Real Democrats USA

Welcome

2008-11-01T21:47:00.000-04:00

Real Democrats is a grassroots initiative whose primary purpose is to inform and educate. Groups in all 50 states are forming for this worthy endeavor. You can be part of this important effort by contacting us through your state coordinator to take direct action. [See Contact Us] This website was founded to reveal the corruption and distortions of the liberal and biased media as well as others who prohibited the free flow of ideas and truth. We invite you to peruse this website, join in the conversation, and become involved. It is only by banding together will we get the word out that the treatment of Senator Clinton by the media and the tactics of the Democratic Party are completely unacceptable.

Through action and education we will take back our party -- one neighborhood at a time.

Fannie Mae CEO: Obama and the Dems Are "Family"

2008-10-04T09:55:00.000-04:00

John McCain Ad

2008-08-28T21:44:00.002-04:00

Senator McCain's Ad for August 28, 2008 is a reminder that in our great nation, people have the prvilege and freedom to choose its leadership. Thank you Senator McCain for reminding us that although opposing sides may not agree and philosophies will clash, success is worthy of our respect.

Vetting the Democratic Nominee

2008-08-27T00:27:00.001-04:00

Read more from our friends at No Quarter

Caucus Fraud in the Democratic Primaries

2008-08-16T08:14:00.000-04:00

Dr Lynette Long, National Coordinator-Research for Real Democrats, has organized and analyzed the caucus data to demonstrate how results were purposely manipulated and skewed to secure Obama's nomination.

Example: Nevada (a state Senator Clinton won)

"On January 19, 2008, Hillary Clinton won the Democratic Caucus 51%-45%, a comfortable six point win. The estimated National Delegates were Clinton 13 and Obama 12. At the County the percentages changed to 51% to 49% Clinton and the estimated National Delegate count was now Obama 13, Clinton 12. Nevada's twenty-five "pledged" delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention were chosen on May 17, Barack Obama had 55% of the votes and Clinton had 45% of the votes when the party had its state convention. There are 14 national delegates for Obama and 11 for Clinton. By time the contest reached the state convention and the delegate count was now Obama 14, Clinton 11. How is this 16 point swing possible? This is a four delegate swing. How did Clinton lose two delegates and Obama gain two delegates?"

Read that again: Clinton won the state 51%-45%, but ended up with 3 fewer delegates!

Visit Dr. Long's website: http://www.lynettelong.com/CAUCUSFRAUD

The VP Stakes: Take Our New Poll: John McCain

2008-08-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

As the conventions for the two major parties draw near, interest in who will be tapped as vice-president for each increases. This week our poll asks about Senator McCain's choice. Will he choose one of the candidates he defeated during the primary season? Will he choose someone who will help him win one of the swing states? Or will his choice be someone whose particular qualities complement his own governance?

Last week's poll results on Senator Obama's VP choice: 79% thought that Senator Obama would choose a candidate who would help him win a red state, 15% thought his selection would be a candidate who would assist him in governing effectively and just 6% thought his choice would be someone he defeated in the primaries.

DNC Paying People to Register to Vote

2008-08-13T09:07:00.004-04:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A casual encounter sparked a controversy over the methods of the Democratic National Committee. Several women say they saw volunteers offering to pay people to register to vote. They are on street corners and outside Metro stations -- usually in blue DNC t-shirts. Armies of volunteers are doing all they can to get Barack Obama (webnewsbio) elected, but are some going too far? "They encourage people but what their main goal is is to fund raise for the DNC."

The volunteers say they are just raising money. But Paula Abeles, a lifelong democrat, says some of the volunteers have other objectives. "We heard it very distinctly. I mean, we were standing right next to them so it's just I thought it was outrageous," said Abeles. Abeles and several friends heard a supervisor instructing volunteers. She says she heard them go through a drill before hitting the streets. It dealt not with raising money but shelling out cash to get people registered to vote. "She said I'm not really interested in maybe some other time and he said would $10 make a difference?" said Abeles. Abeles accuses the volunteers of breaking the law.

According to the law, just simply paying someone to register wouldn't put you behind bars, said Linda Lindberg, Arlington County Voter Registrar. Money to register in Virginia may not be a problem but cash for a vote is a serious offense. "If you tried to influence their vote in any way like if you said register and vote for this particular candidate, now that is illegal," said Lindburg.

Eli Rosenthal has volunteered for the DNC and has no problem with offering people money to register to vote. "In Australia there's a $75 fine if you don't vote so democracy is what you make of it. So that puts it in perspective," he said.

See video here: Register to Vote and Get Paid?

Dem Party Leaders Under Investigation in Ohio

2008-08-11T21:23:00.000-04:00

CLEVELAND — A federal investigation of Democratic Party leaders in Cuyahoga County could pose problems for Barack Obama’s campaign. If the party’s local campaign operation suffers, some Democrats said, it could cost Mr. Obama votes in a Democratic area where he must win overwhelmingly to offset Republican strength elsewhere in the state. “There’s no question that this is not helpful,” said Peter Lawson Jones, a Democrat who serves on the three-member Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners with Jimmy Dimora, the chairman of the county Democratic Party, who is at the center of a federal inquiry in Ohio, party insiders and political analysts say [read more . . . ].

Obama Jeopardized U.S.National Security in 2006

2008-08-08T22:19:00.000-04:00

"Obama and Raila Odinga of Kenya"

by Paula Abeles

The mainstream media has justified ignoring Obama’s support of Raila Odinga of Kenya based on a “conspiracy theory” chain email making the rounds from some African missionaries. Politifact.com examined the email—which claims Obama gave $1MM to Odinga’s campaign—and declared it “a pants on fire.” However, the underlying and more important issues are verifiably true. In August and September 2006, Senator Barack Obama traveled to South Africa, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya as a congressional delegation of one (Codel Obama) While in Kenya, Obama consistently appeared at the side of fellow Luo Raila Odinga (“your agent for change’), who was running for President. Because of his African heritage, Obama was treated as a virtual “Head of State” in Kenya. While campaigning with Odinga, Obama was openly critical of governmental corruption under President Mibaki – usually a fair, if undiplomatic, criticism from an objective observer. However, Kibaki’s government has been better than most--and Odinga has his own corruption issues. . . [read more]

Leah Daughtry, CEO of the DNC Convention

2008-08-08T11:41:00.002-04:00

"Welcome to Denver! The CEO of the DNC Convention is a Pentecostal Preacher
of Black Liberation Theology"
by Paula Abeles

In April 2007, Howard Dean announced that the DNC’s current Chief of Staff, Leah Daughtry would assume the onerous responsibility of organizing the 2008 Democratic convention. "We are thrilled to have Leah Daughtry leading our 2008 Democratic Convention team,” said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "Her strong guidance, skilled leadership and counsel have been invaluable to me during my tenure as DNC Chair and to the Democratic Party as a whole. I am confident that Leah will play a key role in the success of this important event that will help us elect the next Democratic President of the United States.”

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Daughtry was managing the day-to-day strategy and national operations in addition to serving as Outreach Coordinator to “the DNC’s faith communities.” Ms. Daughtry is undeniably qualified. However, a recent article in the New York Times by Daniel Bergner sheds some additional light on Ms. Daughtry. For when she is not providing her friend Donna Brazile with biblical quotations for speeches, Ms. Daughtry who was raised “according to a strict religious code that forbids females to wear pants, lipstick or makeup” is a Pentecostal preacher who espouses James Cone’s Black Liberation Theology.

Read the entire article here

Obama Heckled for No Pledge of Allegiance

2008-08-06T07:47:00.000-04:00

At an Obama event on energy issues in Berea, Ohio yesterday a man disrupted the opening comments of Senator Obama because the Pledge of Allegiance had not been recited. Obama did comply with the man's request after allowing the man to speak.

Man Disrupts Obama with Demand for Pledge of Allegiance - Reuters

ARE SUPERDELEGATES FOR SALE?

2008-07-30T22:20:00.002-04:00

In a few weeks the historic 2008 Democratic Party Presidential Primary between an African American Man and a White Woman will end. The two candidates competed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam. At the end of these contests, neither candidate had earned enough pledged delegates to garner the necessary 2118 needed to win the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Hillary Clinton earned 1640 pledged delegates while Barack Obama earned 1763 pledged delegates. A paltry 123 pledged separated the two candidates at the end of the primary season. Since there was no clear winner, the superdelegates would determine the Democratic nominee. [read more . . .]

By Dr. Lynette Long, National Coordinator - Research, Real Democrats

Superdelegates for Sale

2008-07-29T12:12:00.003-04:00

Superdelegates for sale? Are you aware of any superdelegate whose vote is or was for sale? We'd like to know. If you have information regarding any superdelegate who may have accepted contributions or favors in exchange for their pledge of support for a particular candidate, please e-mail us at:

research@realdemocratsusa.org

See more. . .

Superdelegates by the number$ . . . Money Changes Everything :: Superdelegates Are For Sale

DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU IN THE A . . .

2008-07-28T21:41:00.004-04:00

Dear Donna Brazile,

Just a friendly reminder of your promise in February when on CNN you stated that if the superdelegates decide this nomination, you will be leaving the Democratic Party.

Can we help you pack your bags?

Donna Brazile's "I get two votes" CNN interview , 9 February 2008 and
NPR interview , 11 February 2008

Overstepping Authority

2008-07-25T13:39:00.002-04:00

Today in Washington, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and John Conyers (D-MI) are allowing a hearing by the House Judiciary Committee on the case for impeachment of the president and vice-president. The charge led by Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is that President Bush and Vice-President Cheney overstepped their authority on matters related to secret electronic surveillance in violation of the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Meanwhile, Senator Obama has acted in a manner that oversteps his authority regarding his discussions with the Iraqi government and policy statements made in Europe. What kind of arrogance is this?

ld

FLASH! -- Could it be?

2008-07-25T09:20:00.005-04:00

Is this the day that Michael Bloomberg endorses John McCain?

What might this really mean? Oh, the billions . . .

Real Democrats Media Bias Poll

2008-07-24T18:29:00.002-04:00

The acknowledged media bias against Senator Clinton in favor of Senator Obama is now recognized to be affecting Senator McCain's visibility.

Take our new media bias poll and let us know what you think.

The Caucus Factor

2008-07-24T12:40:00.003-04:00

The Title Bout

2008-07-24T12:30:00.002-04:00

The Title Bout

2008-07-23T00:08:00.003-04:00

Don Fowler, the former head of the DNC sent a letter to Democratic leaders and major contributors this week urging party unity. Intended to get resistant Hillary supporters on board, the unity letter is likely to produce the opposite effect. The letter repeatedly stated, “Barack Obama won. It’s over!” In other words, “Get over it,” or as an astute Clinton supporter put it, “Get in line, it’s not your time.” Mr. Fowler chided Hillary supporters, “I must confess a bit of fatigue and irritation with the people who continue to carp, complain and criticize the results of the primary and lay down conditions for their support.” The paternalistic nature of this statement and the implication that the issues raised by Hillary supporters are trivial is troubling. “It’s time to act in a mature fashion,” Fowler implored. Demographics will prove that20if Hillary supporters are anything, they are mature. Maybe there is wisdom in old age since they did not select Obama.

To illustrate that Clinton supporters are sore losers, Fowler compared the Democratic Primary to men’s basketball and men’s tennis. Attempting to appeal to the broadest base of Hillary’s supporters, women, by comparing the primary to men’s sports illustrates a continuing insensitivity to women and women’s issues by the DNC. In fact the DNC, the party of the people, has never had a female chair.

If sports were the metaphor of choice, the Democratic Primary is more like boxing than tennis or basketball. One could equate the primary to the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship. The two fighters in the ring, Senator’s Clinton and Obama, went the distance, 15 rounds, or in this case 52 primaries, but neither candidate scored a knockout blow. The fight will be decided by decision. The judges in this fight are th e superdelegates and they will announce their decision at the Democratic Convention. There is one caveat however. These superdelegates are not impartial and both a carrot and a stick have been used to get them to declare for Obama. Many superdelegates have had large sums of money donated to their campaigns by Barack Obama under the guise of the Hope Fund or the Hope Pac. Others have received warnings that the DNC will not support their next campaign if they do not support Obama and still others have had death threats from the African American community.

The referee in this title bout, the person entrusted by the people to ensure a fair fight is Howard Dean, Chairman of the DNC. Dean stood silently by as Dodd, Kennedy and Kerry called for Clinton to throw in the towel early in the contest. He was mute when the main stream media called Hillary a bitch or said she should be taken out behind the barn. Dean did not enforce with the full authority of his office to ensure a fair shot at the title for both candidates. Dean turned his back on the fight while Obama threw numerous sucker punches in the ea rly rounds of the bout. Obama won 93% (13 out of 14) of the caucuses and only 46% (18 out of 39) of the primaries. It is impossible to explain the disparity in primary vs. caucus results due to superior organization or demographics alone. Dean and the DNC turned a blind eye to the fraud, busing and data manipulation by Camp Obama at the caucuses. Not only did Dean not investigate voter fraud, suppression and intimidation, he further engineered Obama’s nomination by giving the Florida delegates, a state where Clinton had a commanding lead, half a vote each. In Michigan Dean orchestrated the decision that gave Obama delegates for punches Clinton landed and gave Obama credit for votes logged as undecided. When Clinton Camp tried to raise some of these concerns they were labeled whiners.

The bout is not over until the judges officially announce their scoring of the fight in Denver in August. The DNC wants to deny Hillary’s name being put in nomination and to prohibit a state roll call that reflected the results of the primary. The DNC wants the judges, in this case the state delegations and the superdelegat es, to declare that all votes went to Obama. But there was no knock out blow. In face based on the results in the swing states, the primary states, the blue states, the largest states, and by winning the popular vote, Hillary Clinton won the fight by decision. The referee can hold Senator Obama’s arm up in the center of the ring, but everyone watching the primary knows who won. If a football game is decided by an unfair penalty, a soccer game lost by an undeserved red card, a title match lost by a sucker punch, fans typically become embittered and resentful. Senator Clinton was the first significant female candidate to run for the presidency and her nomination was stolen by a corrupt party. No letter chiding Clinton’s supporters is going to change that. Red Sox fans will never become Yankee fans, and Clinton supporters are not coming home.

Dr. Lynette Long

The Caucus Factor

2008-07-21T23:54:00.008-04:00

On March 4, 2008, Texas held its Democratic Primary, affectionately called the Texas-Two Step. After the polls closed at 7 pm, primary voters could participate in a caucus. Sixty-five percent of the pledged delegates were awarded based on the primary results and the other 35% based on the caucus results.

According to CNN, 2,867,454 votes were cast in the primary - 51% (1,458,814) for Senator Hillary Clinton and 47% (1,358,785) for Senator Barack Obama, and a smattering of votes (49,855) for John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, and Chris Dodd combined. In the Texas caucus 42,538 votes were reported on CNN, but only 41% of the votes were tallied so no one knows exactly how many people participated in the Texas caucus. Obama got 56% (23,918) and Clinton got 44% (18,620) of the votes reported. Caucus voters were required to have voted in their precinct. Consequently, caucus voters were a statistical subset of primary voters, but they did not vote the same way. In terms of pledged delegates, Clinton garnered 94 pledged delegates and Obama got 99 pledged delegates. Obama came out of Texas five delegates ahead of Clinton in a primary she won. Astounding!

Comparing the Texas primary to the Texas caucus has some unique challenges. During the primary other candidates besides Clinton and Obama were on the ballot. To equalize the percentages, the ballots cast for Edwards, Richardson, Biden, and Dodd were eliminated and Clinton’s and Obama’s percentages recomputed assuming the eliminated voters would split their votes in the same proportion as the rest of the electorate. The recomputed percentages are Clinton 52% and Obama 48%.
Clinton’s adjusted percentage of 52% of the primary vote is 8% points higher than her 44% in the caucus vote. Clinton moved from a four point win to a twelve point loss, a sixteen point shift. Obama gained these eight percentage points moving from 48% in the primary to 56% in the caucuses. This statistically significant sixteen point difference is “the caucus factor,” a major factor in the Democratic presidential primary. The existence of a caucus factor poses three important questions. What accounts for the dramatic difference between the two results? Was the “caucus factor” present in the other caucus states? What do these results imply regarding the validity of other caucus results?

No one doubts the accuracy of the almost three million Texas voters who selected Hillary Clinton as their choice for the Democratic nominee--- but then why wouldn’t the caucus voters, a sample of the primary voters, make the same selection. The simplest explanation is that caucus voters are a sample of primary voters but not a random sample of primary voters. Caucuses are held in the evening and take several hours. Senator Clintons core voting groups, (senior citizens, shift workers, women, and women with children) are less likely to attend caucuses. Senior citizens are less likely to go out at night, have difficulty driving in the dark, and go to bed earlier. Mothers with young children are too busy in the evenings to spend several hours at a caucus. And some people don’t go to caucuses because of the public nature of the declaration. Voting is a private event, only you and God know who you voted for. At a caucus a voter must publically declare for their candidate and resist influencing by the opponents supporters.

Another factor that contributed to the Texas caucus factor was the less regulated nature of the caucuses. Participants in the Texas caucus complained about the lack of validation of identity, undo influencing, voter intimidation, voter fraud, and voter suppression. Numerous groups in Texas have challenged the Texas caucus results. In fact there were over 2000 complaints of voter fraud and intimidation in Texas and nothing was done. How many of these violations occurred and how much these violations impacted the results is impossible to determine.

Finally, Democratic insiders will say that success at a caucus depends on organization. Did the Obama Campaign just out organize the Clinton campaign which contributed to their success in the Texas Caucus?

On February 9, Washington State caucused to determine the distribution of the pledged delegates. Obama won 21,629 to 9,992 votes or 68% to 31% and received 53 of the 78 pledged delegates. Ten days later Washington State had a primary election in which no delegates were awarded yet 669,856 people chose to vote in this beauty contest. Obama won this contest by 51% (354,112 votes) to 46% (315,744 votes). How could Obama win by 37 points in a caucus and only 5 points in the primary, a 32-point difference? The caucus factor is at work again. Which result accurately reflects the will of the voters? Over twenty times the number of people participated in primary, should we trust the masses or the sanctioned election?

Nebraska also had a caucus and a primary. The February 5 caucus, in which 36,571 people participated, 20 yielded very different results than the May 13 primary in which 89,921 voters privately cast their preference for the Democratic Nominee. Obama won the caucus by 36 points, 68%-32%, but the primary by only two points, 49%-47%. There was a 34 point difference between the two results. As a result of the Nebraska caucus and primary, Obama got 16 delegates, Clinton got 8. The caucus counted, the primary didn’t. The results make no sense since even if you combine the results of the primary and the caucus, Clinton had more “votes” yet she yielded half the number of delegates Obama did.

Idaho is the final state that had both a caucus and a primary. Obama won the caucus, held on February 5 by 62 points, 79% -17%. A total of 20,535 people participated in the caucus. The primary which was held on May 27, 2008 had 40,190 votes cast, or approximately twice as many votes as in the caucus. Obama won this contest 56% to 37% or by 19 points, a more reasonable victory. Comparing a 62 point victory to a 19 point victory yields a 43 point caucus factor. As a result of the Idaho caucus and primary, Obama received 15 pledged delegates and Clinton received three delegates. The caucuses counted, the primary didn’t.

If we average the difference between the caucus results and the primary results in Texas (16 points), Washington (32 points), Nebraska (34 points), and Idaho (43 points), the result is an astounding 31 %. This should be proof of the inaccuracy of the caucuses.

Further proof of the caucus factor can be shown by contrasting the difference between the results of the caucuses and the primaries collectively. Fourteen states had caucuses -- Senator Obama won thirteen of these caucuses. The probability of that occurring in hotly contested race where popular vote is a statistical tie, is a statistical impossibility if the caucuses were a true representation of the vote rs. In the states where primary elections were held, Senator Clinton has won 21 primaries and Senator Obama has won 18 primaries, reflecting the close nature of the Democratic Primary race.

The difference between the margin of victory during caucuses and primaries again illustrates the inaccurate nature of the caucuses. The average point spread in the 13 caucuses Obama won is 32 points. The average of the point spread in the 17 primaries Obama won, is 21 points. This eleven point difference is the caucus factor.

The results in Texas, Washington, Nebraska and Idaho, the number of caucuses won by Obama, and difference between the average margin of victory in the caucuses and primaries, all point to the existence of the cau cus factor. The variability of the results of the caucus returns themselves also points to the unreliability of the caucus results. Senator Clinton won two primaries in demographically similar states, Ohio and Pennsylvania, by the same ten point margin. Yet when caucus results in similar states are compared, the disparity of the results is profound. Obama won Idaho by 62 points and the demographically similar Wyoming by 23 points. If the caucus results were reliable, the results of these two similar states would not be so disparate.

Voters who participated in the caucuses had more influence in the election than voters in primaries. In California, 4,677,788 votes were cast and 363 delegates were awarded. In New York, 232 delegates were pledged in a primary that had 1,748,833 votes cast. In Alaska a total of 405 persons “caucused” for 13 pledged delegates. A person who participated in the Alaska Caucus had 242 times more influence in the Democratic Primary than a voter in the New York primary and 415 times more influence than a voter in the California primary. With so few voters accounting for delegate selection in caucus states, results and delegate totals can be easily influenced and manipulated. Another way to think of it is less than 3% of the population participated in caucuses yet they accounted for 14 states.

The caucus factor is a real statistical event which inflated Obama’s lead over Clinton and misrepresented the will of the people. If all the caucus states had primaries, Obama’s margin of victory in those caucus states would have been smaller and most likely Clinton would have won some of the caucus states. The Democratic Primary was extremely close and questions should be raised regarding the validity and reliability of the caucus results. Unfortunately, a win in a caucus state was given the same weight as a win in a state with a primary election, allowing Obama supporters to claim, “He’s won more states,” even though Clinton won more primaries. Even more disturbing is the fact that of the 14 Caucus States, eight are Dark Red states. The Democrats have let the Red States like Wyoming, Nebraska, Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, North Dakota, Colorado and Nevada and the Southern States like North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana and the pick their nominee. Not a great coalition for the fall.

Dr. Lynette Long
July 2008

Looking for Balance in the Media

2008-07-16T12:23:00.000-04:00

Marie Cocco Editorial on Senator Clinton's Media Portrayal

This is a retrospective article on Senator Clinton's persistent challenges wrought by the media is the topic of Marie Cocco's editorial. Every major media outlet should be so objective, particularly when women, who had both position and opportunity to refute the comments about Senator Clinton, did not. Successful female commentators who themselves who worked hard and likely endured the same tactics, appeared oblivious, and even in some cases, contributed to the abuse.

ld

Action

2008-06-21T12:51:00.008-04:00

Flyers for Distribution by Real Democrats

The mission of Real Democrats urges proactive people to participate in direct action in response to the deplorable practices in the 2008 Democratic primary. The Real Democrats' maintain that the usual processes of scrutiny in the public arena in a fair and open manner was subverted by the media and the DNC. The flyers posted below will foster a grassroots campaign to enlighten all people on Senator Obama's record in his own words and through his positions on various matters. These flyers are made available to you for general distribution.

In English:

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdBLT.pdf

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdAfghanistan.pdf

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdEqualPay.pdf

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdHRCChief.pdf

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdIndiana.pdf

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdPeriodically.pdf

In Spanish:

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdBLTspanish.pdf

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdbitterspanish.pdf

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdEqualPayspanish.pdf

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdIndianaspanish.pdf

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdWontRunspanish.pdf

http://www.realdemocratsusa.org/research/RDAdChiefspanish.pdf

Superdelegates For Sale?

Are you aware of any superdelegate whose vote is or was for sale? We'd like to know. If you have information regarding any superdelegate who may have accepted contributions or favors in exchange for their pledge of support for a particular candidate, please e-mail us at: research@realdemocratsusa.org

Standing on Principle

2008-06-18T23:23:00.000-04:00

Democratic strategists are confident that disillusioned Hillary Clinton’s supporters are going to eventually find their way back into the Democratic fold and support the party’s candidate Barack Obama. Party supporters are opposed to the notion that a former Clinton supporter could turn on the party and vote for John McCain. They maintain that Clinton and Obama’s policies were similar, especially compared to those of McCain. These ideas suggest that there is a principled party and a principled candidate worth your precious vote.

In the nominee Barack Obama representing the Democratic Party, I find neither. That is why I have selectively and carefully considered my support of John McCain. I have evaluated both men and what they stand for as men, desirous of the position as President of the United States.

What does Obama stand for? Does anyone really know? A principled leader can produce a voting record for which they proudly stake their reputation whether the result is popular or not. In Obama’s two years as a United Stated senator, he has earned the reputation of being the most liberal senator on record. He has not produced one committee meeting on Afghanistan when given the task. As a state senator from Illinois, he passed on more votes than he cast. What do we really know about him, except that he has moneyed friends who were generous in the acquisition of superdelegates? I would very much like to listen to Senator Obama speak proudly of his voting record. I would like him to express pride in his accomplishments as a member of the Senate. Pride is the satisfaction one gains from personal accomplishments, not the commentary of another scripted on a teleprompter.

And what about this candidate’s spouse? Where is her pride? We cannot forget that in November we are voting for one person – in the position of president. We are not voting for how fashionable, stable, loving or devoted his wife is to her family or this country. Yet, the makeover team is poised to do just that. As a chameleon transforms itself to its environment, we are witnessing the makeover of a woman who now is willing to morph into some reincarnation of the Queen of Camelot. What will she be wearing tomorrow – a pillbox hat?

In Senator McCain, I find a man of principles. McCain is a man who has stood by his vote – whether popular or not. Votes that at times were not consistent with the Republican Party. He sought change, before “change” became a slogan. Like Hillary Clinton, John McCain relates to his constituents whether they are veterans, minorities, working class or women. He is a true American hero, one whom we can be certain of in his loyalty to this country and her people. In similar fashion, Cindy McCain is a woman whose demure manner and philanthropic endeavors match her husband’s aspirations for this country. She needs no makeover.

Hillary Clinton brought respect to herself and to the women voters she represented. In the absence of her candidacy, we must support candidates who have not only earned, but will maintain the respect of their constituents. Hillary Clinton understood the value of each and every vote that was cast for her. Every vote must count.

Where Have All The Democrats Gone?

2008-06-18T16:02:00.001-04:00

WHERE HAVE ALL THE DEMOCRATS GONE?

By: Amy Siskind

On the morning of June 4, 2008, I cried two tears.

One for the realization that the candidate of my lifetime, Hillary Rodham Clinton, would soon suspend her campaign. One for seeing the Democratic Party, so much a part of who I am, lose its way.

When I was a little girl growing up in a suburb of Boston, my mother taught me the meaning of being a Democrat. She taught me the core values of our party – equality and helping those less fortunate. My mother sat me down and told me stories about growing up in the Depression and how FDR created jobs for those that needed help. How these jobs gave people pride and hope. She told me stories of Eleanor Roosevelt and how Eleanor relentlessly fought for equality, and how she gave a voice to those that did not have one. She told me stories of the Kennedy’s and how they gave their lives to fight for the values of the Democratic Party. Such brave men and women. Such pride to be a Democrat.

As I became an adult, I proudly declared myself a Democrat and worked to embrace the values of the party. Even when it was unpopular to be a Democrat, I stood by my party. Even when I was one of the few on the trading floors of Wall Street to vote Democrat, I held my head high remembering the brave men and women who had fought so hard to shape our country. Knowing with an inner confidence and sense of pride that the Democratic Party would stand by its core values of equality and helping those less fortunate. Knowing that from decade to decade and from election to election, that the issues may change, but that with these core values, our party would always get to where we needed to be. But now I must ask, Where Have All the Democrats Gone?

My fellow Democrats, as this primary season started, something was terribly wrong. I have watched this race unfold with a mixture of shock, disgrace and disgust.

* I have watched as the DNC Leadership stood idly while our first female candidate was repeatedly the target of overt sexism in the media. Where Have All the Democrats Gone?

* I have watched as the DNC Leadership stood idly by when Reverend Phlager took a very personal and demeaning swipe at Hillary Clinton. Where Have All the Democrats Gone?

* I have watched as the DNC Leadership actively and repeatedly tried to force out a candidate who ultimately received over 18 million votes from those who WANTED to have THEIR voices heard. Where Have All the Democrats Gone?

* I have watched as the DNC Leadership stood idly by as Bill Clinton, the most popular modern day Democratic President, was ripped to shreds and called a “racist.” Where Have All the Democrats Gone?

* I have watched as the DNC Leadership, so quick to be critical of the Supreme Court for their 2000 decisions on Florida, would then sit idly by while Florida and Michigan voters were alienated. Where Have All the Democrats Gone?

Well the sad fact is, I cannot stand to watch this anymore!

I have a view that is most unfortunate -- and that view is that perhaps BOTH parties have lost their way. The Republican Party realizes this fact and is actively moving to understand how they must change their platform and focus and fix their party. The Democratic Party, the party formerly of the brave and courageous, the party that formerly stood for equality and helping those less fortunate, has instead become the party of hubris and elitism. Where, oh where, have all the Democrats gone?

Join Our Team

2008-06-16T00:06:00.010-04:00

Fill out my Wufoo form!

Roe v. Wade, Part 1

2008-06-14T12:45:00.001-04:00

Those of us Democrats who are not supporting Obama are being bombarded with a very ugly scare tactic------Roe v Wade. I want to share my thoughts on the subject with you as we continue on our path to either vote for McCain, write in Hillary, or abstain.

First of all, our cause is just. For most of you, I don't need to retell the story of our fury at being disrespected and abused by the mainstream media, the party, and the Obama campaign. The blatant sexism expressed was UNACCEPTABLE, and it still goes on day after day. It happened because we didn't stand up to it. Well, those days are over. We are here, we are united, and we will never be quiet again.

The party and the Obama campaign are worried by our protest. They should be-----close to 1 million of you have weighed in in a matter of two weeks to express solidarity with our cause. And that doesn't include the many millions more who haven't expressed their outrage and are keeping it to themselves.

The Democratic Party and the Obama campaign are responding to this by trying to scare us into thinking that if we protest the sexism by not voting for Obama that Roe v. Wade will be overturned and women will be sent back to the dark ages of back-alley abortions and zero women's rights.

Well, we must stand up to them and reveal that tactic for what it is------FEAR MONGERING.

First of all, Roe v Wade is the law of the land and has been for many years now. The chances of any Supreme Court overturning it in its entirety is slim. They may chip away at it, but they will not overturn it. Also states will have the right to pass their own laws keeping abortion legal. The legal system churns exceedingly slowly and is done piecemeal. The idea of losing abortion rights overnight just like that is ridiculous.

Secondly, even though the Democratic Congress was completely impotent in making any effort to stop the Alito and Roberts nominations, they will use everything in their power to stop a Supreme Court nominee whom they felt was going to tip the balance. This should be a very good year for the Democratic down-ticket races. Although some have expressed that they will abandon the Democratic ticket in its entirety (and bravo for your protest), many will use their protest vote only in the presidential contest. That means that those Democratic votes will go for the Democratic Congressional candidates we need for a veto-proof majority. The Democratic Party and the Obama campaign would be well-advised not to continue on with this ugly tactic lest they lose the down ticket support that they enjoy at the moment from our millions of supporters.

This is an election of change this year. The women's agenda needs to change as well. For too long, abortion has become the only item on anyone's feminist agenda. We need to move beyond that and bring to the forefront other pressing issues. Women For Fair Politics is doing that by insisting that our society needs to understand that sexism will not be tolerated. Our agenda is to help our society understand what sexism is and that expreessions of it will not be tolerated. But first, we need by our presidential protest vote make everyone understand that we are a force to be reckoned with.

And that means that we will not be letting the Roe v Wade scare tactic stop us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Message from Carly Fiorina

2008-06-11T14:36:00.001-04:00

Hello Everyone!!!! We are FINALLY back up. It's great to be able to communicate with everyone again. I know that all of us have been feeling a bit "homeless" since the primary season has ended. We hope that you will all make womenforfairpolitics.com a regular stop. We appreciate all of your input and all of your expressions of concern. This website was like having a baby------it was born on its own timetable which was not necessarily OUR timetable. But we are here and we intend to move forward. Nothing has changed--------we exist to make sure that NO woman running for president will EVER have to experience what Hillary Clinton had to experience.

We are very excited to present the exclusive launch of the following video by Carly Fiorina. We are very interested in what you think of her comments. Please view it and let us know!!

Take Our Poll

2008-06-11T13:37:00.000-04:00

Research

2008-06-10T15:35:00.006-04:00

The Caucus Factor by Dr. Lynette Long:
If The DNC Simplified, Who Would Be the Nominee Right Now?

The Title Bout by Dr. Lynette Long:
The Boxing Match Between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama

Indiana Electioneering:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipqEKivCvZY

Rules & Bylaws committee meeting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL976STVvtU

Obama in Kenya:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-xYVy_S57A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBJouPhws1M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpvLV3d1Eq4

Texas Two Step
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6HfDRrmO8k

Count Every Vote Rally-Amy Siskind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiYxQbae48s

DNC Rules Committee Meeting- FL State Sen. Arthenia Joyner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOOzHeb0zOY&feature=related

DNC Rules Committee Meeting-Secret Meeting in opposition to DNC rules
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPZo8KYoNd8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8oNb_-e2lY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUUVRUjvM2s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgT4gmKmYr8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NruqWHIcqvU&feature=related

Harriet Christian Gets kicked out of DNC Rules Meeting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPyeKe-EFf4&feature=related

Harriet Christian with Cavuto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIIDtlFzAkg&feature=related

Clinton Supporter Bruised at DNC Rules Meeting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH92E5vWrjk&feature=related

Obama Leaves Trinity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH4orJm2lWw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flz1h3GG_hM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWb6NvexgQE&feature=related

Obama and Father Pleger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxyJ25-W-hM&feature=related

TX State Senator Kirk Watson on Obama’s Accomplishments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj4VK9wVAi0&feature=related

NOBama-Quotes from Autobiography
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDh6kCwobLI&feature=related

Geraldine Ferraro on TODAY Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA5CcKXFBOI&feature=related

Geraldine Ferraro on FOX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6hGaaUrOY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOIwQSq9y8o&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW5GaldpDjg&feature=related

Buchanan Defends Ferraro’s comment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r09eEMWDu4&feature=related

Obama’s church honors Louis Farrakhan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prhnc2fxAzg&feature=related

Obama’s campaign chair’s OJ & Hillary comment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDaO7N-JujU&feature=related

Obama Supports Sex Education in Kindegarten?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDaO7N-JujU&feature=related

In 2004, Admits He doesn’t have Experience
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BnLozS-TnM&feature=related

Michelle ObamaUnveiled.com Update
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BnLozS-TnM&feature=related

McCain Aide fired for Obama Ad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCkvvFJtLJE&feature=related

Obama "typical white person" Remark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGMFlHSLmTg&feature=related

Obama lied to protect Kerry?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAQit50zKhU&feature=related

Voter Information

2008-06-10T12:37:00.012-04:00

Here is some basic information so that you can find out how to register to vote, and actually vote in your respective states. It is important to note the election rules in your state, particularly if you intend to write-in Senator Hillary Clinton's name on your presidential ballot on Election Day, November 4, 2008. Unless Senator Clinton places her name on the ballot in your state, your vote will be counted, but as a vote of protest. Check with your Secretary of State for pertinent information on write-in votes.

The links below can assist you:

REAL DEMS IN YOUR STATE - Contact the Real Democrats USA leadership in your state.
SECRETARIES OF STATE - Find your state here.

VOTING RECORDS - Find some general information here.

Enduring the Hypocrisy

2008-06-08T18:54:00.002-04:00

It’s too late to be pacified by the appearance of a flag pin or speeches about forsaking one’s past; the Democratic party has their presidential nominee. In the aftermath of the events over the last several months, it has occurred to me that the inequities and discrimination experienced by Senator Clinton must be addressed. The reality we are faced with is obvious, Senator Clinton’s concession is indeed two steps backward to her former strident forward momentum towards women winning key leadership roles.

The question is, “Who is responsible?” The immediate answer is Howard Dean and the DNC. Why should they be charged with sexism and misogyny? If the purpose of the primary season is to discern the best candidate to lead a party to victory in November, then one wonders whether the competing candidates have been given fair support by their party. Senator Clinton has not received the fair support of her party. During the primary season, not once was she openly defended by the DNC or supported against the sexist comments by the liberal media. The silence of the DNC allowed them to minimize her authority and her position as the frontrunner. Did the DNC refuse their support of her in response to conservative attacks on her? Or did the DNC desire to serve a greater good in the illusion of an Obama presidency in the interest of promoting diversity? The popularity of Senator Obama who was championed by the both the youth vote and monetary support, blinded the DNC to what was happening to Senator Clinton who was being unfairly maligned by the media.

The DNC, however, was short-sighted. While Senator Clinton forged ahead on the campaign trail winning support from constituents who truly reflect the plurality of this country, the DNC threw their support behind Senator Obama without vetting his business, political and religious associates all in the interest of racial equality. This lack of scrutiny deprived Senator Clinton of the recognition she deserved and ignored her supporters. The working class, the elderly, Hispanics and the unique voice of women were denied their desire to see a strong, intelligent, fair-minded and compassionate leader bring her skills to the highest office of this country.

What are women left with today? Today’s woman voter may be left feeling disillusioned, frustrated or angered. Yet, the presumption that she will fall in lock step with the Democratic Party after having fought the good fight with Senator Clinton is not a foregone conclusion. Women have numerous options to ponder between now and the November election.

As women voters seek to have their voices heard, it our sincere hope that you will make your voice heard by both parties regardless of affiliation so that the strides Senator Clinton achieved will not be undermined. Let us work together to discover which path will promote women’s issues, which are the issues of all Americans.

The History Books Will Record Hillary Clinton Nearly Broke the Glass Ceiling

2008-06-07T22:48:00.001-04:00

In her concession speech today, Senator Hillary Clinton referred to the 18 million people who supported her candidacy for president. She spoke of almost cracking the glass ceiling preventing a woman from reaching the goal of becoming a nominee for president. To paraphrase the statement she said those 18 million votes put cracks in that ceiling and made it easier for the next woman who tries to achieve what she failed to do in the year 2008.
The speech seemed to have three parts:

A Campaign Review She recounted the campaign and the special moments with thanks to her supporters, family and all staff. She followed that with the actual concession part. It is understood that she will suspend the campaign keeping her delegates close at hand. With the power of the votes and delegates she will continue on with pushing the changes that she has so valiantly sought. If a hint of her mood was given it was more in her dress than her delivery. Wearing black with just a hint of blue, she effectively did what she had to do.

Push unity and exhort her followers to move ahead to Obama without hanging out at a pity party. So much like Hillary, always with that urgency of need propelling her forward, she recalled how in her 40 years of political service and public life only three times has a Democrat been elected in that timeframe of history. Two of those times by gosh, were by "someone in the room" as she looked at her husband. We have work to do. The Democrats must move forward.

She made a statement for history on the fact that she had been the first woman to reach such a level. With daughter, Chelsea, and mother, Dorothy there with her, she said she did it for all women and no one ever again need fear doing it. It is something a woman will achieve.

Am I ready to get onboard? The phone rang ironically today on the day of this speech. Would I like to contribute $100.00 to the Obama campaign a voice asks? I think not. A meeting of the "Party Fixits" held just a week ago is fresh in the memory. The public voice of the female candidate with the"powerful enduring intellect" as noted by the NY Times, will be missed.

That gas tax suspension proposed not long ago by the candidate is looking so good about now.

You were a tough one Annie Oakley!!!!!!
Norma Schmansky

Our Big Tent

2008-06-06T00:02:00.001-04:00

We find ourselves at an interesting moment. Hillary is NOT at the moment our nominee. She may or may not be on the ticket, and for many of you (and us) that doesn't matter. It is incredibly dismaying, disgusting, galling, unbelievable that EVEN IN VICTORY the Obamaites continue to ferociously attack her. Unfortunately, we can expect those attacks to continue unabated until the time arrives that Obama has chosen his running mate. The Obamaites DO NOT want Hillary on the ticket and they will continue to do the vile things that have brought us all together. What they don't understand is that these cruel vicious attacks only firm up our resolve to never vote for him. EVER!!!!

We have had over 500,000 people visit womenforfairpolitics.com. Here's who we are:

1) 75% have said that no matter what they are voting for McCain and many state they they are leaving or have already left the Democratic party

2) 10% will write in Hillary's name

3) 10% will vote for the ticket if Hillary is the VP nominee

4) 5% will not vote at all

PLEASE KNOW that despite our diversity of views on how we will express our dismay over the way Hillary was treated, we all want the same thing--------to make sure that NO ONE ever has to go through what Hillary has been put through EVER AGAIN. Most of us feel that the Democrats need to be taught a lesson for their silence on the subject of sexism and the peril they will find themselves in for ignoring their most loyal base of voters. The good news is that there are so many of us. WE ARE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. We are in a unique position to carry out an important message.

I for one, believe strongly that when it comes to sexism, we will continue to be treated savagely the way Hillary was treated if we don't speak up now and always. For whatever you think about Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton,
they have helped our society to define the parameters of what is and is not acceptable behavior and speech when it comes to racism. We need to do that for sexism. I honestly believe that many sexist acts are done innocently out of ignorance. We cannot assume that people realize how offensive they are being unless we bring it to their attention-----over and over again.

Please help us develop the most effective strategy for using our strength to make a difference.Come to the womenforfairpolitics.com website and make your voice heard. The shame of the election of 2008 must never be repeated. Welcome to our big tent!!!!

Cynthia Ruccia

A Tip of the Hat to Senator Obama and the Superdelegates

2008-06-05T03:44:00.001-04:00

A tip of the hat to Senator Obama. He did indeed go over the top in delegates Tuesday night. For those of us who do not wear hats bow down too before all the super delegates who had to urgently Tuesday join the DNC in their support. After suspending Florida and Michigan for three months, last week they exercised an unprecedented action and among other things threw some of her earned delegates his way. As one who has read some of historian writer, Theodore White's books on presidential campaigns, he would surely have written of this if alive. White too was among the first to notice the real impact of the media in elections beginning in 1972. We never thought that we could lose because we thought we had the authentic candidate. The real gold standard of a candidate especially valid for the Democratic party. A candidate who followed her heart and espoused all the things we once stood for. Founder, Andrew Jackson, envisioned a political home where ordinary people would be the backbone of the party while maintaining the lesser elite representation. We were wrong.

The mind-sets of the super delegates ran differently. While we assumed that winning most of the big battleground states with the working middleclass votes going for her, would certainly carry her candidacy we were so wrong. Yesterday we saw a super delegate, from Ohio, come out for Obama. Ohio was won handily by Senator Clinton. What is missing here? A local Columbus newspaper just last week did a story on why it will be hard for Senator Obama to win Ohio as Senator Clinton was ahead in the polls over McCain. Then with an overwhelming victory among the people of West Virginia, a state surely needed for Democrats to win in November, a state of Jackson type democrats, we have Senator Robert Byrd endorsing Senator Obama. Go figure. How are his coalition of urban voters and young university intellectuals going to carry this party?

We mistakenly thought that her having the most popular votes and 318 of a projected electoral vote number would at least buy time for the super delegates to look at every angle in deciding who would win. No time though she should concede now. How can she be so ungracious to the newly crowned? She had triumphed in most of the primaries since March. Obviously the train had long ago, maybe months ago, left the station and she wasn't on it. We think in retrospect, there was no way she ever would be . We examine every angle and painfully have to admit that it doesn't help to be a woman candidate for president in the year 2008. Ironically on the very day when Clinton supporters have all but quit the party in disgust or at least are thinking about it,a call comes from the state party asking for support to push a strong ticket. That will take so much thought. Perhaps years of thought. If the comments we have received to this site are any indication it probably ain't going to happen. Now you can put your hat away. We are truly blue in another way and it isn't going away. NSchmans

Marilu Sochor speaks out on Neil Cavuto

2008-05-21T02:50:00.001-04:00

About Us

2008-05-19T12:56:00.000-04:00

We are a group of Ohio voters who came together during the Ohio primary to make sure that the Hillary Clinton presidential bid would go on. We worked hard to give Hillary a 10-point victory on March 4. It was a splendid evening. People said that she wouldn't survive without a victory in Ohio. Well, as things progressed, the slings and arrows that were slung at Hillary were growing worse by the hour. The language used against her was despicable, the misogyny unbelievable. We had thought that we were never going to see anything like this again, the sexism. But it became apparent with every passing hour that the Obama campaign combined with the media were inventing new ways to attack and humiliate Hillary. Just when we thought a new low had been reached, the bar continued to get lower and lower. President Clinton And Senator Clinton were swiftboated----made out to be racists, a ridiculous and very shameful accusation. And through it all, the Democratic party was silent.

As we campaigned in other states, we continued to meet people who shared our anger at this inhumane treatment. We decided that we needed to speak up on Hillary's behalf. As people who live in an important battleground swing state, we have a unique voice. We decided to let the superdelegates and the DNC know that we represent millions of Democrats all over the county who will NOT vote for Obama under any circumstances.

We absolutely DO NOT believe that this race is over. The convention votes have not been officially cast. So we are working to do and say what we can to ensure Hillary will be our nominee for president. This race is not over, stay tuned!!!

Contact Our National or State Coordinators

2008-05-18T16:13:00.014-04:00

How can you help?

We need you! Please sign up to be a local coordinator or volunteer by e-mailing the State Coordinator in your state. E-mail links are available below to join a group in your state. Find your state or the District of Columbia and send us an e-mail about yourself or your interest in promoting the mission of the Real Democrats.

We have national coordinators for media, radio, activities, volunteers, research and outreach that will get you off the ground and running. If you have a local book club or civic association that would be interested in hearing from one of our "Champions of Truth" about their first-hand accounts of improprieties by the Obama campaign, Democratic National Committee and others, please let us know.

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