After listening to Barack Obama's speech I was touched by his message of power of the people and specifically all Democratic ideals that can drive this country to a new set of change.  He talked about that it is not about John or Barack or Hillary it is about each of us who will ultimately change this country...

In 1988 for Dukakis it was Willie Horton.

In 2000 it was the "I invented the internet"

In 2004 it was SBVFT

I knew there would be something that the RWSM would come up with to trash Obama and bring him down.  The RWSM game plan is all the same...figure out your weakness(es) in terms of the areas that the people are most worried about your leadership capabilities.  Then find a situation that fits that issue and will resonate with swing voters...

As most Kossacks know, I am one of the few people who love both Hillary and Barack equivalently and see that they both have different and complimentary strengths and weaknesses.

This will be a very short diary...

During this heated political battle for the primary which has been vigorously debated at DKos.  During the primary season, I have been very consistent with my POV (You can check my comment history and old diaries).  MY POV has been:

It is official, Barack Obama will win at least the Texas primary and maybe even the Ohio primary which will deliver the nomination to him.  And why will this occur, well Barack Obama has a new endorsement...someone who is very powerful, influential and cunning.

When one objectively looks at the Super Tuesday results county by county...it is clear they need each other.  

Where you see the links click on the state to see the county by county detailed results

As I read some comments this morning, I was dismayed to hear comments like:

I wish that all of the people who support "Candidate A" would just leave...that is not in the spirit of the DKos site.  As Kos says in his FAQ's

This is a Democratic blog, a partisan blog. One that recognizes that Democrats run from left to right on the ideological spectrum, and yet we're all still in this fight together. We happily embrace centrists like NDN's Simon Rosenberg and Howard Dean, conservatives like Martin Frost and Brad Carson, and liberals like John Kerry and Barack Obama. Liberal? Yeah, we're around here and we're proud. But it's not a liberal blog. It's a Democratic blog with one goal in mind: electoral victory. And since we haven't gotten any of that from the current crew, we're one more thing: a reform blog. The battle for the party is not an ideological battle. It's one between establishment and anti-establishment factions. And as I've said a million times, the status quo is untenable

(Emphasis Added)

First a little background to set the stage...as many of you know, I am committed, life-long Democrat and will support financially and voting in the GE for whoever the ultimate nominee is.  I was a Richardson supporter and have been undecided ever since he dropped out of the race.  I am not a monolythic progressive but hold many progressive views.  However, I also hold significant moderate views and even some that would be conservative views.  If I had to put some percentages on it, I am:

50% Progressive (mostly social issues, unions, regulation, universal healthcare)
40% Moderate (mostly fiscal policy, tax policy and overall candidate support policy - I like most blue dog Democrats)
10% Conservative - (few issues like federal support for public radio & TV, affirmative action should only be based on income/familial situation not on race/ethnicity/gender, welfare reform)

In addition, in NJ, we have never have had a chance to make a difference in the presidential primary since it used to be scheduled in June.

I believe in my heart the following:

No I am not leaving DKos but I am taking a break for a while.  I cannot take the negative karma of the comments within our DKos community so I am taking a short break.  I am finding it too draining to constantly fight the negative feelings here with constructive talk and being labelled a troll or worse a RW Republican for saying defending a Democrat.

As I was reading the headlines, I was thinking maybe we should boycott the current administration and spend only what is absolutely necessary between now and November so we can help keep this Republican Recession going.

As the consumate lurker who can't leave the Redstaters alone, I came across this front-page diary (admittedly an open thread) about the best Rock & Roll bands of the 80's.  Now we could have that debate here but what I find quite interesting is the discussion of music and culture that is the complete anthesis to conservatism, yet they are actively debating the merits of this "left-wing" performers and lyrics that match.

After reading a blog posting that debated Fred Thompson's admission that he is against a constitional ammendmendment defining life at the moment of conception (thus having the practical effect of outlawing all abortions, many types of contraception and any practical discussion of family planning).  Fred Thompson is against the so-called "Human Life" anti-choice ammendment because that would lead to having to jail women for being complicit in commiting a crime against the fetus.

Well we all know there are already countries that jail women for the offense of terminating their pregnancies (primarily in South and Central America as well as some parts of Europe

)."...However, his belief that life begins at conception means that life in the womb is as abundant and real and valuable as yours and mine. If that is the case, such life should be protected equally. By rejecting a Human Life Amendment, Thompson, by default, places the life of the unborn child on a different level. He essentially says that child is not as worthy of protection as a child one hour out of the womb."

As a former NARAL supporter I no longer support them.  After they supported a bi-partisan group of candidates including the DailyKos favorite Joe Lieberman (I) I stopped supporting them.  I believe my campaign dollars should be spent on the Democrats, because even a pro-choice Republican votes for their leadership and that can control the agenda.  Even a pro-choice Republican will support the minority for starting a fillubuster or breaking one.

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/...

The largest US cellular network, Verizon has rejected NARAL's business to send text messages out to its constituents on pro-choice matters

http://www.nytimes.com/...

Verizon does not accept programs from any group that seeks to promote an agenda or distribute content that is "seen as controversial or unsavory to any of its users"

I was trolling with interest on RedState as I do when I need a good laugh and I saw this quote from some RedStater (who shall remain anonymous)

Amnesty for a car thief is saying give back the stolen BMW now and we won't put you in jail. Saying he gets to legally keep his stolen BMW by paying a $5000 "fine" is more than amnesty, it's a reward.

So I was thinking about that provocative analagy and it seemed quite impervous to refuting logic...and then I realized I am a progressive, I can think beyond the bumper sticker.

First of all, I want to address all of the people out there who may think this is a troll diary.

I am an ardend pro-choice advocate and have been my entire adult and teenage life.  I have attended 5 pro-choice rallies in Washington DC, I and my family have been giving to PPF for decades and continue to.  I was a supporter of NARAL until the 2006 election cycle, now I support Netroots candidates directly that are pro-choice and did to the tune of over $2000 last election cycle.  I believe in RvW and a womans right to choose.  Although I am a man and will never know what women go through, I held the hand of 2 women who had abortions and comforted them before and after the procedure.  In my married life, luckily I have 2 happy & healthy children, but during my wife's 2nd pregnancy we discovered that we were both carriers of Cystic Fibrosis gene and had a 25% chance of our fetus and future child being affected.  We were both prepared to terminate the pregnancy with much disappointment and tears if the test was negative and that would have been a 20 - 22nd week abortion.  Fortunately, the genetic test came back positive.  

Anyway, I wanted to include that background and you can read my diaries and general background as well before you totally dismiss this diary.

From the first time I saw Kirsten Gillibrand on Netroots, I was impressed with her style.  There are too many representatives who believe they need to represent their party or their beliefs or their political interests.  The House of Representatives was intended to be "The Peoples' House" where you get someone to represent the prevailing views and interests of the district.

See the linked story

http://www.firedoglake.com/...

Of course The Rethug administration had to come in and do something about this blatent attempt to add unregistered Democrats to the voting roles in Florida.