Dead Even in Superdelegates with Clinton, Obama Sets Sights on General:
Barack Obama, the Democratic front-runner in the race for president, picked up a swath of new superdelegate support Friday, adding 10-term New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne to his list of endorsers, as well as John Gage, who heads the American Federation of Government Employees, which also lent its formal organizational backing to the Illinois Senator.
Closer to home, Obama picked up the backing of New Mexico superdelegate Laurie Weakhee. In announcing her decision, Weakhee said that it was time for Democrats to stop bickering over their choice for the nomination and come together to defeat the GOP in November. The superdelegate's support for Obama continues his recent surge of momentum in the Land of Enchantment, a state that he lossed narrowly to Hillary Clinton on Super Tuesday.
Last weekend, New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman Brian Colon announced his support for the Illinois Senator, and the state's soon to be senior Senator, Jeff Bingaman, endorsed Obama on 28 April. Breaking long-standing ties with the Clintons, Governor 'Big' Bill Richardson also offered Obama his support last month, and Congressman and senatorial candidate Tom Udall is rumored to be a friend of the campaign, as well. The Democratic front-runner's recent surge of support in New Mexico may quiet criticism coming from those skeptical of Obama's ability to compete and win in New Mexico in a potential general election match-up with Republican John McCain, who is from neighboring Arizona.
With Clinton's lead amongst superdelegates now virtually nil (at the last count, she held a razor tight 272-270 edge) and the sun setting on her slim hopes of garnering the Democratic nomination, Obama has begun to tailor his message toward the coming battle with McCain.
Obama Talks Economics in Oregon, Criticizes McCain:
Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Beaverton, Oregon, Obama seized on the opportunity to utilize momentum stemming from his positive showings in last Tuesday's contests in which he scored a convincing victory in North Carolina and fought Hillary Clinton to a near draw in Indiana. Setting his sights towards the looming general election battle with presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, Obama gave a speech geared towards displaying his financial prowess and showing voters he is the best-suited candidate to ease the U.S.' economic woes.
Obama came out with a full head of steam, arguing that a McCain presidency would offer Americans little more than a continuation of the Bush Administration's failed economic doctrine, which has presided over record budget deficits, decreased funding for education and children's health insurance programs, and an inflation rate that, despite the official numbers coming from Pennsylvania Avenue, is reckoned by many economists to have surged to around 10% in light of soaring fuel and food prices (see a review of economist Kevin Phillips' new book, 'Bad Money: Reckless Finance, Failed Politics, and the Global Crisis of American Capitalism' for more- http://www.democracynow.org/2008/5/6/bad_money_reckless_finance_failed_politics).
Obama criticized McCain as offering little in the way of solutions to the country's current housing crisis and credit crunch, which has rendered hundreds of thousands of U.S. families unable to pay their mortgages and produced home foreclosures at an unprecedented clip. Further, Obama hit McCain on his inability to provide thoughtful solutions to the plight of middle-class families, the budgets of whom have been pinched due to the climbing costs of household staples and petrol.
The Illinois Senator has said that the Federal government must do more to assuage the economic concerns of average Americans, particularly in the way of lowering taxes on low- and middle-income earners, more efficient defense spending, and an energy plan that would reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. Obama has also detailed plans that would expand scholarship opportunities for high school graduates (in turn, helping their families afford the climbing costs of college) and make it easier for college graduates to repay student loans.
Senator Obama's forward-looking plans to right the wrong state of affairs currently characterizing our country's economy offer his campaign life and dynamism as he closes his campaign for the Democratic nomination and sets his sights on the general election.
Stop By Again:
The glowing New Mexico sun has climbed high in the mid-morning sky, and it's now time for this young blogger to move into another day, alive with opportunity and excitement. Wherever you find yourself, thanks for making my blog a part of your daily reading, and I hope you'll stop back by soon!
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