Florida we need you NOW. Will you help make history?
Please, contact your local office. We don't need you all day, any amount of time you can help us out with makes a difference. The contest in Florida is CLOSE, and we need to push hard through the finish line.
**Will you help Get Out The Vote for Barack?**
Actor Kal Penn did us the honor of recording a little webcam video for us right here in Tampa for Adopt Five.
We need YOU to get involved with Adopt Five. Just get five people to vote who otherwise might not without your help, and you can help bring change to this country.
Please pass along this great news to everyone you know who will be voting in Florida. Click here to find your nearest early vote location.
Here's the release:
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS ~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~October 28, 2008Contact:GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008. "I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote." Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting. Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting. Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29. Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217. STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217 WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties; WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; andWHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008. GOVERNORATTEST:SECRETARY OF STATE
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS
~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~
October 28, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
"I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote."
Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting.
Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting.
Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29.
Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217.
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217
WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and
WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and
WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and
WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties;
WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; and
WHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008.
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE
The New Media team had a lot of fun conceptualizing and putting together the latest Florida-specific Early Vote video (thanks everyone who helped!).
I think you all will really like this one, please pass it around to your friends and get Floridians to the polls TODAY! Click here to find your nearest Early Vote location.
Have you done your part in getting your friends out to the Early Vote locations? Don't wait, don't let your friends wait, don't let your family wait: VOTE TODAY, Florida!
Last week in Tampa, to a roaring Central Florida crowd at Legends Field, Barack delivered a message about early voting to Floridians. Early vote is NOW, from October 20 - November 1 (November 2 in some counties). Early voting is quick and easy; click here to find your nearest Early Vote location.
Here's Barack:
Have you had a chance to early vote for Barack yet? Click below to comment and let us know why you decided to Early Vote!
We were just passed along this YouTube link to Palm Beach County fifth grader Damon Weaver's interview with Senator Joe Biden. 4 minutes into the video Damon even gets an exclusive one-on-one with our Vice Presidential candidate! Damon's first question: what does a Vice President do?
It's in a word, adorable. Absolute must see.
***We've only got 12 days left before Election Day, and the Early Vote deadline is approaching. We need your help NOW more than ever to deliver Florida's electoral votes to Barack Obama. Please, contact your local office now to get involved.***
On the first day of Florida's Early Vote, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton held their first joint event in Florida before a massive crowd in Florida.
Hillary Clinton had an important message for Florida on Early Voting:
If you're out there at your Early Vote location and you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to dial 1-877-2-FLOBAMA (1-877-235-6226) to speak to a person who can help you.
Early vote is from October 20 - November 1 (Nov. 2 in some counties). Vote Early, Vote Today! Click here to find your nearest Early Vote location.
Sunday afternoon I joined supporters and families from all over the Tampa region for a barbecue at Ragan Park. We were joined by CSI:New York star Hill Harper, who has been friends with Barack since they went to law school together in the 80's. Hill talked about Barack's plans to revitalize urban neighborhoods, bring jobs back to Florida's cities, and explained the importance of early voting.
Thanks to everybody who made it out and who helped at the event. And a special thanks to everyone who helped out with the food—after three hot dogs, a hamburger, and a few rounds of potato chips, I really can't remember the last time I've eaten so well!
**Early Vote starts on October 20th and runs through November 1st (November 2nd in some counties). To find your Early Vote location, visit www.voteforchange.com**
U.S. Rep Nydia Velázquez and Academy Award-nominated actress Rosie Pérez campaigned in Tampa Bay and Central Florida on behalf of the Obama-Biden Campaign for Change, as part of a campaign swing through the state today. Thanks to everybody who came out to the events in Tampa and Orlando.
Rosie and Rep. Velázquez appeared at a Hispanic canvassing kick-off event in Tampa, encouraging more people to join in the massive grassroots effort that has distinguished Barack Obama’s Campaign for Change in the state. Later that day in Orlando, Rep. Velázquez, who is Chairwoman of the powerful Small Business Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, hosted a Hispanic small business-owners event.
Early voting in Florida starts on October 20th, and Congresswoman Velázquez and Ms. Pérez will also be holding informational workshops on voter education throughout their stay.
With only 24 days left until this historic election, it is imperitive that you get involved. We can't do this without you.
**Contact your local office to find out more about how you can make sure that Barack Obama and Joe Biden bring the change we need to this country.**
Here's Sen. Joe Biden's full speech at USF in Tampa yesterday:
As the sun was coming up this morning, Floridians from throughout Tampa Bay were lining up outside the University of South Florida's Sun Dome to see our Vice Presidential nominee, Sen. Joe Biden. The crowd of thousands was hugely enthusiastic about the Obama-Biden ticket, many already actively volunteering for our campaign here in Tampa.
Joe Biden certainly demonstrated why people across our state are so excited about voting for the Obama-Biden ticket in November. With his impassioned speech, Biden made clear that he and Sen. Obama will bring a new vision to the White House, and that we can trust that an Obama administration will always be fighting for the middle class. The American people are looking for a new President who can deliver the change Florida needs; Joe Biden showed us that the only choice in this race is the Obama-Biden ticket.
Florida just can't afford four more years of the last eight, and the only way to ensure an Obama-Biden victory, and fundamental change in our country, is to get involved. Please join your fellow Floridians and make a visit to your local campaign office today.
If we win Florida, we win the White House. With only four weeks to go, let's seize this opportunity to elect Barack Obama and Joe Biden!
We've got video up from last week's historic office opening in Immokalee, check it out:
Barack Obama spoke at a rally in Florida today, where he spoke on the economic issues facing Americans at Dunedin's Knology Park. Thanks to everybody who braved the heat and packed Knology Park. In Clearwater after the event, Barack spoke to reporters on the economy and the upcoming debate.
Watch a clip here:
Tour Stops at Universities and Colleges in Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, Boca Raton, Davie and Miami
The 'Change We Need' Foreign Policy tour kicks off TODAY and will continue through Thursday, September 25. Gen. Gration and Clarke will speak to students and members of the community on Sen. Obama's foreign policy plan and take questions. Together, they will speak at the University of North Florida, the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida, New College of Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida Atlantic University. Gen. Gration will then continue on to speak at Broward College, Florida International University and the University of Miami on Thursday.
Major General J. Scott Gration is a retired United States Air Force General. In the course of his career, Gration recorded more than 5,000 flying hours, including 1,000 hours of combat and combat support time in 274 combat missions over Iraq. He was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit, as well as the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and some fifteen other decorations.
Richard Clarke worked for the State Department during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, and served the last three presidents as a senior White House advisor. He has held the titles of Special Assistant to the President for Global Affairs, National Coordinator for Security and Counter-terrorism, and Special Advisor to the President for Cyber Security. Clarke testified at the public 9/11 Commission hearings and has sharply criticized the Bush Administration's handling of counterterrorism and its decision to go to war in Iraq.
**EVENT DETAILS**
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 23
What: Foreign Policy Discussion at the University of North FloridaWho: Major General Scott Gration and Senior Advisor Richard Clarke Where: UNF, Robinson Theatre, West Hall 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 When: 11:30 am
What: Foreign Policy Discussion at the University of Florida Who: Major General Scott Gration and Senior Advisor Richard Clarke Where: UF, Reitz Union Auditorium, 686 Museum Road, Gainesville, FL When: 2:45 pm
What: Foreign Policy Discussion at the University of Central Florida Who: Major General Scott Gration and Senior Advisor Richard Clarke Where: UCF, Engineering 1, Room 224 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL When: 6:00 pm
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
What: Foreign Policy Discussion at New College of Florida Who: Major General Scott Gration and Senior Advisor Richard Clarke Where: New College, Harry Sudakoff Conference Center 5845 General Dougher Pl., Sarasota, FL 34243 When: 9:00 am
What: Foreign Policy Discussion at Florida Gulf Coast University Who: Major General Scott Gration and Senior Advisor Richard Clarke Where: FGCU, Alico Arena Hospitality Suite 10501 Florida Gulf Coast University Blvd., South Ft. Myers, FL When: 1:30 pm
What: Foreign Policy Discussion at Florida Atlantic University Who: Major General Scott Gration and Senior Advisor Richard Clarke Where: FAU, Student Union, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL When: 5:15 pm
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
What: Foreign Policy Discussion at Broward College Who: Major General Scott Gration Where: Broward College - Davie Campus Central Regional Library, 3501 SW Davie Road, Davie, FL When: 9:30 am
What: Foreign Policy Discussion at Florida International University Who: Major General Scott Gration Where: FIU, Graham University Center Ballroom East 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, FL When: 11:00 am
What: Foreign Policy Discussion at the University of Miami Who: Major General Scott Gration Where: UM, Cosford Cinema 5100 Brunson Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 When: 2:00 pm
Román V., the New Media team's South Florida volunteer, attended Sunday's office opening in Immokalee, Florida where Rep. Hilda Solis of California delivered a speech to fire up supporters. Here's Román's guest post from the event:
Today, as a New Media volunteer, I got to see Obama-Biden campaign's grassroots organization in the small town of Immokalee, in South Florida's Collier County. Immokalee is a lively town populated largely by native Floridians and immigrants from all over South and Central America and the Caribbean. Over a hundred people of all ages filled out the event and I could hear English, Spanish, and Creole in conversations around me. In the entrance hall where early arrivals waited in air-conditioned comfort for the event to begin, a volunteer from the board of elections familiarized people with the new voting machines that will be used for the first time on November 4. Outside, a large barbecue grill, coolers, tables and two small tents were set up in the parking lot by Obama-Biden supporters eagerly awaiting the arrival of Rep. Hilda Solis, the first Latino woman of her southern California district ever elected to the House. Local field organizer Jonathan Rodriguez thanked attendees for their presence and encouraged supporters to participate in the campaign through phone-banking and canvassing. Congresswoman Solis' talk energized the crowd. The Congressman of the combined blessings of her parents' sacrifice and federally funded Pell grants that made it possible for her AND Barack Obama to get a good education and be able to serve their communities. When she finished speaking, to loud applause and enthusiastic chants of "Obama! Obama!", volunteers fanned out in the crowd. Tearing themselves away from hamburgers and hotdogs, 83 supporters pledged to help bring change to the White House.
Today, as a New Media volunteer, I got to see Obama-Biden campaign's grassroots organization in the small town of Immokalee, in South Florida's Collier County.
Immokalee is a lively town populated largely by native Floridians and immigrants from all over South and Central America and the Caribbean. Over a hundred people of all ages filled out the event and I could hear English, Spanish, and Creole in conversations around me.
In the entrance hall where early arrivals waited in air-conditioned comfort for the event to begin, a volunteer from the board of elections familiarized people with the new voting machines that will be used for the first time on November 4. Outside, a large barbecue grill, coolers, tables and two small tents were set up in the parking lot by Obama-Biden supporters eagerly awaiting the arrival of Rep. Hilda Solis, the first Latino woman of her southern California district ever elected to the House.
Local field organizer Jonathan Rodriguez thanked attendees for their presence and encouraged supporters to participate in the campaign through phone-banking and canvassing. Congresswoman Solis' talk energized the crowd. The Congressman of the combined blessings of her parents' sacrifice and federally funded Pell grants that made it possible for her AND Barack Obama to get a good education and be able to serve their communities. When she finished speaking, to loud applause and enthusiastic chants of "Obama! Obama!", volunteers fanned out in the crowd. Tearing themselves away from hamburgers and hotdogs, 83 supporters pledged to help bring change to the White House.
Last month I had an opportunity to do an interview in The Villages with a wonderful supporter named Marsha Shearer. Marsha, a retired school administrator, was chosen to meet Barack backstage during the DNC convention in Denver.
Here's the video:
Thanks to everybody who made it to Hillary's event on Monday.
Here's some highlights from her speech in Tampa:
"For all of those who supported me, I ask you to work as hard for Barack. I ask you to knock on those doors and make those phone calls, I ask you to talk to people who may not agree with you already." -Sen. Hillary Clinton, Tampa
Yesterday, Hillary made her second trip to Florida campaigning for Barack in Florida, this time traveling through Central Florida. The energy in the packed rooms that came to listen to Hillary make the case for change was spectacular.
In Orlando and Kissimmee I spoke to countless voters who who were fired-up after the event to get out in their neighborhoods and join the movement to send Barack Obama and Joe Biden to the White House.
**We can't do this without you. Join your Florida Neighborhood Team for Change and send Barack Obama and Joe Biden to the White House**
Sarasota Campaign for Change Office 1343 Main Street, Suite 200 Sarasota, FL 34236
The event will be at Booker High School, doors will open at 3pm:
Booker High School 3201 N Orange Ave Sarasota, FL
Today, Barack's supporters assembled in Neighborhood Teams For Change to register voters in communities throughout Tampa. The Neighborhood Teams for Change are working to meet this week's challenge to bring in more than a thousand new people into the political process through voter registration.This week-long effort marks the largest campaign voter registration drive ever held in Tampa. I joined a Neighborhood Team at the University of South Florida tailgate party, where in spite of the weather, we were able to bring in dozens of new voters. Thanks to everybody who participated in the first day of the Weekend of Action!**Get involved in bringing Barack Obama and Joe Biden to the White House! Join the Weekend of Action and find events in your neighborhood. If you're a student, find out how you can intern with the Florida Campaign for Change.**
For those of you who missed it or who want to watch it for a second (or third!) time, here's Barack's historic acceptance speech from Thursday:
