From day one Barack Obama has said that his campaign would be a grassroots campaign. That means that his greatest asset is you! Not the media, not beltway elites, not elected officials, not big dollar donors. You! So continue to help propel this campaign forward by explaining to your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues why Barack Obama is best suited to help America turn the page on this sad chapter in its history.
Special thanks to my friend Teal Baker for her contributions to this post. Take it all in and then share it with others. If you like this blog or if you find this information useful please send me a friend request and join my group, Kobi Little's National Network for Obama.
With the court ruling allowing the at-large caucuses and Sen. Leahy's endorsement, our candidate's strength continues to grow and America continues to move closer to getting on track. Here are a few talking points to share over the next 24 hours.
Post-Debate Talking Points
If you like this blog or if you find this information useful please send me a friend request and join my group, Kobi Little's National Network for Obama.
If Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., is any indication of the caliber of people that Barack Obama will surround himself with as president, then he is on the right track. In response to Rev. Jesse Jackson's charge that all of the Democratic candidates are failing to speak to issues of import to African Americans, Congressman Jackson offered a well written response in the Chicago Sun Times.
The younger Jackson's opinion piece took integrity to write and courage to publish - and integrity and courage are two qualities that are sorely needed in the 2008 field of candidates and will be sorely needed in the next administration. I am heartened to know that Senator Obama has surrounded himself with like-minded people who will speak truth to power (even when that power is their father) and take action to right that which is wrong.
Integrity and courage are qualities Senator Obama has displayed over and over again as he has talked about the tough issues facing America and the world. Voters who haven't already contributed to his campaign should hasten to contribute today to support the only candidate who has consistently spoken with a heart for addressing the issues. Click here to contribute now.
Congressman Jackson's rebuttal follows here:
SEEING THE LIGHT
Chicago Sun-Times Op-Ed
By Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
During his historic run for the presidency in 1984, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. was dubbed "Thunder" by the Secret Service agents assigned to protect him. It was a fitting name for Reverend Jackson, whose electrifying oratory, energy and intellect shed light on critical issues as he took the country by storm.
In his recent column [Sun-Times, November 27th], "Thunder" struck again, criticizing today's Democratic presidential candidates for having "virtually ignored the plight of African Americans in this country." While causing quite a stir, Revered Jackson's comments unfortunately dimmed -- rather than directed -- light on the facts. But, they should be clear.
As a national co-chair of Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign, I've been a witness to Obama's powerful, consistent and effective advocacy for African Americans. He is deeply rooted in the Black community, having fought for social justice and economic inclusion throughout his life. On the campaign trail -- as he's done in the U.S. Senate and the state legislature before that -- Obama has addressed many of the issues facing African Americans out of personal conviction, rather than political calculation.
It is a testament to his deep commitment and new vision that Senator Obama is poised to become the first Black man to make it all the way to the White House. Taking him there will be the character, the judgment and the principles that are propelling his rise.
So often, the place where a candidate begins a campaign points to the direction where he intends to take the country. It is a hint and harbinger of things to come.
Message of the Day: Turning the Page on Secrecy, Calculation, and Caution
Building a Grassroots Movement for Change
$100,000 in 100 Days!
Please help me to raise $100,000 for the Obama campaign over the next 100 days. Click here to give now. Please challenge your friends and colleagues to match or exceed your giving by forwarding them this link:http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/KobiLittle
Senator Barack Obama and key members of his campaign staff held an important conference call with top supporters from My.BarackObama.com. The participants on the call were members of the three online groups that won the My.BarackObama.com Action Center Group Fundraising Challenge: Young Lawyers for Obama, DC for Obama and Sierra Foothills. I take my hat off to these groups and their leaders!
If you weren’t on the call here are the key points. The call was opened by Nikki Sutton and a briefing on new developments was given by Joe Rospars, Director of New Media. Starting Sunday, October 21, 2007 the will be new initiatives through the Action Center. The call center will be fully functional and allow online supporters to make important phonebank calls to build support for campaign events.
The Action Center will also be launching the Grassroots Finance Committee. The Grassroots Finance Committee will step up even more the campaign’s grassroot fundraising efforts by challenging members of the committee to raise $1,000 before the end of the year. Like high dollar fundraisers, members of the Grassroots Finance Committee will receive support materials to aid their fundraising efforts. Head to the action center for more details!
Chris Hughes, Director of Organizing for My.BarackObama.com, got on the call and talked about the campaign website for a few minutes. The site’s aesthetics have been upgraded to make My.BarackObama.com even more user friendly. Also the web team has developed and added My Neighborhood - information about what’s going on in your neighborhood (based on the zip code you entered when you signed up) all on the same page as opposed to having to go to a whole bunch of different pages to find out about local groups, people, blogs and events.
Following Chris, the Deputy Policy Director, Carlos Moseley gave an overview of the policy picture. He started out by pointing out that over the course of the last 7-8 months we've closed the gap in policy and no one can say that Barack is “all sizzle and no steak.” For example, with healthcare, under the Obama plan every American will be covered in one of two ways. First, there will be a national plan similar to Medicare and Medicaid that will offer citizens plans like those available to members of Congress and other federal employees. Second, Senator Obama’s healthcare plan will establish a national healthcare exchange to insure that insurance companies offer quality and fair insurance products.
Carlos talked about how when it comes to Iraq, Barack has consistently been on the right side of the issue and his positions have consistently evolved as the situation in Iraq has evolved. Senator Obama openly opposed the war in 2002. He introduced legislation early in the year calling for withdrawal. In response to General Petraeus’ report in September, Barack offered a new agenda for withdrawal that would enable the United States to get out of Iraq as carefully as Bush carelessly got the country in to the war.
Looking at the energy crisis, our candidate unveiled a comprehensive energy plan a couple weeks ago that will reduce American dependence on foreign oil. The Obama plan will also work to reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Rather than the carbon tax pushed by Senator Dodd, Barack advocates a cap and trade that sets a national cap on carbon emissions and allows emitters to trade credits.
After the policy briefing, Senator Obama took center stage. He thanked the call participants for their hard work on his behalf and challenged us to push even harder because there are only 80 days until the primary season begins. Despite the mass media reports about Hillary Clinton’s invincibility, Senator Obama told us that we are tied in Iowa and a little ahead in South Carolina. He stressed that this last period is important and that making a strong last push is critical. Supporters must really push by reaching out to family, friends and neighbors and building momentum, as well as fundraising to counter the national media narrative that erroneously says there is an inevitable candidate.
Despite some of the media hype, Barack Obama won the Dartmouth Democratic Debate by making three separate commitments that went unanswered by his primary opponents.
He made a commitment to employ personal presidential diplomacy to resolve conflict. While he didn’t say it, the other candidates’ silence on the issue tells us that only Barack Obama can provide the personal diplomacy that we need at home and abroad!
He made a commitment to use his experience to lead America. Barack Obama has the experience America needs and he discussed his experience bringing people together, his experience standing up to special interests and his experience speaking truth to the American people.
He made a commitment to usher in an era of tolerance, reason and hope and to stop the politics of fear, conflict and division.
Even though he was struggling with a cold, the clear, strong message of Barack’s commitments simply overpowered the other candidates’ comments, claims and theatrics. Those in the press and elsewhere who looked for Obama to engage in political showmanship were probably disappointed, because he just didn’t put on a show.
Instead, Barack Obama offered his ideas for turning the page on this dreadful chapter in American history and articulated his vision for advancing America’s prosperity and in so doing he won the debate.
Breaking news from the conference call with Campaign Manager David Plouffe: A new online fundraising contest is being launched that will grant the members of the My.BarackObama.com groups that have the most donors at the end of the day on September 30th, the opportunity to participate in a personal conference call with Senator Barack Obama and Campaign Manager David Plouffe. Click here for more information on the Group Fundraising Challenge.
The latest on phonebanking: If you're interested in phonebanking send an e-mail to the campaign at - callteam@barackobama.com and they will e-mail a call sheet to you.
State of the Campaign
Barack Obama's Schedule: On Monday, Barack Obama received the endorsement of the New York City Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association. Tuesday, he spoke at Change to Win in Chicago. Wednesday, he can be seen live on the NBC/NECN/New Hampshire Public Radio/New Hampshire Democratic Party debate, which will be broadcast live on MSNBC at 9pm EST. Following the debate he’ll head to New York, where he’ll participate in a live interview on ABC’s The View at 11am EST on Thursday before leading a major rally in Washington Square Park. On Friday, he speaks at Howard University’s Convocation and participates in the CBC Issues Forum in Washington, DC.
Barack Obama's Schedule: On Monday, Barack Obama received the endorsement of the New York City Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association. Tuesday, he’s speaking at Change to Win in Chicago. Wednesday, he can be seen live on the NBC/NECN/New Hampshire Public Radio/New Hampshire Democratic Party debate, which will be broadcast live on MSNBC at 9pm EST. Following the debate he’ll head to New York, where he’ll participate in a live interview on ABC’s The View at 11am EST on Thursday before leading a major rally in Washington Square Park. On Friday, he speaks at Howard University’s Convocation and participates in the CBC Issues Forum in Washington, DC.
