by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

The former President's first ppoint seems to be that he got bloodied by a long primary, and that he won nonetheless. So, just chill out people.

He went on to describe some sort of position that would focus regionally. So, there's going to be a California "czar" or something like that. Interesting that he said that Hillary will compete everywhere. Some sort of 50-state strategy.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Despite my grumpy old partner, I am in Reno right now. Actually, Lucas is driving my car to Carson City while I type this. Why are we driving to Carson City? Well, apparently they needed more volunteers down there to put doorhangers on the houses of ID'd supporters. Fun stuff.

From the las Vegas contingent of Nevadatics, David Dayen reports that at a Bill Clinton rally without about 200 people in attendance. During the event, Clinton told the eventgoers about being repeatedly approached by culinary workers who said that they were going to caucus for Hillary despite the endorsement of their leadership. At which point, allegedly, a union leader threatened to change their shifts if they did that.

If that is true, these are amazing allegations against either a ruthless shop steward at one of the casinos or the unions. If it indeed occured, there is no evidence of any pattern of behavior like this. The good Mr. Dayen tells me that the former president didn't give any information about the identity of these culinary workers or any other veryifying information.  But either way, keep an eye out for more stories like this as we wind down to noon tomorrow.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by Sheri Divers [courtesy of Blog for America]

Ilya Sheyman is DFA's Community Organizer. He's currently at the YearlyKos Convention in Chicago. Here's his update on last night's DFA Health Care for America Forum: 

We kicked off our Health Care for America forums yesterday, with a citywide forum at the UNITE-Here! auditorium in Chicago. Over 50 people came to learn about health care, share horror stories, and sign up for direct action. All the local groups from Chicago and Democracy for Illinois pulled together to focus on health care. DFA Chair Jim Dean energized the crowd about the opportunity to pass health care for every American- and the concrete steps we can take from forums to legislative visits.

DFA-List Alderman Joe Moore talked about the burden placed on local government, because there hasn’t been a solution. Former President of Physicians for National Health Plan Claudia Fagan led the group in a chant of “Everybody in, nobody out” – because we need health care for every American.

The energy in the room crackled as people contributed their stories to the Health Care Horror Story Wall. They also signed up for visits with Senators Durbin and Obama on Friday. For the first time since 1994, we all feel like we can actually get legislation passed that will ensure that every American has health care!

Find how how to set up your own Health Care for America Forum:

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The GOP candidates for president were drinking from the Ronald Reagan kool-aid tonight.Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said that he, like Reagan would fix American from "our strengths."FormerMassachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney referred to Reagan as a "president ofstrength" and said he echoed the former president's evolution onabortion. Former Virginia Gov. James Gilmore commended Reagan for making "the wall come down."

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Former President and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jimmy Carter visited the University of California, Berkeley today to speak about his recent book, Palestine: Peace not Apartheid. He was invited by the Associated Students of the University of California, Berkeley (ASUC) because of his moral stature and dedication to humanitarian action. For his work, President Carter was presented by Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau with the university’s highest honor, the University Medal.

In general the event passed without incident. Outside the event, various organizations -- Israeli Action Committee, Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voices for Peace, among others -- tabled voicing their opposition and support for Carter and his book. 

Early in his speech, President Carter gave the audience advice on screening potential candidates for Congress and the Presidency with regard to the Israel-Palestine conflict. He challenged the audience to ask all potential candidates to take this pledge: "If elected I would do everything possible to promote balanced negotiations to achieve peace and security for Israel and a secure and contiguous state for Palestine, if they won’t make you that pledge, don’t support them."