This is part of an interactive roadtrip criss-crossing the heartland from Indiana to Michigan, through Ohio, then into Pennsylvania for the ten days preceding Election day. Volunteers with the Obama campaign invite people to participate in the large scale projections, and have been successful in signing up more volunteers to help out with getting out the vote and issue awareness.
Campaign for Change Road Blogger Paul Notzold wrote this post.
Tomorrow in Philadelphia. RSVP here. Details:
This post is the latest in a series chronicling Governor Rendell's Road to Change Bus Tour.
Pottstown Governor Rendell arrived in Pottstown to a packed house. It was a tremendous crowd, greeting us with excitement from the moment we got off the bus. It was quite a sight to see. Kudos to State Treasurer candidate Rob McCord and Representative Joe Hoeffel for getting the crowd ginned-up before we came in.
We got to meet Mary Kyle, a small business owner (M.I.R.A.G.E Planning Inc.), a great worker and volunteer. She has never been politically involved before this race, and really got involved in this one because she believes a good federal government can do well for towns throughout America like Coatesville. "We are all struggling and I see this campaign as an opportunity to bring a sense of unity back to our country.”
Campaign for Change Road Blogger Abass Kamara wrote this post.
East Stroudsburg We got a chance to see another beautiful campus in the PA State System of Colleges and Universities. Governor Rendell appeared before a tremendous crowd, which John Spears and crew did a bang-up job putting together. Many thanks to State Rep. Siptroth and US Rep. Kanjorski for helping us set up and speak at this event.
Lebanon ValleyWe held an amazing and beautiful rally in the on-campus chapel with a crowd of close to 200. The serenity of the chapel reinforced the significance of this event and this campaign.The Governor got a tremendous introduction from Pat Walter, who talked of her family’s commitment to LVC. She explained that for the college and the community to move forward an Obama/Biden Administration is what is needed.We also had a chance to meet a great and active Democrat; Pat Stephens. She has great story to tell about her long history of supporting the party in Southeast PA and Philadelphia. After moving to Lebanon she is ready to help this ticket and this party move ahead. Her enthusiasm was tremendous.
It is clear that people are very engaged with the issues of the campaign. It was great to talk with young people who understand the importance of protecting Social Security and Medicaid/Medicare.
ScrantonA beautiful day and a tremendous rally. Thanks to the UFCW 1776 for their great shirts and their enthusiasm. It was good to see so many of our friends in organized labor. We had a great meeting with Field Organizer Matthew McCabe and Regional Field Director Bill Rubin. It was clear from the success of the event that they have a strong team.
Back on the road and headed south the Bethlehem. The search for candy corn continues...
Lebanon ValleyWe held an amazing and beautiful rally in the on-campus chapel with a crowd of close to 200. The serenity of the chapel reinforced the significance of this event and this campaign.The Governor got a tremendous introduction from Pat Walter, who talked of her and her family’s commitment to LVC. She explained that for the college and the community to move forward; an Obama/Biden Administration is what is neededGot a chance to meet a great and active Democrat; Pat Stephens She has great story to tell about her long history of support the party in Southeast PA and Philadelphia. After moving near LVC she is ready to help this ticket and this party move ahead. Her enthusiasm was tremendous
A few more photos from Day 2 of the tour:
YorkOne of the nicest and best campaign offices I've ever seen. It is a great facility with great volunteers.We had a packed house with a serious amount of energy. People were pumped up to hear the Governor's message of trumping "dishonest and disingenuous" politics with a committed grassroots effort to talk to people face to face.
One of the more moving moment thus far was having two young men, in soft-spoken, broken English, ask me to take their picture with the bus. All they had say was "This is important to all of us. We want to help him win..."MillersvilleThe rain and sleet at the beginning of the tour seemed a world away when we arrived in Millersville for an afternoon rally. It was wonderful to spend time on such a beautiful campus. Even the ducks and geese paused to listen to the event.One of my favorite moments came when a speaker told the crowd that we might have trouble winning Lancaster County. They responded swiftly and loudly, "Wait! Yes We Can!!!"I had a chance to meet the President of the College Dems at Millersville. I hope he's proud of the great turnout he had for this evnt, but it means nothing if we don't work hard over these last days and doeverything we can to make sure the Obama/Biden ticket wins next week.
Last night the Road to Change tour held an event in McKeesport with former United States Senator Tom Daschle. The conversation focused on the urgent need to provide seniors with greater retirement security and to expand quality, affordable health care coverage to all Americans. Here are some photos from the event:
We arrived at Shippensburg University in the late morning where a great crowd waiting was waiting to welcome our merry band of travelers.
Governor Rendell's delivered a power message about his faith in the American people and their capacity to give and be charitable. We need a leader who can draw upon our collective talent as a nation to meet the challenges we are facing right now.
The fine folks at Shippensburg U. introduced us to their new schools slogan "Ship Happens"...a novel turn of a phrase. And for all those concerned parties, batting leadoff today is...peach pie! Bus Driver Fred Holt's food offerings continue to amaze.
Beating the sun and on the road again, Gettysburg College is our destintation.We walk into an early morning rally of 300 full of all ages and races. A beautiful sight to see.The story of Susan Eisenhower, grandduaghter to President Eisenhower, and her reasoning for supporting Barack Obama, speaks volumes to where this campaign is going. We are bringing people of all political backgrounds onboard. Ms. Eisenhower goes on to say how excited she is to see a candidate and campaign "transcend the racial and cultural divide"The Governor's energy at these campaign stops is a site to see, espeically with a schedule as aggressive as his, so we all follow his lead and power on through.Some really hearty cheers for the calls for "renewable and alternative energy to be a key part of our economy", especially in light of the sucesses that already are occuring in PA with wind energySeeing the children of so many volunteers and supporters is a tremenouds reminder of the long term importance of this election. Young Andrew (11) of Gettysburg gets his placard signed and gets a picture with the Governor and then says "this is most historic election ever and it is great to have a candidate we can be proud of..."
-"Out of the mouth of babes, out of the mouth of babes"
The crowd was packed and ready to roll as we walked with Commissioner Pam Snyder who told the story of how moved she was when she first heard Barack Obama speak, and how she draws on that for the energy for this final push.
Day 1 of the Road for Change tour concluded with rallies in New Castle, Monaca and Beaver. All of our events today took place in a cold, driving rain. Under most circumstances the conditions would have made it a day to forget, but with only a week left until the election, the tough weather actually served to accentuate the passion and the commitment behind this campaign. Abass submits these words to end the day:
I was able to meet some of the great volunteers of this region. Their work really helped pull of a great event and will drive this camapign to victory. Doing all these events, sometimes we forget how powerful it is for citizens to meet their politcal leaders and make that personal connection with their government- the enthusiam these folks had for this event is so infectious. That so many folks would come out during late hours and in cold weather is a tremendous energizer....I wish I could bottle it up.
This post is the latest in a series chronicling Governor Rendell's Road to Change bus tour.
I mentioned earlier in the day that we have been traveling with Ted Kennedy, Jr. He inspires affection and enthusiasm from a crowd in the way only a Kennedy can. At our second stop of the day, Allegheny College in Meadville, the Governor opened with a great story about campaigning alongside Ted Kennedy Jr. back in 1980 when Senator Kennedy was running for president.
In his speech to the crowd in Meadville Governor Rendell also made an important point about the urgent need for grassroots supporters to get involved and fight back against the smears and lies about Barack that are circulating around Pennsylvania via robocalls, emails, and mailings. It can be hard to break through the din of modern media but one of the most significant lessons we’ve learned over the two years of this campaign is that there is no more powerful messenger than one neighbor talking to another. That is why we need all our supporters to take on an active role over the last week of the campaign, and knock on doors and make phone calls.
I will no doubt make this pitch repeatedly as the Road to Change Tour moves along. We all have a part to play in this historic election and you can make an important contribution by signing up for a Get Out the Vote volunteer shift. The stakes in this election are too high not to do everything we can to make sure that Barack Obama wins the White House on November 4.
The Road to Change Bus Tour is currently crawling through the sleet in Western Pennsylvania, which gives us an opportunity to upload some photos and set the scene for the rest of the tour. In the slideshow below you'll find pictures from this morning's event in Erie as well as shots of some of the people accompanying us on the journey. We have the Governor of course. You'll also see pictures of Abass, our fearless road blogger (he's standing next to the cardboard cutout of Barack) and Fred, who miraculously doubles as both bus driver and Road Tour Chef. Those meatballs in the crock pot are the ones I mentioned earlier. It's safe to say at this point that they have all been eaten!
Thanks for checking out the Road Blog. We look forward to sharing the next 7 days of the trip with you.
After an early morning drive to Erie we were greeted at a gas station by fans of the Road to Change bus. The bus is already a superstar!
Our first event of the trip was a rally in Erie. Governor Rendell was fired up and he gave an exciting speech to a crowd of almost 150, reminding them of the stakes in this election and the importance of voting Democratic from the top of the ticket on down. Complaceny is our worst enemy, he told the crowd, "Keep going, keep going KEEP GOING!"
At the rally we were tremendously honored to meet Ted Kennedy Jr. He has a tremendous story to tell and so much enthusiam for this tour and the Obama campaign.With the rally concluded and a cold wind at our backs we pointed the Road to Change bus southward to continue on the trail! Our intrepid bus driver has provided the whole crew with homemade meatballs, a welcome and warm diversion as we make our way towards Lawrence County.
