Democrats seek to heal rifts as convention to nominate Obama begins

Irish Times ^ | August 25, 2008

[Schnucki]

US Democrats will seek to unite the party for its convention to nominate presidential candidate Barack Obama as Republicans stirred up a rift with disaffected supporters of his former rival Hillary Clinton.

Mr Obama faces a challenge this week to try to heal the party rift, draw a sharp contrast between himself and Republican rival John McCain and back up his soaring oratory with specifics of what he would do if he wins the White House.

As they prepared Thursday's acceptance speech, Democrats gathering for the convention in Denver have seen polls showing backing from Ms Clinton supporters, who lost the contest for the party's presidential nomination, slipping even as the race between Mr Obama and Mr McCain tightened.

Mr Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs told CNN the choice before voters in November would be between Mr Obama and Mr McCain, and noted that Ms Clinton herself had publicly thrown her support behind the Illinois senator.

"If we put the choice in front of delegates here and voters all across this country, who's going to help rebuild this economy and put your family back to work, who's going keep your family safe at night, who's going to reduce our dependence on foreign oil ... The best person to do those things isn't John McCain, it's Barack Obama," Mr Gibbs said.

"Hillary Clinton's worked with both of these guys and she's come to the same conclusion. Barack Obama is her guy," he said.

But senior McCain aide Carly Fiorina said disgruntled women supporters of Hillary Clinton "want a leader whose judgment and experience they can trust."

Ms Fiorina also threw oil on the flames of the Democrats' split, saying many Democratic women were "stunned" that Obama praised his vice-presidential pick Senator Joe Biden as a good debater and campaigner "when Hillary Clinton

[henkster]

Still seeking that elusive “unity” this late in the game despite nominating the candidate of “unity.”

Execution of Operation Chaos, Phase 3!!

[tcrlaf]

DNC OPENING:

“Hosanna, Obama, Sanna Sanna O-Bama Heysanna O-Bam-A”

Hey J.C ! I mean B.H. O. Won’t you smile At Me! Sanna-Hey Sanna O-Bama, SUPERSTAR!”

(Hosanna from “Jesus Christ Superstar”)

[kcm.org]

President Osama Facts

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Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes. President Osama has 72... and they’re all voting for him early and often.