Anna-Maria's Blog

My election night

Anna-Maria — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:14:04 EST

I spent the first part of election night making calls to Virginia and North Carolina, until the polls closed at about 2am over here, then made a few calls to Iowa and Colorado!!! Then my husband and I and friends (either there or connected by phone or internet) watched with increasing, what was it? happiness, serenity, reassurance, excitement. relief, hope, gratitude... a mix of all these feelings, as state after state was projected for Barack!

It was an extraordinary night!

I took my son to school at 8am and then finally went to bed for a few hours, only to be woken up every few minutes by happy friends calling to congratulate and share how good they felt about it all!!!

I'm still exhausted from my first all nighter since university but am walking about with a warm glow - I was part of it all amd it was magnificent!

Electronic voting machines post 2

Anna-Maria — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:44:34 EDT

I'd be interested to know if McCain is abandoning states which don't have electronic voting machines and concentrating on the states that have them?

I'd like the campaign to conduct a study on polling stations that use electronic machines and those that don't. Those stations that rely exclusively on electronic machines should be very closely monitored! And not only monitored on the day but massive preparation up until then!

Apart from tampering or virus etc., these machines can also 'conveniently' break down leading to massive delays and causing some people to leave without voting. It seems that most of these polling stations do not have an adequate supply of paper ballots to fall back on. Paper ballots must be provided now to all these polling stations! We have to be prepared for everything before election day and not just be prepared to pick up the pieces after the fact!

electronic voting machines post 1

Anna-Maria — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:28:28 EDT

Please have a large team in place to make sure there is no funny business when Americans vote in November and leading up to it!

It was shocking to see what happened in Florida 8 years ago - an obviously flawed system that the party wasn't ready for or even aware of - and the extremely disturbing fact that 4 years ago not much progress had been made in terms of enabling a fair election process - re electronic voter machines and and all the irregularities...

Check this link which shows just how easy it is to tamper with one of these machines...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbuwbkqAe_A&feature=related

Phone bank on the Left Bank

Anna-Maria — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:56:25 EDT

Just finished hosting a phone bank. A group of us got together and contacted Americans living abroad, ensuring that they had registered to vote, had received their ballots and were going to vote (and informing them how to go about it if they hadn't yet). It was a blast - so many people were grateful and willing! I even spoke to a lady whose two daughters were in the US working for the campaign! I actually funniest part was finding my husband on my list! That was one number I didn't have to call!!!

I strongly encourage you to do this sort of thing in the States. Some people are quite shy or a little uncomfortable with phone banking - this is a way to make it less imposing. The fact that there were a group of us doing it in the same place was cool, because if you had a question you were unsure about someone else was there to help. Furthermore, whenever a group of supporters get together, there are always good ideas !

Obama Kids Paris 3

Anna-Maria — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 19:37:59 EDT

Children singing our Obama song on the Pont des Arts in Paris!

A few of you said you weren't keen on the masks in the original version, so this is a shortened version for you!

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=253nen6bo-c#GU5U2spHI_4

Obama Kids Paris

Anna-Maria — Sun, 25 May 2008 14:10:28 EDT

Children singing Anna-Maria's and Caroline's adaptation of Frère Jacques on the Pont des Arts in Paris.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGgfIvzJrwI

Barack Obama

Yes We Can

Change We Can Believe In

Obama

PARIS BRIDGE PHOTO AND FUN

Anna-Maria — Sat, 24 May 2008 11:30:09 EDT

Here are the first pictures - more to come

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26911850@N02/show/

It was a lot of fun and it didn't stop after we finished filming! When we left the bridge and walked through the streets of Paris carrying a life size model of Barack, tons of people responded with a smile, a cheer, a thumbs up, a chat...! We took turns carrying him and when we went to eat he was propped up in the restaurant- He is now in our kitchen - but I don't think we'll be able to resist taking him out again - it puts too many people in a good mood!

Invitation to Paris Bridge Photo

Anna-Maria — Sat, 17 May 2008 15:06:40 EDT

EventsFind An Event | Plan An Event | Manage Your Events |Report Objectionable ContentTHE DETAILS

PHOTO + FUN

Bridge photo in Paris, FRANCE! And a drink and a laugh! Bring Obama posters etc. (munchies and drinks optional!) It's a good opportunity to get together and show how many of us there are. The bridge is a footbridge so it will be easy to gather there. I hope you can make it!!!

Anyone from the UK who is planning a trip to Paris please join us - on your way to the Louvre!

Time:Saturday, May 24 at 11:00 AMDuration:1-2 hours

Host:Anna-Maria Roffi

Location:PONT DES ARTS, THE SEINE, PARIS, FRANCE

VIEW MAP:

Associated Groups:0bama Worldwide, Stress Management, Supporters from the United Kingdom!, UK for Obama

Directions:Get to the Seine -it-s a footbridge in the center of Paris not far from the Louvre and the Pont Neuf.SIGNUP FOR 'PHOTO + FUN'Will you attend: Yes, I will attend. No, I will not attend. How many attendees total: (incl. yourself)Add a comment: (optional)Your comment will be sent to the event host. http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rtg

Letter to the two student superdelegates Lauren and Awais

Anna-Maria — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:21:11 EDT

Dear Lauren,

I’m British, I live in Paris (France) and am married to an American. I’ve been excited about Barack Obama since his speech at the convention. I’m so glad he’s in with a real chance - it’s such good news for America and for the rest of the world.

I think Obama is an amazing candidate : He has and continues to generate extraordinary interest and respect everywhere. It is thanks to him that people who have never taken an interest in the political process are finally paying attention, and the surge in voter registration is a direct result of this - these new voters believe that it is possible for politics as usual to change and that is why they are taking an interest. In Obama we have a leader who puts people first - his campaign has been run like that and it is thanks to people like you and me that he has financed it, not big business or interest groups - that is truly refreshing! He’s intelligent and treats people with respect. He tackles problems head on. He is not the sound bite politician who practices 'dumbing down" the potential electorate, he has raised the political debate and asks people to make an effort to focus on the issues and what is at stake, not fall prey to distractions. He is does not do negative campaigning. He is consistent. And if he makes a mistake, he recognizes it for what it is and doesn’t make it a second time! He is very quick on his feet and calm under pressure. He has a great sense of humour! His speech on a more perfect union and his courage and integrity have been truly inspiring. Being inspiring to people is a good thing! It urges the best out of people. The fact he has told Americans to turn off the television and to read to their children! He will bring necessary chage.

I could go on and on about his attributes...

Here are other reasons to give him your support as a superdelegate : Obama is the legitimate leader, more states, more delegates, more enthusiasm. The candidates have spent millions during the campaign and voters are more excited and involved than ever before. If superdelegates ‘take over’ it will be a slap in the face to the voters, the nominee will have no credibility against the Republicans and will have alienated a lot of those excited voters.

Anyway, I really appreciate your video and openness!

Thanks and take care,

Anna-Maria