Greg and Halle of New York submitted this story about their kids joining them as they came from New York to Pennsylvania to volunteer last weekend:
Along with their parents, these children came all the way from New York to help swing Pennsylvania for Obama. The kids felt very strongly about helping the campaign. In their own words, here are some of the reasons Obama's youngest supporters are getting involved: "I want children to live in a happier, safer and cleaner world," says Ben. Dylan knows that, "Senator Obama will work hard so that all children and grandparents get the medicine and doctors they need." Emma wants, "The war to stop and Obama will try to make it stop when he is president." "I am eight years old," says Zoe, "and George Bush has been the president my whole life. I want to finally have a president I can be proud of."
Along with their parents, these children came all the way from New York to help swing Pennsylvania for Obama. The kids felt very strongly about helping the campaign. In their own words, here are some of the reasons Obama's youngest supporters are getting involved:
"I want children to live in a happier, safer and cleaner world," says Ben.
Dylan knows that, "Senator Obama will work hard so that all children and grandparents get the medicine and doctors they need."
Emma wants, "The war to stop and Obama will try to make it stop when he is president."
"I am eight years old," says Zoe, "and George Bush has been the president my whole life. I want to finally have a president I can be proud of."
This post was sent in by Robin of Philadelphia:
Yesterday we had our "Women for Obama" rally in Northeast Philly and I think everyone who participated would agree - it was a RUSH! The day began with an unpromising weather forecast and I was uncertain how many people would show, as we had organized this so last minute (we got the word out just this past Thursday afternoon!) My friends and I arrived at the corner of Roosevelt Blvd. and Tyson Ave just as things were getting started - there were just a few women gathered at the corner - one with a wonderful sign perched upon the end of a hockey stick proclaiming "Hockey Mom for Obama". As we joined them we were immediately buoyed up by the honking, thumbs up, and cheers of traffic passing by. As we set up and unfurled our 5 yard long "Women for Obama" banner the chorus of honks and cheers grew. Soon there were 35 of us - mostly women, children and two devoted husbands (mine being one of them) with all kinds of signs: "Families for Obama" "N.E. Philly for Obama", "69 year old White Woman for Obama"... As my husband remarked, one of the things that was especially entertaining (and encouraging!) was seeing the wide variety of people driving by who honked, waved, cheered, and even took pictures - men and women, young and old, white, black, Latino, Asian in every form of transportation- motorcycles, beat-up pick-ups, shiny SUV's, and those great big 18 wheelers with their belly rumbling horn blasts! Of course we encountered some ugliness too - a few racists remarks and one young fellow in a truck who revved his engine and spewed exhaust over a small group of children gathered at the corner. But for the most part it was an energizing and uplifting morning that left us with a great feeling of connection as "Women for Obama" as well as the joy of experiencing the enthusiasm of so many Philadelphians for the Obama-Biden ticket!
With less than six weeks to go in the election, the Francis Myers Recreation Center hosted an electric Rally for Change in southwest Philadelphia. Standing onstage under a banner proclaiming “Change”, and in front of a mural with the faces of the community and the words “I remember wishing and praying I could make a difference” across the top, Michelle Obama spoke to excited supporters.Some fifteen hundred members from the community and the greater Philadelphia region came to see our next First Lady, and community took center stage at the event. From the podium, the sound of children playing could be heard from the playground around the corner from the stage.Cheers and applause greeted Michelle Obama as she stepped onto the stage with Mayor Michael Nutter and Jill Biden. Michelle stressed the importance of this election as an opportunity for change, both as a conduit for the hopes of young people joining the political process, and the addition of older voices joining for the first time. “The movement we are seeing,” she stressed, “isn’t about us, it is about you,” noting that each voice in this election comes from a different path, with different stories.Reflecting on the blue collar upbringings of both herself and of Barack, Michelle highlighted issues such as the looming economic crisis, fixing the broken healthcare system, and ensuring affordable education for all American children. Michelle stated unequivocally that the United States needs a president who will enact policies that reflect the struggles Pennsylvania families are dealing with. “Let me tell you something,” she announced proudly, “Barack Obama gets it.” Encouraging all Pennsylvanians to vote, Michelle talked about the upcoming voter registration deadline of October 6th, and urged supporters to register as many new voters as possible in the upcoming days. “The power of this election is in your hands,” she announced to the cheering crowd, and with a single vote, everyone in this country can make a difference this November.
" I was visiting my brother in the Mt. Airy suburb of Philadelphia on Labor Day weekend, and I took my 1 year old nephew on a walk. On the corner in front of the Mt. Airy SEPTA train station, I saw this scene. Two neighborhood friends, 11 years old and 8 years old had an iced tea and lemonade stand on the corner to raise money for Obama. They told me they were too young to vote, so they wanted to do something. They knew the issues and had raised around $70 when I saw them at around 3:00PM, and they had been out there all day, and it was hot, in the mid 90's that weekend, but they were determined. If this photo doesn't define this election and what the Obama ticket stands for, I don't know what does..."
On Tuesday September 16 from 5:00 - 9:00pm you are invited to visit your local Pennsylvania field office to phone bank for education. We will be calling members of the community to discuss Barack's education policies.
The event features a conference call with current chair of the Obama for America Education Committee and former National Teacher of the Year Jason Kamras.
To find your local Obama field office click here.
