"Because his health care plan is really educated, the war, and he's doing the best thing for the economic crisis."
Young people all across Minnesota and all across America are getting involved in the political process this year. Feeling empowered and motivated by a candidate they believe can move this country back in right direction. While young people like Beni can't vote, they can still have a major impact on this election; by being a part of the process, by getting involved, by volunteering.
Visit MN.BarackObama.com now to find out how you can help on Election Day
While Beni was inside explaining Barack's health care plan to an undecided voter, outside several high school students were making their voices heard as they marched down University Avenue.
With just three days left in the presidential campaign, Barack Obama's Minnesota Campaign for Change continues its statewide Get Out The Vote program with canvasses and phone banks at over 100 Action Centers around the state.
Find the Action Center nearest you
To ensure the highest possible turnout for the Obama/Biden ticket, the Minnesota Campaign for Change will be attempting to knock on an unprecedented number of doors while simultaneously making a number of phone calls never before attempted during a Minnesota get out the vote effort.
Many feel this is the most important election in their lifetime and too important with too much at stake to spend the next three days sitting on the sidelines. With over 100 Action Centers and thousands of shifts still to fill, you have an opportunity to make a difference in the outcome of this election and to help shape the future or America.
Visit MN.BarackObama.com/NovVolunteer now and sign up to join in the largest Get Out The Vote effort Minnesota has ever seen.
"Go out there, do the best you can, and transmit that love, that passion you have for our country to somebody else. You see something in them that they may not see in themselves at that moment. Light that fire, start that spark."
Campaign for Change organizers provided volunteers, many whom have never volunteered for a political campaign before, with a thorough training and provided answers to all their questions; putting them on the path to a successful canvass.
The hard work and enthusiasm of supporters like you has helped build this unprecedented grassroots movement. There may be only ten days left, but there is a lot of work to be done and it can't be done without you.
This isn't over until the last vote is cast on Election Day, please visit MN.BarackObama.com/GOTVforChangeMN today and sign up to help ensure a win on November 4th.
Photos from this afternoon's event in Minneapolis
The Minnesota Campaign for Change will be aggressively targeting potential voters with door knocks and phone calls to ensure the highest possible turnout for the Obama/Biden ticket. The campaign will fill tens of thousands of volunteer shifts in the final days of the campaign.
All the hard work and dedication of people like you has brought us to this, the last ten days. This election is too important and there is too much at stake to spend them sitting on the sidelines. There are thousands of shifts to fill and even more doors to knock and calls to make. Every single one of you is needed. Visit MN.BarackObama.com/GOTVforChangeMN now and sign up to join in the largest Get Out The Vote effort Minnesota has ever seen.
Photos from this mornings kick-off in St Paul with Al Franken
Election Day is almost here, and what you do in the final days of this campaign will help change the course of history.
The Minnesota Campaign for Change has set up over a hundred GOTV Action Centers across the state where volunteers like you can go to knock on doors or make phone calls during the final days of this campaign.
Visit MN.BarackObama.com/GOTVforChangeMN to find the Action Center nearest you and sign up to help Get Out The Vote in Minnesota.
Rep Collin Peterson and Obama's Minnesota Campaign for Change will host a Get Out the Vote Kickoff in Marshall on Thursday
As Election Day nears, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, Barack Obama's Minnesota Campaign for Change and several local elected officials will join local farmers and supporters of the Obama campaign in a kick off of Get Out the Vote activities at the Campaign for Change Headquarters in Marshall. Rep. Peterson will address Senator Obama's strong record on issues of importance to rural Minnesotans and the clear choice voters have in this election. The Obama Campaign for Change has an unprecedented level of organization and support in rural Minnesota that will be mobilized to get out the vote in the days running up to Election Day. Here are the details: Who: U.S. Rep. Collin PetersonMinnesota Campaign for ChangeLocal Elected OfficialsWhat:Get Out The Vote Kick OffWhere:Obama Campaign for Change Headquarters240 W Main StMarshall, MNWhen:Thursday, October 23, 20084:30 PM
As Election Day nears, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, Barack Obama's Minnesota Campaign for Change and several local elected officials will join local farmers and supporters of the Obama campaign in a kick off of Get Out the Vote activities at the Campaign for Change Headquarters in Marshall.
Rep. Peterson will address Senator Obama's strong record on issues of importance to rural Minnesotans and the clear choice voters have in this election. The Obama Campaign for Change has an unprecedented level of organization and support in rural Minnesota that will be mobilized to get out the vote in the days running up to Election Day.
Here are the details:
Who:
U.S. Rep. Collin PetersonMinnesota Campaign for ChangeLocal Elected Officials
What:
Get Out The Vote Kick Off
Where:
Obama Campaign for Change Headquarters240 W Main StMarshall, MN
When:
Thursday, October 23, 20084:30 PM
Dear Becky, Did you know the second most common reason that people don't vote is that they don't know how? The top reason: No one ever asked them to. There's no doubt about it -- the conversations you have with friends, family, and voters across Minnesota will decide the outcome of this election. In the next two weeks, we're planning the largest get out the vote (GOTV) operation in Minnesota history. But it'll only happen if you're a part of it. Watch this video explaining the importance of our GOTV operation and sign up to become a part of this historic effort: We have to make sure every voter hears Barack's message of change and votes. What we do or don't do in the next two weeks will decide the outcome of this race. To meet our GOTV goals, we'll need to fill over 50,000 door-knocking shifts in the last four days, including 30,000 on Election Day, November 4th, alone. We can't risk waking up on November 5th to four more years of the same failed policies and the same cynical politics. Can you volunteer to get out the vote between now and Election Day and help change the course of history? Join our Campaign for Change today and do your part by signing up below: http://mn.barackobama.com/GOTVMN Thanks, Jeff Jeff Blodgett Minnesota State Director Obama for America P.S. -- You can also make calls or knock on doors on your own time. Visit Neighbor to Neighbor now and do your part right from home: http://mn.barackobama.com/n2n
Dear Becky,
Did you know the second most common reason that people don't vote is that they don't know how? The top reason: No one ever asked them to.
There's no doubt about it -- the conversations you have with friends, family, and voters across Minnesota will decide the outcome of this election.
In the next two weeks, we're planning the largest get out the vote (GOTV) operation in Minnesota history. But it'll only happen if you're a part of it.
Watch this video explaining the importance of our GOTV operation and sign up to become a part of this historic effort:
We have to make sure every voter hears Barack's message of change and votes. What we do or don't do in the next two weeks will decide the outcome of this race.
To meet our GOTV goals, we'll need to fill over 50,000 door-knocking shifts in the last four days, including 30,000 on Election Day, November 4th, alone.
We can't risk waking up on November 5th to four more years of the same failed policies and the same cynical politics.
Can you volunteer to get out the vote between now and Election Day and help change the course of history?
Join our Campaign for Change today and do your part by signing up below:
http://mn.barackobama.com/GOTVMN
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff Blodgett Minnesota State Director Obama for America
P.S. -- You can also make calls or knock on doors on your own time. Visit Neighbor to Neighbor now and do your part right from home:
http://mn.barackobama.com/n2n
"Tony Dean was committed to his fellow sportsmen and determined to protect our precious habitats – and unafraid to voice his opinions on both. I was honored to have his endorsement, and as President, I will continue to fight for those causes he held dear. His passing is a tremendous loss for sportsmen and conservationists alike. Michelle, the Bidens and I extend our thoughts and prayers to Tony’s family and friends."
My name is Chris. I'm from Minnesota. You may call me "Joe - Average American" for short. I have been a Government employee for the State of Minnesota for several years. Each year my health care premiums go up. Just getting basic coverage for my family and me is getting more and more difficult. I am married, with 4 children (1 biological child & 3 step children). I have my step children on my health care policy as well. I gross $1,166.16/per pay period with $462.69 going toward health care benefits for my family (every 2 weeks). Recently I was told by my employer our health premiums were going up again this year by 9.75%. I am at a point where I have had to get a second job, which I have done. I work another job for 48 hours straight/every other weekend shift in order to make up the difference and hope that my family will be able to "get by" and just pay the bills without going further in debt. This system has to change. I have two choices at this point: 1) Get a 2nd job and have significantly less time with my family; or 2) continue to have time with my family and be homeless, as we are having an extremely difficult time just paying the only the necessities in life. No extras. I had to choose 1). I now work 48 hours straight every other weekend in addition to my 40 hour work week. ~ Joe Average American, Minnesota
My name is Chris. I'm from Minnesota. You may call me "Joe - Average American" for short. I have been a Government employee for the State of Minnesota for several years. Each year my health care premiums go up. Just getting basic coverage for my family and me is getting more and more difficult. I am married, with 4 children (1 biological child & 3 step children). I have my step children on my health care policy as well.
I gross $1,166.16/per pay period with $462.69 going toward health care benefits for my family (every 2 weeks). Recently I was told by my employer our health premiums were going up again this year by 9.75%.
I am at a point where I have had to get a second job, which I have done. I work another job for 48 hours straight/every other weekend shift in order to make up the difference and hope that my family will be able to "get by" and just pay the bills without going further in debt. This system has to change. I have two choices at this point: 1) Get a 2nd job and have significantly less time with my family; or 2) continue to have time with my family and be homeless, as we are having an extremely difficult time just paying the only the necessities in life. No extras.
I had to choose 1). I now work 48 hours straight every other weekend in addition to my 40 hour work week.
~ Joe Average American, Minnesota
Read more stories >>
At last nights' debate Barack Obama was able to share with viewers details of his plan to improve health care and make it available and affordable for all Americans. This campaign is about you, your stories and ideas help shape the debate and the campaign's vision.
Share your own Health Care story here
From Ann in Farmington, MN:
As a pharmacist I see everyday who health insurance effects every person in the community. There isn't a day that goes by that there isn't a patient that has to choose between taking their medication and paying other bills. This years medicare enrollment is starting soon and our senior citizens will have to make another tought decision to either stay with their current insurance or try another plan. It is hard at times for them to find a plan that will be the best. Knowing how much insurance one will need is sometimes hard to predict especially when they suddenly fall ill during the middle of the year. I also have many patients that have no health care coverage at all, but have pre-existing condtions and are unable to obtain insurance. It saddens me that in a country where everything is possible and we take care of so many others that these people are unable to have the best for their care. We have to at times find alternatives that are less expensive but are not as effective and hope that they will work. Barack please help everyone find good healthcare that every American deserves.
Read Obama's Health Care Plan here
She told the crowd that America deserves a leader who "gets it,"
"We have to start asking ourselves don't we deserve leaders and policies that reflect our values as a nation and our reality. Don't we deserve that? Don't we deserve leaders who get it? I've been traveling around for 20 months with the sole task of letting you know that my husband, Barack Obama, gets it. He doesn't get it in some philosophical, theoretical way, he get's it because he's lived it. The experiences that have shaped him shapes the way he sees the world and shapes what kind of President he will be"
Later in the afternoon, Michelle spoke before a crowd of approximately 4500 at a rally at Macalester College in Saint Paul.
Community Event with Michelle Obama in Rochester, MN
"I join with all Minnesotans who mourn the loss of Allan Spear. His evenhandedness, his command of the issues, and his ability to reach across the aisle and work with colleagues of both parties were legendary and should inspire us all. He was a man of great courage who served as one of this nation’s first openly gay legislators. Michelle and I and the Bidens send our thoughts and prayers to Allan’s partner, Junjiro Tusji, and all the family, friends and colleagues who loved him."
This Monday, October 13th, please join Michelle Obama in Rochester or St. Paul, where she will talk about Barack's vision for creating the kind of change we need.
Community Event with Michelle Obama Taylor Arena at the Mayo Civic Center 30 Civic Center Drive SE Rochester, MN Monday, October 13th Gates Open: 10:30 a.m. Program Begins: 12:00 p.m. http://mn.barackobama.com/RochesterMO Tickets are not required but people with tickets will be guaranteed admittance. People without tickets WILL BE ADMITTED as space permits. For security reasons, do not bring bags and please limit personal items. Signs and banners are not permitted.
Community Event with Michelle Obama
Taylor Arena at the Mayo Civic Center 30 Civic Center Drive SE Rochester, MN
Monday, October 13th Gates Open: 10:30 a.m. Program Begins: 12:00 p.m.
http://mn.barackobama.com/RochesterMO
Tickets are not required but people with tickets will be guaranteed admittance. People without tickets WILL BE ADMITTED as space permits.
For security reasons, do not bring bags and please limit personal items. Signs and banners are not permitted.
Change We Need Rally with Michelle Obama Macalester College Leonard Center 125 Snelling Ave S. St. Paul, MN Monday, October 13th Doors Open: 2:30 p.m. Program Begins: 4:00 p.m. http://mn.barackobama.com/StPaulChange The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; however, an RSVP is strongly encouraged. For security reasons, do not bring bags and please limit personal items. Signs and banners are not permitted.
Change We Need Rally with Michelle Obama
Macalester College Leonard Center 125 Snelling Ave S. St. Paul, MN
Monday, October 13th Doors Open: 2:30 p.m. Program Begins: 4:00 p.m.
http://mn.barackobama.com/StPaulChange
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; however, an RSVP is strongly encouraged.
Senator Durbin played a significant role in convincing Barack to run for President and was first to endorse him. He told volunteers in Stillwater,
"We have an extraordinary candidate, this guy is something special and I think you know it. His message of unifying the country comes at just the right moment; when we come together, we're at our strongest. This American family comes in a lot of different brands, a lot of different colors, and a lot of different backgrounds; but when we're together nobody can beat us, and is there ever a time when we needed unity more as a nation than we do now?"
He talked about the challenges the next President will be inheriting; responsibly ending the war in Iraq, bringing the troops home with honor, and rebuilding the American economy. "There are many more things that we need to do," he said, "but we can't get it done if we don't win and we can't win without you."
He closed by telling a story that Al Gore used to tell when he ran for President, two stories, about the two choices we have for the morning after the election.
First choice:
"You can wake up the morning after the election with a headache and a soar throat. It's raining outside and you can hear the thunder and the lightening; the rain is hitting your bedroom window. You get out of bed and you walk toward the living room, you stub your toe on the chair and you're kinda limping. When you get into the living room, there's your family dog, growling at you. You open the front door and pick up the Pioneer Press, out of a puddle of water, you read the headline and it says "John McCain Elected President".
"That's the first choice," he said, "but, there's a second choice."
"You wake up on Wednesday, November the 5th and you never felt better in your life; clear headed and bright eyed. You hear the birds singing outside as the sun comes through the window. You kick your feet out of bed right into the slippers, walk into the living room and there's your little dog with his tail wagging, looking at you. You open the front door and there is the clean dry paper, that Pioneer Press: "BARACK OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!"
"Now which ending do we want to have?"
As Senator Durbin says, "we can't win without you." With less than 25 days to go, your time is more valuable and more needed than ever. Sign up today to volunteer for Barack Obama's Campaign for Change here in Minnesota. Let's make sure November 5th's headline reads, "BARACK OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!"
Sign up today!
Photos from today's events
Health care or lack of health care affects all Americans in one way or another. Whether you are a health care professional or have received care, everyone has a story to tell. This campaign is about you, your stories and ideas help shape the debate and the campaign's vision.
From Kris in Wadena, MN:
My 12 year old son has a disease called Mastoid Disease. This is a deadly disease if not maintained and watched closely. It is also a debilitating painful disease. He has had many surgeries to correct and maintain this disease. I have lost count of how many but; I know it is close to 50 surgeries as of this date. Too many to mention but, In April of 2006 he had a Tutigen eardrum transplant, He was the first child to receive this surgery and it to be a success in the United States. Before him, they tried it on an adult and it was a success for him too. It is now done more frequently on patients. We have had our son on medical assistance through the county that we live in for most of his life as we could never afford these microscopic surgeries for him. As of Jan. 2009 his medical assistance will end due to our income and we have run out of programs for him to be on. I am very worried about what will happen. I won't be able to even take him in for his periodic visits to see his surgeon. I pray every day and night for a miracle. My son is a Miracle! He is a good student. He gets A's and B's on his report cards. He does have medical issues at school that we are dealing with. Such as, he has to be careful not to hit his head and the cold weather can really damage his ears. He is on a 504 plan at school. He wants to someday be an Ear Surgeon and find a cure for this horrible disease so no other person has to go through what he has gone through. As an infant, we were told that he would not be able to hear or talk. Looking at him today, you would never know that he had such a disease. He talks and does not slur his words. He also can hear with the help of a hearing aide. Please Mr. Obama, Please help all of us find a way to protect ourselves and our children and help us provide health insurance for them. If my son's insurance does run out, I won't stop there; I will go deeply in debt to help him. I am very worried for Jan.2009 as my son could die from this if we can't get him to his regular doctor (surgeon's) appointments and have insurance to help us. Thank You; Kris
My 12 year old son has a disease called Mastoid Disease. This is a deadly disease if not maintained and watched closely. It is also a debilitating painful disease. He has had many surgeries to correct and maintain this disease. I have lost count of how many but; I know it is close to 50 surgeries as of this date. Too many to mention but, In April of 2006 he had a Tutigen eardrum transplant, He was the first child to receive this surgery and it to be a success in the United States. Before him, they tried it on an adult and it was a success for him too. It is now done more frequently on patients.
We have had our son on medical assistance through the county that we live in for most of his life as we could never afford these microscopic surgeries for him. As of Jan. 2009 his medical assistance will end due to our income and we have run out of programs for him to be on. I am very worried about what will happen. I won't be able to even take him in for his periodic visits to see his surgeon. I pray every day and night for a miracle. My son is a Miracle! He is a good student. He gets A's and B's on his report cards. He does have medical issues at school that we are dealing with. Such as, he has to be careful not to hit his head and the cold weather can really damage his ears. He is on a 504 plan at school. He wants to someday be an Ear Surgeon and find a cure for this horrible disease so no other person has to go through what he has gone through. As an infant, we were told that he would not be able to hear or talk. Looking at him today, you would never know that he had such a disease. He talks and does not slur his words. He also can hear with the help of a hearing aide.
Please Mr. Obama, Please help all of us find a way to protect ourselves and our children and help us provide health insurance for them. If my son's insurance does run out, I won't stop there; I will go deeply in debt to help him. I am very worried for Jan.2009 as my son could die from this if we can't get him to his regular doctor (surgeon's) appointments and have insurance to help us. Thank You; Kris
From Lori in Saint Louis, MN
Working as a RN is a challenge in many ways. But lately the biggest challenge I face every shift is a shortage in staffing, due to a budget crunch faced by the Hospital I work at. This crunch is due to rising costs of all supplies, including rising prices of fuel, food and medical supplies. Also it is due to decreased payments from Medicare, and Medicaid, along with the increase of patients who do not have health insurance. This is a crisis in the Health Care Industry, and is dangerous for patients. Nurses are at jeopardy for making mistakes, and losing their jobs, and Nursing Licenses. Both the patient and the medical staff are suffering. Hospitals are looking at ways to cut costs, and the first cuts are with staff, this is putting our patients in danger. I hope that your administration looks at this crisis seriously, and helps to protect the patient and health care workers, by increasing payments from Medicare, and finding a way to help the uninsured. Our Health care system is on the brink of collapse, just like Wall Street. Unless this is addressed it will become much worse. Lorie Registered Nurse Minnesota
Working as a RN is a challenge in many ways. But lately the biggest challenge I face every shift is a shortage in staffing, due to a budget crunch faced by the Hospital I work at. This crunch is due to rising costs of all supplies, including rising prices of fuel, food and medical supplies. Also it is due to decreased payments from Medicare, and Medicaid, along with the increase of patients who do not have health insurance.
This is a crisis in the Health Care Industry, and is dangerous for patients. Nurses are at jeopardy for making mistakes, and losing their jobs, and Nursing Licenses. Both the patient and the medical staff are suffering. Hospitals are looking at ways to cut costs, and the first cuts are with staff, this is putting our patients in danger. I hope that your administration looks at this crisis seriously, and helps to protect the patient and health care workers, by increasing payments from Medicare, and finding a way to help the uninsured. Our Health care system is on the brink of collapse, just like Wall Street. Unless this is addressed it will become much worse.
Lorie Registered Nurse Minnesota
In events around the state today, Barack Obama's Minnesota campaign, local officials and regular Minnesotans discussed a report on John McCain's radical health care plan that will tax health care benefits for the first time, result in 20 million Americans to lose their employer-provided health care and raise health care costs. Press conferences were held today in St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato and Virginia.
Currently more than 45 million Americans are uninsured, and millions more underinsured. Senator Obama's health-care plan will provide affordable, accessible health care to all and will reduce premiums by $2,500 per family. Experts have shown that John McCain's plan, which he admits will increase taxes on some individuals, could also force another 20 million Americans from their current employer-provided health care plan. "Far too many Minnesotans are struggling to get by without the health insurance they desperately need", State Rep. Erin Murphy said. "John McCain's plan to tax working Minnesotans' health benefits is unconscionable. It is another sign that John McCain does not get it. With the economy already punishing middle class families, and healthcare out of reach for millions, Senator McCain once again has shown he sides with the special interest lobbyists who run his campaign. We don't need higher taxes on healthcare, we need to bring costs down and make coverage affordable and available to everyone who needs it. John McCain's plan is just more of the same out of touch Washington jargon that has created this crisis."
Watch the new "Coin" Ad:
Read Obama's health care plan
Share your own health care story
Commentary on McCain health care plan
Mary and Jay, residents of White Bear Lake, have been actively helping with the campaign in one way or another for months now. They said that they, at first, were nervous about knocking on doors and weren't sure they would like it, but have since realized it's something they love to do and makes them feel as though they are really making a difference.
"I love seeing the excitement when I knock on doors of Obama supporters, but when you can get his message across to Independents; you know you're doing something."
Join Minnesota for Obama today!
The St Paul - Rondo office kicked off their first canvass this weekend with local Hip Hop artists, Brother Ali, St Paul Slim, and Mujah Messiah; who in realizing that personal contact at a local level is the most effective way to identify existing Obama supporters and introduce undecided voters to the kind of change we are working to bring about, where not only present for the canvasses' launch, but they, themselves, went out and knocked on doors with approximately 30 other members of the community who came in today. Also present for today's canvass launch in the Rondo neighborhood were: City Commisioner, Toni Carter, City Counsel member Melvin Carter, Mayor Chris Coleman, and Robin Hickman.
There are only 31 days left and now, more than ever, your time and help is needed. Every one of you have a stake in this election and you can have a major impact on the outcome not just by your vote, but by participating in the process. There is no shortage of volunteer opportunities, visit my.barackobama.com today to find an event in your area this weekend and help shape the future of your country.
Approximately 30 people attended a Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party last night at Time Out Bar and Grill in Blaine. They were impressed by Joe's detailed answers to the questions put forth by moderator Gwen Ifill and his support of his running mate, Barack Obama.
Roy, a local volunteer, said he was most concerned about unemployment and was happy to hear Biden address the issue,
"I like the specifics of what kind of jobs are you going to create for people. That's the whole key right there. Just like Roosevelt when he came in after The Depression, he put people to work. He used the government to put people to work, maybe that's what we've got to do right now."
This weekend marks one month out from Election Day and Campaign for Change is launching a number canvasses across the state. Personal contact at a local level is the most effective way to identify existing Obama supporters -- and introduce undecided voters to the kind of change we are working to bring about. That's exactly what is being done here in Minnesota -- and Barack has no better advocate here than you.
Join Barack Obama's Campaign for Change this weekend, October 4th and 5th for a "One Month Out" canvass.
“Hunting and fishing are not just recreational pursuits, they are part of our national heritage. America’s hunters and anglers uphold a tradition that connects generations and brings families and friends together across our great nation. Today, we celebrate this tradition and the conservation legacy of hunters and anglers. “National Hunting and Fishing Day is a time to reaffirm our commitment to America’s sportsmen. As President, I will protect the right to bear arms, increase access to places to hunt and fish, take on polluters and clean up our streams and lakes, and protect our nation’s important wildlife habitat and wetlands. I will enhance programs that encourage young people to hunt and fish and respect and protect the outdoors. “Our nation’s sportsmen have made sure that this and future generations can enjoy our natural resources and wildlife. As President, I will stand with them and ensure that America’s hunting and fishing heritage endures.”
