OBAMARAMA

As some of you have noticed, it’s been nearly two weeks since the last Obamarama post. For a blog that’s been updated at least once and sometimes as much as five times a day over the past six months, that’s certainly an anomaly. So what gives?

A few things. I’ve generally tried to keep the personal out of the political here, so let’s just say they involve a new dog, a career change, and not nearly the kind of free time I need to keep the information on the site as timely and engaging as it needs to be.

A lot has changed in in Sen. Obama’s political career since this blog launched in December 2006, too. The most significant is that he is now a presidential candidate — the primary hope of this blog and indeed it’s raison d’ etre. Once that happened, finding information and analysis about the junior senator from Illinois became a lot easier for blog readers, and keeping the posts cutting edge became much more of a challenge.

Still, Obamarama has tried to bring you something unique among political blogs: good-natured, insightful, sometimes humorous takes on the news and happenings of Sen. Obama’s historic campaign. While still providing regular updates on polls, breaking news and the occasional liveblog, the site tried to distinguish itself by providing reports with some flavor and zest — posts like FOX News Takes Comedic Swing at Obama, Misses and Hell Hath No Fury Like Mike Allen Scorned, not to mention the entire Expose the Hate series. Hopefully that’s been successful, and enjoyable.

For the time being I’ll be suspending posts on the site, with the hope of returning when I have the time and ability to give readers more of what you’ve come to expect here — information that will entertain and engage you as you keep tabs on the most groundbreaking and inspirational political ascendancy of our time.

Thanks for your forbearance — and thank you most of all for checking the site, for your many comments and emails, and for your enduring interest in a campaign that is changing the country for the better every day. Stay involved!

-JHC

P.S. In the spirit of Absurd Obama Video Sunday, which I think pretty much embodies the essence of this blog, I leave you with this soon-to-be classic video about a girl with a very special crush on a very special statesman:

The Political Wire reports on new polling out of the Palmetto State:

This was definitely one of the most exhilarating exchanges of the Democratic debate last night.  Sen. Obama’s overall performance has been hailed by many in the media, but this was by far his most succinct and powerful rebuttal:

The most absurd thing about this video is the idea that Sen. Obama would LOSE this sort of showdown:

Okay, this could be fun. A friend of mine, a grad student in Colorado, is helping organize a party to raise some money for the Obama campaign. His request: What are some creative ideas for an Obama-themed beverage?

My hope is that you all can submit some creative recipe ideas for a drink called “The Obamarama,” which can then be used for the party before sweeping the nation and quickly becoming a staple in every bar in the land. I’m thinking something with blue curacao.

Also, feel free to suggest your own drink names! I should add that this party is not an official campaign event, and I’ve been assured that “the Obamarama” and any other alcoholic drink will only be served to people over 21.

So, let’s hear some ideas. Not to make any snap judgments about readers of this site, but based on the quality of some of the past comments I think it’s safe to say you’re creative. And while I have no proof that you’re heavy drinkers, most of you are Democrats so I have to assume you at least understand the urge.

The AP reports today that “Sen. Barack Obama vowed Thursday to restore environmental protections the Bush administration has rolled back through executive orders, especially at the Environmental Protection Agency.”

He called the EPA under Bush “demoralized,” primarily through executive orders that didn’t require congressional approval.

From the article:

“I think the slow chipping away against clean air and clean water has been deeply disturbing. Much of it hasn’t gone through Congress. It was done by fiat,” he said. “That is something that can be changed by an administration, in part by reinvigorating the EPA, which has been demoralized.”

Obama added: “When you’ve got folks at the top who are not serious about enforcing environmental laws, then all through the civil service people get discouraged.”