If you can't volunteer on the 19th, there are multiple ways to help now and in the future. Please go to www.usaservice.org and sign up. FInd an event or host one yourself. This is just the beginning of the journey, and there is lots of work to do. President Elect Obama and your fellow neighbors need your help.
I have yard signs and would love to hand them out; please come participate in the mega canvas this Saturday and help get out the vote, and get visibilty for your yard at the same time!
LOCATION: Wal-Mart US 380 (University Dr) & Custer Road in McKinney (meet us on the South Side of the Wal-Mart parking lot near the L strip mall)
Senator Obama needs us.
We have 2 weekends left to help get the vote out, and the time is now.
Not next month, but now.
We had an exceptional push for Voter Registration here in Collin County, over 23,000, yes thousand voters were registered between March and the beginning of September.
Now we need to get them to the polls.
The most effective way to reinforce this is by canvassing and talking to voters. If you aren't comfortable with that, you can be part of the first shift of dropping literature at Democratic doors. The doorknockers include pertinent information on the down ballot candidates and early vote locations and times; we are putting all the important information right in the hands of the voters.
Two weekends which will effect the next 4 years of our lives. Collin County needs all of us to step up and help.
12 hours of your time to change the next 4 years of your life.
Don't you want change?
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsh953
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsh97f
Senator McCain was supposed to appear tonight on Late Night; personally called and said he was needed back in Washington. See what happens when Dave finds out he was actually still in NY, right next door!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E
Supporters in Collin County This Is OUR Moment!
But We Need Your Help!
Please Visit This Link http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/jjbertramiv/PRECINCTCAPTAINSNEEDED.jpg
Yes We Can!
It is so exciting to see all the activity under the events section in MyBO; Voter Registration Drives, Phone Banking, Canvassing and more. There are a number of ways to volunteer and move forward to turn Texas blue, and the time is now. Do a search under the events section and find one that appeals to you; all of the events need volunteers, and Senator Obama needs us to get the voters registered and to the polls to vote for him. No expereince needed!
If you aren't familiar with the events section, how to find on or how to create an event yourself, there is a tutuorial on the OCC website. Join in and volunteer in any way you can!
http://www.obamacollincounty.com/mybotraining
If you haven't contacted your Precinct Chair or House District lead yet, do so! There are all kinds of things happening at the Precinct level and they need to know who will be with them moving forward to Novemeber 4th in getting people to the polls.
Application for Ballot by Mail
To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must:
You may open this form (PDF, 41kb), print the application, fill in the information, sign and date it. You will then put it in an envelope, add postage, and mail to the Early Voting Clerk in your county.
OR
You may also request an application for Ballot by Mail online , and not later than the next working day, an application for ballot by mail will be mailed to you. You must mail the application to early voting clerk of the authority conducting the election.
The early voting clerk is the county clerk or elections administrator for your county. A list of County Clerks is available on this website.
For more information, please read the Early Voting in Texas pamphlet
ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) -- It's odd to present yourself as a maverick to the most partisan audience imaginable, as John McCain did Thursday night.
But the real audience wasn't sitting in the Xcel Center this evening to watch the Arizona senator accept the Republican Party's presidential nomination; it was the independents at home looking for a reason to vote for him.
It wasn't that long ago that McCain was the Republican most admired among Democrats. He retains some residual popularity with Democrats and particularly independents.
But some of that glow has faded.
He's certainly doing his best to regain some of that luster. He didn't talk much at all about divisive social issues: a brief reference to his support for life, no talk of gay issues, a brief reference to judges that don't legislate from the bench but no extended focus on social issues. That's not the core of his agenda.
But in a moment sure to be featured in campaign ads from now to November, he paid tribute to the sitting Republican president, George W. Bush. A risky move.
So far, at least, the essence of his economic plan is to stop government spending, an arguable proposition for economic growth, but it's the most concrete economic plan he's provided: stop government overspending and rescue the economy. Democrats will try to pick that apart. But frankly, a lot of people believe it
The second element of his economic plan is to cut taxes. Cutting taxes and keeping government spending low are the foundation of Republican economics: Reaganomics.
Is that an economic rescue program?
To put it another way: Do people feel that their economic problems are caused by government spending and high taxes? They certainly did in 1980, but it's 28 years later.
It's always been an article of belief among Republicans that they lost the 2006 congressional elections because of their abandonment of one of these core Republican principles and their embrace of federal overspending.
That's simply not true; they lost because of Iraq. But they refuse to believe it.
The Iraq issue has really receded in importance in this campaign. It was the central issue in 2006 but not 2008. And one of the ironies is that more Americans think we're winning in Iraq, but more Americans believe that Obama will handle the issue better than McCain.
Iraq did take center stage in one respect Thursday night as anti-war protesters from Code Pink who managed to make it into the arena interrupted McCain at several points.
As these protesters continued to grab the crowd's attention -- and the crowd, coming to his defense, unintentionally stepped on McCain's speech with their chants -- he recognized that he really faced a serious problem and did his best to short-circuit it. Ignore the "static," he told the audience; "Americans want us to stop shouting at each other."
He's right.
The danger in incidents like this is that people will see him as a president who will divide the country. That's the danger for him. His initial response was the right one: Maintain calm in the situation, the crowd and himself.
Still, McCain ended with his biggest themes: sacrifice and patriotism. It was intended to be stirring, but I wonder whether the call to "fight" turns off a lot of voters.
People really are tired of fighting.
My view is: It was a simple and sincere speech that gave testimony to his character, avoiding most divisive social issues. But it did not seem to answer the question, "What are you going to do about the nation's terrible economic problems?"
His answers seemed very much part of the past: cut spending, cut taxes. He really needs to find a new and bolder economic plan.
If voters are choosing between two men, they will probably choose McCain. If they're choosing between two policies, I think Obama has the edge: His are newer, smarter and fresher
Just because a Republican at the convention says its true doesn’t make it so. Check this page to find out the truth about Republican boasts and the latest attacks on Democrats.
PALIN: “Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems – as if we all didn’t know that already. But the fact that drilling won’t solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all.”
REALITY: PALIN SAID SHE WOULD BEG TO DISAGREE WITH ANY CANDIDATE WHO SAID WE CAN’T DRILL OUR WAY OUT OF OUR PROBLEM
PALIN: “Senator McCain also promises to use the power of veto in defense of the public interest – and as a chief executive, I can assure you it works.”
REALITY: PALIN OPPOSED CRUCIAL EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND SENIORS FUNDING
EDUCATION/CHILDREN Total: 396,000.
HOSPITALS/HEALTH CARE Total: $4,527,500.
SENIORS Total: $600,000.
PALIN: “Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown.”
REALITY: UNDER PALIN, WASILLA GOVERNMENT SPENDING & DEBT SKYROCKETED.
PALIN: “It was the spirit that brought me to the governor’s office, when I took on the old politics as usual in Juneau … when I stood up to the special interests, the lobbyists, big oil companies, and the good-ol’ boys network.”
REALITY: PALIN HAS A LT. GOVERNOR WHO IS A FORMER OIL LOBBYIST, HIRED WASILLA’S FIRST FEDERAL LOBBYIST (A FORMER STEVENS STAFFER) & HAD THE SUPPORT OF ENTRENCHED ALASKA POLITICIANS DURING HER 2006 RACE.
PALIN: “I came to office promising major ethics reform, to end the culture of self-dealing. And today, that ethics reform is the law.”
REALITY: PALIN SIGNED WEAK ETHICS REFORM BILL & HAS HAD NUMEROUS ETHICAL FLAPS OF HER OWN.
PALIN: “I suspended the state fuel tax, and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress.”
REALITY: ALASKA HAS REQUESTED $589 MILLION IN PORK SINCE PALIN TOOK OFFICE & AS MAYOR, SHE HIRED WASILLA’S FIRST FEDERAL LOBBYIST TO SECURE EARMARKS FOR THE TOWN.
PALIN: “In fact, I told Congress — I told Congress, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ on that bridge to nowhere.”
REALITY: PALIN WAS FOR THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE BEFORE SHE WAS AGAINST IT.
REALITY: PALIN ONLY ANNOUNCED OPPOSITION TO ONE “BRIDGE TO NOWHERE,” STILL SUPPORTS THE OTHER ONE
PALIN: “But we are expected to govern with integrity, and goodwill, and clear convictions…”
REALITY: PALIN UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ABUSE OF POWER.
PALIN: “As Governor, I have a record of being a strong fiscal conservative and have vetoed millions in special projects pushed by legislators.”
REALITY: Palin Increased Taxes on Oil Companies to Pay for $1,200 Giveaway to Every Resident in the State. “One of her most significant accomplishments as governor was passing a major tax increase on state oil production, angering oil companies but raising billions of dollars in new revenue. She said the oil companies had previously bribed legislators to keep the taxes low. She subsequently championed legislation that would give some of that money back to Alaskans: Soon, every Alaskan will receive a $1,200 check.” [New York Times, 8/30/08]
PALIN: “I understand that we must reduce our dependence on foreign energy. I’ve worked with our state’s energy producers to expand our production so that we can have a safe, reliable supply of energy produced here in the United States.”
REALITY: PALIN SUPPORTED EXPORTING NATURAL GAS WHILE ALASKA BUSINESSES CLOSED BECAUSE OF SHORTAGES
PALIN: “And despite fierce opposition from oil company lobbyists, who kind of liked things the way they were, we broke their monopoly on power and resources.”
REALITY: PALIN IS CLOSE TO THE OIL INDUSTRY
PALIN: “Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we’re going to lay more pipelines … build more new-clear plants … create jobs with clean coal … and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources.”
REALITY: PALIN CUT FUNDING FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
PALIN: “Taxes are too high … he wants to raise them.”
REALITY: PALIN HAS REPEATEDLY SUPPORTED TAX INCREASES
PALIN: “It was just a year ago when all the experts in Washington counted out our nominee because he refused to hedge his commitment to the security of the country he loves. With their usual certitude, they told us that all was lost – there was no hope for this candidate who said that he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war. But the pollsters and pundits overlooked just one thing when they wrote him off. They overlooked the caliber of the man himself – the determination, resolve, and sheer guts of Senator John McCain. The voters knew better.”
REALITY: MCCAIN COUNTED MCCAIN OUT TWICE
PALIN: “They are the ones who do some of the hardest work in America … who grow our food, run our factories, and fight our wars.”
REALITY: Palin Backed A Two-Year Extension Of The Export License To Export Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) To Japan And Other Asian Countries—Criticized Because Alaska’s Gas Reserves Are Declining. “Alaska producers can continue shipping gas to Asia after DOE last week approved an extension of the export license for the Kenai liquefied natural gas plant owned by ConocoPhillips and Marathon. The companies will be allowed to export up to 98.1 Bcf to Japan and other Pacific Rim countries over a two-year period through March 31, 2011. […] The application came under fire from local end-users, including gas distribution companies Enstar and the Chugach Electric Association, as well as fertilizer maker Agrium, all of which claimed the exports would exacerbate the problem of declining gas reserves in south-central Alaska. Agrium permanently closed its plant near Kenai due to an inability to find enough local supply for the facility that used 53 Bcf/year. In January, ConocoPhillips and Marathon reached a deal in which they agreed to step up development in the Cook Inlet region in return for the state’s support of the export license extension. The producers also agreed to divert gas from the LNG plant as needed to meet the peak winter supply needs of the local utilities. […] Alaska Governor Sarah Palin welcomed the DOE approval. “In these times of economic uncertainty, this is great news for the state and its residents. This extension will secure a future for the LNG operation and is another step toward ensuring energy supplies and energy security for Alaska,” the Republican governor said. [Platts Inside FERC, 6/9/08]
PALIN: “As for my running mate, you can be certain that wherever he goes, and whoever is listening, John McCain is the same man. I’m not a member of the permanent political establishment.”
PALIN: “We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers.”
REALITY: Palin Responded Favorably to Obama’s Energy Plan. According to a news release from her office, Gov. Sarah Palin, R-AK, said she was “pleased” by Obama’s energy plan. “I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska’s natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs,” she said. “The steps taken by the Alaska State Legislature this past week demonstrate that we are ready, willing and able to supply the energy our nation needs.” The press release said that “in a speech given in Lansing, Michigan, Senator Obama called for the completion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline, stating, ‘Over the next five years, we should also lease more of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska for oil and gas production. And we should also tap more of our substantial natural gas reserves and work with the Canadian government to finally build the Alaska natural gas pipeline, delivering clean natural gas and creating good jobs in the process.’” [Palin press release, 8/4/08]
PALIN: “ But listening to him speak, it’s easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform – not even in the state senate.”
REALITY: OBAMA PASSED THE MOST SWEEPING REFORMS SINCE WATERGATE IN BOTH THE ILLINOIS AND US SENATES, AMONG OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PALIN: “America needs more energy … our opponent is against producing it.”
REALITY: OBAMA HAS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR A BIPARTISAN COMPROMISE THAT WOULD CUT TAX BREAKS FOR OIL COMPANIES, INVEST IN ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES, AND ALLOW FOR LIMITED NEW OFFSHORE DRILLING
Obama Said He Would Be Open To Offshore Drilling If We Come Up With “A Genuine Bipartisan Compromise” To Get To Energy Independence. “Senator Barack Obama said Saturday that he would reluctantly consider accepting some new offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico in exchange for stripping oil companies of tax breaks and extending several tax credits to spur the search for alternative fuels. At the same time, Senate Republicans appear to have dropped their insistence on opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. Mr. Obama has until now opposed any offshore drilling. But in a news conference here, he noted that there had been ‘very constructive’ talks between Senate Republicans and Democrats on this issue in recent days, applauding a plan unveiled by a group of Republican and Democratic senators to permit drilling while supporting an effort to convert most vehicles to using alternative fuels in 20 years. ‘If we come up with a genuine bipartisan compromise, where I have to accept some things that I don’t like in order to get energy independence,’ Mr. Obama said, ‘that’s something I will have to consider.’ Still, he cautioned that he was not yet ‘ready to sign off on any approach.’” [New York Times, 8/3/08]
PALIN: “Victory in Iraq is finally in sight … he wants to forfeit.”
REALITY: BUSH ADMINISTRATION AND INDEPENDENT MILITARY EXPERTS AGREE THAT DRAWING DOWN ONE TO TWO BRIGADES A MONTH IS NOT ONLY POSSIBLE BUT SAFE
PALIN: “Terrorist states are seeking new-clear weapons without delay … he wants to meet them without preconditions.”
REALITY: REPUBLICANS AGREE WITH DIRECT TALKS WITH IRAN
