Awesome, Senator Barack Obama in the Treasure State. His message is well worth the price of admission.

What exactly is that message, again..?

The message is hope, change, and judgement. He hopes the issues flowing from Rezko and his pastor don't change his political fortunes and that only Hillary will be harshly judged. See: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-obama-kass-rezko-column,1,7963637.column

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Obama spoke at length about wanting to emerge clean from the cesspool of Chicago politics. He also spoke about his controversial pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, whose racially charged and radically anti-American comments Obama denounced without denouncing the man. There will be more to say on Wright and liberal media guilt and tortured Democratic formulations of race and gender in future days.

But I was focused on Obama and Rezko. I wanted to believe Obama, and almost did.

Afterward, we joked about smoking cigarettes together after the election—and promised not to tell our wives, since we've both quit.

If he is elected, he can smoke whenever, like a grown-up, even in the Oval Office, and I'd even lie to Congress about his smoking, just as long as President Obama keeps his mouth shut about me.

Later, when the people from other floors weren't hanging in the halls like Bono groupies at a U2 concert, I was left alone with a problem: Obama asks us to believe he can swim in the sewers of Illinois politics without catching a cold. He tells us that Rezko helped him scope out his dream house, yet Obama never thought he'd get a call from Tony saying his back was itchy...

So I left half-satisfied, thinking Obama more naive than crooked, wondering what the Daleys of Chicago and the Kennedys of Massachusetts will do to him.
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These two situations are not exactly trump cards of superior judgement over Clinton's expertise. Without resorting to nebulous platitudes and political fingerpointing at the other candidates, what exactly qualifies Barack Obama to be president at this moment in time?

He has been getting a pass on Rezko so far because of his charisma, but that story isn't all told yet.
One of the most disturbing things to come out of this election cycle is the fact that racism is alive and well, and very ugly. I have a hard time believing that Obama is not aware of that hatred of America on the part of his pastor with who he has had a very close relationship for many years. My concern is that he shares that feeling, which could expalin Mrs. Obama's statement that for the first time she is proud of America.
The amazing this is that the Clinton machine didn't get this info a long time ago. I'll bet Hillary is fighting mad that they didn't break it. It is too late for her to regain top spot unless the super delegates vote for her. If that happens we will see racism on the part of blacks that has been more or less under wraps explode.
No white candidate could last an hour after being linked as closely to a minister that made the kind of remarks about black Americans that Rev. Wright did in reverse.

Nothing more (yawn) exciting than watching two machines go at it. Iran strike, investment banking meltdown, Israel starves Gaza, Bush 3rd term, what won't we discuss next.

Steve, there's always Jon Tester. He once said that he was against earmarks, period! Now he is defending them and voted against the moritorium on their use. Like Obama, is this the audacity of arrogance that comes from beholding to the political system?

Please give us a jumpstart on if and when this great man, Barrack Obama, will come to Missoula as we are wholehearted supporters of him. We have rightfully always agreed with his belief regarding entering Iraq. It was hastily decided to enter that misguided conflict and has resulted in deaths and maiming of many more people than if we would have kept our nose out of the hopeless war that has made heartless American oil investors wealthier.

Obama's style of diplomacy would help regain the damage Bush has caused in his office. Fortunately, we have found in our travels that people we've encountered during our foreign travels don't blame the common American people, they are wise and can see we currently have a very incompitent President.

We would be honored to be invited to as many of Obama's speeches as possible while he is nearby.

The democratic party represents the acceptance of diversity among our party and Hillary takes a close second, because she has very good ideas regarding healthcare, education, and

Craig,
thanks for your continual douche-bag rhetoric posted everywhere. Yer quite a hoot.

Dear Hmmmm, such a demostration of courage to attack me while you hide behind a nom de guerre.

Your type of personal vitriol is why there is the strike/boycott over at Kos. I suspect a circular firing squad is forming.

I've always felt, too, that you and Senator Borah would have seen eye to eye on just about everything, Craigie.
Have you ever wondered why change happens..?

Having heard and now read Obama's race speech and having read his letter to the Huffington Post how are these statement reconcilable?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barack-obama/on-my-faith-and-my-church_b_91623.html

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Most importantly, Rev. Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life. In other words, he has never been my political advisor; he's been my pastor. And the sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn.

The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation. When these statements first came to my attention, it was at the beginning of my presidential campaign.

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Then in his speech today:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/us/politics/18text-obama.html?pagewanted=2&ei=5087&em;&en;=06a539b9d149224f&ex=1205985600

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I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy. For some, nagging questions remain. Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes.

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Is there a 3rd story yet to come?

I don't see any conflict between his Huffington statement and today's speech. Barak didn't bring the issue of race to the table - his competition and the media did. His response today was brilliant. He staunchly defended his friendship while staunchly disagreeing with his politics. At the same time, he recast the agenda for Hillary and McCain in a way that forces them to deal with race as an integral part of the other issues now on the table. His intelligence and wisdom have turned the election battlefield into a more complex multi-dimensional environment that McCain and Clinton will have great diffiiculty dealing with.

Jerry, this is the conflict that troubles me:

Huffington letter:

"The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation."

and

"And the sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn."

From his race speech:

"Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes."

Jerry, it looks like in his letter he claims that the reverend ONLY preached God's love, and he NEVER heard the constroversal remarks while at church. In his race speech Obama admits that the reverend strayed for a "God's love" message and he, Obama, was there to experience the moment.

Why is this important? It goes to the very heartwood of the man apart from his message. Is he being honest with people? His race speech was elegant and wonderful on many levels. HOwever, we don't elect inspiring messages as POTUS.

Now take this matter and look at Rezko where Obama has fessed up a much deeper contribution relationship than ever before. Then look at how he as requested earmarks in the 100's of million of dollars for back home pork projects. Do his feet follow his mouth about change from the politics of the past?

I ask again, without resorting to nebulous platitudes and political fingerpointing at the other candidates, what exactly qualifies Barack Obama to be president at this moment in time?

Well, Lemme see here; I think that Obama MIGHT just be qualified because the other two clowns are TOTALLY Washington insider fat-cats for starters! Therefore Obama is painted in a "semi-insider" pose, as he has a kind of "jumior" Senator status compared to the other two!
I realize that he has taken money from the Nuclear industry as has Hillary, but he has a charismatic charm of uniting people that Hillary is severly lacking. McCain had some of that witty banter/charisma years ago, but he missed his chance when he deferred to Bush's punky-white boy quips during the 2000 race. He was "being a gentleman" to not mop up the floor with Adolph Bush, but it showed a lack of fight, that a War Hero is supposed to have! Maybe he "heard foot-steps" from the powerful right -wing money machine?
Obama has the ability to reunite some of the world behind our message of hope as in a "democracy" although we have lost far too much of our freedom by the hostile takeover of our media on ALL levels by right-wing for-profit morons!!!
I hope I helped assuage some fears over Obama

Mark, I cannot imagine where you are getting your news if you think it has been taken over by the right wing.
Obama shot to the top of the pack, now it appears he may fall jsut as fast.
He doesn't believe in earmarks...except for the one that got his wife a doubled salary, and any others that benefitted him or his friends. In other words he is a politician pure and simple.
Frankly his refusal to wear a flag pin, to hold his hand over his heart to honor the flag, his wife being so unhappy with the US that she is only now proud of being an American, his acceptance of hate speech directed at our country, add up to a rather scary dislike of our country.

mark, my question was very simple and the parameters were readily apparent. Why can't you answer it?

Here it is one more time: Without resorting to nebulous platitudes and political fingerpointing at the other candidates, what exactly qualifies Barack Obama to be president at this moment in time?

Albeit tenuous points, I'll try again just to humor you! I thought everyone knew these points, but I'm dealing with a savvy political animal I take it *wink*, so here goes!
#1: He has alot of charisma, a swell personality, an "honest face, and disposition. Great manners, stage presence which is all that most of our presidents have ever needed. Experience not terribly essential if you look at Reagan, Bush Jr., and JFK.'s backgrounds to name but a few of the more recent ones ! *wink* But he has alot of experience compared to the prior 3 Pres.'s I just mentioned so mull that over, if you will.
#2: Actually this should be "#6" as I counted his qualifications above, -LOL! But, he has a Moslem middle name, some schooling from a predominantly Moslem country (98% Muslem at last count), which gives him HUGE sway over their moods and/ or emotions. The Muslims NEED to see someone like HIM in the White House to repair some damage done by Bush, AND to make them start to forgive and trust us for the horrible atrocities we have done and continue to do to their people!
#4. He is an African American, which helps us not only in the Muslim world where just a FEW Muslims are ALSO of African blood, but also it helps smooth out some of the relations in Africa where we will be trading ALOT in the next few centuries! Not just for oil either! Although they have ALOT of it to trade at present in the Sudan, and in Niger. There will probably be more found since we are stubbornly clinging to the 'status-quo fossil fuel wise unfortunately...
I hope this clariies your query. I know what I think you are driving at. And I agree somewhat that he may just be snowing us a tad toooooo much with his hypnotic 'Rock-Star' like charisma. Reagan did that , and we paid and still ARE paying dearly for bungled policies, and the second largest tax breaks in history, and horrendous human-rights violations throughout the world.. and on and on it goes. I SERIOUSLY doubt however, that Barack will EVER do ANY of these things, as I feel he has quite a bit more personal integrity than the other clowns as afore mentioned.
In summation, I apologize if I am patronizing you, but I do not know your background, so I followed a basic Poli Sci./History-100-level venue assuming you were as clueless as your portend to be! Thinks me, you are toying with all of us herein. *wink*

As for where I get my news, let me clarify that the major news media news outlets are ALL owned by 5 major republican -oriented , ( as in owned by), companies! Ever since the Vietnam war days the "Big 3" as ABC, NBC, and CBS, were merely political conduits for he Pentagon, and are more so today. For awhile CNN broke away from the pack of lemmings/sheep, but it too has atrophied into an apathetic excuse for true journalism.
If anyone is a patriotic American, they need to look into the fringe news outlets to get the real democratic news. Look to Link TV.org, and it is available on alot of satellite and cable channels. If it isn't on yours I strongly suggest that you all petition them to do so, so that you can get a truely "fair and balanced" alternative to this ditzy sound-bite swill they call "news". Free SpeechTV is another, as is the Nation magazine. The Nation magazine was considered fringe/alternative press during the Nixon years, but now has heavyweights writing articles for it on a regular basis. Liek Madeline Albright for one! *wink*. Until we wake up from what is on a par with an opium induced trance-like state, we shall NEVER be able to call ourselves free, independent thinking and therefore TRUE Americans! I'm sorry if that is a tad harsh, but you all NEED to know the truth, as we haven't had a democracy due to right-wing buy-outs of most of our major news outlets in OVER 10 years. It's merely manufactured consent, and even dissent at times too!! Orwellian think-speak, 'Capitalist Propoganda'. The Soviets were right on that jingoism, although we were full of fear-mongering bordering on paranoia back then. Instead, we should have sat down and talked with them MORE. Bush is making the same mistakes all over again. Unbelievable isn't it? Never thought I'd EVER see another Vietnam in my life-time, but History does repeat itself, I reckon! *wink* take care and God Bless!

Ahhhhhh....I see your point. Change the subject. Get people to think you have broadband streaming coming in on yout tinfoil hat.

Back to the question: Without resorting to nebulous platitudes and political fingerpointing at the other candidates, what exactly qualifies Barack Obama to be president at this moment in time?

Can you imagine the fall out if someone was a member of the Phelps church....and worse refused to reudiate it?

Craig, You crack me up! No wonder you live out in Montana, it's such a big state that the men with the butterfly nets have a hard time capturing you for an all expense paid trip to Deer Lodge.
I just gave you at least half a dozen examples of why Obama is qualified by comparing and contrasting him with the other candidates. He chose not to do as much finger pointing as was politically expedient if you will remember from his debates with Hillary, but finally he had to lower hisself to her level so he wouldn't look so weak, as Amercia is all about testosterone when it comes to petty back-biting politics. As Ralph Nader says , "Running for President isn't about being nice... you can't be NICE and run for president".
Since you choose to ignore my logical answers to your question, I'd be willing to bet that someone on the right either has you on their payroll, or has brain-washed you to the point that you sound like a Rush Limbaugh groupie. Oxy-Contin anyone? -LMAO!!!!

You might want to take a look at how Obama views his minister, his church , and speraration of church and state:

http://www.trumpetmag.com/pdf/mediakit.pdf

http://www.trumpetmag.com/pdf/mediakit_sept07/MediaKit2008High.pdf

There is more. Maybe you might want Hillary back after all.

mark, Deer Lodge?????? Your knowledge of Montana is as erroneous as your comprehension of my simple question and your abiltiy to respond on point. I take it you are one of the Obama drop by's like the Hillary top spinners that attempt deflection.

By the way, Clinton and McCain supporters should also answer my question as it pertains to their candidate.

I was trying to see if you really were a Montanan, or at least had visited long enough to know the diff. between the prison @ Deer lodge, and the mental health facility@Warm Springs where is where I thought you might enjoy some time off, as you seem to not even want to acknowledge my points as you are in a one sided debate with yourself it seems like.
Case in point Craig, if you use that style of rhetoric, then NOBODY could be seen as qualified, as they are ALL Senators, and serving on the various Foreign Relations commitees serves no direct experience link to the Presidency if you choose that line of irrational reasoning. Nice sparring with ye matey, but I must return to work. It's been fun hasn't it!?! Take care, and God Bless!

We've updated this story, and Obama's stop in Missoula is unconfirmed:

http://www.newwest.net/city/article/obamas_missoula_stop_unconfirmed/C8/L8/

You want to add spice to your Tamarak story? Alfredo Miguel Afif has an arrest warrant for several frauds in Mexico since 2005 and he cannot go back to Mexico.

I might be a little late to this discussion, but i would like to respond to mark's reasons for obama's qualifications for president.
1. You are right about is charisma, but I also remember another president who was just as charismatic, President Bill Clinton and the scandals that surrounded him.
2. Yes obama has a muslim name, not a moslem name. Muslim means someone who adheres to Islam and moslem means one who is evil and unjust. On top of that to say that Americans have inflicted atrocities on the muslim world is a sign of a total lack of historical knowledge between America and the middle east. After world war one, President Woodrow Wilson brought a plan to europe to help in post war organization of the middle east. He proposed an Arab state, which was promised by the english to the arab if they helped fight the turks (Lawrence of Arabia). We also stopped the French, British, and Israelis from invading Egypt to retake the Suez canal. The U.S. led the U.N. in the liberation of Kuwait from Saddam. We have poured money into these countries as well and its not our fault that their leaders indulge themselves instead of distributing it to the people. You are right about Iraq though, though I wouldn't call it an atrocity. Their are alot of good people their helping to rebuild, I have many friends over their.
3. I don't really know if his being African American is really going to matter in our relations with African nations. The United States donates billions to battle malaria, HIV, and hunger in Africa. Not just the government, but the American people as well. The American people donate more money to impoverished nations than any other.
My main point is that lately we have been bombarded with messages from the media that we Americans are some how at fault for all of the worlds woes and we should be ashamed. Way to many people believe that and it is sad. We are not evil in fact we Americans are generous and we do care.
I don't like any of the canidates, my major problem is I don't believe in socialism which both obama and clinton do. I also don't like Macain's stance on immigration. I have read Obama's book and I do think he is a smart and knowledgeable man, but the whole pastor thing bothers me. I don't get the why he gets a free pass on it. I mean come on how dense are some of you, he attended that church for 20 years, I was 4 when he stared there. I have known people for less than 2 months and know what their believes are.
Sorry if that was a little winded, but I'm glad to have found a site that is from what i have seen so far, too judgmental. I'm a moderate republican living in Missoula and going to the University and here I can't even express my thoughts without being ganged up on by a bunch of trust fund suv driving hippies.

UPDATE: Obama will be at the University of Montana Saturday morning:

http://www.newwest.net/city/article/obama_announces_rally_in_missoula_saturday/C8/L8/

"<quote>moslem means one who is evil and unjust</quote>"

Where do you come up with that kind of crap..?