My mother's house cleared out just in time to watch the faith forum today and I was so glad. You see, I have a religious fanatic in my family. There is almost always a feud when I discuss anything about life with my religious Bush loving brother. But, my mom is independent, loving and sincere. Her mother was atheist and mom's brother is of a different religion. Mom is more tolerant and open. My mom also likes Barack and is very concerned about the economy. She especially liked things Barack had to say in a 2006 speech about the role of religion in politics. So, I watched the forum with her and got a lot of interesting feed back.

Time for some late night buzz. While the rest of us are enjoying the Olympics and laughing at the antics of John McCain, others are following Obama all around Hawaii.  The RNC desperately wants to capture Obama doing something elitist.

The RNC, hoping against hope that Obama will get in some windsurfing on his vacation, is keeping close tabs on the Democrat as he enjoys some time off in Hawaii.

http://www.politico.com/...

They are on Obama's trail every minute.

If this was a boxing match, McCain would be picking up teeth. Obama kicked butt in his first radio address this morning. I had to download the link, so I hope it works for you. But, if not, I am including two articles too. I will have to tell you that these articles do not do justice. So, I hope you can hear the address yourself.  

Link to Radio Address

http://thepage.time.com/...

Progressive supporters of Barack Obama are furiously attacking "The One" ad as a coded message that Barack Obama is the Anti-Christ. When the ad came out, it was clear to me that this was the coded message as well. And, where I live, in the heart of the Red south, I know people here will get the coded message and will begin to push against Obama. The Time Magazine and Wall Street Journal have a report on the stirring outrage over the ad.

http://www.time.com/...

http://online.wsj.com/...

Harper's Bazaar magazine is doing a feature presenting model/actress Tyra Banks as Michelle Obama. Tyra will be portrayed wearing the same purple dress Michelle wore at the time of the now famous fist-bump.

Many people are beginning to show signs of nervousness as a result of last weeks soft response by the Obama team. Many of those people are Democratic Strategist. Even Governor Rendall said he telephoned the Obama people to tell them they were not responding strong enough to McCain's attacks. But, others question whether Obama should forcefully attack McCain for fear that it may hurt Obama's brand of "new politics". What do you think?  

http://thehill.com/...

Obama will vacation in Hawaii in mid-August, a much deserved break from the campaign trail. While Obama vacations, is there anyone who can carry the week for him and not miss a step? Of course, if he announces his Vice President selection before his trip, that person will be force to hit the ground running. But, if Obama does not select a VP before such time, then likely his message will be carried by surrogates. And, the last thing we need is for a whirlwind to develop because of a big gaffe by one of the surrogates. Who can be trusted to stay on message and not make a huge gaffe that breaths life into McCain's campaign?  

ABC News has a transcript of a private conversation Obama had with conservative leader David Cameron while in London.  During the conversation, Obama proclaims that he needs to take a week vacation in August. Other than that, the open mic moment was in no way harmful. But then again, McCain may come out and question whether Obama has the physical stamina to be President since he openly admitted to a need for a vacation. Snark. Here is the transcript.

I am not sure if the McCain camp is going to pull back from this statement, but yes according to Reuters, McCain agreed that the troops can be pulled out within two years. I am in disbelief as I write this.

During McCain's visit with GHWB, McCain was asked whether the troops could be pulled out within two years. Normally, a question like this would have fallen on deaf ears. It was only last May that McCain said in Colorado, "I will never surrender in Iraq."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/...

Well, today, a very different story.

All I can say is what in the world. McCain, trying to be a spoiler before Barack Obama's visit to Israel, has an interview with an Israeli TV station. He is asked about the possibility of Israel attacking Iran.

Asked about Israel feeling the need to attack Iran, McCain replied, "I would hope that would never happen, I would hope that Israel would not feel that threatened, " saying the U.S. and Europe could impose "significant, very painful sanctions on Iran which I think could modify their behavior."

Then, McCain went off on the deep end.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...

I am not sure if anyone has told John McCain that a traditional campaign against Barack Obama does not work. But, I guess McCain will find out the hard way. John McCain is running a traditional red/blue state campaign. McCain has 11 regional offices in traditional swing states like Ohio and Florida and 84 local offices, again mostly in traditional swing states. The McCain camp calls this a huge improvement.

As most know, three top news anchors along with a full entourage of reporters are accompanying Barack Obama overseas during his big Europe/Iraq/Afghanistan tour. The McCain camp is feverishly trying to figure out what to do and how to respond to the foreseeable media blitz that the Obama campaign may receive. Is there anything McCain can do?

Political analysts say there's only so much McCain can do to draw attention away from Obama next week...

So, what is the McCain camp's most recent maneuver - moan and groan about unfair coverage.

Google has developed a new web gadget to open the gateway to political speeches. This tool will be a serious headache for McCain who flips his position all the time. But, it also is a tool that will allow the average Internet user to stay politically informed as well.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/...

There has been much discussion over Obama's perceived June fundraising numbers. Upon reading, I stumbled on what right-wing bloggers are saying. Patrick Raffini of the NextRight and former Online Communications Director for the  Bush/Cheney reelection campaign argues a couple of things I thought interesting to discuss here.

http://www.thenextright.com/...

Obama is courting sincerely Hillary Clinton donors to contribute to Obama for America. He called one big financial supporter personally to ask for her donation and address any concerns she had about the Senator. During the conversation she brought up the idea of Hillary as VP and Barack Obama gave a very interesting answer. Stay tuned.

Today Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton attend a joint breakfast event. You can watch it live here.  http://www.cnn.com/...

While pundits are focused on bs issues like who is not speaking to whom and what someone said that they should not have said, Barack and Hillary are working to bring people back to the issues. The issue of the day is equal pay for equal work.

McCain missed the vote today on Medicare, but traveling around on his bus he did not mind telling reporters that he would have voted no. He also said that he did not mind not being there to vote, but backed off this statement. But the biggest thing that attracted my attention was his pitiful policy position on Social Security.

Malia is helping Obama get the youth vote. Sometimes your best strategist are right under your nose.

For the first time ever, 2008 Democratic Presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama, and his family (wife Michelle, and daughters Malia Ann [10] & Sasha [7]) sit down for a candid interview along the campaign trail with Maria Menounos. More of our interview with the Obamas airs in four parts July 8 – 10 on Access Hollywood!