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One reason that the Obama campaign is winning is because of their excellent rapid response system. It wasn’t always this way, in actuality, the campaign began their rapid response “War Room” in October. Not coincidentally, about then was when he began to rise in the polls in Iowa.

This is important. This will matter this fall.

So, today, the Clinton campaign stooped to, perhaps, its lowest level of the campaign, releasing a sleazy, disgusting, fear mongering ad. Take a look.

For comparison, here is one of the most despicable ads from the Rove-Bush team, the “wolves ad”

John Kerry never effectively responded to the unfair, fear mongering attacks on his patriotism, his character, and his campaign, and it cost him the campaign.

Today, Barack Obama showed that he has learned the lesson of 2004.

His War room released, in less than 12 hours, a brilliant rebuttal ad. Watch below, is it, in my opinion, one of the best ads of the campaign. It fights back, is positive, and, most importantly, direct.

What does this mean? It means that this fall, we could have a candidate that will not let the Republicans throw any answered punches. That will fight back with all the resources at his disposal to counter, to respond, and to win the election. But first, we need to nominate Barack Obama as our nominee.

Make Phone Call to March 4th States and let’s stand up against fear mongering, attack style politics.

Courtesy Firecrow at DKos.

11 victories in a row. Unreal is the only word I can use to describe how I feel, that the candidate I’ve supported through thick and thin, from Chicago to Iowa to Kansas for almost a year, is now within sight of the finish line to winning the Democratic Nomination for President.

Victory is still a long ways away. Obama and Hillary are neck and neck in the polls. And this feeling of unreality isn’t new. I felt it once before, right after Iowa.

Then came New Hampshire.

The day after that loss was Obama largest fundraising day. I think when we look back at this, we might see New Hampshire as the real turning point. It was when the Obama campaign realized that things weren’t going to be easy, and after which we never took anything for granted. Look at Wisconsin. Even though Obama won with 17%, I bet every single vote was fought for by a ground operation that refused to relax no matter what the polls said.

So it comes again. In less than two weeks, Texas and Ohio. We should have a nominee in two weeks.

A little what’s up in Nithin’s life update. I’m getting ready to fly out to San Francisco on Wednesday, and a week later, I’ll begin work with the Sierra Club as their new Grassroots Media Coordinator. I’ll be doing a lot of travel for this job, so hopefully I’ll be in your town sooner than later. We will see.

Anyone have any tips for me about the bay? Finding an apartment is my biggest concern right now, shoot me an email if you can!

For you who don’t care, check out the McCain “Yes We Can” video.

At least in caucus turnout.

The Democrats, who caucused during a snowstorm in 50 locations statewide.

Total Turnout: 36,695

The Republicans, who caucused on a sunny Saturday morning in 68 locations statewide.

Total Turnout: 19,133

52% Higher Turnout for Democrats in a state that went 62-37 for Bush. Barack Obama (26K) had more people caucus for his than all the Republicans combined.

And people still ask me why I think Obama is the most electable? Imagine if the weather had been nice, and the Democratic party more organized.

Source - CNN

It’s caucus day, part 2! After caucusing for Barack at the Kansas Democratic caucus last week, I thought that I’d see how they did things on the other side of the aisle. So, I rustled myself out of bed at 9AM (who holds a caucus at 9AM?!) this morning and drove five minutes to my former high school where the caucus was going to be held.

Much to my surprise, the line was stretched out the door and around the entire school, equivalent to the Democratic caucus. But, considering that my county probably has a 2-1 Republican to Democrat ratio, perhaps it wasn’t that big of a surprise. Throw in the sunny, beautiful weather versus the icestorm on Tuesday night, and it’s less of a surprise. What also surprised me was the whiteness of the crowd. Kansas isn’t too diverse, but this was ridiculous. Out of perhaps a thousand people, I only saw three other non-white people, an African American couple in the auditorium, and another African American who was a volunteer with the party. And then there’s me, who wasn’t even voting.

Did I mention I was wearing my Barack Obama t-shirt?

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I was upset when I heard this - as were many netroots Progressives.

Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson just announced that the campaign has accepted a Fox News invitation for a one-on-one debate with Barack Obama in Washington DC on February 11 — the day before the so-called Potomac Primary featuring DC, Virginia, and Maryland.

I think we all remember the fights over the summer, when Fox tried to hold two Democratic debates. John Edwards, to his credit, was the undisputed leader then, and Obama did follow in rejecting Fox. From the Edwards camaign.

“We believe there’s just no reason for Democrats to give Fox a platform to advance the right-wing agenda while pretending they’re objective,” said Jonathan Prince, Edwards’ deputy campaign manager.

Crossposted at DailyKos and OpenLeft.

Anyone remember Hillary’s response back then? Did she stand up for all the Democrats who’d been smeared by Fox? Uhh…

The Clinton campaign announced its intentions Monday after Obama had let it be known he would not be attending the Fox debate.“Were going to participate in the DNC-sanctioned debates only,” Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said. He added that Clinton already had commitments to participate in an upcoming debate in South Carolina and one hosted by Tavis Smiley, the PBS late-night talk show host.

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Obama’s #1 day of fundraising was the day after he lost New Hampshire.

I think today might have broken that record.

Check this out - in response to Hillary’s self-donation of $5 million.

More links under the fold.

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