Proposition Eight and Race

All over America there has been exciting and broad based protests against the narrow passage of Proposition 8 in California. To see so many of the LGBT community feel passionately about their freedom is uplifting and a good omen for our struggle. Especially inspiring is to witness so many of our youth seize their own future and insist on full equality. The size of the crowds have been astounding, the perseverance is impressive and the chants certainly creative. Intense dialogue is taking place all over America about what went wrong, who is to blame and in some cases seeking to punish those who disagreed with us. Some of these actions have been wise and some have been very foolish.

Among the most foolish has been the dialogue around the African-American vote in California. It has been tinged in places with racism, not based totally on good knowledge, lacks a historical perspective and certainly doesn't create an atmosphere to build a better coalition.

Let me say that the purpose of building a movement/ campaign is to create a winning coalition. Sometimes it doesn't have to be a majority coalition but at least one strong enough to protect an unpopular minority from the tyranny of a majority. Our movement and our protests should not be about punishing our enemies but bringing enough of them to our side, not necessarily to love us, but to ensure our freedom and full equality. I really don't care if someone doesn't like me, I do care if that manifests itself in taking away my rights, being an oppressor and actions that lead to violence. Nowhere in our splendid constitution does the word "comfortable" appear as a criteria for freedom and equality.

Now in relationship to the African-American community, much has been made of a CNN exit poll that show 70% of that community voting "Yes On Eight". Dr. Fernando Guerra of Loyola's Levy Center for the Study of Los Angeles did a far more extensive poll than CNN and found that the 70% figure was way too high. The figure is closer to 57% (still not acceptable) but a long way from the 70%. Other models that I have been running in an attempt to get the facts and not the emotions show the latter a more likely figure.

The other data that appears to be emerging (BUT yet to be totally verified) is that African-Americans who early voted (which was a huge number) voted YES while those on election day voted NO. Remember we did not do extensive campaigning in many of the African-American precincts until the final week or so which was long after tens of thousands had already voted. Our campaign was slow to use Obama's opposition to Proposition Eight which he gave the day after the initiative qualified five months before the election.

Now historically, the African-American community has been our strongest ally. I have been working in LGBT rights since 1976 and no other community has consistently supported us like the African-American community. In two huge past initiative battles that we won statewide in California, No on 6 and No on 64, the African-American community gave us some of our largest margins. Leaders like Mayor Willie Brown, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, deceased Congressman Julian Dixon and others too numerous to menton often were the first to speak up if our oppressors were coming after us. We have a long valuable historical and powerful coalition with the African-American community and I would hate to see us do damage to it in our passion. This is no small political matter and should be treated by the LGBT community with the utmost of care. Our leaders must lead on this one, do some self-examination and approach our long time friends with a smile and a handshake.

I am not here to second guess the very capable people who run this campaign. They gave us their heart and soul and we honor them. However in moving forward we must understand how we can do better. Certainly we all agree on a daily basis we all can do better. We need a really good CSI type forensic type examination of this election before we blindly make plans to go forward. There are so many questions unanswered at this stage about outreach and education.

The LGBT community knows discrimination as does African-American community. Our struggle for freedom is the same but our road is unique and different. We should stop connecting our path to freedom with the noble African American struggle for freedom. They are two different journeys. Embraced our own struggle and inspired others by our unique stories. Now is the time for cooler heads to prevail, leaders to speak out and to honor a rich history between our two communities

Impressions..........................by David Mixner

-The entire world has lost a great singer when "Mama Africa" died this week. Miriam Makeba died at a concert in Italy. She was in the forefront in the fight against Apartheid and was banned from her home in South Africa from 1959 to 1990. She performed for President John Kennedy, sang with Harry Belafonte, inspired Paul Simon and was the first African to win a Grammy. All of Africa is in mourning for this singing giant. In the late 1960's I was fortunate enough to see her in concert with Belafonte and believe me she was one of the all time greats.

-Well, we have seen maps and we have seen charts but over and over again, I am asked 'how did the white vote go?' Well MSNBC's "First Read" finally had an easy break down on that boring question. You can start whistling "Dixie" because in thirteen states Obama received less than 35% of the vote. Nine of the thirteen were in the Confederacy with Alabama (10%), Mississippi (11%) and Louisiana (14%) delivering the lowest 'white vote' in America. On the other hand, Obama won the 'white vote' in eighteen states.

-Some people just can't bring themselves to leave the 50's. That is the only reason I can assume why this talk of Marxism has surfaced again. Georgia Republican Congressman Paul Broun says that Obama will establish a Marxist dictatorship with a national police force out combing the streets to get the 'good people'. It's amazing to me that such wantonly ignorant people can get elected in America.

-Ok, ok, my friends, I am going to take advantage of you and print a personal plea. Come on down next Monday (November 17) for the first New York reading of Dennis Bailey's and my play called "Jacob's Ladder". The reading starts at 8:00PM at the 92nd Street Y in Tribeca at 200 Hudson Street in Manhattan. Admission is $12 and you can get tickets by calling (212) 601-1000. Playbill has a wonderful story about the cast for the reading and just click here to read it. Judith Light wrote about the Los Angeles reading,

"I had the pleasure of doing a reading of Jacob's Ladder and just loved it. The play brings home the struggle with ones identity and of being of service to a greater good. Jacob's new job in the Roosevelt White House put him at the center of the question of what to about the Concentration Camps. Rarely has a play captured the battle to embrace who we are and in that process make the right decision."

-Come on gang, I know we all are angry but do you really believe boycotting the "Sundance Film Festival" because it is located in Utah will bring us closer to marriage equality? I think that is a bit of a stretch. Bob Redford is probably about all we've got on our side there. Let's not lose him!

-Hey this election might not be over! Obama has closed to less than 5,000 votes to McCain in Missouri with a number of ballots to be counted. What a nice end to a near perfect Presidential campaign if we carried the "Show Me" state.

-According to Real Clear Politics Scorecard, it appears that Pennsylvania voters are not huge Chris Matthews fans. The MSNBC "Hardball" host, who has put out feelers to run for the senate, loses to incumbent Republican Senator Arlen Specter 40% to 27%. Although being at only 40% for Specter this close to the 2010 race isn't exactly good news for the veteran senator. Wonder how Senator Hillary Clinton would vote if she could vote in Pennsylvania?

-it appears that the Democratic Party wants Joe Lieberman to continue to be part of their team in the United States Senate. For me personally, I have only two words for Independent Senator Joe Lieberman ....Bye Bye.

-The wonderful and talented District Attorney of San Francisco, Kamala Harris, is running for Attorney General of California in 2010. This brilliant woman has endless potential and is one of the bright young stars of the Democratic Party.

-As the rage and anger continue against the passage of Proposition 8, it would be sad not to celebrate that Connecticut will be starting marriage equality in the next couple of days. The wise voters turned down a "Constitutional Convention" which would have overturned the courts decision. Marriage Equality is here to stay in Connecticut.

-Where is the name of California Congresswoman Jane Harmon on the list for Secretary of Defense? Obama could go down in history by appointing the first woman to hold that post. There is no one more knowledgeable on military matters than she. She has championed the service members and their needs and was the sponsor of the bill that allowed HIV positive service members stay in the military. Obama would be missing the perfect choice for Defense if she isn't being considered!

-Could be some real interesting games being played with Senate seats if John Kerry gets Secretary of State. We already have seats opening in Illinois and Delaware. The Massachusetts opening would be really fun to watch. Congressman Ed Markey has wanted to be in the Senate for years. Congressman Barney Frank would love to be the first openly gay Senator but does the incredible power he has as Banking Chairman make him want to stay in the House? Governor Patrick could have his hands full with some pretty large egos with this vacancy if it happens!

What a better way to end this week's column than with a 1967 video of Miriam Makeba singing her all time great hit "Pata, Pata".

President-Elect Obama's Agenda

Now the interesting part begins as our new President-elect confronts eight years of failed policies that have led to two wars, an economic collapse, a healthcare system in crisis and civil liberties decimated. One has to wonder why anyone would have wanted the job given the sorry state of affairs in America. Clearly, President-elect Obama (God, I love saying that!) has his work cut out for him. The crisis confronting America is so overwhelming it is almost impossible to know where to start.

Yet, Obama seems to know exactly how to proceed. He is quite aware that action must taken immediately on alleviating our economic crisis - a stimulus package that will bring not only some instant relief but also create confidence among the American people. His team has noted other priorities including foreign policy (our two wars), healthcare and education. In addition, we can rest assured about issues surrounding the appointment of judges and also a women's right to choose. Those issues alone all require urgent attention and would be enough to keep anyone busy the next four years.

However, there are some other issues that cry out for attention and it is important that the key appointees work on them immediately. Here are just a few from what actually could be a very long list:

CONGO: This horror story in Africa cries out for help. We are rapidly approaching six million dead from the results of war mostly in the Eastern sector of the country. The fragile cease fire appears to be over again and mass death, rape and massive refugee flows have become common place once more. The United Nations has no where near enough peace keepers -- indeed, in the latest round of fighting they had trouble protecting themselves.

GUANTANAMO BAY: Inside sources in the campaign say it will be closed soon. It must be closed. Release the clearly innocent and ensure fair trials for those prisoners that must have them. This is operation is America's shame.

TORTURE: Remove from military or civilian service any individual involved in torture or even sending prisoners to other countries to be tortured. It must be stopped.

AIDS: The epidemic continues and millions are at risk of dying. Remove those restrictions that the radical right placed in AIDS funding bills so that professional care can again become the standard. It is important to work with local governments on needle exchange. Not being for needle exchange is like being against condoms in the 1980's. Finally, the ability of HIV positive people to visit America is still not a reality. Despite being overturned by Congress, implementation is being held up in the Department of Homeland Security.

ENVIRONMENT: Stop the building of roads, drilling and logging in our national park system. Clearly, Obama's team will tackle global warming and other major issues but the Bush team put into effect tons of small regulations that are eating up our park system. Expand the list of endangered species and for God sakes, put the Polar Bear on it.

LGBT: The LGBT community took a real hit in the last election. More than any other community we suffered at the ballot box. In a true vision of unity for America, the LGBT community urgently needs to see from the new President that we are part of that fabric of unity. The easiest way to do this would be to pass ENDA, Hate Crimes legislation and repeal DOMA. In addition, work must begin with the military and Congress over the next months to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" by the end of 2009. Expanding benefits for federal employees and honoring the laws of those states that have implemented marriage also would be great steps. Finally, it is time to realize that marriage is a great struggle for equality and freedom.

POVERTY: Millions of Americans are actually going to bed hungry each night. Kids are developing neurological disorders from the lack of food. Thousands of programs from Head Start to VISTA have suffered under the Bush Administration. In the urgency to rebuild the American economy lets not forget the poor one more time - the ranks are growing and the impact is shocking and sad.

INFRASTRUCTURE: As complicated tax incentives and other key parts of the new economic program are worked out, America's collapsing infrastructure cannot be forgotten. Our dams, roads, mass transit, sewer systems, etc are ancient and in urgent need of repair. The best way to create jobs for the poor is constructing mass transit light rail, high speed train lines, rebuilding our dams and repairing roads. This will put America's poor to work while we develop programs for daycare, special needs training and education for their children.

This is just a very partial list but once again points out the massive job ahead for our new President-elect and our Democratic Congress.

Keith Olbermann's Powerful and Moving Statement on Proposition 8

Proposition 8: Where Do We Go From Here? by Frank Selvaggi

"Help me. I wish I could disappear and go away"...Graham Nash sang those lyrics. But we will not disappear nor will we go away. The passage of Prop 8 is a stark and stunning reminder of how much, as a community, we still need to do. We lost this fight. It wasn't the Mormons, it wasn't the Catholic Church, it wasn't the African-American community. It was us. All of us in the LGBT community.

We all did not do enough.

Many people in our community think the Proposition was just about marriage. There are many people in our community who don't care about marriage. Fair enough...I get that. But they couldn't be more wrong. Marriage is the least of it. This is just the start, folks. This was about writing discrimination directly into our largest state's Constitution. The opposition is now emboldened. They will wield this like an axe mercilessly. They will go after the 18,000 same-sex marriages that have already taken place in California. They will go after same-sex benefits in the public sector much like they did in Michigan. They will try and minimize or even abolish any legal standing we have as couples and families. Laugh all you want, this is the truth. They will not stop. And neither should we.

We need to come together, organize better, educate more, raise more money, work our asses off AND more of us need to vote. We need to be pro-active, not reactive, IF we want our collective equality and justice. We need to take a look deep inside ourselves and ask, "How much do we want this?" No one else will give us our freedom. No one else will give us our equality. No one else will give us our deserved justice. We need to take it.

I went to bed on Tuesday night with hope in my heart over Obama's win, only to wake up back to earth on Wednesday shedding tears of sorrow. It's difficult to wrap your head around the fact that most people don't think we should have the same rights just because we are wired a certain way. But that's the truth of it and we need to recognize that, pick ourselves up and march forward.

We will need to do this ourselves. We can't expect anything from the next administration. They have too much else to deal with. We can't expect it from the courts. Much like the great work that the Pride Agenda is doing in New York but on a national level, we need to reach out to religious leaders, unions and workplaces. We need to educate, build bridges and alliances. We need to work, we need to spend money AND we need to put in the time.

We need to go out there and educate people why denying us equality is wrong. But it will take time, money and most importantly; commitment from our own community.

Frank Selvaggi is Co Chair of the Empire State Pride Agenda and is an activist for marriage equality. He lives in North Salem and works out of New York City. He and his husband, Bill Shea, were married in Massachusetts and were major donors to the No On 8 campaign.

Turkey Hollow Almanac: Anger and Rage

Up here in the Hollow we just don't feel or see much anger or rage. Everything, in its way, is for a purpose and fits into the famous circle of life. What 'violence' exists between animals it is about survival and not needless anger. One of the reasons I love the Hollow so much is that it is void of that uncontrolled violence and rage that we often see outside this tranquil place. I am sometimes taken aback by needless ire coming from the most surprising sources. Given these moments I have to work hard to avoid joining their chorus and maintain my own calm individuality and peace. It is not always easy.

As you know, I often joked that I came to Turkey Hollow to create an existence for myself similar to Henry David Thoreau and ended up being Dr. Doolittle. Thoreau's essay written in 1849 called "On Civil Disobedience" in which he refused to pay his taxes because of the unjust Mexican - American War always has been one of my favorites. While he lived as a naturalist in Walden Pond he did not shut himself off from the outside world. He struggled to find a balance between his individual path while championing the human spirit and finding his rightful place in a greater world. Absorbing the nature around him, he spoke passionately about his beliefs but never in anger.

Gandhi is another one of my heroes. One of my favorite lines from him is that our words sometimes have more power than our actions. That we must chose what we say carefully because just simple words have led to wars, bitterness and misunderstanding. I have been imperfect and often failed in my efforts to live the teachings of these wise men. There are many times I have regretted my words and actions and have attempted to take those moments to grow and learn from my inappropriate behavior. However, I have the strength of knowing that I attempt to do better every day and am getting closer to the spirit of non-violence.

This week in the astonishing beauty of the Obama victory there has been a lot of rage and anger around the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Trust me, I felt a great sense of disappointment and loss and am struggling with how we proceed and build without becoming filled with venom and distrust like our opponents. I don't want to become like our oppressors. Then my mailbox and comments section on my blog filled with hateful comments towards African-Americans, Mormans and Hispanics. Some of it was every bit as vile as our oppressors. I am against censoring the comments but had to remove some of them because of the hate that I just did not want seeping out into the world. Many of them were personal attacks for my beliefs.

Sparing you the worst, let me share a few examples: This gentleman seems to think calling me names will create some change or rid the world of me or make the planet a more gentle and perfect place.

"While there is much to celebrate, there's also much to mourn. Outrageously absent on Mixner's winners and losers list was the gay community as a whole. Mixner is a petty, vindictive, sophomoric political whore whose vitriol is little better than that of the right-wing nuts he bashes. I read his column from time to time for entertainment, but as a gay leader, he's become irrelevant."

Posted by: Mike Marrotta | Nov 6, 2008 8:51:07 AM

Now, I feel strongly that Mr. Marrotta has every right to express his views and left it in the comment section. Not entirely sure what a "political whore" is about since I don't get paid and refuse to accept appointments but in using that terminology I am afraid that by connecting me with sexual workers he has inadvertently denigrated the sexual workers more than me.

At least he has the courage and honesty to sign his full name and he has my full respect for that. I know he feels passionately about the world and only wish he could find some sort of more peaceful and gentle way of expressing his passion. Now "Bruce" writes often into the comment section and always rages against me. He feels he knows what I am thinking, what I should do and what knowledge I have. It is amazing to me that he has all this information since I have never engaged in dialogue with him about my current state of mind. The poor man never signs his last name and hides in the anonymity of his bitterness.

"Come on PLEASE - some balance and maturity? On TOP of the "Losers" list - way above McCain and Palin should be EDWARDS and all the people who were fooled by him and donated hard earned money. Second, the LGBT community got slaughtered. Progressive coalition?? Huh? 70% of African Americans voted in CA to deny LGBT Americans basic rights and 80% of Latinos (CNN Exit poll). Now Democrats have the President, and Senate, and House. Lets see about ENDA, Don't ask, Don't Tell, Repeal of DOMA etc - Time to deliver! I hope you have the maturity to hold them accountable. I disagree vehemently with the above comment that you are irrelevant - but lets see how you address Prop 8 and the lack of minority support on your next posting (we are all waiting) and lets see you "monitor" LGBT progress this year. If you are just a left wing mouth piece - you are irrelevant. You now have no more Bush/ Republicans to blog about......I hope you are prepared to demonstrate at the White House again if Pres Obama and the Dems do not deliver. Barack Obama is our President and I am 100% with him. I'm watching......."

Posted by: Bruce | Nov 6, 2008 10:31:28 AM

Although it appears that this might be someone I know, I truly have no idea who Bruce is. However both of these people do everything but one thing: They fail to take responsibility for making change themselves. How much better instead of 'watching me' to make sure I do what they want me to do, that they do it themselves? If they feel it is important for someone to demonstrate at the White House fence then they should do it. If they feel I am an irreverent political whore then they really shouldn't waste their time on me and instead create their own mission and share it with the world. I feel bad that my words have enraged them so that they have wasted their time with such anger directed to me.

For me, I will always struggle to do better but it is an individual struggle and not one built upon consensus to be admired or met with universal approval. I reserve the right to be wrong and yes, also right. Most of all, as did Thoreau, I will strive live within my own values, principles and individuality at peace with nature and at peace with myself. That is a very good feeling. Very good, indeed.

After Proposition 8.....

An otherwise brilliant evening of celebration on Tuesday night was made bittersweet by the devastating passage of anti-LGBT amendments in Florida, Arkansas, Arizona and California. None was perhaps more shocking than the passage of Proposition 8 repealing marriage equality in California that was granted by the California Supreme Court. Bigotry has now been placed in the constitutions of both Florida, Arizona and California. A system of apartheid against the LGBT community just keeps building as state after state places in the highest document in the land a separate body of law against only one community. The night was tragic and requires an enormous amount of soulsearching and stamina.

On the other hand, it is extremely important to acknowledge the real victories we had on election night. Empire State Pride Agenda's (ESPA) million dollar campaign to take control of the New York State Senate after decades of Republican's blocking our legislation was successful. We are now one crucial step closer to marriage in that State. This coming week, Connecticut will begin marrying members of the LGBT community. Because of the election, we are also closer in New Jersey to achieving marriage. We are continuing to make progress one step at a time. I remember those harsh days when we couldn't even get people in our own community to fight for marriage and now we have moved into striking distance of making marriage equality a reality in a number of states.

In many ways, sitting here in Turkey Hollow, it is easier for me to have a perspective and certainly easier to retreat into nature to heal from the hate. I am quite aware of that so I proceed with my thoughts very carefully. Along with other talented people in California in the past, we have defeated two statewide anti-gay initiatives in 1978 and in 1986. So we do have the knowledge that we can win these hateful ballot measures in the toughest of circumstances. But no one promised any of us that it would be easy, or without enormous struggle. We are in the fight for freedom, equality and justice. The battle has been waged over my forty years in public life and never have I seen it come without setbacks and heartbreak, even including, the loss of life.

Firstly, I know that today, many who gave so much of their lives to defeat these horrible ballot measures are feeling empty and beaten by the losses. Some might even be feeling hostility from angry members in our community who had such high hopes for passage. That hostility could not be more inappropriate. I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. Every single leader, volunteer, team member, etc. who left their jobs, donated their talents and, as a gift to this community, give their energy, passion, and soul to defeat the injustice. They worked day and night to give us their best. They lost income, precious time with those that they love. As Churchill said, they gave us their 'blood, sweat, and tears". I will personally will be eternally grateful to all of them and know there is a special place in our history for them.

Second, we will all be tempted to immediately fall into the trap of 'common wisdom' discerning why we failed on election day. This is very dangerous as it could take us months to get to the truth of the loss. Now is the time for patience and knowledge. We need facts to find out how to do our job better next time. And those answers require patiently going over the election returns astutely and avoiding quick, 'feel good' proclamations that might lead us into the wrong direction in the future. For example, when the returns are totally completed, we should put together a group of real political experts to see just exactly what happened. Did we have the right ads? Did we attempt to make others love us at the cost of good hard hitting ads? Did we start the right ads soon enough? Did we make the best use of our grassroots network? Did we involve enough people outside our community soon enough? Where we too insular? How did our national leadership and organizations respond and could they have been used better? There are so many questions and quite honestly, given my current knowledge , I simply don't have the answers for these questions at this moment.

Third, I have received from a number of people on this site and in emails, making references to this community as 'losers'. This kind of destructive self-hate only continues our own bondage in the fight of adversity. We are making great progress. We have moved forward at an incredible pace. After celebrating many hard fought victories, when challenged with such a devastating setback, the loss can take the wind right out of our sails. There will be those who want to retreat because of the difficulty of our struggle---We must ignore them. There will be those that want to retreat because it makes our straight allies nervous--We must ignore them. There will be those who are weary, tired and disheartened--We must give them energy and vision.

As we get closer to freedom, we owe it to the next generation not to be hardened but sharpened. Yes, take time, find knowledge, do it better, expand our leadership but never, I say never, quit

Tell Family and Friends in California To Vote No On 8! Donate!

There is one day left and No on 8 has an incredible endorsement ad to play through tomorrow. It is not too late to make one last contribution to No on 8!. Donate now by clicking here. Don't wake up Wednesday morning and wish you had done more. It will be too late then. Click here to donate.

Impressions of an Election.............By David Mixner

-So far, Barack Obama has been endorsed by 231 newspapers with a combined circulation of 21 million people. McCain has a total of 102 newspapers with a circulation of 7 million people. Forty-Six of the papers that endorsed Bush in 2004 have switched to Obama. One of the more interesting endorsements for Obama was the Anchorage Daily News. You bet'cha. If you want to know how your newspaper endorsed, go to www.editorandpublisher.com .

-Tell me again, John McCain, why we should not tax corporations more? Exxon/ Mobil, just for this quarter, has reported an all time record profit of $14.3 billion dollars! So much for taking our hard earned money at the gas pump and putting it back into exploration.

-Astronaut Sally Ride (photograph) has endorsed Obama and says he is the best choice for the future of the space program.

-Matt Drudge continues to bring shame to his site The Drudge Report by endlessly printing every slimy unauthenticated rumor about Obama. His effort to pump up the Republicans with such trash is unbecoming. But not surprising.

-The latest CNN/Time battleground state polls continue to show we are heading in the right direction. They showed Obama leading in a number of states including:

Florida +4%
Virginia +9%
Pennsylvania +12%
North Carolina +6%
Nevada +7%
Ohio +4%

-In the 'just when you think it can't get any worse' department, incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole sank to new lows in the already acknowledged nadir known as Republican politics. She accused very religious challenger Kay Hagan of 'associating with Atheists" in a television spot! The Charlotte Observer called out Dole on her disgusting ad and said:

“This is indecent. It is the modern-day version of the “white hands” ad, a lie born of Dole's desperation in a race in which she has trailed for weeks. It is also a deliberate attempt by Dole's campaign not just to distort the truth, but to shatter Hagan's admirable record as an elder for more than a decade in Greensboro's First Presbyterian Church, as a Sunday School teacher and a volunteer in her church's fundraising campaigns, worship services and community service programs. It has no place in N.C. politics. Unless she admits this egregious, shameful mistake and acts appropriately, Elizabeth Dole has no place in N.C. politics, either.”

-Queerty.com carried the story of 109 year old Texan Amanda Jones whose father was a slave. Her life has spanned three centuries and has voted Democrat for seventy years. She proudly filled out her Absentee Ballot for Barack Obama this week. She announced it was her proudest vote ever in her long life.

-Speaking of the Lone Star State, a University of Texas poll showed that 23% of the voters of that state believe Barack Obama is a Muslim. Really. No kidding. No wonder they keep electing Republicans. Guess they have had too many head injuries in those Friday night football games.

-McCain has 177 lobbyists for Big Oil, Wall Street and other corporations running his campaign. No wonder his campaign thinks Obama's fair tax policy is "socialism".

-My political guru in Nevada, Dr. Jerry Cade, reports that Democrats out numbered Republicans in early voting in Clark County (Las Vegas) by 54% to 29%! In the Republican stronghold of Washoe County (Reno), Democrats have out numbered Republicans in early voting by 51% to 33%. Good news.

-Patrick Range McDonald sent a note about a rally in West Hollywood, California on Sunday at 4PM against Proposition 8. The huge rally will be at Santa Monica and Robertson Blvd. If you are in the Southland, please get your butt to it and while you are at it please give more money. We need $3 million more in three days to air a spot by Senator Dianne Feinstein against Proposition 8. Go to www.noonprop8.com and give one more check.

-"Keep on truckin' Scott Kleeb" is driving his pickup truck all over Nebraska. The Democrat, running for U.S. Senate, is having citizens sign his truck with missives detailing what they need from their government. The truck is covered with messages from the grassroots. (See Photograph).

-Alison Teal reports in "Hot Flashes from the Campaign Trail" that National Public Radio had a story of a factory worker in Missouri who voting early. As an old civil rights activist, I loved his quote which sounds like he might have gotten it from his preacher last Sunday:

 "Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Barack could run; Barack is running so children can fly."

-The Lady de Rothchild has taken her tiara and diamonds to New Hampshire to hold press conferences for John McCain. Once again the big Democratic contributor married to a billionaire is accusing Obama of being an elitist! I guess when you have that much inherited money, the notion of irony never enters your addled thought process. Even so, you have to admit that Lady de Rothchild seems to have lost all sense of what is elite and what is a noble struggle to create a magnificent life.

-The 'silver fox' President Clinton joined Barack Obama on stage for the first time last night at a huge, boisterous, and incredibly satisfying rally in Florida. If you missed the meeting of Democratic Titans, it is worth viewing. Just click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC-9PgJfJIw

-This will be my last Impressions of an Election column and next week after the election, I will begin my "Impressions by David Mixner" column. Lets hope I love covering this transition!

I leave you with this Obama canvasser who does it all on horseback in Missouri.

Impressions of an Election.......by David Mixner

-So far over 1,098,777 doors have been knocked upon for Obama just in Ohio! According to First Read, the grassroots operation for Obama is historic. In addition to the house visits, over a million calls have been made to voters in this battleground state! The McCain Troy, Ohio office was closed for the weekend again.

-The people are responding like never before in an election and early voting is a good indication of record turnouts. States with early voting report long lines and no one leaving those lines no matter how long the wait. Ben Smith in www.politico.com says that reports in Cleveland show (see photograph at right) long lines and literally bus loads of supporters arriving at the early voting stations. Smith reports that over 1.6 million people have voted so far in Florida. These are amazing statistics.

-Unfortunately in the Sunshine State there have also been cries of voter suppression due to the fact that while hundreds of machines are available for early voting, most polling places have only two -- an undersupply seriously compromising people's efforts to vote. The elderly, the infirm, people desperate to get back to their jobs are waiting three and four hours to cast their votes! This is unconscionable. Time to call upon Republican Governor Crist to free up the extra machines so Floridians can vote in a timely manner.

-Speaking of early voting, I cast my absentee ballot this weekend for Obama! It sure felt incredible as I placed my mark next to his name. I had to take a few minutes and enjoy the moment.

-Apple corporation gave $100,000 to the battle for marriage equality in California. Have you made your contribution to www.noonprop8.com this week? Just give one more time!

-Incumbent Republican North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole finally got a newspaper endorsement! The endangered Senator got endorsed by her hometown newspaper - The Washington Times. Oops, that's right she is from North Carolina. Her Democratic challenger, Kay Hagan, has garnered every major newspaper endorsement that is in the state.

-According to a Gallup, 75% of the Jewish voters will cast their ballots for Obama!

-The conservative Financial Times shed its Republican leanings and endorsed Barack Obama this week! The paper stated in its editorial on Sunday:

"In responding to the economic emergency, Mr Obama has again impressed – not by advancing solutions of his own, but in displaying a calm and methodical disposition, and in seeking the best advice. Mr McCain’s hasty half-baked interventions were unnerving when they were not beside the point.

On foreign policy, where the candidates have often conspired to exaggerate their differences, this contrast in temperaments seems crucial. For all his experience, Mr McCain has seemed too much guided by an instinct for peremptory action, an exaggerated sense of certainty, and a reluctance to see shades of grey."

-Speaking of endorsements, The Miami Herald also stressed the economic crisis when it endorsed Obama. The paper said,

"The way the two candidates responded to the economic meltdown offers a lesson in contrasting styles of leadership. Both have put forth a series of worthwhile policy options, but where Sen. Obama was calm, Sen. McCain was frantic. He first put his campaign "on hold" and suggested he would cancel the first debate, and then suddenly decided to take part even as the first bailout deal cratered. He said the fundamentals of the economy were strong, then a few days later vowed to "name the names" of those responsible for the financial crisis.

In other elections, voters have complained of having to make a choice between two bad candidates. That is not the case this time. The nation is fortunate to have good candidates and a clear choice. Sen. Obama represents the best chance for America to make a clean break with the culture wars and failed policies of the past, and begin to restore the hope and promise of America as the world's greatest democracy."

-Polling continues to look good for Obama...almost too good. In eight states that George W. Bush carried in 2004, Obama now leads in six of them according to the Reuters/ Zogby poll! Obama leads in Virginia, Ohio, Nevada, Missouri, North Carolina and Florida. McCain leads in Indiana and West Virginia. In many of those states the leads are paper thin so get out there and walk and call for Obama.

-MSNBC's First Read has Barack Obama, for the first time, edging over the magical 270 number in electoral votes by shifting Virginia and Colorado into the Illinois senator's column. This gives Obama 286 electoral votes according to the political team at the cable network.

-Politico.com reports a major endorsement for Obama out of South Dakota. Former United States Republican Senator Larry Pressler, who was the first Vietnam veteran elected to the United States Senate, has endorsed Obama. He cited the economic crisis as the reason for his cross party endorsement.

-Speaking of South Dakota, it is too bad that Obama is running out of time. I am convinced if he could make stops in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona and Georgia he could carry those states.

-You have to love those folks in Colorado. Not only did they fill Mile High Stadium at the Convention, they turned out 100,000 in Denver and 45,000 in Ft. Collins on Sunday. Take a look at the local newspaper's front page.