Some guy from Focus Action, the political arm of Focus on the Family (James C. Dobson’s organization) does Old Testament shtick, asking folks to “pray for rain” during Barack Obama’s acceptance speech on August 28 at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Why? Because “I’m still pro-life” and “I’m still in favor of marriage being only between one man and one woman.”
Sound Bite: “We’re not asking for hail the size of canned hams or lighting bolts to set the bunting on fire. Just rain. Beautiful rain. Network cameras can’t see the podium rain. . . ”
The group pulled the video from its site after complaints from its own members, according to The Rocky Mountain News. More here.
The current video featured on the Focus Action site seeks to disprove the existence of a “gay gene.” Unfortunately, no humor in this one. Too bad. Think of the possibilities.
“What does Hillary want?” That was the question Senator Clinton posed when Barack Obama became the presumptive nominee in June and it looks like the answer is still blowin’ in the wind. At a fundraiser last week, the former candidate told supporters that she’s trying to work out a plan that will allow her supporters to be “respected” at the Democratic National Convention. And even though “I’m supporting Senator Obama,” the former candidate said there are a lot of options on the table. More here.
Sound Bite: “Because I know from, just what I’m hearing, that there’s incredible pent-up desire. And I think that people want to feel like, ‘OK, it’s a catharsis, we’re here, we did it, and then everybody get behind Senator Obama.’ That is what most people believe is the best way to go.”
The Democratic Convention promises to stream the entire event live over the internet in high-definition (”see the funny hats”). They’re also credentialing 120 bloggers.
The Democratic National Convention is holding a contest asking people to explain why they’re Democrats and the winners get a trip to the convention. A random example of the results:
Here’s Bill Richardson’s (except I think he’s already going):
DNC Chairman Howard Dean wants the remainder of the party’s super delgates to make up their minds by July 1. He also wants the two candidates to play nicer. (Side note: Is CBS News’ Harry Smith a tad too intense for a morning show? Just askin’.)
Sound Bite: “I think the superdelegates have already been weighing in. I think that there’s 800 of them and 450 of them have already said who they’re for. I’d like the other 350 to say who they’re at some point between now and the first of July so we don’t have to take this into the convention.”
Hillary Clinton paints a scenario for Tavis Smiley at the Black State of the Union that lets superdelegates vote for her. They have personal experience with candidates, she says, and that is different from voters’ relationships. “And I think we should respect that.”
