I attended the forum at Saddleback Church Saturday night. I am thinking through my reactions and I will write about it in the coming days. For instant talking points and analysis you have plenty of resources. I want to write about the event after some of the dust has cleared.

I am disappointed that John McCain was not in "The Cone of Silence" as Pastor Rick Warren said he was when he started the night. Both candidates were asked the same questions so having staff be able to prepare someone for a few more minutes for the upcoming questions could be helpful.

I have a transcript and I assume many of you watched the forum. If you did or did watch the forum leave me a comment with your thoughts.

I was wondering what passages from scripture either of the candidates would bring up in their answers. The only direct reference I caught was from Barack Obama when he mentioned America's greatest failings and brought up passages from the Book of Matthew. Here is a basic quote from Matthew:

'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

The rest of my thoughts I will write about soon. But many people are putting out their guesses for VP so I figured it would be a fun discussion here.

What are your top three predictions for each candidate?

Do you think the story will leak early before the text messages go out? If Barack Obama can control his campaign from leaking this information early it will be a great sign of his control over his staff and supporters.

Here are my picks in no particular order:

Barack Obama
1. Hillary Clinton
2. Evan Bayh
3. Tim Kaine

I will make my John McCain picks later.

Did you sign up for the text message? Text JOIN to 62262 if you want to receive Barack Obama news by text.

Local Barack Obama supporters are putting together a great organization. I was surprised I didn't see more Democratic leaders at the event but I the UFCW hall was full of supporters. There will be Barack Obama signs, stickers, and magnetic bumper stickers at this meeting. Here is a video from the last meeting:

Here is the meeting information from the local Barack Obama campaign volunteers:

Obama Monthly Meetup for the 24th Congressional District - Wednesday, July 23, 7 - 9 PM, UFCW Orchid Room in Camarillo

On June 17 we had a terrific meeting in Camarillo with about 190 supporters attending. We covered the basics on what to expect moving forward; hosting events; developing city groups; phonebanking; canvassing and traveling to other states.

On July 23 we have scheduled the second monthly meetup. This event will be co-hosted by Deborah Dent, CD 24 Obama for America Coordinator and Roni Flowers, Obama for America Volunteer. This will be an opportunity for Obama supporters and city group members to meet together, welcome new volunteers, participate in a brief Q & A and receive information on the campaign's general election plans for California . Also, Roni Flowers will conduct a workshop on voter registration.

Please RSVP for this event at

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4gysq

If you are a Democrat running for local office you should be there. I will bring a camera to get photos of the candidates that make it.

( Maybe this video explains some of the reasons for the differences between the candidates. Not much reinforces the perception of being old like not knowing how to use a computer!)

If you google the following names check out the number of results you get:

Barack Obama:
56,600,000

George Bush :
45,100,000

John McCain:
38,700,000

Now onto their Myspace pages:

Barack Obama:
421,953 friends

John McCain:
58,674 friends

What do you think explains the google results?

This election seems to be about Barack Obama and not John McCain. Because of the extended primary, his becoming the first African-American nominee of a major party, and his connection to young voters it is obvious he is well positioned to draw excitement to his campaign.

But how did he top George W. Bush ( or for that matter both George Bush's combined) who has been president or a candidate for president for almost 8 years? Is there really more being written about Barack Obama in the last couple of years then it was about Bush in total?

The 1992 election was about George Bush Sr. and the economy. In the 1996 election Bill Clinton was the topic of discussion, not Bob Dole. The 2000 election was in part a referendum on Bill Clinton. In 2004 the campaign was about George W. Bush but then shifted to being about John Kerry.

This election, for both sides, has become about Barack Obama. When I listen to KFI or watch television it seems that Barack Obama is more often being talked about. Even John McCain is resorting to trying to get some attention from Barack Obama instead of generating his own. He advertisements are all over the internet in odd places like next to Obama Girl or on website promoting racially charged lies about Barack Obama. If you google Barack Obama you even get paid ads by John McCain.

With John McCain's inability to attract excitement on his own it isn't surprising he wanted to be with Barack Obama at town hall meetings!

The Myspace results are easier to explain. Among young people Barack Obama is way ahead.

What do you think about how the candidates are using the internet?

Have you seen or heard about the Obama Girl video hosted on youtube? It has been around since June 13, 2007. Funny enough there wasn't many pundits predicting he would have a serious chance at the nomination back then.

Click here to play the version with subtitled lyrics.

Anyways, I know John McCain's ads are placed using key words but it is funny where his ads keep popping up. He really is going negative early in this election. An attack ad placed on a comedy video? Seems like they don't have a sense of humor. It would be like running a negative ad when the other candidate is on SNL or The Daily Show.

Here is another John McCain ad:

Again, I know his campaign is using key words to place ads. But that being said they should be embarrassed to be running an attack ad on a sleazy website devoted to spreading lies. Barack Obama is a committed Christian. Only the most politically ignorant think he is a Muslim. It has been debunked in so many ways already.

McCain understands what it is like to be smeared by political opponents. I have seen all sorts of trash about him including that he betrayed other POW's when he returned home and of course the dirty attacks from Bush supporters in 2000 before the South Carolina primary.

It is time John McCain's campaign gets an intern to check where their web ads are being placed.

If you see any funny online advertising send me a link.

Have you seen this new version of the presidential seal the Barack Obama campaign has been using? Without using google how many of you translated the words that replaced out of many, one? Do you like the seal or the graphics from the Barack Obama campaign?

There are county wide events for to support Barack Obama this weekend. If you are attending any of them send in a few photos and I will post them.

The local Barack Obama supporters have jumped ahead of the McCain supporters when it comes to using technology to organize.

Are there any local grassroots events to support McCain in this area? Of course, there are many people who support him, but it doesn't seem like there is any organizing going on in Ventura County.

Recently John McCain said about his ability to use technology:

Is this lack of online organizing a sign of a digital divide between the parties, a lack of enthusiasm among Republicans for their nominee ( who would have been a much better president in my opinion than George W. Bush) , or the grassroots of the Republican Party giving up on a blue state?

( Did you see the recent sparring between the candidates when McCain modified Barack Obama's logo and slogan. Reminds me of when George W. Bush contrasted himself with McCain by calling himself a reformer with results. )

I am impressed that a presidential campaign is inspiring people to put together events across the county, all in a day, and in some cities multiple events in a day.

Let me know if you see anything from the McCain campaign.

In related news my correspondent Owen Paun, who wrote several updates about his adventures working for the McCain campaign from places like Iowa is taking a break from politics. At least for a few months. Best of luck with your current calling Owen!

You can read his blog here: Lex Libertas.

Click on continue reading to see the details for the events.

Owen Paun on the campaign trail. Can you guess where?

This sticker is on the drive through ATM at the Well's Fargo on Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley.

It has been there since at least Saturday.

The hate of one person doesn't define a city, or at least it shouldn't. This one incident isn't important. Someone's writing below it isn't the point. The progress of America is important. The truth that in America it doesn't matter who you start out is much more important than random racial screeds. We should be more proud that we are willing to be critical of ourselves and change when we are wrong. That is revolutionary in world history. It is one of our core values.

Barack Obama has been attacked for his race, his ethnic heritage, and he is the victim of countless email hoaxes which deny that he is a devout Christian.

But just like the internet at times unleashes the worst in people, other anonymous forms of communication bring out the evil in people.

People argue that it is a part of the process. They point to the smear tactics deployed against his rivals and past politicians. But that doesn't have to be a fact. If we responded with moral conviction when a friend, coworker, or family member passed on these contagions, if we shut down the vectors of infection, our political immune system would be stronger for it.

I am not discouraged by the racism in America, because racism doesn't define the American soul. That battle was fought and America won. I have hope that our children will grow up in where race is not a barrier to achievement and the walls will continue to tumble down as they have been doing for generations.

I have The Audacity of Hope in my heart that sustains me even when facts don't encourage us. Hope that a flawed human has the gift to uplift us with a sermon. That we will overcome past injustices to build a better world. I have hope in my heart that we are bigger than our problems.

To quote Barack Obama:

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been
anything false about hope.

Will you join me in prayer?

( Rep. Gallegly arguing on behalf of the troop surge.)

There is a new Ventura County based blog devoted to ending the war in Iraq. The war is not very popular in public opinion polls but yet the level of activism against the war has been pretty subdued.

Has your position on the war shifted since the start or run up to the war in 2003?

Click here to see their blog.

Click on continue reading to see details about their next event.

If you plan on going please send in a brief write up and a few photos afterwards.

On a related note watch this John McCain campaign ad:

Did you catch what shirt the woman at the end was wearing? Watch it again before you click here.

Did you see it the first time? Do you think it is really what it looks like?

Here is a new rule:

Do not joke about Barack Obama getting assassinated.

Fox News really messed up here when their reporter joked about taking out Osama Bin Laden and Barack Obama:

It wouldn't be so pathetic but at the time they were discussing Hillary's poor wording. How about this Fox News? When discussing poor word choices, choose your words wisely!

If you haven't seen Hillary's comments for yourself you really should before you form an opinion:

Was it as bad as the way people are describing what she said? What was she thinking?

Of course, there was Mike Huckabee's comments also:

Mike Huckabee did apologize for his joke too.

And of course there was the employee of Salem Communications who thought it fit to include Michelle Obama's response to a question about if she had fears about her husband being killed:

Anyways, New rule: Do not joke about Barack Obama getting murdered. It isn't funny.

What are your thoughts on the presidential campaign?

( News from the largest Barack Obama campaign rally yet. About 75,000 people gathered to hear him speak.)

The Barack Obama Campaign has become a movement. Between the massive online fund raising and record setting crowds it is a juggernaut.

Locally it is the only campaign organizing in Ventura County. Unless the other campaigns are not visible. But running a campaign in secret isn't a great plan.

Here is the link for the Barack Obama for Ventura County Myspace group.

Click on continue reading to see the latest events that Delegate Sandy Emberland is putting together.

I haven't seen any local Hillary Clinton news. Most Democrats realize the campaign is over and Barack Obama has won. Will John McCain make the same mistake and try to run an "experience" campaign?

On the Republican side John McCain is meeting with three potential VP candidates this weekend.

The three include:

1. Mitt Romney
2. Bobby Jindal
3. Charlie Christ

I wonder why, even after stopping Mitt Romney, this man wasn't included:

Do you think Mike Huckabee is being considered by John McCain's team?

Who do you think each candidate should choose as their VP candidate?

I think McCain will pick Mitt Romney if he really wants to win. That choice will help him to end questions about his economic policies.

For Barack Obama I think Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel , Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gov. Bill Richardson, or Sen. Jim Webb could be good Vice Presidents. They would all also show that how devoted Barack Obama is about a new type of politics.

( Thanks to a reader for creating this image for me. You never answered my email about how we knew each other, if we did.)

( If you know the people in the picture, please identify them)

Local Democratic Party supporter and Barack Obama delegate Sandy Emberland has written a report about her trip to the state convention.

To read the whole report and ask her questions click on continue reading.

To read her earlier report click here.

Sandy, are the Hillary supporters admitting that Barack Obama will win the nomination? Do they seem ready to support the party's nominee? Do you think this primary has caused a major rift between the different factions?

( If you know the story behind this picture from Rep. Gallegly's website I would like to know.)

I have heard there is an interesting story about The Ventura County Republican Central Committee's process in endorsing Rep. Elton Gallegly for re-election. Is there some problem with their bylaws because it is a contested primary?

If you know more about this please fill us in. I went to the endorsement page but there wasn't any listings. Click here to see Rep. Gallegly's current listings.

His website also details his positions on three issues: Taxes, Immigration, and Terrorism. See how many times you find the word Iraq on his issues page. Is he trying to avoid connection to the war?

( Rep. Elton Gallegly discussing his views on The Surge)

The VCRCC also has an online poll about the 2008 presidential election. Options include the war on terrorism/Iraq.

I recently wrote about Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) who is the ranking minority member on the Committee on Natural Resources with Rep. Gallegly. It looks like Don Young cannot get anyone to donate to his legal defense bills to attempt to protect him from the criminal investigations he is facing. I am calling upon Rep. Gallegly to stand up and denounce the Bridge to Nowhere and Young's other over the top antics. Even in heavily Republican Alaska Senator Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young are behind in the polls because of their connections to illicit earmarking combined with their connections to a shady business. Elton, how can you stay silent on this issue? Be a leader and stop these people from dragging your party down. It is a matter of time before they are arrested or defeated for reelection. And if that doesn't happen they will instead continue to drag down your party. Why not help put an end to their abuse of power?

If more leaders from both parties stood up to their own members America would have more trust in their government.

From Barack Obama's website:

On May 10th, Barack Obama is launching Vote for Change, an unprecedented 50-state voter registration and mobilization drive. More than 100 events will be held across the country that day. Obama volunteers will register new voters as the start of a six-month voter registration drive.

We can change Washington if more Americans get involved, get registered and show up to vote on November 4th. If millions of new voters get involved, a powerful message will be sent to the special interests that dominate the old politics. This is an important time to find more people in your community to register to vote.

Recent voter registration drives have registered more than 200,000 new Democrats in Pennsylvania, more than 165,000 new Democrats in North Carolina, and more than 150,000 new Democrats in Indiana. Those numbers just scratch the surface of what's possible.

One of the many reasons I support Barack Obama is that he energizes Democrats to organize and stand up for our values. When most national campaigns ignore places like Ventura County, especially when the primary is over, Barack Obama inspires people to keep working to change our nation.

Click here for the details.

The details can also be seen by clicking on continue reading.

Does anyone else ever remember this level of organization after a presidential primary is over locally?

In other news Republican attempts to drag down a Democrat by using Barack Obama has already backfired. Democrats won in a district that supported Bush over Kerry by about 18 points in 2004. This is the second special election ( the other was Speaker Dennis Hastert's old seat) recently where Democrats have won in a Republican leaning district. Is it a sign of the coming elections?

Here is yet another Hip Hop video for Barack Obama. Why is that no other candidate inspires people to that normally aren't drawn into the system? Barack Obama is energizing a new generation for the Democratic Party.