Citizen Mojo

Every American Should Watch Obama's Special

Triscuit — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:37:18 EDT

I watched Obama's 30 minute special, "American Stories, American Solutions," and it truly touched me. Our donations allowed him to broadcast it around the country, but I believe that every person in America should watch this short film. It is so powerful and inspiring. Please do what you can to promote it to those around you:

American Stories, American Solutions.

If the person you are talking to does not think they have time to watch it, please implore them to do so. But we all understand that with the economy being what it is, between work, school and children some people don't have the time or energy that they would like. If that is so, this much shorter video speaks much the same message. It is what first inspired me to support Obama so long ago:

One Voice.

Are You Sure You're Registered?

Triscuit — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:07:11 EDT

The last thing you want on Nov. 4 is to find out you are registered at the wrong address. Fortunately there is an easy way to confirm your registration online. Visit http://www.canivote.org/ to make sure your voice is heard.

The non-partisan website created by the National Association of Secretaries of State hosts an easy to use, comprehensive list of state websites where you can check your eligibility and registered address, and it also provides information on polling places, absentee ballots, and other things you'll need to know in November.

Pundits agree that voter turnout will be one of the most important factors in this election. Florida was decided by 537 votes in 2000. It only takes five minutes to ensure your enfranchisement in one of the most critical elections in history.

If your registration is incorrect, visit http://www.rockthevote.com/ to download a registration card that you can print and mail to election officials from the comfort of your own home. Hurry, the registration period is coming to a close in many states!

Obama Needs to Back Off Gun Control

Triscuit — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:20:12 EDT

I've been reading a bit this morning, and I've found people starting to talk about Obama's position on gun control. The gun control issue seems to be returning somewhat, and Obama's support of the Assault Weapons Ban is really hurting him with moderate gun owners.

I think that it is something he really needs to rethink his stance, because the AWB did absolutely nothing to ban automatic weapons, curb violence, or prevent shootings. It is a meaningless piece of legislation that the Democratic Party needs to leave in the 90s. It serves only to drive away gun owners, which are 25% of American adults. 50% of American households have at least one gun.

Obama can't afford to let gun control become a national issue. Both he and the Democratic Party need to drop the issue, support the status quo, and fight other battles. There are very few people who will vote for gun control, and many people who will vote against. It just isn't worth it.

This is the thread that sparked my concerns:

http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2958956

Too Much Hyperbole

Triscuit — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:57:57 EDT

I've noticed an upswing in harshly worded rhetoric against Republican supporters. People are calling anyone who has voted for Republicans a bigot, or selfish, or ignorant. And while I can certainly understand a degree of satisfaction in doing this, I think that we need to avoid painting with such a broad brush. It isn't helping us, and it is feeding the myth that Democrats are elitist and have little in common with people who vote conservatively.

I don't think some people understand what a golden opportunity we have here. 8 years of clearly corrupt politics have fractured the Reagan coalition, leaving the RNC in a sorry state. If Democrats could stop pointlessly agitating the moderate conservatives with hyperbole, we could pick up a lot of voters.

Obama Victory!

Triscuit — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 01:56:50 EDT

Obama wins the Democratic nomination! Huzzah!

I would really suggest watching the video of his victory speech if you haven't already, especially if you know of any supporters of Hillary Clinton who are concerned about the Barack Obama nomination.

Share this video with them, and show them that supporters of Clinton have a place at the table.

Together, we can make a difference.

Link (via YouTube)

75,000 at Portland Obama Rally

Triscuit — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:41:47 EDT

Barack Obama held the largest rally yet for the 2008 presidential race in Portland today. 60,000 crowded into the gates of Waterfront park, with another 15,000 outside and boats and kayaks floating alongside in the Willamette. It was a beautiful, sunny evening for the event, and a perfect capstone for the hard fought campaign. Obama is hoping to have a strong showing in Oregon, which should prove to be the clincher for the Democratic nomination.

Read the event coverage:

The Washington Post
The New York Times
Official Barack Obama blog

Oregon is the largest state remaining in the contest between Clinton and Obama, and it is considered a strong supporter of the Obama campaign. Still, every vote counts in this proportional contest. If more than 70% vote Obama then he gets every vote!

So if you haven't put your ballot in the mail, walk down to a ballot box and make your voice heard.

Obama in '08!

Is it Over?

Triscuit — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:34:58 EDT

After the closely contested primary in Indiana last night, pundits and editorials are busy arguing over whether or not the race is effectively over.

This morning, Jim Rutenberg from the New York Times said he thinks the majority of newspapers are declaring the race over in favor of Barack Obama, and that this feeling should solidify over the course of the day. Then Katharine Seelye, also of the New York Times, said that the Clinton campaign has acknowledged that even the full delegate count from Michigan and Florida won't be enough to give them the nomination. This could be a sign that the NYT as a whole has decided that the primary has concluded, which would be a death knell for Clinton's campaign.

On the other hand, the LA Times remains undecided, with a series of articles that indicate that Clinton is still in the race, albeit in tough times. This view will be echoed in many of the morning dailies, which went to press before Clinton's lead in Indiana dropped to only 16,000 votes.

It will be interesting to see how the conversation changes over the next couple of days. Even if it doesn't finish off Clinton's chances, it will affect the outcome of the upcoming primary in W. Virginia. Her only chance is to maintain popular support through to the next round of primaries in Clintonian states, and then heavily contest the last round that is leaning towards Obama, before wrapping the thing up in the convention.

Clinton's campaign will have to work hard to prevent this line from hardening, or the superdelegates will move and the race really will be.

First Speech of the General Election

Triscuit — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:51:39 EDT

Barack Obama made a "decisive victory" in N. Carolina tonight, pulling within 200 delegates of securing the Democratic nomination. Hillary Clinton won Indiana by less than a 2 point margin.

In response, Obama delivered a major speech that has been called "the first speech of the general election."

"We can't afford to give John McCain the chance to serve out George Bush's third term," Obama said. "We need change in America."

"That's why I'm running for President."

Link via YouTube

Obama's Anger

Triscuit — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:02:08 EDT

Looks like another round of Clintonian panhandling about the 'Pastorgate Crisis' (on a side note, the *gate cliche needs to die a horrible death).

I read an article by Frank James from the Baltimore Sun Tribune entitled "Can Obama Show Real Anger?" James argued that Obama's recent televised renunciation of his former pastor Jeremiah Wright lacked the anger that was needed:

James writes (abridged):

Does Sen. Barack Obama ever cut loose and let his anger and, more broadly, his emotions show? And if not, what is that about and will voters go for a candidate who always seems buttoned down?

If ever there were a perfect opportunity for Obama to really show what most people would recognize as anger, it was yesterday, the day after his former pastor Jeremiah Wright's histronics at the National Press Club.

Then a man the candidate once counted as important to his life, his former pastor, essentially calls Obama an opportunistic, say-anything-to-win politician and appears intent on doing everything he can to sink his former congregant's chances.

Candidates have been driven to public displays of ire over less. And it may have helped some voters connect with more since most people would understand a candidate getting "fired up," as Obama might say, over such a perceived betrayal as Wright's.

While some reporters in the room said they saw glimpsed anger, watching on television it was very hard to see. What was more apparent was pique. Obama seemed very tamped down. He didn't even appear to be doing a slow burn.

Because I'm guessing many Americans want to see some fight in their presidential candidates. They want a president who at times will kick a little you-know-what and take names if the situation calls for it. A candidate needs to show that ability.

[Americans] want to see anger when it should be there, a popping vein on the forehead, and a well-aimed "How dare he!" They want to know the man or woman they choose to be president has not just the head for a fight, but the heart for it.

Changing Times

Triscuit — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:58:57 EDT

Here's a clever article written by the New York Times' John Harwood about the epic length of this democratic primary contest. It was just published today as an advancer for the resurgence of primaries over the next couple weeks. I'm going to coopt it a bit just to remind everyone to register to vote if their primary is coming up. That's less than a month away Oregonians! Get out the vote!

For perspective, consider America as it was when the battle effectively began — Oct. 22, 2006, when Mr. Obama said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he had changed his mind and was considering a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.
The average price of gas then stood at $2.20 a gallon.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld directed war strategy in Iraq.
J. Dennis Hastert of Illinois, as speaker of the House, and Bill Frist of Tennessee, the Senate majority leader, called the signals in the Republican-controlled Congress.
Eliot Spitzer, poised to win the governorship of New York, was a rising star in national Democratic politics.
Katie Couric was just seven weeks into her new job as anchor of the “CBS Evening News.”
Neither Peyton nor Eli Manning had won a Super Bowl

Link via New York Times

Are You a Mac Person?

Triscuit — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:23:40 EDT

A recent New York Times article compares Obama and Clinton to a Mac and a PC. It specifically looks at this website, my.barackobama.com, and compares the ways social networking has been used by the campaigns.

While Mr. Santa Maria praised barackobama.com for having “this welcoming quality,” he added that it was “ethereal, vaporous and someone could construe it as nebulous.” He said there was a bit of the “Lifetime channel effect, you know, vasoline on the lens” to create a softer effect on the viewer. The “hectic” site that the Clinton campaign is offering could actually be quite strategic, exactly in step with her branding. After all, Mrs. Clinton repeatedly emphasizes how hard she will work for the average American “starting on Day 1.” If she comes across as energetic online, that may simply be her intention. If she shouts a bit more, typographically speaking, that may be the better to be heard.

This is a must read for any technophilic member of this site.

Link via New York Times

Obama and the Olympics

Triscuit — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:41:47 EDT

After reading the news about the San Francisco protests, it is my opinion that Barack Obama needs to stop hot-footing around about the Beijing Games. I understand that the political realities will probably mandate a neutral response, but the issue is quickly rising in importance and deserves a clear opinion.

I would support Obama regardless, but the games are going to be dominating the headlines for months - and he needs a better answer than, "I am of two minds on the issue."

I wrote more about my thoughts on the San Francisco torch relay on my blog, Excess Opinion.

Link via Blogger

Brand Obama

Triscuit — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:18:56 EDT

I read a very interesting article by the International Herald Tribune that looked into the highly successful design of the Barack Obama campaign. I thought others might be interested, so I'd share it.

Author Alice Rawsthorn takes an indepth look at the differing philosophies behind the logos, marketing and even the fonts of the three major candidates, and Obama comes up on top by a landslide. Rawsthorn claims that his campaign's grasp of advertising tools and effective brand marketing is far more advanced than that of Clinton or McCain.

I would really recommend checking out the article, as it is a fascinating look into something that many of us might take for granted.

Link (via The International Herald Tribune)

Obama is Even Better in Person!

Triscuit — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:16:18 EDT

I went to the Obama "Stand Up For Change" rally in Eugene last night. It was amazing!

It was almost too overwhelming to talk about, and I was too excited to really remember anything he said. Probably nothing new, but he told it to me in person! Huzzah!

Anywho, Mac court was filled to the brim and then some. More than 10,000 were in the crowd, with another five to ten thousand listening over at Hayward field nearby. I was literally the last person to get into the building, according to the Secret Service guy who let me in with the rest of the straggler volunteers.

He counted down our number with his fingers, and six or seven other people tried to trick their way in there one way or the other, including a KEZI newscaster who managed to get himself locked out the building he was supposed to be taping from. I'd be more sympathetic if every journalist there wan't so full of themselves for covering yet another rally. It was awesome, but not worth being an asshole over.

Obama Is Coming to Eugene!

Triscuit — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:37:49 EDT

Barack Obama will be holding a rally at Mac Court at the University of Oregon on Friday, Mar. 21. I've heard about this happening for a while, but for some reason I never really made the connection until I recieved an email about it today. It is a free of charge rally, but also first come first serve. Get there early so you can save me a spot. Don't bring your bags, you will have problems getting in.

I'll sure as hell be there, and I hope you all do too.

Stand for Change Rally with Barack Obama

McArthur Court

University of Oregon
1601 University St.
Eugene, OR 97403

Doors Open: 7:00 p.m.
Program Begins: 9:00 p.m.

Thanks,

Obama for America

St. Paddy's Day T-Shirts!

Triscuit — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:47:40 EST

For all you other Irish lads out there (and all you lovely Irish lasses), the Obama Store has new t-shirts out there for St. Patties. They're mean, they're green and they support your very own O'Bama. Corny? Yes. Awesome? Absolutely! Order them here if you haven't already gone over your contribution limit (this applies to at least one person I know). If you have, uh, don't. It's a federal offense.

I certainly ordered two for both myself and my dearest pater, and then went on a buying spree and picked up another t-shirt I've been wanting as well as a lawn sign (nobody steal it, punks). A cool $83.56 for the Obama campaign, and I've got a guarantee that I won't get pinched come the 17th. Too bad it doesn't count towards the fundraising ticker on this blog.

Clinton May Bow Out

Triscuit — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 23:55:56 EST

The New York Times reports today that Hillary Clinton may bow out of the primary contest if she is defeated in Texas or Ohio, the next two major states. This possibility has led to a rash of advertising on both sides, with Obama out-spending Clinton nearly two to one, according to the article.

"Clinton's advisers have suggested that she will bow out of the race if she falters in either state," writes author Adam Nagourney, "after 11 straight losses."

This is welcome news for the Obama campaign. Hopefully we can avoid the ugliness of a convention decided by superdelegates instead of the public.

Keep it up people! Advocate or donate!

Link (via The New York Times)

Texans are Tied at the Polls

Triscuit — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:44:39 EST

Good news!

Obama caught up to Clinton in the Texas polls, and perhaps has even passed her in popularity. This comes eight days before the primary, and just after a round of speeches and rallies by both candidates - a role where Obama is particularly suited.

Keep it up Obama! Look forward to seeing you here in Oregon. I have hope, I want change!

Link (via CNN)

Looking Forward

Triscuit — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:49:21 EST

With Wisconsin and Hawaii in the bag, Obama supporters have gained themselves their 10th straight victory, as well as bit more breathing space. The next round of primaries will occur on 4 Mar, with Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island up for grabs. Texas is clearly the most important pick of the lot, though Ohio isn't far behind. Clinton holds a lead in the polls in Texas and Ohio, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that change over the next couple of weeks. If this recent rally in Texas is any indication, Clinton is going to have a real fight on her hands to hold onto the state. Go Obama!

Link (via YouTube)

In other news, running counter to the advice of Lars Thorwald in my previous post, many people are beginning to seriously consider VP runningmates for Obama in the general election. Green industry / energy advocate Gov. Brian Schweitzer may soon be leading the pack in that race.

Lull Before the Storm

Triscuit — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:39:31 EST

Democrats around the nation seem to be waiting with pent up breath. The excitement of the last month has given way to an uneasy two weeks of rumors and unsure polls. Clearly, the next round of primaries could prove decisive, but no one seems sure how they will turn out. Obama seems to be doing quite well, but the superdelegates may swing towards Clinton, and no one knows how Texas, etc. are going to turn out. In the meantime, Clinton and Obama have been doing campaign maintenance, ensuring that their shop is in order before that last, terrifying drop down the primary rollercoaster.

Still, their slowdown has not stopped a virtual whirlwind of election media from pouring out into the mainstream. While I have mainly concerned myself with the nightly reading of Barack Obama's Audacity of Hope (a fantastic and inspirational read), election newsgroups and major political websites have let loose a deluge of commentary that, frankly, has made me turn off some of my listservs just so I can navigate through. Happily, though, much of it seems to be indicative of a broad swath of support for Barack Obama. People of all backgrounds are getting up to support the good Man of Change.

I would, however, like to bring to your attention the popular commentary of Lars Thorwald of the Daily Kos, a well-known political blog. In the midst of the lovely post-Super Tuesday haze, his succintly chosen words hit me like a glass of water.

I saw the polls in the days and weeks leading up to that that hard day in November 2004. "The polls show Kerry ahead in Wisconsin!" "Kerry looks like he will win it by three points!" "The exit polls say Kerry has it! w00t!" "Where do I get my tickets to the inaugural ball? Do I call the campaign directly, or...?"
Dolts. Stupid, unprepared, inactive dolts we were. Parsing out polls in a masturbatory love-fest while the never-to-be-underestimated Republicans eked out a win by doing the hard work. We awoke from our sticky days of self-love and he-might-just-pull-it-out fantastic voyages to find them holding the election and us holding the bag. And we know exactly what that got us.
So Sen. Clinton has had some small money woes, and has not won in a few states, and has had a bit of a staff shakeup. And I guess that all means that Obama is winning. Well I say hogwash and horsesh*t to all that.
Obama is not winning, you fool.
Link (via Daily Kos)

Blogging Anniversary

Triscuit — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:17:06 EST

I figure I've been blogging for more than three years now. I first started back before the 2004 elections, and kind of kept at my blogger.com blog ever since then. Usually it comes in spurts. Apparently if there isn't an election going on, I have nothing to say.

Anyways, I updated my blogger.com blog recently, and if you are reading this blog you might (possibly, potentially) be interested in some of the less political posts I have made. For example, one of the last posts I made was about facial hair. Exciting, I know.

Link (via Blogger)

Oration

Triscuit — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:44:45 EST

One of my favorite things about Barack Obama is his fantastic ability to articulate his ideas in ways that are both understandable and inspirational. I'm reading his book The Audacity of Hope, and it is a brilliant display of concise thinking (though occassionally a bit of of vague political-speak slips in). I would very much recommend reading or listening to it. Obama recieved a Grammy for his narration of the audiobook version of the work.

The recent celebrity music video "Yes We Can" features some of Obama's most inspirational words:

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant. We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

Political Spam

Triscuit — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:39:02 EST

"Read this e-mail, then send it to all your friends."

The chain mail. Everyone has seen one of those messages pop-up in their inbox, rolled their eyes a bit, and then decided whether to update your spam blocker or not. In election season, political chain mails are becoming ever more common. E-mail from friends and family take on a less than personal tone, and inboxes fill with message headlines like Fw:Fw:Fw:Fw:Re:Obama.

I think this is both a good and a bad thing for common citizens. On the one hand, people are becoming more capable of transmitting their thoughts on politics to an ever greater audience. Too, this is a critical listening audience because they are not strangers but rather friends and family (or friends of friends of family).

But often, it seems that we are being exploited by these chain mails. Campaign organizations get to use your e-mail address and social networking to promote their cause, but at the cost of making you seem like a sloganistic drone. While I want to support these causes, I'm not willing to pay that kind of personal cost. I'll write, or not write, my own e-mails, thanks.

iGeneration

Triscuit — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 18:56:36 EST

The Internet revolution continues to roll on, with sites like Digg, MySpace and YouTube giving individual citizens an ever greater ability to advocate to a mass audience. Previously, people were limited by their community contacts to promote their opinions. Large companies owning newspapers, news television channels and talk radio stations used to be the only modes of mass communication, but that is changing rapidly.

The Obama campaign has done a fantastic job of leveraging this new mode of communication. This mirrors the populist tone of the campaign, with its mass rallies, communal rhetoric and its reliance upon individual donation financing.

Hope

Triscuit — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:49:21 EST

My interest in Barack Obama and the Democratic party has recently become revived. Previously I was an independent, though I mostly voted Democrat anyways, because I was so frustrated by the conduct of the party, especially with its promotion of an unfair primary system and its inability to inspire people and to win the support of the public.

Fortunately, things change. I now support Barack Obama for nomination, though I still worry over aspects of his campaign.