prime.
-- Three-in-five women said they trust Barack Obama to represent them and
the values they hold "a great deal" or "somewhat." Close to
three-in-ten (29%) said they only trust him "a little" or "not at
all."
-- The plurality (35%) of women said they will know that Barack Obama is
attending to the needs of women if he addresses the issues related to
families and work-life balance while 22% said they will hold him
accountable based on the way he handles the economy. One-in-ten said
they will base their review of the Obama administration on whether he
deals with pay equity.
-- Women want politicians to reach across the aisle after being reminded
(or learning) that Washington is now a one-party city, seven-in-ten
women said that it is "good to have a bipartisan approach in
Washington." Only 23% thought it best for there to be "one party
controlling Washington."
Qualifications Trump Gender for Cabinet Selections; but Women Approve of Clinton as Top Diplomat:
-- Nearly seven-in-ten (67%) of women said that President-elect Obama
should not consider gender at all when appointing his Cabinet and
should focus just on qualifications, while 27% said he should try to
appoint an equal number of women and men.
-- Seventy-one percent support (51% definitely, 20% somewhat) the
nomination of Senator Clinton to be the next Secretary of State.
-- Women would rather that Senator Clinton becomes the top diplomat vs.
the commander-in-chief. Fifty-eight percent said that they would
prefer her to be Secretary of State, 18% prefer her to be President
and 18% said neither.
Women Anxious About the Economy:
-- A majority (51%) of women shared that the recent economic downturn has
affected them directly and an additional 16% expected it to hit them
in the future. The plurality (49%) of women said that the losses on
Wall Street have impacted them personally and 16% predicted that they
would be affected in the future.
-- Women were troubled both about their short-term and long-term economic
needs. When given a list of seven possible economic concerns that
could face their households, the plurality (38%) of women said that
they were most worried about the rising costs of energy, both in the
home and for their vehicles.
-- Three-in-ten (31%) of stay-at-homes and retirees say it is possible
that they will have to re-enter the workforce to cover household
expenses.
Women Observed Unequal Treatment of Male and Female Candidates This Election Cycle:
-- Sixty-five percent of women -- majorities in every demographic and
political group -- said that male and female candidates are held to
different standards on the campaign trail. Just 29% thought
expectations are the same.
-- When given a list of four items it takes for a candidate to run for
office and win, women gave male candidates the edge on every item
tested:
-- Being taken seriously by the voters (79% Easier for a Male
Candidate, 5% Easier for a Female Candidate);
-- Being covered seriously by the media (71% Easier for a Male
Candidate, 9% Easier for a Female Candidate);
-- Address issues such as national security and terrorism (70% Easier
for a Male Candidate, 4% Easier for a Female Candidate); and
-- Address the issue of the economy (47% Easier for a Male Candidate,
14% Easier for a Female Candidate; 34% No Difference).
Women on Both Sides of the Aisle Say Media Coverage of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin Too Negative and Un-Substantive:
-- When asked to compare Clinton and Palin to the other candidates
running for office, 64% of women thought the coverage of Palin was
more negative than that of other candidates running for office.
-- Thirty-one percent of women said that Hillary Clinton's coverage was
relatively more negative, more than double the 14% who said the
coverage was more positive.
-- Seventy-nine percent of women said that there was too much coverage of
Sarah Palin's clothing and 44% said there was an over-abundance of
coverage of Hillary Clinton's wardrobe.
-- On the issues, one-half of women said there was too little reporting
on Sarah Palin's policy positions, 28% said the amount was just right,
and 16% said there was too much. The plurality (49%) of women thought
the coverage of Clinton's views was adequate and sufficient, 28% said
there was a deficiency, and 16% said there was an abundance.
Despite Negative Reflections on Election Season, Palin and Clinton Paved the Way for More Women to Run for Office:
-- By a margin of more than 12-to-1, women declared the 2008 election
cycle a "step forward" and not a "step backward" toward electing the
first female President of the United States.
-- Additionally, 93% of women said that the candidacies of Sarah Palin
and Hillary Clinton should encourage more women to run for office and
79% said their experiences made running for office more appealing.
More than nine-in-ten (92%) women agreed that "The fact that two women
from different political parties ran for President and Vice President
this year makes it more likely that more women will consider running
for office."
-- Women were especially positive about the impact of Sarah Palin and
Hillary Clinton on young women. Eighty-six percent of women said that
the young girls and women in their lives would be more likely to take
an interest in politics thanks to the experiences of these women.
The Women's Vote -- Issues Drove Their Decision, and a Desire to Make History:
-- A majority (57%) of women voters said that when they made their voting
decisions, they were most concerned with the candidate's positions on
the issues. Only 13% said they honed in a candidate's past
experience. Other factors of concern included values (9%), political
party/ideology (8%), and the message (6%).
-- Only 11% of women said that there was either a small or big part of
them that felt like they needed to vote for Barack Obama because he is
a racial minority. However, among those who cast ballots for the
Illinois Senator, 34% said that a part of their vote was based on a
desire to make history and elect the first African-American President
of the United States.
-- On the other ticket, only 9% of women said they felt a tug of
obligation to vote for Sarah Palin because she is a woman. However,
among McCain-Palin voters, 17% of respondents said that a part of
their vote was rooted in a desire to be a part of history and elect
the first female Vice President of the United States.
The Role of First Lady Michelle Obama:
-- When asked to consider their preferred role for Michelle Obama, in
light of her recent statements that she would make being a wife and
mother her first priority, 49% would like to see her get involved in a
few issues, while 38% say she should focus on being a wife and mother.
-- Among those who said she should address an issue, 33% would her to
work on education-related issues while 22% preferred that she tackle
work-life balance. Twelve percent thought her energies would be best
spent on healthcare.
-- There was a clear partisan divide, with 53% of Republican women saying
that Michelle Obama should be a wife and mother first and foremost,
compared to 41% of independent women and 25% of Democratic women.
Methodology
WomanTrend, a division of the polling company(TM), inc., and Lake Research conducted the nationwide telephone poll of 600 American women. Interviews were conducted November 21-24, 2008 at a Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) facility using live callers. Sampling controls were used to ensure that a proportional and representative number of people were interviewed from such demographic groups as age, race and ethnicity, and region according to the most recent figures available from the U.S. Census Bureau and voter registration and turnout figures. The margin of error for the main sample is plus or minus 4.4% at a 95% confidence interval. Margins of error for subgroups are higher.
About Lifetime
LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multimedia company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including myLifetime.com) are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.
Source: Lifetime Networks
CONTACT: Lindsay Drewel, +1-301-312-8863, or
lindsay@lindsaydrewelpr.com; or Geralyn Lucas, +1-212-424-7066, or
lucas@lifetimetv.com
| 18:55 | Mantl: "Hillary Clinton's Outstanding Personality is a Good Prospect for a New American Foreign Policy" |
| 17:20 | RNC: Clinton vs. Obama on Foreign Policy  |
Friday, November 7, 2008
The Day Barack Obama Made History: My Opinion
I had no right to vote for Senator Barack Obama, but I have the right to congratulate him on his historic election as the next President of the United States of America on November 4, 2008.
Senator Barack Obama has become the first ever African American to be elected as the President of the United States of America. His epic achievement means a lot to African Americans and all people of color and millions of humans who have been seen as minorities or less privileged, who are now inspired to follow in his giant strides to greater heights in the world.
I was one of the conservative pundits who thought that Barack Obama would not be able to defeat John McCain in the presidential election, but he has proved us wrong and many factors were responsible for his historic victory last Tuesday.
I blame the inefficiencies and inadequacies of the John McCain presidential campaign strategists. Their old fashioned political tactics were out of sync with the new wave social pop culture of the new generation of Americans in the 21st century. The majority of American youths identified with the younger presidential candidate who became their political rock star of the moment. Barack Obama campaign strategists were more streetwise online and offline than the John McCain campaign strategists. The better presidential campaign team won!
Barack Obama campaign strategists also spent a lot of money on media planning and branding for the social marketing of Barack Obama on the largest social networking sites and the media blitz overwhelmed the John McCain campaign. Millions of them contributed and donated a lot to boost the presidential prospects of Barack Obama.
Barack Obama covered more ground and increased his mileage and patronage. His long presidential primary campaign against Hillary Clinton also propelled the political momentum of Barack Obama and made him a phenomenal political icon of American liberals who idolized him as their flag bearer and he successfully navigated the course of a new era as the catalyst of change, a turning point in the political history of America. His intellectual brilliance and poetic eloquence made Barack Obama charismatic and magnetic and his biracial family background also made him more colorful with a cross over appeal to all Americans and others who flocked to him like junkies hooked on Ecstasy.
The majority of Americans was also tired of the Republican Party and they have had enough of the economic and socio-political failures and foreign policy blunders of President George W. Bush and since Senator John McCain belongs to the same GOP, Barack Obama accused him of being complicit with the Bush administration. He labeled him as an accomplice of the villified Bush administration and the financial crisis with the looming recession worsened the presidential prospects of John McCain. Barack Obama piled on the complicity of John McCain with the Bush administration on the hated war in Iraq.
Barack Obama was smarter!
I believe that if God did not permit it, it would not have happened and God has His divine reasons for it.
I wish him all the best as he leads America in the beginning of the nation building of a New America in the leadership of the world in the 21st century.
There will be exclusive news videos of the historic election of Barack Obama on this site for as long as Jesus Christ tarries.
Senator Barack Obama has become the first ever African American to be elected as the President of the United States of America. His epic achievement means a lot to African Americans and all people of color and millions of humans who have been seen as minorities or less privileged, who are now inspired to follow in his giant strides to greater heights in the world.
I was one of the conservative pundits who thought that Barack Obama would not be able to defeat John McCain in the presidential election, but he has proved us wrong and many factors were responsible for his historic victory last Tuesday.
I blame the inefficiencies and inadequacies of the John McCain presidential campaign strategists. Their old fashioned political tactics were out of sync with the new wave social pop culture of the new generation of Americans in the 21st century. The majority of American youths identified with the younger presidential candidate who became their political rock star of the moment. Barack Obama campaign strategists were more streetwise online and offline than the John McCain campaign strategists. The better presidential campaign team won!
Barack Obama campaign strategists also spent a lot of money on media planning and branding for the social marketing of Barack Obama on the largest social networking sites and the media blitz overwhelmed the John McCain campaign. Millions of them contributed and donated a lot to boost the presidential prospects of Barack Obama.
Barack Obama covered more ground and increased his mileage and patronage. His long presidential primary campaign against Hillary Clinton also propelled the political momentum of Barack Obama and made him a phenomenal political icon of American liberals who idolized him as their flag bearer and he successfully navigated the course of a new era as the catalyst of change, a turning point in the political history of America. His intellectual brilliance and poetic eloquence made Barack Obama charismatic and magnetic and his biracial family background also made him more colorful with a cross over appeal to all Americans and others who flocked to him like junkies hooked on Ecstasy.
The majority of Americans was also tired of the Republican Party and they have had enough of the economic and socio-political failures and foreign policy blunders of President George W. Bush and since Senator John McCain belongs to the same GOP, Barack Obama accused him of being complicit with the Bush administration. He labeled him as an accomplice of the villified Bush administration and the financial crisis with the looming recession worsened the presidential prospects of John McCain. Barack Obama piled on the complicity of John McCain with the Bush administration on the hated war in Iraq.
Barack Obama was smarter!
I believe that if God did not permit it, it would not have happened and God has His divine reasons for it.
I wish him all the best as he leads America in the beginning of the nation building of a New America in the leadership of the world in the 21st century.
There will be exclusive news videos of the historic election of Barack Obama on this site for as long as Jesus Christ tarries.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Dear Americans, Beware of Voter Intimidation and Electoral Fraud!
Dear Americans, Beware of Voter Intimidation and Electoral Fraud!
Senator John McCain
The future of America is at stake today as American voters troop out to elect the next President of the United States of America.
It is either Senator John McCain or Senator Barack Obama.
The choice is yours.
Vote wisely.
Senator Barack Obama
Here is an update from NAACP.
It's Election Day, and our Election Protection hotline has been ringing since the minute the polls opened. As of 10am, over 12,000 reports have been logged. Most of the reports involve faulty or inadequate voting equipment and polling place issues, but we have also logged 115 incidents nationally of voter intimidation.
In Virginia, where the NAACP filed a lawsuit to keep the polls open longer, we are seeing several problems. More groups are joining the call to keep the polls open two hours later tonight. There are reports of massive voting machine failures, over two dozen precincts opening late, people being turned away, and voter intimidation.
In Michigan we have received calls about malfunctioning voter machines in at least ten precincts, causing extremely long waits. Unfortunately, the waits are causing some people to give up and get out of line. We will continue to monitor the situation in Michigan throughout the day.
And in Florida, we've just received a slew of reports about broken optical scanners and extremely long lines. We also just received a call that absentee ballots were not received at a rehab center for elderly residents.
We'll be here at the Command Center all day to respond to voting problems in real time. In addition, the NAACP has trained poll monitors strategically placed across the country to monitor 750 precincts where there has been a history of discrimination, and the NAACP Voter Relief team is driving between polling places in the Baltimore/DC/Virginia area offering coffee, water, and snacks to the voters standing in long lines.
We'll be sending you another update around 5pm so be sure to check your email. And if you haven't voted yet, get out there and make your voice heard!
Sincerely,
Kirk Clay
Director of Civic Engagement
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Jennifer Hudson Identified Nephew's Body
Jennifer Hudson Identified Nephew's Body
October 28, 2008
(Chicago, IL) Hudson's nephew was found murdered today ending a frantic 3-day search. It was a crushing blow after her mother and brother were found murdered Friday and Jennifer Hudson has the grim task of identifying the bodies. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports.
October 28, 2008
(Chicago, IL) Hudson's nephew was found murdered today ending a frantic 3-day search. It was a crushing blow after her mother and brother were found murdered Friday and Jennifer Hudson has the grim task of identifying the bodies. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Women Are Majority of Undecided Voters; Gender Gap Persists in National and State Polls
24 Oct 2008 15:21 Africa/Lagos
Women Are Majority of Undecided Voters; Gender Gap Persists in National and State Polls
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Women are a majority of undecided voters in the 2008 presidential race, as they were in past elections, according to the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP). For example, a new poll from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, conducted two weeks before election day, finds that women are 60 percent of all undecided registered voters and 61 percent of undecided registered white voters. The Pew poll is the only recent poll with a large enough sample to allow a meaningful breakdown of undecided voters by gender and race.
Overall, 8 percent of those polled by Pew are undecided, with fewer non-white than white registered voters having not yet chosen a candidate. Six percent of non-white voters overall and 4 percent of African-American voters are undecided; however, the numbers within these groups are too small to analyze gender differences. Among whites, 10 percent of women and 7 percent of men have not yet made choices in the presidential race.
National and state polls continue to show gender gaps, with national polls reflecting gaps in the 6-7 percentage point range and state polls presenting gaps of varying magnitude, according to CAWP. The Center's latest review of polls is part of Women's Vote Watch, a weekly look at the women's vote in the 2008 presidential election.
Click here for the National Polls
24 Oct 2008
15:21
Women Are Majority of Undecided Voters; Gender Gap Persists in National and State Polls
13:00
McCain's Website Demonstrates His Uncanny Power to Understand the Need of American Small Business Owners
23 Oct 2008
23:08
Sen. Barack Obama Wins the Arab American Voice According to Dandana TV
22:46
Economists Grade Presidential Candidates on 10 Issues Vital to Women
17:41
Democratic National Committee: Sen. Casey to Talk Jobs, Health Care, Retirement Security as Ridge and Palin Campaign in Pennsylvania
17:39
Survey Results Split on Which U.S. Presidential Ticket Ranks Higher on Leadership Characteristics
17:29
Worried About Your 401(k)? Start Asking Obama About the Corporate Income Tax Rate
15:00
First Insights Releases White Paper on Obama & McCain Web Sites: Study Uncovers How Site Usability Can Impact the Decision Making Process of Undecided Voters
14:02
Four Analyses of McCain, Obama Economic Proposals to Be Released October 27-30
14:00
People Caring for Aging Parents Pick Their 2008 Presidential Candidate
13:15
New Study Reveals the Emotional Impact and Effectiveness of Negative Campaigning
05:04
U.S. Election Will Cost $5.3 Billion, Center for Responsive Politics Predicts
22 Oct 2008
17:00
NY Indie Filmmakers Release Mock Cable Newscast Set Eight Years Into McCain-Run Administration. Sure, it's Funny, but is it That Far-Fetched?
16:16
World's Most Popular Evangelist Dr. K.A. Paul Endorses Barack Obama For President
15:18
Economists Grade Presidential Candidates A to F on 10 Issues Vital to Women
15:00
Obama Maintains Strong Lead in Presidential Race Among Energized Youth Vote, Harvard Poll Finds
13:45
Celebrities and Politics Collide in Satirical Art Exhibit
13:35
Nonpartisan Ethics Expert Offers Political Guidance for Voters Re: Character Assessment Issues
13:00
The Pharmaceutical Industry and the Election - New Report Available for Free From Decision Resources
12:00
CN8, The Comcast Network to Broadcast Extensive Election Day Coverage; 'America's Next President' Includes Pre- and Post-Election Programming
10:20
Rapper Gives Up $3,000,000 in Profits to Obama Supporters
01:51
Democratic National Committee: John McCain and Republican Party Must End Hypocrisy on Voter Registration Fraud and Sever Ties with Tainted GOP Operatives Immediately
01:22
Agenda Latina 2008 Washington to Air on Azteca America Sunday, October 26 at 4 PM EDT/ 3 PM CDT/ 1 PM PDT
Women Are Majority of Undecided Voters; Gender Gap Persists in National and State Polls
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Women are a majority of undecided voters in the 2008 presidential race, as they were in past elections, according to the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP). For example, a new poll from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, conducted two weeks before election day, finds that women are 60 percent of all undecided registered voters and 61 percent of undecided registered white voters. The Pew poll is the only recent poll with a large enough sample to allow a meaningful breakdown of undecided voters by gender and race.
Overall, 8 percent of those polled by Pew are undecided, with fewer non-white than white registered voters having not yet chosen a candidate. Six percent of non-white voters overall and 4 percent of African-American voters are undecided; however, the numbers within these groups are too small to analyze gender differences. Among whites, 10 percent of women and 7 percent of men have not yet made choices in the presidential race.
National and state polls continue to show gender gaps, with national polls reflecting gaps in the 6-7 percentage point range and state polls presenting gaps of varying magnitude, according to CAWP. The Center's latest review of polls is part of Women's Vote Watch, a weekly look at the women's vote in the 2008 presidential election.
Click here for the National Polls
24 Oct 2008
15:21
Women Are Majority of Undecided Voters; Gender Gap Persists in National and State Polls
13:00
McCain's Website Demonstrates His Uncanny Power to Understand the Need of American Small Business Owners
23 Oct 2008
23:08
Sen. Barack Obama Wins the Arab American Voice According to Dandana TV
22:46
Economists Grade Presidential Candidates on 10 Issues Vital to Women
17:41
Democratic National Committee: Sen. Casey to Talk Jobs, Health Care, Retirement Security as Ridge and Palin Campaign in Pennsylvania
17:39
Survey Results Split on Which U.S. Presidential Ticket Ranks Higher on Leadership Characteristics
17:29
Worried About Your 401(k)? Start Asking Obama About the Corporate Income Tax Rate
15:00
First Insights Releases White Paper on Obama & McCain Web Sites: Study Uncovers How Site Usability Can Impact the Decision Making Process of Undecided Voters
14:02
Four Analyses of McCain, Obama Economic Proposals to Be Released October 27-30
14:00
People Caring for Aging Parents Pick Their 2008 Presidential Candidate
13:15
New Study Reveals the Emotional Impact and Effectiveness of Negative Campaigning
05:04
U.S. Election Will Cost $5.3 Billion, Center for Responsive Politics Predicts
22 Oct 2008
17:00
NY Indie Filmmakers Release Mock Cable Newscast Set Eight Years Into McCain-Run Administration. Sure, it's Funny, but is it That Far-Fetched?
16:16
World's Most Popular Evangelist Dr. K.A. Paul Endorses Barack Obama For President
15:18
Economists Grade Presidential Candidates A to F on 10 Issues Vital to Women
15:00
Obama Maintains Strong Lead in Presidential Race Among Energized Youth Vote, Harvard Poll Finds
13:45
Celebrities and Politics Collide in Satirical Art Exhibit
13:35
Nonpartisan Ethics Expert Offers Political Guidance for Voters Re: Character Assessment Issues
13:00
The Pharmaceutical Industry and the Election - New Report Available for Free From Decision Resources
12:00
CN8, The Comcast Network to Broadcast Extensive Election Day Coverage; 'America's Next President' Includes Pre- and Post-Election Programming
10:20
Rapper Gives Up $3,000,000 in Profits to Obama Supporters
01:51
Democratic National Committee: John McCain and Republican Party Must End Hypocrisy on Voter Registration Fraud and Sever Ties with Tainted GOP Operatives Immediately
01:22
Agenda Latina 2008 Washington to Air on Azteca America Sunday, October 26 at 4 PM EDT/ 3 PM CDT/ 1 PM PDT
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Forgotten Man and Election 2008
The Forgotten Man and Election 2008
by Newt Gingrich (more by this author)
Posted 10/21/2008 ETUpdated 10/22/2008 ET
America met Joe the Plumber last week. But a pro-market economist writing over a hundred years ago was already familiar with Joe Wurzelbacher and Americans like him -- and understood how they are used and exploited by politicians.
“They are always under the dominion of the superstition of government, and forgetting that a government produces nothing at all, they leave out of sight the first fact to be remembered in all social discussion -- that the state cannot get a cent for any man without taking it from some other man, and this latter must be a man who has produced and saved it. This latter is the Forgotten Man.”These are the words of William Graham Sumner, brilliantly analyzed and applied to 21st century America by Amity Schlaes in her recent book, The Forgotten Man.
“He Works, He Votes, Generally He Prays – But He Always Pays”Sumner wrote of the Forgotten Man: "He works, he votes, generally he prays -- but he always pays -- yes, above all, he pays."Joe the Plumber has struck a chord in the closing weeks of this election because he represents the Forgotten Man. When he confronted Sen. Barack Obama on the campaign trail with the question of what would happen to his taxes under an Obama Administration should he realize his dream of owning his own business, Joe cast the decision that faces us in this election in stark relief:Which will be better for our economy: Politicians redistributing our wealth or growing more wealth? And Sen. Obama gave us an equally stark answer: Under his leadership, America will focus on “spreading around” the Forgotten Man’s wealth, not encouraging him to create more of it.
In a One Party Washington, There Will be Nothing Standing In the Way of Redistributionist Policies. Joe the Plumber has struck a chord because he reminds us (and should remind politicians in Washington) that government, no matter how well intentioned, has to be paid for and that money comes from guys like Joe. Politicians can either bleed him dry to fund their programs, or they can encourage Americans to create more jobs and more wealth -- and keep government limited and effective.But in a one-party Washington, completely controlled by Harry Reid with a veto-proof Democratic majority in the Senate, Nancy Pelosi with an expanded Democratic majority in the House, and Barack Obama in the White House, the liberal politicians’ impulse to take your money and use it as they see fit will be unrestrained and unrestrainable.In such a Washington there will be no one to remove (as House Republicans did) the ACORN slush fund inserted into the Paulson bailout plan that would have diverted 20 percent of the proceeds from the sale of government-bought securities to radical leftwing groups like ACORN.
In such a Washington, there will be no filibuster threat in the Senate to stop legislation passed in the House that will take away Americans workers’ right to a secret ballot.In such a Washington, there will be no one standing in between the American people and liberal plans for higher income, capital gains and dividend taxes, the “harsh measures” House Speaker Pelosi has promised, and confiscatory taxes imposed through regulation by the federal bureaucracy.By 84% to 13%, Americans Prefer Wealth Creation Over Redistribution.
If Washington politicians bothered to ask, they would know that the American people are overwhelmingly opposed to redistributionist policies that limit wealth creation.Last June, as a matter of fact, the Gallup Organization did ask the American people. Here’s how they reported the results:
“When given a choice about how government should address the numerous economic difficulties facing today's consumer, Americans overwhelmingly -- by 84% to 13% -- prefer that the government focus on improving overall economic conditions and the jobs situation in the United States as opposed to taking steps to distribute wealth more evenly among Americans.”“Republicans (by 90% to 9%) prefer that the government focus on improving the economy, as do independents (by 85% to 13%) and Democrats (by 77% to 19%).”It turns out that Americans remember the Forgotten Man, even if politicians in Washington don’t.“Whoever Controls Your Fuel Will Control Your Freedom”On a related topic, do you ever wonder what happens to all the money you spend to fill up your gas tank or heat your home? The chilling answer can be found in Callista’s and my new movie, “We Have the Power,” which is now available on DVD. Callista and I traveled across the country -- from the halls of political power to the generators of nuclear, coal and hydro power -- exploring the ways in which American workers, American ingenuity and American innovation can make America energy independent.
Newt and Callista Gingrich film "We Have the Power"
Take a minute to watch the trailer for “We Have the Power” here. If you like what you see, you can order the DVD here. From the Forgotten Man to the Forgotten Restaurant.
Remember in the vice presidential debate when Sen. Joe Biden referenced a restaurant in Wilmington, Delaware named “Katie’s” that he likes to frequent with the other common men and women?Here’s what Sen. Biden said:"All you have to do is go down Union street with me in Wilmington or go to Katie's Restaurant or walk into Home Depot with me where I spend a lot of time and you ask anybody whether or not the economic and foreign policy of this administration has made them better off in the last eight years."
Katie’s closed sometime in the 1980s. So either Sen. Biden hasn’t been in touch with middle class Americans for twenty years or he’s completely lost touch with reality. Or maybe he was just “winging” it.
You Can Still Be a Part of the Solution
American Solutions recently held our second annual Solutions Day to put aside partisan rhetoric and create a positive, solution-oriented action plan for the economy, energy and education. Take a moment to watch our workshops at SolutionsDay2008.com to get our economy back on track and develop sound education and energy policies. To accompany the presentations, we produced action-oriented checklists with ways to get involved and make a difference in your community and for candidates in this election. Health Care Lessons from the Aloha StateIn the midst of the economic crisis and fretting about mortgage payments, a recent story that will impact all of us is going largely unnoticed:
How our government and country are mishandling healthcare. Recently, the state of Hawaii announced that it is ending its universal healthcare for children because of skyrocketing costs. Hawaii joins the ranks of other states that have attempted to dramatically shift healthcare policy, and, like all the others, has been unsuccessful. These unsuccessful radical reforms make it all the more clear that we cannot approach changing healthcare starting from a financial argument. At the Center for Health Transformation, we recognize the need for a fundamentally new approach to rethinking the health system. There are three fundamental changes which will revolutionize our approach to a better health system for all Americans. The first is to adopt a health-based health reform approach.
This moves us away from a financial discussion first and places the individual at the center of healthcare. Health-based health reform is part of our four box model for reform:
• Box 1: Individual rights, responsibilities, and expectations of behavior
• Box 2: Maximize cultural and societal patterns for a healthy community
• Box 3: Create an effective, efficient, and productive health delivery system
• Box 4: Transform healthcare financing to enable a 300,000,000-payer systemThis process is straight forward and can bring significant changes to our healthcare system.
Learn more about the other two fundamental changes at http://www.healthtransformation.net/.
P.S. A Few Seconds for a Good Cause: The business sponsors of the Breast Cancer Site donate free mammograms to women who need them based on the traffic on their website. It’s free -- all it will cost is less then a minute of your time. So go here and click on “donating a mammogram.” It’s all for a good cause.Platform of the American People UpdateAmerican Solutions Chief Advocate, Princella Smith, blogged at the Defending the American Dream Summit recently. Check out her posts here! American Solutions had a great presence on the air this week and last week. Check out two of the latest appearances by Princella Smith on CNN’s “Glenn Beck Show” and MSNBC’s “Dayside”. Princella was also featured on BET’s “The Truth” with Jeff Johnson this past Sunday morning. On Friday, Princella visited The Maryland Federation of Republican Women to provide training about new media and the effects on movements such as the Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less initiated and largely run online by American Solutions. Learn more about it here! Stay tuned to http://www.americansolutions.com/ and visit our blog for updates from the American Solutions team. -- HAVE YOU SIGNED? Join the Drill Here, Drill Now Pay Less Campaign, and get involved with the entire movement for the Platform of the American People!
Contact: Princella Smith at http://princella.americansolutions.com/
My Case Against Senator Barack Obama and Gen. Colin Powell On the 2008 US Presidential Election
Colin Powell
I am 100% Black African and I agree with the critical analysis of Mark Davis' opinion on "What Powell endorsement says about him" published at 12:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, in the Dallas News online edition.
Like Colin Powell, most of the African American Republicans are going to turn to Judas Iscariot and betray the GOP in the 2008 United States presidential election to vote for Barack Obama on November 4, 2008.
Barack Obama
I have never trusted African Americans, because of their flip-flop characters as they are easily swayed by their narrow views and shallow opinions of the truth on the hypocritical Christian posturing of Barack Obama who wrote a letter to beg Gays and Lesbians to vote for him to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and vote for same sex marriage.
He condemns Gays and Lesbians behind their backs and then turns around to woo them to vote for him for President?
Is that whom Gen. Colin Powell claims to have always been a "Christian" all his life and "Transformational" figure?
Who is Colin Powell trying to fool?
Dumb Americans being fooled by the political hypocrisy of Barack Obama, whose campaign strategy reads like a script from Robert Greene's "The 48 Laws of Power " on how to use political deceit and intellectual conceit to spin American voters.
The same Gen. Colin Powell lied to the United Nations Security Council on February 5, 2003, to argue in favour of the invasion of Iraq, but his so called oratorical skills did not stop Britain's Channel 4 News to expose that Powell had in fact presented a plagiarized essay by an American graduate student as his fine paper and his information on the weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) was false.
No true Christian would have voted against the DOMA as Barack Obama did and continues to oppose.
The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, is the short title of a federal law of the United States passed on September 21, 1996 as Public Law No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419. Its provisions are codified at 1 U.S.C. § 7 and 28 U.S.C. § 1738C. The law has two effects:
1. No state (or other political subdivision within the United States) need treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state.
2. The Federal Government may not treat same-sex relationships as marriages for any purpose, even if concluded or recognized by one of the states.
The bill was passed by Congress by a vote of 85-14 in the Senate[1] and a vote of 342-67 in the House of Representatives[2], and was signed by President Bill Clinton on September 21, 1996.
The following is the letter Senator Barack Obama wrote to the LGBT Community vowing to repeal DOMA and on the Don't Ask, Don't Tell, etc.
Open Letter from Barack Obama to the LGBT community
I'm running for President to build an America that lives up to our founding promise of equality for all - a promise that extends to our gay brothers and sisters. It's wrong to have millions of Americans living as second-class citizens in this nation. And I ask for your support in this election so that together we can bring about real change for all LGBT Americans.
Equality is a moral imperative. That's why throughout my career, I have fought to eliminate discrimination against LGBT Americans. In Illinois, I co-sponsored a fully inclusive bill that prohibited discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity, extending protection to the workplace, housing, and places of public accommodation. In the U.S. Senate, I have co-sponsored bills that would equalize tax treatment for same-sex couples and provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees. And as president, I will place the weight of my administration behind the enactment of the Matthew Shepard Act to outlaw hate crimes and a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples - whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) - a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system.
The next president must also address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. When it comes to prevention, we do not have to choose between values and science. While abstinence education should be part of any strategy, we also need to use common sense. We should have age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception. We should pass the JUSTICE Act to combat infection within our prison population. And we should lift the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. In addition, local governments can protect public health by distributing contraceptives.
We also need a president who's willing to confront the stigma - too often tied to homophobia - that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. I confronted this stigma directly in a speech to evangelicals at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, and will continue to speak out as president. That is where I stand on the major issues of the day. But having the right positions on the issues is only half the battle. The other half is to win broad support for those positions. And winning broad support will require stepping outside our comfort zone. If we want to repeal DOMA, repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and implement fully inclusive laws outlawing hate crimes and discrimination in the workplace, we need to bring the message of LGBT equality to skeptical audiences as well as friendly ones - and that's what I've done throughout my career. I brought this message of inclusiveness to all of America in my keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention. I talked about the need to fight homophobia when I announced my candidacy for President, and I have been talking about LGBT equality to a number of groups during this campaign - from local LGBT activists to rural farmers to parishioners at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Dr. Martin Luther King once preached.
Just as important, I have been listening to what all Americans have to say. I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for all LGBT Americans. But neither will I close my ears to the voices of those who still need to be convinced. That is the work we must do to move forward together. It is difficult. It is challenging. And it is necessary.
Americans are yearning for leadership that can empower us to reach for what we know is possible. I believe that we can achieve the goal of full equality for the millions of LGBT people in this country. To do that, we need leadership that can appeal to the best parts of the human spirit. Join with me, and I will provide that leadership. Together, we will achieve real equality for all Americans, gay and straight alike.
Yes, Gays and Lesbians have their rights as bona fide citizens of the United States of America, but no true American Christian will vow to repeal the DOMA! But since most African American Christians are hypocrites, they are ready to sell their soul to the devil and vote for the election of the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party as the first African American President of the United States of America.
As a Christian and standing on the true Word of God and even on commonsense, I will not support any hypocrite and liar to be elected into any position of authority, because the election of such a desperate character will do more harm than good to the noble values and virtues of the American society and the rest of humanity.
You can download this article and others on Kindle now.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Fannie Mae Redemption
10 Oct 2008 14:00 Africa/Lagos
Fannie Mae Redemption
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) will redeem the principal amount indicated for the following securities issue on the redemption date indicated below at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption:
Principal Security Interest Maturity Date CUSIP Redemption Date
Amount Type Rate
$40,000,000 MTN 4.050% January 21, 2011 3136F9YK3 October 21,
2008
$250,000,000 MTN 4.710% October 22, 2009 31398AHQ8 October 22
2008
$50,000,000 MTN 5.125% April 22, 2011 3136F8UD5 October 22,
2008
$50,000,000 MTN 5.150% October 22, 2012 3136F8UJ2 October 22,
2008
$250,000,000 MTN 5.375% October 22, 2012 31398AHY1 October 22,
2008
$50,000,000 MTN 5.160% October 23, 2009 3136F74F1 October 23,
2008
$25,000,000 MTN 3.170% April 23, 2010 3136F9MB6 October 23,
2008
$25,000,000 MTN 3.270% April 23, 2010 3136F9MH3 October 23,
2008
Fannie Mae exists to expand affordable housing and bring global capital to local communities in order to serve the U.S. housing market. Fannie Mae has a federal charter and operates in America's secondary mortgage market to enhance the liquidity of the mortgage market by providing funds to mortgage bankers and other lenders so that they may lend to home buyers. In 2008, we mark our 70th year of service to America's housing market. Our job is to help those who house America.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities of Fannie Mae. Nothing in this press release constitutes advice on the merits of buying or selling a particular investment. Any investment decision as to any purchase of securities referred to herein must be made solely on the basis of information contained in Fannie Mae's applicable Offering Circular, and that no reliance may be placed on the completeness or accuracy of the information contained in this press release.
You should not deal in securities unless you understand their nature and the extent of your exposure to risk. You should be satisfied that they are suitable for you in the light of your circumstances and financial position. If you are in any doubt you should consult an appropriately qualified financial advisor.
Source: Fannie Mae
CONTACT: Latressa Cox of Fannie Mae, +1-202-752-6707
Web site: http://www.fanniemae.com/
Fannie Mae Redemption
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) will redeem the principal amount indicated for the following securities issue on the redemption date indicated below at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of the principal amount redeemed, plus accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption:
Principal Security Interest Maturity Date CUSIP Redemption Date
Amount Type Rate
$40,000,000 MTN 4.050% January 21, 2011 3136F9YK3 October 21,
2008
$250,000,000 MTN 4.710% October 22, 2009 31398AHQ8 October 22
2008
$50,000,000 MTN 5.125% April 22, 2011 3136F8UD5 October 22,
2008
$50,000,000 MTN 5.150% October 22, 2012 3136F8UJ2 October 22,
2008
$250,000,000 MTN 5.375% October 22, 2012 31398AHY1 October 22,
2008
$50,000,000 MTN 5.160% October 23, 2009 3136F74F1 October 23,
2008
$25,000,000 MTN 3.170% April 23, 2010 3136F9MB6 October 23,
2008
$25,000,000 MTN 3.270% April 23, 2010 3136F9MH3 October 23,
2008
Fannie Mae exists to expand affordable housing and bring global capital to local communities in order to serve the U.S. housing market. Fannie Mae has a federal charter and operates in America's secondary mortgage market to enhance the liquidity of the mortgage market by providing funds to mortgage bankers and other lenders so that they may lend to home buyers. In 2008, we mark our 70th year of service to America's housing market. Our job is to help those who house America.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities of Fannie Mae. Nothing in this press release constitutes advice on the merits of buying or selling a particular investment. Any investment decision as to any purchase of securities referred to herein must be made solely on the basis of information contained in Fannie Mae's applicable Offering Circular, and that no reliance may be placed on the completeness or accuracy of the information contained in this press release.
You should not deal in securities unless you understand their nature and the extent of your exposure to risk. You should be satisfied that they are suitable for you in the light of your circumstances and financial position. If you are in any doubt you should consult an appropriately qualified financial advisor.
Source: Fannie Mae
CONTACT: Latressa Cox of Fannie Mae, +1-202-752-6707
Web site: http://www.fanniemae.com/
Obama Middle Class Bailout Bill Passed 55-Years Ago
10 Oct 2008 14:00 Africa/Lagos
Obama Middle Class Bailout Bill Passed 55-Years Ago
Middle Class Bailout Bill That Can Rescue the Economy Was Passed in 1953
PETALUMA, Calif., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Lloyd Chapman:
In Tuesday's Presidential debate, Senator Barack Obama (D - IL) called for a bailout bill for the middle class. Yesterday, Senator Obama said he would also make sure that tax dollars are spent wisely. Today, there exists a great piece of legislation that would accomplish both of Senator Obama's goals. It would infuse billions of tax dollars back into the firms where most Americans work, create thousands of new jobs and help middle class families pay for their healthcare and mortgages.
It's called the Small Business Act, and it became law in 1953. Today, based on the original Small Business Act, the federal government is supposed to insure that a minimum of 23 percent of the total value of all federal contracts and subcontracts are awarded to small businesses. Twenty-three percent of the federal government's total acquisition budget amounts to roughly $150 billion a year in federal contracts and subcontracts that should by law go to the middle class small businesses where approximately 56 percent of our nation's population is employed.
What better place to spend tax dollars than with the 27 million small businesses where most Americans work, and where most of our nation's tax revenue is generated?
The Small Business Act is the perfect vehicle to rescue our nation's middle class economy, and boost the segments of the American economy that were completely ignored by the $700 billion Wall Street bailout bill.
There are a couple of hurdles that need to be addressed before the Small Business Act can help lead our nation out of one of the worst economic disasters in modern history. First, since 2003, 15 federal investigations have found that Fortune 500 firms are the actual recipients of most federal small business contracts. It has been estimated that large businesses receive over $100 billion a year in federal small business contracts. ABC, CBS and CNN have all aired investigative reports which have found firms like: Rolls Royce, Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Raytheon, IBM, Xerox, Dell, John Deere, General Dynamics, GTSI, Home Depot, Titan Industries, Hewlett Packard, Battelle and British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) have all received millions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
Second, the Bush Administration has systematically dismantled virtually every single federal program the Small Business Act established to help small businesses, woman-owned firms, minority-owned firms and veteran-owned firms. The Small Business Act established the Small Business Administration (SBA), and during the past eight years President Bush has cut that agency's budget more than any other agency. Today, the SBA budget is less than half of what it was when President Bush took office.
Neither Barack Obama, nor John McCain have even mentioned any aspect of the Small Business Act in their small business plans. Neither candidate has pledged to restore the SBA's budget and staffing. Most surprising is that neither Obama, nor McCain have proposed any specific solutions to the diversion of up to $100 billion a year in government contracts that by law should be going to our nation's middle class, but instead are being diverted to Fortune 500 firms. Senator Obama even seems to be trying to distance himself from a statement he made in February of 2008, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." I would guess that he received a call from the "corporate giants" the following day regarding some new fundraising ideas.
Senator Obama was right though; we definitely need a bailout bill for the middle class. The good news is it was passed in 1953. If Senator Obama and Senator McCain are serious about helping middle class families pay their health care and their mortgages, it's going to take more than just campaign rhetoric and pandering.
America's middle class deserves some help from the government in these difficult economic times, and the Small Business Act is a free and easy solution. It's time to fully implement the Small Business Act and restore the budget and staffing of the only federal agency established to assist America's 27 million small businesses, the SBA. It's also time to stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants and get that money back into the hands of the small businesses that are the heart and soul of this nation's economy.
Source: American Small Business League
CONTACT: Christopher Gunn, Communications Director of American Small
Business League, +1-707-789-9575, cgunn@asbl.com
Obama Middle Class Bailout Bill Passed 55-Years Ago
Middle Class Bailout Bill That Can Rescue the Economy Was Passed in 1953
PETALUMA, Calif., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Lloyd Chapman:
In Tuesday's Presidential debate, Senator Barack Obama (D - IL) called for a bailout bill for the middle class. Yesterday, Senator Obama said he would also make sure that tax dollars are spent wisely. Today, there exists a great piece of legislation that would accomplish both of Senator Obama's goals. It would infuse billions of tax dollars back into the firms where most Americans work, create thousands of new jobs and help middle class families pay for their healthcare and mortgages.
It's called the Small Business Act, and it became law in 1953. Today, based on the original Small Business Act, the federal government is supposed to insure that a minimum of 23 percent of the total value of all federal contracts and subcontracts are awarded to small businesses. Twenty-three percent of the federal government's total acquisition budget amounts to roughly $150 billion a year in federal contracts and subcontracts that should by law go to the middle class small businesses where approximately 56 percent of our nation's population is employed.
What better place to spend tax dollars than with the 27 million small businesses where most Americans work, and where most of our nation's tax revenue is generated?
The Small Business Act is the perfect vehicle to rescue our nation's middle class economy, and boost the segments of the American economy that were completely ignored by the $700 billion Wall Street bailout bill.
There are a couple of hurdles that need to be addressed before the Small Business Act can help lead our nation out of one of the worst economic disasters in modern history. First, since 2003, 15 federal investigations have found that Fortune 500 firms are the actual recipients of most federal small business contracts. It has been estimated that large businesses receive over $100 billion a year in federal small business contracts. ABC, CBS and CNN have all aired investigative reports which have found firms like: Rolls Royce, Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Raytheon, IBM, Xerox, Dell, John Deere, General Dynamics, GTSI, Home Depot, Titan Industries, Hewlett Packard, Battelle and British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) have all received millions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
Second, the Bush Administration has systematically dismantled virtually every single federal program the Small Business Act established to help small businesses, woman-owned firms, minority-owned firms and veteran-owned firms. The Small Business Act established the Small Business Administration (SBA), and during the past eight years President Bush has cut that agency's budget more than any other agency. Today, the SBA budget is less than half of what it was when President Bush took office.
Neither Barack Obama, nor John McCain have even mentioned any aspect of the Small Business Act in their small business plans. Neither candidate has pledged to restore the SBA's budget and staffing. Most surprising is that neither Obama, nor McCain have proposed any specific solutions to the diversion of up to $100 billion a year in government contracts that by law should be going to our nation's middle class, but instead are being diverted to Fortune 500 firms. Senator Obama even seems to be trying to distance himself from a statement he made in February of 2008, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." I would guess that he received a call from the "corporate giants" the following day regarding some new fundraising ideas.
Senator Obama was right though; we definitely need a bailout bill for the middle class. The good news is it was passed in 1953. If Senator Obama and Senator McCain are serious about helping middle class families pay their health care and their mortgages, it's going to take more than just campaign rhetoric and pandering.
America's middle class deserves some help from the government in these difficult economic times, and the Small Business Act is a free and easy solution. It's time to fully implement the Small Business Act and restore the budget and staffing of the only federal agency established to assist America's 27 million small businesses, the SBA. It's also time to stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants and get that money back into the hands of the small businesses that are the heart and soul of this nation's economy.
Source: American Small Business League
CONTACT: Christopher Gunn, Communications Director of American Small
Business League, +1-707-789-9575, cgunn@asbl.com
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Unraveling Economy Puts New Yorkers Under Pressure
7 Oct 2008 14:00 Africa/Lagos
The Unraveling Economy Puts New Yorkers Under Pressure
Money, Work, Economy and Housing Top Stressors for New York City Residents, APA Survey Finds
NEW YORK, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- By simply turning on the news or opening a newspaper, it is easy to see that money, work, and the economy are worrying many Americans. And while the fast pace of New York City may appear to cause more stress for its residents, a survey released today by the American Psychological Association (APA) shows that New Yorkers actually mirror adults nationally as to what causes them stress and how they manage that stress. The survey, conducted in June, highlights the already stressed state of Americans before the recent financial crisis took hold.
Although fewer New Yorkers report managing their stress well than the rest of the country -- 74 percent versus 81 percent of Americans nationwide -- what they are stressed about is on par with the Nation as whole. Housing costs marked the starkest difference between New Yorkers and Americans, with 67 percent of New York survey responders citing it as a significant source of stress versus 47 percent nationally. In addition, New Yorkers are more stressed about workplace issues, with 56 percent reporting job stability (42 percent nationally) and 59 percent of employed New Yorkers reporting low salaries (49 percent nationally) as significant sources of stress.
The APA survey also found that slightly more New York City residents are using exercise or walking as a way to handle their stress than the rest of the country -- 51 percent of them say they turn to exercise or walking to relieve their stress, whereas 47 percent do so nationally. Furthermore, 8 percent of New Yorkers and 9 percent of Americans nationwide play sports to manage their stress.
"Exercise, walking and other forms of physical activity, are healthy and proactive ways to handle your stress," says psychologist Dr. Katherine Nordal, Executive Director for Professional Practice of the American Psychological Association. "People often turn to overeating, drinking or other destructive behaviors in times of stress; however, such activities are harmful to their physical and emotional well-being. Remember, the healthy choice is always the best choice."
How New York City fares with the rest of America:
-- 79 percent cited money as a significant source of stress (72 percent
nationally)
-- 79 percent cited work (68 percent nationally)
-- 74 percent cited the economy (69 percent nationally)
APA's annual survey reveals that money (72 percent), the economy (69 percent) and work (68 percent) are the most frequently cited causes of stress by Americans. Housing costs are a source of stress for almost half (47 percent) of Americans and job insecurity causes stress for more than one-third of employees (34 percent).
In fact, a later nationwide poll conducted in September found that stress about the economy has increased further with 80 percent of Americans citing it as a significant cause of stress, a jump from the 66 percent in April[1].
Nationally, stress is having an increased physical impact on Americans, with 53 percent reporting fatigue (51 percent in 2007) and 61 percent reporting irritability or anger (50 percent in 2007). Other symptoms include lack of interest or motivation, feeling depressed or sad, headaches and muscular tension. More than half of those surveyed (52 percent) said that stress had caused them to lose sleep in the past month.
APA offers these tips in dealing with your stress:
Understand how you experience stress and identify your sources of stress. Everyone experiences stress differently. How do you know when you are stressed? How are your thoughts or behaviors different from times when you do not feel stressed? What events or situations trigger stressful feelings? Are they related to your children, family, health, financial decisions, work, relationships or something else?
Learn your own stress signals. People experience stress in different ways. You may have a hard time concentrating or making decisions; feel angry, irritable or out of control; or experience headaches, muscle tension or a lack of energy. Gauge your stress signals.
Recognize how you deal with stress. Determine if you are using unhealthy behaviors (such as smoking, drinking alcohol and over-/under-eating) to cope. Is this a routine behavior, or is it specific to certain events or situations? Do you make unhealthy choices as a result of feeling rushed and overwhelmed?
Find healthy ways to manage stress. Consider healthy, stress-reducing activities such as meditation, exercising or talking things out with friends or family. Keep in mind that unhealthy behaviors develop over time and can be difficult to change. Don't take on too much at once. Focus on changing only one behavior at a time.
Take care of yourself. Eat right, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water and engage in regular physical activity. Ensure you have a healthy mind and body through activities like yoga, taking a short walk, going to the gym or playing sports that will enhance both your physical and mental health. Take regular vacations or other breaks from work. No matter how hectic life gets, make time for yourself -- even if it's just simple things like reading a good book or listening to your favorite music.
Reach out for support. Accepting help from supportive friends and family can improve your ability to manage stress. If you continue to feel overwhelmed by stress, you may want to talk to a psychologist, who can help you better manage stress and change unhealthy behaviors.
Survey Methodology
The 2008 Stress in America research was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Psychological Association between June 23, 2008, and August 13, 2008, among 1,791 adults aged 18+ who reside in the U.S. and an oversample of 228 adults aged 18+ who reside in New York. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.
The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 148,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting human welfare.
[1]The September data was collected online within the United States between September 19 and September 23, 2008, among 2,507 U.S. residents 18 or older. The April data was collected online within the United States between April 7 and April 15, 2008, among 2,529 U.S. residents aged 18 or older. Data for the April and September polls were collected using an omnibus survey; the causes of stress question included a "not applicable" response. Data presented here were calculated excluding those who responded "not applicable."
Source: American Psychological Association
CONTACT: Kate Kelley of American Psychological Association,
+1-202-336-5898, kkelley@apa.org; or Juanita Panlener, Vanguard
Communications, +1-202-331-4323, jpanlener@vancomm.com, for American
Psychological Association
Web Site: http://www.apahelpcenter.org/
15:19
APA Poll Finds Women Bear Brunt of Nation's Stress, Financial Downturn
7 Oct 2008
14:35
Government acts to ensure financial stability
14:00
Avalanche Suite of Online Dating Sites Flourishing in Recessed Economy
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Seattle Residents Under Pressure
13:30
Reverse Mortgages Help Seniors Access Cash in Financial Crisis
09:00
Financial Crisis - Old Thinking Needed
7 Oct 2008
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Seattle Residents Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Detroit Residents Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Chicagoans Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts D.C. Residents Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Los Angeles Residents Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts New Yorkers Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Atlanta Residents Under Pressure
The Unraveling Economy Puts New Yorkers Under Pressure
Money, Work, Economy and Housing Top Stressors for New York City Residents, APA Survey Finds
NEW YORK, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- By simply turning on the news or opening a newspaper, it is easy to see that money, work, and the economy are worrying many Americans. And while the fast pace of New York City may appear to cause more stress for its residents, a survey released today by the American Psychological Association (APA) shows that New Yorkers actually mirror adults nationally as to what causes them stress and how they manage that stress. The survey, conducted in June, highlights the already stressed state of Americans before the recent financial crisis took hold.
Although fewer New Yorkers report managing their stress well than the rest of the country -- 74 percent versus 81 percent of Americans nationwide -- what they are stressed about is on par with the Nation as whole. Housing costs marked the starkest difference between New Yorkers and Americans, with 67 percent of New York survey responders citing it as a significant source of stress versus 47 percent nationally. In addition, New Yorkers are more stressed about workplace issues, with 56 percent reporting job stability (42 percent nationally) and 59 percent of employed New Yorkers reporting low salaries (49 percent nationally) as significant sources of stress.
The APA survey also found that slightly more New York City residents are using exercise or walking as a way to handle their stress than the rest of the country -- 51 percent of them say they turn to exercise or walking to relieve their stress, whereas 47 percent do so nationally. Furthermore, 8 percent of New Yorkers and 9 percent of Americans nationwide play sports to manage their stress.
"Exercise, walking and other forms of physical activity, are healthy and proactive ways to handle your stress," says psychologist Dr. Katherine Nordal, Executive Director for Professional Practice of the American Psychological Association. "People often turn to overeating, drinking or other destructive behaviors in times of stress; however, such activities are harmful to their physical and emotional well-being. Remember, the healthy choice is always the best choice."
How New York City fares with the rest of America:
-- 79 percent cited money as a significant source of stress (72 percent
nationally)
-- 79 percent cited work (68 percent nationally)
-- 74 percent cited the economy (69 percent nationally)
APA's annual survey reveals that money (72 percent), the economy (69 percent) and work (68 percent) are the most frequently cited causes of stress by Americans. Housing costs are a source of stress for almost half (47 percent) of Americans and job insecurity causes stress for more than one-third of employees (34 percent).
In fact, a later nationwide poll conducted in September found that stress about the economy has increased further with 80 percent of Americans citing it as a significant cause of stress, a jump from the 66 percent in April[1].
Nationally, stress is having an increased physical impact on Americans, with 53 percent reporting fatigue (51 percent in 2007) and 61 percent reporting irritability or anger (50 percent in 2007). Other symptoms include lack of interest or motivation, feeling depressed or sad, headaches and muscular tension. More than half of those surveyed (52 percent) said that stress had caused them to lose sleep in the past month.
APA offers these tips in dealing with your stress:
Understand how you experience stress and identify your sources of stress. Everyone experiences stress differently. How do you know when you are stressed? How are your thoughts or behaviors different from times when you do not feel stressed? What events or situations trigger stressful feelings? Are they related to your children, family, health, financial decisions, work, relationships or something else?
Learn your own stress signals. People experience stress in different ways. You may have a hard time concentrating or making decisions; feel angry, irritable or out of control; or experience headaches, muscle tension or a lack of energy. Gauge your stress signals.
Recognize how you deal with stress. Determine if you are using unhealthy behaviors (such as smoking, drinking alcohol and over-/under-eating) to cope. Is this a routine behavior, or is it specific to certain events or situations? Do you make unhealthy choices as a result of feeling rushed and overwhelmed?
Find healthy ways to manage stress. Consider healthy, stress-reducing activities such as meditation, exercising or talking things out with friends or family. Keep in mind that unhealthy behaviors develop over time and can be difficult to change. Don't take on too much at once. Focus on changing only one behavior at a time.
Take care of yourself. Eat right, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water and engage in regular physical activity. Ensure you have a healthy mind and body through activities like yoga, taking a short walk, going to the gym or playing sports that will enhance both your physical and mental health. Take regular vacations or other breaks from work. No matter how hectic life gets, make time for yourself -- even if it's just simple things like reading a good book or listening to your favorite music.
Reach out for support. Accepting help from supportive friends and family can improve your ability to manage stress. If you continue to feel overwhelmed by stress, you may want to talk to a psychologist, who can help you better manage stress and change unhealthy behaviors.
Survey Methodology
The 2008 Stress in America research was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Psychological Association between June 23, 2008, and August 13, 2008, among 1,791 adults aged 18+ who reside in the U.S. and an oversample of 228 adults aged 18+ who reside in New York. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.
The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 148,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting human welfare.
[1]The September data was collected online within the United States between September 19 and September 23, 2008, among 2,507 U.S. residents 18 or older. The April data was collected online within the United States between April 7 and April 15, 2008, among 2,529 U.S. residents aged 18 or older. Data for the April and September polls were collected using an omnibus survey; the causes of stress question included a "not applicable" response. Data presented here were calculated excluding those who responded "not applicable."
Source: American Psychological Association
CONTACT: Kate Kelley of American Psychological Association,
+1-202-336-5898, kkelley@apa.org; or Juanita Panlener, Vanguard
Communications, +1-202-331-4323, jpanlener@vancomm.com, for American
Psychological Association
Web Site: http://www.apahelpcenter.org/
15:19
APA Poll Finds Women Bear Brunt of Nation's Stress, Financial Downturn
7 Oct 2008
14:35
Government acts to ensure financial stability
14:00
Avalanche Suite of Online Dating Sites Flourishing in Recessed Economy
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Seattle Residents Under Pressure
13:30
Reverse Mortgages Help Seniors Access Cash in Financial Crisis
09:00
Financial Crisis - Old Thinking Needed
7 Oct 2008
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Seattle Residents Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Detroit Residents Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Chicagoans Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts D.C. Residents Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Los Angeles Residents Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts New Yorkers Under Pressure
14:00
The Unraveling Economy Puts Atlanta Residents Under Pressure
Monday, October 6, 2008
NEWSWEEK Cover: She's One of the Folks (And That's the Problem)
.jpg)
In the October 13 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, October 6): "She's One of the Folks (And that's the problem)." Editor Jon Meacham writes an essay about how Sarah Palin's populist view of high office is risky for the country. Plus: the problems the next president will inherit; Biden opens up about the campaign; the fall of America Inc.; an interview with Irani Foreign Minister Mottaki; the Women & Leadership series and keeping kids healthy in cold-weather months. (PRNewsFoto/NEWSWEEK) |||DW_DOM_101308.tif NEW YORK UNITED STATES 10/05/2008
5 Oct 2008 16:56 Africa/Lagos
NEWSWEEK Cover: She's One of the Folks (And That's the Problem)
Editor Jon Meacham On Sarah Palin's Folksiness: 'Do We Want Leaders Who Are Everyday Folks ... Or Who Understand Everyday Folks?'
Palin's Populist View Of High Office -- Hey, Vice President Six-Pack, What Should We Do About Pakistan? -- Is Dangerous
NEW YORK, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham writes in an essay that the honest explanation of the rationale for Sarah Palin's candidacy -- not her preparedness for office, but her personality and nascent maverickism in Alaska -- raises an important question, not only about this election but about democratic leadership. "Do we want leaders who are everyday folks, or do we want leaders who understand everyday folks? Therein lies an enormous difference, one that could decide the presidential election and, if McCain and Palin were to win, shape the governance of the nation."
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081005/NYSU002 )
In the October 13 Newsweek cover, "She's One of The Folks (And that's the problem)" (on newsstands Monday, October 6), Meacham examines this question of Palin's folksiness, looking at how it's a liability for the campaign and the country. Sitting with her for part of the Katie Couric interview on CBS, John McCain implicitly compared Palin to Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, saying that they, too, had been caricatured and dismissed by mainstream voices. The linkages are untenable, Meacham writes. "A successful two-term governor of California, Reagan had spent decades immersed in politics (of both the left and the right) before running for president. He did like to call himself a citizen-politician, and Lord knows he had an occasionally ambiguous relationship with facts, but he was a serious man who had spent a great deal of time thinking about the central issues of the age. To put it kindly, Palin, however promising a governor she is, has not done similar work."
Meacham writes that he could be wrong, and perhaps Palin will somehow emerge from the hurly-burly of history as a transformative figure who was underestimated in her time by journalists who could not see, or refused to acknowledge, her virtues. "But do I think that I am right in saying that Palin's populist view of high office -- hey, Vice President Six-Pack, what should we do about Pakistan? -- is dangerous? You betcha."
"A key argument for Palin, in essence, is this: Washington and Wall Street are serving their own interests rather than those of the broad whole of the country, and the moment requires a vice president who will, Cincinnatus-like, help a new president come to the rescue," Meacham writes. "The problem with the argument is that Cincinnatus knew things. Palin sometimes seems an odd combination of Chauncey Gardiner from 'Being There' and Marge from 'Fargo.' Is this an elitist point of view? Perhaps, though it seems only reasonable and patriotic to hold candidates for high office to high standards. Elitism in this sense is not about educational or class credentials ... It is, rather, about the pursuit of excellence no matter where you started in life. Jackson, Lincoln, Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and Clinton were born to ordinary families, but they spent their lives doing extraordinary things, demonstrating an interest in, and a curiosity about, the world around them. This is much less evident in Palin's case."
Meacham praises Palin for her public service. "If she were seeking a Senate seat, or being nominated for a cabinet post-secretary of energy, say, or interior -- the conversation about her would be totally different. But she is not seeking a Senate seat, nor is she being nominated for a cabinet post, and so it is only prudent to ask whether she is in fact someone who should be president of the United States in the event of disaster. She may be ready in a year or two, but disaster does not coordinate its calendar with ours. Would we muddle through if Palin were to become president? Yes, we would, but it is worth asking whether we should have to."
In a counterpoint essay, Karl Rove, the former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to President Bush and a Newsweek contributor, writes that, with respect, Meacham misses the principal arguments for Palin. "She is the governor of a state with an $11 billion operating budget, a $1.7 billion capital budget and nearly 29,000 employees; she's got more executive experience than any candidate for president or vice president this year. In Alaska she took on the state political establishment, the incumbent Republican governor and the oil companies. She's a rising star who accentuates McCain's maverick strengths and a 'hockey mom' who has developed a powerful tie to ordinary voters."
"That link isn't itself an argument for Palin. But being able to connect with, and inspire, the public is an asset -- not a liability. As for Jon's argument against 'everyday Americans' as political leaders, many great presidents have been more average than elitist. Ronald Reagan, from Eureka College, was a far better leader than Woodrow Wilson, a former president of Princeton. Wilson would have given you 100 Supreme Court opinions he disagreed with, whether you wanted to listen or not," Rove writes.
(Read cover story at www.Newsweek.com)
Cover Story
Rove essay
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081005/NYSU002
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN3
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Newsweek
CONTACT: Jan Angilella of Newsweek, +1-212-445-5638
Web site: http://www.newsweek.com/
House Passes Economic Stabilization Bill
Wachovia's Board Approves Wells Fargo Merger Proposal
Lilly to Acquire ImClone Systems in $6.5 Billion Transaction
Two-Thirds of Struggling Homeowners Meet Key Criteria for Housing Bill Relief, According to Survey by CCCS of Greater Atlanta
USA TODAY and MTV Survey Young People on Voting and Political Issues
Paramount and DreamWorks Principals Finalize Separation, Outline Terms for Future Projects Together
Ageing Populations Face Crisis of Rising Blindness
Crisis in Credit Markets
Presidential, Vice Presidential Debates
UK Government News Network Releases
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Gay Democrats Respond to Palin Accusations on Sexual Orientation
1 Oct 2008 17:30 Africa/Lagos
Gay Democrats Respond to Palin Accusations on Sexual Orientation,
Vice Presidential Candidate Wrongly Argues that Sexual Orientation is a "Choice"
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement in response by accusations from Governor Sarah Palin that sexual orientation is a choice:
"John McCain chose a poor running mate, but he did not choose his sexual orientation. This is another example of why we need a pro-equality President like Barack Obama in the White House. For Governor Palin to suggest that individuals randomly choose their sexual orientation based on nothing but a whim is wrong and it repeats the talking points of the anti-gay special interests which continue to control the McCain/Palin campaign and the Republican Party."
- Jon Hoadley, Executive Director
Governor Palin asserted that sexual orientation is a choice - a fact disputed by the majority of the scientific community - in a response to a question posed by Katie Couric of CBS News. Couric asked Palin to comment on her views regarding sexual orientation in light of revelations that Governor Palin's church continues to promote harmful "conversion therapy" for gay Americans.
Palin responded: "But what you're talking about, I think, value here, what my position is on homosexuality and you can pray it away, because I think that was the title that was listed on that bulletin. And you know, I don't know what prayers are worthy of being prayed. I don't know what prayers are going to be asked and answered. But as for homosexuality, I am not going to judge Americans and the decisions that they make in their adult personal relationships. I have one of my absolute best friends for the last 30 years happens to be gay, and I love her dearly. And she is not my 'gay friend,' she is one of my best friends, who happens to have made a choice that isn't a choice I would have made. But I am not going to judge people."
CBS News released the interview portion quoted above late Tuesday evening.
National Stonewall Democrats is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. Stonewall Democrats works to elect more pro-equality Democrats regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity - and to improve the Democratic Party on issues important to LGBT Democrats.
For more information, see: www.stonewalldemocrats.org
Source: National Stonewall Democrats
CONTACT: John Marble, Communications Director, National Stonewall
Democrats, +1-202-436-5966, cell, jmarble@stonewalldemocrats.org
Web Site: http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/
Gay Democrats Respond to Palin Accusations on Sexual Orientation,
Vice Presidential Candidate Wrongly Argues that Sexual Orientation is a "Choice"
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement in response by accusations from Governor Sarah Palin that sexual orientation is a choice:
"John McCain chose a poor running mate, but he did not choose his sexual orientation. This is another example of why we need a pro-equality President like Barack Obama in the White House. For Governor Palin to suggest that individuals randomly choose their sexual orientation based on nothing but a whim is wrong and it repeats the talking points of the anti-gay special interests which continue to control the McCain/Palin campaign and the Republican Party."
- Jon Hoadley, Executive Director
Governor Palin asserted that sexual orientation is a choice - a fact disputed by the majority of the scientific community - in a response to a question posed by Katie Couric of CBS News. Couric asked Palin to comment on her views regarding sexual orientation in light of revelations that Governor Palin's church continues to promote harmful "conversion therapy" for gay Americans.
Palin responded: "But what you're talking about, I think, value here, what my position is on homosexuality and you can pray it away, because I think that was the title that was listed on that bulletin. And you know, I don't know what prayers are worthy of being prayed. I don't know what prayers are going to be asked and answered. But as for homosexuality, I am not going to judge Americans and the decisions that they make in their adult personal relationships. I have one of my absolute best friends for the last 30 years happens to be gay, and I love her dearly. And she is not my 'gay friend,' she is one of my best friends, who happens to have made a choice that isn't a choice I would have made. But I am not going to judge people."
CBS News released the interview portion quoted above late Tuesday evening.
National Stonewall Democrats is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. Stonewall Democrats works to elect more pro-equality Democrats regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity - and to improve the Democratic Party on issues important to LGBT Democrats.
For more information, see: www.stonewalldemocrats.org
Source: National Stonewall Democrats
CONTACT: John Marble, Communications Director, National Stonewall
Democrats, +1-202-436-5966, cell, jmarble@stonewalldemocrats.org
Web Site: http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/
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