Below is the caucus speech I brought to my site here in CO. I expected 100 people to attend - almost three hundred were packed into the school cafeteria. I spoke for Obama and was the only one who spoke for a candidate.
That said, I have been reflecting my earlier posts and correspondence, on this movement's growth and maturity. It seems as thought I have become much more balanced in my Obama obsession yet remain as deeply, or even more deeply committed. I think I've had a revelation - what I have realized, despite all the mud and distractions, despite the rancor and lies, is that I have changed. I have begun to believe again. No longer do I want to move to Canada, no longer do I feel alone in my values, in my intellectual community, my moral peers. Most importantly too is that regardless of the outcome of the Presidential race the United States has been forever changed. We've awoken from our hopelessness, complacency and helplessness. We have roused the sleeping giant of the American people.
What began with a little boy's desire to be President and his courage to his convictions has reminded us all what it truly means to be citizens of this country. WIth Hope and Hard Work, we can get the nation we imagine.
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Hi - (Introduce self , say thank you and say a few words about our next President Barack Obama. I wrote them down because I wanted to be clear and concise – I could go on awhile.
You’ve heard the endorsements – from Democrats, Independents, Republicans- from politicians, celebrities and your neighbors now. I have my own reasons for supporting Barack Obama for president and you should have yours – he's got over twenty years of principled work and authentic leadership on the frontlines of change to serve as an example. The primary reason that I am here supporting Barack Obama for president is for my children - I believe, he represents our nation’s best hope and we need Hope.
As Barack Obama has said, “in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.” and, as we watch the crowds grow, we hear his speech where her reminds us “that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea -- Yes. We. Can.”
I believe that “Yes We Can” create change and build a better future together. By now you’ve heard his speeches (ask crowd, who has heard his speeches?). I have. And, while his speeches are inspiring, they are not the reason I am voting for him. I am voting for Barack Obama because of the intelligent, detailed plans he has for winning back allies around the world, addressing our economic outlook, integrating immigrants into this country, cutting lobbyist influences, respecting our environment, creating universal choice health care and ending the war.
Barack Obama possesses rare judgment, insight and moral courage, He has the unique ability to unite diverse factions towards a common purpose and break down artificial barriers – this will be REAL CHANGE! I know there are millions of us who will help him address the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century! Let’s stand together, With Hope and Hardwork, For Unity and Change – Let’s Vote for Barack Obama.
Hi, I found this link on the blogs - it is free and allows nurses can print out and distribute great sign "Nurses for Obama".
http://obamamedia.wordpress.com/2008/03/09/printable-nurses-for-obama-signs/
Thank you to the creator for making and sharing. I am printing out several to give to my nurse friends, as well as one for my car window!
I am copying the ANA response I received- my concern is that I voted yet got no notice of the vote - I happened to be job searching on the site and noticed it by chance. Not exactly a fair election process......
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Dear ANA Member,Thank you for contacting us to share your concerns regarding the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) recent endorsement of Senator Hillary Clinton for President. As you may know, ANA has endorsed a candidate in each presidential election since 1984. Today, we continue to follow the 1985 House of Delegates resolution directing ANA to engage presidential contenders of all parties in endorsement considerations. As the Resolution requires, ANA's Presidential endorsements are made according to a very deliberate, non-partisan process, and only after careful consideration of a variety of factors including: candidate positions and past records on nursing and health care issues; candidate viability in the election; the relationship the candidate has with ANA members and staff; and the feedback of individual ANA/CMA members.The endorsement process for the upcoming presidential election began in the summer of 2007 when ANA sent candidate questionnaires to viable presidential candidates of all parties and invited each of them to participate in interviews with representatives of the ANA Political Action Committee (PAC) Board and ANA Government Affairs Staff. From that time forward, ANA staff maintained regular, ongoing contact with the campaigns of all viable presidential candidates of both parties.The candidates’ questionnaire responses, as well as additional background information on their positions on issues relating to nursing and health care were made available on the ANA Government Affairs website, www.anapoliticalpower.org and, from January 3-17, 2008, ANA members weighed in by voting online for a first and second choice presidential candidate in ANA’s Virtual Voting Booth. This call for member input on the endorsement met with an unprecedented level of response, and the voting results were conclusive. Senator Clinton garnered the strongest support, receiving 42% of the vote. The votes for the other candidates broke down as follows: Senator Barack Obama, 21%; Sen. John Edwards, 9%; Gov. Mike Huckabee 8%; Sen. John McCain, 8%; Gov. Mitt Romney, 5%; Mayor Rudolph Guliani, 3%; Sen. Fred Thompson, 3%; Rep Dennis Kucinich, 1%; Rep. Ron Paul, 1%; Sen. Joe Biden, .5%; Gov. Bill Richardson, .12%; Jon Cox, .06%; Sen. Christopher Dodd 0%; Sen. Mike Gravel, 0%; Rep. Duncan Hunter, 0%.Based on the body of information gathered throughout the endorsement process, the ANA-PAC Board voted to recommend that the ANA Board endorse Senator Clinton. On January 23, 2008, the ANA Board of Directors voted to approve that recommendation.In making this endorsement, the ANA Board recognized Senator Clinton’s longstanding commitment to nursing and health care. During her time in the Senate, Clinton has been an advocate for nursing issues. Clinton was in support of the Title VIII Nurse Reinvestment Act programs which provide much needed funding for nurse education. She recognizes the need for more nurse practitioners and supports increased authority for and utilization of nurse practitioners as a means of improving access to health care. She has a long history of advocacy for health care reform, and her current plan emphasizes the need to reduce costs, improve quality and ensure affordable health care for all Americans. She was a co-sponsor of the Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 which would improve mental health services.From its inception in 1896 to the present day, ANA has recognized that individuals can shape health care policy consistent with the goals of registered nurses and in the best interest of their patients.The participation of registered nurses in grassroots activities, including political advocacy, is one of the most important components of our government affairs program and has been responsible for many of our successes. ANA has a long, rich history of influencing public policy to benefit both registered nurses and their patients.ANA’s legislative agenda prioritizes ways to address the nursing shortage, appropriate staffing, workplace rights, workplace health and safety, and patient safety/advocacy. In keeping with a strong tradition of hard work, the ANA will continue to advocate for the profession of nursing. However, we cannot achieve these goals unless ANA as a national organization stays politically involved. Political advocacy, whether in Washington, D.C., or at the state level, is not about political parties or personal agendas, it is about identifying and supporting the policymakers of any party who share ANA’s commitment to the nursing profession and to improving healthcare in our country. Through political advocacy, ANA builds and maintains relationships with candidates. These relationships are vital to our ability to engender understanding and gather support for the issues of concern to nurses today.As I hope the process outlined above demonstrates, no political support is given by the ANA without careful consideration and analysis of the candidate’s previous record and views on nursing. Only candidates dedicated to the causes of the ANA are selected for support. Throughout our history, ANA has worked to meet the ever-changing needs of nurses, patients, the health care community, and society. Through political involvement and advocacy, including our support of Senator Clinton in her bid for the presidency, ANA will continue its fight for the needs of today’s nursing profession as well as the health system needs of our country.Thank you again for contacting us, and for your continued membership in and support of the ANA. It is obvious that you value nursing greatly, as do we. The ANA will continue to work to set and maintain professional standards of practice and work toward a goal we all share—strengthening the future of nursing and ensuring quality health care for all.Sincerely,Rebecca Patton, MSN, RN, CNORPresident
It's my birthday today - swear it is and I'm turning 28, again (okay, that part is not true). In honor of this movement, I am asking all my friends both virtual and non, to complete a donation to Barack Obama; here's the page I just created. http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/MtnMom More about me, I was the county co - coordinator here and am going as a delegate to the state convention. I have also applied to the state Dems to be a national delegate in Denver. There's a couple of blog entries on my page as well. Thank you!! Have some cake and let’s toast our future President Barack Obama. Woo, hoo!
Yes We Can!
In graduate school, we studied community organizing and advocacy. Much of the current process reminded me of controversial Saul Alinsky's work which we studied.
Look what I found on Wikipedia - history does have a way of weaving our stories together. I offer it as interesting rather than fact:
"Alinsky was the subject of Hillary Rodham's senior honors thesis at Wellesley College, "There Is Only The Fight...": An Analysis of the Alinsky Model.[11] Rodham commented on Alinsky's "charm," but rejected grassroots community organizing as outdated. Once Hillary Rodham Clinton became First Lady of the United States, the thesis was suppressed by the White House for fear of being associated too closely with Alinsky's ideas.[12]
Alinsky also had a significant influence on Barack Obama, who is a United States Senator and candidate for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.[11] Obama particularly used Alinsky's techniques while participating in Chicago community organizations in the 1980s.[13]
With Tuesday drawing closer, I have been making calls and at one point was in need of renewal. I found this video and appreciate that it is both smart and sobering yet ultimately helped keep me Fired Up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8SdJhVCRJM
Thought I'd share and thank you for your continued support!
My fellow nurses,
The ANA is conducting their online poll currently to determine their presidential endorsement. As you know an ANA endorsement is HUGE. Please vote on their virtual voting booth: http://nursingworld.org
Encourage your ANA members to vote for healthcare now by supporting Barack Obama, a candidate with the ethics, leadership and vision to bring our divided health system together.
The polls close on this January 17.
Thanks!
