Lawrence Blog

Obama (Pre-Convention) Party - This Saturday!

Lawrence — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:03:19 EDT

OBAMA (PRE-CONVENTION) PARTY

Saturday, August 16, 2008 - 7 PM - Midnight

Holiday Inn @ Turner Braves Field

he Piedmont Ballroom 450 Capitol Ave SE,

Downtown Atlanta , GA 30315

HOSTED BY: Jerry Riley, Obama Delegate

Food, Drinks, Dancing and Entertainment!

TICKETS: $20 - can be purchased at the Door.

NO ATHLETIC WEAR, SNEAKERS, OR BALL CAPS.

YES WE CAN!!! YES WE CAN!!! YES WE CAN!!

RSVP@ http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44g87

An Inside Look - Obama Organizing Fellows Meeting

Lawrence — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:49:33 EDT

By Thomas Kelley - Jul 17th, 2008 at 6:18 pm EDT

Obama Headquarters, Atlanta, GA. - They meet every Monday at 7pm. They come from diverse backgrounds and different parts of the country as well as Georgia. They put their careers, family, friends and their lives on hold. They work not for money but for the movement that has compelled them to give up six weeks of their summer. They are Obama Organizing Fellows from team 3 out of Atlanta, GA.

A glimpse inside an Obama Organizing Fellows meeting is a segmented view of the campaign as a whole. While their individual stories of who they are are unique, the reasons for why they came are distinctly similar; to be a part of something bigger than themselves. While we do not choose history, history does choose us and these Fellows from team 3 are a clear example of carpe diem.

Each week they meet they go through the agenda that is carefully planned to align with their goals of the week. After a brief welcome and introduction, two selected fellows from the team of twelve share "My Story", a two minute background of why and how they came to the campaign. Compelling moments such as these do not happen on a regular basis in life but they do happen once a week in this Fellows meeting.

After sharing the challenges of their choice to give up their lives to affect some change in an adopted community, it is time to get down to business. Discussing strategies to register voters and empowering them with a voice, these fellows also create a volunteer plan. Their goal, to recruit supporters of Senator Obama to help take back their country and build a local grassroots campaign from the bottom up.

Like every great family they don't agree on everything. However, what they do agree on is implementing platform meetings on policy, house parties to recruit volunteers, and the need to work hard to register the some 850, 000 people who are not registered to vote in Georgia.

Their efforts can best be summed up in the words of one Fellow that spoke towards the end of their meeting. "If we can register as many voters as possible we can turn Georgia Blue and that will go a long way to making sure Barack Obama is the next President of The United States."

"Change is coming to Georgia" - VOTE July 15th, 2008

Lawrence — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:54:48 EDT

Good Morning Democrats and Obamacans,

On July 15th, 2008, CHANGE will be coming to GEORGIA. The State and County Democrat Primary Elections will be a measurement for our Success in November. Please start today by learning and participating in State and County campaigns for your candidate of choice.

Below is a link for a sample ballot for the Georgia & DeKalb County July 15th Election ( or visit http://www.dekalbvotes.com/). You can review your county sample ballot by visiting your county registration office website.

SAMPLE BALLOT: http://www.dekalbvotes.com/pdf/DemoSampleBallot_071508.pdf

We can show the Nation the IMPACT GEORGIA will have in November by registering new voters before next Monday, participating in campaigns now and Voting on July 15th, 2008. (deadline for new voter registration is Monday June 16, 2008.)

YES GEORGIA CAN!!!!

(Please pass this email on)

May 31st: The Death of Politics as Usual

Lawrence — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:14:15 EDT

After giving some thought to the meaning of this weekend's Democrat Party Rules Committee Hearing, i begin to think... this is a funeral.. a funeral of old politics as usual demostrated by the campaign of HRC.

Death to the democrat party distractions, mud slinging, false stories and other shameful tactics we witnessed this primary election. So as we go to Washington D.C. this weekend, bow your head and say a prayer as we put to rest "Old Politics" and usher in a "New Poltiics" for and by the People.

In 6 months I expect we will be witnessing another funeral, the death of GOP - Grand Ole Party Politics of the republican party.... it is on life support now and we know it is not looking good.

Now if I can just find the address where to send flowers.. oh well... REST IN PEACE!!!

YES WE CAN!! BIRTH OF CHANGE IN AMERICA - OBAMA -08

Vote for Change: Atlanta Caribbean Carnival

Lawrence — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:45:36 EDT

Vote for Change: Atlanta Caribbean Carnival

By HQ Blog Update - May 22nd, 2008 at 12:38 pm EDT

As the Vote for Change movement continues to grow, more and more volunteers who participated in voter registration in the primary states are returning to this critical activity.

In Atlanta, Georgia, Lawrence is hosting a voter registration drive at the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival. Lawrence was actively involved in voter registration for the primary in Georgia and is excited about bringing even more new voters into the process...

It is one of my favorite things to do with the campaign. I once registered a 86-year-old African-American man who said it would be his first time voting. I remember the smile on his face, which always reminds me that every vote does count.

The day-long festival is celebrating its 20th year with a series of pageants and parades. At the event, Lawrence and other supporters will be both registering people to vote and educating them about voting rights and the general election.

This event is one of many Lawrence has posted on my.BarackObama.com and he says the website has greatly helped his experience with the campaign:

I'm very proud of my #145 place on my.BarackObama.com, the rating system encourages me to organize and sign-up people to participate in events. My.BarackObama.com has been the most important tool in giving me success with my events. I don't know how people organized without it.

At my.BarackObama.com, you can find Vote for Change events in your community or even create your own.

READ BLOG & COMMENTS HERE: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/hqblogupdate/gGCGWF

Celebrating June 3rd - Primary Finale Watch Party

Lawrence — Sun, 18 May 2008 07:52:39 EDT

As we come to the last 2 weeks of America's Primary Election, I have to reflect on the past 15 months.

I start to think about the anticipation of will he run, will he wait...and the inspiring announcement speech in Springfield, Illinois. The excitement I felt attending the first Obama meeting in February...followed shortly after by a visit from Barack Obama where I first met him and he took time to talk to our group and asked if we wanted a group picture. These were the days before the secret service, press corp or massive crowds. I remember the van leaving the fundraiser stopping and Barack saying good bye to the small group and thanking us for our support.

I reflect back to applying to attend Camp Obama in Chicago and being accepted. The sacrifices that were made to attend the camp to be apart of the campaign. I reflect on the people I met of all race, religions and backgrounds all there for the same cause. I remember how impressed I was as I toured the Obama Headquarters and met the bright minds that is the Obama machine. How I returned home energized, Fired Up and Ready to Go!!.. Then my reflection turn to faciliting an energized group at the Camp Obama - Atlanta, where it was my turn to "tell my story" to the Camp, and the warmth I recieved afterwards with people relating to my journey in life.

I reflect on volunteers showing up at the Atlanta Office and volunteering before the paint was on the walls in the office or the carpet was on the floor..everyone eager to be a part of history. I start to think about the many debate and election watch parties, events and the numerous van trips to South Carolina to canvass and how I have traveled to more States during this campaign in one year. How I visited Las Vegas, NV just to be a participate in a caucus and appreciating how you have to stand up and stand out to be counted... and traveling to Chicago, IL to be there on February 5th and the joy I felt when GA was the first win for the night and Obama giving his victory speech, and on to Charlotte NC, to make sure my all the southern states are in the win column. Traveling to NJ, TX, PA and WV all to show support and gain support for this great movement.

I think about all the people i've met and befriended along the way, people represented from every race, all having the Obama spirit, of change and wanting to improve America. So now as we come to the end of the primary I see the bright light of victory. I know we are only half way to the goal, but it is half way...and many people didn't think we would make it this far.

So on June 3rd you better believe i will be celebrating....shouting Fired Up and Ready to Go!!! and eager to bring the same passion and fight for Peace and Justice to John McSame and the Republican party. and I will see you for sure in two more locations.. one being the National Democrat Convention in Denver on the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr - I HAVE A DREAM Speech and in January in Washington, DC for the inauguaration of President Barack Obama..one day before Martin Luther King Jr Holiday... both important days and steps forward for Black as well as Americans towards becoming one America with Freedom and Justice for All. YES WE CAN!!!

Georgia for Obama Primary Finale Watch Party
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 @ 7pm
CNN Center - Main Lobby with Jumbtron

VOTE FOR CHANGE: Voter Registration and Education
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 11am - 7pm
CNN Center Lobby is staging area.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/meeting/4mc

OBAMA NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE

Lawrence — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:36:34 EDT

YES WE CAN!!!

As we saw in Guam and yesterday in Gary and Indianapolis, IN every vote does count. On Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 10:30am, Obama supporters will meet at the GWCC to prepare to hit the streets of Atlanta to
register as many new voters as we can.

Your participation is so important because the 40 or so voters you register can assist in putting GA in the win column for Obama in November.

Please join us:
OBAMA National Voter Registration Drive - GA
Staging: WORLD CONGRESS CENTER (EXH: A - 406)
Atlanta, GA 30303
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/organizing/4z2q

1. No Obama gear is allowed while registering people to vote. (including shirts, buttons) *Wear Obama blue
2. If you can bring clipboards & pens please do.
3. Wear comfortable shoes & clothing.
4. Invite a friend or family to get involved.

Thank you for everything you do as we know every little bit counts.

YES WE CAN!!!!

GA4OBAMA

The South's Last Stand...

Lawrence — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:46:11 EDT

VICTORY is so close i can smell and taste it.... i know you are tired, frustrated, anxious and burned out.. BUT I'M STILL FIRED UP!!! and READY TO GO!!

Everyone we have a few people signed up to travel to NC this weekend, i asked all of you to dig deep and push yourself for one more weekend, one more canvass, one more push for Obama in NC!!! This is the one that will clinch it finally...like South Carolina the tide turned..., this is the one that will close the deal. Barack only needs 134 delegates to get the majority of the pledged delegates and only 288 pledged and super delegates to clinch the nomination...

Sign-up now for this last stand in the South ...

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/organizing/487s

North Carolina was the last major battle of the CIVIL WAR and it is the last major battle for the CHANGE FOR AMERICA....

They have mainstream media...we have grassroots volunteers like you..

Travel this weekend with the Obama Campaign Van Pool (FREE Transportation and Housing)...

YES WE CAN!!!!

Georgia for Obama 08

Will You make a Difference?

Lawrence — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:55:33 EDT

After Pennsylvania we all had a feeling, a feeling that this will go on for a few more weeks.

A feeling that the DownHILL campaign will live to see another day. After Barack speech we all had

another feeling, a feeling that everything will work out in the end.

I'm asking you today, will that feeling allow you to be move to make a difference? Will it make you

get out of your seat and move towards the next southern state, NC? Will it make you pickup the

phone or push the donate button on barackbama.com? Remember the feeling we had after the win

in PA, and ask yourself will you make a difference?

You are needed in NC!!

Lawrence — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:34:59 EDT

Many of you know the impact Georgia volunteers had on the South Carolina election.

Well you are needed again in NC! Please plan to travel with the Obama campaign to North Carolina

in the upcoming months. Your participation can make a big difference on a win in this State.

I know you are tired and frustrated, but we can not stop now.. let's keep marching forward until we f

inally clinch this primary leading to the presidency.

Please sign up today to travel to North Carolina the entire weekend or on Saturday.

We can do it.. Yes We Can!!

Sign-up here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4zgj

It's Not Over - Georgia Delegation Caucus - Saturday, April 19th

Lawrence — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:44:02 EDT

GEORGIA OBAMA SUPPORTERS, IT'S NOT OVER FOR US!

Tomorrow, Saturday, April 19th, 9am (most districts) at a location in your congressional districts, the Georgia Democratic Party will caucus to select delegates to attend the National Democratic Convention in August. (Denver, CO).

We need all Obama supporters to attend the caucus to show your support to those we know will best represent Georgia and Obama at the convention.

This year is different, and we don't want party bigwigs that can be influence or swayed, we want ordinary Georgia citizens who are pushing Barack forward to be in the seats.

For a list of the potential delegates and caucus locations, visit the website: http://www.democraticpartyofgeorgia.org/obamacandidates

YES WE CAN!!! OBAMA '08

Be a part of the process and the greatest election in our history.

GA - Come to NC - Volunteer Organizing

Lawrence — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:10:37 EDT

We need everyone to plan to visit North Carolina at least one day before the election. Georgia/Atlanta must play a major role in winning NC as we did SC.

Offical Volunteer Letter Below: http://nc.barackobama.com/cometoNC

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Lawrence,

If you've ever thought about hitting the road to support Barack, now is the time.

The voter registration deadline in North Carolina is coming up this Friday, April 11th, and the primary is just four weeks from today. Thousands of volunteers are working every day to register voters and build our movement here.

But with all eyes watching the outcome of this important contest, people are needed from across the country to come reach out to potential supporters in North Carolina.

Between now and Friday, we're registering voters and bringing more voices into the political process. And beginning on Saturday, we're getting started with our Get Out the Vote program to make sure everyone is ready and excited for Primary Day.

Will you join us to help Barack in North Carolina?

http://nc.barackobama.com/cometoNC

You can do more than just help this campaign. You can be part of a movement of ordinary Americans coming together to bring about the change we need.

No prior political experience is necessary. Our team in North Carolina will be here to make sure you have all the support and training you need to have an impact on our campaign here.

Help keep the movement growing before the North Carolina primary:

http://nc.barackobama.com/cometoNC

Thanks for all your hard work,

Katina

Katina Tsongas
North Carolina Field Director
Obama for America

Tonight I was a CHANGE RIDER

Lawrence — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:33:03 EDT

A rainy April showers day a group of us left Atlanta before dawn headed North to Winston-Salem, NC with goal in mind - to register new voters for the upcoming May 6th election.

Upon our arrival to the new Obama office we were given our marching orders to locate locations in Winston-Salem with high traffic to register new voters.

Me and my partner, Shryll first went to a Fresh Market grocery store, only to be later told by the store manager that it was not authorized and we had to leave...no problem, Yes We Can!! We walked across the street to the TJ MAXX and registered several voters. However, i noticed the majority of customers were white females and already registered, so we called our driver (John) and moved to majority African American shopping plaza where we were more successful registering new voters.

But the real lesson came when we arrived at our volunteer housing host home - John and Alice. We were greated to a family full at the dinner table where we had fresh vegetable and a delicious meal awaitig us. This was followed by birthday cake in celebration of the Alice's 98 year old father. He was asked what wisdom he can provide the others and his response was surround yourself by loving and good spirited people. After the cake, the family wanted to take our pictures with the family and the kids asked for our autograph--- why I didn't know, until I thought how cool would it be to have lived in the 60's and have a white and black male come visit your house FREEDOM RIDERS and say they have travelled around the south and beyond to register people and to change the laws of segregation and Jim Crow... well we weren't alive then, but now we are doing something just as great, we are the CHANGE RIDERS, travelling around registering people to vote and get active towards change to elect the first African American man President and bring change to America and the World. So I for a weekend and hopefully were one of the few on the highway pushing Change. I was for this weekend one of the proud CHANGE RIDERS.

The next Southern State for Obama - NC.

Lawrence — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:14:42 EDT

As we get closer to the next blast of elections, i want to encourage all Georgia Obama supporters to make plans to support North Carolina in the May 6th election.

You can start calling today to NC using the following link:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/phonebankmap

The South is voting and supporting Obama and we must continue with North Carolina.

Please sign-up now to travel to NC in the upcoming weeks to particpate in campaign activities.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4r4v8

YES WE CAN!!

Charlotte Obama Office
1523 Elizabeth Avenue, Suite 120
Charlotte, NC 28204

Grass grows quietly - but grows nevertheless

Lawrence — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:00:45 EDT

Many people have express concerns and worries about the recent negative press our movement have received. On the lips of voters throughout the nation are the daily headlines cook-up by the mainsteam media. If you listen to a minute of Fox News you would think Obama was done and this election is over. However, grass grows quietly, and while we, the grassroots Obama movement, may not be in front of the camera everynight at the 6pm hour, we are nevertheless making an impact.

You see, grass grows quietly. The other day i know i cut down my yard and got every little blade, however when i came out today, there they are again...pushing thorough, thriving nevertheless, thousands may hundred of thousands of blades, back again.

My new motto and battle cry, comes from Obama's Race Speech - Not this Time! This Time is Different! I know and you know this time is really different and we will be successful no matter how many times the mainstream media, negative pundits and spin doctors and yes even the Hillary campaign trys to cut us down, we will push through. Because the blades of hate and lies won't keep us down, Not this Time! This Time is Different!

Sunday Morning CHANGE!

Lawrence — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:22:31 EDT

In what will go down in history as the most important speech on racial relations in modern history, Barack Obama expressed the well known, but less dealt with fact that SUNDAY MORNINGS are the most racially divide day in America.

It is in that spirit and light that I invite you to join me in Sunday Morning Change. This Easter Sunday until the April 22nd week election, I encourage everyone to find and attend a place of worship that is not made up of your racial and/or religious makeup.

This small action will help foster healing in America and make an impact on the race dialogue. It is important when the stares and greetings come your way, to inform all that you are an Obama Supporter assisting in improving race in America.

Thank you for supporting this effort, spread it in your families, communities and own places of worship.

Tell those that are trying to bring this movement to an end.

SUNDAY MORNING CHANGE - SIGN-UP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/45fv

NOT THIS TIME!! THIS TIME IS DIFFERENT!

Moments in Time

Lawrence — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:20:37 EDT

Moments in Time

We never fully appreciate moments or people that make a significant contribution to the human race during the time it is happening....no that appreciation doesn't come until later.

Sometimes it is 25 years later, or after the person is no longer living or even after a significant event shows the person was correct and wise all along.

We are living in that moment of time now with Barack Obama. A man who has the wisdom, vision and ability to communicate his thoughts and ideas as the people we all know, celebrate and respect in history.

So today maybe we can't fully appreciate this time or this man, as we appreciate JFK, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and many other Great Americans - men and women, but you know what.. one day, many days from today we will look back and smile and say.. I was there.. I was there....

RE-VOTE TRICK

Lawrence — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:41:58 EDT

I want to encourage all Obama supporters to not support this Florida/Michigan re-vote nonsense. The only way to have a fair election outright is to split and seat the delegates 50-50. That way it is no winners or losers and the delegates are seated. Why waste 30 million dollars on a re-vote giving Florida/Michigan any glory or attention.Florida should not be determining anything when it comes to Voting. How dare they want the last say after breaking the rules.Please don't support this proposal.Lawrence

The Audacity of Hillary

Lawrence — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:53:56 EDT

Wow! When finally you think she can't stoop any lower, she does.

What an insult to Barack Obama, his supporters and minorities everywhere for Hillary to offer

Barack a VP position. I have never in my life, heard of a person losing a race, offer the winner a

second place prize. It takes some balls to do that, and yes emphasis on balls.

However, once again i was prepared for anything as Barack has told us on many occasions - Hillary

uses the strategy where she will do or say anthing to Win! As I continue to work on this campaign

n a daily basis and see the drama (media) unfold, i am reminded of how hard it was for Americans

to change in the past. The division of the campaigns reminds me of the North and the South

division in the civil war. I guess we all have see the worst before things get better. As my mom

use to say, you have to have the puss of a sore, before it heals. I'm certian of one thing, Barack

is a trooper and very strong, because i would have to cut my tongue out to keep from saying the

things on my mind to Hillary. MONSTER, being the least of it. March on to VICTORY everyone

MARCH on to VICTORY!!!

The Final Day of the Primary Election

Lawrence — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:24:36 EST

Wow, we are finally here. (God Willing) The last day of the Primary Election. I feel Barack Obama will sweep all 4 States and John McCain will finally win the delegates he needs..and we move into the General Election Season.

I can tell because MARCH is the season for Change. This has been a exciting ride. I have visit more states this Year than in my entire life. Traveling to: South Carolina, Florida, Nevada, Chicago, New York, Texas, North Carolina and here at home in Georgia, all getting the word out about Obama and American's Change.

I feel tired but satisfied with the work I have done on this election and look forward to a break before i go to Colorado for the DNC Convention and then to Washington DC for the inaugaration celebration...all in between working the General Election. This is a Great Country.

Introducing The O-Team (GA Super Volunteers)

Lawrence — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 08:52:53 EDT

I want to give each of the Camp Obama Atlanta attendees first invitation to join a special group that will be based in the Barack Obama -Atlanta HQ. The O-Team, a group of super volunteers that will be dedicated and committed to supporting the strategy to win Georgia and South Carolina.This group primary responsiblility and mission will be to contact, organize and train the thousands of GA volunteers to support GA and SC through phonebanking, canvassing metro Atlanta neighborhoods and SC Roadtrip for Change (Canvassing) and attending special events related to the campaign.Please email me your name, contact number, address & email and I will be scheduling a meeting with the O-Team next week at the Obama Atlanta HQ. Your committment to your Congressional District and local groups will be supported through this effort.I look forward to working closely with each of you.LawrencePhone: 404-290-8088Email: lmuhammad@barackobama.comMyBO Group: The O-Team (GA Super Volunteers)