Michelle Obama describes her life as ordinary.  She says that she and her husband go out for either dinner or a movie, but it not because he is cheap.

Date nights. "Barack and I don't have interesting lives, never did. We're basically family people. When we go on a date, it's either dinner or a movie because we can't stay awake for both," she says. Dates now include the Secret Service. "They give us our space," she says.

http://www.usatoday.com/...

The new message that the GOP is trying to stick on Obama is that he is just a politician. So, here goes Rove, giving it his best shot in an editorial in the Wall Street Journal.

Mr. Obama has now also played the race card, twice suggesting in recent weeks that Republicans will draw attention to the fact that he's black. Who is unaware of that? Americans overwhelmingly find it a hopeful, optimistic sign that the country could elect an African-American president. But they rightly want to know what kind of leader he might be. They may well reject as cynical any maneuver to discourage close examination of him by suggesting any criticism is racially motivated.

http://online.wsj.com/...

Obama is prepared to spend money to turn Texas and other red states Blue. Deputy campaign manager Hildebrand is quoted as saying,

"Texas is a great example where we might not be able to win the state, but we want to pay a lot of attention to it," Hildebrand said. "It’s one of the most important redistricting opportunities in the country."

http://www.politico.com/...

Karl Rove at a Washington Breakfast unloads on Obama.

"Even if you never met him, you know this guy," Rove said, per Christianne Klein. "He's the guy at the country club with the beautiful date, holding a martini and a cigarette that stands against the wall and makes snide comments about everyone who passes by."

Our system is broken and has been for as long as I can remember. A person like Dennis Krucinch never has a chance to make it out of the Democratic Primary because of a broken system and people like you and me. Follow me over the jump.  

Everyone has heard the saying, you can't please all of the people all of the time. So, with that said, can Barack Obama announce a Vice President selection in the near future without the risk of strong backlash from disappointed supporters? Is it best to wait until the party is strongly unified and solidly behind the Democratic nominee or is better to get it over with and allow unity to build in the upcoming weeks?  More over the jump.

Let me begin by saying that I put the words "All American" in quotations to make a point. And that is to emphasis the absurdity of the phrase, but the truthfulness of its implication.  In my mind, there is no such thing as someone who is more American than others. If you are born a citizen of the United States, then you are an American, plain and simple. But, in the land of politics, the truth is that you can be branded by the GOP as being a phoney American, or just not the right type of American.  And, for this reason, I submit that Obama’s choice of Vice President narrows considerably.  

This may have been diaried previously, but since it is so funny and since I missed it, I figured others may have too.

Can you tell the difference between McCain and Bush?  Are you ready to score an A on the quiz. There is a great website where you can take the quiz and find out your Bush/McCain IQ.    

McCain and his campaign made another huge blunder yesterday in New Hampshire. The McCain campaign at the conclusion of a town hall meeting used the copyrighted song "Still the One" without asking either the writers or the performers for permission. To make matters worse, the song's co-writer, is John Hall, current New York congressman. John Hall is a Democrat who supports Barack Obama.

Has anyone wondered whether McCain may be trying to get back at the Republicans for all of those years they rejected McCain? Maybe this is his year to really stick it to the Republicans and allow the Dems to sweep in November. Why else would John McCain be doing such a poor job in campaigning for President? Why else would he continue to stick his foot in his mouth and embarrass his party? If you do not believe me, there is evidence. I now provide you with my clear and convincing case on how McCain is secretly trying to throw the Presidential election to help Obama and the Dems win big in the Fall.  

It is already June and we are just now starting the General Election contest. Unlike the Kerry campaign where there was ample time for healing, the Obama campaign does not have that luxury.  The campaign will need more manpower to pull off a 50 state campaign. The campaign will need money asap. And, for this reason, I am not sure if we can wait all the way until the convention or beyond for Clinton supporters to "mourn" for lack of a better word. Some Clinton supporters have come aboard and are posting here again. But, perhaps a stronger push may help speed things a long and bring the return of all previous posters and new posters as well. So here is my proposal over the jump.

WARNING. This diary is not for those who cannot take a punch. If that is you, and you do not want your feelings hurt if I smack down your choice for VP, move on. But, here, I am going to be frank. There are candidates who are just wrong for an Obama running mate. Let’s just be up front and honest. There have been names thrown out there, and I say to myself, no way. And, I am sure those reading this have had the same experiences. Some choices just deserve to be smacked down.

It is almost a certainty that Barack Obama will be the Democratic Nominee on June 3rd. The issue of party unity is still a deep concern. But, a greater factor is Clinton’s ability to ever concede.

Six of the top 10 videos returned by a "John McCain" YouTube search Thursday pegged the 71-year-old as inconsistent, extreme, wooden or a combination of the three. (The one clearly favorable piece came from the McCain campaign and focused on his Navy service.)

http://www.latimes.com/...

More over the jump.

Are you familar with a series on the Today show where the viewing public is asked to figure out where in the world is Matt Lauer? Well now Kossacks it is your turn. Will you be the grand prize winner who can predict where in the world we will find Hillary on June 4, 2008.

Is Tim Kaine the best choice to balance the ticket and help Obama in the South and Appalachian region? Maybe. He has executive experience. He is Governor in a Southern Red State (maybe purple now) and his life story has interesting parallels to Obama's life story. Both men have Kansas roots, civil rights experience and lived out of the country for a period of time during their youth.  

In trying to contrast his experience seeking the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee, McCain was quoted to have said,"I've never been to Pastor Hagee's church or Pastor Parsley's church" http://www.cbsnews.com/...

What Hillary wants you and the Superdelegates to know about Barack Obama. Did Hillary have any political reason behind the her assassination comment. Of course, the comment fits in with her overall mind game strategy. Follow me, and be patient.