http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-TPk3OPEOc
Greetings all,
If like me things are not always so clear on how to act in the face of passionate desires, here are some universal truths from Gandhi that I think are very appropriate for everyone to re-read and apply to getting the energy of this campaign at the high spiritied high minded high impact that was present. Especially appropriate for Ft Flager to review
http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2008/05/09/gandhis-top-10-fundamentals-for-changing-the-world/
Greetings,
A lot of talk about VP going around.
I've supported Obama from the start. I hear the pundits talking about the ticket for VP. If push comes to shove the Obama HRC ticket, can and will only be viable with a lot of re-lensing and combined effort on the part of Obama and HRC. However, the scenario which this is feasible in my opinion is one where the Democratic party gets its TOTAL act together, generates a clear and visonary message, puts two highly qualified people who have put aside their differences for the sake of the country and are on their way to a great big change. This is somewhat of a fairytale, but a good story.
More realistically:
My preference would be that Edwards commits to VP spot.
My second preference is that Jim Webb of Virginia be the VP : http://webb.senate.gov/ He could go a long way in helping with the southern region Barrack is having trouble making headway yet he is truly an accomplished thinker and shares Obama's deep reflection on the nature of politics.
Others I've heard:
- Colin Powell: Trouble with the War issue. Would require some serious about facing by a very great candidate
- Governors: Rendell, Strickland, Sebelius, Schweitzer. Of the 4 I think Schweitzer is strongest VP total package. All are regional politicians that may help sway some votes in that region, but do not necessarily represent Obama change.
- Others to placate HRC fans. Just bad business/politics.
Dear Campaign,
With the presumed nomination in hand, I was stunned to see that there would not be a lot of events held in West Virginia. I think part of the UNIFYING message should be to gather support in areas not already in the coalition. Let them get to know you NOW and run the 50 state race as soon as possible. Tell them that a visit now brings great attention to their state and you're happy to bring your focus to people who "on paper" aren't expected to agree with you. Seems to me a great opportunity to do so.
Fired UP!
Just a personal thank you to all the hard working people on the phones, in the field, and elsewhere working for this campaign.
KEEP IT UP.
1. I feel bad that I was more involved early on.
2. I feel worse, about how HRC runs her campaign.
3. I feel helpless to stop it.
4. I feel Obama campaign can not only win, but truly direct this country with wisdome and compassion and not placation and homogenization.
5. Someone at HQ must wake up and apologize to the supporters but stop falling prey to her, stimulating the Obama base and stop playing into HRC tactics.
Brooks form NYTIMES, amazing comments about how this goes, I leave his words from Sunday talk shows about how things have changed.
OBAMA remind them 3 months ago, no one wanted what is happening. People wanted your message. Your message has been co-opted (she acuses of copying-it all becomes ridiculous).
Basically, I would prefer - you do not get nomination IF IF IF you have to win by defeating her tactics. Her tactic is that you win Nomination, but do not succeed with people. WE DESERVE BETTER THAN HRC TACTICS. The more you stay with TRUTH of YOUR VISION the better. No one EXPECTED you to win. EVERYONE EXPECTED YOU TO BE BETTER THAN HER!
NAMASTE
Just a note to thank Barack Obama for making not just a political positioned statement, but a true speech to a topic.
For those concerned that it was not politically expedient I cannot understand what they want of their government. We by seeing Barack's example that there is another way to lead the country. There is another way to lead ourselves.
"It is always one person within a group or a cluster who calls fort the HIGHEST VISION, who models THE GRANDEST TRUTH, who INSPIRES and CAJOLES, and AGITATES and AWAKENS, and ultimately produces a CONTEXTUAL FIELD within which COLLECTIVE ACTION is rendered POSSIBLE and BECOMES INEVITABLE"
The quote above always makes me think of Barack Obama and then makes me think of how I can be a better person who inspires those in the lives I touch.
My hope is that the campaign will take the remaining time and not CONCEEDE Pennsylvania, but go out to town hall meetings and repeat them. Work PA like Iowa and let the people who meet and discuss with Barack and I believe the message will be heard.
GOBAMA. Stay FIRED UP! READY TO GO!
A message to all to not let the current tone of the campaign get us off track.
HRC and this kitchen sink survival style is just looking for something to distract the Obama movement so they can quickly reframe. I felt this was the case in Ohio and Texas. They will now throw out multiple items and then drive in on whichever one rides best against the one Obama camp bites into.
Don't be dragged in, and better still, don't WAIT. Stay above it all yes, but stay engaged to your platform and message - as if you are the only candidate out there. It feels like the campaign is allowing Clinton to frame the discussion. That is what they do best. Barack, focus on Mississippi and take the time on the ground in PA to get back to caucus like town halls!!!! Big tent events won't get you to the people like we did in Iowa.
- Would like to know a position from the campaign on Florida and Michigan revotes. Seems doable. You will get $ from me to fund the revote and additional money to fund the campaign through that added expense.
Stay clear, drive the message of mandate, empowerment, highlight how you're already changing the party by running this campaign, it is working, and it will drive the future of the party by bringing the people out in an engaged way. You have given so much already and just want to tell you how much I appreciate it. Beyond inspiration.
Stay FIRED UP!
By Leslie Wayne
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/anti-obama-film-on-the-way/
A conservative group -– Citizens United -– that has produced a film now in distribution attacking Hillary Clinton called “Hillary, the Movie,” has its sights set on a new target: Barack Obama. The group has budgeted about $1 million to produce a documentary film about Mr. Obama that is set to be distributed this summer. At the moment, Citizens United has its researchers poring over Mr. Obama’s records as a community organizer, state legislator and United States senator in the same way that it scoured Mrs. Clinton’s record with a highly critical eye and a sharply conservative point of view.
“Obama is a completely clean slate,” said David Bossie, president of the group. “We will develop the image that we want the people to see. We’re doing the hard work of the research right now. The American people don’t know much about Obama, except that they like his speaking style.”If the Obama movie is anything like the one about Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Obama had better prepare himself. “Hillary, the Movie,” and promotional ads for it, present statements from Dick Morris, Ann Coulter, Robert Novak, Jeff Gerth (a former New York Times reporter), Newt Gingrich and others in which she is called everything from a liar, to a European socialist to being more devious than Richard Nixon.
“If you want to hear about the Clinton scandals of the past and present, you have it here,” said the movie’s promotional materials. “Hillary the Movie is the first and last word in what the Clintons want America to forget!”
The Obama movie would be the sixth long-form documentary film made by the group, which says it is dedicated to “restoring our government to citizen control.” While some of the movies have been in theatrical release, most are distributed as DVDs on-line and in bookstores.
http://www.dipdive.com/
If you haven't see this it may not have specific policy positions, but is very nice and inspiring...
Stay FIRED UP! Stay READ TO GO!
Feb 5... BIG DAY!
Some thoughts of late:
1. Barack kind of backed off in my opinion in NH. Not taking questions after rallies was mentioned by several NH people on CSPAN at other candidates meetings as a negative. I understand what may have been the thought of not taking chances with such poll leads. But this whole thing is a chance. Always press honestly on with the fact that you are the people listening to the people. Not to LEAD them but to STAND FOR THEM.
2. I hope the strategists at Obama stick to creating a MANDATE of change the system and the administration. The change message is getting used by everyone GOP included. Therefore, it is up to Barack to re-frame the change to where it orginated, not where James Carvelle is trying to frame it for HRC.
3. Don't get drawn into a battle by HRC Machine. Fight for a mandate, not to be another candidate.
4. Change message must be layered on. It may be difficult to sustain for 10 months. Therefore, let's start getting people's COMMITTMENTS TO CHANGE. IE After you leave Iowa, New Hampshire, etc. Treat the constiuents and the energy (after all, only 7,000 fewer votes there and still an important state in general election) with respect.
A. Get people who supported Barack in early states involved in getting out suport to other states
B. Start recording (and promoting) impact that Barack has had on people who've gotten involved. He has inspired me to reengage, get people telling their story out loud, so that they are empowered. A huge number of empowered people is a lot better than any "support" HRC can drum through the machine. AN IDEA FOR FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN: Have a I am BARACK campaign - Have people on facebook change their profile pictures to a picture of Barack (same one would be powerful), goes back to what I learned in Obama Boot Camp, "its not enough to support Barack or talk up Barack, you have to BE LIKE BARACK - taking action, being positive influence, and striving to make everyone's life better." This will help drive the mandate.
C. Start collecting people's commitment to work not just for the election but for when the country has taken itself back. "When the people replace business as usual I am COMMITED TO CHANGE...." As I've posted before, I am a small business owner and could be seen as having concerns about some policies that would come up in a Barack Administration. I say I trust Barack to make the hard choices and commit to doing the hard work ahead in full support of knowing that whatever hardship my business faces, I am alongside Barack who I trust and the other COMMITTED TO CHANGE constituents who are ready to do the hard work and excellent things we can, as soon as we trust, respect, and are inspired by our leader. Politics as usual will not inspire people during the administration of HRC and the counry will suffer as a result. Don't let this happen by forgetting the mandate and becoming another candidate.
I am FIRED UP! I am READY TO GO!
YES WE CAN.
Back to the HQ this week for me for sure.
Everyone, now is the time to get involved more and more.
Hello!
Just saw Hillary crying on CNN web clilp. Not that I am for making anyone cry. I like her showing emotion. But it irritated me as tactic, which made my gut go hard.
Barack, please stick to the message and don't let this play get campaign upset. Be compassionate and considerate but don't deny you will be baited by the other candidates.
You are NOT out to win the election (alone). You ARE developing this movement.
I would like to know when Barack will move from Stand Up for Change to COMMIT TO CHANGE. Thereby, yes asking people to vote, but then, going the next step, and opening the dialogue for change by getting people's committment to change and stories of how they have already changed by being part of the election. IE> Grassroots NOW! I for one have been inspired by the talks of Barack for sure and most recently by Michelle in NH on Sunday 6th as seen on CSPAN. However, it is even more dramatic the inspriration I have felt by being part of the campaign at the headquarters in Chicago, doing a canvas in Iowa, making calls to friends and strangers.
I think the campaign would do well to start opening up to new things. IE I am a small business owner in the US. I understand (in my head and heart) that not every single program to come in a Barack administration will be the "best" one for me alone. But I blame this not on DEM socialism, but the last 7 years of insane application of surplus and total fiscal irresponsibility of the REP party, as well as just the cold hard facts of globalization. I for one TRUST Barack to make the hard decisions known, work hard to be fair, and create the solution that does lift up the nation as a whole. If there is someway to get people involved in the political change deeper than pure electioning (not instead of but in addition to) I think it would be wise. It will still be a long battle but if people are ACTING on changing the by the community not just to organize for an election but to PREPARE for the upcoming environment we can see unprecedented momementum.
STAY FIRED UP! BE READY TO GO!
Adam
Hi ALL
What?
I would like to say the following:
What "preparation" does Hillary Clinton have as President? She "lived in" the whitehouse for 8 years. I am tired of hearing she is More Experienced. I think the Obama campaign should stress the direct experience to experience. Obama has been in the community, Hillary has been in the boardrooms, Obama has been in public office changing what he saw in the community (and he's been doing this LONGER than Hillary), Hillary has been a first lady (no offense, but fact). Finally, they have about equal experience in Senate, but Barack has been doing it for people who support him and know him because he's been involved with them for 20 years. Hillary came up and has made a name for herself in a community she chose for its political position.
Finally:
Hillary will ask you to look to Qualificatins, which I don't believe she has.
Hillary will ask you to look to Experience, which will bring us more of the same bad decisions.
Barack will bring a quality of character and committment that raises people up.
Barack will bring a higher level of expectations on the tough issues coming to this country.
Get Fired Up when you here these comments. Barack is READY TO GO!
Time for change...Time for Barack Obama.
In this context one person can make a huge difference, for it is always one person within a group or cluster who calls forth the highest vision, who models the grandest truth, who inspires and cajoles and agitates and awakens and ultimately produces a contextual field within which collective action is rendered possible and becomes inevitable.
Times seem rough...Polls seem low...
DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL THE MESSAGE OF HOPE AND CHANGE
STAY FIRED UP! and READY TO GO! KEEPY PUSHING FOR OBAMA
Here's a good article about how the change is already happening...
By Al Giordano 10/09/2007
http://ww2.sdcitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/?id=6230
http://webcast.seiu.org/
This page links to Obama speech at SEIU conference held September 17th in Washington.
There is a LOT of preamble of SEIU organizers (worth listening to) but Barack comes out about 20+ minutes in and speaks for about 20+ with the great FIRED UP! READY TO GO! ending.
Have seen much positive feedback from bloggers on the speech.
Anyone else?
When half-Kenyan U.S. Senator Barack Obama traveled to Kenya a couple years ago, he was greeted by swarming crowds everywhere he went-- people from developing countries hear a lot of promises from old white guys that never pan out, but here was a man they felt they had a connection with, and they wanted to hear what he had to say. Now, half-Kenyan band Extra Golden has composed a song of praise for the senator. In their attempt to obtain visas to come to the U.S., band members Opiyo Bilongo and Onyango Wuod Omari were assisted by Obama's office, so their praise has a personal slant to it. The duo is joined by Ian Eagleson and Alex Minoff of D.C. band Golden, but the sound is very East African. Most of this is a pure benga tune, full of fluttering, clean-toned guitars, doubled vocals (not in English, either), and a stomping rhythm, but about halfway through the drums lock into a harder rock beat and the guitars take on a little dirt, with the wah-wah pedal all the way down, turning it into a fuzzy rock jam.
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/forkcast/44659-extra-golden-obama-mp3stream
I hate the polls, but this article makes some interesting strategy things.
Thanks to Jed Van V, a long time supporter of Obama who is an expat living in Taiwan but still politically astute and observant:
FROM BEYOND CHRON "The Voice of the Rest"
The Trouble With Hillary’s Electability by Paul Hogarth‚ Aug. 29‚ 2007
http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/The_Trouble_With_Hillary_s_Electability_4862.html
