I suggest:
--Continue phonebanking upcoming states during the coming weeks to convince them that there is a real difference in this election.
--Voting day ensure that people know to fill out provisional ballot before leaving the polls. Particularly, if they have no time to stand in long lines or there is a problem with their registration-- Continue registering voters for the November election.
Keep up the good work...we are still winning!
Hey guys...
Will you guys check out my letter and give it your editing power. Please correct and provide suggestions as to the grammer, tone and coherency so that I can get it published in newspapers.
Well here, it is.
The do-nothing Democrats are at it again. As I watch the unfolding of this democratic process, I am once again dismayed by the democratic parties self-destruction. The inability of the Democratic party to present to the American people their choice for a presidential candidates speaks volumes of their inability to solve the vast and pervasive problems that are facing the American people, and those problems that confront our global community.
The typical approach the Democratic party to solve any problem is fear. The Democrats are so fearful of losing that they are paralyzed with inaction. Congressmen and Senators waver and wait. While they are gauging political reactions, a drama unfolds. All who would not benefit from solving the problem; elected officials who would lose their positions, lobbyists, special interest groups, political action committees, corporate officers, are allowed time to set the tone of the debate, refute all arguments, and build a strong base of support for their position.
I find it incredible that in January, we had two strong candidates. If either one were elected, I would had been thrilled. Any Democrat would be a sure winner in November.
Being a woman, I had always admired Hillary's intellect and her commitment to the Democratic party. As an African-American, I was thrilled that Barack's presidency would begin to heal the racial divide between America's ethnic communities, providing a role model to the modern American family, and interact with our world community with cultural competence. As an independent registered voter, I resigned to allow Maryland democrats to make the decision for me and I would simply vote for the Democratic candidate in November. My excuse for not choosing -- I'm an election judge and would no longer be able to sit in for either party during breaks on election day.
Yes, I too did not want to make such a monumental decision. We can not decry the fact that this is the most important election in our lifetime.
Our country is in two wars, Irag and Afghanistan. No doubt, we do have formidable enemies. Unlike Bush who feels its romantic to fight our enemies and Cheney, who simply says 'So', I pain in the sufferings of our young men and women, along with their wives, mother, sisters, neices and cousins.
The economy is sunk. I am worried that the country will once again relive '20's depression. Along with my fellow middle-class Americans, I struggle each month between the costs of transportation, energy, mortgage, student loans, college costs for my child, and the costs of communication, e.g. telephone, internet and cable.
Even though, I work in a hospital, I too am plagued by the rising costs of health care. Each year, I pay more and get less. Even though, I am relatively healthy, too often, I have had to change medical providers to coincide with my insurance coverage. Fearing the bills that will ruin my credit rating, and further increase my costs, I donot dare get the diagnostic labs and sonograms as ordered by my physician. My flexible spending account denies claims, my insurance company denies claims, the utility company refuses to credit my account with a deposit that it has been holding for years, and each month the telephone company presents hidden charges.
Last November, I saw these as the problems that any Democratic presidential candidate would resolve. While presenting my arguments for a Democratic candidate, I was hearing that another Clinton presidency would be devastating. At that time, the Republican argument against another Clinton in the White House had taken hold. I had forgotten about the prosperity of the Clinton's years, my love for the Clintons. While Hillary was saying, 'I've already been vetted,' I was remembering each and every fight the Clintons had with the Republicans. The loss of both congressional houses, the Democrat's reluctance to recieve Bill's support in their election campaigns, the travelgate, the property deals, and the women.
At first I found myself probing deeper into the Hillary's dirt, simply to fight off the Republican arguments against another Democrat. By January, I was campaigning for Barack. Oprah had sold me on his brilliance and Iowa had shown me that he was acceptable to the white masses.
Upon seeing the cultural incompetence of Bill and Hillary in South Carolina, I radicalized my efforts to elect Barack Obama as America's next president.
In hindsight, I recognize that Hillary and Bill's comments were simply political pandering. But at first blush, the Black community had a collective 'cringe,' that took it from the fairy tale of Bill being the first African-American president to the stark reality that an African-American has yet to hold the country's highest office. And with that political power, an African-American would be able to fulfilled Dr. King's dream.
Thus, I became entrenched in my efforts to elect Barack Obama, the first African-American president. Digging deeper into right wing conservative arguments, I visited websites determined to end Hillary's bid for presidency. I continued to fortify my arguments with all the Republican reasons why Hillary would make a terrible president, not only for the Black community, but for all of America.
So, here we are in March. I've traveled to Ohio and Pennsylvania. I've knocked on hundreds of doors. I've sent out hundreds of emails, made dozens of calls, written letters, signed petitions, volunteered for the convention, and as neighborhood precinct captain. All of my free time is devoted to ending Hillary's candidacy. Simply, because the superdelegates have not declared their choice.
Because of the inaction and pandering of the Democratic party, I have given serious consideration and arguments toward voting for McCain in the general election. Upon reflection, I see this an incredulous choice, but nonetheless, my choice I imagine by that time, I would have truly become angered by the Democrats do nothing stance. Their inability to unite and fight for the American people. If they cannot even work together to choose their leader, how can I expect them to work together to solve my problems.
.After deliberate thought, it is my contention that superdelegates must make their own choice in the way that each voter has made his choice. The superdelegates must not bind themselves either by the electibility argument, nor the popular primary vote. While the popular primary vote provides a fair and indisputable manner in which to determine the people's preference of the national democratic candidate, the superdelegates are free to choose differently. Sort of like, at the wedding, 'speak now or forever hold your peace.'
For the superdelegates it should simply be a choice of rating which job candidate they would like to lead their team for the next four years. It's not brain surgery. Many superdelegates know the work ahead and each has an opportunity to personally interview the candidate. They must trust that Americans will respect their personal decision. All superdelegates need to declare their choice now, the Democratic party must fortify that choice during the upcoming primary elections and the party must collectively set the tone and agenda, if we are to win November's election.
If the superdelegates continue on this path of inaction, the electability argument becomes mute. The Democratic party's most hardworking campaign workers will have made so many arguments against the other democratic candidate and will have become so entrenched in their resolve to vote exclusively for their choice of democratic presidential candidate, that any other democratic candidate is seemingly not an option. In the fall, while McCain is answering questions about the issues, the democratic candidate will be defending April's electibility arguments.
The Democrats will once again fail to set the tone and agenda for November and will struggle to win in a sure win election.
Dear Sisters & Brothers,
I am passing along this email because faith without works is dead. We must get busy doing our father's business. Please do what you can to get your church involved in voter registration.
Family, I am looking for volunteers this week beginning on tuesday afternoon and in theevenings to call churches in the York City and surrounding areas. It is Holy week so this is the besttime to reach people in churches. Lets look to do the following: 1. Get a committment from thePastor's to mention the upcoming primary. By law they cannot endorse candidates. 2. Establish an Obamatable with voter registration available. 3. Get a committment from somone in the church to manthe table after services. A point person. We will hold a brief training for them at the fieldoffice in York on thursday at 7 p.m. and saturday at 10 a.m. It will not last more that 30minutes. If you want to man a table or know of volunteers who want to do so we will compile a list andplug them in if needed. Samuel BrittenFaith outreach/York City717-818-6268 Also, don't forget theMarch 25th (7pm) meeting in York at the New Hope Academy/ 459 West King Street and April 21st(6pm). Looks like this will become a rally point. Anyone with multimedia resources (lighting, sound, screens)please let us know. ps- To the other York County faith outreach coordinators feel free to tapinto these responses.
Passing along some helpful hints I found from Cecelia Jones in NY:
"... From my canvassing and phonebanking experience right before the Texas primary, it's really surprising to me how negative (and untrue!) perceptions have a way of "sticking" with voters. The key is to get our message out, far and wide. ... I would like to encourage everyone to host discussion groups. If possible, have a guest speaker who can talk about Barack Obama through personal experience, or a show biographical videos and discuss them, or have a book club discussion about his books. I've planned an informal event ... where I've invited Obama supporters to bring an undecided voter or a voter who supports another candidate. (It's not too early to start these types of events in other pre-primary states too.)"
"... People really wanted buttons, t-shirts and bumper stickers. These visibility items will create a "tipping point"-like effect for Obama. Since I found that things were backordered on the Obama site, I ordered them from:
http://www.demstore.com
http://www.zazzle.com
http://www.barackwear.com
--there are plenty of sites out there. Signs, buttons, and bumper stickers are not that expensive. I've ordered more to hand out in Philly next weekend."
"I urge all of us to stay focused.... Please remember that voter psychology is very tricky, and .. Consider every voter (even Republicans and Independents--still time to re-register!) as potential Obama supporters and do your best to bring that vote home! I will be doing the same! (Voter registration deadline: 3/24/08, PA Primary: 4/22/08)"
Yes We CAN! It's GOTTA be Obama!
Cecilia Jones, Devoted and Philadephia-bound Obama Supporter
It occurred to me that no matter what happens with the popular vote between now and August, Barack will need our support at the convention. Because both candidates will need the political will of the superdelegates to win the nomination, I implore everyone to volunteer and attend the convention in such great numbers that it will be impossible to deny our presence, our desires, our candidate.
It is no grand leap of faith to envision Barack having won the most states, the popular vote, the most elected delegates, and the largest state in the union, Texas, without having won the nomination for President. His opponent and high level Democrats have been insidious with rumors and propaganda concerning his religion, his age, his popularity, his race, and even his gender. It is not difficult to imagine Barack needing our unyeilding support at the Democratic National Convention.
We CANNOT afford to be caught off guard, as we were in Ohio. Let us not be decieved. The change that we seek in Washington will not come without overcoming some very powerful, well connected, and determined people.
Our opponent does not see failure as an option. And the media will continue to glorify and instigate the Democrat's infighting. Let's remember that we have already won, because WE have realized the power of US. We are ordinary people UNITED to do EXTRAORDINARY things!
Let's be prepared for Denver. FIRED UP, AND READY TO WIN!!!
Convention mailing list: http://www.denverconvention2008.com/index.cfm?page=contactus
Convention volunteer form: http://www.denverconvention2008.com/index.cfm?page=volunteer
Convention student internship-application deadline March 31:
http://www.denverconvention2008.com/files/internapp.pdf
Convention website: http://www.denverconvention2008.com/index.cfm?page=home
Join my friend network: http://my.barackobama.com/page/socialnet/mynetwork
YES, WE CAN!
SI, SE PUEDE!
Martha
We have raised the most money! We have won twice as many states! We have won the popular vote! We have won the most elected delegates! And we have won the biggest state in the Union, Texas! So, why aren’t we talking and acting like the winner? Mmmm? Just a thought.
Our projections show the most likely outcome of yesterday's elections will be that Hillary Clinton gained 187 delegates, and we gained 183.That's a net gain of 4 delegates out of more than 370 delegates available from all the states that voted.For comparison, that's less than half our net gain of 9 delegates from the District of Columbia alone. It's also less than our net gain of 8 from Nebraska, or 12 from Washington State. And it's considerably less than our net gain of 33 delegates from Georgia.The task for the Clinton campaign yesterday was clear. In order to have a plausible path to the nomination, they needed to score huge delegate victories and cut into our lead.They failed.It's clear, though, that Senator Clinton wants to continue an increasingly desperate, increasingly negative -- and increasingly expensive -- campaign to tear us down.That's her decision. But it's not stopping John McCain, who clinched the Republican nomination last night, from going on the offensive. He's already made news attacking Barack, and that will only become more frequent in the coming days.Right now, it's essential for every single supporter of Barack Obama to step up and help fight this two-front battle. In the face of attacks from Hillary Clinton and John McCain, we need to be ready to take them on.Will you make an online donation of $25 right now?http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/mhawkusaThe chatter among pundits may have gotten better for the Clinton campaign after last night, but by failing to cut into our lead, the math -- and their chances of winning -- got considerably worse.Today, we still have a lead of more than 150 delegates, and there are only 611 pledged delegates left to win in the upcoming contests.By a week from today, we will have competed in Wyoming and Mississippi. Two more states and 45 more delegates will be off the table. But if Senator Clinton wants to continue this, let's show that we're ready.Make an online donation of $25 now to show you're willing to fight for this:http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/mhawkusaThis nomination process is an opportunity to decide what our party needs to stand for in this election.We can either take on John McCain with a candidate who's already united Republicans and Independents against us, or we can do it with a campaign that's united Americans from all parties around a common purpose.We can debate John McCain about who can clean up Washington by nominating a candidate who's taken more money from lobbyists than he has, or we can do it with a campaign that hasn't taken a dime of their money because we've been funded by you.We can present the American people with a candidate who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with McCain on the worst foreign policy disaster of our generation, and agrees with him that George Bush deserves the benefit of the doubt on Iran, or we can nominate someone who opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning and will not support a march to war with Iran.John McCain may have a long history of straight talk and independent thinking, but he has made the decision in this campaign to offer four more years of the very same policies that have failed us for the last eight.We need a Democratic candidate who will present the starkest contrast to those failed policies of the past.And that candidate is Barack Obama.Please make a donation of $25 now:http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/mhawkusaThank you,DavidDavid PlouffeCampaign ManagerObama for Americahttp://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/mhawkusa
Our projections show the most likely outcome of yesterday's elections will be that Hillary Clinton gained 187 delegates, and we gained 183.That's a net gain of 4 delegates out of more than 370 delegates available from all the states that voted.For comparison, that's less than half our net gain of 9 delegates from the District of Columbia alone. It's also less than our net gain of 8 from Nebraska, or 12 from Washington State. And it's considerably less than our net gain of 33 delegates from Georgia.The task for the Clinton campaign yesterday was clear. In order to have a plausible path to the nomination, they needed to score huge delegate victories and cut into our lead.They failed.It's clear, though, that Senator Clinton wants to continue an increasingly desperate, increasingly negative -- and increasingly expensive -- campaign to tear us down.That's her decision. But it's not stopping John McCain, who clinched the Republican nomination last night, from going on the offensive. He's already made news attacking Barack, and that will only become more frequent in the coming days.Right now, it's essential for every single supporter of Barack Obama to step up and help fight this two-front battle. In the face of attacks from Hillary Clinton and John McCain, we need to be ready to take them on.Will you make an online donation of $25 right now?
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/mhawkusa
The chatter among pundits may have gotten better for the Clinton campaign after last night, but by failing to cut into our lead, the math -- and their chances of winning -- got considerably worse.Today, we still have a lead of more than 150 delegates, and there are only 611 pledged delegates left to win in the upcoming contests.By a week from today, we will have competed in Wyoming and Mississippi. Two more states and 45 more delegates will be off the table. But if Senator Clinton wants to continue this, let's show that we're ready.Make an online donation of $25 now to show you're willing to fight for this:
This nomination process is an opportunity to decide what our party needs to stand for in this election.We can either take on John McCain with a candidate who's already united Republicans and Independents against us, or we can do it with a campaign that's united Americans from all parties around a common purpose.We can debate John McCain about who can clean up Washington by nominating a candidate who's taken more money from lobbyists than he has, or we can do it with a campaign that hasn't taken a dime of their money because we've been funded by you.We can present the American people with a candidate who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with McCain on the worst foreign policy disaster of our generation, and agrees with him that George Bush deserves the benefit of the doubt on Iran, or we can nominate someone who opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning and will not support a march to war with Iran.John McCain may have a long history of straight talk and independent thinking, but he has made the decision in this campaign to offer four more years of the very same policies that have failed us for the last eight.We need a Democratic candidate who will present the starkest contrast to those failed policies of the past.And that candidate is Barack Obama.Please make a donation of $25 now:
Thank you,DavidDavid PlouffeCampaign ManagerObama for America
Hey guys,
You worked hard and did a GREAT job in these past elections!! It was a difficult battle with us being behind in votes and name recognition, but the war is not over. We just have to dust off and work more diligently for PA. If we can make a strong showing in PA, than we will have continued our momentum. I say, we sell PA's on Barack's ability to bring people together and to get things done, in contrast to Hillary's backroom and attack mode politics, which will simply galvanize the Republicans against us. Remember how she tried to give us a healthcare bill in 1992. Remember how we have lost every year, except in 2007, to Conservative Republicans, since the Clintons entered the White House.
After having traveled to Ohio and canvassing there, I realize that my reasons for supporting Barack do not translate well into a white working class perspective, without denigrating Hillary. This time, I am going to concentrate on showing people how having the Obama's as a first family is far better than having the Clintons back in the White House. A family that represents all that is good about America. A family that shows our kids that no matter who you are, or where you come from, that if you work hard, study much, and live a respectable life, you too can realize the American dream.
Most importantly, PA republicans and independents need to register democrat if they are to vote for Barack in the primary election:
PENNSYLVANIADeadline is March 24Primary is April 22Click here to register
WYOMING
MISSISSIPPI
The Mississippi primary is coming up on Tuesday, March 11th.
Polls open 7 am to 7 pm on Tuesday, March 11th
Registered Mississippi voters can also make their voices heard right now. Learn more about voting on Primary Day and early voting. Sign up to volunteer with the Obama campaign in MS and help spread the word about the Mississippi Primary!
We are STILL winning, so let's continue to ROCK THE VOTE!!!
Fired up & Ready to Go to PA!
Martha Hussein Hawkins
Angela writes:
Dear Friends,We have all invested our time, energy and hearts into this electionbecause we believe in Barack and in this movement for positive changeand unity in our country. We believe in his ability to lead this countryand we truly believe that with hard work, a better future for our countyand the world is possible. I don't know about you, but I'm not willingto let a couple of days of challenges and attacks displayed in the mediaget me down. We have come too far and have made too much progress tolose sight of the greatness that lies ahead.With that, I am asking you today, to take five minutes out of your dayto do the most powerful act we can do as supporters of BarrackObama....pray. Let's come together as a united people and saya pray. Let's pray that Barack is strengthened in confidence, knowledge, wisdom, and character as he proceeds with this election. Let's continue to pray for his safety and that of his family. Prayer is the most powerful act we can do together. Prayer works. Together, we canmake a difference.
"Now, one of Clinton's laws of politics is this. If one candidate is trying to scare you and the other one is try get you to think, if one candidate is appealing to your fears and the other one is appealing to your hopes, you better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope."-Bill Clinton, 2004
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZW0m2nWB_M
Thanks, Bill.. I will do just that and vote for Obama!
Let's make PA Barack's VICTORY GROUND!
