Now airing and a MUST SEE...
"Sand and Sorrow" - A Documentary about the genocide in Darfur.
Now playing on HBO
Featuring our very own Senator Barack Obama and Samantha Power!!!
To take action, go to:
www.savedarfur.org
Fired Up and Ready To Go!
Kirstin
This was in the NY Times today. The Republicans are trying to revive this issue. We blocked it once and we need to do it again! Here's the article. Please spread it around.
By Ariel Alexovich
California Republicans are breathing new life into an initiative that could have serious reverberations for the 2008 election. The Los Angeles Times reported today that conservatives are restarting a drive to place on the June ballot a measure that would change the way the state allots its 55 electoral votes.
The initiative would change California’s electoral voting from the standard winner - take-all — to winner-takes-district. It failed earlier this month when organizers dropped their primary financial backer, and couldn’t come up with the $2 million probably required to get the signatures to put it up for a vote.
Money isn’t a problem now, said political strategist David Gilliard to the L.A. Times. The San Jose Mercury News also reports that the $2 million sum is nearly in the bank.
As Jennifer Steinhauer first reported in The Times back on Aug. 11, the G.O.P. would gain a giant advantage if this measure passes. Since Republicans have 19 of California’s congressional seats, they could win some 20 electoral votes—the same number as, say, swing state Ohio.
The L.A. Times says several G.O.P. strategists confirmed that the drive is back on. Today’s buzz about a renewed ballot crusade was so great that Art Torres, chairman of the California Democratic Party, released a statement about the alleged resurgence:
“Just in time for Halloween, phantom G.O.P. forces are attempting to bring the electoral power grab initiative back from the dead. The Republicans may mistakenly think that Californians have a short memory, but this latest crass attempt to rig the presidential election is downright insulting.”
The G.O.P. isn’t directly involved in the initiative, only Republican donors — not all of whom have been named. One of the leaders of the new drive is Anne Dunsmore, who until late September was the deputy finance manager for Rudolph W. Giuliani’s campaign, and then left the campaign. The first drive also was hampered by a $175,000 donation from Paul Singer, who has made significant contributions to Mr. Giuliani in the past.
Mr. Giuliani’s office denies any involvement with the issue. Still, Mr. Torres directed sharp words toward the former mayor:
“We know that Rudy Giuliani’s former top fundraiser is helping to lead the charge, which is no surprise given recent news reports tying Giuliani to the last effort. But who is the real driving force? Who is the Sugar Daddy funding the attempted revival? It’s time for the G.O.P. to show Californians the money.”
Republicans still have some leg work to do before the measure is put on the ballot. In addition to the $2 million, they need to collect hundreds of thousands of valid registered voter signatures before the mid-November deadline, reports the Sacramento Bee. But the Bee also says that conservatives might try to place the initiative on the November 2008 ballot if they can’t get enough signatures for June — and that if the measure passed on a November ballot, it could still apply to the November presidential vote.
Democrats are readying themselves for a fight.
“[California Democratic Party] Fraud Busters throughout California will once again spread the truth by going to locations where the Republicans are gathering signatures and will tell would-be signers the truth about this petition,” Mr. Torres said in the statement.
I had to take a work trip to New York and found (made) some time to attend the rally in NYC. C'est fantastique! I attended Obama's rally in LA this past February and I was inspired then to volunteer for his campaign. The NYC Rally was 10 times that! I thought he was great then and he's even better now! There is no stopping him! 24,000 people, thunderous applause, secret service and one spectacular and invigorating speech from Obama, our next POTUS! The most inspiring part of the rally was at the end when Obama led a call and response with 24,000 people chanting FIRED UP! and READY TO GO! I'm sure our enthusiasm echoed through the streets of Manhattan.
This is it, folks. It's up to us. We must each take on the responsiblity to get this man elected. Don't fall back in the shadows. It's time for the people of the United States of America to stand up and make an impact.
I AM FIRED UP AND READY TO GO!
This past weekend, the volunteer team I work with hopped on the Obama-Bandwagon! Volunteers hosted House Parties, went to House Parties, organized Rallies and took a road trip to our neighboring early state, Nevada, to help out the campaign. I was one of those people who travelled to Las Vegas, and it was such a fulfilling experience. The staff had our weekend completely organized and our group of Los Angeles volunteers worked fervently out in the field to get supporters to sign caucus pledge cards. This is the first campaign I've ever volunteered for and I feel invigorated in supporting a candidte that I believe in whole-heartedly!
OBAMA 2008!!!!
We will be holding an additional NEW VOLUNTEER MEETING this Thursday evening (August 30) for those of you who were unable to attend our first meeting on August 12th.Our first meeting was extremely successful, 70 NEW VOLUNTEERS. All the information is below, as well as the link to RSVP to the event. Please feel free to contact me (Kirstin) if you have any questions or concerns. I hope you can make it!NEW VOLUNTEER MEETINGThursday, August 30, 20077:00-9:00 PMThe Lot 1041 North Formosa Ave. The Commissary - Global Cuisine Los Angeles, CA 90046
*Parking is available on The Lot. Security will guide you to parking and meeting location.
**We will be outside so you might want to bring a jacket or sweater.RSVP at...http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4vcq4Kirstin PierceCommunications CoordinatorObama for America Volunteers - 30 Eastinfo.obamavolunteers@gmail.comhttp://volunteersforobama.blogspot.com
I'm so proud to announce that the Camp Obama graduate's NEW VOLUNTEER MEETING for the eastern portion of California's 30th was a HUGE success! 70 driven and enthusiastic new volunteers attended our meeting!!! It was such a great thing to see such a diverse group of people working together for a common goal. My eyes were really opened by how fervently people want a change in America and how much America wants Senator Obama to helm that ship. This is not just a campaign... this is a movement!
Video of the meeting is coming soon!
Kirstin Pierce
Communications Coordinator
Obama For America Volunteers - California's 30th/East
http://volunteersforobama.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/volunteersforobama
