Susan Gordon created an application on Facebook where you can a) donate your status which means tell people who you voted for and b) send e-mails to friends in your profile. This is a a really fast and effective way to GOTV. People do not read e-mail any more, but they sure do use Facebook.
If you have an account go to http://causes.com/election?m=4912bdd3
If not get one, find some friends and get the word out. Its really easy this is amazing technology. For people like me who are phone bank-phobic this is great.
If you have not seen this 9 minute video clip of Keith Oberman blasting Senator Clinton you must see it and then go to Digg and make sure others are aware. This is the best media political commentary on their campaign to date:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23601329#23601239
A think this idea has merit, I signed the petition:
GARRY SISCO to Pennsylvanians In the wake of her comments of the last week, Senator Hillary Clinton should abandon her Presidential Campaign. In fact she should probably resign her Senate seat. Endorsing the Republican candidate over Senator Obama and casting aspersions on Senator Obama's patriotism and religion are tactics we expect from certain Republican political advisers. We do not expect them someone who would ask us to vote for her for President.
A petition made by Obama supporters to be sent to the DNC stating that if Senator Clinton becomes the Democratic Nominee for the presidential election, you will either: a) abstain from voting in the general election or b) a third-party-candidate during the general election. Here's the link: http://www.petitiononline.com/obama725/petition.html
I think we lost the spin and the free media...
Starting mid week last week, the Clinton Campaign announced that they raised $35M, when did we counter and tell everyone we blew them out of the water? Even today she is reporting that they raised $4M on the day after OH/TX - what did we raise? Every piece of news they put out gives them 15 more seconds on the media and that information was everywhere. Then they hit us on Rezko and NAFTA. Everytime the media mentioned the $35M they mentioned the other. Any indication that someone is pro-NAFTA was deadly in OH. I also did not see the national media covering the number of people attending our rallies. Strangely I also did not see any e-mails on the ohioforobama group the week before the primary.
Where was our free media - did you hear anyone talking about the fact that we had over 1 million donations, made 1.5M phone calls, knocked on 1 million doors? Perception is everything. There was a perception that she had a jump on is, and that showed up in the polling data with her weekend up tick and the fact that the majority of voters who decided at the last minute voted for her. We need to take a page from the Clinton/Bush campaign and follow Begalia, Stephanopolous and Carville, strike back fast.
Something has to be done about the flow of campaign materials. The Obama store still has not shipped my wife's shirt that she bought in January. Signs, buttons, fliers, yard signs, shirts - visibility stuff is showing up very late. Again, perception. Signs and shirts everywhere creates an impression that we own the field.
OH has a number of lunch bucket democrats who have not to date voted for Obama and the Latino vote in TX worked against us. We do not do well in rural areas.
Just one opinion, from someone not on the ground in TX and OH.
This information is taken from an E-Mail sent to Texas for Obama by Brad Doe:
With the recent information about the Clinton camp's questionable orders to all of their caucus goers to seize control of the process anyway they can, I think we as Obama supporters need to be ready in the event that anything UNSEAMLY occurs during the Tuesday night caucus. I recommend ALL Caucus-participants be vigiliant about watching those in control of the sign-in sheets. If you suspect any wrong-doers are taking place at all, arm yourself with the following contact numbers. I've taken the newsline numbers for the 4 major media outlets here in Houston as well as the National Campaign for Fair Elections. If you suspect something is amiss, then call all of these numbers and tell them what is happening and where exactly you are located. I plan to take a camera with me to the Caucus and I will be photographing anyone I suspect of doing anything remotely fishy. I recommend you all do the same, either with your cameras or with your camera phones. Save these important numbers and have them with you at the Caucus. Houston Chronicle - 713-220-7171 ask for the "City Desk"ABC 13 - 71-699-1313KPRC 2 - 713-222-6397KHOU 11 - 713-521-4398National Campaign of Fair Elections - 1-866-687-8683 Distribute these numbers to any Caucus goers you are planning to participate with and make sure you keep your eyes open. We want to win or lose this fairly! YES WE CAN!
News reports indicate the the Clinton campaign mey be trying to control the Texas Caucuses:
Burnt Orange (http://www.burntorangereport.com/tag.do?tag=Dallas%20Morning%20News) is referencing a TrailBlazer Blog on the Dallas Morning News site (http://trailblazers.beloblog.com/archives/2008/03/caucus-strategy.html) as saying:
Hillary Clinton and her campaign is pushing for precinct captains for Texas' 8,000 Democratic polling places. They need to train folks to lead the caucus sessions that will determine more than 60 delegates after the primary voting is over.
In training materials being handed out by the Clinton campaign, it is clear that they want to control those caucus sessions.The materials say in part, "DO NOT allow the supporter of another candidate to serve in leadership roles."
It goes on to say, "If our supporters are outnumbered, ask the Temporary Chair if one of our supporters can serves as the Secretary, in the interest of fairness."The control of the sign-in sheets and the announcement of the delegates allotted to each candidate are the critical functions of the Chair and Secretary. This is why it is so important that Hillary supporters hold these positions."
MSNBC is reporting some current Polls
Texas (sorry missed the source):
Obama: 46%
Clinton: 45%
The Texas poll indicates that Senator Clinton is significantly closing the gap in Texas and she continues to significantly lead in the Latino vote.
Cleaveland Plain delaer
Clinton: 47
Obama: 43
We are closing in OH.
Its the last push, we need to cloase this out and win on Tuesday. Keep dialing!!
Great Job Hawaii and Wisconsin!!
The 500,000 donations to the campaign and 200,000 calls made in the last week are all examples of what Web people theorize is the Long Tail. The idea that the power and focus on the many provides more capability that the focus on the few. As a people-centric campaign we are pushing this forward state by state and call by call and precinct by precinct. We are approaching a tipping point where the momentum becomes undeniable. Where the more people in the movement propels it forward. An excellent blog on this topic is located at:
http://techpresident.personaldemocracy.com/blog/entry/21792/barack_obama_and_the_long_tail_of_politics
The Clinton Campaign is on the ropes, ask as many people as you can to create profiles on barackobama.com and be involved. It is the power or the people.
Keep the Clinton Campaign on the ropes!
I can not watch YouTube at work (I guess that is why they call itwork), but I thought the below was worth passing along...
From: Eric Kapenga <erickapenga@gmail.com>To: Wisconsin for Obama <WisconsinforObama@groups.barackobama.com>Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 4:54:35 AMSubject: [WisconsinforObama] newest Clinton line of attack
The Clinton campaign yesterday accused Sen. Obama of "plagiarism" forusing lines borrowed from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Nevermind that Sen. Clinton has been using Obama's "turn the page,""fired-up, ready to go!," and "yes we can/will" phrases repeatedly inrecent weeks:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EhCikLeXb7c [Clinton: "Yes We Will"]compared to http://youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY [Obama: "Yes WeCan"]
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rweVOO-fhug [Clinton: "Fired up, Ready toGo"] compared to http://youtube.com/watch?v=A4GQ5rGsk1A [the storybehind the Obama campaign phrase].
Finally (and most interestingly) check out this Boston Globe articlefrom April of LAST year about how Obama and Patrick share language,including the lines Clinton is accusing Obama of plagiarizing:http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/04/16/patrick_obama_campaigns_share_language_of_hope/
Here is an extract:In the midst of his improbable run for office, Obama and his advisershave evidently studied Patrick's up-from-nowhere victory inMassachusetts and are borrowing themes, messages, and even specificlines for the presidential campaign.
It's the latest chapter in a symbiotic friendship between Obama andPatrick that continues to shape their political careers, according toadmirers, observers, and associates of the two men.The similarities between Patrick and Obama, who have known each otherfor more than a decade, are obvious: Both are idealisticAfrican-American leaders who came of age after the Civil Rightsmovement. Both have Chicago roots, a Harvard Law degree, and a giftfor appealing to both blacks and whites.
Their political likeness runs deeper. Both believe that people longfor a new dawn of postpartisan, hopeful, and optimistic publicleadership. Both staked their fates on grass-roots activism andfund-raising. Both campaign on supplanting cynicism with citizenship.
It was Obama who first tested the approach during his Senate victoryin Illinois in 2004. Patrick improved on it last year. Now Obama isbuilding on both of those successes as he makes his historic run forthe White House. [Boston Globe, April 16 2007]
Bottom line: The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
==========Eric.
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegates-who-havent-endorsed.html
The Honorable Ben CardinWashington Office:509 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510-2002Main District Office:100 South Charles StreetTower I, Suite 1710Baltimore, MD 21201 The Honorable John SarbanesWashington Office:426 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-2003Main District Office:600 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 303Towson, MD 21204 The Honorable Steny HoyerWashington Office:1705 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-2005Main District Office:6500 Cherrywood Lane, #310Greenbelt, MD 20770 The Honorable Chris Van Hollen Washington Office:1707 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-2008Main District Office:51 Monroe St., Ste. 507Rockville, MD 20850 Michael CryorChair, Maryland Democratic Party188 Main St Suite 1Annapolis, MD 21401
mcryor@mddems.org Lauren GloverVice Chair, Maryland Democratic Party188 Main St Suite 1Annapolis, MD 21401
lglover@mddems.org Glenard S. MiddletonExecutive Director, AFSCME Maryland Counsel 67President, Maryland Public Employees, Local 441410 Bush StreetSuite ABaltimore, MD 21230 Hon. Heather MizeurHouse Office Building, Room 2196 Bladen StreetAnnapolis, MD 21401
Heather.Mizeur@house.state.md.us Hon. Gregory PecoraroWestminster City HallP.O. Box 7101838 Emerald Hill Lane,Westminster, Maryland 21158-0710
lgpecoraro@gmail.com Mary Jo NevilleHoward County Education Association5082 Dorsey Hall Drive, Suite 102Ellicott City, MD 21042
mjneville@mstanea.org Susan TurnbullVice Chair, Democratic National CommitteeHome Address:16 Royal Dominion CtBethesda, MD 20817Work Address:Democratic National Committee430 S. Capitol St. SEWashington, DC 20003
susan.turnbull@gsa.gov Janice GriffinPresidentGriffin & Associates15106 Callohan CourtSilver Spring MD 20906
http://jgriffinandassociates.com/contactus.html Belkis Leong-HongPresidentKnowledge Advantage, Inc.1 Bayswater CourtGaithersburg, MD 20878301-948-1682
Richard MichalskiGeneral Vice PresidentInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers9000 Machinists PlaceUpper Marlboro, MD 20772 Maria CordoneDirectorInternational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers9000 Machinists PlaceUpper Marlboro, MD 20772 Michael Steed6802 Parkrose CourtNew Market, MD 21774 John SweeneyPresident, AFL-CIO815 16th St., N.W.Washington, D.C. 20006 Bill Meyer wkmeyer@comcast.net
When someone challenges us on the Substance of the Barack Obama campaign, I would point out the following:
1. Ask them to look at the Web site, and the speech that Senator Obama made on Wednesday in Wisconsin.
2. Point out that many newspaper endorsements of Senator Obama have made the following point:
- Actual policy positions at this point are similar.
- She wrote President Bush a blank check to attack Iraq - at the cost of nearly 4,000 American lives, tens of thousand of Iraqis and billions of dollars. Over 16,000 American Warriors have been evacuated from Iraq because of injury. That is an entire Division of troops. Somewhere around 50% of Army personnel have Traumatic Brain Injury and potential behavioral health problems.
- Every American is eligible for Healthcare under Sentaor Obama's plan, but no one will be FORCED to subscribe. I have healthcare, if Senator Obama can lower my costs by $2,500 that is money back into my pocket.
- Since their positions are portrayed as similar even by the Clinton Campaign - then logically her Campaign lacks substance also.
She has neither hope or change.
She has a political machine that wants 1992 back. Its our generation's turn!!
Fired Up Ready To GO!
In a Boston Globe article Clinton Strategies says, "...Clinton will not concede the race to Obama if he wins a greater number of pledged delegates by the end of the primary season, and will count on the 796 elected officials and party bigwigs to put her over the top, if necessary, said Clinton's communications director, Howard Wolfson."
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/02/clinton_counts.html
The Campaign does not want us to contact the Super Delegates - they have a strategy and one delegate switched today.
To win we win by the popular vote. We must beat her completely in every state to blunt any momentum. By winning the elected delegates and the popular vote we will ensure the backing of the Super Delegates.
Pick up the phone, contribute, get out the vote.
This truly is the urgency of NOW.
Eric.
Who in the McCain Campaign made the decision to start the McCain speech in the middle of the Barack Obama rally last night? There is no clearer picture of the difference between our campaign and the Republicans than Senator McCain and the scions of the Republican party trying to keep their eyes open during his speech. What a group of grumpy old men.
Their time is over, we thank John McCain for his service to our country.
OUR TIME IS NOW - YES WE CAN!
The Campaign is asking that supporters not contact Super Delegates. There is a very specifc strategy in place to address the commitment of these party leaders. As a result I will not be updating the list that I posted earlier listing the delegates and their contact information. If you are a political junkie, you might want to see where the delegates stand by going to:
Thank you to the people who spent some time compiling a list of contact information to poat.
If you look closely at the delegate count you will see that Senator Clinton's lead is primarily based on the number of Super Delegates. These party leaders can take away the results of our popular vote - DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN. Call, write or e-mail these people and convince them to join us in announcing for Barack Obama. Given the Democratic Party's proportional delegate system (which works for and against us) it may be very difficult to close the marging on with the popular vote. These Super Delegates must declare for Obama! I will continue to post on this Blog information on how to contact the delegates - please let me know if you find any contact information.
Go Obama.
UPDATED: 02/05/08
Over the weekend the media and talk shows began to speculate on the role of Super Delegates in the choice of the Democratic candidate for President (visit: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/02/foreman.raw.politics/index.html ). Because most Democratic Party primaries award delegates by some proportion formula Super Delegates may play an important role in deciding our candidate. I looked on the DNC site and could not find a list of Super Delegates. A Google search turned up the following site:
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/01/superdelegate-list.html
From the list provided on the site I developed the following list of MD Super Delegates who have not declared for a candidate - to be honest nearly half of the Super Delegates in the country have not declared and Senator Clinton is estimated to lead 198 delegates to 107. These Super Delegates are ideal candidates for a strong letter/e-mail writing campaign.
Most of the names do not have contact information. Anyone who wants to send me contact information at civitan.erichanson@gmail.com I will be happy to update the list for all.
IF ANY OF THIS IS INCORRECT PLEASE LET ME KNOW I WILL CORRECT IMMEDIATELY.
Representative John Sarbanes (MD)Representative Steny Hoyer (MD)Representative Chris Van Hollen (MD)Senator Ben Cardin (MD)
DNC Members:Susan Turnbull (MD)
Michael Cryor - MD Democratic Party Chair, mcryor@mddems.orgLauren Glover - MD Democratic Party Vice Chair, lglover@mddems.org
Maryland Democratic Party188 Main Street Suite 1Annapolis, MD 21401410-280-8818
Glenard MiddletonHon. Heather MizeurHon. Gregory PecoraroMary Jo Neville
DNC Members at Large:
Alvaro Cifuentes (MD)
John Gage is General President of AFGE - www.afge.org
80 F Street, NWWashington, DC 20001(202) 737-8700comments@afge.org
Janice Griffin (MD)Janice Griffin is President & CEO, Griffin and Associates, a governmentrelations and political consulting firm. Ms. Griffin is a veteranpolitical strategist. Ms. Griffin is Co-Chair of the Women's LeadershipForum (WLF) of the Democratic National Committee. She is an At-LargeMember of the Democratic National Committee where she serves on theRules and Bylaws Committee.http://jgriffinandassociates.com/contactus.html
Belkis Leong-Hong (MD)Richard Michalski (MD)Michael Steed (MD)
John Sweeney is General President of AFL-CIO - www.aflcio.org
AFL-CIO815 16th St., N.W.Washington, D.C. 20006
Maria Cordone (MD)
