The Barack Obama website has just started streaming video of the speech.
An opening band (who sounds a lot like U2) is playing right now.
The band is Reamonn from Germany.
Siegessäule at the Grosser Stern in Tiergarten Park
Berlin, Germany
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required.
Gates open to the public: 4:00 PM
Public Entrance: Straße des 17. Juni at Brandenburg Gate
Event is on the east side of the park. Members of the public should use the following public transportation stops: Potsdamer Platz, Under den Linden, and Hauptbahnhof.
This is a deeply flawed bill, which does nothing more than offer retroactive immunity by another name. We strongly urge our colleagues to reject this so-called 'compromise' legislation and oppose any efforts to consider this bill in its current form. We will oppose efforts to end debate on this bill as long as it provides retroactive immunity for the telecommunications companies that may have participated in the President’s warrantless wiretapping program, and as long as it fails to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans. - Dodd and Feingold
Earlier today Russ Feingold asked why this bill is being voted on during a Presidential Election and expires during the next Presidential election.
He said the sunset for the bill should be in a year
Press release just out... not going to make people happy.
"Given the grave threats that we face, our national security agencies must have the capability to gather intelligence and track down terrorists before they strike, while respecting the rule of law and the privacy and civil liberties of the American people. There is also little doubt that the Bush Administration, with the cooperation of major telecommunications companies, has abused that authority and undermined the Constitution by intercepting the communications of innocent Americans without their knowledge or the required court orders.
"That is why last year I opposed the so-called Protect America Act, which expanded the surveillance powers of the government without sufficient independent oversight to protect the privacy and civil liberties of innocent Americans. I have also opposed the granting of retroactive immunity to those who were allegedly complicit in acts of illegal spying in the past. - Cont'd
Also note, Maryland's Al Wynn's resignation takes effect this weekend. That means technically the number drops to 2,117 for at least a couple of weeks until Donna Edwards likely fills his seat. We contacted the DNC to see if it would reduce their number. They are not, so we will keep the number at 2,118, which is what it will eventually be at convention.
While I have great respect for Senator Clinton, today I am announcing my support for Barack Obama. Senator Obama has brought a new generation and energy into the democratic process and the Democratic Party. He has shown he can connect with Democrats, Republicans and Independents across this country, whether we live on the mainland or an island. Senator Obama’s judgment to lead, courage to tell the truth and commitment to working men and women make him the best candidate to lead this country forward.
And yesterday, according to a two line press release he switched back to Clinton. Naturally tools people like Mark Halperin jumped on the endorsement. He even counted him twice for Clinton.
Today, United States Congressman Jim Costa (CA-20) and United States Congressman Dennis Cardoza (CA-18) endorsed Barack Obama for president. Congressman Cardoza previously supported Senator Hillary Clinton.
These endorsements mean that Senator Obama has been endorsed by 310.5 superdelegates. Obama is 59 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.
In addition to the 2 new superdelegates, Obama has also picked up 2 NH Edwards delegates.
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA TO DELIVER WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Chicago, IL – On Sunday, May 25, 2008, United States Senator Barack Obama will deliver the Commencement Address at the 176th Commencement Ceremony at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.
Senator Obama is honored to speak on behalf of United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who was previously scheduled to deliver the address.
"Ted and I talked about me filling in for him at Wesleyan University earlier this week. Considering what he's done for me and for our country, there's nothing I wouldn't do for him. So I'm looking forward to standing in his place on Sunday even though I know I won't be able to fill his shoes," Senator Obama said.
You may have seen as early as last night that Iowa Democratic Party Chair Scott Brennan planned on endorsing Barack Obama.
Now it's official and we've got the video to prove it.
Iowa Democratic Party chairman Scott Brennan has endorsed presidential candidate Barack Obama. Brennan is a super delegate to the Democratic Party's national convention in August.
"John McCain's run three ads here and has been here and I want to be able to get started on our general election and I think as of tonight Senator Obama will have a majority of pledged delegates...the pledged delegates seems to me to be a real marker."
Obama just got the endorsement of MD superdelegate Greg Pecoraro
"Over the past five months, we have watched an extraordinary and historic race for the Democratic Party’s Presidential Nomination. Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have given our party a difficult choice between two outstanding candidates. It has been especially exciting for me to watch as so many people have registered to vote so that they could participate in this selection, and have turned out to vote in record numbers in primary elections across the nation.
"Today, I am very excited to join the large majority of Maryland Democrats who expressed their enthusiasm for Senator Obama’s candidacy in our state's presidential primary. Like them, I believe Barack Obama is the right leader for our time. With Barack Obama as our nominee and as our President, we have real hope that a new way of governing the nation is at hand. I strongly believe that Senator Obama offers us the best opportunity we have had for many years to turn away from the politics of division and despair, and look towards an America of opportunity and progress.
We all know Obama will eventually get a majority of Edwards' delegates but there's no rule saying the pledged delegate has to vote for Obama.
Tonight just a few short hours after the endorsement we've all been waiting for Obama picked up one of those delegates.
A New Hampshire Democratic Party delegate who had supported John Edwards says he will support Barack Obama, now that Edwards has endorsed his former political rival for the party's presidential nominee.
more stories like this
Joshua Denton of Portsmouth, 26, an Iraq war veteran, says he thinks that both Obama and Hillary Clinton would be a better president than Republican nominee John McCain. He thinks that Obama is the change the country needs, along with having the best chance of beating McCain in the general election.
"My fear with Hillary was just because she is who she is -- for better or worse -- she would sink, not just lose the presidency," but Democrats in Congress, Denton said Wednesday. - Boston Globe
John Edwards now has 18 remaining pledged delegates (not counting Florida)
Superdelegate #1 for Obama today. How many more will we see before the end of the day? If today is anything like Friday we'll see quite a few more.
Democratic Rep. Tom Allen announced this morning that he is supporting Barack Obama for president.
"I have been friends for a very long time with former President Clinton and Sen. Clinton. I respect their service to our nation," Allen said in a written statement. He added that "most of the primary voters across the nation have now spoken. It is time to bring a graceful end to the primary campaign. We now need to unify the Democratic party and focus on electing Sen. Obama and a working majority in the United States Senate."
Allen's endorsement brings Obama's superdelegate vote total to 276. He leads Hillary Clinton by 5.5 superdelegate votes after taking the lead on Saturday.
Barack Obama is now only 1/2 of a superdelegate vote behind Hillary Clinton.
The Utah Democratic Party selected Kristi Cumming as the newest superdelegate.
Obama only needs 164 more total delegates to win the nomination
Delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver were elected Friday, including unpledged add-on (or so-called superdelegate), Kristi Cumming.
Others elected were:
• Congressional District 1 for Hillary Clinton: Carlos Vasquez and Connie Nelson.
• Congressional District 1 for Barack Obama: Kathy Snyder, Scott McCoy, and Kelvin Davis.
• Congressional District 2 for Hillary Clinton: Lisa Alcott and Ross Romero
• Congressional District 2 for Barack Obama: Josie Valdez, Pat Jones, Theodore Cowan, and Kurt Bestor.
• Congressional District 3 for Hillary Clinton: Jordon Payell and Emily Rushton
• Congressional District 3 for Barack Obama: Brian Spitten and Millicent Lewis.
The Obama campaign has just issued a press release announcing the SC Democratic Party's Vice Chair Wilbur Lee Jeffcoat endorsement for Obama
SOUTH CAROLINA SUPERDELEGATE ENDORSES BARACK OBAMA
South Carolina Democratic Party Vice Chair Endorses Obama
CHICAGO, IL – Today, Wilber Lee Jeffcoat, the Democratic Party Vice Chair in South Carolina and superdelegate endorsed Barack Obama.
Jeffcoat is the 269th superdelegate to endorse Barack Obama. Obama is 162 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.
His statement is below:
"Barack Obama inspired thousands of new voters in my state of South Carolina to get involved in our democratic process and I am proud to announce my endorsement today. With Barack Obama as our nominee, we can bring more and more new voters out to become involved and have their voices heard. Obama has worked his whole life to unite people from all backgrounds and walks of life for change, he has done that in this campaign and he will continue to do that as President. I am excited to join his campaign today."
Cross-posted from 2008 Democratic Convention Watch One of the greatest mysteries of this primary season isn't who will win the nomination but rather who is Mr. Super? Today we finally found out!
MrSuper.org is a website which was created in March to debunk myths, offer insight and answer questions about the 2008 Democratic nomination process for President. The author, who has been posting under the pseudonym "Mr. Super" will announce his identity today.
The site was created by Edward Espinoza, an undeclared Superdelegate and elected DNC Member from California and a former Field Director to 2008 Presidential Candidate Bill Richardson.
At 2008 Democratic Convention Watch we don't count superdelegate endorsements until they're official. Today Illinois will officially announce their 3 add-on Superdelegates. Everybody knew about these endorsements... but I have a new treat for you.
The chairman and vice-chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party are throwing their support behind Sen. Barack Obama on the eve of Tuesday's primaries in Indiana and North Carolina, giving the Illinois senator at least two additional superdelegates.
Maryland Democratic officials said this morning that a few more of the state's uncommitted superdelegates -- including state Del. Heather R. Mizeur of Montgomery County -- could also announce their decisions today. - Baltimore Sun
Winthrop farmer Richard Machacek, an Iowa superdelegate, said today he is pledging to support Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.
Machacek, a member of the Democratic National Committee, had been uncommitted. He said he saw little difference between Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton on policy positions or ability.
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Machacek, a Buchanan County Democrat also on the party's state central committee, said Obama's performance at Saturday's Democratic district conventions in Iowa tipped the balance in his favor. Des Moines Register
While Clinton may have just gotten the endorsement of NC Governor Mike Easley, Barack Obama quickly canceled it out with the endorsement of Kentucky Representative Ben Chandler.
You've all seen or heard about the ad Republicans are planning on running in NC. The one that the media is happily repeating ad nauseum for free. The one that NC TV stations are refusing to air. The ad's main purpose is to make the Democratic candidates for Governor look bad.
So how do you think the Clinton campaign feels about this?
"Even though they (Perdue and Moore) are supporting Senator Obama they are good Democrats, and this ad is wrong," Carson says, in a statement sent to ABC News' Eloise Harper. "It's exactly the kind of ad Republicans run every cycle to distract us from their failures and the real issues that face our country." - ABC
So take heart fellow Kossaks! Even though you support Obama the Clinton Campaign thinks you can still be a good Democrat.
Even though there are 234 superdelegates supporting Obama, they just may still have a chance of being considered "good Democrats" by the Clintons.
Obama got 2 yesterday. Will they keep doing the morning afternoon thing?
Superdelegate Wu Backs Obama In Oregon Oregon Rep. David Wu, one of Oregon's 12 Democratic superdelegates, announced Thursday that he'd back Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, citing Obama's stand against the Iraq war "from the very beginning."
Wu joins Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer in backing Obama. Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Rep. Darlene Hooley are supporting New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. The rest of Oregon's superdelegates have not yet announced their choice.
"We need new policies both at home and abroad," Wu said in a statement. "Like Americans, the international community wants to see real change in America and I believe that Senator Obama embodies that change."
The endorsement is an important win for Obama in one of the few states still to vote. Oregon's primary ballots are counted on May 20. Fox 12
