Barack has inched ahead of Clinton in today's Boston Globe poll results.
Barack at : 30%
Clinton at: 28%
Among Democratic voters, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has opened up a narrow lead over Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, 30 percent to 28 percent. That, too, represents a major shift from last month's Globe poll, which had Clinton with a 14-point advantage. Former senator John Edwards of North Carolina remained a steady third at 14 percent.
See Globe article.
The Dallas Morning News had endorsed Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination.
We Recommend: Barack Obama
Great Article!
I wrote a letter to Senator Obama's Senate office about a serious problem occuring in a county in New York State. It concerned the "defunding" and closing of the only clinic in the county of Orange which is massive which serves those who are trying to change their lives. The clients of this clinic were told that it was closing and they would have to go elsewhere because of no funds.
The clinic serves many issues. It is a methadone clinic, mental health services, and medical services. Now for those that don't realize it, methadone does not just help addicts get off drugs and rebuild their lives, but methadone is also a PAIN MANAGEMENT medication for those with severe muscular/skeletal disorders that cause non-stop severe pain on a daily basis.
It is also an HIV clinic, providing support and counseling to those trying to come to terms with their diagnosis, and help them keep a positive outlook so they can fight the disease. Despite desparate attempts by advocates of those they serve to Senator Clinton and her refusal to meet with them and a statement from her office that there was nothing they could do, they had to give their clients a letter stating they would have a month to get set up at another clinic. These clients would have to travel long distances to the closest clinic, and most don't have cars as they are too poor, but they are trying very hard to rebuild their lives.
Since they had been told, what followed was a nightmare. They had 7 suicides in 2 weeks, the last being a wonderful young woman with a diagnosis of HIV. Her ONLY support network outside of her husband was this clinic. When she heard it was closing, she stopped taking her HIV fighting medications and overdosed. Now she is gone, leaving a young daughter and a grieving family.
It broke my heart as a medical professional. This young woman, who yes made mistakes early in her young life, was turning the corner. Had been clean for a year, and was staying healthy on her HIV medications and looking forwrad to going to a community college so she could be a counselor for other HIV positive patients. Now she is gone.
After attending her funeral, I wrote a letter to Senator Obama's Senate office begging for help because Senators Clinton and Schumer would not listen to them. I begged for an emergency funding bill to keep this clinic open.
I don't know how you did it Senator Obama, but a bi-partisan group of Democrats and Republicans called the political people in Orange county and worked with them to provide funding on an emergency basis for 2008 to keep the clinic open. The nurses who work there had been calling all their clients daily to ensure they were not giving up as the suicides continued. Since word came today that they had received the emergency funding, and word has it Senator Obama was behind it, I can only say to your staff and you Senator Obama, thank you. Thank you from the nurses, counselors and patients of that clinic. You have given them reason to carry on. Those patients who were giving up were cheering today. You brought a smile to the faces of people who truly want to turn their lives around and those that are suffering severe pain from medical conditions, and those with HIV whose sole support was this clinic.
I received word tonight from a Priest who holds group sessions at the clinic tonight and I was told by him that the clients are so appreciative. It is also being said by Sen. Clinton now that she had a part in this. I hope she doesn't try to take credit for your ability to reach across the isle and work with Republicans to get some help for this county in New York. They were in desperate need and I can only say, God bless you Senator Obama for stepping in and helping.
I didn't expect a reply from my letter about this problem, but I knew in my heart that the man you are, and the Senator you are, that your Senate staff would be focused on the things that are important to you and that my plea to your office would not go unheard.
Listening to American citizens and acting, even though a supporter of yours wrote the letter, it was done for people who truly needed help whether they supported you or not. They were not asked for their vote, they were just given emergency help and all I can say, yet again, you have shown me that you listen to the needs of the citizen, rich or poor.
Please give a personal thankyou to your Senate staff for reading my letter to you. This shows the substance of you as a man Senator Obama as you quietly and without fanfare went about helping a clinic in a desperate situation. You didn't use it for political gain, you didn't even advertise what was being worked on behind the scenes, but the people I have talked to in the political circles of Orange County of NY say you were behind the fast action. My only way to say a thankyou, is to write about this experience and hopefully your staff with read my little blog thankyou. You truly are a man with substance!
God bless you Senator Obama for helping them.
WHAT I SEE IN OBAMA’S EYES
I once read an article Barack Obama wrote called “What I see in Lincoln’s eyes”.
This article stayed in my thoughts and I began to think about what I saw in Barack Obama’s eyes. When Obama wrote this article 3 years ago, I would guess he would never have thought that he would be facing some of the same serious issues as Lincoln did. I decided to take a look at the many pictures I have of Senator Obama, and although I am by far not a professional writer or reporter, I felt a need to put into words what I see in Senator Obama’s eyes and face.
His face when serious has a thoughtful look in his eyes. At times, hours of work show the tiredness etched in the lines of his face. It is an entirely different look then when he smiles. The serious Barack has a faraway look in his eyes, showing him deep in thought as he thinks about the serious issues facing us.
He, as Lincoln, faces a country in turmoil, one in which the citizens are caught up in, not of their own will, but due to the political issues of the time. While Lincoln faced a country divided, one could say Obama faces the very same issue in a different form so many years later, yet still a country in trouble. Both faced a war, and you can see the thought of it in their eyes, and the lines that show when they are deep in thought.
Senator Obama is not a perfect man, as he freely admits, but he has this special quality that I doubt even he realizes the full affect of it, that draws people to him as they see the true hope in his eyes for something better for the people of this country. Does he see it? We do.
We examine within ourselves what it is that we see in this man. Yes, man can come up with interesting policy and proposals, but it is the instinctive feeling one gets when you listen and watch as this man speaks, that here is a man who truly can make a difference. His eyes engage you and within yourself you feel a sense of trust. When he smiles, the twinkle springs up into his eyes, showing joy and happiness in his work. The smile is broad, crinkling up his face into a look of happiness and may I say it, fun? Is there such a thing as a serious minded man, in a position of political power who can be fun? Barack Obama can.
I am beginning to think he can be anything he wants to be. The complete joy you see when he looks at his wife and children shows the soft side of Obama, his eyes and face lighting up, the smile broad and joyful. The serious side of Obama, with the eyes deep and introspective, is one who looks to understand all sides of an argument, deeply exploring all aspects before speaking. You see it in his serious face, the one with the thoughtful eyes.
The comparisons between the look in Lincoln’s eyes and that of Barack Obama can be seen and felt. Both faced a country in turmoil. Both realized that to enter the arena of national political debate would forever change their lives and engage them in issues of gravity to their country. Yet they both heeded the call to service and you see it in their eyes.
You see no fakeness in Obama’s eyes; instead you see compassion, concern, joy, and worry. But in both Lincoln and Obama, you see a deep intelligence and honesty that can’t be faked, it just is.
When I look at this serious minded man, I gain a sense of trust for this is not a man to act hastily or without deep thought. It reassures and at the same time instills hope. When he speaks it is as if he is speaking directly to you and not to the multitude giving you a sense of what ever walk in life you belong, he would sit down with you and answer your questions in a direct truthful way. I see honesty and integrity in the eyes of this man, yet in his smile I see the joy in his work and family and his life.
There is a sense about this man of future greatness. An instinct one feels when you look in those eyes that here is a man for the time. What I see in Obama’s eyes? I see hope, hope for all of us in the future of our country. This brings excitement to my soul and a sense we are witnessing another chapter in our glorious history in this country.
The comparison between Lincoln and Obama is profound. Obama is a highly educated man and Lincoln was but a simple country lawyer, yet they both had that ability to instill in others a feeling of trust and integrity. Both were lawyers who tended to the poorest in need. They both faced a country in turmoil, yet thoughtfully examined each issue, hearing from all before making a decision. This is democracy in action. As I compare the two pictures of Lincoln and Obama, you can see the same lines in the face, and the same serious eyes, I look to the future of our country and feel the promise on the horizon that awaits us with Obama as our President leading us to work together to solve our country’s problems and restoring the reputation of our country in the world community. This is the promise I see in Obama’s eyes. The promise of our future.
Saying Obama could "change the course of American politics," Joe Erwin announced his endorsement on a conference call this afternoon with reporters.
Erwin said he plans to work aggressively with the campaign to boost Obama in the early voting state of South Carolina.
"It's a first-rate team," Erwin said. "They're on fire. And I anticipate a victory here."
Erwin also said Obama can win in South Carolina -- a state where racial conflict has a long history -- even though he is black.
"White Democrats are ready to support Barack Obama," he said. "Times have changed."
Speaking to reporters who might be spending more time in colder climates in Iowa or New Hampshire, Erwin gave a weather report of 80 degrees and sunny. "We can't wait for you to spend more time in sunny, warm South Carolina," he said.
That doesn't sound bad.
Kidz In The Hall, a rap/R&B group have recorded a new song for Senator Obama called "Work to do". Visit their myspace page and you can download the mp3 for free.
Vist their myspace page to read about them and download your free mp3 of the song.
Here is link to page.
""Barack's Friday" 5 million donation day for OBAMACampaign = NOV 16TH"" This message was sent to you by the host (GIRISH = GMOF OHIO) of the "Barack's Friday Nov 16th" event forwhich you signed up to attend which is to make adonation that day. You can see the details of this event by going to: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4vzvl
I am currently working on a linking banner for anyone who wants to put it on their myspace page, blogs, or websites as my contribution to the effort. The leader of this new group will be receiving the artwork, so please join up to keep up with this great effort! Spread the word about this great project and join up with the group and get involved. Let's make this a magnificant amazing newsworthy project. Bring the American Dream to life and get involved. Would appreciate everyone spreading the word and asking them to sign up. Check out the blog and see already the financial commitments being made towards this goal. We can do this!
I have been doing the website for the Obamapalooza event scheduled for September in NYC. The artist line-up is getting firmed up and I have put up so far, some of the artists already firmed up to perform. More is coming, but the line-up so far is fabulous! This is a must attend event! Check out the website at: Link and check out the "Featured Artists" page. I am adding samples of their work as they send them to me and I am providing links to their websites and their myspace pages if they have one so you can hear more of their music and some have their CD's on iTunes or you can buy the music on their websites or myspace pages.
The NYC team is doing an amazing job on this event!!!
Check it out.
The NYC for Obama group is planning a September event called OBAMAPALOOZA. I wanted to pass the word on it because they are organizing to provide a great diverse grandstand show of entertainers, including none other than Jin, the performer of "Open letter to Obama" on myspace. He WILL be a performer at this event.
One of the things I like to do is work and help others create websites. They have a group here on the Senator's site and the event is posted in various groups but with the thousands of groups here, I decided to do a blog post about it to help get out the word. I am helping by putting up a webpage for them where they can provide updates on meetings, and planning schedules, list performers as they are firmed up, and showcase the event. You can find the website at:
Link help make this great event even bigger so they have to move it to a bigger park, LOL.
There IS a link back to this website to sign up to attend the event also on this webpage. They are looking to provide a DIVERSE group of performers to provide the attendees with all kinds of music. If you are a musician and would like to perform, please use the contact information on the website to submit a sample of your work.
If you would like to volunteer for the event, or help them with "in-kind" donations for staging equipment, sound equipment, etc., there is also contact information for that on the page I have designed for them.
Please help make this a truly spectacular event by passing the word about it. They are gearing up for a truly wonderful event in NYC and will be working hard to provide a great stage show and other activities. If you live outside the city, perhaps you can organize a group travelling together to attend or volunteer. They will need volunteers for voter registrations, and other tables they will have, plus volunteers for the stage show. Spread the word on this event. Thanks.
God Bless
I read all the Official blog posts and even did a short one of my own, but wanted to write about my personal opinions regarding all that has been said by supporters here on this site and that of the "pundits" and reporters alike.
First, the suggestion that Senator Obama should have come out and confronted Hillary Clinton this early in the primary race. I disagree. Remember this reality folks. Senator Obama is a black man. To come across as agressive against a white female candidate would cause extreme reactions among many. Let's face the same reality all black men face. Though a candidate, he faces the same thing. He is walking a tightrope in this area. He must not seem aggresive or 'in your face" as it will cater to the steriotype of what some consider as "black behavior". This is reality folks. Also, though opposing candidates in this Primary race, they must still work together in the Senate to get important legislation passed. The reality is folks,Clinton and Obama have voted the same on many issues in the Senate, and they must work together, though opponents so they can try to get some legislation through. Senator Clinton has voted yes on some of the legislation Senator Obama proposed and he has made no secret of the fact, that though opponets, he respects her.
One debate does not a campaign make. People expect Senator Obama to lay out full explanations on policy in short 1 or 2 minute explanations and in town hall meetings and other speeches he speaks directly to voters and gives full explanations.
The key to this debate was to come across as informed, reasonable, and polite to a female candidate, something Edwards appears to forget. His in your face attitude to both Hillary and Barack show desparation to me, and he was clearly out of touch when it came to understanding what 'rich" is. Why? He is besides Hillary the richest on that stage and does not really understand what rich is NOT.
I think both Senator Obama and Hillary Clinton are wise enough to know it is too early to attack each other on specific issues. There is time for that. This is a race not a sprint. While some may want Senator Obama to attack Hillary now, it would be a great mistake. Two books are due out now on her which are doing much of that for him. He doesn't need to do it yet. When the timing is right, he will, via speeches and town halls draw the differences between them, but as he is running against a female, he must be cautious and recognize how the GENERAL PUBLIC would perceive a black man verbally attacking a female candidate. This is a touchy issue and must be taken into consideration at all times.
Hillary stayed back from the fray and I thought that Senator Obama striking back at Edwards showed he was quick on his feet, and at the same time he came across as a gentleman, something Edwards is losing fast. And what was with Edwards beet red face? Looks to me like he was delibertately attacking. Fine for him, but many of the other candiates who are sitting SENATORS still need to work togeter, most especially in September where they will have a huge fight on their hands to stop the war and roll back those tax breaks for the wealthy. These are legislators that still have a job to do, attacking each other now is counterproductive to getting things done in the Senate and Senator Obama recognizes that. Remember, Senator Obama is one to be a consensus builder and gain common ground on both sides of the isle. Senator Obama has worked with both Biden and Dodd on some issues, they need to WORK TOGETHER folks, so attacking each other in one debate when they still need to cooperate in the Senate he recognizes could lose important votes on key issues important to us all. They are fighting a President who wants to veto everything they put forward, they need to work as a unit to get some Republican votes to override a veto, something which Senator Obama discussed and Hillary nodded her agreement. Senator Obama showed his consideration and respect by calling her Senator Clinton, while Edwards disrespected her and called her Hillary. Whether you like her or not, and I do not, I still respect her position as a Senator and she should be addressed as that.
I wish people will give him some credit here for understanding that early debates are just that, an introduction of candidates and not yet time to confront Hillary on some of her actions. There will be later debates where he will be able to do it, but they must consider exactly how he should do it without appearing attacking a white woman as a black man, and not appear too agressive. This is reality folks. Calm down please. Polls go up, polls come down, they swing like crazy and actually have no relationship to what is REALLY going on with grassroots voters. Most polls only sample 500 to 1000 people.
Now I did one informal poll here in New York State. We sampled 3,500 voters on the street. Here in New York State where Hillary is a Senator. Who got the most interest and definite support? Senator Obama. So these 'pundits" and reporters who seem reluctant so far to attack Hillary are just that, 'pundits" and do not have a real feel for what real grassroots voters think.
I would suspect once they figure out how best Senator Obama can attack Hillary on specific actions she has taken without coming across as agressive and alienating the public as a whole, he will do so. But please, there are 10 more debates. Let it grow. He will slowly chip away at her. He is beating her in Iowa, SC and Nevada so far, let it keep going. It's the voters that count, not one debate.
I am proud of the way Senator Obama performed last night. He was quick to respond and take Edwards to task, and yet came across as a gentleman and reasonable and was great on foreign policy and corrected Edwards on his lack of knowledge of Obama's healtcare plan.
PS: Hillary's makeup was done by a professional make up artist. For the ladies, they will see what I saw.
So happy to see the news about this. I did a feature on it on my other blog and was PROUD to announce it. Since that blog gets a lot of visitors I hope people will click on the link and join.
I am a Baptist but respect ALL religions for each person must find their spiritual guidance in the way that best fits their spiritual need. I welcome interaction with all people in New York of all faiths so that we may join together as brothers and sisters in this new venture.
I found my faith as a young girl and when I lost my mother and brother, and went through a very debilitating medical crisis, it was my brothers and sisters in my church who were my strength and my rock. They were there for me and always are when anyone needs prayer and hope.
It is my hope that perhaps we can offer a prayer each day to guide Senator Obama in his quest to unite all of American towards one goal and in that process get to know and learn about the religions of each other and share. God Bless.
Fran
citizenforbarackobama
Under the picture look for where it says; "Vote now for who won debate"
http://abcnews.go.com/
In the first 3 months, Barack had 104,000 donors. Let's get him over that 50,000 donation mark for just one MONTH! That is NEWS. And you can believe reporters will be watching and will report on it. Also, the page is already set up on MSNBC, but you can "Rate the Candidate". It is currently set up and they are showing short clips of 'stump" speeches. Watching MSNBC now and you should see the people wearing Obama shirts and buttons behind Chris Matthews. They are also showing a countdown clock. Check out the page they have set up for the debate. They will also be streaming the debate on line at this site.
Also, you can RATE THE CANDIDATE at this link. Rate him during and after the debate so it shows a POSITIVE reaction to the debate in favor of Senator Obama.
This is very important for the Senator. There will be a post debate discussion, and this can only be seen as positive stuff for Senator Obama.
Congratulations Washington State groups!! Here is the link for Seattle Times Article. There is also a scheduled "Meetup" where Rep. Adams will be the keynote speaker.
Reported on MSNBC today, after complaints from people who sent get well wishes to Mrs. Edwards, who then received letters of solitation for donations to the Edwards campaign. Senator Edwards is now stating he will put in place the ability for people to opt out of receiving solitiation letters for donations.
But I am shocked. People with cancer, or who have gone through it sent sincere good will wishes to his wife, despite supporting other candidates, and yet now they are forced to receive emails asking for money?
And people doubted my contention that, though I feel bad Mrs. Edwards has to go through a health issue, that this was being used by Senator Edwards? The man with the massive multi-million dollar home who thinks he knows what kind of healthcare we need when he can afford ANY kind of healthcare in the world. How can he, a previous personal injury lawyer, have any CLUE as to what healthcare needs we have and if we can afford healthcare or not? He has never been there and hasn't bothered, unlike Senator Obama, to ask a single citizen what THEY want, and now he is using his wife's illness, and the sincere emails she received, to abuse that and use their email addresses as another avenue to send out solitation emails?
This is just beyond outrageous!
We are in desparate need for spanish speaking supporters to help translate materials that have been created as a combined group effort for your use to be translated into Spanish for the Latino communities we access. If anyone knows someone who can volunteer some time to translate some of our materials we would be deeply grateful.
Thank you
