Guam votes on Saturday. There are nine delegates at stake. Here’s Hillary message to the Chamarros, the people of Guam. Guam for those who don’t know was a Spanish colony and became U.S. territory in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. Unlike the Philippines and Palau which opted for independence, Guam has remained a part of the United States. During the Second World War, it was the only territory to be occupied by Japanese and the first American territory to suffer an invasion since the British invaded and burned Washington DC during the War of 1812. After the war, the Guam Organic Act of 1950, which established Guam as an unincorporated organized territory of the United States, provided for the structure of the island’s civilian government, and granted the people United States citizenship.
-
Site Meter
-
Recent Visitors
Bill O’Reilly noted later than he had received “thousands of emails” from people around the country saying that they had never seen Hillary Clinton like this before. I think the interview a net positive for the Clinton campaign. It’s hard to call this an interview since O’Reilly interjects his own views so often. O’Reilly challenged her on the war on terror and on immigration and she made her positions clear. This interview was more akin to a debate and Hillary more than held her own.
In Valledupar, Colombia, the 41st annual Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata is now in full swing. And it’s quite a swing at that. Musicians from all over Colombia come to compete for the title “Rey de los Reyes” or “King of Kings.” There is a 24-hour long Parranda Vallenata with competing accordion singers trying to outduel each other racing up and down the keyboard. Vallenato music is but one of Colombia’s musical styles but it is a unique blend of European and African traditions. The themes are usually mournful, love lost is a frequent one but the music itself is joyous and uplifting. World-reknown artists include Rafael Escalona, Alfredo Gutierrez, Emiliano Zuleta, Daniel Celedon, Jorge Celedon, Pacho Rada and Lisandro Meza. Among cross-over artists (non pure Vallenato) there is Carlos Vives, Los Betos and Los Gigantes.
The above song is “Ay Hombe” or “Oh Man” sung by Jorge Celedon. It is a lament and the anthem of Colombians, like myself, who for one reason or another live in exile. The lyrics are tough. “To forget her is impossible.” Like many good Vallenatos, it is full of double entendres.
Here’s Lisandro Meza in a recent music video telling his son that he’ll pay for his education unless he wants to be a politician. It’s actually a play on words: Para Político No. Parapolítico is the Colombian term for politicians who have been caught with ties to paramilitaries. I should note that this song is not a Vallenato but a Cumbia, Colombia’s best known rhythm. If you can tell the difference, I am impressed.
The schedule of events (in Spanish) from El Tiempo. And for more on Vallenato, here is a link.
Oregon’s primary isn’t for another three weeks yet but should Clinton win in Indiana and pull off an upset in North Carolina then the contests in West Virginia and Kentucky are not likely to give the Obama any respite. Thus it would seem that Oregon is now Obama’s firewall. A new SUSA poll out today points to Clinton narrowing the gap there as well. Obama still leads comfortably by a 50% to 44%, a six point margin. However the gap had been ten points. Here are the details.
And there is from MyDD entitled Change Oregon Can Believe In?
If that report is any indication, Oregonians may not quite buy Obama’s lack of substance.
From the good folks at JibJab:
There is a difference between political humour and politcal mockery. This is mockery and it can’t be good for Obama and his cohorts to be so mocked. Personally the thought of Roland Martin in a can can is awfully sweet.
On the heels of her endorsement by Governor Mike Easley, the Clinton campaign has new ad out today in North Carolina. It’s a simple message: the determination to get the job done for Americans.
It should be noted that unlike Pennsylvania where the Obama campaign outspent Clinton nearly 3:1, in North Carolina the Clinton campaign is about even in its ad spend. So keep those contributions coming!
Joe Trippi, a senior advisor for the John Edwards campaign, has written an article for Campaigns & Elections’ Politics Magazine stating that he should have been more forceful in persuading Edwards to stay in the race. Yes, Joe, you should have done that. Live and learn, I guess.
My own preference for John Edwards aside, I have come to believe that Hillary Clinton is likely the better President anyway. The experience issue has really hit home for me. Still I do think that Edwards is the better candidate. There is a difference. Clinton has convinced me that she, despite her still strong negative ratings, will make an exceptional President. I won’t always agree with her but at the same time I trust her to make the tough decisions that are required of a President. She is a policy wonk and that bodes well for the United States and the world. I have also come to really admire her character. She’s a fighter and tireless. She has set the goal of fairness for all and that’s a value I hold dearly.
A new poll of Indiana from local Indiana firm TeleResearch for Indianapolis Channel 6 News suggests that the Reverend Jeremiah Wright controversy has been hurting Barack Obama this past week as Senator Clinton has opened up a ten point lead over Senator Obama with a 48% to 38% margin. 14% remain undecided. In both Ohio and Pennsylvania, the undecided voters broke for Senator Clinton at the last moment.
The Pew Research Center in a new report finds Obama’s support slipping nationwide overall. However among white working class voters, Barack Obama is suffering a serious erosion in his support. A month ago, Hillary held a 50%-40% advantage among white working class voters with a high school degree or less. Today, after the Pennsylvania result but before the latest flare-up by Jeremiah Wright, it is a 65%-25% advantage for Hillary Clinton among this same group.
Among white voters making less than $50,000 per year, Clinton leads 58%-34%, up from a 47%-45% lead a month ago. The median income in the United States is approximately $40,000.
I fell in love with the Soviet Union ironically at Stanford’s Hoover Institution on Revolution, War and Peace. Their collection of Soviet era posters and memorabilia is one of the finest in the world. And on my trip to St. Petersburg in 2004, I purchased a wonderful 1930s Soviet poster that I love. On this May Day, I am fond of remembering the old Soviet parades I grew up watching with awe and some horror. I am certainly glad those are part of the past but I do miss the Hymn of the Soviet Union. As a boy, I used to root for Soviet athletes at the Olympics just so I could hear the anthem. Thankfully I now own my own copy. It’s even on my iPod.