You all did it!
I moved to Carmel from Baton Rouge, LA, and it was there that I wanted to hear more of Sen. Obama's plans to run for the chief executive position. I was going to support Sen. Clinton. As I researched Sen. Obama's position on major issues, and heard him speak out with increasing frequency, it became clear that I was feeling him.
In Jan. 08 my family and I decided to get involved here in Hamilton County and had no clue that this was the heart of Republican territory. Over the past year I became very busy on my job and could not spare a moment to give to the campagin. Thanks to Diane Smart's help from the Chicago ofc. who guided me through a few events. Then came Lily West, whom I consider one of the best raw political talents I ever laid my eyes on (and I have been in this game since the early 1980s) in many cities. And the sweet Beatina Theapold, whom held it all together here in Hamilton County as the state needed Lily in Indy. Below is a tally of how we did:
Carmel, Indiana for Obama'08 is making a difference together.
Activity Index 10 out of 10
Carmel, Indiana for Obama'08 STATS
# of Members 166
Events Hosted 564
Events Attended 2,198
Calls made 11,782
Doors Knocked 333
Number of blog posts 11,306
Amount raised $107,944.55
You all deserve a big THANKS!!!!
This message came from J J Hopkins and I could not have said it better.
The Utter Fallacy of the Popular Vote Argument
While a vigorous debate could be held over the merits of choosing delegates by means of a primary election vs. a caucus (and there are clearly some very valid arguments for each), this is nonetheless an irrelevant issue at present. The entire DNC, including members of Clinton’s team, helped to craft the present system and agreed to abide by it many months ago. Yet, we continue to hear Senator Clinton argue that the “popular” vote is what ultimately matters most.
To illustrate the utter fallacy of this argument, consider Oklahoma and its slightly larger neighbor, Colorado. Oklahoma has 2.2 million registered voters, 61% Democratic or Independent, Colorado has 2.9 million registered voters, 65% Democratic or Independent.
In Oklahoma’s primary, Clinton gained a net lead of 10 delegates and 98,350 votes over Obama by virtue of a 23.6% victory.
In Colorado’s caucus, Obama gained a net lead of 15 delegates and 41,274 votes over Clinton by virtue of a 34.2% victory.
Even though Obama's margin of victory was 45% larger than Clinton's, her popular vote total was 238% higher (314% if we adjust for voter registration). Note however, that the delegate totals scale correctly with respect to the winning percentages, i.e. he received about 45% more delegates.
The point is painfully obvious if you recall anything whatsoever from high school algebra. Two oranges plus five apples doesn’t equal seven of either. The delegate count is the only meaningful measure, as it is a normalized representation of the voter intent in states with different polling procedures. Of the 17 caucuses held, Senator Clinton has only won the delegate count (by 1) in American Samoa. Four of the caucus states don't even report popular vote counts, and in the caucuses of Washington and Minnesota, states much larger than Colorado and Oklahoma, Obama comfortably won by more than a 2-1 margin. Therefore, simply counting the raw "popular" vote significantly under represents the actual number of voters supporting Senator Obama.
Of course there will be opponents who disagree, since a caucus turnout is generally smaller than a primary. Here again, mathematics tells the true story. Professional statisticians routinely conduct national polls encompassing roughly a thousand individuals, and do so with error margins of plus or minus a few percent. The total vote in Colorado’s caucus was more than one hundred times this amount (118,952), making the probability of selecting the incorrect winner less than the likelihood of being struck by lightning.
James McBride, Ph.D.
1647 Windy Ridge Court
Saline, MI 48176
734-944-3102
For those who are quick to rush to judgment, a la Pat Buchanan, Juan Williams, Larry Elder, and like-minded pundits, asking why Senator Obama did not further distance himself, express his denouncement, rejection and repudiation of Rev. Jeremiah Wright (the man), and sever himself from the Trinity congregation where he has worshipped for years, please take note of the following reality check. Such a position speaks to the very heart of the hypocrisy and duplicitous standards of so many who share such a narrow perspective. I am a Catholic, as is Pat Buchanan, coincidentally. Clearly, anyone who professes to be a Catholic, or who has been trained biblically and in church doctrine, should recognize that the church is much bigger than its pastor or shepherd. The church is, in fact, its people, the Body of Christ. Accordingly, as a devout Catholic for over 60 years, because of my love for the Church, I, and thousands of other Catholics (including politicians) did not opt to leave our respective parish churches upon learning about the repulsive behavior on the part of some spiritual leaders within the Catholic church. By the same token, I would not have expected nor do I now expect a Barack Obama to leave his congregation because of his pastor’s inflammatory remarks. It's totally ludicrous! The symbolic act of leaving my church would not have made me a "better" Christian, nor would it have demonstrated an exercise of better "judgment" by going to a different church or joining another denomination.
Most fair-minded individuals would look deep within their own hearts and souls and feel compelled to question whether there's any difference between Senator Obama's case and that of Catholics who remained loyal to their church in the wake of abuse on the part of some priests. I condemned the sin, but I prayed for the sinner. Love and forgiveness are at the very core of Christian teaching. Christ did not condemn Mary Magdalene and repudiate her (the woman). Rather, he condemned her sin, while demonstrating love for her.
I could not have been more proud of Senator Obama on Tuesday morning, as he eloquently presented his case on "race" to the American people, as only he could. It was obviously delivered from the heart, with the genuineness of one who appears to have walked in the moccasins of a diversity of people, as he condemned Rev. Wright's offensive statements, but more importantly, successfully articulated a true vision of hope for the Country Senator Obama truly loves. It became patently clear to me that Senator Obama is the only one at this pivotal juncture in our history, in our lifetime, who is uniquely qualified and positioned to help this country move beyond and transcend this issue of race, hopefully once and for all. It is an opportunity that should not be wasted. For those who are fed up with Blacks who complain about racism in America, or the lack of opportunity, an Obama presidency may very well serve as an effective vehicle to silence forever, or render significantly hollow, the complaints of those who cry racial victimization!
Don Bernard
Las Vegas, NV
Thanks Ms. Burks. I felt the same way.
OVERVIEW: There has been some attempts to place blame on those who were sent petitons to sign, march or demonstrate to show opposition to HRC, the Democratic Nat'l. Chairman, Superdelagates and I am sure others and were questioned as to their commitment if they did not respond or participate.
It is my opinion that, the objective is to organize, registar new voters, staff voting sites, pass on Senator Obama's message of 'CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN'. However, there are some who believe that a fight politically is the same as one at a forgien soccer game. This is not unusal. I have been involved with many campaigns and always find that group within a candidate's organization that sir up the wrong sentiment. That group has always had to be neutralized and brought around to the common good of the changes a candidate represents. We debate on the merits of the issues, not with threats.
For those of you who want to fight, command the issues, go out armed with information, and you will find that you are in a stronger position to win over new converts. You will win respectfully. Do not degenerate into a politcal hoodlum. That is not what this is about.
Also, this social networking vehicle is for organization, Sen. Obama's organization, certainly not bashing. Thanks.
This message came through the Listserv re: those petitions and, I may say, means by which each of our commitment is questioned or challedged. Ms. Lewis wrote the following:
I thank each of you for your support , your passion and the work of you and many others in the State of Indiana for the candidacy for Senator Obama for President. As a supporter myself and one who has also volunteered in his grass roots effort. and yes as one of his two "Super Delegates" in the State as well as a member of the Democratic National Committee by virture of serving as the Vice Chair of the Indiana State Committee ,as the Democratic National Committee; and serving as a Precinct Committee person for 50 years ; I think your request to sign your petition with threats, is not what our candidate, Senator Obama would want from his supporters.. As you know his message is one of positive Change, not tinged with threats.I think our best effort for him is to register as many voters who support him , talk to as many people as possible, canvass on campuses, high schools to challenge those young people who will be eligible to vote by May 6th , discuss the Senators issues as he has with us Health care ,college tuition , etc .Recruit volunteers to work the polls on his behalf, provide rides to the polls on election day, assist in the campaign offices around the State. Contact the County Democratic County offices to be appointed as a delegate to the State conventions where delegates will be selected in June.Please continue to provide the kind of volunteer effort and positive priority you have provided over this long haul. You are the wind beneath Senator Obam's wings please lets not do anything to make him fall. In this way I think he is and will continue to be gratified by your effortsCordelia
To All Plainfield, Town Hall Attendees,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us, whom were not able to make it. I was not home during the opening and short closing of the oppty. to attend the town hall meeting in Plainfield, IN on Saturday, March 15th, 2008. I have spoken to many others that attended and the feeling was mutual. I understand from speaking with reps. from the Obama national team that there will be many more events and I will be on the lookout for my chance to witness history. History? Yes. It feels/sounds like the stories that my parents spoke of when speaking of JFK, MLK and RFK. It is wonderful that this generation has Senator Barack Obama to look to and explain in an extordinary way the promise of America and the great everyday Americans that will bring about.
Thanks alot.
It was a freezing night here in Carmel, Indiana, March 4, 2008. The elements came in wind, rain, ice, and then snow. I can hear the snow plow at this moment attempting to clear the way for us to move safely forward. And there is the sun.
It meant a lot to see that over 30 individuals committed to attend. Yeah, there is HOPE in Indiana. I asked our national representative with the Obama campaign to call in, to give those in attendance a hello and some insight as to what was going on there in the Barack Obama for President National Headquarters in Chicago, IL . She did and I informed her of the weather conditions that dampened the turnout. She did ask me to e-mail you all with her and Senator Obama’s thanks and that we will be organizing for the next event very soon. That information will be forwarded to you as soon as I receive it.
Texas, Ohio, and Rhode Island, last night, only delayed what is inevitable. The elements came in NAFTA, 3am phone calls, the experiences of her and McCain vs. a speech. Distortions. It was a cold night. However, it is great that Sen. Obama continues to take the high road and remain humble. We are still ahead in the delegate count and they are throwing the kitchen sink at us. I heard the opposing candidate close her spill to her supporters using the phrase, “Yes we will.” I thought that sounded familiar. Is that a degree of plagiarism? Remember their claim a week or so earlier. Or does it depend on, ‘What the meaning of ‘Is’ is?
March 4th, 2008, in Carmel, Indiana should only be remembered for just being a cold night. There is sunshine in the days to come, (our next event). See you then.
Hey Nevada:
You must know how fortunate you all are for supporting the campaign of Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States of America. I only wish that I could have been in Iowa or New Hampshire to participate in an event that could shape the future of our great country.
I have an eleven year old son who sees clearly my enthusiasm. I want him to see Dad getting involved in an event that he believes is truely worth work.
We live in Carmel,Indiana and there are some efforts to put together a viable primary presence, and I am doing what it takes to make that happen. Also, I was informed that Indiana has not voted for a Democrat in the presidental primary since LBJ in 1964, (Diane). There is alot of support for Sen. Obama here and maybe the Indiana state organizations will make a difference for Sen. Obama this time around.
On the other hand, I can not wait until the primaries get to Indiana, so I am coming to Las Vagas, Nevada on Friday, Jan. 18 to volunteer in one of your campaign headquarters. I will be there fore a few days and I'll be meeting some friends there and try to capture your spirit to bring back to Carmel, Indiana. I am going to speak with as many Precint Captains and Volunteers as I could to offer words of encouragement as well my version of the HOPE your efforts provide.
So, keep up the good work and you better believe that YOU ARE INVOLVED IN HISTORY as you support this momumental occassion. Events like this come, maybe, once in a lifetime.
I understand that Paul Tewes, State Director of the Obama campaign in Iowa is on the ground there in Nevada. What a success that was. I will be seeking his advise for the Indiana Obama operation. Thanks.
Will write and see you soon,
Rick Watts
A few friends and myself are heading to Nevada to get a eyes and hands on look at one of the once in a life time events of political history. I could not wait until this event arrived here in Indiana, so we agreed and we are off.
I was blogging around and came across this video that presented a look into Sen. Obama's North Nevada Campaign ofc. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid353515028/bctid1374431291
Blog soon,
I have been observing Senator Obama for some time now. In early 2006 I decided that I would join his effort and made a donation to his campagin. At that time I was living in Baton Rouge, LA and joined Louisiana for Obama. Before, I could do anything on the ground my family and I were relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana.
With another donation and talking to anyone that would listen, I support Sen. Obama and the HOPE for a better America. Then the New Hampshire primaries, particularly, Former Pres. Bill Clinton's attcack that looked as if he had finally found the right wing conspirators. From his level, I just could not see attacking another Democrat. I supported Pres. Clinton before he was given a chance, as he campaigned in Memphis, TN in '92. He had that fire that Barack has today. I guess he is too close to see it.
However, it was the moment that I have decided to roll my slevees up and do something. I am attending the Nevada caucuses with some friends and will be on the lookout for any and everything that I could bring back to Carmel, IN
