“We want to take money and put it back in the pocket of middle-class people.” Snow asked: “Anybody making over $250,000…” Biden responded: “Is gonna pay more.” Snow: “Is going to pay more.” Biden: “You got it. It’s time to be patriotic, Kate. Time to jump in. Time to be part of the deal. Time to help get America out of the rut.”

Conservatives predictably went ballistic with their calls of “class warfare”; Obama’s fans thought it brilliant economics.

For those of us who are Democrats, or former Democrats, Joe Biden’s statement was offensive on a different level. Although many of us agree with progressive taxation, Biden’s formulation is deeply offensive. According to Biden, greater taxation equals greater patriotism. This concept fits perfectly with the self-congratulatory world of Whole Foods Nation. Anglachel describes Biden’s target audience as the new elites:

The focus of the [Obama] Democrats is on the winners of the economic realignment, those who managed to win a place in the white collar upper-middle class … [Obama] is the exemplar of a mode of life that, while not as unreachable as that of Bush’s base, is still out of reach of those who do not have the education, acculturation and business contacts to climb up that economic ladder.

Some will argue that Biden is simply practicing liberal class warfare; he is targeting the wealthy and not the “bitter” gun owners of greater Appalachia. I disagree. By using the framework of patriotism, Biden is challenging — to use Anglachel’s parlance — the “Bubbas” and the Archie Bunkers — to ownership of American patriotism.

Biden is telegraphing to Whole Foods Nation that it’s equally patriotic to live in Boulder, Colorado and pay on a 33% tax bracket income as it is to serve in Iraq, like Governor Palin’s son. Or, as a friend in this income bracket told me recently, she “sacrifices” by voting Democratic.

The primary campaign showed that Obama fared well with affluent voters and African Americans. Clinton crushed Obama with middle- and low-income voters. The Pennsylvania primary was a perfect example of Obama’s inability to connect with low-income voters:

The Pennsylvania Democratic primary shared many of the same vote characteristics of other primary states this season - with Clinton winning her core base of union members, less educated and lower income voters and rural voters, and Obama winning voters with more education and income, and black voters.

The attack on blue-collar voters by Obama is what precipitated the civil war now raging in the Democratic party, and Obama’s race-baiting of blue-collar whites has been one of the more depressing episodes in our history as a Party.

Low-income white Democrats are the least likely group to vote Republican, and the assault on this vulnerable group has all the markings of racial and class warfare used for electoral gain. African Americans are all too familiar with politicians playing on prejudices for electoral gain and there is nothing different in this case except for the color of the victims’ skin.

The dishwasher, the waitress at Denny’s, the auto mechanic, the grocery clerk, the nursing assistant, the soldier — all low income Americans — are equally patriotic to anyone living in San Francisco or Hyde Park or the East Village, regardless of the amount they pay in taxes.

I’ve been thinking about Biden’s notion of patriotism for several days. Last night I found a video which captures patriotism in a way still held by much of the country. It’s an old fashioned form of patriotism which is now considered uncouth and looked down upon by the liberal elites. But it’s a type of patriotism once honored by Democrats; it’s a part of what made Democrats the governing party for most of the first half of the last century.

The video is from Ken Burns’ brilliant 1990 documentary The Civil War. I think Sullivan Ballou’s love for his wife Sarah is only matched by his love of country.

Listen to Sullivan Ballou’s words carefully and think about everything he is sacrificing. You won’t hear politicians — except perhaps for John McCain — speak of our beloved country with such a degree selflessness and honor.

Sullivan Ballou wrote to his wife that he was “willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government.” Ballou’s patriotism is echoed by Sarah Palin’s willingness to give her child to the service of our country: “Today is the day that I send my first born, my son, my teenage son overseas…to fight for our country, for democracy for our freedoms.”

Whole Foods Nation hates Sarah Palin for the class she represents. She threatens the self-perception of their own moral superiority on race and their economic “sacrifices.” Giving her son to our nation is not enough to silence the voices of hate.

During the primary campaign, on TPM, billysumday suggested that Bill Clinton was a racist because of his bumpkin origins, totally ignoring that the President was educated at Georgetown, Yale, and Oxford:

Pennsylvania is an important swing state. It is one of the large states needed in the win column to reach the White House. During the primary race, there was an oft heard question; If Obama can’t win PA, how will he win the White House? The Clinton campaign commented during the primary, and said this:

“The path to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue goes through Pennsylvania so if Barack Obama can’t win there, how will he win the general election?” spokesman Phil Singer said in a statement.

The research identifies who undecided, swing voters are in Pennsylvania-white, lower-to-middle income, older women.

These are Hillary’s folks and supporters through the primaries.

These are their concerns:

Swing voters in Pennsylvania revealed their concern about the economy, financial security and health care. Among those surveyed, the economy was the number one most important issue in the state with healthcare following closely behind.

These “undecideds” feel they don’t have enough information from either McCain and Obama have addresses their issues fully enough. Pennsylvania State Director Dick Chevrefilshad this to say:

“Pennsylvania swing voters want more information on these issues from the candidates,” ……
“At a time when the economy is struggling, our voters are expressing their concern that neither Senator Obama nor Senator McCain has adequately addressed the issues of economic security or affordable healthcare, and these issues are likely to have a significant impact on voters’ decisions in November.”

The research revealed some clear facts about the voters. It is interesting to note that McCain’s favorable is 4% higher than Obama’s.

How do Senators McCain and Obama unlock the swing voter?

The research demonstrated wide consensus among swing voters on ways to approach health care and financial security, however specific proposals resonated most:

– 94 percent favor requiring clear explanations of healthcare costs so patients know how much they will be charged up front

– 91 percent favor making healthcare affordable for small businesses by allowing them to band together for lower rates, providing tax credits to offset employee premium contributions and protecting them from large rate increases simply because one employee gets sick

– 91 percent favor requiring schools to teach financial literacy to all children

– 90 percent favor controlling costs of prescription drugs

Among all respondents in this survey, Senator McCain is viewed favorably by 64 percent, and Senator Obama is viewed favorably by 60 percent.

They had this say to about the candiates “attributes”:

On important candidate attributes, Pennsylvania swing voters have an interesting perspective. Senator McCain leads on is a strong leader, and has the experience to be president, while Senator Obama leads on will bring change, understands people like me, and will reduce the influence of special interests. The candidates are essentially tied on will work in a bipartisan fashion.

There is an opportunity for either McCain or Obama to win this state. There are some issues the candidates will have to address first. And the survey highlighted these issues.

The survey demonstrates that both candidates can reach the key swing voters this year and win their support - if they reach out to them by making lifetime financial security and healthcare a central element to their campaigns.

This question remains. Will McCain or Obama address these concerns?

But what does this have to do with Christina Applegate and Hillary Clinton?

You can add in there Sheryl Crow, Virginia Clinton, my aunt, my cousin, and a growing number of women: breast cancer. Yes, I saw today that Christina Applegate has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Again, what the sam hill does this have to do with Hillary Clinton? Well, a couple of months ago, when Hillary Clinton was on The Ellen Degeneres Show, she said that, if she becomes president, she wants to ERADICATE breast cancer within a decade. A DECADE!!! Ten years, for those of you who may not have had caffeine yet! AND, she wants to fund research to find out what the causes of breast cancer are. Oh, and to fund UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE so women who cannot afford treatment stop DYING. Clinton would do this. She would not flip and flop this way and that trying to appease first one group and then the other. Why? Because she cares about us, the people, the citizens of this country. She is not out to amass more and more power to feed her bottomless pit of an ego. (And yes, I know she’s a politician, and as such, certainly does have an ego, as we all do. But I have never seen her policies to be EGO-driven.) Heck, even her willingness to drop out before the Convention, an UNPRECEDENTED move, speaks to her desire to do what is best for the country and Party, misguided though that decision was, IMHO. I have absolutely NO DOUBT she was strong-armed into it, because honestly, she would do far more good for this country than Obama can ever dream of doing, but she also did not want to be the perceived catalyst for the disunity of the Party, thus losing the White House and an opportunity to change some of Bush’s disastrous policies. She wants to be able to do work in the Senate, if not elected, and that meant, as she was forced out, to be gracious about it. Something else Mr. Ego could learn from her (and he cannot be counted on to change ANY of Bush’s policies, as we have already seen, especially if it will give him more power). But I digress (hey, I’m a Southerner - that’s how we tell stories).

Should the Superdelegates somehow put aside their OWN egos, and clear the path to wisdom, thus voting for Clinton, the following is a glimpse to what we can look forward. Damn, I miss this woman (the part on breast cancer is a few minutes in, but just enjoy watching her!):

Oh, in case you are interested, I lost my aunt to complications from breast cancer. Despite a double mastectomy, her cancer recurred, first in the scar tissue from the mastectomies, then in her bones. My cousin, her daughter, is a survivor. I hope, and pray, that continues to be HER path - surviving the disease that claimed her mother.

But this is not just for those whom I know personally, or stars I like. This is for ALL the women out there - and breast cancer affects a huge number of women a year. If we can get Hillary Clinton into the White House, we will FINALLY have an advocate who cares about OUR health issues, and will work to eradicate this killer.

Get busy, SuperD’s - look at the fiasco the DNC is pushing on us! Choose the GROWN UP already!! Choose the one who CREATES the policies, not steals them!! Choose the one who works for US, the American PEOPLE, not themselves. You might try that, too. For my cousin, for Christina Applegate, Sheryl Crow, the sisters, mothers, aunts, daughters, nieces, and granddaughters - pick the one who cares about US!

UPDATED: (From Larry Johnson) Another video relevant to topic:

Together4US

I want a Democrat in the White House. At the Convention, the sole job of the delegates will be to select the person who is electable in November.

That person is Hillary Clinton. During the primary process BO did not “close the deal” with primary voters. The more voters got to know BO, the more votes Senator Clinton received. By the time she suspended, not ended, her campaign, she led in the popular vote, in the blue states and swing states needed to win the Electoral College, and in the polls against McCain.

She won convincingly wherever one-person-one-vote was the principle of the voting process; she did not prevail in the caucuses - one of the least democratic voting methods imaginable - no secret ballot, limited access, no absentee ballots…

Senator Clinton has the best, most progressive stance on issues of importance to Democrats - truly universal, affordable health care; sensible mortgage relief to avoid the dissolution of our communities; universal pre-k and greater access to high education; energy independence; investments in infrastructure, urban regeneration, stem cell research and other scientific explorations… she has the connections to and the admiration of the world leaders and populations desperate for strong leadership from the United States…

We know Senator Clinton’s record, her ability to bring people together, her intelligence, humor, and that she is a caring person who has worked unceasingly for women, children and families. We know that she understands the issues and nuances of the middle east and has been a proven friend of Israel and other democratic allies.

We know so little of BO, other than he rose meteorically from the south side of Chicago politics, and gives a good speech.

We know that he stood by silently as the media and his own campaign degraded women and the candidacy of Senator Clinton. We know that he encouraged undemocratic practices such as snatching votes and delegates in Florida and Michigan. We know that his associates and friends are not those we would be comfortable bringing home to mother.

Clinton delegates - please hold tight. Do not give up your seat or believe anyone who tells you that Hillary has conceded or ended her campaign. She has suspended her campaign. At a minimum, we must be sure that the Democratic platform reflects her values and programs. We want her to be nominated, speak and to have a roll call.

If BO is the nominee of the party, we will have plenty of time to decide if he has earned the 18 million votes and support of Clinton campaign volunteers.
If he has failed to “close the deal”, we will be there to remind the delegates that their only job is to nominate the ELECTABLE candidate in order to restore the White House to the Democrats.

GO GO GO!!!

Talk about your audacity.

Fair warning: This stuff is liable to piss you off!

Hillary Clinton to be offered dignified exit

The former First Lady would get the chance to pilot Mr Obama’s reforms of the American healthcare system if she agrees to clear the path to his nomination as Democratic presidential candidate.

Obama and his minions actually believe that Hillary would want to steer a health care policy through the legislative process that DOES NOT offer Universal Health Care to ALL Americans? These folks aren’t just audacious, they are stupid as hell. If there is one thing that Hillary has made the centerpiece of her campaign to become President it is Universal Health Care. Not the Obama screw around the edges Health Care for SOME Americans. REAL Universal Health care.

Now I realize that Obama Cultists don’t have the slightest idea what REAL actually means. Their whole movement is based upon lies, thugs, smoke and mirrors. So I almost have sympathy for them. But you notice I used the word ALMOST.

You might imagine that after Hillary experienced the first act of generosity from Senator Obama where he offered to allow her to have 19 delegates from Florida she might not be overly enthused. And then after Obama made his second gesture of generosity by offering to split the delegates from Michigan 50/50 when he wasn’t even on the ballot you wouldn’t be surprised (would you?) if Hillary didn’t tell Obama to F off. And to his face.

But according to the Audacious Cult, they believe that offering Hillary a part in the Obama cabinet is the way to bring about peace. What absolute fools.

Senior figures in the Obama camp have told Democrat colleagues that the offer to Mrs Clinton of a cabinet post as health secretary or to steer new legislation through the Senate will be a central element of their peace overtures to the New York senator.

Pete Seeger said it best:

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time for every purpose, under heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

And my friends, this is a Time of War.