It has been a while since i had the chance to write a post. My team started working on phone banking as soon as VR ended.
There seems to be a group of voters that we are really going to need to keep motiviated until Nov. 04. Our goal is get anyone that is weary of the politics (and is a Obamam supporter!) to vote early. Move em out! Drive them there. Get them to the polls. Once they have voted that is one in the bank: go out and find another one. Oh.. and do not forget to early vote yourself!!
Editor's note: CNN contributor Hilary Rosen is the political director and Washington editor at large of HuffingtonPost.com, which describes itself as an Internet newspaper and focuses on politics from a liberal point of view. A longtime Democratic adviser, Rosen is a former CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America and supported Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
(CNN) -- Warning! This pundit isn't feeling the same way as many of my colleagues about Sarah Palin. She is being attacked for her lack of experience for the job and for whether she should be putting her family first instead of her career.
This just isn't that unusual in my book. And the more it goes on, the more uncomfortable I feel with that message.
Let's reflect. In her acceptance speech, we saw a woman who was compelling, charming and aggressively partisan. She succeeded in demonstrating that she is a regular mom who came to government to make a difference.
And she had that crowd in the convention hall eating out of her hands. Celebrity? It will be hard for the Republicans to attack Sen. Barack Obama for his celebrity now that they have one of their own.
A superstar of the radical right was made Wednesday night. And she may also have made some headway with those who buy her folksiness without knowing the extreme nature of her actual policy views. Read the transcript of Palin's speech
So where does this leave us as Democrats in making the case against Sarah Palin and her running mate for president? What is the choice now for the American people? There is a really strong case to be made against the McCain/Palin ticket and Democrats need to make it the right way, right away.
I am a woman who someone took a chance on several years ago when they gave me a job that had only previously been done by old white guys. Experience? How do you get any if no one takes a chance on you? And the decision to take a chance can be instinctive, as John McCain said.
And what about the argument that she is a negligent mother who will be distracted from her important role? I am a mother who constantly feels the pressure from others about whether I am fit to be a parent, whether I put my kids first often enough and whether my children get enough of my attention. Who has the right to judge my family?
My grandmother always said, "You can't tell time on someone else's clock." Judgments about people's personal lives are better left unsaid and unrealized.
So why then do I think that Sarah Palin would be a terrible vice president? Because I also think that John McCain would be a terrible president.
I don't care about how Sarah Palin or John McCain take care of their families. I care about how their policy choices affect my family and millions of other Americans.
McCain and Palin get their health insurance paid for by the government (hers in Alaska and his in Washington). Yet they oppose giving the nearly 46 million uninsured Americans the same access to affordable health care.
John McCain's kids don't have to worry about paying for college. Yet he has opposed every single education support program to help others.
McCain and Palin say they will stand up to oil companies. Yet the only energy policy they support gives millions of dollars in tax breaks to oil companies to do more drilling and he has opposed every piece of federal legislation to explore alternative fuel sources.
McCain and Palin say they will revamp how Washington does business. Yet his campaign is filled with lobbyists and she has cooperated with Sen. Ted Stevens in funneling federal money for useless projects in Alaska for years. And McCain and Palin have no solutions for Americans worrying about their jobs in a fragile economy.
McCain and Palin want us to leave their families alone. Yet they want to make rules for our families by eliminating our right to make our own choices over abortion, eliminate our access to family planning education or domestic partner benefits, and our freedom from discrimination.
They want to control what our kids learn in school about sex and about science. In short, through the policies they promote and the judges they support, they want the government to have more control over our private lives than at any time in history.
McCain and Palin now say their campaign is about change, too. Yet the only real change they have proposed is a change from a suit to a skirt in the vice president's office and one man fighting a misplaced war for another in the Oval Office.
That seems to me to be the right reason to oppose them in November. It's not the process or the people, it's what they represent. This unconventional choice of a vice presidential nominee by John McCain won't result in a win in November, because McCain and Palin are the wrong choice for the country.
The below was written by one of mybarackobama group members: dmbfan1999@gmail.com. He expresses my sentiments exactly! We must get to work. Right Now!
__________________________________________________________________________________
Fellow O/B supporters, when we look at Sarah Palin we see an inexperienced politician who has no business being in this national race. We see someone who will be easily manipulated by the neo-cons to further their "war on terror" and funnel billions more tax dollars into the pockets of the military industrial complex and big oil companies.
When right-wing, conservative Evangelicals look at Ms. Palin, they see a gift from God.
Yes, we see through the cheap, transparent, manipulative Rove-esque tactics, and post our rants online as blogs and nytimes.comcomments. But this running mate was not chosen for us. It was chosen to solidify the conservative base, who is not reading blogs and sending emails. They are sitting in church and chatting with their fellow church-goer about how McCain has made such a wonderful choice in picking his veep. Not only does she talk the talk about being pro-life, she walks the walk by giving birth to a baby with Down Syndrome. Not only is she a charmer and a looker, but if we vote for her she will be the first woman Vice-President. We can be apart of history.
Therefore, do not read the blogs and internet postings and think it is a good gauge of the national consciousness on this choice. The people whom this was aimed at and are rejoicing over this pick are NOT online blogging and emailing.
So, in the end it comes down to what do we as Obama/ Biden supporters do to take this country in a new and better direction.
Well, we can sit and bang out email after email about how Palin wants to shoot wolves from helicopters. We can blog about how she is in favor of teaching the creation story along side the theory of evolution in our public schools. We can even try to start rumors about how her four month old baby might not even be hers, but is actually her seventeen year old daughter's.
Obama/ Biden supporters you are wasting your time! Not only are you "preaching to the choir" (sorry, i could not think of another metaphor), but your message is not being read by the other side. Besides even if they did read it, they would look you in the face and say, "Well, God put us in charge of the animals, and their numbers need to be thinned out for the new oil pipeline going through Alaska. And why not teach creationism in schools, both sides need to be represented. And abortion is murder."
Therefore, we need to mobilize and TAKE ACTION like never before. Here is a list of things we can do in order to help elect Barack Obama.
1. Donate money. Remember, Obama is not taking public financing so we are responsible for fueling his campaign with the resources he needs to take our message into those battleground states.
2. Phonebanking. During the primaries i did some phonebanking and i cannot express to you how rewarding of an experience this is. At first it seems daunting, but in the end chatting with potential voters about our message of hope, peace and change is very gratifying.
3. Canvassing. Going door to door to chat with potential voters and show your enthusiasm for the Obama/ Biden ticket is satisfying, and also demonstrates that this is a national movement, not empty rhetoric.
4. Write letters to local newspapers. Not the .com newspaper, but the ones that used to be (maybe still do) sitting at your front door in the morning. This is the medium through which social conservatives receive their news and information. Do NOT express outrage, but our message of hope, peace and change.
5. Stay away from moral issues. When discussing Obama/ Biden, stay away from these moral issues and focus on how McCain does not get it. That he is out of touch. That he has been wrong time and time again. That Obama/ Biden get it. Have excellent judgement and intellect and can lead this country in a new and better direction.
6. Ignore Palin. The best thing we can do is to ignore her. The only reason she was brought on to the ticket was to energize the conservative base. Those individuals vote with their gut, (with emotion) over moral issues. There is no amount of convincing we can do in order to change their minds on these issues. If we are lucky, the harsh continuous light of the national media on Ms. Palin will cause a gaffe or misstep on her part.
My Fellow Obama/ Biden supporters i implore you, do not underestimate these social conservatives. Rove has said before, that he wanted to (and has for the last eight years) establish a permanent Republican majority. This is how he has done it. Ladies and gentlemen, they will succeed again. If you do not believe me, go back and analyze the results of the last two general elections. More women than men vote.
That is unless, we get out from in front of our laptops (only after donating $5 to the campaign) and get our message of hope, peace and change out to the American people.
I encourage replies (and forwarding of this email), to my comments above, but also include action items, and ideas on what we can DO to elect Barack Obama as President and Joe Biden as Vice-President of the United States of America.
kC
The above was written by one of mybarackobama group members: dmbfan1999@gmail.com. He expresses my sentiments exactly! We must get to work. Right Now!
All I can say is : Game ON! Bring It!
Obamam/Biden 08'
T
From: Natonia Crowe Hagans <blackdiamonddust@mac.com>Convention Schedule - Historic Week!! Next week will truly be a major week in American history. Hillary Clinton will be speaking on the 88th anniversary of women getting the right to vote. Barack Obama will make his acceptance speech, in front of 75,000 people, on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. DON'T MISS IT!!Monday, August 25The theme for the day is "One Nation" and Michelle Obama will be the "headline prime-time speaker."The speakers will include:* Former President Jimmy Carter* Speaker of the House Nancy PelosiTuesday, August 26The theme for the day is "Renewing America's Promise." "Senator Hillary Clinton will be the headline prime-time speaker and former Virginia Governor Mark Warner will deliver the keynote address on Tuesday night."The speakers will include:* Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy* Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana* Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas* Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona* Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin* Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania* Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio* Senator Bob Casey, Jr., of PennsylvaniaWednesday, August 27The theme for the day is "Securing America's Future" and will feature the Vice Presidential candidate's speech. Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth will offer a tribute to war veterans.The speakers will include:* Former President Bill Clinton* Governor Bill Richardson* Massachusetts Senator John Kerry* Senator Evan Bayh* Senator Joe BidenThursday, August 28The theme for the day is "Change You Can Believe In."Barack Obama will accept the nomination in a speech at INVESCO Field at Mile High on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. He will be joined by Former Vice President Al Gore.There are convention watching parties all over the country. You can find a local convention party near you at www.barackobama.com, or you can host your own party! Of course, this schedule and speaker list is subject to change and probably will to some extent.
Florida is a battle ground state. Found this on one of my groups. I love the sentiment of this well written email. Every small bit helps.
____________________________________________
How to Help Elect Obama
Educate, educate, educate. There are less than 100 days until the election.
There are many small things we can do in our everyday lives that will make a
difference. Every time you wear an Obama pin or drive a car with his bumper
sticker, you must act as an ambassador and an advocate. Smile when you
don't feel like it, don't respond to hecklers with anger, offer literature,
carry voter reg materials with you so you can register people on the spot.
Gentlemen, open doors for ladies and the elderly and when thanked, "Thank
you. I'm supporting Obama for president and it has changed my outlook. I am
happy to help you." Everyone, be scrupulously honest. If you get too much
change at the grocery store, return it with a smile and a comment that the
clerk must be having a long day. Give up your parking place, wave to anyone
who does you a good turn, let someone in the lane. Change the way you
conduct business for the better. Make youselves a living example of what
Barack Obama is teaching us.
In the early days of the primary here, we had not courted the Hispanic vote.
Hispanics did not believe Obama would support their causes. I spoke to a few
friends, they spread the word, and now Si Se Puede is a major influence here
in Vegas.
My point is that ALL of us can do little things that effect a change. If
you can debate his policies, all good and well, but non-decideds often don't
have time to listen. They do, however, remember a good turn they received.
We CAN do this. Rise above the lies and hold your heads high because we DO
have the better candidate for the USA and the world.
Suzie McKay
Las Vegas City Organizer
Nation 4 Change
"When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my
religion." (Abraham Lincoln)
Barack Obama for President!
Canvassing is one of the easiest ways to work for the Obama campaign. You can pull a list of the undecided voters in your neighborhood from the undecided voter tool and speak with them about their voting decisions. Many people do not fully understand how important it is for them to vote for change. A friendly conversation with informed volunteers may be all that is needed to bring them to the possibility of voting for Obama. The fact that many of these undecided voters will be within walking distance of your home is a definite plus. It eliminates most of the reasons that you have not to do a little bit of work. 1. It is too far. No, it is not. 2. I don’t know these people. Yes, you do. 3. I don’t want to go anywhere new. You don’t have to; you already live in the neighborhood. 4. It is not organized that way that I would organize it. OK, so organize it. 5. I do not have time. Yes, you do. 6. I will miss the deadline. No, you won’t because you can get an extension.The list does not have to all be completed at one time in one long continuous walk. You could canvass five persons a day. Just five. A day. Just five a day. Or how about this, just two a day. Two a day. Just two a day. Still too many. OK, Ok I give, How about one a day? Like the vitamins. Just one person. Just one undecided person a day in your own neighborhood. We are going to win. Just one vote at a time.T
Hello. Hello.
I had the most wonderful day working with various groups of Obama volunteers.
My very first stop today (it is after midnight so actually, yesterday!) was remarkable. I met two dynamic, focused, articulate and exciting women. These are two ladies have been working very hard organizing the voter registration drives in North Pinellas county. They spoke at the “Unite for Change” meeting that I attended and, let me tell you what, they have done their homework. I was inspired.
If you are working on having a voter registration drive in North Pinellas County, please, please make contact with these women and save yourself some time and energy. Your event will be a success. They understand the rules. They are willing to train you. They are willing to help you. They will provide the voter registration forms. You can turn in the completed forms to them and they will help you get volunteers. If you need their names and numbers, please email me @ blackdiamondust@mac.com.
It is late. I need to go to bed as I am hosting a Platform meeting tomorrow. More on today tomorrow.
Hello, Hello
Today is a busy day. I am headed to a Unite for Change event and two canvanssing events. I am hoping for a very productive day. My goal is to inspire at least two more " Unite for Change Meeetings; talk with at least 10 peopel about why we need Obama as OUR President ( trust me, in my area 10 is a great number), and to help one other peron get involved in a voter registration drive.
I"ll report back this evening on how i did meeting the goals.
Well, it has been raining in the sun shine state (off and on) for five days now. I have been dry, I have been wet and I have been soaked to the bone. I have also been using the random downpours to my advantage. I have recruited at lest two ( maybe three, one was wavering) new volunteers for the voter registration drives. There is no one more open to positive energy then someone who has just been soaked by an unexpected deluge.
You’re wet. They’re wet. How much more common ground do you need? If you walked in an air conditioned store, you are both standing there shaking from the cold. Now, both of you are cold and wet. Even better.
This is always that time when you look around to see who else got caught. Your eyes will meet and then it is your move. Point to your Obama button (you do have it on, don’t you?). If they smile, offer them a button or a card or a flyer and ask them if they know about mybarackobama.com. No matter what they say, you are in. Get to work. Get more people. Remember, every vote counts.
If they frown, when you point to your Obama button, then all it cost you was a smile. Last I heard smiles were free. But now volunteers, volunteers are priceless.
This email was sent to: blackdiamonddust@mac.com
To unsubscribe, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/unsubscribe
