Michael Gottwald's Blog

Legacy Conference: What We're Learning

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:50:53 EST

Following breakout sessions by state, where team leaders and field organizers told their version of how we won, everyone gathered again in the big Conference room to hear about what we're learning.

Christ Wyant, Deputy Field Director from Ohio, and Yohannes Abraham, Field Director from Virginia, presented some of the findings from the surveys of the 500,000 volunteers nationwide who filled them out--this in addition to surveys from 460 Field Organizers, 80 Regional Field Directors, and 22 Voter File Managers. All this information was analyzed and compiled by a Post Election Task Force, that is combining it with feedback from the Conference to write a comprehensive report about the past and the future of this organization.

Some of what was found includes:

Field Organizers most often describe the best Regional Field Directors as "accessible" and "responsive."
Opening offices early, and in non-traditional areas, was a key to success.
Context is crucial--making sure that team leaders, volunteers, and field organizers know the long-term plan for victory proved very important.

Then, we broke out by state again, but into even more focused groups, by turf type: rural, suburban, and urban, to talk about what worked and what didn't. For example, organizers in urban areas found that doing voter registration at commercial areas and high traffic areas like bus stops was fruitful, while defining volunteer teams very strictly by their geographical region could be more of an impediment.

Currently we're in the debrief section, prior to getting dinner outside the Conference Room. Stay tuned for more.

Legacy Conference: Sharing Your Story

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:20:00 EST

This morning at the Conference, during the "How We Won" segment, Ohio General Election Director Jeremy Bird welcomed the group, National Field Director Jon Carson provided the historical context for the organizing victory of the Campaign, and Pennsylvania Deputy Field Director Nicole Price harped on one of the most integral parts of the plan: sharing your story. This element will be fundamental to the organizing principles we use going forward.

Nicole called organizer Ashley out of the crowd, whose personal story has become a kind of legend on the campaign--in no small part since Barack referred to it in his "A More Perfect Union" speech. Ashley shared her story, which is featured in the video below, about what community organizing means.

Currently, state organizers and volunteer leaders are meeting in breakout panels again. Last time was about what we accomplished; this time is about what we can do better.

Preparing for this Weekend's Conference...

Michael in Ohio — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:29:19 EST

Here in Chicago, a dedicated team is hard at work preparing for the upcoming Conference. They’re coming up with presentations that outline what we accomplished over the last 22 months and drafting an agenda that will allow space to talk openly about what we aim to accomplish in the future.

Your feedback is crucial to us, so much of the work involves reading through the volunteer and field organizer surveys that you all filled out and compiling the results into something we can use later.

The data team is busy examining the results of your organizing work, to see what worked in turning out the vote for Barack.

This is just the beginning. With your participation and dialogue at the Conference, this weekend will serve as a crucial part of analyzing the work we have done together and putting together the plan to make Barack's vision of long-term, grassroots change a reality.

**If you can't come this weekend, be sure to check this site over the weekend for a live blog from the Conference. We'll update frequently, to keep you in the loop about what is going on.

Ride Board for the Conference Now Up and Running!

Michael in Ohio — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:45:24 EST

Hello Conference attendees!

Still trying to figure out how you're getting to the Conference this weekend? We noticed that some had started to coordinate rides in the comments of the last blog post, so we wanted to let everyone know...

The Conference Ride Board is now up! You can click the "Find or Share a Ride" button above on the left, or you can click on the corresponding link:

http://my.barackobama.com/ConferenceRideBoard

There you'll find that people who can give a ride should e-mail Arusha at agordon@barackobama.com, so we can get some rides on the board.

Thanks, and see you this weekend!

WE. WON. OHIO.

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:20:53 EST

It was all you.

Thank you, Buckeyes. Thank you so so much.

You just elected Barack Obama the President of the United States.

Election Day: OPEN THREAD

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:00:21 EST

This post is just a call for comments and open discussion. Share your experiences voting today, or questions you have, in the comment section below.

"I'm Getting Involved Because of My Children"

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:53:23 EST

Have ELECTION DAY Questions?

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:50:15 EST

If it's urgent, dial 877-622-6264 or 614-409-4701
If it is less than urgent, email ohio@barackobama.com
Looking for your polling location? Visit www.voteforchange.com

I Believe We're Going to See a Change

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:34:01 EST

You can make that change happen. There are two hours and forty-five minutes until the polls close. There is still time for you to help elect Barack Obama. Click HERE to find a place near you to volunteer.

It's No Mystery

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:33:46 EST

Throughout the day, the Ohio homepage will be bringing you videos of Buckeyes who just cast their ballots. Here's the first:

MID DAY REPORT: from the Secretary of State's Office

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:39:27 EST

Here's an update on how voting is going so far in Ohio, from Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's office:

Highlights of Ohioans' voting experience:
The maximum wait time as reported to the office is no more than 1 hour in most large precincts
The longest average wait time reported to the office is approximately 1 hour in Lucas County
Sporadic machine issues have been reported – primarily Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail jams that are easily fixed and some instances of precinct-based optical scanners that are not working, but voters are still able to place their ballots in a secure box for scanning later. Reports indicate poll workers are quickly fixing the hiccups and are offering voters backup paper ballots in touch-screen voting machine counties.
The two-line directive, one for touch-screen voting machines and one for back-up paper ballots, is keeping lines moving.

Again- if you have problems at a polling place, DO NOT LEAVE without first calling 877-OBAMA-OH, or 614-409-4701. There are people standing by to solve your problems.

Four hours and 45 minutes until polls close. Don't miss this opportunity. Use the tool above, or go to www.voteforchange.com to find your polling location.

IMPORTANT: New, Alternative Phone Number to Report Problems

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:54:10 EST

ATTENTION:

The Ohio Campaign for Change is asking that any voters who have questions about voting or who want to report problems or issues at the voting booth dial 877-OBAMA-OH.

However, if one has problems getting through on that line, the Campaign is asking that you call

614-409-4701

with any problems. These calls will go directly to our Columbus Call Center, where people are standing by to answer logistical questions ("Where is my polling location?") as well as more complicated, legal or "proper protocol" questions about what's going on out there.

Again, the two numbers are:

877-OBAMA-OH (aka 877-622-6264)
and
614-409-4701

Thank you very much.

A Letter to Barack on Election Day, from a Supporter

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:31:38 EST

This is a very historic day! My parents and grandparents spoke of this day, when I was a child, and I know and believe that all those who gave their lives for the struggle of people, in all walks of life regardless to creed, color, and education... Those angels are singing in heaven. Barack, you are what the struggle was about. Words that ring throughout my being, are words that my father taught us as children- "Education is Wealth." You, sir, have achieved the dreams of many, and you have empowered a nation of people, to think differently, to act differently, and to achieve the dream.

My heart is full of joy as I anticipate the election results. You and your wife, are the epitome of what a relationship should be. You feed off of each other and in these times when families are falling apart, you guys are still going strong, and will continue to gather strength. God bless you, and may the angels of light, and protection surround you and your family, poll workers and voters today, as this historic day unfolds
Rebecca

From a Voter

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:27:17 EST

Today is a day I hold my breath. I will do my work for the Barack Obama Campaign, but I will try not allow myself to become hopeful. Today I will try to ignore the polls and the pundits. I will try not think about tonight. I will try not to laugh with glee. I will try not to cry. Today is a day I hold my breath.

Like all who are reading this, my own reason for voting for Barack is unique. I have two strong, intelligent, loving,and wonderful sons, with wives, and five delightful grandchildren.... For generations, and even now, we are a family of many colors.

I taught my sons that they were indeed required to contribute to mankind. To volunteer for a cause. To help a neighbor. To not discriminate. To vote.

In our family, love is described as "What color are her eyes?"--instead of what color is the skin... Or "Mom, she makes my heart sing." And that remark is simply enough for me to love my soon to be my daughter-in-law--regardless of her nationality or race.

My political ties to Chicago go back to Mayor Washington--so my ties to Barack are long and strong. My whole family has been with him every step of the way.

I voted already.

I hold my breath today.

Tonight I pray I can finally breathe, dance, laugh and sing with joy.

TODAY IS ELECTION DAY

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:56:46 EST

Today Ohio elects Barack Obama president. Let's get it done, Buckeyes.

The blog and webpage will be active throughout the day. THINGS TO REMEMBER:

Anyone can go to www.voteforchange.com to find their polling location.
If you experience problems or have questions at the polls, the best thing to do is call 877-OBAMA-OH (877-622-6264)
We can use all the help we can get to get out the vote. Click HERE to find the volunteer location nearest you (http://www.barackobama.com/splash/volunteer.html)
REMIND YOUR FRIENDS TO VOTE. Don't let them get away with not voting.
If you have any other problems, concerns, or experiences you'd like to share, please email ohio@barackobama.com (but calling 877-OBAMA-OH should be your first step in any urgent situation)
If you are in line at 7:30 pm, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
With your help, tonight we will be able to call Barack Obama the next President of the United States.

Our moment is now.

IMPORTANT: FIVE TIPS FOR VOTING TODAY

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:31:59 EST

The Ohio Campaign for Change has come up with Five Tips to make voting today easier for you. Please take them into consideration as you cast your ballot for Barack Obama today!

Know Before You Go - Double check the location of your polling station so you know where you are supposed to vote. (You can check using the tool at the top of the page, or visit www.voteforchange.com)
Timing is Everything - If you can, try to vote during mid-morning or early afternoon, when polls are usually at their least crowded.
Proof Positive - Make sure you bring a form of ID with you, whether it’s a picture ID from Ohio (such as a driver's license, or state or military ID); OR one of the following with a current address: your utility bill, bank statement or pay stub. (Click HERE to get all information on your rights and requirements when you vote)
What to Wear - Campaign clothing is not allowed at polling places. If you do wear clothing or buttons supporting a candidate, don't worry. You can still vote if you cover up or take it off.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: Avoid the Double Bubble - When you vote, fill in the top oval for the Presidential candidate of your choice. Don't also write in the name at the bottom, because there is a risk that your ballot may not be counted on election night.

And with that, GO VOTE!!!

Letters to the Editor, from Ohio, for Barack

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:24:31 EST

For many supporters, volunteering isn't enough. They need to show their support in other, far more public ways--they want others to hear their voice for change.

There are the untraditional ways--a music video, a painted pick-up truck, or a website that gives a free song to people who pledge to vote. But the conventional, and still effective way, is to write a letter to the editor. Here are a few from supporters in the Buckeye State, writing about why they support Barack Obama.

From the Chillicothe Gazette - "Obama has the vision to improve America's health care system":

I am a health care worker and have been a nurse since 1977. I have worked in several areas of health care. I would like to share with you one of the many reasons why I support Barack Obama for president. He cares about people and has the knowledge, energy and the ability to work for all of us to see that Americans have access to the health care they need. Currently in the United States, there are 45 million Americans who don't have health care insurance. I feel the health of the people should be a national priority.
Here are a few examples of the annual compension packages paid to CEOs of some of the major insurers: United Healthcare $8.3 million, WellPoint, Inc. $5.2 million, Cigna $4.7 million (Atlantic Information Services, April 24, 2006). Can you see where I am going with this?
OK, here is what Obama is proposing: If you already have insurance and are satisfied with it, you can keep it. If not, you will be able to buy a new insurance plan that's similar to the plan federal employees receive. If you do not have insurance at all, it will be made available to you. No one will be denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition or illness. If you cannot afford insurance, you will get a subsidy. Employers would be encouraged to offer health care coverage to their employees, and would be assisted by the government in providing this coverage. Obama's plan is not government-run health care, it builds on the employer-sponsored insurance system. The income tax exclusion would be retained and people without employer-based insurance would be offered a refundable tax credit (percentage-based on income).
--Vickie Smith, Waverly

From the Findlay Courier - "Obama Would Help Rural Ohio"

As the former Ohio state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Office, I can say from experience that state and federal partnership is critical if we are to make much-needed investments in rural Ohio.
Barack Obama has two comprehensive and complementary plans that will move rural Ohio in the right direction. He has a vision for rural America and a health care plan for the nation that will enable our communities to thrive and our citizens to have access to affordable and quality health care.
Obama knows the unique demands of agriculture and is a strong supporter of the 2008 Farm Bill, which makes historic investments in conservation, renewable energy, and rural infrastructure and provides a safety net to family farmers.
Numerous innovations in the 2008 Farm Bill will directly affect rural Ohio, including a micro-enterprise program for small businesses and entrepreneurs, farmland preservation, and expanded access to fresh fruits and vegetables for our school children, which helps our youth and farmers alike. John McCain stated that he would have vetoed the bill.
--Linda Jones Borton, Ottowa

From the Wilmington News Journal - "Doesn't want four more years of the same"

I'm an Obama supporter and have been since the very early days of his campaign. I watched him win the Iowa caucus and was so proud of Iowa it moved me to tears as I listened to Barack’s speech that night. I know that none of this makes me unusual because most of his entire following feels the same way, particularly if they are young, college educated, men and women.
On to world affairs, when I watched Sen. Obama in Europe and the reception he received, I couldn’t help think how wonderful it would be to have a president that we could be proud of once more. I thought it would be so nice if Americans could visit Europe and not be viewed as ugly Americans.
Sen. Obama gives me hope that we can be a nation of innovation, and discovery, and that once again we can lead the world in technology, research, science, medicine and education. We have fallen terribly behind under this backward fundamentalist administration that rejects science.
--Nancy Compton, Wilmington

From the Zanesville Times Recorder - "Get the facts"

I will be so glad when this election is over and we no longer have to listen to the Republicans distort the truth, even in a previous letter published in the Times Recorder. Yes it is true that Obama will raise your taxes if you make more than $250,000, however, those of us who do not will actually see a tax cut. And if you are a senior citizen making less than $50,000 per year he will eliminate all income taxation. These are facts that even those who say we should "get informed" fail to mention.
If you want the facts on Sen. Obama you need to turn off those distorted McCain commercials and stop by the Obama headquarters, at 126 Muskingum Ave., and literature will be provided for you. You can also visit the Obama Web site at www.barackobama.com for factual information. I'm sure when you have the true facts you will be ready to cast your vote on Nov. 4, with pride and confidence.
Yes we do need change in Washington, the kind of change we will get from Obama and Biden.
--Bob Weber, Zanesville

From the Mansfield News Journal - "Obama, Biden dedicated to helping women"

I am making 77 cents for every dollar my male counterpart is making. Under John McCain's "Plan for the American Woman" this is acceptable because in John's own words, I "probably need more training." An Obama administration will enforce the Equity Pay Act and fight job discrimination.
I'm a single mom working two jobs, with no health insurance, and I'm stricken with breast cancer. Under McCain's plan, I am so messed up. Barack Obama is committed to ensuring that all Americans have health care coverage by the end of his first term.
Ohio women, don't take my word for this. Study the issues and find out for yourself. And even if you feel it's too late for yourself, consider the futures of your daughters and granddaughters. We need someone in Washington who respects women, not one who will choose one for his VP for all the wrong reasons. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are truly dedicated to improving the lives of women.
--Jeanne Alexander,Lucas

From the Sun Sentinel - "Independent says that Obama was easy choice for President"

I guess that I am the target audience for the Obama and McCain decision. I am an Independent voter in the state of Ohio. Once again, I believe that Independents from Ohio will decide the election.
Over the years I have voted for Democrats, Republicans and even Ross Perot. This year, I am voting for Barack Obama. It was a pretty easy choice.
Why do I say this and what do I want? I want the war in Iraq to end. I want someone to look out for the middle class. I want to hold Wall Street accountable for its actions. I want to find alternative energy sources in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I want both political parties to work together. I want a vice president that does not embarrass this country. I want this country to work with our allies, instead of pushing them around.
In my opinion, "trickle down economics" is not working. Unchecked free trade is not working. Letting the free market manage Social Security will not work. Putting health care completely in the hands of the free market without regulation will not work.
--North Ridgeville

From the Canton Repository - "Want to hear the sound of jobs in Stark again? Then vote for Barack Obama"

Last summer, a young woman moved in beside me on Genoa Avenue. After a cool, clear evening, she had to ask what that odd pounding noise was that she heard in the night. "A forge," I told her, and proceeded to explain the complicated process of drop forging and how that bass note boom made tools.
It dawned on me later that I could have given her a very simple answer. "That sound is the sound of industry."
I could have gone on to say. "Listen closely, as it soon may be gone."
So much of our county is filled with the deafening quiet one can hear only in an empty sweeper plant, or standing in the vast, unfilled parking lot of a vacant steel mill.
These haunting silences are the echoes of the Bush administration. An administration which has, by its promotion of unfair trade deals and tax breaks for companies that take their business off-shore, caused the loss of over 180,000 jobs in Ohio. That is 61 jobs a day!
If we, the voters, choose a candidate who has voted more than 90 percent of the time with George Bush, what will we hear for the next four — or eight — years?
Silence.
One big, empty silence.
On Election Day, remember that when you touch that screen, the sound it makes will echo through our future.
If you choose to elect Barack Obama, you are choosing to change that sound to the sound of steel mills building wind turbines. To the sound of molds filling with plastic, forming solar panels to help bring us out of this energy crisis. To the sweet sound of jobs, and a healthy middle class.
Make that sound, people!
--Barbara Lewis, Perry Township

Why do YOU support Barack Obama? Why are YOU going to vote for him today?

Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Mansfield News Journal, Coshocton Tribune Endorse Obama!

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:08:02 EST

It's catching on: newspapers across the Buckeye state are backing Barack Obama for President--even in places where it wouldn't seem likely.

This past week, the papers in Lancaster, Mansfield, and Coshocton announced their support for Obama. Here are portions of each endorsement:

The next president will inherit a divided country, two wars burgeoning federal deficit, and a turbulent economy that has shed thousands of jobs, especially in Ohio, just this year alone. These times call for an extraordinary leader - one with a clear vision for our future as one nation, and the demonstrated steadiness and intelligence to set us on a new path.

We believe Obama is that person, and the one best suited to lead this country and help Fairfield County residents. We support Obama on several issues, but we've listed three we believe are most important to this community.
Ohio has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Residents are asked to support tax increase every year. Your pocketbook is not a Republican or Democratic issue. It's a human issue.

Obama's tax plan would provide a tax decrease for families with incomes less than $250,000. He plans to pay for it by eliminating President Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest in our country.

At this critical juncture in history, with our country facing unprecedented challenges at home and abroad, Barack Obama is the right choice to become the 44th president of the United States.

The problems we face today require a new approach, new ideas and a renewed willingness to work in collaboration with conservatives, liberals and moderates.

The 47-year-old U.S. Senator from Illinois has demonstrated a willingness and ability to do all of these things.

As a candidate, Obama has built a broad base of supporters; an inclusive group that crosses lines of race, gender, income and other essential constituents.
We believe Obama offers the best opportunity to begin crossing these demographic and political fault lines, working for consensus and in communicating new directions and ideas to a nation badly in need of leadership.

Obama's personal background will assist in this effort. Diversity and acceptance of others and their ideas are critical today and Obama's understanding of these concepts through his own life experiences is a major advantage he holds over McCain.

America is in a real financial crisis, the worst since the Great Depression. But the truth is, Ohio has been in an economic free fall since the day George W. Bush took office.

The Buckeye State never recovered from the post-Sept. 11 recession. Ohio has lost almost 250,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000. The exodus from Coshocton alone has been devastating - General Electric, JII, Royce Craft Baskets and Pretty Products, to name a few. Our 9.1 percent unemployment rate is higher than the Ohio rate of 7.2 percent and well above the national average of 6.1 percent.

So if you focus on the key issues of jobs, jobs and jobs, only one candidate offers a forward-thinking plan for the future. That is why four of the Tribune's five editorial board members urge you to support Barack Obama for president of the United States.
Obama's detailed proposals offer a better alternative for virtually everyone in Coshocton County. His plan would cut taxes for all but the wealthiest individuals. He understands the urgent need for health care we can afford, and our nation's desire to end our unnecessary foray into Iraq.

Most important, Obama maintains the calm temperament needed during a time of crisis. He is a clear thinker who knows how to get his points across.

Buckeyes agree--Ohio needs Barack Obama. So let's get out the vote. Now.

Hunters in Rural Ohio Stand Up for Barack

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:07:47 EST

There have been many misperceptions about Barack's stance on gun rights, straying from his spoken commitment to the Second Amendment.

Fortunately he has some well-known hunters and shooters on his side. Recently supporter and American Hunters and Shooters Association President (and former NFL player) Ray Schoenke campaigned for Barack in Gallipolis and the Jackson County Headquarters.

In a letter to the editor in the Mansfield News Journal, a hunter/supporter directly addresses the gun issue:

In my opinion Barack Obama is the wise choice for president.
I am an avid firearms person and love to hunt. I have belonged to the National Rifle Association and other organizations and have voted Republican in the past on this issue alone. I really believe this has become a fear issue with the electorate and is being fostered by the Republican Party along with the NRA. Just remember that whenever a firearm controversy raises its ugly head, the membership roles of the NRA expand, so it is in their interests to foster these issues.
It has taken the Europeans centuries to realize you have to keep religion and politics separate. This was one of the greatest tenets our founding fathers put in place for us.
If you think the rest of the world is not paying attention to nor has a stake in the outcome of our election you better pay attention. Through modern times our presidents have cloaked themselves with the mantle of leader of the free world. If you don't believe they are paying attention, then why did 200,000 Europeans listen to one speech of Senator Obama's?
This election is not about or for me; it is about my children and grandchildren. If we continue down this same path there will be absolutely no future for any of them.

On other issues important to rural Ohioans, Barack has proven himself to be light years ahead of his opposition, with strong support of the farm bill, advocacy for corn-based ethanol energy, and interest in investing in infrastructure and rural education. As this article recounts, Barack's friends from fellow corn state Illinois, including state Senator John Sullivan and former Illinois USDA executive Stephen Scates.

("Barns for Obama" like this one, written about in the Toledo Blade here, attest to Barack's visible support in rural areas).

Other issues like these, argues one Ironton man in the letter to the editor here, should also claim importance amongst Second Amendment voters:

If you are an avid hunter and target shooter like me, you should be relieved to know that neither presidential candidate wants to take away your right to enjoy your sport.

Obama and McCain both support the Second Amendment, which gives each of us the right to bear arms. Obama and McCain both have voted against a number of restrictive gun provisions, including the right of the federal government to confiscate firearms during emergencies.

What is interesting is that both candidates have also drawn the ire of the NRA for their support of criminal background checks for purchasers at large gun shows.

However, there are other positions that the candidates have taken that may be important in helping sportsmen decide how to vote this November.

McCain has voted against the Conservation Reserve Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program (Obama co-sponsored) that are strongly supported by Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.

To my fellow Ohio Sportsmen, the good news is that both Obama and McCain will protect our right to enjoy our sport, so there is not much to choose between on this issue. On the other hand, there are a great number of very important non-sportsman issues, which will decide what kind of world, and country future generations will live in.

There are big differences between the candidates, it just does not have to do with guns.

Are you a hunter who supports Barack? Let us know in the comments section below.

The Ohio Ground Game Dominates: Canvassing for Change in the Buckeye State

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:48:47 EST

Canvassing is the meat and potatoes of the field effort here, and in that regard the Ohio Campaign for Change has created an incredible machine. Built by Neighborhood Team Leaders, operated by teams, this movement is almost totally run by volunteers. They take responsibility, and they get the job done.

And often "the job" means knocking on a lot of doors. Like a whole lot of doors. Like more than 385,000 doors in one weekend. Ohio took on the Obama field staff in Pennsylvania and avenged the Buckeyes' football loss by besting them by 7000 doors. Other statistics from that week include:

691,858 - Phone calls placed to fellow Ohioans by volunteers across the state last week
463,958 - Number of doors knocked last week
385,684 - Number of doors knocked last weekend
9,712 - Number of volunteers knocking doors last weekend to help beat Pennsylvania

Much of that ground firepower comes from setting up shop in areas that have never seen a field force from a Democratic candidate, ever--like in Dover, where a supporter created her own unstealable version of a yard sign

Unsurprisingly, the press has taken notice of the Campaign for Change's serious ground game advantage. Here is just some of the coverage from over the last couple months, regarding the field effort. Click the link to be taken to the article:

And finally, a recent article from the Los Angeles Times:

Reporting from Delaware, Ohio — John McCain has targeted this wealthy area just north of Columbus as one of 15 counties in Ohio where he needs to drive up his vote tally if he is to beat Barack Obama on Tuesday in this must-win state.

But on Friday night, only nine volunteers manned the 24 phones in the McCain campaign office. The phone bank began operating on a daily basis just two weeks ago. And only five people have shown up on most weekdays since then to canvas local neighborhoods.
Obama's campaign, in contrast, has flooded this Republican bastion with volunteers. Some canvassers first hit the winding streets of nearby subdivisions in March during the Democratic primary, and they have worked almost nonstop ever since in search of supporters.

Ohio is a battleground in the presidential race, and here's the view on the front line: McCain's get-out-the-vote operation has struggled to build momentum, and it appears outgunned by Obama's.

This time, the Democrats have shifted strategies -- and may have the upper hand.

Learning from the Bush effort, Obama has taken his fight directly into suburban and rural GOP strongholds in an effort to curb McCain's potential margins. Obama has 82 offices in the state, nearly twice as many as McCain. Labor unions are backing his effort with more than 12,000 volunteers.

"McCain does not have the kind of ground organization that Obama has, not even close," said Nancy Martorano, associate professor of political science at the University of Dayton.

"I've never seen anything like the Obama ground game," agreed Paul Beck, professor of political science at Ohio State University in Columbus. "It is light-years ahead of what the Democrats did four years ago."

It's not too late to get in on the action. Help get out the vote tomorrow. It's your very last chance to get involved.

All Walks of Life: Supporters in Ohio

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:02:06 EST

This election will be an extra special one for Barack supporter Suzanne McDaniel Hayes. Not only because Barack is a special kind of candidate, but also because Suzanne has cancer, and might not make it to next November.

TheStory.org has a profile of her on their site, which begins like this:

Suzanne McDaniel Hayes has always been a committed voter, but this year she is more determined than ever to vote. Suzanne is terminally ill with cancer, but she's hoping to live long enough to cast her ballot for the last time in her life. As she tells Dick, she's trying to set an example for her three children. She intends to go to the poll with her son, who will be voting for the first time.

Click HERE for the full story - just scroll down to "October 3rd."

Some people base their support in enthusiasm for the Vice Presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden--check out what a few volunteers cooked up for the Vice Presidential debate a couple weeks ago:

Some Ohioans have specific policy concerns: this well known Columbus blogger declares on his blog The Walker Evans Effect that he's supporting Barack because of his urban policy.

And then there are the not-quite-supporters. When Barack recently went on a five-city tour of Ohio, he stopped between Cincinnati and Portsmouth at a diner in Georgetown. He had a funny encounter with the self-declared die-hard Republican owner of the diner... Barack may or may not have won him over, but as the following article from the Dayton Daily News makes clear, he's certainly benefitting from his diner's newfound fame:

Don't tell restaurant owner Bill Seip that Democrat Barack Obama is bad for business.

Seip knows better.

It's been more than a week since Obama made his surprise stop at Seip's Fireside Restaurant in Georgetown on Thursday, Oct. 9, and folks in the Brown County village still are buzzing about it, said Seip.

The last presidential campaign visit came from William Jennings Bryan in the early 1900s, said Seip.

Ulysses S. Grant, the great Union Civil War general and the first Ohio-born president, moved with his family to Georgetown soon after his birth in Point Pleasant in nearby Clermont County in 1822 but nobody way back then knew Grant was headed for the White House.

At the Fireside, Obama ordered up a "Big O" burger — a double cheeseburger – and coconut cream pie to go. Gov. Ted Strickland, Obama's traveling companion and guide through Ohio's Appalachian region, had lemon pie.

The day after Obama's stop, Seip made the "Big O" the daily special and dubbed it the "Obama Burger."

"I liked the guy myself," Seip, 46, said of Obama. "He was really down to earth. The way he took care of everybody. He was a nice guy."

Why are you a supporter? Do you have a special story? Let us know in the comments section below.

A Look Back at Life in the Field

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:10:31 EST

With the Ohio Campaign for Change's sprawling and aggressive ground efforts, volunteers have been engaged for months now in every single part of Ohio. In terms of their activities, they've done everything you'd expect from a campaign, and much much more. Sure there's been canvassing, phonebanking, and data entry, but there have also been house meetings, debate watch parties, birthday pot lucks, booths at festivals--too much to name. Here is a look at some moments from all the activity in the field over the last five months.

Back in September, Field Organizer Liz, in Port Clinton, held a very special house meeting... on an island!

John Donne's observation that "no man is an island" was the theme of last week's Obama house meeting on, well, an island. Marty and Kelly, longtime residents of Put-in-Bay, rounded up a dozen of their friends to talk about how high the stakes are in this election. Every vote in every precinct of Ohio -- including the hundreds that will be cast for Barack and Joe at polling places in the middle of Lake Erie -- will make the difference this year.

In Marion, a debate watch party did its job--drew an undecided into the fold. Field Organizer Hannah snapped a picture:

Anderson Township, in Cincinnati, is known as a historically conservative area. Which is exactly why volunteers held neighborhood meetings there, so that Obama supporters would know they're not alone! Local team leader Vanessa writes a moving account of the Anderson Township meeting--where everyone seemed to be shocked by the turnout:

I have been campaigning in this little conservative village for some time now. People are very reserved and do not like to talk about politics. And I'm just witnessing the power of Obama message. People are tired of war, are tired of unaffordable health care or schools not up to the level of the global economy. But they have also find a leader who gives them hope that things can be improved if we just work hard. And people are demonstrating their desire for a better country that goes beyond their personal interest. We had about 50 people convening at the Anderson Center to learn about the campaign and its grassroots effort, and to share their extraordinary and ordinary stories. I myself learned form my parents and relatives, who lived the end of World War II, how horrible is the war from their stories. I moved from Italy, where I grew up, to Japan and now I have been leaving in Cincinnati for 7 years. I was never in favor of the war in Iraq since the beginning. I would like my daughters to grow in a world as peaceful as possible. Another lady at the meeting told us her story about her childhood in Korea during Korean War and Vietnam War, and described them as an horrible experience, and she wish other people don't suffer as she and her family did. Unaffordable health care and schools that are not able to prepare future generation to compete in the global economy were also some of the reasons Anderson residents are choosing Obama as their next President of the United States. The meeting was a very energizing experience and I'll keep working with those new friends to elect Barack Obama our next President of Unites States.

Finally, Courtney has this heartwarming story from canvassing last weekend:

TaLisa and I canvassed Ward 4 today, a very economically depressed area of Columbus. Several voters that we spoke to felt that their vote would not count even though they were registered.
Amidst all this, there two young boys that were playing football with an empty Gatorade bottle across the street from our targeted doors.

These two boys, in the third and fourth grade, helped direct us to which doors were occupied. After several not-homes, we stopped to talk to them and asked if they knew Barack Obama. The fourth grader did, but the third grader did not. We gave them literature and told them to take it to their parents…
And they sat down on the sidewalk where they were playing and began reading it out loud to one another and expressed they were excited about taking it with them to school.

Do you have a story from volunteering? What kind of Obama activity has gone on in your area in the last five months? Let us know in the comment section below.

And it's not too late to make some memories in these last days of the campaign. Sign up to get out the vote right now.

Call Ohio Now!

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:07:06 EST

Are you not from Ohio and want to help the state go blue? ARE from Ohio and want to reach some fellow Buckeyes so you can be proud on Election Night? Then call Ohio voters now! Just click the button below:

Reaching out to still undecided voters one of the best things you can do right now, during this get-out-the-vote effort. Many of the people you call will already be supporters--they just need a reminder to go and vote! If you click the button above, you'll get directions and a list of people to call--the campaign makes everything very easy and unintimidating for you.

This movement has always been about neighbors talking to neighbors about what they see in Barack Obama, and it's going to end that way too--right now hundreds of thousands of people across the United States are organizing and going door to door and calling voters. Now is your final chance to get involved. Don't let this moment pass you by.

Call Ohio now. It's waiting to hear from you.

A Picture of a Movement: Profiles of Ohio Volunteers

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:18:46 EST

Right now, tens of thousands of volunteers are getting out the vote for Barack Obama, in this final stage of the Election. Their work is crucial--now more than ever--so in honor of them, the Ohio Campaign for Change takes a look at some of the people who make this campaign the powerhouse that it is.

Marion is practically a celebrity in the world of Obama volunteers. She recently had a whole article written about her and her dedication to volunteering in the Dayton Daily News, entitled "Fairborn Grandmother Hits the Streets for Obama." Hers is a special story--she got involved in the campaign shortly after her husband Lanny died from cancer, after losing his job and being left without health insurance. She's featured in two YouTube videos hugging Barack at rallies in the Dayton area, but more importantly, she makes an appearance as a Neighborhood Team Leader in this video from the campaign. She's the one who makes the joke about the conservative politics of Greene County, where she lives:

(It's not too late to be a leader in your neighborhood-- sign up to get out the vote right now).

Many an Ohio Field Organizer sings the praises of his or her best volunteers. Here's some appreciation from Tommy:

Sherill, one of my NTL's, tore something in her foot (doctors think it might be a stressed ligament or something) while canvassing earlier this week. That shift she got something like 85 doors. When she called me this evening, I was expecting her to cancel her shift tomorrow to go door to door, but instead she called to tell me that if she wrapped her foot in an Ace bandage and wore the right shoes, she could walk on the foot. She said that we only had a few days until the election and that she didn’t have time to not be on the doors. And so, with a wrapped foot, she’s going to lead a canvass tomorrow of 12 volunteers. Not a story from today’s work, but worth noting nonetheless.

Here's a picture of Mr. Hanna--as his Field Organizer Seth describes him: "86 years old, fired up and making calls."

Richard in Scioto County recounts a day of activity amongst his volunteers:

Volunteers traveled out to the home of Christina, our Western Scioto Neighborhood Team Leader who already had their maps, clipboards and sign-in sheets prepared. Christina gave an inspiring training, explaining to the students why she supports Obama and then allowing them to share as well. They knocked on doors, and found a stray dog that they promptly named “Scioto.” They took the dog and themselves out to the Scioto County Sorghum Festival, where they helped us sign up supporters at the Democratic Party booth. They and their new dog “Scioto” are now sitting fat and happy, bellies full of sorghum molasses, making phone calls here in the office.

And finally, Graham in Lawrence County swears by his tough guy volunteer, Sparky:

Sparky -- Charles if you look him up in the voter file -- is seen here posing in front of his truck, with the Lawrence County Democratic Headquarters and the Lawrence County Courthouse in the backdrop. Sparky makes sure that everyone in Lawrence County is properly registered to vote and makes sure that people are voting for Sen. Obama. Sparky doesn't understand how we are spending ten BILLION dollars each month in Iraq paving roads, building hospitals, and improving infrastructure in Iraq when there is no hospital in Lawrence County and people worry when they drive over the Ironton-Russell bridge because of its dilapidated condition. Sparky doesn't understand why the people in the upper echelons of society are relishing in the Bush tax cuts when people who depend on fixed incomes are spending a large fraction of it on soaring health care costs. Sparky doesn't understand these things because it is hard to understand that these things are happening in America. What Sparky does understand is that in America, we can do better. Sparky works everyday telling people he talks to in Lawrence County that in order for us to do better as a nation, they need to vote for Sen. Obama and that Sen. Obama is not going to take away his guns. Sparky knows that Sen. Obama is a supporter of the 2nd Amendment as he is. That is why he has two GUN OWNER for Obama stickers on his truck.

Are you a volunteer--a part of the backbone of this campaign? Give us your story in the comments section below.

Last Chance to Vote Early!

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:38:42 EST

All sources are saying there is going to be a historically humungous turnout on Tuesday. But more than a million people in Ohio have gotten the job done already by voting early. (Now they can devote their time on Election Day to getting out the vote!)

(Above cartoon is from the Kenyon Collegian)

Here are some stories from a few excited early voters:

Robyn from Fairborn: The highlight of this experience was seeing all of the young people who showed up to vote. I'm only 30 years old, however, I rarely see young people voting when I arrive at the polls. This has certainly been a moving experience.

Kollin from Columbus: I was very encouraged to see tons of enthusiastic Barack Obama supporters out in front of the veterans building where I voted. I brought my brother along and made him vote as well. Because I was so impressed with how easy it was to vote, I made calls to all my family and friends to go out and vote as well, I even figured out early vote locations and got them directions to these locations. I'm excited about our chances here in Ohio.

Jared in South Zanesville: I was so proud to be able to walk in and cast my vote for Senators Obama & Biden (along with a host of other Democrats in state and local offices). I am too young to have taken part in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, but I could not help but think I was doing something important to advance civil rights, end poverty, improve health care, expand civil liberties and make America economically strong again. I actually sat there for a moment after filling out my ballot just to be present in the moment. I then went to the local Obama headquarters and made phone calls to undecided voters for 3 hours!!!!!!

Make the pledge to vote early. Or just find your early vote location using the tool below:

Hungry for change? Why wait?

Bruce and Barack Share the Stage in Cleveland

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:21:06 EST

Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama held a rally in Cleveland tonight. Bruce played, Barack spoke, both their families were there, and so were 80,000 other people. As Barack got to the conclusion of his speech--which was simultaneously a closing argument for change, and a call to push ahead for the final two days--it began to rain.

Words (and even pictures, really) do not do it justice. But you can get an idea of the moment by watching this video, which captures the same speech, as well as the sense of urgency and historic weight that was in the air:

More than anything, Barack's message was about the country coming together to solve its problems. It was about how America belongs to everyone--no one is more or less American than anyone else. Fittingly, just a few minutes before, Bruce had played the Woodie Guthrie classic "This Land is Your Land." You can take a listen to the performance right here:

Between songs, Bruce told the crowd what Barack Obama, and this moment in our history as a country, means to him and his music. Although long, it is one of the best and most powerful articulations of the importance of this moment as you will ever hear.

I've spent 35 years writing about America and its people--what does it mean to be an American, what's our duties and our responsibilities, what are our reasonable expectations when we live in a free society. I really never saw myself as partisan but more as an advocate for a set of ideas: economic and social justice, America as a positive influence around the world, truth, transparency, and integrity in government, the right of every American to have a job, a living wage, to be educated in a decent school, and to a life filled with the dignity of work, promise and the sancitity of home. These are the things that make a life. These are the things that build and define a society. I think that these are the things we think of on the deepest level when we think about our freedoms. But today those freedoms have been damaged and curtailed by 8 years of a thoughtless, reckless, and morally adrift administration. But we're at the crossroads today.
I've spent most of my life as a musician measuring the distance in my music between the American Dream and the American reality. I look around today and for many Americans who are losing their jobs or their homes or seeing their retirement funds disappear or their health care, or have been abandoned in their inner cities, the distance between that dream and that reality has grown greater and more painful than ever. I believe that Senator Obama has taken the measure of that distance in his own life and in his own work. And I believe that he understands in his heart the cost of that distance in blood and in suffering in the lives of everyday Americans. And I believe as President he'll work to bring that promise back to life and into the lives of so many of our fellow Americans who have justifiably lost faith in its meaning.
Now, in my job I travel around the world and I occasionally play to big stadiums or crowds like this, just like Senator Obama does. And I continue to find out that where ever I go, America remains a repository for people's hopes, their desires; it remains a house of dreams. And a thousand George Bushes and a thousand Dick Cheneys will never be able to tear that house down. That's something that only we can do, and we're not going to let that happen. This administration will be leaving office--that's the good news. The bad news is they're going to be dumping in our laps the national tragedies of Katrina, Iraq, and our financial crisis. Our house of dreams has been abused, it's been looted, and it's been left in a terrible state of disrepair. It needs defending against those who would sell it down the river for power, for influence, or a quick buck. It needs strong arms, strong hearts, strong minds. We need someone with Senator Obama's understanding, his temperateness, his deliberativeness, his maturity, his pragmatism, his toughness, and his faith.
But most of all it needs us. It needs you and it needs me, and he's gonna need us. 'Cause all that a nation has that keeps it from coming apart is the social contract between us, between its citizens. And whatever grace God has decided to impart to us, it resides in us, it resides in our connection with one another. In honoring the life and the hopes and the dreams of the man or the woman up the street or across town--that's where we make our small claim upon heaven.
Now in recent years, that social contract's been shredded. Look around today and you can see it shredding before our eyes. But tonight and today we are at the crossroads. We are at the crossroads, and it's been a long long long time coming.
I'm honored to be here on the same stage as Senator Obama. From the beginning, there's been something in Senator Obama that's called upon our better angels, and i suspect it's because he's had a life where he's had to so often call upon his better angels. And we're going to need all the angels we can get on the hard road ahead. So Senator Obama, help us rebuild our house, big enough for the dreams from all our citizens. 'Cause how well we accomplish this task will tell us just what it does mean to be an American in the new century, what the stakes are, and what it means to live in a free society.
So I don't know about you, but I know I want my country back, I want my dream back, I want my America back. Now is the time to stand with Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, roll up our sleeves, and come on up for the rising.

It's Time to Have The Talk

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:16:48 EST

As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, a recent poll found that 8% of Americans are still undecided about who to vote for.

Do you know who your parents are voting for? Your grandparents? Could they be some of those undecided voters? Maybe they're leaning the other way. This election means a lot to you--perhaps more than they know. That's why it's time to have The Talk. Take it from Natalie Portman. She filmed this message when she was in Cincinnati visiting her own grandmother (one of her parents is from Cincinnati, and actually went to the Ohio State University!)

If you click HERE to go to the The Talk page, you'll find:

ideas for how to get the conversation started
quick, easy-to-read versions of Barack's policies, and reasons you might support him that you ca communicate simply to your family
an introductory video
"Do's and Don'ts" for your conversation

Even if it seems like it might be uncomfortable or something you don't often talk about with your parents, this election is too important to avoid having this crucial conversation.

You can also use our Undecided Resources page, or show your parents the Ohio Campaign for Change video library, which captures on video a lot of the excitement and energy behind Barack's movement.

**Have you talked to your parents or grandparents about Barack? Let us know in the comments section below.

What Tax Cut Would You Get?

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:47:31 EST

Despite the concrete fact that 95% of Americans would have their income tax cut under an Obama administration, there are still a lot of misperceptions out there about Barack's tax plan. Fortunately the campaign has created a website, http://taxcut.barackobama.com, where anyone can plug in their own income and get the truth about what kind of tax break they would get with Barack.

Recently, supporter Ed O'Neill, better known as Al Bundy from "Married with Children," was back in his hometown of Youngstown, to campaign for Barack. While there, he brought Al back to figure out what TV's favorite shoe salesman's tax cut would be under an Obama administration:

Also on taxcut.barackobama.com, you can:

read the full Obama tax plan
compare Barack's and John McCain's tax policy
have your questions answered about taxes on small businesses - to straighten out all the "Joe the Plumber" spin out there
share the tax calculator with your friends and family
and even download the calculator and put it on your own website!

Get the truth about your savings with Obama. Go to taxcut.barackobama.com, and invite your undecided friends to do the same!

It's Time to Get Out the Vote

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 08:56:05 EST

For a volunteer, sometimes canvassing and making phone calls can feel like a strange endeavor. Sometimes people have already made up their minds, or they're undecided but don't want to talk about politics. Why try to talk to people who might rather be left alone?

Because it all leads up to now. Because some people were undecided and curious; they just wanted to hear what someone else had to say. Because that conversation can plant a seed in someone's head. Because now the campaign knows who is on board and who isn't, and it's just a matter of getting out the vote. All the voters Barack needs have been identified--now it's just a matter of getting them to the polls. This video breaks down what Get-Out-the-Vote is all about, and how important it is:

Never been involved before? "Get out the vote" sound like something different or intimidating? Get-out-the-vote is actually even simpler than normal volunteering. All you have to do is remind people to vote! And make sure they have a way to the polls, and encourage them to vote early! As I said before, there's not much convincing--these voters have been identified as Barack supporters. Click HERE to sign up to help out in the last couple days.

Reminding voters, and driving from the office to the polls, and providing food and drink for other volunteers doesn't sound too hard, does it? Sign up now. Maybe you'll be treated to some Get-out-the-vote cookies, like these ones in the Mansfield office!

Do you want to say you were around when history happened? Or do you want to say you were a part of history?

So Long, October; Hello, Mr. November

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:19:25 EDT

Halloween has passed, so October is over! Which means America is just three days away from electing a new President, and hopefully realizing this incredible movement with an Obama White House.

And like all of the last few months, October was full of Obama activity appropriate for the season. A perfect example is the website www.yeswecarve.com, with multiple Barack O'Lanterns on display for Halloween.

Ohio has its own fall customs too, and Barack supporters made sure to infuse their love of the candidate with these traditions. Doug, from the Rural Team, has a report from the Pumpkin Show in Circleville:

One of Central Ohio’s biggest festivals of the year, the Circleville Pumpkin Show enjoyed some great weather and tens of thousands of people. I saw about 15 city blocks packed with people enjoying food, crafts, rides, parades, and bands. The “Greatest Free Show on Earth” awarded first place to the largest pumpkin (over 1300 pounds) and featured every imaginable type of pumpkin fare.
I sampled pumpkin burgers, pumpkin cheese cake, pumpkin cannoli, and, of course, pumpkin pie. Beyond the enthusiasm for the orange, I saw some great enthusiasm for Obama. This young family proudly sports their Obama stickers.
And finally, the Obama pumpkin at the Pickaway Dem booth, that smartly wears a stocking cap to meet the October chill.

Lastly, a couple weeks ago, after the Toledo area knocked an unprecedented 28,883 doors, local Field Organizer Liz carved her own Barack O'Lantern in celebration:

And with all this energy and enthusiasm, plus everyone helping to get out the vote, in a couple days this amazing campaign will prove Barack Obama to be Mr. November--no longer Senator, but President-elect!

Do your part. Get out the vote.

Joe the Senator and Jill the Doctor Rock the House in Marion

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:42:53 EDT

Marion-Harding High School has had thousands of Presidents roam its halls (the school mascot is the President); but today they welcomed the man who many hope to be the Vice President, and his wife. Those in the gymnasium were fired up and anxious to see Senator Joe and Dr. Jill Biden.

They were preceded by a local volunteer, who talked about how her simple request for a yard sign had turned into a months-long commitment to Barack's movement. When she asked how many in the crowd were also volunteers, a good half of those in attendance raised their hands. She invited everyone present to "join our army" of volunteers, who these days are busy reminding people of where to vote, when to vote, and how to vote.

Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher also made an appearance, using his own story about how he won his position by a mere 1,234 votes (less than 1 vote per precinct) in 2006 to reiterate how no one should take any votes for granted, no matter what the polls say (Senator John Kerry lost Ohio by only 9 votes per precinct).

A few minutes later, Dr. Jill took the stage, and talked about her relationship with her husband, and the kind of man he is. She talked about how both of them know the struggles families go through, how both of them worked as teenagers to pay their way through college.

And then with the roar of the crowd behind him, Joe got on the mike. He captured the audience's attention by varying between an almost whispered tone, and one of shouted encouragement. He talked about he and Jill's background, but more than anything he talked about the future.

Good policies aren't enough. We need to put the past behind us, and come together as one country.

He related this to the strategy of the other side, which, as he said, continues to "beat the drum of our differences," in the absence of solutions to the real problems that face us.

They've called Barack every name in the book. But if you choose hope over fear, if you talk to your friends and neighbors, then in the next three days, we'll all call Barack a different name: Mr. President.

He closed by firing up the crowd more than this blogger has ever seen at any other event... ever. He laid out how bad the scene was for Ohio working families, but then, using his dad's words of encouragement for when he would get knocked down as a kid, he told Ohio to "GET UP. GET UP, OHIO!" And get up they did.

Get up, Ohio. Get out the vote, win Barack the presidency, and get Ohio back on the path to prosperity.

Yes we can.

Kids for Obama Committee: Elijah Lutz, President

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:27:36 EDT

From Field Organizer Graham, in Lawrence County:

A lot of times people say that they can't come in to help because they've got kids. Elijah Lutz has solved this dilemma by forming the Kids for Obama Committee. Even though he can't vote, Elijah knows that electing Senator Obama is important to his future. The Lawrence County Office's walls are filled with Kids for Obama Committee posters, our yard sign assembly line consists of members of the Committee and Eli has submitted the following statement:
"My Name is Eli Lutz and I am the Chairman of the Ironton Kids for Obama Committee. For eight years, we have faced many hard situations such as high taxes, too expensive health care, and leaving kids behind in education. You see, Obama has a plan for affordable health care, tax breaks for lower class citizens, and a great funding plan for education. I started this committee thinking that kids who want to help on election day who can't vote be able to help out the campaign in their own way. By spreading the word of our future, we can help get Barack Obama made the Fourty-Fourth President of the United States of America and stop a third term with Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin. Vote Obama for President, it's for our future.
Elijah L. Lutz"

Do you know a kid for Obama? Let us know in the comments section below!

8% of the Country is Still Undecided

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:03:59 EDT

A recent ABC News poll found that 8% of Americans are still undecided about who they are going to vote for. This has been a strong campaign, but 8 percent is a considerable amount.

Do you know someone who is undecided? Much of the Ohio homepage and the blog has concentrated on the supporters and volunteers that make this movement amazing. But many people still have not made up their minds, and the campaign wants to provide them with all the resources and information about Barack that they need to make a decision. So the Ohio Campaign for Change has created an Undecided Voter Resource page, where Undecided Ohio voters can get what they need to make an informed decision about Barack, and where supporters can easily send their undecided friends all that they should read, watch, and hear about Barack and Ohio.

The site features this video: "Four Reasons Ohio Needs Barack"

In addition to this video, the site includes

short versions of Barack's policies on the issues important to Ohio
more videos and the Ohio Campaign for Change podcast
blog posts that underscore why people support Barack
a button that makes it quick and easy to send the undecided resource page to all your undecided friends!

Of course, the best way to reach out to undecided voters is to volunteer to contact voters in your neighborhood. You can help the get out the vote effort by signing up here, or visit your local field office, or contact your neighbors on your own time with the Neighbor2Neighbor tool.

3 days left.

Barack: Right on Policies for Ohio

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:13:22 EDT

In an election season, the big philosophical or ideological differences between the candidates are discussed frequently. We know the difference between Barack and Senator McCain on the big issues: the War, Health Care, and the Economy, for example. But rarely are the smaller policy differences put forth--in the specific but nonetheless important areas.

For example, this article from ZDNet clearly and succinctly outlines and grades the differences on tech policy:

Broadband Access: Barack rates better than McCain
Green Technology: Barack rates better than McCain
Net Neutrality: Barack rates better than McCain
Airwaves Spectrum: Barack rates even with McCain

This is especially important in Ohio, where top-rate schools provide huge potential for technology development.

Also, Barack has shown that sound policies draw support where you least expect it: this radio story from statenews.org details how many Republican farmers are drawn to Barack because of his support for Ethanol. Ohio is a corn-growing state, and in fact, as their site details, the American Corn Growers Association endorsed Barack in August.

Finally, a recent article in the Columbus Dispatch gives a glimpse into how many Ohio veterans are left behind--more so than in the rest of the States:

By some measures, Ohio is one of the worst places in the country to be a disabled veteran.
They average $8,090 per year in disability compensation; the average in New Mexico, one of the best states for disabled veterans, is $12,891.

Ohio's disabled veterans ranked next to last in average compensation in 2006, the most recent year for which statistics are available. Only Indiana veterans received less money.

In 2005, Ohio ranked last.
The state of Ohio has its own problems. Applying for disability compensation is so complicated that most veterans can't do it by themselves. All over the country, they rely on service officers funded by the state or county, or on service officers from veterans groups to help them.

Ohio has no way of tracking how good the officers are. No state employee regularly interacts with the Cleveland office, helping to guide claims through the process or receiving feedback on how to better submit those claims. More-successful states do.

Barack, much more so than his opponent, actually has policies that directly address what these Ohio veterans go through. And one of them, Ben, in Lancaster, knows it:

Jeff Fields’ assertion that John McCain has not been a friend to veterans during his time in the Senate is absolutely correct.
Every year between 2004 and 2007, McCain voted against a Republican-proposed Veterans Administration health-care bill for troops coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 2008, he did not vote at all on the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act, yet spoke out against it. This bill was a bipartisan effort by Sens. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and would have paid a veteran’s tuition rather than only some of it, as the GI Bill does today.
McCain loves to espouse that he has been awarded a perfect voting record by veterans groups. In 2008, the Disabled American Veterans gave McCain a 20 percent rating out of 100 percent. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a D rating. The Vietnam Veterans of America have McCain down for nine votes with them, 15 votes against them.

In contrast, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has an 80 percent rating from the DAV and a B-plus from the IAVA.

(Click HERE to join Ohio Veterans for Obama)

Barack's platform is so right for Ohio, he even has a policy specific to restoring the Great Lakes!

What policies are important to you? Let us know in the comments section below!

What's Right for Ohio

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:48:36 EDT

The Ohio Democratic Party recently released a truly stunning advertisement that puts a visual on how eight years of failed Republican economic policies have wreaked havoc on Ohio workers and families. The facts are the following--under the Bush administration, Ohio has suffered:

1087 factories and companies shutting down
180,264 lost jobs

Those numbers are a bit hard to grasp, until you see the ad:

In addition, the helpful website www.McCainvsOhio.com is chock full of resources that detail how Senator McCain stands on the wrong side of the issues most important to Ohio, including:

The site features many videos, and the ability to write a letter to the editor.

Enraged by this ad and what you see on the website? Like this Toledo woman, are you wondering how someone who owns seven homes can be in touch with the struggles of normal Ohioans? You can write a letter through Barack's website too, on any number of issues that are important to you. Just click the button below.

Michelle Obama Rallies and Makes Phone Calls for Change in Columbus and Akron!

Michael in Ohio — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:52:31 EDT

Sad circumstances may have brought Michelle Obama to the Buckeye State today (she was filling in for Barack, who is visiting his ailing grandmother in Hawaii), but for the people in Ohio it was nothing but an absolute pleasure to see the woman they hope will be the next First Lady.

At rallies in Columbus and Akron, crowds packed gyms to hear her speak about who her husband is, and why this is so important. She had special guests at each, with Senator Sherrod Brown on hand in Columbus, and actress Jurnee Smollett amongst the crowd in Akron. There, local volunteer Gail took the stage to introduce Michelle. Gail spoke about how she had lost her job, and became a victim of predatory lending, to the point where her home was foreclosed. She nearly teared up as she talked about how it is to drive by the old family home now. But she fervently urged the crowd to get involved volunteering, and to cast their vote early.

I hate politics. This is the first time in my life that I've ever been involved whatsoever...
I do whatever I can do. Because when you don't have a job... you have a lot of time!
I have voted early, and I brought my mother. If you're wondering if voting early is complicated--trust me, it's not!

Here are some pictures from the events:

At her rallies, Michelle talked about Barack as only she could. In her own passionate way, she riled the crowd by imparting to them just why her husband is running for president, and exactly what is at stake. Even more than at a Barack rally, she traded jokes and back-and-forth conversations with people in the crowd. At one moment she stopped because something caught her eye. "Ooo, it's an Obama mask! I forgot it was Halloween!"

With Michelle, there is never a shortage of great sound bites, but she was best when talking simply about how...

Barack gets it.
There's something that happens to you when you grow up regular.
Don't we deserve a leader who knows what it's like to carry a little loan debt?

And that is what she drove home: that Barack will work for working people, because it's in him. He knows what it's like to pay off debt, work two jobs, and sacrifice some daily expenses for others when money is tight.

Between events, Michelle made phone calls with volunteers at the Summit County Headquarters, and at the Akron rally she mentioned one woman she had talked to:

This woman had gone blind, her husband had left her, and her son had gone off to war. And she was praying for Barack's grandmother. That's America.

Michelle also did a stellar job of making everyone in the crowd feel the importance of doing their part--volunteering, and voting early. Not only did they hear her, but they were fired up and ready to do it. As she said:

Barack can bring us 85% of the way there. But it's on us--we have to provide the last 15%.
Don't wait until Election Day to vote! You might have a flat tire! You might not have gas!

Do your part.

Volunteer in these last 11 days.

And vote early.

Focus on: Ohio People of Faith for Obama

Michael in Ohio — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:00:42 EDT

Millions of people of faith have found hope and promise in Barack's candidacy. Mandy, of Chillicothe, is just one of those people. She wrote this letter to the editor in the Chillicothe Gazette, which clearly and beautifully articulates why she as a person of faith supports Barack:

OBAMA CAN PROVIDE WHAT WE PRAY FOR

As a Christian and a member of this community, I would like to publicly show my support for Barack Obama.
My answer to why Obama is the clear choice if very simple. God does many works through man, I'm sure most of you will agree. We pray daily for the poor, the homeless, and the ones who go without health care and who have lost their jobs. We pray for their suffering to end and for God to lead them from their troubles into a time of prosperity.
God answers prayers, but it's not always the answer we were expecting.
Obama has a means to an end for so many of the things that we pray for. Many times there are mountains that we must climb before we can achieve what God has prepared for us. I truly believe that this campaign is just one of those mountains.
It is refreshing to see a Democrat like Barack Obama embrace his Christian faith and talk about how it inspires his commitment to public service. Like Gov. Ted Strickland, he understands we are all our brother's keeper. We cannot be a great nation if we do not look out for the least fortunate among us.
But he also recognizes that we must demand that all Americans take responsibility for themselves and their families. It's nice to hear a politician talking about turning off the TV and reading to our children.
I think Obama has it right, and he's earned my support.

Is faith important to you? Does your belief system play a role in your support for Barack? Whether it does or it doesn't, people of faith in Ohio and across the country play a huge role in Barack's campaign. You can take your support to the next level.

Click HERE join Ohio People of Faith for Obama today.

At the sign up page, you have resources at your fingertips, including this video of Barack in Zanesville, in which he outlines his support for faith-based groups:

On the page you can also:

Read Barack's Faith Principles
Read Barack's renowned Call to Renewal Speech
Check out other faith resources, like one-pager and two-pagers for Catholics.

Join Ohio People of Faith for Obama right now.

Are you an Ohio person of faith for Obama? Let us know in the comments section below.

Call to Action: Stop McCain's Shameless Robo-Calls

Michael in Ohio — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:43:03 EDT

As you may have heard, the McCain campaign is showering Ohio with shamelessly negative robo-calls that make false attacks against Barack Obama, on various fronts. This is a desperate attempt for the opposition to frighten voters into voting against Senator Obama. The video below contains an actual recording of one of these robo-calls--this one attempts to link Barack to the terrorist acts of the Weather Underground forty years ago.

YOU have the power to stop these disgusting tactics, that twist the truth beyond recognition in order to try to take down our candidate. YOU know that Barack has real solutions to the issues that face us, which is what we need right now--not more of the same old cynical, negative politics that have crippled this country in the past.

Take action against these calls. Write a letter to the editor of your local papers and tell John McCain and the Republican National Committee that Ohio won't take these kinds of Karl Rove-ian tactics.

Don't know what you'd say? Haven't heard all the calls? Don't worry, we'll inform you and provide you with talking points. We make it so with just a few clicks you can send to multiple newspapers across the state. Get started right now.

Focus on: Ohio Small Businesses for Obama

Michael in Ohio — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:47:41 EDT

Small businesses form the backbone of the American economy, and Ohio is no exception. In the Buckeye State, small business owners comprise a crucial part of Barack's movement for change. They can do even more by uniting to spread the message of why they, as people involved in small businesses, support Barack.

Watch this video of Barack in Toledo talking about small businesses, then sign up for Ohio Small Businesses for Obama:

Click HERE to join Ohio Small Businesses for Obama today. On the sign-up page, you can:

Read Barack's Plan to Support Small Businesses
Read a Fact Sheet comparing Barack's policies and Senator McCain's
Write a letter to the editor about how Barack is right for small businesses, which you can also do by clicking the button below:

With all the recent attention thrust upon Joe "the Plumber," from Toledo, there are a lot of misperceptions about Barack's tax and small business policies, and this movement is about people coming together to put forward the truth about Barack's plan for change.

Join Ohio Small Businesses for Obama right now.

Special Women's Forum on Cancer tomorrow, featuring CYNTHIA NIXON of "Sex and the City"

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:27:22 EDT

Tomorrow, the Campaign for Change will be hosting a very special women's health event, at the Ohio State University, in Columbus. Please join health care experts as well as star of stage and screen Cynthia Nixon, best known as "Miranda" from "Sex and the City." Below are the details, which you can also access on My.BarackObama.com by clicking HERE:

Women's Health Issues Forum, with SPECIAL GUEST CYNTHIA NIXON - A Close Up on Cancer
Please join us for a discussion of Barack Obama's Plan for a Healthy America as it relates to women's health and cancer, featuring guests:
Charles Shapiro, M.D.
Electra Paskett, PhD.
Rebekah Gee, M.D.
Anna Cluxton, survivor and advocate
Cynthia Nixon, actress and activist.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22nd at 7:00 PM
The Ohio State University
Hitchcock Hall, Room 35
2070 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
RSVP online: http://OH.BarackObama.com/WomensHealthCancerForum

Invite one of your undecided friends! You can RSVP by clicking HERE. Or visit:

http://OH.BarackObama.com/WomensHealthCancerForum

John McCain Votes for Barack Obama. No Joke.

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:27:35 EDT

A funny story from last week in Cincinnati: John McCain voted for Barack Obama. That's right- the local retired electrician took advantage of early voting to cast his ballot for... his namesake's opponent. Cincinnati.com has the full story:

The John McCain in question is a 57-year-old retired industrial electrician from College Hill, not the Republican presidential nominee from Arizona.
McCain, whose name has produced a lot of good-natured ribbing from neighbors and friends during this political year, said he voted for Obama because he’s “the candidate who’s going to bring real change to Washington.

After casting his early vote for Obama at the Hamilton County Board of Elections downtown, McCain explained that he also backed Obama during this year’s primary after initially considering voting for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton.
As to his namesake, McCain said he has been telling anyone who asks: “Don’t vote for me.”

You can vote early just like John McCain. Just click HERE to find your location.

Cleveland, Akron, New Philadelphia and Middletown Newspapers Endorse Barack!

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:39:34 EDT

In what looks like it's becoming a trend, four major Ohio newspapers recently endorsed Barack for President. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer's backing is a boost for the campaign given its huge market, and the Akron Beacon-Journal's support reflects an understanding that Barack will help large sized towns like Akron. But the New Philadelphia Times-Reporter and Middletown/Hamilton Journal's words are especially remarkable, given that they come from typically Republican-voting areas. But in this election, with a candidate whose policies support rural and small town areas, the map is definitely shifting.

It seems people from all over the state are hungry for change. Here is what the Plain-Dealer had to say:

After eight years of George W. Bush, America needs a change in direction and a change in tone.

It needs a president who understands that, yes, the world can be dangerous, but it is also complex. That the United States cannot defend its freedom by abandoning its principles. That it cannot ignore its allies one day and demand their help the next.

It needs a president who knows that optimism, not fear, defines America. That tax cuts and deregulation alone are not an economic strategy. That Washington cannot sit idle when a great city is devastated by nature or when millions of hardworking Americans are devastated by losing their homes, their jobs, their health care.
It needs a president who will listen and learn, and not confuse loyalty with competence. Who will ask Americans to sacrifice in the service of their country, not their party or self-interest. Who will be the leader Bush promised eight years ago -- a unifier, not a divider.

Barack Obama can be that leader.

You can read the full version online HERE. The following is what the Akron Beacon-Journal wrote:

Barack Obama calls for change. So does John McCain. Each has spent the past year or more attempting to define his version.
So, yes, change, by all means, and the candidate who has articulated more clearly and persuasively the course the country should follow is Barack Obama... How solid his campaign has been, the organization, grit and, most important, the direction and themes.
Where does Obama want to take the country? He wants to enhance the investment in education and research, essential to competitiveness in the knowledge economy. If his pledge to reduce the typical premium for health insurance by $2,500 a year is mostly guesswork, his overall plan reflects the pragmatism required to repair a costly and inefficient system of health care. He seeks to add fairness to the tax code, responding to trends in income, wealthier households doing far better, too many Americans experiencing flat paychecks in this decade.

On these and other matters, including energy, the aim is to mobilize better the country's talent and capital, grasping the indispensable role of government, reinforced by the turmoil on Wall Street in recent weeks. In a related way, such a focus on what is most important will drive his selection of federal judges and Supreme Court justices.

The whole endorsement of the Beacon-Journal is available HERE. And here is the New Philadelphia Times-Reporter:

The Times-Reporter believes Democrat Barack Obama is the better candidate to lead the country out of these trying economic times and today gives its endorsement to him over opponent Republican John McCain.
In the past, The Times-Reporter has shied from endorsing Democratic presidential candidates primarily because of their promises of additional entitlement programs that grow government rather than shrink it. But the last eight years have blurred the picture with Republicans spending as wildly as their counterparts across the aisle.
Then there's a host of countries to worry about, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Georgia and others. And still on the table will be other key issues – the environment, energy, education, infrastructure and health care. And have we mentioned that our image abroad needs a little polishing?

We believe Barack Obama is the better of the two candidates and the one who can lead us through one of the most difficult economic times since the Great Depression. We urge T-R readers to cast their ballots for him and his running mate, Joe Biden, the senior U.S. senator from Delaware.

The election is Nov. 4, although Ohio voters can cast "no fault" absentee ballots now or vote at their respective boards of elections.

The whole editorial is online HERE. And finally, the Middletown/Hamilton Journal wrote the following:

The overarching question surrounding the 2008 presidential election is whether this nation can lift itself from the financial and political morass that threatens its prosperity, its security and its very future. To be successful, this country needs a strong leader who can pave a new course that improves the lives of Americans and others around the globe.
Electing Obama next month does declare to the entire world that a new, positive and optimistic course has been set for America, with attainable and desirable goals that will lift up the 305 million people who call this country home.
Obama, D-Ill., and his opponent, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., have squared off in three national televised debates and have survived a demanding primary season to get to this point. Even though he lacks the experience of McCain, we believe Obama has demonstrated himself to be the more knowledgeable, serious, stable and articulate candidate — and he has the most comprehensive agenda for getting America back on its feet.
"No Child Left Behind," launched by President Bush here in Butler County, had the right goals, according to Obama, but lacked adequate funding and wasn't implemented correctly. Obama plans to reform NCLB, as well as attack America's high dropout rate and soaring college costs, and emphasize teacher recruitment and retention. "Now is the time to finally meet our moral obligation to provide every child a world-class education, because it will take nothing less to compete in the global economy," Obama said in his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in August.

The version in full is available HERE.

Have friends that need convincing? Send them an email with link to this blog post, which you can grab here:

http://OH.BarackObama.com/OhioEndorsements1020

Barack Finds Burgeoning Support in Ohio's Rural Areas

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:42:53 EDT

Before this year, no one would have imagined that St. Clairsville, Ohio, would play a role in the Presidential election. But as this article from the Columbus Dispatch shows, with a recent visit from Vice Presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden, they found themselves thrown into the spotlight for not the first time this campaign season. And it's a good thing too, because locals like Matt, featured in a recent article in the Wheeling News-Register, want change:

Martins Ferry resident Matt Myers wants to be able to pay for his son Zack's college education, but he's not sure he will be able to now that he has lost his job as a truck driver.
Tuesday, the father and son joined other local voters for a campaign rally featuring Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden on the campus of Ohio University Eastern, near St. Clairsville.
Matt Myers believes Obama will help grow the economy to provide more jobs for families like his.
"This Bush economy has really put us down, and we need someone like Barack Obama to help get the economy moving in the right direction again," Myers said.
Zack Myers, a senior at Martins Ferry High School, is also worried about the way the national debt continues to escalate.
"I will be paying of Bush's (Iraq) war debts when I get older, and that is just not fair," Myers said.
Another opponent of the war in Iraq is Wheeling resident Matt Bennett.
"With all the money Bush is wasting in Iraq, the government could use that money to help feed the hungry and help the homeless people right here in this country," Bennett said.

Through extensive outreach efforts and a perfectly suited platform on rural issues, it's not uncommon to find outspoken Obama supporters in some of the more remote places in Ohio. Whether they're expressing themselves at their small businesses, or decorating a new Barn for Obama, like in the picture below from Knox County, Ohioans in rural areas are making their voices heard.

Also in Knox County, Carol is one of the ones making her voice heard. She describes how her local crew staked out an Obama presence at the Tomato Festival:

The little town of Fredericktown, Ohio (where I grew up)... population about 1,500, just had it's 32nd Annual Tomato Show Festival and Parade. It's a VERY CONSERVATIVE town, so we didn't know what response we'd get with our Obama presence there...
And we DID HAVE A PRESENCE!!! Over 80 people marched in the parade on behalf of Democratic candidates! Close to 50 of them were for Senator Obama! It was the largest Democratic entry in a parade this county has ever seen.
And, our Obama block-of-marchers were FIRED UP! Two women flanked our group at the front and back and kept the chants going... throughout the entire parade so that apart from the marching bands, we were also the loudest entry in the parade!

The best part was the response we got from people on the sidelines... thousands from all over the county and neighboring counties come to the parade and much to our surprise we received a constant display of "thumbs-up," and CHEERS FOR US! ...as we went marching by! For each positive response from a parade watcher, we had walkers ready with Obama handouts that gave contact information for the local campaign, so hopefully we gathered more volunteers for the work ahead.

Also that day, 30-40 marchers stayed around after the parade to canvass this little community. I spoke with one resident while canvassing--a retired high school teacher I had way-back-when--who said she thought this was the first time this sleepy little (former?) Republican stronghold had EVER been canvassed!

Word has it our rural county of 55,000 is "looking good," for the Obama Camapign, given the numbers we're gathering from the canvassing and phone-banking. Our Obama Field Organizer--Jon--told us the first week he was here, "We CAN win Knox County," and by golly, he's kept us fired up and I think we're going to do it!

With a positive attitude like that, how could a rural county like Knox not go for Obama?

Get involved in your area today. Do you live in a rural community? Click HERE to join Rural Ohioans for Obama.

Early Voting Continues to be Smooth Sailing in the Buckeye State

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:43:16 EDT

During the 7 day overlap between voter registration and early voting, where Buckeyes could register and vote on site, Obama supporters gave the campaign a huge advantage by turning out in droves.

Now that registration has closed, all that's left is to vote! Voting is going on every day up through Election Day. Thousands in Ohio have already voted, and all reports find that voting early an easy and convenient way to cast a ballot for change--just check out this article from the Youngstown Vindicator. You can locate your early voting location using the tool below, which is also located at www.VoteForChange.com.

Here are some more personal testimonies from early voters in Ohio. Sue from Toledo writes:

I voted on the first day of early voting & it was so exciting! I took a friend with me, & we went to Obama offices first to get more [materials], then it was on to the polls! I was never so excited about voting before in my life, nor have I ever been more proud to cast my vote! Barack is our hope for the future!

Nickie in Wadsworth says:

“There were so many people ready to cast their votes and I was very proud...! It's time for a positive change in this country and I've never supported anyone more than I support Obama! For the first time I'm not voting for someone to keep the 'other guy' from becoming President! What a great feeling to really have HOPE FOR CHANGE! Obama/Biden are bound to instill a renewed faith and pride in our country!”

Have you voted already? Share your experience here, or let us know how it went in the comments section below.

Cincinnati Votes Early and Rocks Late at Fountain Square

Michael in Ohio — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:04:55 EDT

Yesterday evening, at an event independent of the campaign, the good people of Cincinnati were treated to a rally and concert to promote voting early, at the beautiful, neon-lit Fountain Square in the center of the city. The name of the event, appropriately, was "Vote Early, Rock Late."

Renowned rock act The Breeders were the first to go on, and were followed by speakers both locally and nationally known--including supporter actress Natalie Portman (who also rallied students at the University of Cincinnati this morning!). The event started at 5:00 pm, well before the early voting location shut its doors, so between acts locals could walk just a few blocks over and cast their ballots.

The headline act of the night was The National, a band born and bred in Cincinnati. Their show had the feeling of a family reunion, and indeed lead singer Matt talked about the healthy and passionate political discourse that is inherent to the citizens and families of Cincinnati.

Fans and committed volunteers from the Ohio State University, Jordan and Ellen, are two of those passionate citizens--Jordan grew up in Cincinnati himself. True to the informal nature of the show, they had the opportunity to meet and talk with Bryce, the band's guitarist, afterwards. Jordan and Bryce went to rival high schools.

Keeping with the theme of the importance of talking to family and friends about politics and the change we need, at one point lead singer Matt yielded the floor to his own Uncle Jack, a local activist for Democratic candidates and Barack Obama. Jack spoke about the importance of this moment in history, and how essential it is for everyone to work as hard as they can for Barack in the coming 18 days.

After that, one of the last songs they played was "Fake Empire," a fitting conclusion since it is featured in this inspiring campaign video, "Signs of Hope and Change."

Turn that hope and change into a reality. Vote early. Volunteer after.

Senator Sherrod Brown Encourages Ohio to Vote Early!

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:26:44 EDT

Senator Sherrod Brown stopped by the Campaign for Change Headquarters a couple hours ago, and had a special message for Ohio supporters:

You can find your early vote location by clicking HERE.

Four Prominent Ohio Newspapers Endorse Barack for President

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:10:35 EDT

Newspapers across the Buckeye state have come out in favor of Barack Obama, and some in places you would never expect. Here are a few recent endorsements from the flagship newspapers in Springfield, Canton, Dayton, and Toledo. From different perspectives, they all aptly emphasize the importance of this moment, and an Obama presidency.

You are not better off than you were four years ago. Or even eight years ago for that matter.
This is not a rehash of the past; it is the basis of a decision for the future.
The News-Sun Editorial Board is endorsing Barack Obama for President as the best hope for the nation to return to prosperity and to regain its standing in the world.
Obama is clearly a smart, caring, committed candidate for the job of president.
Obama is not an idealogue. His polices are pragmatic and tempered with the realization that the Bush economy may foreclose or postpone some of his initiatives.
Moreover he has quickly mastered the important issues confronting America. No one who listens to him can doubt that.
One of Obama's best qualities is simply his ability to inspire people.
We're going to need that in the coming years.

On Main Street, families are watching their homes and retirement savings lose value while the cost of their most basic needs goes up and up. On Wall Street, a hands-off approach to oversight of financial institutions has led to the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Halfway around the world, the United States remains mired in a country it should never have invaded.

Stark Countians rightly want change in Washington. The Repository editorial board believes that the presidential candidate who can deliver on this demand is Democrat Barack Obama.
In the realm of foreign policy, Obama said unequivocally in 2002 that a U.S. invasion of Iraq would be a mistake, as The Repository did. It was not a popular conviction, but it was the right one. McCain supported the pre-emptive war, as did the vast majority of Congress.
We believe that Obama's intellect, caution, levelheadedness and calm demeanor make him better suited to lead a nation that must respond to many unwelcome changes with yet more change. The Repository endorses Sen. Barack Obama for president.

In this unhappy passage, the nation faces a happy choice: a brilliant young man offering a new generation of leadership — and a remarkable turning point in the nation's history — opposes an accomplished veteran who has punched all the right tickets in his rise toward the presidency.

Both are thoughtful, modern people alert to the real problems of the world and the nation. Neither should be chosen because the other is frightening.
In a time of change, Sen. Obama is the more promising leader. With his agile mind, often pitch-perfect judgment and preternatural calm and self-confidence, he seems built for the job of sorting through this thing, if anybody can.
The nation faces a choice that looks more and more like a choice between the future and the past. It has never been one to shrink from the future.

Like another member of Congress from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, Senator Obama initially rose to prominence on the strength of soaring oratory. Over the past 18 months of the grueling campaign, his background has been thoroughly inspected and dissected by the press and a political opposition dedicated to keeping him from the White House.

The man who has emerged is young (47) but well-educated and accomplished, both as a state legislator and a member of the United States Senate. He is somewhat professorial but not stodgy, and in our direct contact with him he proved to be one of few politicians at his level with the capacity to actually listen to others and appreciate what they have to say.

We have to ask ourselves: Which candidate will be better able to inspire the American people? Which will do a better job of casting off the politics of personal destruction and appealing to our better natures, calling us to service, encouraging needed sacrifices, and developing the new approaches necessary for the 21st century? Which will see the current troubles as an opportunity to shape a better future?

Themes from the abbreviated reign of John F. Kennedy, as well as FDR, resonate in 2008. Fear drives the domestic and international financial markets. As FDR realized, calmness, confidence, and optimism are part of the solution. In these troubled times, JFK's call to ask what we can do for our country instead of what it can do for us gains new meaning. Americans must step up and hold out a helping hand to their fellow citizens both as individuals and collectively.

Barack Sees Green Economy On the Horizon in Lucas County

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:52:07 EDT

Barack addressed a riled up crowd here in the Sea Gate Convention Center in Toledo, where prior to his appearance, excitement to have him in town (for 4 days!) boiled over into never heard before chants of "We Will, We Will, Barack You!" and "Bye Bye Bush! Bye Bye Bush!" Even during his speech, in this dark but spacious Convention Hall, they hooped and hollered and even stomped on the risers, to thunderous effect. But they paid attention when attention was due, because as Barack says, "These are serious times."

Local Field Organizer Jesse urged everyone in the crowd to not only vote early but vote today, and do their share of the work to reach out to voters, mentioning the "collective power of small action." Senator Sherrod Brown, who has become all but a fixture on campaign stops, mentioned that Lucas County had the potential to be a leader in the alternative energy sector, and it was a common theme throughout the day. A fellow who had been laid off his job for fourteen weeks made an appropriate introduction for Barack, who took this opportunity to roll out the steps of his Rescue Plan for the Middle Class:

The first involves the thing that's on everyone's mind, and it's easy to spell: J-O-B-S.
We are going to take a cue from Toledo, which has become a leader in solar panel technology...

Barack fleshed out the rest of his 4 step plan:

A New American Jobs Tax Credit - a temporary tax credit for firms that create new jobs in the United States over the next two years.
Relief to Families - penalty-free withdrawals of up to 15% of retirement savings from IRAs and 401(k)s in 2008 and 2009.
Relief to Homeowners - a 90 day foreclosure moratorium for homeowners that are acting in good faith in their efforts to pay their mortgages.
A Lending Facility to Address the Credit Crisis for States and Localities - the Federal Reserve and the Treasury should work to establish a facility to lend to state and municipal governments.

He called on everyone to participate in the fiscal responsibility that Wall Street has so brazenly bucked in the last eight years, and that the nation will need to demonstrate to overcome this crisis:

We have to break that cycle of debt.
We have to take responsibility for living within our means.

As a city that has seen much better days, but never more potential progress, Toledo was the perfect place for Barack to lay the foundation of his plan to rescue America's economy.

Barack Knocks for Barack in Toledo!

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:56:19 EDT

As any volunteer knows, the Campaign for Change in Ohio holds canvassing sessions every weekend, where supporters go door-to-door to talk to voters about why Barack Obama is their choice for President. This, along with phone calls to voters, is the meat-and-potatoes of the voter outreach field effort, and such neighbor-to-neighbor interaction has been proven to have more of an effect than any other sort of less direct contact. These door-to-door outings are often called "Weekly Walks," or "Knock for Barack." Sometimes canvassing can be tiring and frustrating, but it is the most important thing anyone can do.

But today in Toledo, proving that no one is above anyone in this movement, Barack himself knocked for Barack. Just like any other volunteer, he went door-to-door to bring his platform of change to the people in Lucas County. He carried a walk list, and marked voters on a scale from 1 to 5 depending on their level of support.

He listened to their concerns and spoke to the solutions he would propose as President. Conversations involved the auto industry, the credit crisis, health care, and other day-to-day things on the minds of the people of Toledo.

Barack has clearly developed an affinity for the Buckeye State. He made five stops on Thursday and Friday (Dayton, Cincinnati, Portsmouth, Chillicothe, and Columbus), and is staying in the Toledo area from now until Wednesday to prepare for the debate that night.

But between the cheering rallies and the strategy sessions, there may be nothing Barack does during his stay in Ohio that better sums up the meaning of the grass roots organization that this movement has built than knocking doors in Toledo. It's proof that change comes from the bottom up... and then to the bottom again.

Be a part of that change. Knock doors like Barack.

Barack Concludes American Jobs Tour in Columbus

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:20:48 EDT

From Aviva:

Senator Obama culminated his American Jobs Tour right here in Columbus yesterday at Genoa Park. Everything about the day seemed hopeful; after a week of October chill and rain, the late morning skies were cloudless and vibrant blue. By 10:00, three hours before the rally began, the line into the park stretched across the entire bridge on Broad Street.

More than ten thousand people crammed themselves into the relatively small space, many skipping work and school in order to see the next President of the United States.

Both the perfect weather and the morale held up even as the sun started to bear down on the patient crowds. As one speaker said:

If you don’t vote today in this beautiful weather, you can’t complain about weather on Election Day!

After a brief prayer and rousing speeches by Ohio Attorney General candidate Richard Cordray, Mayor Michael Coleman, Governor Ted Strickland, and Senator Sherrod Brown, Barack ascended the grassy steps of the park to take the stage, announced by an eruption of cheers.

A sea of American flags and Obama-Biden signs greeted him ecstatically. Barack was equal to it, warmly thanking his supporters before settling down to business. The senator laid out the specifics of his plans for the currently desperate state of the economy, in the same vein as he had at various sites in Ohio in the past two days. This time, however, the city of Columbus stood behind him, elegantly gleaming in the sun.

Besides the economy, the senator touched on the recent ugly turn in his opponent’s campaign. “Hope beats fear,” he assured us. The crowd took up the cry, and the chant of “Hope beats fear” reverberated throughout the park.

After the rally, an exodus of supporters flooded Broad Street and headed to the nearby Veterans' Memorial, where many of the attendees immediately cast their vote for Barack.

Barack's Trip to Ohio: Wrap-Up

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:26:22 EDT

In the last two days, Barack has made five stops in Ohio--Dayton, Cincinnati, Portsmouth, Chillicothe, and Columbus. He stirred crowds at rallies, met folks at diners, and gave encouragement to campaign field organizers.

Here are a couple local write-ups about the swing through the swing state, and a slideshow of pictures from the first four stops--Aviva will follow with a post and pictures from the event at Columbus yesterday.

From high atop Ault Park in Cincinnati to down low on the Ohio River in Portsmouth, Barack Obama set out on a southern Ohio tour Thursday where he plunged straight into the heart of Ohio's Republican politics.
And he came with a message -- join us, because the Republicans have failed for the past eight years with economic policies that have shaken the nation's economy to its core.
Maria Hoeffer, 33, of Norwood was one of many mothers who walked up Observatory Avenue with her child strapped against her. Her 17-month-old son, Makaio, high-fived Obama.
Obama's speech "was just what we needed to hear at this time to lift our spirits," she said. "He's the American dream. He has lived it, and that's extremely inspiring for people."
But the first day of Obama's two-day bus tour of southern Ohio was not all about the economy - after his stop in Cincinnati, the Obama bus caravan took an unannounced side trip to Georgetown, the county seat of Brown County, about 45 miles east of Cincinnati.
There, the Obama party stopped at the Fireside Restaurant, where he made a surprise visit and ordered up a cheeseburger - lettuce, tomato and mustard - and coconut cream pie. Walking around the restaurant with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, he shook hands and paused to have his picture taken with dozens of customers. He stooped down to have his picture taken with a little boy with ears that stuck out, just like Obama's.
"We've got the same ears, buddy," Obama told the boy, who grinned from ear to ear. "Ear power."

Lines of people began forming outside the university early Thursday afternoon, in anxious anticipation of hearing Obama speak.
"I feel that he's more educational than McCain, and I've watched the debates and feel that Obama would be able to lead our country better," said 17-year Destiny Skaggs, of Green High School. She said her 18th birthday is Nov. 19, just missing the voting deadline this year.

Steve O'Connor, of West Liberty, Ky., called McCain a continuation of failed policies, and called Alaskan Governor turned vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin a step backwards.

"Somebody needs to have some concern for working people. For young people trying to go to college. For older people trying to afford their medicine, trying to stay in their homes. The last eight years this president has run the train off the tracks..."

Derek Terrance came from Columbus to attend Shawnee State University, and said he never thought he'd see something like this in Portsmouth.

"I think his views are more like my generation, which is something that obviously appeals to me the most. It's somebody I can relate to more easily than a lot of the other candidates," he said.

Live Blog: Get-Out-the-Vote Training in Columbus

Michael in Ohio — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:53:49 EDT

This is how we win.

Approximately 600 organizers, in one room, treated to a detailed manual, a dynamic visual presentation, and a strong voice at the front, all informing them exactly what to do in the next few weeks, to make sure that every single supporter casts their vote for Barack Obama.

That may sound less-than-stimulating to most people, but this crew is proud to call themselves community organizers, and jump at the opportunity to share ideas and absorb knowledge on how to effectively mobilize their area to get them to the polls to make change. To say that they're fired up is putting it mildly. This is their livelihood. This is what they do, and what they've spent every waking hour doing for the last several weeks, months, and for some, even years.

And as is the Obama field team motto, they were respected, empowered, and included. Respected, by being allowed a time for each to tell their story of why they are working for change, and being trusted to take what was learned today and adapting it to each community. Empowered, by being armed with an arsenal of meticulously thought out materials and presented with G.O.T.V. simulations that problem-solve every possible issue that could come up on Election Day. And included, by bringing them into the conversation with the biggest names in the movement. Today they were visited by Governor Ted Strickland, Senator Sherrod Brown... and, oh yeah, this guy:

That's right--Barack Obama himself, after two rallies today in Chillicothe and Columbus, took time off his schedule to meet with six hundred people in Ohio... whose votes he can surely count on. He met with them because these are some of the people working the hardest for him in the whole country, let alone Ohio. He met with them because community organizing and the power of it is fundamental not only to his own personal biography, but also to the philosophy of this campaign. He met with them because even after November 4th, after the votes have been gotten out, change will start from the bottom up.

This is how we win. Get out your own vote, and then you can be a part.

Final Stop of the Day: Portsmouth and Southern Ohio Welcome Barack!

Michael in Ohio — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:24:43 EDT

Being an area that doesn't get much attention from the standard Democratic presidential candidate, Portsmouth was clearly overjoyed to have a first-hand look at Barack Obama. Here on the green at Shawnee State University, they were cheering back at him as he spoke more than the standard rally crowd. Of all ages, from all backgrounds, they're fired up, and ready to turn this red county blue.

Senator Sherrod Brown kicked it off by giving a shout-out to not just Portsmouth, but Ironton, Southern Ohio, and even Kentucky! He expressed confidence in the students here at Shawnee State University supporting Barack, but stressed the need to have "The Talk" with their parents.

But the event was especially momentous occasion for Governor Ted Strickland--although he's been to all three stops with Barack today, Portsmouth is just a few miles from where he grew up, and Shawnee State was where he was a teacher. These are his people, and he spoke to them frankly, as only he can:

We care about family, faith, and community. We also care about the Bill of Rights... and that includes the Second Amendment.
I'm here tonight to tell you, that through direct talks I've had with him, if you are a hunter or gunowner, you have nothing to fear from Barack Obama. You can tell 'em I told you so. Tell 'em, "Ted told me!"

Barack's speech was a deft mix of financial shop talk and soaring rhetoric that played on the crowd's potent enthusiasm. He told a funny story about the owner of the diner in Georgetown, Ohio (where he stopped on the way), who he heard from the workers was a devout Republican. When Barack finally met the man, he asked him "I heard you're a dyed in the wool Republican." The man said yes. Barack paused, then simply said:

"So... How's business?"

The crowd here in Portsmouth roared with laughter.

Most of all, Barack conveyed a common-sense approach to fixing the economy's problems. He mentioned changing bankruptcy laws so they favor people with one home, instead of those with multiple. He condemned the AIG executives who recently spent their bailout money on vacation getaways, saying that they should write a check back to the American people, and "be fired on the spot." After detailing his plans to invest in college education and green jobs, he broke down how he would handle the country's finances into basics:

I'm not just here to tell you how we're going to spend money, I'm here to tell you how we're going to save money.
I'll do what you do with your own family budget--cut out things that don't work.

A prolonged war in Iraq, and tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas are just a few of those money-saving budget cuts that Barack said Portsmouth, and Southern Ohio, and the Buckeye State as a whole could expect from his administration.

Barack is firing them up where ever he goes--from stadiums in Dayton, to parks in Cincy, to college quads in the southernmost tip of Ohio. And you can put your vote in for him today--so you can do your part to work to get him into office in the next few weeks.

Barack Stop #2: Cincy on a Hill

Michael in Ohio — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:05:01 EDT

In a location that took exercise to get to, but whose beautiful vistas and terraced crowds of supporters certainly made it worth the wait, Barack spoke this afternoon in Ault Park, high above the city of Cincinnati.

Words do not do the scene justice, and any supporter who is familiar with this spot in Cincy must take heart in this image:

Barack continued his clear-talking take on the economic crisis, going into specifics to dissect what is wrong with John McCain's latest proposal to deal with the financial mess the country has lately found itself in. His focus remained squarely on helping the middle class:

This election is about who's going to fight for you...
This isn't about losing a campaign. This is about Americans losing their jobs and their homes if we allow four more years of the same.

But the tone was, of course, overhwelmingly positive, as Barack reminded of the thousands of green energy jobs that are on the horizon for Ohioans under an Obama administration. Above all he stressed unity, and how despite the large-scale shift America needs to make, we can accomplish anything:

Every time, we have risen to meet challenges like this. Not as Republicans, not as Democrats. As Americans...
Our destiny is not determined for us, but by us.

For a moment, on a hill above a city, the mass of 15,000 felt like an intimate group of people that could do anything they put their mind to.

Live Blog: Barack Inspires Stadium of Supporters in Dayton

Michael in Ohio — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:08:15 EDT

Barack is hitting up no less than three different stops in Ohio today--Dayton, Cincinnati, and Portsmouth. Right now he is speaking to a stadium full of cheering supporters at the home of the Dayton Dragons at Fifth Third Field.

The Mayor of Dayton framed Barack's candidacy in a way specific to Dayton, tying him to the city's history of innovation, "from Charles Kettering to Paul Lawrence Dunbar."

Michael, one of the local Field Organizers in the Dayton area, let the rapt crowd know the 5 things Ohioans can do to help Barack Obama win their state:

Join your Neighborhood Team, like Maureen, the supporter pictured below.
Text "OH" to 62262
Vote early
Make phone calls (volunteers in the crowd waved lists of 10 voters that they were going to call that day)
Go to My.BarackObama.com to see what kind of activities are going on in their neighborhood

Soon after, Barack took the stage. Despite a riled up crowd like one would expect to see at a baseball game on a bright autumn afternoon, Barack was very serious about the financial crisis facing us, and the specifics of what he, and America, would have to do to solve the problem

I have faith... not just because of the leadership I'm offering. But because of you. Because I have faith in you. I have faith in the people of the United States...
Yes we can -- of course we can.

Barack spoke directly to the huge number of people in attendance, asking for a show of hands of those who earn less than $250,000 (who will not see a tax raise), and those who have employer-based health benefits (to be taxed by John McCain), and those who don't have health care at all. The hands themselves told the story of how essential an Obama presidency really is. Dayton can't afford anything less.

More than anything, this rally was about jobs, and Barack wondered how the opposition could ignore the huge number of jobs lost in Ohio in the last 8 years, noting that you can say that the fundamentals of the economy are strong, but for most Americans "there's nothing more fundamental than a job."

As for the home stretch of the campaign, and the ugly direction the discourse seems to be going in:

I can take four more weeks of John McCain's attacks, but America can't take four more years of George Bush's failed policies.

Do you agree? There's only 27 days left to seal the deal-- vote early and get involved today.

Focus on: Ohio Republicans for Obama

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:16:05 EDT

With this blog post, the Campaign for Change formally presents the group OHIO REPUBLICANS FOR OBAMA. Ever since the beginning of the primaries, Barack has found the support of a wide swath of Republicans or former Republicans, who after the failed policies and bitter partisanship of the last 8 years are happy to make the move for something different. As a different kind of candidate, Barack aims to find common ground with all Americans, regardless of race, background, socio-economic status, and certainly political affiliation. Click here, or go to http://OH.BarackObama.com/OHRepublicans, to join now.

The group is hosting an inaugural event with none other than the President of Ohio Republicans for Obama, former Senator Lincoln Chafee (R - Rhode Island). Details, and link to RSVP are below:

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH SEN. LINCOLN CHAFEE
Wednesday, October 8 at 2:00 PM
RUSTY BUCKET (Columbus, OH)
1635 W. LANE AVE
Columbus, OH 43221
RSVP at:
http://OH.barackobama.com/Chafee

In the Campaign for Change field offices, and amongst the volunteer teams, it is an ordinary occurrence to run into someone who considers themselves conservative, or a Republican, or formerly Republican. Just this past Sunday, the Neighborhood Team that knocked on more than 4000 doors for the opportunity to introduce Bruce Springsteen at the OSU rally, was headed by a lifelong Republican named Dave. Watch the video below for a profile of another Ohio Republican for Obama, Gene, from Smithfield.

Click HERE to join Ohio Republicans for Obama.

A New Voter is Born

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:26:57 EDT

With the close of the day, voter registration in Ohio for the 2008 election has officially closed. Campaign for Change organizers and volunteers registered thousands and thousands of new voters. But there may be no more appropriate story to end the day with than the following one, from Regional Field Director Luis. It perfectly captures the teamwork that goes into these efforts, and the new voices that are heard in our democracy as a result:

Alicia gave birth at 6 AM today. [Field Organizer] Tommy called her at 10:30 AM because she was on his list of people who had used registration tool VoteForChange.com, but not fully registered. She said she wanted to register but was in Metro hospital and would not be able to do it today. Tommy told me and I called Troy who then called Katie to go to Room 254 Bed # 2 and register her. Katie went and registered her and her husband. Alicia and her husband, Charles, are new parents to a cute baby boy and among the thousands of new registrants in Lorain County who will be voting for change Nov. 4th.

Can't wait to vote for change? Click HERE to find your early voting location.

Bruce Springsteen Rallies for Ohio to Get Registered (LAST DAY IS TODAY!) and Vote Early: Part 2

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:15:26 EDT

More from the Voter Registration and Early Vote rally/concert with Bruce Springsteen yesterday at OSU, held because TODAY is the LAST DAY to REGISTER TO VOTE! Voting early continues until Election Day, but today is the last opportunity to REGISTER AND VOTE, all at once, at your early vote location.

Aviva continues the coverage:

Finally, The Boss arrived. There was a tangible change in the atmosphere as the crowd’s boisterous energy morphed into rapt attention. More than a few faces betrayed awe.

Bruce’s message was simple and heartfelt: he believes in an American reclamation project with Obama at the helm. In between songs he meditated over the time he’s spent “measuring the distance between the American dream and the American reality.” He asserted his belief that Obama will restore our reputation in global opinion and work to restore the world’s faith in the meaning of the American dream.

"Despite the terrible erosion to our standing in the world, we remain for many people a house of dreams," he said. "And 1,000 George Bushes and 1,000 Dick Cheneys will never be able to tear that house down.”

The enthusiastic response from the crowd proved him right. After a stirring rendition of “This Land is Your Land,” he concluded, “Let’s build that house.”

Let's build that house indeed. Register to vote today. Vote early. Volunteer. Go door-to-door. Make calls. House a volunteer. Write a letter to the editor. And if you're reading this from outside the Buckeye state, for the love of Bruce Springsteen, come to Ohio to volunteer.

This land is your land. It's up to you to make change.

Bruce Springsteen Rallies for Ohio to Get Registered (LAST DAY IS TODAY!) and Vote Early: Part 1

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:22:52 EDT

On a bright fall day, more than 10,000 people turned out to see the unbeatable, seemingly ageless Bruce Springsteen play an acoustic set at the Ohio State University and rally Ohioans to get registered by the deadline (TODAY!), and vote early. Associate blogger Aviva gives the full story:

Entering the Main Oval via the OSU Center for the Arts, you cannot avoid noticing the trees that line the walkway. Each tree sports a cardboard collar decorated with the words “I VOTE” and a space below where people can finish the sentence. I vote for CHANGE, one sign reads. I vote so we don’t bomb Iran. I vote because I’m awesome.
Thousands of supporters turned out for the Vote for Change rally with Bruce Springsteen, with lines to get in wrapping around the block. Many of them wore Obama gear or patriotic colors. One woman even flaunted a full length American flag skirt.

At the fringes of the crowd, volunteers – including Luke Perry of "90210" fame – took advantage of the high spirits of the day and kept busy registering voters as a final effort before Monday’s deadline.
The energy in general was through the roof, never flagging once. Chants from the crowd ranged from “O-H-I-O” to “Bruce” to “Yes We Can” as we waited for the Boss to appear.

The Mayor of Columbus, Michael Coleman, took the stage to talk about the opposition. “They just don’t get it!” he reminded us. From the crowd, one couple waved signs proclaiming: Soccer Mom and Joe Six Pack for Obama.

There was a surprise appearance from Senator John Glenn, who announced the winners of the Born to Reg challenge. Congratulations to Dave Gourley, (a lifelong Republican!) and his team in Dayton, who knocked on 4,000 doors and registered more than 100 people in two days.

More to come in the second installment...

**Were you at the event? How was it? Do you know someone who's registered to vote and/or voted in the last couple days? Let us know in the comment section below, or share your early voting experience HERE.

Register and Vote: Tomorrow is the Last Day You Can Do Both At Once!

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 12:53:03 EDT

Today is Day 6 of the 7 days in which Ohio voters can REGISTER AND VOTE, all at once, all in the same place. You can register on the spot at your early vote location; early voting will continue until Election Day, but registration ceases at the end of the day TOMORROW.

The Campaign for Change has seen friends of Barack flocking to the state to urge and in some cases even literally lead voters to the polls to Register to Vote. Already this weekend Ohioans have seen Russell Simmons, Adrienne Polecki, Seth McFarlane, Nate Parker, LeBron James, and Luke Perry speak on behalf of Barack, and registering to vote and voting early. Here's a look at an event in Lorain with a leader in the Hispanic community, from organizer Michael:

Rosie Perez came to the UFCW Union Hall on Euclid Ave. at about 11:00 p.m. yesterday along with Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez of New York. The event had about 52 people on hand and was aimed at the Latino Community. Congresswoman Velasquez made a great speech and emphasized the importance of Latinos getting out knocking on doors to help elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States. Rosie Perez made an amazing speech and as she said “ I am Puerto Rican and I going to keep it real with you.” She definitely emphasized education and what stood out the most to me was when she stated, “When did it become unpopular to be smart, and when did it become cool to be stupid!” It definitely hit home with the crowd of folks that we had because they realized that our country has lowered the standards of our education and we need Barack Obama help us bring back those standards.

Even as the push for voter registration continues, the campaign is forging new ground, expanding the massive field effort into even more previously uncharted water. Here's a write-up from the Ironton Tribune, in Southern Ohio, about what's going on there:

Presidential election year 2008 has become an election year of firsts — the first time an African-American has won his party’s nomination, the first time a woman has claimed the number two spot on the GOP ticket and it may well be the first time a presidential candidate has opened an office in Lawrence County.

Though it has been open for more than a week, Barack Obama/ Joe Biden campaign volunteers had a grand opening Saturday morning for the Democratic campaign’s new office at 210 S. Third St. That was followed by the “Knock for Barack” effort where supporters knocked on the doors of Lawrence County residents to hand out campaign literature.
The Obama supporters got last-minute instructions in grass roots politics from Obama/Biden Lawrence County Field Coordinator Graham Veysey and then fanned out across parts of the county for the door-to-door campaigning.
“You don’t have to ask me,” Brown told [voter] Null. She is already an Obama supporter. Asked what she likes about him she replied, “Everything."
David Wilburn said he is also an Obama supporter.

“I believe he has a better plan for the economy and health care,” Wilburn said.

You can register, and make your vote for change now. Then spend the next month helping out!

ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:02:17 EDT

Today was Day 5 of the 7 days in which Ohio voters can REGISTER AND VOTE, all in one stop. Anyone unregistered can click here to get registered, or click here for your Early Vote location, where you can register and vote all in one stop--but only until the end of the day Monday!

Many of those unregistered voters are students, and it will take a lot of effort to get them all out and registered before Tuesday. Sometimes it needs some encouragement from a friend:

Today, just across the street from the early vote location in Columbus, hip-hop pioneer and philanthropist Russell Simmons headlined a Voter Registration and Early Vote rally in Genoa Park. Local politicians and campaigns were out in force; pictured here is an interview with Jose Luis Mas, Chairman of the Ohio Hispanic Coalition.

Simmons was preceded by a stirring group of soul singers, and followed by a local rock n' roll act. After the music, Russell led a rousing march from the river, across and down Broad street, to the Veterans Memorial, where the rally-goers voted early (and got registered, if they weren't already!).

The action continues tomorrow, when Bruce Springsteen will make the message loud and clear: Register to vote, and vote early!

Registering and Voting Now: The How and the Why

Michael in Ohio — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:42:07 EDT

TODAY is Day 4 of the 7 days when Ohio voters can REGISTER AND VOTE IN ONE STOP!

Still not registered? You can use VoteForChange.com to get registered, or kill two birds with one stone- find your Early Vote Location, go there, and register and vote, all at once!

HOW: Step 1 - Get registered

Here is Max Kennedy, son of the late Bobby Kennedy, meeting with a group of Bowing Green students after they registered voters on campus.

HOW: Step 2 - Vote early

One organizer, Kristen, in Dayton, gives this touching account of an early voting experience:

Yesterday I took some people to the polls and one of the women voting was unable to walk. She did not have a wheelchair and started walking up the stairs, but she was in too much pain to continue. We then got a wheelchair for her and had to carry her down the stairs in the chair, over to the ramp. This photo is of our volunteers, staff and people off the streets carrying her down the stairs so she can vote. While she was waiting to vote, tears were streaming down her face and the board of elections staff asked her if she wanted to go home and she said the only thing that will keep her from voting for Barack Obama is death and she would still find a way to vote for him if that was the case.

WHY: Because this election is too important. A letter to the editor in the Ironton Tribune connects the potential of an Obama-Biden administration to the legacy of Max's own father and uncle:

America, the noble heart of compassion, which rivaled “Camelot,” in the glory days of “might for right,” has tarnished its luster through eight years of Republican/corporate rule...
There is great insanity in pursuing the course of destruction over peace and prosperity...
A new direction is offered us by a leader who believes that we have an obligation together to work and plan for the world as it should be. Help restore the America that the world once believed in.

Vote for Change. Vote Obama-Biden.

And why not do it early?

Ohio: Your Place for One-Stop Registration and Voting

Michael in Ohio — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:26:29 EDT

Today was Day 3 of Ohio's 7 day window in which you can REGISTER AND VOTE ALL AT ONCE. Reports from voters are in, and it's so easy, it could take you less than a half hour!

Here's encouragement from some special friends of Barack Obama's Campaign for Change in Ohio:

And a certain Springfield native you might recognize:

Don't wait. Only 4 more days to register and vote. 33 more days to vote early.

How Easy Is It to Vote Early?

Michael in Ohio — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 05:07:11 EDT

Don't take our word for it. Just listen to some of the thousands of Ohioans who already voted today, on the first day of voting in Ohio for the 2008 Presidential Election:

"My husband and I voted today in Cincinnati, Ohio. The process was well explained and simple and there were plenty of trained workers on hand to help. I would definitely vote early again, given the opportunity."

"I voted at 1:05 p.m.; ran over during lunch break (I work downtown); I was out by 1:40 p.m... It all went smoothly and I hope everyone makes an honest effort to get out early and vote and help deliver this state for Barack and Joe."

"It was a piece of cake! There quite a few people there, they seemed very excited and relieved that the day had fianally arrived when they could cast their vote for Obama!"
"I went to Franklin County's early voting site at Veteran's Memorial. There were no long lines, the poll workers were helpful, and it was nothing but a positive experience. It sounds odd, but I thought that by voting early I'd be missing out on the experience and excitement of casting my vote on November 4th. Voting early turned out to be an energizing experience that I would do over again if I had the chance. I was able to cast a paper ballot in person and even received the 'I voted today' sticker!"

Sounds pretty simple, right? Just look up where you go to vote early in your county with this link, go out and vote for Barack, and then, knowing you've already voted, you can commit the next five weeks to getting others to vote for Barack too!

Did you already vote early? Want to report a problem, question, or share a good experience? Just use our Early Vote Share page, and let us know how it went!

On First Day of Voting, Ohio Eager for Change

Michael in Ohio — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:36:28 EDT

The last twenty-four hours have seen a flurry of activity in the Buckeye state, as Ohioans celebrated and then acted on their chance to cast their vote for Barack Obama a full five weeks before Election Day.

It started with sleepovers outside of County Boards of Elections (in most cases, your location for early voting) last night--people were just that excited about voting early. Nowhere was this more true than at the Veterans Memorial in Columbus, where a group of about 30 indefatigable supporters from the Ohio State University ate pizza, danced into the night, and camped out in tents to be some of the first to vote for Barack.

Click HERE to see video of the sleepover, where students explain how easy it is to vote early, on our Early Vote location webpage.

However, the grand prize goes to Chris, a volunteer in Montgomery County, who due to his county's early voting hours holds the distinct honor of being the first person in all of Ohio to cast his ballot in the 2008 Presidential Election. Only with a candidate like Barack, in a movement like this, could you find such proud and enthusiastic supporters.

Finally, way down in Chillicothe, a group of volunteers and supporters gathered early this morning for coffee and then crossed (or perhaps marched) across the street to cast their vote as a group.

It feels good to vote for Barack. It feels even better to do it early. Click HERE to find out where you go.

**Have you voted early? How was it? Fill out our Early Vote Share form, or let us know in the comment section below!

John Legend Comes Home to Launch Early Voting

Michael in Ohio — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:00:40 EDT

Yesterday, mega-popular R&B and Soul musician John Legend held a series of rallies and impromptu performances, to encourage Ohio voters to get registered (by October 6th), and VOTE EARLY, which started today! But while the appearances in Columbus at OSU, Dayton at Wright State, and Cincinnati were all great events, none were more special than the one in Springfield--John's own hometown.

In front of a crowd of many long-time friends and family, John was introduced by his mother, who gave a rousing singing performance herself before talking about raising her child in Springfield. The occasion resonated even more potently for local Neighborhood Team Leader Mitchell, who started the Obama grass roots organization in Springfield out of her own home--which also happens to be the childhood home of John Legend himself. She said it was moving for her and the team she built to see John come back home for Obama:

I've known Johnny since he was little and about 4 years old. I remember him crossing the street with his piano sheet music tucked under his arm, on the way to school.

Between songs during the performance, and afterwards meeting with the crowd, John encouraged the people of the Springfield area to get registered and vote early. As he said over and over, he wanted to come back to Ohio because it's time the Buckeye state went "blue for Obama."

Don't know where to vote early? Click HERE for our Early Vote location page.

Still not registered? Or need an absentee ballot? Click HERE for VoteForChange.com, where you can get all your election needs taken care of.

Come to Ohio!

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:01:14 EDT

... And if you already live here, GET YOUR FRIENDS HERE.

A huge influx of out-of-state volunteers can make the difference. Share this video with your friends, and then get them to sign up to come to Ohio at http://oh.barackobama.com/cometoohio

The campaign will give you everything you or your friends need: a resources page, a ride board, and free housing. All anyone has to do is sign up.

And did I mention the opportunity to make history? Your friends can tell you that other states are important too, but the fact remains that if Barack wins Ohio, he almost certainly wins the election.

Enough messing around. Let's win this thing.

Gallipolis Gathers for Debate, Voter Outreach

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:41:14 EDT

Just as they did for Barack's acceptance speech during the Convention, Ohioans across the state came together to watch Barack fae off against John McCain in the first presidential debate last night. At over 200 watch parties, Buckeyes listened and cheered Barack on as he demonstrated the judgement and wisdom necessary to steer the nation properly out of financial peril and into a stronger, more respected position in the world.

But it wouldn't be Ohio if watch party supporters weren't inspired to also do some sort of voter outreach. Everything the Campaign for Change does goes toward the larger goal of bringing the Buckeye state home for Barack on November 4th, and the activities in Gallipolis last night were no exception.

Here's what Seth, the local Field Organizer had to say about the evening:

In Gallipolis, at the home of Bobby Holzer, about a dozen supporters gathered for a postcard-writing, neighbor-to-neighbor calling, debate watching party! We reached out to undecided voters, ate some delicious food, enjoyed good company, and celebrated Obama's stunning
debate victory! Quite a full party!

Today in North Carolina, Barack himself summed up what Americans heard at watch parties like this and in living rooms across America last night:

We talked about the economy for forty minutes, and not once did Senator McCain talk about the struggles that middle class families are facing every day right here in North Carolina and around the country.

He defended his plan to give $300 billion in tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest Americans, but he had nothing to say about the fact that wages have flat-lined and jobs are being shipped overseas.

He railed against some study of bears in Montana, but he had nothing to say about the fact that more and more Americans can’t afford to pay for college; can’t afford health care for their families; and can’t afford a retirement that is dignified and secure...
The truth is, through ninety minutes of debating, John McCain had a lot to say about me, but he had nothing to say about you. He didn’t even say the words “middle class.” Not once...
We don’t need any more out-of-touch, on-your-own leadership in Washington. We need a President who will change this economy so that it finally works for your family. We need a President who knows that America’s strength and leadership abroad depends on the strength of our economy at home. We need a President who will fight for the middle class every single day, and that’s exactly what I’ll do when I’m President of the United States.

Fired up after last night's debate? Making calls and going door-to-door is easier than ever, through the Neighbor2Neighbor tool.

And if you have a good experience volunteering, SHARE IT! Just use our link to share stories and pictures, and we'll put you on the homepage blog!

Election Day is Only 5 Days Away...

Michael in Ohio — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:24:13 EDT

That's right, you heard correctly. Five days from now is Election Day. And so is the day after that, and the day after that, and every day from September 30th until November 4th.

Because in Ohio, you can vote early. It's the easiest, most worry-free way to cast a vote for Barack... before all the chaos and lines of Election Day. You can have the comfort of knowing your democratic duty is taken care of-- and then you can dedicate yourself to swaying undecided voters and getting supportive ones voting early too!

Make the pledge to Vote Early today. You'll be provided with all the information and resources you need to get your vote in early, and out of the way.

And be sure to visit VoteForChange.com to register to vote, check your registration status, request an absentee ballot, or get your early vote location.

Focus on: Ohio Veterans for Obama

Michael in Ohio — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:55:09 EDT

With this blog post, the campaign in Ohio formally launches the group OHIO VETERANS FOR OBAMA. Click this link, or the corresponding button on the sidebar of the page, to join Ohio Veterans for Obama today.

Although the group is new, numerous Ohio veterans have been supporting Barack since the primary. Since then, the campaign has had veteran-to-veteran phone banks, and just last week Retired Brigadier General James Smith held a series of veteran roundtables across Ohio. The following video made during the Convention highlights Barack's expansive support among veterans:

On the OHIO VETERANS FOR OBAMA sign-up page, you can also watch a short video about Bill, a veteran for Obama from Marengo, Ohio.

Barack derives his wide support among veterans from his strength on the issues, which is laid out on the veterans issues page:

As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Obama passed legislation to improve care and slash red tape for our wounded warriors recovering at places like Walter Reed. He passed laws to help homeless veterans and offered an innovative solution to prevent at-risk veterans from falling into homelessness. Obama led a bipartisan effort in the Senate to try to halt the military's unfair practice of discharging service members for having a service-connected psychological injury. He fought for fair treatment of Illinois veterans' claims and forced the VA to conduct an unprecedented outreach campaign to disabled veterans with lower than-average benefits. Obama passed legislation to stop a VA review of closed PTSD cases that could have led to a reduction in veterans' benefits. He passed an amendment to ensure that all service members returning from Iraq are properly screened for traumatic brain injuries. He introduced legislation to direct the VA and Pentagon to fix disjointed records systems and improve outreach to members of the National Guard and Reserves.

And that's just what he's done already. His platform proposals for veterans include:

Allow All Veterans Back into the VA: One of Obama's first acts will be reversing the 2003 ban on enrolling modest-income veterans, which has denied care to a million veterans.
Strengthen VA Care: Obama and Biden will make the VA a leader of national health care reform so that veterans get the best care possible. They will improve care for polytrauma vision impairment, prosthetics, spinal cord injury, aging, and women's health.
Fix the Benefits Bureaucracy: Obama and Biden will hire additional claims workers, and improve training and accountability so that VA benefit decisions are rated fairly and consistently. They also will transform the paper benefit claims process to an electronic one to reduce errors and improve timeliness.
Improve Mental Health Treatment: Obama and Biden will improve mental health care at every stage of military service. They will recruit more health professionals, improve screening, offer more support to families and make PTSD benefits claims fairer.

Are you an Ohio Veteran for Obama? Join the group, and leave a comment in the comment section below!

"I Have One Home: My Farm"

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:04:29 EDT

Heartland Issues Week may have technically ended on Sunday, but there's so much grass-roots activity going on in rural areas and small towns in Ohio that it would be a lost opportunity not to keep covering it on the blog!

Here is an account of a recent supporter meeting in Marengo (which, like Mount Gilead, is also in Morrow County), from Regional Field Director Shira:

17 residents of Morrow County attended a house meeting at the farm of Dick and Carolyn... Dick, who attended the Neighborhood Team Leader training in Columbus in August, spoke to the group, which included Obama supporters who have been lifelong Democrats, Independents, as well as Republicans.

Dick had this to say:

I can relate to Barack Obama. I can’t relate to John McCain, a man who can’t even remember how many homes he owns. I own this one property, my farm... Barack Obama is a man I relate to.

Dick also said that no presidential campaign had ever come to his home until this year, when Field Organizer Amin called to ask Dick to meet up and discuss the effort in Morrow County. With his passion and determination, Dick will lead the Marengo Obama team to victory this fall.

The group also discussed strategies for reaching out to undecided voters in Morrow County, including planning phone banks and writing letters to the editor (of which 3 were recently published in one day!)

Morrow County is putting up a fight. You can do the same: Volunteer. Go door-to-door. Write letters to the editor. Host a house meeting for your undecided friends.

173,651

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:58:55 EDT

The Campaign for Change had set a mighty goal for itself this weekend: it aimed to knock on the doors of 118,602 voters--one more than Bush's margin of victory in Ohio in 2004. But volunteers not only met the challenge--they busted through it and kept on going... This weekend, the tireless people of Ohio committed to changing this country knocked on no fewer than

173,651 doors.

That means that 1 out of every 45 registered voters got a knock on their door this weekend from an Obama supporter ready and waiting to talk about Barack's vision for the country. To outline his issues, to clarify misunderstandings, and to express what his presidency could mean personally and to the nation.

But you don't need to drive to a field office or wait for the weekend to get in on the action. Through groundbreaking technology called Neighbor2Neighbor, the campaign now has a simple program to provide you with everything you need to talk to your own neighbors--a list of addresses, flyers, and easy instructions on how to talk to voters. It's all explained in this handy video, from Nicole:

You can use Neighbor2Neighbor by clicking HERE. What's it like going door-to-door, you might ask? Don't take it from the campaign--take it from this first-hand account, recently posted in the blogosphere, from volunteer Heidi, in Northeast Ohio:

I live in a suburb of Cleveland and "white, working class" would probably be the best description. After a brief training we were sent out in pairs with our packets of turf. My canvass partner was a woman in her 60s (I'm 40 years old) and we hit it off right away...
We approached the last house together... and the woman who answered the door was friendly and told us she was undecided. She didn't like John McCain but just didn't know enough about Barack Obama. We started discussing different ways the current economy had affected all of us, her positions on issues, our positions on issues and you could feel the connection forming between the three of us... At the end of conversation she said she felt like she knew a lot more about him and would most likely vote for him.
I felt so happy as I tallied my canvass sheet back at the office. This is what canvassing is about - the informed voter sharing information with the less informed voter, neighbors sharing their stories with other neighbors, and all of us realizing what's at stake in this election.

Such an expansive door-to-door effort this weekend was the perfect way to cap off Heartland Issues Week, since canvassing brought Barack's message to many small towns and rural areas that wouldn't typically get attention from past campaigns. Signs of the overwhelming field presence in the state are everywhere--below is a picture of volunteers at an office opening in tiny Mount Gilead:

Our moment is now... and it's happening everywhere.

Party Down in Apple Town: Supporters in Jackson Parade for Change

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:36:51 EDT

The Heartland Change RV tour through Ohio culminated with a stop at one of the largest festivals in the state last night, at the Apple Festival in Jackson. The Festival, which has been the hallmark of the small town of 7000 since 1937, is rumored to attract up to 70,000 people every year.

Obama supporters were out in force, occupying an exquisitely dressed up booth on the main drag--one of many sandwiched between the Funnel Cake / Fried Mozzarella Stick stands and the "One In Win" carnival games. Meanwhile, in the Campaign for Change office, volunteers added up data from the canvassing walk that day (early word is that the Campaign went above and beyond its goal to knock on 118,602 doors this weekend).

The Festival ends with a magnificient parade through Jackson's streets, as local county queens wave to crowds from decked out convertibles, and high school marching bands from the surrounding areas fill the air with brass melodies. One of the first to go through was Governor Ted Strickland, who walked with the Heartland Change RV right behind him. With the campaign's focus on establishing a strong presence in the community, it was a no-brainer that local Obama supporters would also march in the parade for their candidate--but in Jackson they went above and beyond the call of duty by fashioning their own Obama float. Pulled by a tractor.

Any thoughts that Jackson might not be a friendly area for Obama supporters was drowned out by shouts of "YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!" that rang loud and clear from the tractor-float. Many an onlooking spectator responded with enthusiasm and applause. What better way to conclude a tour through the heartland?

Ted's Belated Birthday Wish: Vote Barack!

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:51:01 EDT

Yesterday, an all-star line-up of Ohio's biggest political figures hit the road in the Heartland Change RV, to bring word of Barack's rural and small town policies right to the people who would benefit the most. Governor Ted Strickland, Senator Sherrod Brown, Treasurer Richard Cordray, and Congressman Tim Ryan all got the chance to speak out for Barack in Southern Ohio yesterday.

The day started with canvass kick-offs and economic forums in Circleville, Chillicothe, and Waverly. The group reiterated that with the economy in such peril, Ohioans--and especially those in rural and small town areas--could not afford to give George Bush's policies four more years to play out under John McCain. Below is a picture of Congressman Ryan, Mr. Cordray, Gov. Strickland, and Sen. Brown (in that order), talking shop in the Heartland Change RV as it pulls out of Waverly:

By all accounts, jobs (or lack thereof) are the biggest issue in this area, and Barack's Plan for the Heartland to invest in infrastructure and green energy would provide plenty of them. The foursome brought this message all the way to Governor Strickland's birthday party in Lucasville, in his home county of Scioto. (The Governor's actual birthday was August 4th--the same day as Barack's!) With the Governor as Master of Ceremonies and his wife providing musical accompaniment, each speaker pressed the need for change in this election season, and the crowd was all ears, proudly waving Obama-Biden rally signs. Scioto County may have gone for Hillary in the primary, but with Ted (and Hillary herself!) on board, the region stands poised with potential to swing blue for Barack on November 4th.

It was a family affair, with many of those in attendance personal friends (if not actual family) of the Governor. He stayed to chat with every last one before heading to the Jackson Apple Festival, while local supporters posed for pictures in front of the Heartland Change RV.

It seemed that at Ted's birthday party, the support for Barack at was as overwhelming as the beautiful vistas in Scioto County.

118,602

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:16:16 EDT

That's one more than the number of votes by which John Kerry lost Ohio in 2004... and thereby lost the race for President. George Bush went on to give us 4 more years of terrible policies and partisan bullying.

118,602 is also the goal for the number of doors that Campaign for Change aim to knock on this weekend in Ohio. That's right: 118,602 doors. Ohioans are just that committed to make sure their state goes blue this time.

We can't afford a repeat of 2004. Knock some doors. Talk to some voters. Help the campaign go above and beyond 118,602. Join a canvass in your area, right now, by clicking

HERE.

Gov. Strickland Returns to Athens to Spread Love for Barack

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:06:14 EDT

More from Stephen, on the road with the Heartland Change RV for Heartland Issues Week, about an event yesterday in Southeast Ohio:

We gathered in the Golden Hour in Athens at Ohio University. Gov. Stickland fired up just over 200 college students and community members gathered in the Scripps Ampitheater. We heard about how Sen. Obama needs our help to get elected to affect the change we need. We need him so that we can restart our economy and bring jobs to Ohio. People made posters to greet the Governor and they recognized a friend coming to Athens to tell them about the desperate need for a change in the Presidency.

An Old Chevy and a New Kind of Politics

Michael in Ohio — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:22:08 EDT

The team in Mansfield holds it down in Richland County with the truck mentioned in this previous Heartland Blog post.

Barack's message couldn't possibly come in a cooler package than this!

Sherrod Brown and Ted Strickland Hop on the Rural RV in Eastern Ohio!

Michael in Ohio — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:36:44 EDT

Images and words from our intrepid blogger on the road, Stephen, who's travelling with the Rural crew as well as Senator Sherrod Brown and Governor Ted Strickland in the Heartland Change RV. The group was at Dennison today, and is currently stopped in Zanesville:

Approximately 273 college students, professors, and residents of Granville gathered to hear about the Obama Campaign. LaForce Baker, President of Dennisonians for Obama, spoke first and explained how students can get involved and help the campaign by phonebanking, canvassing, and tabling. He then introduced County Commissioner Mark Van Buren who then introduced Sen. Sherrod Brown. Senator Brown explained why Ohio, and students were so important to this election and how Barack is going to fix the economy. He also encouraged students to register to vote in Ohio and to stay in Ohio after graduation. He then introduced the Governor, who added some details to how Sen. Obama would help heal the American and Ohioan economy and encouraged students to get involved.

Once again over 200 people have gathered here in Zanesville right now to hear about the Obama campaign and how Senators Obama and Biden are going to help fix our troubled economy. These Ohioans are concerned about how they're going to pay their bills, keep their jobs, and educate their children. People are having to stand in the back and applause is raucous.
They are hearing from our local Field Organizer Sarah Eckhouse, State Rep. candidate Jennifer Stewart, Congressman Zack Space, Governor Ted Strickland, and Senator Sherrod Brown. People are hungry for change and here in Zanesville, they're getting ready to elect Barack and get the change we need.

Stay up to date with the Heartland Change Tour through Ohio right HERE.

Are you a supporter who lives in a rural area? Join Rural Ohioans for Obama by clicking HERE.

Rural Crew Brings Message of Change in the Heartland to the Farm Science Review, Delaware, and Lima

Michael in Ohio — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:41:05 EDT

It was a packed day for the Rural crew, hauling from town after town in the far reaches of Ohio to spread Barack's agenda for the heartland. For anyone who looks at the breakdown of the issues, it's no surprise that Barack is far superior for matters that concern rural Ohioans, but it always helps to have a decked-out RV and some farm experts on hand to get the message across.

First up was the renowned Farm Science Review in London, Ohio, an annual trade show with a plethora of farm equipment and products on display, as well as delicious fresh dairy milkshakes and home-grown beef for sale. Rural Director Doug O'Brien talked shop with local farmers and radio hosts about rural issues and Barack's Plan for the Heartland.

Next were some brief stops in Delaware and Bellefountaine, but O'Brien and friends were greeted by ample enthusiasm and press coverage in Lima. In the picture below, O'Brien chats with locals about Barack's comprehensive plan to take rural America forward.

Lima is a town known for its conservative politics, but with this campaign reaching out to heartland voters like never before--be it through going door-to-door, or talking sound policy--Allen County just might turn blue this year. And having an office with awesome murals and carefully mapped out neighborhood team strategies helps too.

Are you a supporter who lives in a rural area? Click HERE to join Rural Ohioans for Obama.

The Heartland Change Tour RV Is Fired Up and Ready to Go in Ohio

Michael in Ohio — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:17:23 EDT

From Ohio Campaign for Change Rural Director Doug O'Brien:

On its way to Columbus from Chicago, the Heartland Change RV is making a number of stops along the way. Here’s a pic of the first stop in Bryan, with about 20 folks who came to talk about the campaign and enjoy the beautiful autumn day on the courthouse square.

Stay up to date on Heartland Issues Week at our Ohio Heartland Blog.

Biden Back in Action in the Buckeye State

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:29:35 EDT

Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate Senator Joe Biden will return to the Buckeye State on Wednesday to kick off a two-day bus trip across northern Ohio. The tour includes Change We Need Rallies in Maumee and Wooster on Wednesday, and in Canton on Thursday, with details of additional events in the Akron and Youngstown areas to be announced later.

Click the events below to RSVP online!

Wednesday, September 17

CHANGE WE NEED RALLY WITH JOE BIDEN
Uptown Maumee at the 100 Block of West Wayne Street
Between Conant and Allen Streets
Maumee, OH

Doors Open: 7:30 AM
Event Begins: 9:30 AM

Tickets NOT required, but RSVP is strongly encouraged.

CHANGE WE NEED RALLY WITH JOE BIDEN
College of Wooster
Kauke Hall, South Lawn
Public Entrance: Corner of East University and Beall Ave.
Wooster, OH

Gates Open: 4:00 PM

Tickets ARE required--RSVP here and pick up tickets at the locations below:

Ticket Distribution Locations

Farmer Boy Restaurant
2558 Cleveland Rd
Wooster, OH 44691

Available: Tuesday from 7:00am - 9:00pm, and Wednesday from 7:00am - 3:00pm

Kropf, Wagner, Hohenberger & Lutz, L.L.P.
100 N Vine Street
Orrville, OH 44667
Available: Wednesday from 9:00am-3:00pm

Further details to be announced as they become available.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

CHANGE WE NEED RALLY WITH JOE BIDEN
Pro Football Hall of Fame
2121 George Halas Drive NW

Doors Open: 8:00 AM
Program Begins: 9:30 AM

The event is free and open to the public. There is no RSVP, but members of the public are invited to pick up their free tickets at the locations and times listed below.

(For more information call the Canton Campaign for Change Office: 330-452-4746)

Ticket Distribution Locations

***Free tickets are available Tuesday, September 16, and Wednesday, September 17, between 9:00AM and 9:00PM on a first-come, first-serve basis ***

Canton Campaign for Change Office
111 2nd St NW
Canton, OH 44702

Canton Democratic Party Office
(Corner of 2nd and Market - Enter on Market)
4220 12th St. NW
Canton, OH 44708

Massillon Campaign for Change Office
35 Erie St North
Massillon, OH 44646

Alliance Campaign for Change Office
15 S. Arch Ave.
Alliance, OH 44601

Minerva Campaign for Change Office
215 N. Market St.
Minerva, OH 44657

Further details to be announced as they become available.

The Heartland Change Tour Comes to Ohio for Heartland Issues Week!

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:21:36 EDT

The Heartland Change RV will pull through Ohio for a host of exciting events this week, in celebration of Heartland Issues Week! The string of activities criss-crossing the Southeast and Southwestern part of the state will underscore Barack's steadfast support for rural America, most recently articulated in his Plan for the Heartland. Not only has Barack proven himself a friend of farmers with his record on the issues (his support for the Farm Bill and his advocacy for ethanol, for example), but also with the values that he puts first: hard work, responsibility, and government that works with you and not against you.

You can be part of the grassroots support by joining Rural Ohioans for Obama--just click HERE.

Here are some highlights to look forward to in the week to come, with interesting speakers and festivals that shouldn't be missed. Clickable events are available for more information and for RSVP at My.BarackObama.com:

Tuesday: Former Governor of Mississippi Ray Mabus will attend the Farm Science Review and the Obama Rural Issues Forum in London with the Obama campaign's Rural Director, Doug O'Brien.
Wednesday: The Heartland Change RV will pull into Apple Creek in Wayne County, for yet another barn painting.
Thursday: The RV will stake a place at the Farm Science Review in the morning, and the extremely popular Little Brown Jug Race in the afternoon. A tour with American Hunters and Shooters Association President and former NFL star Ray Schoenke is in the works.

(Click here to continue reading)

Young Voters in Ohio Rock Out and Register to Vote!

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:50:58 EDT

A huge part of what can bring Barack and Joe to the White House this year is a staggering number of new voters. But these voters cannot let their voice be heard unless they GET REGISTERED. Now in Ohio, it's easier than every to get registered. And if you're not sure if you're registered or not, just check out this handy website.

Here's a just-released video from the campaign's voter registration drive at the Warped Tour in Ohio. In it, you can see that registering to vote isn't just important--it can be fun too! And some of the biggest names in rock n' roll want you to! You wouldn't want to let them down, would you??

Want to help register voters yourself? Get involved at your local field office by clicking here. The deadline for voter registration is October 6th!

Are you a young voter? Help out on your campus by joining Ohio Students for Barack Obama.

**Were you at the Warped Tour? Have you registered voters? Let us know in the comments section below!

Hillary Inspires Voters, Talks Issues in the Buckeye State

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 18:04:36 EDT

Northeastern Ohio welcomed Senator Hillary Clinton to the campaign trail today, with her common message of change exciting crowds today in both Elyria and Akron.

The crew at Lorain County Community College were treated to a host of preceding speakers, who all made clear the heightening stakes in this year's election. Dan, the Field Organizer in the area, as well as one of its natives, welcomed Elyrians with a hearty "Bienvenido!" before telling them how they can get involved. A particular highlight was Congresswoman Betty Sutton, who also insisted that everyone volunteer, and for good reason:

Me and you and your friends are going to work to get Barack Obama in office, because we need a president who gets it.

After a few Hillary cheers, coolly mixing with Obama cheers ("Obama, '08, Ohio!"), the Senator from New York took the stage. She talked health care, she talked jobs, and she talked home foreclosures--things that millions of Ohioans are feeling the effects of every day. But most of all she talked about the change that Barack Obama represents--how his story really is the American Dream, and how he'll put working and middle-class people first. And like Congresswoman Sutton, she emphatically put the responsibility of the election on the supporters present--the necessity of talking to friends and neighbors and "working just as hard for Senator Obama" as they might have done for her in the primary. But she had a caveat:

When talking to your neighbors, don't ask "Who are you for?" Instead, ask "Who is for you?" Because the answer is Barack Obama.

Just a few ways YOU can get involved include: using Neighbor2Neighbor to go door-to-door on your own, coming in to your local field office to volunteer, making sure your friends are registered to vote, fighting the smears, texting OH to 62262 to stay up to date, and inviting your out-of-state friends to come volunteer in Ohio.

**Were you at the Hillary event? Were you a Hillary supporter during the primaries? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

Hillary Hits the Trail for Barack in Elyria and Akron!

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:53:39 EDT

Tomorrow, Hillary Clinton will hold two big events in Elyria and Akron, to speak about Barack's plan to strengthen Ohio's economy and help working families struggling in these tough times. She'll make it clear to voters just how necessary the change Barack represents really is, and how the McCain ticket represents four more years of the same Bush Administration policies that have led to such economic strain and hardship.

Details are below, and click the buttons for more information, and to RSVP. See you there!

CHANGE WE NEED RALLY WITH HILLARY CLINTON
Sunday, Sept. 14th - Doors Open at 11:30 AM
Lorain County Community College
1005 N. Abbe Road
Elyria, OH
NOTE: This event will be held inside.

CHANGE WE NEED RALLY WITH HILLARY CLINTON
Sunday, Sept. 14th - Doors Open at 2:00 PM
Ellet High School Gymnasium
309 Woolf Ave (entrance on Berne Street)
Akron, OH

Governors Janet Napolitano and Kathleen Sebelius To Campaign for Barack in Marion, Rossford, Columbus!

Michael in Ohio — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:50:47 EDT

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius will campaign for Barack Obama at four stops across Ohio on Saturday.

Govs. Napolitano and Sebelius, the daughter of former Ohio Governor John Gilligan, will kick off their campaign swing in Columbus by rallying Obama supporters participating in "Knock for Barack" canvassing events this weekend. Knock for Barack is an ongoing effort to reach voters in every corner of Ohio through grassroots neighbor-to-neighbor organizing and to mobilize support for Obama’s campaign to bring real change to Washington.

Following the rally in Columbus, Govs. Napolitano and Sebelius will host town hall forums on the economy with voters in Columbus, Marion, and Rossford. The forums will focus on Obama’s vision for helping working families, rebuilding our faltering economy, and adding jobs in Ohio and across the country.

Details on tomorrow's events are below. Each is open to the public, but click an event's title to RSVP on My.BarackObama.com.

Columbus Knock for Barack Rally
10:15 am
North Columbus Ohio for Change Office
6066 Huntley Road
Columbus, OH

Columbus Economic Town Hall Forum
11:30 am
Hilltop Senior Village
Dorrian Room
300 Overstreet Way
Columbus, OH

Marion Economic Town Hall Forum
1:45 pm
YMCA
645 Barks Road, East
Marion, OH

Rossford Economic Town Hall Forum
4:45 pm
Rossford Community Center
400 Dixie Highway (State Route 65)
Rossford, OH

"We Will Never Forget..."

Michael in Ohio — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:19:33 EDT

Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks:

Today, we honor the memory of the lives that were lost on September 11, 2001, and grieve with the families and friends who lost someone they loved in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We will never forget those who died. We will always remember the extraordinary efforts of our firefighters, police and emergency responders, and those who sacrificed their own lives on Flight 93 to protect their fellow Americans. And we give thanks for the Americans defending us every day in our communities at home, and in our military abroad.

On 9/11, Americans across our great country came together to stand with the families of the victims, to donate blood, to give to charity, and to say a prayer for our country. Let us renew that spirit of service and that sense of common purpose. Let us remember that the terrorists responsible for 9/11 are still at large, and must be brought to justice. Let us resolve to defeat terrorist networks, defend the American homeland, stand up for the enduring American values that we cherish, and seek a new birth of freedom at home and around the world.

In Cincinnati: Michelle Urges Voter Registration at the National Baptist Convention

Michael in Ohio — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:47:24 EDT

Today in Cincinnati, Michelle Obama spoke before a large, receptive crowd at the 128th National Baptist Convention, which is the country's oldest and largest Baptist denomination. Michelle strongly reiterated the importance of registering to vote, and the responsibility that community leaders have to make sure their friends, family, and peers get registered.

Her husband, as director of Project Vote in the early 90's, of course knows about the civic necessity of registering to vote. But Michelle also, in accompanying her father as he went door-to-door on Chicago's South Side to register his neighbors, has personal experience of just how sacred and fundamental that right to vote really is.

(Note: This image is not from today's event)

Here is some of what Michelle had to say:

Talk to your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and members of your churches. Sit down with your children, your sisters and brothers and aunts and uncles. You all know a few folks who aren’t engaged, aren’t inspired, and don’t think their vote matters. Tell them they’re wrong. Challenge them to rise to this moment. Make sure they are registered to vote—and then, make sure they vote.

Are you registered to vote? Are your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and members of your church? Click HERE to get yourself registered... and then send them the link!

Intern for Barack in Ohio!

Michael in Ohio — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:39:17 EDT

Chances are if you're reading this page, you know that Ohio is crucial to this election. If we defeat John McCain in Ohio, it is almost totally impossible for him to become president.

The Campaign for Change is looking for interns--young, educated people dedicated to committing much of their time and energy for the next two months to making sure Ohio turns blue for Barack. Click HERE to become part of the army of change-makers.

Watch this inspirational video about the difference young people can make in this election, and then see the details about the opportunities available below:

INTERN FOR BARACK OBAMA IN OHIO.

Internships available in:

Field Organizing

New Media

Voter Protection (JUST ADDED!)

Data

Click here to apply as an intern right now.

Live Blog: Barack Talks 21st Century Education in Dayton!

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:53:35 EDT

Here in Riverside, near Dayton, Barack just finished giving remarks at Stebbins High School, where he very clearly laid out the planks of his education platform--which aims to get American children to compete in the globalized world of the 21st century.

Barack was introduced by Greg, a local Dayton parent (and former Republican) who has been closely involved in his child's education. He was a perfect predecessor to Barack, because the fundamentals of Barack's education policy are rooted in the strong conviction that everyone--teachers, the government, and especially parents--must be involved in order for kids to make progress at school. Barack had this to say:

It's time to stop passing the buck on education, and hold ourselves accountable...
It starts in our home. It starts in our family. No government program can turn off the TV set, or put away the video games, or read to your children. But we can help parents do a better job.

He then floated the idea of posting report cards online for parents, so that they can more easily track their child's progress, and determine for themselves how involved they need to be.

But what Barack made sure that everyone knew at this event was that he is an unwavering advocate of public education. Beyond fully funding No Child Left Behind, he established firm ideas on how to make public schools competitive, so that children are guaranteed the best education and are fully prepared for college. This includes prioritizing the recruitment of well-trained teachers, and helping floundering schools instead of leaving them by the wayside.

All of this was in addition to his consistently mentioned plan to prioritize early childhood education and help pay for the schooling of students who choose public service as a profession. At its heart, Barack's plan calls for the federal support of education programs that have been proven to work. And as for funding? Barack swiftly allayed that concern with a one-liner that had the numerous teachers hungry for change here standing up off their seats:

We can do all of this, for the cost of just a couple days in Iraq.

With a meeting scheduled afterwards with the embattled workers of the DHL subsidiaries in the Wilmington area, who potentially face massive job cuts, today Barack is letting it be known that he cares about the struggles of Southwest Ohio.

Kal Penn Returns to Ohio with Jurnee Smollett to Fire Up Students!

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:06:10 EDT

Kal Penn, of "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle," "The Namesake," and the TV series "House," is back on the campaign trail in Ohio on Tuesday to get the word out to young students about the importance of volunteering for Barack. A constant on the road to change, Kal will this time be accompanied by Jurnee Smollett, of "Grey's Anatomy," "The Cosby Show," and most recently "The Great Debaters." The duo will hold two organizing meetings tomorrow, in Youngstown and at Kent State University. Details and links to the events on My.BarackObama.com (so you can RSVP!) are below the picture, from Kal's recent campaign stop in Minnesota:

Kal Penn and Jurnee Smollett Organizing for Change
Tuesday, September 9, 11:45 am
Jones Room, Kilcawley Center
Youngstown, OH

Kal Penn & Jurnee Smollett @ Kent State
Tuesday, September 9, 2:00 pm
Student Center Government Chambers
Kent State Student Center, 2nd Floor
2000 Summit Rd
Kent, OH

Click HERE to get involved on your campus.

Tailgating for Change! Voter Registration at the Bowling Green Game

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:31:56 EDT

Football is huge at colleges across Ohio... and so is the hunger for a new kind of politics in the White House! Every weekend at football games, and before them at the tailgate parties, student volunteers in Ohio register hundreds of new voters. This weekend in Bowling Green, BG played Minnesota, and though the outcome of the game wasn't ideal, the voter registration drive at the tailgate was! Local Field Organizer Corrie has the story, below the picture:

Saturday night was a winning night at the BGSU football stadium even if the home team didn't win. BGSU college dems and SFBO hosted an Obama tailgate where we barbequed, registered voters, and signed up tons of supporters and future volunteers! A few even joined us the next day to canvass after the festivities! After talking about Barack and feasting on hot dogs and hamburgers the crew headed to the stadium decked out in Obama gear to show support not only for the local team but also for Barack!

Looking for a way to get involved on your campus? It can be as easy and fun as tailgating! Now is the perfect time to start making a difference--the deadline for registering voters is October 6th, and there are still plenty of unregistered students out there, waiting to let their voice be heard. Ohio has the second highest student population in the country, at around 665,000--and John Kerry lost Ohio by a mere 118,000 votes. Now more than ever, young people in Ohio have the opportunity to single-handledly turn this country around by turning the Buckeye state blue. Get started right now, by clicking HERE.

Check out this video about Students for Barack Obama and what this movement means to a whole new generation of active, engaged citizens:

One Buckeye's Story Convinces an Undecided at the Convention

Michael in Ohio — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:32:28 EDT

If you watched Barack's acceptance speech last Thursday night, you may have already heard of Monica Early. She was one of a handful of ordinary Americans who prefaced his speech with her own story of why she supports Barack. She also happens to be a citizen of Cuyahoga Falls, in the great state of Ohio.

What you probably don't know is the special impact of Monica's story. It's hard to believe, but there were a couple undecided voters at Invesco Field--and what Monica said put one of them over the fence. This article in Newsweek has the story, about Malissa Garcia, a 23 year-old hairstylist who had heard some slanderous rumors about Barack:

She arrived a skeptic. Unlike the hyperinformed true believers who make the most noise online and on the air-- and, incidentally, like the vast majority of Americans-- Garcia "hasn't been paying much attention to politics this year." Before tonight, in fact, she'd never seen Obama speak... Saying she was "worried" by an email she'd received, Garcia, a "serious Christian," ran through an abridged list of familiar false Obama rumors: he "doesn't say the Pledge of Allegiance" [and] he was "sworn in [to the Senate] on an Iraq Bible"...
Garcia said she was hooked when Monica Early of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio... confessed that she too had received a "scary email," but had discovered, after checking the facts, that "Barack Obama is a man of faith, a man of values and a man of action."

This movement is fueled by supporters like Monica, who fought the smears in front of 37 million viewers.

Barack Takes Rural Ohio by (Barn) Storm!

Michael in Ohio — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:27:40 EDT

These past couple days have been exciting ones for those Ohio Barack supporters in areas not commonly travelled by presidential candidates.

Yesterday, there was the small gathering in New Philadelphia, where Barack discussed women's issues and the economy. His thoughts on infrastructure, as well as the different perspective of his opponent, are captured in the video below:

Then Barack paid a visit to a BBQ on a historic family farm in Dillonvale. Local news station WTOV described the scene:

The presidential hopeful addressed the crowd for about 20 minutes in an informal setting as they sat on bales of hay.
Obama urged people to come together and told the crowd the election is "about you."
"We are truly blessed to be here in America," Obama said. "People are hard-working, they are generous, they believe in community and being good neighbors."
He also said he wants to invest $15 billion to revamp automakers to build high-efficiency cars in the U.S., and said he wants to use energy in a way that doesn't pollute or accelerate global warning.
In attendance were many local officials as well as steel representatives.

A picture of the barn can be seen below:

But that wasn't the only barn to bear the mark of the Obama campaign this week. Today in Spencerville, another Barn for Obama was painted at a picnic, where farmer and friend of Barack Larry Walsh spoke about Barack's commitment to rural Americans.

A stunning slideshow of the project can be found here.

Picnic Celebrates Another Barn for Obama in Spencerville!

Michael in Ohio — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:48:58 EDT

Continuing the “Barns for Obama” effort to show support for Barack Obama in rural parts of Ohio, volunteers will finish the painting of a barn this Thursday in Spencerville. The family who owns the barn will hold a picnic with longtime friend and colleague of Senator Obama’s, former chair of the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee, Larry Walsh.

You can see the current state of the barn in the picture below. Click it to see the barn painting video that launched Barns for Obama, filmed in Trumbull County.

As a soybean and corn producer himself, Larry Walsh has a farmer’s understanding of agricultural issues. Additionally, Walsh was featured in the video introducton of Senator Obama before he gave his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention last week in Denver and will be touring rural Ohio Thursday and Friday. Details on the event are below:

Larry Walsh attends “Barns for Obama” painting and picnic
Thursday, September 4th - 5:30 p.m.
Krendl Farm
1095 North St. Marys Road (State Rt. 66)
Spencerville, OH

“Barns for Obama” is another example Barack's growing support in rural parts of the state. Barack has already visited Lima, Marysville, and Marengo, with stops in New Philadelphia and Dillonvale today. Additionally, the campaign has hired former Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture Doug O’Brien as Rural Vote Director. Click below to hear a radio interview with Doug on the Buckeye Agricultural Network:

Are you an Obama supporter who lives in a rural area? Fill out this form and join Rural Ohioans for Obama!

Back in the Buckeye State! Single Moms Strike a Chord for Barack in New Philadelphia

Michael in Ohio — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:10:51 EDT

Barack has returned to the Buckeye state to talk issues today, and he's starting on a topic that's close to home.

Currently he's at Kent State - Tuscarawas, leading a discussion on women and the economy on a campus that provides numerous flexible courses for students who are working and/or student parents. Barack was raised by a single mom, who was working her way through college when she had him. It's only appropriate that he was introduced at the event today by Gabrielle, a student at Kent State - Tuscarawas and a single mother. Gabrielle's story is one that could change for the better under an Obama administration:

Gabrielle works for the minimum wage at a local bakery, and has at times held multiple jobs to support her family of two. Every rise in the cost of living – from gas to groceries – causes Gabrielle’s budget to stretch even more. Gabrielle would receive real relief under Barack Obama’s economic plan - $3,000 in direct relief as well as lower health care costs, retirement savings incentives and a fairer, simpler tax code. She would receive $2500 from Obama’s increase in the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.50, and receive a $500 Making Work Pay tax credit.

Read more on Barack's plan for working women and families here.

Barack Outlines Support for Piketon Workforce

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:18:44 EDT

Citing the significant contributions from the Piketon Enrichment Plant to the country’s national defense and energy needs, Barack Obama today sent a letter to Ohio Governor Ted Strickland outlining a number of steps he would take as president to “assure the future health and prosperity” of the Piketon community. He stressed the goal of creating “energy security, environmental restoration and job creation for Southeastern Ohio.”

The steps outlined by Barack include:

loan guarantees for advanced energy programs that reduce carbon emissions and break the tie to high cost, foreign energy sources;
protection for workers’ rights, pensions and retirement health care benefits; facilitation of pension portability for workers among the various contractors and subcontractors as new missions unfold with the Department of Energy;
providing benefits due under the “Energy Employee Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act” of 2000 in a timely and equitable manner;
funding and direction to the Energy Department to commence decontamination and decommissioning activities of those facilities which are no longer needed, and maximizing the employment of site workers in this effort;
funding for cleanup of soil, groundwater and hazardous waste from legacy operations;
development of a long-term site plan to include opportunities to reuse the Portsmouth plant site and maximize the vast infrastructure while creating needed jobs in the Southern Ohio region.

Governor Strickland will be holding an economic town hall at the Boilermakers Union in Piketon tonight at 6:30, as part of his series of five town halls today in the Southeast.

The full text of Barack's letter is included in the extended post here:

Gov. Strickland to Campaign for Obama Across Southern Ohio at Economic Forums

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:17:35 EDT

Gov. Ted Strickland will campaign for Barack Obama across Southeast Ohio on Tuesday, and will host town hall forums on the economy with voters in Belpre, Pomeroy, Gallipolis, Jackson and Piketon. Gov. Strickland will discuss Barack Obama’s vision for helping working families, rebuilding our faltering economy, and adding jobs in Ohio and across the country, in order to get America back on track.

Details are available below. All events are open to the public, but click on the one near you to RSVP on My.BarackObama.com, or go to the page for all the events here.

Belpre
8:15 a.m.
Belpre Town Hall Forum
Belpre Lions Club
2113 Murray Street
Belpre, OH

Pomeroy
11:00 a.m.
Pomeroy Town Hall Forum
Carpenters Hall
218 East Main Street
Pomeroy, OH

Gallipolis
1:30 p.m.
Gallipolis Town Hall Forum
Gallia County Senior Citizens Center
1165 State Route 160
Gallipolis, OH

Jackson
4:00 p.m.
Jackson Town Hall Forum
Jackson County Democrats Office
257 East Main Street
Jackson, OH

Piketon
6:30 p.m.
Piketon Town Hall Forum
Boilermakers Union Hall
4561 US Highway 23
Piketon, OH

Barack and Joe Go to Church in Lima, Talk Economy in Toledo

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:01:24 EDT

Barack and Senator Joe Biden rounded off their trip through Ohio yesterday with two well-received stops. Barack attended church services in Lima, a town where though support is strong, renown as a conservative stronghold had kept previous Democratic presidential candidates from visiting for the last fifty years, according to this news story...

But of course this is a different kind of campaign. Obama supporter and actress Kerry Washington also made a splash in Lima on Saturday, showing up for an Obama 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

Barack and Joe followed the Lima trip with a discussion the economy on the roof of the Toledo-Lucas Library, which had positive reviews in the local press. Toledo is a city hurting, and Barack had this to say about renewing America's urban areas:

Many jobs are leaving Toledo, and Joe offered concrete solutions to the citizens listening:

One of the ways to keep America’s corporations here, and Barack has been talking about it for three years, and I’ve been talking about it as well -- the way is to invest in the infrastructure.

And, by the way, if we invest just twenty billion dollars a year or ten billion dollars a year in the United States of America, in infrastructure towards airports, roads, sewer systems, guess what? You are creating jobs where the average pay, even for laborers, is fifty thousand dollars a year. There’s two ways of dealing with it – you’ll cover both ends.

The two made it clear that they stand for working people, and working people agree--read this editorial in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

A photo slideshow of the days events, along with later day stops in Hamilton, Indiana, and Battle Creek, Michigan, is posted below: