Good Morning Michigan! August 28, 2008

by: io

Thu Aug 28, 2008 at 05:00:00 AM EDT

Today is Thursday, August 28, 2008. Thank you for joining us here at BFM.

Today's photo comes from Trapac's Flickr stream -  

On this day in history...

1907:  Teenager Jim Casey borrowed $100 from his friend, Claude Ryan, and started a local delivery service. They called it the American Messenger Company.  Today it is known as UPS.

1922: The first commercial to be broadcast on radio was heard on WEAF in New York City. Announcer H.M. Blackwell spoke about Hawthorne Court, a group of apartment buildings in Queens, New York.

1963: Civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in the shadows of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

1972: Mark Spitz captured the first of his seven gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.

Joe Biden, the Next Vice President of the U.S.

by: Cordelia Lear

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 22:20:46 PM EDT

Biden's name was just placed in nomination. Here goes!

We look forward to you being our next Vice President Senator Biden.

Follow me on the flip.

Hillary Motions to Make Obama Vote Unanimous

by: Cordelia Lear

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 18:51:18 PM EDT

It was classy. Really, really classy. It couldn't have been more perfect.

The place is going crazy. I think that everyone here as at least a little tear in their eye. Yours truly included.

The move to make it unanimous wasn't a surprise. But I didn't know Hillary was going to be the one to do it. Although I did know that both Clintons were expected to be in the hall this evening.

Here's Hillary's statement:

With appreciation for the spirit and dedication of all who are gathered here, with eyes firmly fixed on the future," Hillary said, "in the spirit of unity, with the goal of unity, with faith in our party and our country, let's declare together in one voice, right here, right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president.

Here is MDP Vice-Chair Tina Abbott's statement as she cast our delegation's votes.

Sister Secretary,
From the state most devastated by the unfair, failed trade and economic policies of George W. Bush and John McCain that have shipped our jobs overseas, pushed gas to $4 a gallon, and left our children with the burden of their irresponsible choices on everything from health care to Iraq, from the state with the most to gain from Barack Obama's plan to create jobs by investing in renewable fuels and retooling our manufacturing sector, Michigan proudly casts 27 votes for Hillary Clinton and 125 votes for the next President of the United States, Barack Obama.

So let the fun begin.

"The whole world is watching"

by: wizardkitten

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 21:04:53 PM EDT

More over the flip...

Denver: Wednesday Session (& Open Thread)

by: Cordelia Lear

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 17:38:19 PM EDT

Please continue to join us. Share your thoughts and impressions with me and your fellow readers.

Action on the floor below the fold...

Granholm Moderates Clean Energy Town Hall

by: Kathy

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 17:32:48 PM EDT

There's more at The Conversation.

And even more information here (h/t to WMR): Obama's New Energy for America Plan.  

Thanks for the memories, Republicans

by: Kathy

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 14:48:22 PM EDT

CAF plans on broadcasting it on hotel room TV screens and in hotel lobbies and bars throughout Minneapolis - St. Paul. It should be a real conversation starter!

They need to raise $20,000 to get this ad a nationwide audience. Here's a link if you'd like to help out.  

Walt Sorg Interviews BFM

by: Cordelia Lear

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 12:58:42 PM EDT

We talked about BFM's convention coverage, the mood in Denver and what it's like on the floor of the convention.

My thanks to Walt and his staff.

Denver: Wednesday Breakfast

by: Cordelia Lear

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 09:16:42 AM EDT

MDP Chair Mark Brewer is explaining how the voting process will work today. Both Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have submitted their names to be entered in nomination. As delegates pick up their credential this morning, they will be asked to submit their vote for the official tally this evening.

Gov. Jim Blanchard is telling the story of how he attended his first convention in 1964 as a page when the convention was in Atlantic City, NJ. Of course, like any other great politician he has a wealth of stories. Did you know that the DNCC sent Joe Biden as the special guest at Jim's first fund raiser when he ran for Congress?

On a more serious note, he reminded the delegation that it was time for everyone - regardless of who they supported as our nominee in the primary - to rally behind Barack Obama. As a battleground state we'll be front and center in the election along with Ohio and Pennsylvania. Remember that we have much at stake in this election: our jobs, our children's future, our soldiers - everything is on the line.

More details on the flip...

Good Morning Michigan, August 27, 2008

by: Kathy

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 09:58:11 AM EDT

Today is August 27, 2008. Today is day three of the Democratic National Convention. (That explains the late morning post. The late nights watching TV and reading blogs is cutting into my sleep! I apologize.)

Hillary hit a grand slam with her speech last night. Best line of the night:

On this day in history...

1859: Edwin Drake drilled the first successful U.S. oil well near Titusville, Pa.

1883: A massive volcanic eruption on the island of Krakatoa blew up most of the island and resulted in tsunamis that killed more than 36,000 people.

1962: The U.S. launched the Mariner II space probe.

1982: Oakland A's outfielder Rickey Henderson steals his 119th base of the season, breaking Lou Brock's single-season record for major league baseball.

2007: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced his resignation after a controversy over the firings of nine U.S. attorneys.

On the Anniversary of Women's Suffrage

by: Cordelia Lear

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 02:27:26 AM EDT

Each lady spoke with passion and commitment about their involvement with women's issue and Barack Obama. Senator Jacobs pointed out that women's issues are economic ones with health care being the most important. After all, every mother loves her children and watching them grow up without medical care is heart wrenching.

We need to raise awareness in this campaign and Ms. Bell recommends that woman get their story ready to share with neighbors and friends --- she knows every woman has one. Michelle and Barack Obama understand this and will make it a central issue of this campaign.

In response to a question concerning the effect on the election if McCain were to select a pro-choice running mate, MDP Chair Mark Brewer pointed out that McCain has been on record for years as a supporter of overturning Roe v. Wade.  Senator Jacobs said she believed that most women are smarter than to believe a red-herring and at the end of the day everyone needs to remember that McCain, if elected, would be the one to ultimately select Supreme Court Justices and sign legislation.

And, if McCain were to change his position on over turning Roe v. Wade, it would be welcome, but ultimately it would prove that McCain is willing to flip flop on any issue and nothing but a political panderer.  

Hillary Hits a Grand Slam

by: Cordelia Lear

Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 23:11:09 PM EDT

Thank you Hillary! It was the speech of your life and one that will be remembered for a long time.

Watch It, Then Send To Everyone

by: djtyg

Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 20:53:05 PM EDT

I don't care if I put this in the comments already, it deserves to be on the front page.

Send to everybody.  This needs to go viral.

Tuesday Session: Open Thread

by: Cordelia Lear

Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 20:07:39 PM EDT

So, how about you folks at home tell me what the MSM is distorting telling you tonight.

John Sweeney to speak at convention tonight

by: Kathy

Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 18:40:03 PM EDT

Sweeney also added a postscript worth noting:

P.S. As a study in contrasts, when the Republicans hold their convention in Minneapolis next week, there won't be any labor leaders that I'm aware of addressing their delegates. And even more galling, their opening session is on Labor Day. If that's not a slap in the face to America's workers, I'm not sure what one is.

That's not surprising. In a debate last fall, McCain said that while unions played "a very important role in the history of the country," unions "have been serious excesses." And more recently, McCain said the fundamentals of the economy are strong. That's easy for him to say. McCain has about a dozen homes, a private plane, and the best health care his millions of dollars can buy. The reality is quite different for many Americans:

Earlier today, the U.S. Census' poverty figures revealed just how far the American economy has sunk under Bush-McCain policies: 37.3 million people were living in poverty in 2007, and 45.7 million, or 15.3 percent of the population, lack health insurance - 6 million more than when Bush took office 2001.

As Sweeney will say tonight, we deserve an America that works for everyone, not just big business.

Unifying Southwest Michigan

by: cooneyforcongress

Mon Aug 25, 2008 at 16:04:54 PM EDT

Recession.   Inflation.  War.  Unemployment.  Degradation.

These are the perils which face our Nation today.  They face each of us everyday when we fill up the gas tank, seek health care, look for a job that pays a living wage, turn on the television, or merely walk outside.  Although these challenges face us individually, we are bound by them collectively.  We are bound by them because of their gravity and magnitude, but also because these perils destroy communities.  

Unemployment and underemployment destroys our neighborhoods, our streets and our homes.  They destroy our integrity, sense of justice and fairness, and basic human dignity.  

Environmental degradation destroys our lakes, streams, rolling hills and great outdoors.  

Endless war diverts our attention and resources from pressing domestic needs and diminishes our moral standing in the world.

The time to stand up for change is now.  

This Thursday, August 28th, southwest Michigan will stand up for justice and unify for change.  The whole of our beautiful region will come together to watch Sen. Barack Obama's historic acceptance speech on the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech.  

We will gather at the Plumbers and Pipefitter's hall located at 11847 Shaver Rd. in Schoolcraft at 6:30 p.m. with friends from across the region who are committed to changing the status quo locally, statewide and nationally.    

Republicans throw the kitchen sink at Dems

by: Kathy

Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 12:30:00 PM EDT

Are the Denver Dems downing the stock market today? The Dow is off 230 points, starting right from the get-go. So-called market analysts are blaming financials and the credit crunch as they always do. But there's more.

Obama and Biden gave us plenty of class warfare in their Springfield, Ill., get together on Saturday. Tax the rich. Redistribute income and wealth. Go after all those corporate meanies. Trade protection. Card-check for the Unions to stop secret elections.... With the Denver Dems strutting their stuff, this could be a bumpy week for stocks.

As Benen pointed out, investors were rattled by weakness in the housing market and volatility in oil prices, not the Democrats.

So, how has the market reacted under recent presidents? Back to Benen:

...on the day George W. Bush was sworn into office in January 2001, the Dow Jones stood at 10,732.46. As I'm typing, it stands at 11,427.44. Under Reagan, the Dow went up 148%. Under Clinton, it grew 187%. After nearly eight years, Bush is barely breaking even. Blaming an Obama/Biden campaign rally isn't exactly a compelling explanation.

Of course, Kudlow won't let a few facts change his perception of reality. The man's been running around for months bragging up the Goldilocks economy. He really should study this chart showing that stocks are better under Democrats than Republicans - and that's a fact.  

Denver: Tuesday Delegation Breakfast

by: Cordelia Lear

Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 09:16:46 AM EDT

Everyone is drifting in slowly and just a little bit groggier than yesterday. Time change? Or, too much partying last night? We'll never tell.

The buzz in the room is the MSM coverage, particularly CNN, of the convention. Most folks seem to think that they attended a different event then friends and relatives told them was reported.

Updates below the fold. Please join us.

Monday Night Mosh Pit - Pictures from the Convention

by: wizardkitten

Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 07:51:06 AM EDT

Check the Flickr set for some pictures from Monday night- jump over the flip for a few select shots.

The floor is crowded. As in, I have bruises from trying to get through the masses. No joke. Will try to write more later - have been going non-stop and I am operating on very little sleep right now. Just soaking this all in... and playing paparazzi. Big fun in Denver!

Good Morning Michigan! August 26, 2008

by: Kathy

Tue Aug 26, 2008 at 05:30:00 AM EDT

Today is August 26, 2008 and day two of the Democratic National Convention. Please check back throughout the day for updates from wizardkitten and Cordelia who are covering the event from Denver.

Today's picture was taken at a campground in Grass Lake last year. My husband and I just happened across the fawn sunning her/himself on the shoulder of the road.

On this day in history...

1920: 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote was adopted.

1939: First major league baseball game televised, a double-header between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds.

1964: Johnson receives Democratic nomination for president.

1968: Democratic National Convention opens in Chicago. The nominees were Hubert Humphrey and Edmund Muskie.

1974: Charles Lindbergh dies.

1978: John Paul I became Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He died one month later.

Born on this day...

1451: Christopher Columbus, explorer.

1906: Albert Sabin, developed oral polio vaccine.

1931: Guy Vander Jagt, Michigan Republican Congressman 1966-93.

1935: Geraldine Ferraro, 1984 Vice-Presidential candidate.

1941: Barbara Ehrenreich, author Nickel and Dimed.

1980: Macaulay Culkin, actor, Home Alone, Oh No!!!

Pastor John's thought of the day...

Good humor is the health of the soul.
- Lord Chesterfield