Organizing for America | dmitry's Blog

I was contacted by Obama for America HQ!

By Dmitry - Sep 5th, 2008 at 10:02 pm EDT

Also listed in: 4 groups

Today I was very surprised to have been contacted by the Ethnic Outreach wing of the Obama Campaign, straight from Chicago! I was given this letter to post on my blog as well as on the Russian Americans for Obama group.

Hello,

My name is Jen and I'm with the Ethnic Outreach team at Obama for America headquarters in Chicago.
In the next two months, we're going to be working hard to involve as many members of ethnic communities as possible in our state-based efforts through a variety of ways: phone-banking, acting as a local "ambassadors," organizing canvassing weekends, hosting house parties, and others. We're also going to be distributing policy fact sheets tailored to each ethnic group and sending you press clippings about events of interest to your group. To help us in this, I've asked your group administrator to post updates from time to time on campaign progress, local events, and ethnic outreach updates in general.
Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and great work so far. We're looking forward to working with you over the next 60 days in the effort to win the election for Senator Obama!

7 WAYS YOU CAN HELP ELECT BARACK OBAMA OUR NEXT PRESIDENT!

No matter how busy we are, we can all help Barack win by using these simple ideas and easy to reach goals.

1.     RECRUIT 10 undecided people you know to vote for Senator Obama: Email or call them each week to follow up with them through the election on Nov. 4th and make sure that they get out to vote!

2.     REGISTER 5 people you know to vote: Make sure other Russian Americans for Obama can cast a ballot on November 4th! For more information on registering to vote in your state, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/voteforchange

3.     VOLUNTEER: Visit your local field and bring at least one friend along with you to volunteer. Make calls, canvass, and write postcards to undecided voters! To find your local field office, go to the "States" tab at www.barackobama.com and click on your homestate.

4.      WRITE a letter to the editor: Tell others in your community why you support Barack for President!

5.     HOST A HOUSE PARTY: Communications from one Russian American to another on behalf of Barack is critical to growing support across the country. Invite supporters and undecided voters to gather at your home and talk about what's at stake in this election. You can invite people over watch one of the debates.

6.     TRAVEL to a BATTLEGROUND STATE: Spend a weekend or two – over even a week or more if you can to help us reach other Russian Americans in these key states! Stay tuned for information that will be available on Ethnic Americans for Obama website!

7.     DON'T FORGET: MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA ON NOVEMBER 4TH!

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (1) | Report Objectionable Content

Math, Voter Registration, and Obama

By Dmitry - May 12th, 2008 at 9:37 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Please read this article about the statistical impact of our grass-roots efforts on behalf of Obama!

http://progressillinois.com/2008/05/11/features/obama-over-the-top

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (1) | Report Objectionable Content

Where the Obama-bashing Comes From

By Dmitry - Apr 15th, 2008 at 1:05 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Take a look at this article about the recent uproar regarding Obama's comments... This author confirms motivations behind the media reaction that I have suspected since the start of this mess:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/04/obamas_gaffe_and_his_critics.htmlv

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (2) | Report Objectionable Content

LESSIG'S REASONS FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA

By Dmitry - Apr 3rd, 2008 at 3:43 am EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

This is a MUST: Spread this video around and watch it all the way through!
http://blip.tv/file/784261/

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

OBAMA INTELLIGENTSIA UPDATE: Race Speech

By Dmitry - Mar 18th, 2008 at 3:33 pm EDT

Also listed in: 6 groups

I haven't made any attempts to tackle major social and philosophical issues in the Obama Intelligentsia group as promised. However, today Barack made a giant step on the group's behalf. His speech on race today boldly deals with undercurrents that are rarely mentioned in the public sphere. If possible, please share this video with all that you know, for it reminds us of the "fierce urgency" of his presidency.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

MUST SEE!!! Olbermann on Clinton

By Dmitry - Mar 13th, 2008 at 3:37 am EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

In an eloquent and forceful monologue, MSNBC's Keith Olberman expresses many of the feelings Obama supporters--as well as critical observers elsewhere-- have been sensing for weeks... a series of suspicions culminating in Geraldine Ferraro's recent comments. Make sure this video gets around, because in my opinion it is a powerful call for reason:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/12/olbermann-slams-clinton-i_n_91256.html

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Republicans in Mississippi try to Damage Obama

By Dmitry - Mar 12th, 2008 at 9:49 pm EDT

Also listed in: 20 Somethings for Obama '08 | Diversity4Obama | Russian Americans for Obama

Check out these strange polls. It seems that some southern Republicans don't like Obama... perhaps they are really starting to feel that he might win!

http://www.pollster.com/blogs/clintons_mississippi_republica.php

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (3) | Report Objectionable Content

MATCH MY DONATION!

By Dmitry - Mar 10th, 2008 at 5:08 pm EDT

Also listed in: 7 groups

I will match anybody's donation to the Russian-Americans for Obama group up to $25! Any Takers?
Dmitry

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

25 Reasons to Vote for Obama

By Dmitry - Mar 8th, 2008 at 4:27 pm EST

Also listed in: 4 groups

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/8/152147/6944/588/472335

This is a good list, although not at all complete.

PS. The girl in the 3AM commercial is an Obama supporter, according to Dailykos:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/8/03755/44140/948/471959

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

A TOUGH ANALYSIS BY DAVID BROOKS

By Dmitry - Mar 7th, 2008 at 4:56 pm EST

Also listed in: 5 groups

I agree with Brooks: In this testing moment, Barack Obama can't resort to Clinton-style politics! Otherwise, he will sink to her level!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/opinion/07brooks.html?_r=1&ex=1362632400&en=5922962d17bc3269&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

BIG STATE ARGUMENT, DEBUNKED PART II

By Dmitry - Mar 7th, 2008 at 4:45 pm EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

A few days after refuting Clinton's "big-state" argument, a poll verifies Robert Creamer's article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-creamer/the-clinton-big-state-m_b_90434.html

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Dear Superdelegate (2)

By Dmitry - Mar 7th, 2008 at 12:52 pm EST

Also listed in: 5 groups

Here's another letter I wrote to a superdelegate:

Until recently, I respected Hillary Clinton and thought that she too
would make a good president. I gave her the benefit of the doubt on
certain tactics of her campaign, such as Bill Clinton's attempt to
utilize the 'race card' early on. Recently, however, that cordial
appreciation has deteriorated. After seeing a desperate strategy
unfold on the Clintons' side, and to great avail, I have completely
turned my back to their campaign. I am not even sure if I will be
able to vote for her come November, with this bitter taste in my
mouth.

First of all, there was the 3:30 advertisement. Clinton abandoned her
ideals (have you seen Bill Clinton renouncing the politics of fear in
2004? http://youtube.com/watch?v=G-fkoctaB18) in order to scare up
votes.

Then, I honestly believe that she played into the rumors about Barack
Obama's religion. On 60 minutes, for example, instead of using the
moment to end doubts as to whether he is a Muslim, she said, "as far
as I know". Also, her campaign is said to have leaked the picture of
Obama in a traditional Kenyan turban.

Obama responded to these rumors wisely and respectfully, saying that
such untruths are damaging not only to him, but to Muslims as well,
who are cast in a bad light according to this pervasive stereotype.

There are many other instances that I could name, but instead I would
like to point to the broader implications of this political style.

It seems to me that Clinton has shown in the last few weeks that she
is willing to use dubious facts and rotten stereotypes in order to
achieve her personal desire for power. I would have nothing against
her if she challenged Obama honestly. That would have been better for
the democratic party... it would leave the best candidate standing.
Instead, she decided to take a page straight from the worst Republican
playbook and attack Obama by sparking fear.

Clinton's desperate tactics highlight Obama's greatest accomplishment
yet. He is attempting to get to the White House by elevating
Americans, and not by manipulating us and pulling us down. He wants
to help us sense that we can be better than we are today... that we
all have the potential to believe in ourselves, act ethically, and
eventually accomplish what we seek to accomplish. That is the hopeful
message that America is built on, and that is the level of moral
attention that differentiates this country from others (I know... I
was born in Russia, where nobody believes that doing the right thing
can ever get you anything, especially in the political arena).

So, besides his cross-party appeal, accomplishments on ethics
legislation, and other important work, Obama's most important
achievement is that he aims to succeed by lifting us up as human
beings. This is why he refuses to take PAC and lobbyist money. This
is why his advertising campaign pictured our country's possibilities,
instead of profiting from its latent fears.

In conclusion, I would like to ask you, as a superdelegate, to come
out strong against Hillary Clinton's Republicanesque tactics and
endorse Barack Obama. Also, I would like to point to the fact that
Obama's inspirational abilities and high moral benchmarks are
translating into votes in November. A recent study shows that he
beats McCain in the presidential contest this fall, whereas Clinton
doesn't do as well:

(http://www.surveyusa.com/index.php/2008/03/06/electoral-math-as-of-030608-obama-280-mccain-258/)

Thank you very much for your time and attention.

Respectfully,

Inspired College Student, Dmitry Trakovsky

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (1) | Report Objectionable Content

TO THOSE WHO THINK CLINTON IS MORE ELECTABLE

By Dmitry - Mar 6th, 2008 at 6:28 pm EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

A new poll shows that Obama beats McCain 280 to 258, whereas Clinton loses! Spread the news!

http://www.surveyusa.com/index.php/2008/03/06/electoral-math-as-of-030608-obama-280-mccain-258/

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

The Big-state Argument, Debunked

By Dmitry - Mar 5th, 2008 at 10:36 pm EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

Read this so that you have ammo against Clinton's undemocratic argument that she should be the nominee because she has won more "big states". Bogus.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-creamer/clintons-big-state-myt_b_90115.html

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Letter to Superdelegate Crystal Strait: The Creative Economy and Obama

By Dmitry - Mar 5th, 2008 at 9:45 pm EST

Also listed in: Obama Intelligentsia

Although Hillary Clinton won a majority of the youth vote in
California, I believe that that statistic would be a poor indicator of
the potential impact of her candidacy on the golden state's young
citizens. I believe that her victory among our group in California
was a result of her higher name recognition and reputation in the
state, not necessarily because she has proven herself to be a better
candidate for the young.

Don't get me wrong. I like Hillary Clinton a lot and believe that she
would be a good president. However, the effect of Barack Obama on the
youth of this country so far, as well as the potential impact of his
presidency on young Americans, would have been unimaginable only a few
years ago. I say this because I know who we are, as youth, and who we
have been. Over the past two decades, the American youth has become
increasingly numb. We have listened to the depressing message of our
parents' generation... a fearful theme that stems from the fall of
hippy era idealism and the rise of red-blue state partisanship,
combined with the anesthetized reality of the triumph of
hyperconsumerism. In other words, we have resigned ourselves to a
feeling of bleakness... for generations X and Y, communal meaning has
thus become hard to come by.

And although this assessment might sound like some kind of apocalyptic
rambling, I believe that the fall of citizenry in our age group is a
real and poisonous problem... one that threatens to systematically
wear away at our aging democracy, until nothing is left.

Barack Obama has sensed our generation's desire to break out of this
stifling mold. He has appeared on the scene and delivered a message
that, to some, sounds trivial... a message that Senator Clinton often
deems impotent... one that John McCain calls an empty platitude...
that of Hope. However, Senators Clinton and McCain can't understand
the implications of this message at our particular moment in history.

The message of hope that Senator Obama offers all Americans is
actually vital to our survival as a great country. To understand why
that is, one must look at America globally and holistically. Today,
the United States is the biggest and most economically vibrant country
in the world. However, this will not continue for long. With the
rise of major economic powerhouses such as China and India, we will
continue to lose blue-collar jobs. On the other hand, small countries
such as New Zealand and Sweden, which are quickly expanding their
creative economies, will sap the US of entrepreneurial capital and
wealth. Developing countries too will catch up and do the same. At
that point (perhaps in a generation or two), the US will be yet
another second-tier economy, and our values and influence will be
minimal.

To make a long, long story short, the only way to counter this
trajectory is by stimulating the youth... by empowering the young
members of our society to become citizens again... by instilling a
sense of hope in every young American... by reminding our generation
of the freedom that we possess, and then by using that freedom to
foster the creativity-based economy of the future.

Obama is the only candidate who understands these intricacies. He is
also the only candidate who has set these ideas in motion by offering
the possibility of bi-partisanship, denying lobbyist funds and, most
importantly, finally succeeding to activate the youth block as a
serious political force. We need that type of inspiration because,
frankly, the older candidates in this cycle can't understand the
problems that America's youth struggles with today and will face a few
generations down the line.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

DEAR SUPERDELEGATE,

By Dmitry - Mar 5th, 2008 at 9:42 pm EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

Here's a list of unpledged superdelegates. I wrote to the representatives of Young Democrats of California and College Democrats of America...

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegates-who-havent-endorsed.html

I'm not an expert on this, but I believe that the most effective approach towards these superdelegates is to tell one that you identify with--geographically or demographically--your own, personal reasons for supporting Barack Obama.

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

I WAS AFRAID THAT WOULD HAPPEN!

By Dmitry - Mar 5th, 2008 at 3:51 pm EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

I JUST DONATED $15 TO RUSSIAN-AMERICANS FOR BARACK OBAMA. WOULD SOMEBODY PLEASE MATCH MY DONATION THERE???

IT TURNS OUT WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, BUT IF WE WIN BIG IN THE NEXT FEW STATES, CLINTON WILL HAVE NO WAY TO ARGUE HER WAY TO THE NOMINATION!

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (2) | Report Objectionable Content

CLINTON'S LAWS OF POLITICS (HOPE)

By Dmitry - Mar 3rd, 2008 at 3:25 am EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

Let's follow Bill Clinton's advice: http://youtube.com/watch?v=G-fkoctaB18

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (1) | Report Objectionable Content

CRUNCH TIME!!! REMEMBER NEW HAMPSHIRE!!!

By Dmitry - Mar 3rd, 2008 at 1:18 am EST

Also listed in: 8 groups

According to the Guardian, Clinton's camp is re-energized, pouring millions into ads in Texas and Ohio, and continues fighting desperately! Let's not take this situation for granted! Continue to make calls, canvass, blog, donate, and especially vote!

Here is a series of articles from the Huffington Post that outlines this moment of opportunity for Barack, but also its inherent dangers!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/02/crunch-time_n_89481.html

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (0) | Report Objectionable Content

Goal Reached!

By Dmitry - Mar 3rd, 2008 at 12:52 am EST

Also listed in: $5 Friday for Obama | Russian Americans for Obama

Through the help of people I have never met before, I have just reached my goal of raising $100 for Obama. Tomorrow I will post their screennames, if they don't object prior.

I think that this online social network is instrumental in getting people involved in the campaign... through it, we feel the hope and enthusiasm of all of Barack's supporters, and I must say that most of us are pretty good people.

A huge thank you to the three strangers who helped me achieve my goal! Keep donating and working hard for the campaign, as will I!

Best,

Dmitry

Mail to a Friend | Link | Comments (1) | Report Objectionable Content