David Cutting's election campaign was a family affair

In my recent stand for a seat on the Clarksville City Council, I spent $790, or $1.25 for each vote received, and the winning challenger spent $6,740, or $2.68 for each vote received. He and I both wanted to win, worked hard at it (he much longer than I did), and saw a real need to replace the incumbent.

The defeated incumbent, similarly to me, spent less than $1,000 on his campaign, but unlike me, did not work hard at it. The winner received $4,740 in campaign contributions, and a $2,000 loan from himself to fund his campaign. I neither sought nor received contributions, and if the incumbent did, they totaled less than $1,000, or he would have had to file a report. The local newspaper reports none of this public record data, and it is not on the Internet.

The gains to the public are that on January 1, 2009, the incumbent will leave office, and the gain to the winner is obvious. My gains include having met many wonderful people, hearing a voter tell me I am a good man, and facing my wife’s applause at 7:30 p.m. on election night, without her yet knowing whether I won or lost.

My point is that in a few weeks there will be four new members in our city government, each of whom earned the right to assume their seats. The rest of us must help them do their jobs, and encourage them to remain independent of the mess that is city hall. However, we must remove some of the entrenched members of city government who are seeped in questionable practices and/or corruption. Only then will Clarksville progress as a modern city, with equality and justice for all.

The Religious Right’s access to power in Washington, D.C., has been seriously diminished, but its divisive influence at the state and local level remains deeply problematic, according to an election analysis by Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

“Religious Right forces did everything in their power to demonize Barack Obama and maintain their influence in the White House,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, “but it didn’t work. The majority of white evangelicals voted predictably Republican, but most other Americans ignored the Religious Right’s shrill and partisan message.”

Lynn noted that Religious Right groups distributed grotesquely biased voter guides, goaded evangelical pastors into issuing partisan appeals from the pulpit and made dire predictions about the consequences of an Obama victory.

“James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Richard Land and Company did everything but declare Obama the Antichrist. In the end, they kept their own flock in line, but the majority of Americans were unmoved. On Jan. 20, the Religious Right’s eight-year run of the White House will come to a screeching halt.” ~~  Rev. Barry W. Lynn

Lynn, however, said he deplores the Religious Right’s continuing baleful influence at the state and local level. The movement engineered anti-gay measures and restrictions on reproductive rights onto many state ballots.

“Battles over gay rights and reproductive choice in states like Florida, California and Arizona were bitter, costly and divisive,” said Lynn. “Religious Right activists won some and lost some, but in every case they inflamed ugly passions and stirred up hatred toward their fellow Americans.”

Lynn said the Religious Right is likely to increase its activity at the state and local level, now that advances in Washington will be harder to obtain.

“The Religious Right is not dead,” concluded Lynn, “but I’m happy that most Americans seem very wary of the movement’s reckless merger of religion and politics. Those of us who value church-state separation must remain on the alert to counter the Religious Right’s next gambit.”

About the Author: Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.

President-Elect Obama

“Change has come to America.”

With those words, Obama accepted the designation “President-elect.”

In Montgomery County,  voter apathy of the Election 2008 primary dissipated as a surge of voters discontent with economic and military policies of the Bush regime turned out in impressive numbers to cast their ballots and make history in the process.

Either way, the election would step onto new ground: with a female Vice-President or with the country’s first African American President. In the early tallies from the East Coast, Obama surged forward with a momentum that garnered all six New England states, including the New Hampshire communities that in an upset vote brought McCain into the race for the presidency.

Florida fell into the Obama camp, and North Carolina. The McCain “Republican red” popped up in dribs and drabs, but with Obama’s taking of Pennsylvania and Ohio, the die was cast; by 11 p.m. the 270th electoral vote was claimed, and surpassed. By 11:30 p.m., Obama was assured victory with 338 electoral votes and counting.

At the Riverview Inn, a packed house of hundreds of campaigners gathered, cheered, chanted and occasionally rattled the rafters with screaming as their candidate deliberately and diligently walked into the White House.

Just a few days ago, many publications including Clarksville Online published a picture of the late Robert Kennedy circa 1968 that stated “in about 40 years we will have a black president.” Tonight, new young voters, older voters, men and women of  varied ethnic backgrounds, gender, economic status and religious beliefs found a meeting of the minds in the casting of their votes. They made history in a way that has not been seen since the political turmoil of the 60s. The result was exhilirating.

With two large screen televisions booming out the results in a play by play, state by state fashion, the electoral votes just kept stacking up. When the West coast went solid blue from the Mexican to the Canadian borders, it was all but over (our apologies to Hawaii and its time zone distance).

Clarksville Online, with two laptops in use for tracking and posting election results, also tracked global coverage: the BBC, which had an Election bus in Clarksville several weeks ago, was tracking the U.S. elections live, as were news sites in China, Kenya, Chile, and a host of other countries. Some 70 countries had in recent months made known their preference for Obama over McCain, and they were all watching American broadcasts Tuesday night, the culmination of a long day.

Charles Moreland fielding a phone call at Democratic headquarters

Early Tuesday morning, Democratic headquarters was bustling. People seeking 11th hour signs, buttons and bumper stickers came through the doors. The aroma of coffee filled the rooms. Volunteers punched out phone numbers, calling registered voters to remind them to “get out and vote.”

Clarksville Online began its traditional circuit of all precincts in Montgomery County, speaking with voters, documenting the election on film, tracking how many people are voting in which precincts.

A tidal wave of voters cast ballots before 9 a.m. At the Jaycee’s on Hwy 48, a poll worker said she had more voters “in the first hour that in the entire primary.” Some polling places had a 100 people in line, some with 45 minute to one hour waits. It is a testament to concerns about the war, the economy, health care and other issues that few if  any left. Conspicuous too was the presence of hundreds of younger and first time voters in the crowds.

Adeline Burr, 100 years young, watched "history" unfold with Obama's win

Adeline Burr, 100 years young, was seated at the MCDP/Clarksville for Obama celebration. She had not voted in 20 years, but re-registered for the 2008 election. She not only went to the polls to cast her Obama vote, she spent time at the Riverview Inn reception despite recent surgery on her knees. She has seen a lifetime of political change and political battles, and had lived through segregation and the civil rights movement. To see a Black American step into the presidency is something she once could only dream about.

“It’s come true,” she said. “It’s true. I’d never thought I’d see this day.”

Glenellen and Hazelwood schools were jammed with traffic as the last few hours of voting descended. A “steady stream” of people became a river, and parking was at a premium even at 500 feet from the polling place.

John and Kadi Ralston though “the voting went smoothly” and said they were “not surprised” by the crowds given that registration of new voters was record-breaking for this election.

Alicia Piekarski, 18, an Obama supporter, wants the kind of generational change she feels Obama will bring to nation. Currently, Piekarski is studying contemporary issues in schools, and had read numerous articles and had class discussion of the candidates and the issues in the race. Piekarski felt “prepared” to make her choice.

Becca Smith casts her first Presidential vote

College freshman Becca Smith cast the first vote of her life at Ringgold Elementary School. Smith, who candidly admitted she voted the Obama ticket, said “I like what he stands for. McCain drives me up the wall, and there are no words to explain (Sarah Palin).” Smith was “nervous” about voting but said the explanations were “comprehensive.” She felt that with her vote she was part of history.

At each polling place, a plethora of volunteers, some settled into folding chairs, hunkered down for a day of campaigning,were armed with signs, balloons and flags (the latter positioned around Obama/Biden signs).

At Republican headquarters, volunteers prepared to celebrate a McCain win for the State of Tennessee, and were quick to defend their roster of candidates.

At Democratic headquarters on Madison Street, phone bankers were making those last minute calls, arranging to get people to the polls, and planning for the evening’s reception.

As twilight fell, and with bated breath, the waiting began. Seeds planted two years ago germinated, grew and matured to a dream harvested in just a few short hours Tuesday night.

On the road, tracking precincts and voter turnout:

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Celebration at the Riverview Inn:

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President-Elect Barack Obama

Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois was the setting for Sen. Barack Obama, now President-Elect Obama, to offer the world his acceptance speech upon winning the race to the White House in November 4 election. This is a unedited transcript of his speech:

Hello, Chicago.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The first segment of Obama’s acceptance speech.

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It’s the answer that led those who’ve been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. Video Watch Obama’s speech in its entirety »

It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain. Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he’s fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they’ve achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

The power and love of family

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation’s next first lady Michelle Obama.

Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the new White House.

And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother’s watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you’ve given me. I am grateful to them.

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best — the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America. To my chief strategist David Axelrod who’s been a partner with me every step of the way. To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.

It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.

This is your victory…

This is your victory. And I know you didn’t do this just to win an election. And I know you didn’t do it for me.

You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage or pay their doctors’ bills or save enough for their child’s college education.

There’s new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there. There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can’t solve every problem.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it’s been done in America for 221 years — block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can’t happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other. Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let’s resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let’s remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those — to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

That’s the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we’ve already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight’s about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons — because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America — the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves — if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

Sen John McCain

Thank you. Thank you, my friends. Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening.

My friends, we have — we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly.

A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama to congratulate him. To congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.

In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight. I’ve always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Sen. Obama believes that, too.

But we both recognize that, though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation’s reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.

A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt’s invitation of Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters.

America today is a world away from the cruel and frightful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African-American to the presidency of the United States.

Let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth.

Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer him my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day. Though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.

Sen. Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain.

These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that. It is natural. It’s natural, tonight, to feel some disappointment. But tomorrow, we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again.

We fought — we fought as hard as we could. And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.

I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends.

The road was a difficult one from the outset, but your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.

I’m especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother and all my family, and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign.

I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.

You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate’s family than on the candidate, and that’s been true in this campaign. All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude and the promise of more peaceful years ahead.

Gov. Sarah Palin

I am also — I am also, of course, very thankful to Gov. Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I’ve ever seen, and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength, her husband Todd and their five beautiful children for their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough and tumble of a presidential campaign.

We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country.

To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly, month after month, in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.

I don’t know — I don’t know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I’ll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I’m sure I made my share of them. But I won’t spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.

This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life, and my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Sen. Obama and my old friend Sen. Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.

I would not — I would not be an American worthy of the name should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century.

Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone, and I thank the people of Arizona for it.

Tonight — tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Sen. Obama — whether they supported me or Sen. Obama.

I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe, always, in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you all.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The thrill of victory for State Senator-elect Tim Barnes

In the primary, Kurita topped Barnes by 19 votes, and that contested race was overthrown by the State Democratic Executive Committee, which in turn passed the choice of nominee to the local Democratic committees. Barnes became the Democratic nominee in a 61-4 vote.

Rep. Joe Pitts, with his wife, Cindy Pitts

In Cheatham County, Barnes gathered 7,113 to Kurita’s 6,097. Houston County tallied 1,907 to Kurita’s 1,079.

The total tri-county count was 36,978 to 22, 869 to elect Barnes as the new state senator.

Barnes joined a gathering of family, friends, and campaigners at the Riverview Inn in downtown Clarksville, where he waited for the number to trickle in.  State Representative Joe Pitts said he was “pleased and proud” to see Barnes win the senate seat.

“Tim has a heart for people. He is a man of his word and has always put people first. This will be anexciting time for the people of Montgomery County.”

With wins by State Rep. Joe Pitts and State Senate-elect Tim Barnes also in hand, it was a night of cheering and celebration for Clarksville’s Democrats.

At 10 p.m., the key races were over.

Details to follow.

Barnes: 17763

Kurita: 10638

In Houston County Barnes garnered 1907 to Kurita’s 1079.

St. Bethlehem School (District 1) had heavy turnout in the first two hours of voting

At the Jaycee’s on Hwy 48 (District 5), “we’ve had more people in the first hour than we had in the entire primary election.” The words “steady stream” and “heavy” turnout were heard at virtually every polling place. The early voting period saw a 40% turnout, and given the number to this hour, another 30-40% could vote by days end.

Campaigners with Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin joined up with Tim Barnes and Rosalind Kurita supporters to stake out visible spots at all polling sites.

Registered voters have until 7 p.m. to get in line to cast their vote; a significant turnout is expected as the “after work” voters arrive.

Obama, with a background of service to community and country, has proven to be an inspiration to millions of people across all demographics. He has conducted himself with ability, honor, and dignity, but most of all has offered clearly workable plans to rebuild America’s economy and military. He has shown qualities of leadership that can mend global fences and re-instill America’s honor around the world. His plans and programs are rooted in realistic assessments and objectives, and he has presented them with cautionary words that “restoring America” will take time, money, and will not happen overnight.

Obama has inspired millions of young people to register and vote, energizing the political playing field across America in a way that has not been seen since the Kennedy era and the time of Martin Luther King Jr. And like the late Martin Luther King, Obama has a dream for America.

Obama is reaching across traditional party lines and into the best of business and industry to accrue the best possible resources for the presidency, and has demonstrated the ability and willingness to work with those “bests” regardless of party affiliation.

Unfortunately, John McCain, despite his stellar service to country and his political experience, despite his self-prescribed “maverick” label, has proven to be too closely aligned to the “status quo” and Bush policies, a more compelling reason to oppose him than age and health issues.

His choice of vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin remains questionable at best: Palin’s “pitt bull” lowest common denominator attitude, “joe-sixpack” mentality and fundamentalist views are offensive to millions of voters and to women in particular, and her ability to conduct coherent political discussions and interviews is at best appalling for any candidate seeking one of the most powerful positions in America. Her apparent willingness to take on anybody at any time for any reason is frightening at best, since she completely bypasses diplomacy and negotiation and has implied she would go straight to war. Given McCain’s age, health and the potential stress impact of the presidency, the possibility of a Palin presidency does exist, and that is too frightening to contemplate.

The 2008 presidential election is being watched worldwide; this Guardian statement sums up the world view:

Not since the Kennedy era has such a contest resonated so potently with so many people in America and beyond, including in this country. But the circumstances of this year’s contest, the character of the protagonists and the immediacy of the internet age combine to mean that the 2008 election is likely to make a defining statement about America for this global generation that may eclipse even the impact of the contest of 1960. ~~ The Guardian UK

Here are some of the Obama endorsements from across America

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch called Obama’s opponent, John McCain, “the incredible shrinking man” who had made a horrific pick for his running mate.

Mr. Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, has emerged as the only truly transformative candidate in the race. In the crucible that is a presidential campaign, his intellect, his temperament and equanimity under pressure consistently have been impressive. He has surrounded himself with smart, capable advisers who have helped him refine thorough, nuanced policy positions … In a word, Mr. Obama has been presidential … .Meanwhile, Mr. McCain, the senior senator from Arizona, became the incredible shrinking man. He shrank from his principled stands in favor of a humane immigration policy. He shrank from his universal condemnation of torture and his condemnation of the politics of smear.

The Tennessean

Though Tennessee projected vote remains red, The Tennessean has endorsed Obama.

Obama, in the newspaper’s view, would bring a refreshing vitality to the White House. He has articulated an approach that would give the nation its best chance for change after the poor policies of the Bush administration for the last eight years. America needs new leadership, and Obama, the Democratic nominee, stands out as the best choice to be that leader … Obama represents a rare quality of hope in a time when hope seems to be in short supply among many Americans.

Dayton Daily News

Sen. McCain’s campaign has been as disappointing as his move toward party orthodoxy. More than his opponent, he has run a relentless stream of commercials that have been discredited by nonpartisan fact-checkers … His selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate was stunning. She is shockingly lacking in presidential qualifications.

Sacramento Bee

In this election, Americans are picking a future, not a past. That makes Barack Obama the better choice for president of the United States … By electing Obama, voters will make a clear break from the policies of the past eight years.

Wisconsin State Journal

America is at a pivotal point in its history — a difficult time that demands talented leadership to renew our nation’s spirit and pull us together to meet the incredible challenges ahead. The right leader for the time is Barack Obama … Far more than his opponent, Obama represents a new direction. He has shown he can inspire and lead people to action. And his relatively short time in corrupt, self-absorbed, terribly-failed Washington, D.C., may actually be a key strength. Obama is not stuck in the status quo of the Capitol crowd or its long-failed Congress. .. Obama doesn’t just give pretty speeches. He speaks to people’s best instincts, encouraging them to shine.

The Blade (Toledo)

As the nation wavers precariously at the precipice of economic ruin, American voters must decide who has the knowledge, steadiness, judgment, and inspirational qualities to lead us effectively out of that morass, for the next four years and beyond … without exaggeration, the country faces a transformational election on Nov. 4, not unlike that of 1932, which prefaced Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal and a long slog out of the Great Depresssion … We believe the person best equipped by temperament and intellect to firmly grasp the reins of government and guide it safely forward in these uncertain times is Barack Obama … Like another member of Congress from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, Senator Obama initially rose to prominence on the strength of soaring oratory. Over the past 18 months of the grueling campaign, his background has been thoroughly inspected and dissected by the press and a political opposition dedicated to keeping him from the White House.

Colin Powell

In what is the most eloquent endorsement of Obama whom he says has “met the standard of being president”, Colin Powell gives the reasons behind his endorsement:

Click here to view the embedded video.

In this momumental election the time has come to indeed choose hope over fear. We suggest that means casting your vote for Barack Obama.

Sixty people gathered at the intersection of North 2nd St. and Riverside Drive to rally for the Obama/Biden election ticket

Staking out the corner of Kraft and North 2nd Street Saturday morning, some 60 campaigners chanted slogans, waved to passers by, and stumped to get the message out that Obama is their candidate of choice. To the rhythm of drum, and cheers ringing out over a speaker system, Clarkville for Obama teams moved from corner to corner over a two hour period.

The MCDP and Clarksville for Obama will gather Election Night (Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m.), at the Riverview Inn  in downtown Clarksville to await election results.

Here are more images of Saturday’s event:

[Show as slideshow]

The historical unprecedented election for a president has been a marvelous exercise in citizen’s participation. If it is true that only 11% of registered voters cast a vote in the last local (primary) election and more votes were cast for an American Idol than for President Bush four years ago, there is cause to celebrate the massive interest in this election.

The McCain ticket is not the leading reason for this excitement, although it has added plenty of sparks to the race. There is an ironic twist to consider. The Democratic candidate was born in America. Born of parents, who at one point in American history would have been jailed in the South for crossing the color line. His political journey, through many adversities to stop him, has brought him to the threshold of the presidency.

At some place I read, maybe the poet Langston Hughes who wrote, “America never was America to me, but this I swear, America will be.” At 76 years old and have experienced the legal restriction that denied me the vote, I have voted in every election since registered. I believe the excitement in this election is Barack Obama whose appeal has been beyond the color line. I have always said that if the minorities once voted 80% it would cure America of voter apathy. Dr King once said, “Negroes in the South couldn’t vote and Negroes in the North had nothing to vote for.” The excitement is hope….hope in America…that America will be.

Bobby Kennedy/Barack Obama as reprinted on "Barack OBlogger"

“Things are moving so fast in race relations, a Negro could be president in 40 years… Prejudice exists and probably will continue to but we have  tried to make progress and we are making progress. We are not going to accept the status quo.” - Bobby Kennedy, Alabama, 1968

We are watched by countries around the world…countries we have sent independent observers to make sure their election were fair. Claims of registration fraud, gimmicks to discourage voters, broken machines, inadequate number of poll workers causing longer lines leads to a national problem. Difference in state elections laws and the problems experienced in Florida and Ohio four years ago suggest national elections require guidelines and supervision by the federal government rather than states. The Supreme Court ruled on the election of President George W. Bush. Signs suggest the highest court may be again involved in the presidential election for the President of the United States of America.

About the author: To God Be the Glory: Pastor Jerry G. Jerkins, guest commentator, is the driving force of Jerry Jerkins Ministries of Clarksville, Tennessee.

When tax cuts are labeled as tax increases.

What with all the heavy-handed named-calling and negative dis-information being bandied about in these final days of the presidential election campaign, this image pretty much sums it up quite succinctly.

What with all the heavy-handed named-calling and negative dis-information being bandied about in these final days of the presidential election campaign, this image pretty much sums it up quite succinctly.

No matter your political persuasion, heed the advice at the bottom of the above sign: Go Vote!

Failure to exercise your right to vote also exorcises your right to complain about the outcome.