Our moment is now.
If you were registered as a Democrat by December 5, 2007, you can participate in the caucus tonight at 6:30 pm.
Make sure you know your location (and also make sure to write down your precinct number---you'll probably need that):
We're here at Obama HQ in Denver to answer any questions you might have. Here's the Obama Hotline (program it into your cell phone for tonight!):1-888-565-6268
Our phones have been ringing off the hook since about 7 am. Colorado is FIRED UP!Are you ready for tonight? Talk in the comments!
We need a President who will fight to give every child a world-class education. And Barack Obama has been fighting for children since he was a community organizer more than 20 years ago. We need a President who will restore our commitment to civil rights and equality. And Barack Obama has brought the Bill of Rights alive by teaching constitutional law and practicing as a civil rights lawyer.We need a President who will end the war in Iraq. And Barack Obama is the person to do it because he had the courage and judgment to oppose this war from day one. So when the Democratic Party holds its convention here in Denver this summer, I hope we nominate the candidate who stands for the future of our party and the future of this country – Barack Obama. It is time for a President who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and inspire all of us to achieve it...who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal.
We need a President who will fight to give every child a world-class education. And Barack Obama has been fighting for children since he was a community organizer more than 20 years ago. We need a President who will restore our commitment to civil rights and equality. And Barack Obama has brought the Bill of Rights alive by teaching constitutional law and practicing as a civil rights lawyer.
We need a President who will end the war in Iraq. And Barack Obama is the person to do it because he had the courage and judgment to oppose this war from day one. So when the Democratic Party holds its convention here in Denver this summer, I hope we nominate the candidate who stands for the future of our party and the future of this country – Barack Obama. It is time for a President who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and inspire all of us to achieve it...who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal.
The crowd rose to their feet and cheered.
Barack took the stage to enthusiastic applause.
I want to give a shout out to everyone who's still outside...everyone who's in the overflow...
He spoke about the future, about the Democratic Party gathering here in Denver in seven months to nominate our candidate.
This city, built at the base of the Rocky Mountains stands as a monument to a uniquely American belief...the story of America leads West, it is a story of ideals that know no boundaries...Seven months from now, one of us will stand in that convention hall and give voice to the hopes not just of Democrats, but of all Americans. In six days Colorado, you will get a chance to choose who that voice will be. You get to choose who will build a new majority...to win in November, but also to transform our country for decades to come.
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The real choice in this election...is about the past versus the future.
Over and over again during Barack's remarks the crowd rose to their feet and erupted in applause, and towards the end they started chanting "Yes We Can" in between his statements, and when they concluded, everyone stood up again to for a standing ovation.It's time for change. Our moment is now. Colorado: click here to find your caucus location.
For pictures, including of Denver Bronco Rod Smith, click here. Later on, visit co.barackobama.com for some reporting on our Colorado precinct captain strategy session that starts right now.
We also have caucus corners inside, with volunteers answering questions and looking up caucus locations:For more about the Colorado caucus, check out the caucus center. After the caucus education, there was a phone bank. Hundreds of attendees took out their cell phones and called five people on a sheet handed to them on their way in. Here's some of the crowd hitting the phones:The crowd is really pumped up! Former Secretary Federica Pena is spoke and got it even more fired up in here. "Yes We Can."He also introduced Denver Bronco Rod Smith, who's never been involved in politics before but decided that it was time to get involved:
We need change very badly. Once I found out about this [event], I said I have to go, just to be a part of it. And I end up on stage in front of you guys. I actually had the opportunity to meet the Senator a few weeks ago, and I was shaking more than than I am now, and you know what? I think we've got the right person to make the change. February 5th is a big day, not just for this state, but for this country.
Check back soon for more! The crowd is cheering "Yes we can!" and Senator Obama's name.Have you been to an event with Barack? Tell us about it in the comments.
Following up on Sarah Ramey's post, on Thursday, January 10th, we opened six new offices in Colorado. About 1700 people showed up and every office was hopping with energy and excitement.In Denver, Senator Gary Hart and Secretary Federico Pena both spoke at our volunteer office opening at 937 Santa Fe Drive. Check out this video feature a local group did of the event:
We spoke to Barbara, a professor, at the event---she's been involved with the campaign since March when she saw Barack and Michelle on Oprah. She began donating to the campaign right away, organized the first call center, served on the planning committee for Barack's visit to Colorado in June, and is now a precinct captain.
This is her first time ever involved in a campaign, and she actually changed her registration from Republican from Democrat so that she could caucus for Obama on Feb. 5. She says that she "likes the kind of leadership that brings people together" and thinks Barack has that.
In this campaign, people are so excited to come out and be a part of the movement. He [Barack] can bring that excitement to the White House.
That is the real power of this campaign - that it's a movement for change.To get the address of your local office, click here.
Check out this video of our volunteers and Barack at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in November.
Tonight’s the night. Click here to find your caucus location.
Judy grew up on a farm in rural Perry, and is a retired consultant for the State Library of Iowa in Des Moines. She has lived in Ames for 35 years with her husband, who works at Iowa State University and is also an Obama supporter. They have two children in their thirties. Judy has been impressed with Barack since his speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, and was excited to see him again at the Hilton Colesium in Ames this past February.
Somebody asked me yesterday to convince [them] why [they] should caucus for Barack instead of Edwards. I just believe that Barack is the one that when he says change, he really means it. He will try and change things from Washington. He has the power and the momentum to go on after Iowa. I've been so impressed by the young people that have been working on his staff – they're so excited about this candidate. It gives me a lot of hope for the future of this country. The more I canvass in my precinct, the more people are making up their minds. We have a lot of support for Barack in our precinct and that's exciting.
Check out this video from the Harkin Steak Fry, showing our amazing organizational strength and incredible volunteers who came from all over Iowa to show their support for Barack.
Tonight's the night. Click here to find your caucus location.
We asked Pat, a precinct captain up in Sioux City, what she would say to an undecided caucus-goer today:
There's a million things I could say. I think that Barack Obama is the person who can unify the country behind a common cause and solve our most pressing problems. I think he's absolutely sincere, and I think he has a leadership quality to bring people together. I think he's a wonderful listener; he's not tied to an ideological position; he doesn't view his opponents as political enemies. I think he'd be a wonderful face to present to the rest of the world – not just a face, but I think he can restore America's credibility in the world. That's very important. He has sound judgement. ...I just like him. You know, his sincerity, his honesty. ...[He's] promised to say what he means and mean what he says, even if that's hard.
Here's a little bit on Pat herself and you can click here for more.
Pat has four children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She wants to make sure that the future is bright for them, and so today she's putting her shoulder to the wheel of history to organize on the ground in Iowa for Barack Obama. As a long time caucus goer, Pat is amazed at how much they've grown over the years.
Don't forget to caucus at 6:30 pm tonight! Click here for info.
His speech tonight was great...[I support him because] he has a fresh approach.
Hundreds of people came out this morning in Davenport in the frigid cold to hear Barack speak and then head out to knock on doors to get out the caucus.
I spoke to Jim and Nancy afterwards. They're co-chairing a precinct in Bettendorf, and are ready for the caucus tomorrow night at 6:30 pm. They both described their experiences being involved in the campaign as energizing.
Nancy said that when you listen to Barack, his sincerity comes through, and that he has stayed on message and run a very respectful campaign. Here's some of what Jim said:
Back when I had hair and ideals, I got involved in politics but got worn down...[Barack] captures the spirit of [being involved], not just the politics ... He's more electable than some of the other candidates. He's about bringing us together, not dividing the country. ... He really is an agent of change, and I think that's what people are looking for. People are hungry for something different.
Are you ready for change? It all starts here in Iowa tomorrow night at 6:30 pm. Click here to find your caucus location and get more info.
Table Mound Elementary School in Dubuque has a pretty cool tradition for its students - since 1968, it has held a mock presidential convention where students get a chance to learn about the candidates and simulate an actual convention by breaking up into states and voting.
Chance and Haley are two fifth graders at Table Mound Elementary School in Dubuque, and they took the lead on trying to convince the delegates to vote for Barack Obama.
Tonight during the pre-program they reread their speech. Here is their closing argument for why their peers should vote for Barack Obama.
Barack Obama challenges us to come together and tackle the problems of our country. In the words of his 2004 Democratic National Convention speech: 'There is not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America -- there’s the United States of America.'
Chance and Haley were a tough act to follow, but Michelle and Barack took to the stage. Here's some of Michelle's introduction:
We need leadership that will challenge us in a fundamental way to be different....I am so confident that we need leadership that will...challenge us to be better, who will force us to engage, who will demand that we stay at the table, who knows that change doesn't come from the top down but the bottom up. ...Dream of a nation that is lead by the kind of leader that we asked for. Somebody decent and true and honest...someone who is going to be working every day on your behalf...imagine having an opportunity to be led by that man. We can do that this time.
As of right now, there's one day, 9 hours left until the caucuses. Check out our caucus center to find your location and to answer last minute questions about caucusing:
http://iowa.barackobama.com/caucus
That's what hope is. Hope is working, fighting for what did not seem possible before.
Hope is not about being naive. You can work for change but if you don't believe then it's impossible---and it's not.
We've needed someone like him for a long time.
I [am a] proud supporter of the candidate in this race who is 'grassroots grown' right here in Iowa and around the country. He's getting his support from ordinary Americans like all of us, not getting help from unregulated Washington lobbyists and outside money. On January 3, I'll stand for change and I will caucus for Barack Obama.
[There's such] crazy energy around Barack. It's nice to have a candidate you actually want to support.
Barack is speaking now. Were you at one of the other events today? Tell us what you thought in the comments. Also, check out this weekend's schedule for other events.
It was a great event in Clinton - video coming soon.
We have redoubled our efforts this last week to get undecided voters to these events. And, as always, Barack delivers his message best:
"We have to put away our doubts and our fears and our cynicism. We have to embrace the hard task of remaking this country."
We had more than 400 people in Clinton.
