Ahhhh back to where it all started! Finally.
Sorry it took a couple of days to get this written. BUT>>>> I did not get home until 230 AM and the alarm went off at 5AM. OUCH! I worked all the next day and came home to a sewer backed up, which by the way is still not completely fixed. But on to other things.
I was not going to go. No I wasnt. Then I was going to go. I called Sandi4Obama on Sunday night to check if she was going to go. She said she just talked to John Columbo and yes they were going to get together with a group and go. We talked about going earlier because we wanted to get up front. I went to bed happy and excited. When I was at work Monday and thought about how tired I would be and how much gas money I would be spending....I changed my mind and decided not to go. I did not want to tell Sandi as I knew I was the "early ride" for her since the others had to work. When I got home Sandi called me and told me to look in my email for a "pass to change" a special pass from the campain (I bet they gave out a thousand of them, I did not know that then) when I saw it in my mail, I changed my mind again and said. OK we are on!
I had to take my daughter to the Orthodontist first and then get home and get ready to go, which shirt to wear???lol. Then off I went a bit later than I wanted to leave, but I had to get somethings done like charge my camera battery! I met Sandi in Clear Lake and we were off, excited and talking all the way. Sandi is such a hoot and such a wonderful person, she does so much for others all the time, she gives blood every 60 days, and helps raise money for so many local charities I can not remember them all. We talked about our life history and have much in common. Who knew I would meet up with people from all over Iowa that I would have never gotten to know had it not been for this campaign.
We got there about 130 and went through the capitol, I had never been. We took pictures of the senate and some of the old marble fixtures and then walked down the steps all the way to the main street. We got behind the scenes and checked out where Barack would be speaking. We talked to some press and other "over excited and early" supporters. We ended up meeting up with a friend of Sandi's I can not remember his name because I am bad with names. He has a suit on in the pictures you will see. We called him Senator.(I dont think he ever was, he was a teacher-retired). We talked to him about his support of Obama and the times he had met him.
We went to a place called "The House of Bricks" and had a Coke and waited. This was about 230 or so, we kept our eyes out as the line got longer, and went outside and figured out that we had our own line for "pass for change" we met a couple of girls there that had chairs and were first in line. We talked to them and started our long wait til 730. The line got bigger and bigger and we started directing people to the correct line across the street for those without passes. Soon it was about 5:30 or 6:00. We had a problem on our hands, people were just showing up and making the line "wider" and not just getting in the back of the line as would be respectful. We had our hands full, but a sweetheart Joe the Secret Service guy who had been hanging out with us for an hour or so helped us out a bit, but people are just rude. ANYWAY....
They let us in early because the street was just too full of people. We went to our assigned area and were a little discouraged because it was in back of and to the right of the podium. But at least we were close. A band played and when they started out with Super Freak, I said...hmmmm does this make anyone think of someone in particular? (ok that was rude, sorry Hillary) we sang and danced around and watched as the MIB, SS and then the snipers all filled up the place. First a woman named Candy spoke. She had a story just like mine. A disinterested, non political Iowan. A Mom, a hard worker and someone who just went along with the tide. She too has been motivated by Baracks candiacy. She is now going back to college, in her 40s to study political science.
We knew that Barack would be there soon. We thought he would come from the left but he ended up coming from the right, with Michelle, Sasha and Malia. What a wonderful and beautiful family. They did not quite get to us. I was bummed....but more to come. As Michelle and the girls left the stage so Dad could do some talking the girls came running down and I have a great shot of that in my pictures, they were ready to get out of there, being little girls I am sure they tire of the whole ordeal. The girls waited right in fron of us with the SS and then Michelle came over and shook hands and gave an older woman a big hug. People just love Michelle. She is absolutly gorgous. That Barack is a lucky man considering he is so skinny and he has such big ears...lol
Baracks speech was one that showed what a statesman he is. Very gracious to Sen. Clinton and to her accomplishments. I was proud. He thanked Iowa and went on to tell us that he now had the majority of pledged delegates. The crowd went wild! It was like something I had never felt. We all have worked so hard, we have litterly put blood, sweat and lots of tears and sleepless nights in for this one man. To tell me that we should not believe in him is just like saying that I should not believe the sun will come up tomarrow. I have thrown in so much of my life in this, it is truely something that I have staked so much in. The fact that some people can not see the light, does not mean that EVERYONE will not see it if given the chance. I know now more than ever that this fight is the one worth fighting.
Barack took on McCain with an iron fist, I for one have been so glad to see Barack going after McCain. This fight will not be easily won against the right sided wing nuts, but we ARE GOING TO DO IT! That is what we are all here for! I am ready and I know that you are too. Nothing can silence the voice of a million voices calling out.
Michelle came back out and when they left the stage they went forward and I thought we missed our chance again to shake his hand. But slowly they came back towards us. I shook his hand and smiled at him smiling at me. Sandi talked about her being a Obamacain. And Barack was pleased and said "Thank You". I got a great picture of Barack coming towards us, but his ears look like they are glowing because of the lights.
We watched him leave and I realized that never in my life had I met a president 4 times personally in my life. I had just done it. I have seen him 6 times. I thanked God again that I lived in Iowa. Then I thought to myself that Barack knows how lucky he is that we love him so much here. Iowa started it all. I had a part in it. We all did. Wow!........
Sandi, the man we called senator and the girls whe had met in line decided to go back to "The House of Bricks" as I was leaving I heard someone call my name. I did not recoginze anyone, then she introduced herself as Meave! I was so happy. I wish I could have spent more time talking. I felt kinda bad but the crowd was moving and my group was leaving. We went and watched the results come in and watched some people singing Karoke. We left about 11PM and I got home about 230. It was all worth it. What a night to remember.
I know I am probley leaving some out. But Sandi can fill you in with a post or two. I may update it as it comes back to me. Right now I need to catch up on some sleep! lol
Here are the pictures!
http://community.webshots.com/album/563536255VHoQVZ?vhost=community
Here is the site to Iowa state conventions: Looks like Edwards got one from CD1. I think they fell for the Clinton "deal".
http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/2008/04/iowa-update.html
This is the address to the Iowa Democratic Party:
http://www.iowademocrats.org/ht/d/Home/pid/315115
here you can click on your county and print off your convention information (mine was 57 pages long!) and get other information on how to get more involved with your county and state.
Lets do this for Senator Obama( President Obama) lets join, get our "activist" on and make some changes! It will take all of us to be a part of this movement of taking America back!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!! (not pushy am I? lol)
Cant wait to meet you all!!!
have you found yourself pondering what happened to you?
I sometimes wonder what happened to the woman who ran her job, her children and life with skill. The woman who watched the local news at night just for the weather. The woman who had absolutly no idea that Iowa voted first. I did not even know that there were primarys and the general election. Why? what? who? where?
How did the television programs like "Morning Joe", "Hardball", "Countdown", "John Stewart"," Steven Colbert" "Dan Abrams" and any other show end up on my TV. I just figured out that FOX was republican, WHAT?! I also found out that Carvel is married to that Mary lady....
I am finding out more and more everyday, and I am totally bitter! I was the American that the Clintons and the republicans dreamed of. I was totally unaware and they were counting on me to just stay in my little world and trust them to "just take care of everything" with thier hedge funds, corperate contracts, dirty money and fake promises.
Why should they tell the truth? no one is payiing any attention. No one wants the truth, it is way to scary. We are just to stupid to handle the truth. We will all get scared and start asking questions.
Then came the skinny black guy with the funny name. I heard him speak. He was different. He is different. I have heard this man get attacked over and over again for telling the truth. This only makes him stronger in Americas eyes. An American president that stands up and tells the truth, what a breath of fresh air.
We have lost over 4000 Americans. LOST. as in not getting back, ever. This is a deep scar on America. A wound that can not be easily healed. Thanks to the republican rule of the last 8 years we can not take time off of work to march in the streets, lord knows we can not afford the gas money to get to D.C!
I want to make pertectly clear that my intention on writing this is out of pure frustration and bitterness. I want to let the world know that I am an average American. I am not a latte drinking, Prius driving, white collar, Birkenstock wearing liberal. I am new to this. I am as I said, the average American. I work full time, I raise children, I own my home, I drive a American car. I have 4 dogs that live outside on my farm. I was raised in California, I have lived in NV, MD, DC, FL, NC, VA and IA. I know who I am. Or at least I think I do.
I know who I used to be. I was a sleep walking through my life. A walking political dream. Now I am considered an "activist" for the entire hospital I work for. WHAT!! everytime someone comes to talk to me, I smile. I think it is funny. Especially when they ask me a question and I have the answer....easily. I spent a day traveling with my boss. We rarely have the time to talk at work. AS soon as I got in the car, she started on the political thing "so" she said "tell me about this race, so like, who is who and what is going on" I let her ask me questions for the entire hour. If I did not know the answer, I passed on the question and let her know that I did not have the answer. I then decided that thank God she was with me asking questions and not someone who was republican, then I was taken back by my thoughts. "I am a liberal" I am influencing people. I need to make sure I am keeping up on this stuff. I need to be right! I now have a responsibilty. It is a huge one. If I misspeak just once, I will lose credibility. I was a little freaked out. I have really gotten myself into it deep.
I am proud of myself and of everyone who has gotten involved in this movement. I am glad to take this on. I will raise my awareness of this process like I have raised my children, to the best of my abilty, with the best of intentions and with the upmost of hope for the future.
Thank you Barack Obama for this opportunity. Thank you fellow bloggers for the encouragement to keep it up. Thank you to my husband and children for putting up with me and listening to me.
On Saturday, April 26th, Iowa's five congressional districts will each hold a Congressional District Convention. We need as many Obama supporters as possible to attend and help make sure we win as many delegates as possible.
Convention locations are below.
Please note: by signing up below, you are NOT registering for your Congressional District Convention.
Dubuque Senior High School1800 Clarke Dr. Dubuque, IA 52001
Contact: Nathan Blake515-783-6190nblake@barackobama.com
Mt. Vernon High School731 Palisades Rd SWMt. Vernon, IA 52314
Contact: Kevin Geiken515-745-4969kgeiken@gmail.com
Valley High School3650 Woodland AvenueWest Des Moines, IA 50266
Boone County FairgroundsCommunity BuildingBoone, IA 50036
Mid-America Center1 Arena WayCouncil Bluffs, IA 51501
Its 10 AM. I am wandering around my house, checking and double checking my supplies for tonight. Yup, they are still in my BIG purse. NO problems. 12AM I go out to get the brownie mix for this evening, some how I let myself run out. I have my car completly covered with Obama signs, I have my shirt on, buttons on my jacket and my scarf. I am by all accounts a polictical buttetin board. I am full of nerves, but really not bad. I keep a big smile on my face everywhere I go. I am happy, I am confident.
I call my field director Million and I pick up some last minute supplies for another precinct caption. I go to drop them off in his store and only his wife is there, she says with out looking at me, oh he cant make it tonight. I start to freak a little. But I now of another great supporter in the area and tell million I will give it to her. She is not home, so I ask in town where it is she works, they say she runs her own business fixing computers out of her home, but does things at peoples homes too. I give up and decided I will catch her just before the caucus! OH MY wont she be surprised! poor thing.
I look through the stuff in the OBAMA TUBE, there are signs with UNITY and a little piece of paper with the call in numbers on it and a string attached to hang around your neck, I decide I WILL NOT WEAR this. ha ha.
I leave my house at 5 PM, stop by the other supporters house and give her the information. I tell her that I will help her when we get there. She is shocked but OK with it. Basically just hanginig up the signs and standing there to welcome supporters.
I told my people to get there at 645, Some of them needed extra time because of milking cows and work. I figured this would be a great strategy anyway. I was still praying.
I got there and set up my signs by 615 and there was a room filled with Edwards and Hillary supporters looking at me with pittiful looks. Asking me if I was ok. yeah I was ok! I smiled, no one seemed to be greating anyone, so I took over and spread the signin sheets out, helped people find thier names, gave them voter registration sheets if they needed them., still no one was there by 640. just me and my kids... Then suddenly here they came, I smiled helped them sign in and one by one stuck my stickers on them. I am not being mean here, but one Hillary supporter was staring me down so hard, but I kept smiling.
We counted the room 2 times and came up with different numbers. I decided that we should just count off, which worked well. We had 47 people. In a caucus that usually gets 1-5 particpants this was amazing! Then we seperated into prefrence groups and I was amazed at my number I had 16, Hillary 16 and Edwards 14 and Richrdson 1. The Richardson guy left. But we still had to count him as a participant. so out of 5 delegates OBAMA got 2 Hillary 2 and Edwards 1.
I cried, I was shaking and I gave every single person standing with me a hug, thinking of Auntie B and all the others on BarackObama.com that have inspired me. I thought of Barack and his wonderful family. I felt like I was a big winner. I kept my promise. I was asked to get 10 to stand up I got 16. One less phone call, one less door knock...would have made a difference. People showed up for Barack that have never ever caucused before. Out of the 16 people I had 12 NEW voters and caucus goers. I was shaking and shaking and the people that were there for me were smiling. I looked every single one of them in the eye and thanked them over and over, I told them that without them Barack would not have ever gotten close in this tiny precinct. I felt like a good friend to them. And I feel like I am.
The kids and I took down our signs. I shook the hands of the Edwards caption (it was my husbands cousin and his Aunt and Uncle were on the other side of the room) I just kept smiling! The Hillary caption came over and said, what is your name? I said Laura Hubka, he said ahhh yes you called me before. and I said, "not too much" We had you pegged as the Hillary caption about 3 months ago" and he said "oh yeah?" Yeah, so I left you alone. " He just laughed and said, you did really good. I am pretty impressed!" I think he thought that by the end of the night Hillary would be the winner. I'd like to talk to him today. ...well maybe not.
There was a little other business, I ended up getting voted in as delegate (I wanted it anyway) and then signed on for the platform committee (taking things to the county and state for the county...i.e. road work, hog confinments..ect)
We left and drove for an hour to get to the Decorah field office. I called into the Sirius channel 146 LEFT. I told them of our win and our energy. Someone called in from Des Moines saying that there is usually 100 people there, but there was 380 people there and 181 stood up for Barack 101 for Hillary and 75 for Edwards! In Decorah People were walking by, driving by honking and screaming! I parked and got in the office. I met Pete and his son from Michigan and Hugh again! We all hugged. We had the TV on and 2 computers with constant updates. WE were eating cake and talking laughing, telling our stories. It was like the blog would be if were all together on caucus or primary night! The energy was high.
We stuck around for the final numbers and all hugged Victoria for her hard work. I cried knowing they were leaving. I called Million who was in New Hampton he was all caught up in the evening and could not talk long.
I havent seen them since. I miss them already.
I am ready to be a delegate! Especially at the national convention. I have to talk to get my way to that, but I think I have the words! Especially if Barack is the nominee!
I Love you all!!
Scott reached out to me on my MYSPACE page NE IOWA for OBAMA 08.
This is what he wrote:
Members of the 110th US Congress Campaign Letter, State Governors and Lt. Gov. what have you done to enforce this legal precedents set by the Supreme Court in your state. To make them aware of Nationwide Problem! The Supreme Court Olmstead decision, Presidential mandate Executive Order 13217 of June 18, 2001 Community Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities which are federally funded by Medicaid and Medicare Census 2005 50 million families reporting at least one person with disability in family or more. Scott G. LaLonde Slow Website: http:/sglalonde.tripod.com/ MySpace Group Disabled civil rights
All Honorable Presidential Candidates, November 18, 2007
I am writing about an extreme situation affecting people with disabilities in the State of Florida. This denial of basic civil rights has led to individuals such as myself who are contributing members of society to be confined to their beds 18-20 hours per day against their will. I am asking that you as an elected official tell me how you can help to remedy the situation.
I am a 42 year old man with an extreme case of muscular dystrophy known as Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy. I volunteer at a local elementary school working with young children. I am a mentor, a friend, and an educator. I live in my community, I shop here and I play here just like you. Yet I am dependent upon others for my care as I only have function from my neck up and can not tend to my functions of daily living. Each day I require assistance to bathe, prepare meals, and to be put into and out of bed. Because of things such as the Olmstead Decision and Presidential Executive Order 13217, I have been given the right to live in the community and receive services, rather than being institutionalized away from my family and the community. Medicaid waivers have helped make this a reality for many individuals like myself. Unfortunately, I fell through the cracks as have many other individuals in my situation. Even though I was placed on the waiver program, was protected by Presidential Executive Order 13217 which entitles me to care in the community, and dollars were set aside for my care, my county subcontracted out these care services to an organization that only did business from 8:00-5:00 daily. This meant that I would be taken out of bed in the morning at 8:00 and put back in bed around 4:00 each evening to face 16 hours in that prison. This is unconscionable. I suffered this unbearable fate for about 8 years and was even forced to pay out of my own pocket if I wanted to get out of bed at all on weekends or on holidays when the agency was closed. Recently I was placed on another program known as CDC+ which is working well for my care and puts more choice and decision with the individual. However I can not remain quiet as so many others still face the awful fate that I endured for 8 years. Even worse Governor Charlie Crist is now cutting the waiver programs so that many people are being forced off or will have reductions in care. I want to know what you will do to stop these cuts, and also to ensure that those who are on the Medicaid Waiver program will have care that goes beyond the 8:00-5:00 Monday-Friday schedule and that no one will be forced against their will to spend 16 hours per day in bed. I eagerly await your reply.
, Scott G. LaLonde
I was at the Cedar Rapids event last night with 9,575 people. I got there early and volunteered. What an event.The most striking thing to me was as I stood there watching Oprah "stump" for Obamam was that is was really not like stumping at all. Oprah and Obama are really so much alike (besides the funny names) They bring thier message and you dont feel like they made it up or have some sort of alterior motive. They are real down to the core. As Oprah sat there in her chair along side Michelle, it was as if she were litterally star struck by Barack. At one time she was almost out of her chair she was leaning so much. I know that feeling as tears streamed down my face for the 100th time this year as I listened to the greatest man I have ever witnessed speak in my lifetime. There have been other great men, but I have not been afforded the opportunity to see them live.I stood there with my Obama 08 sign over my head, I could not put it down. This speech was like his JJ speech. There were so many people there and the air was full of hope and inspriation. What a wonderful opportunity we have as a nation to make a REAL impact on the world.As I left the area, I still had my "volunteer" tag on and some people were leaving and asking for signs and whatever else they could get thier hands on! I gave them my signs and dug thru my purse for whatever buttons I still had buried down there. They could not get enough. People were singing and dancing there way out of the sadium and I wanted to cry again! (I am a big baby)THE HOPE, THE HOPE, THE HOPE! is all I could think. I sit here still with goosebumps and tears streaming down my face.Thank you Ms. Winfrey. Thank you from my very core, from my very being. (even though the wait in the car garage was over an hour to get out! LOL)I love my country and I love the idea that I was able to meet MARYTNURSE and give her a hug, and I saw my man Hugh from NC and several of the people who live in my town there.BARACK 08=REALITY!!
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What an incredible experience! Metting Michelle Obama was two in one. First and foremost I was totally excited when the field oranizer took me upstairs to meet her personally and I of course cried.(felt stupid couldnt help it) We took a picture and talked. Secondly and most impressive was the fat that she was JUST A NORMAL PERSON in most ways. But yet she spoke for an hour with no notes but from the heart. She made those people (including me) cry.
She touched on thier lives growning up, thier families and the wonderfull experiences she had in her life and how she was told over and over again that she should not, could not and would not be who she is today. How that experience helped shape her opinions towards the things people say that Barack should not, could not and will not be president of the United States.
She touched on education and child care. She made us feel that putting them in the white house will make us part of thier family. And that is a place I think we all would like to be. A part of the United States of AMerica family. Knowing that we can go to the top if we need to and get strong and right answers to the problems we face as an American family.
She touched on the fact that the impossibilty of Barack becoming president was not even in the play book. (not her words but mine). That we all have doubts but that it is normal, they do not choose to think like that. There is nothing that is impossible for anyone. We just have to have the dream and the STRENGH to make it a reality.
It is this STRENGH that makes us all a family. It is our WEAKNESSES that pull us together. It is our HOPE that makes us work harder. It is our AUDACITY that makes us Americans. It is BARACK that makes it so.
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For being new to political life, I am starting to get so disgusted AGAIN with politics. When you run against someone and there are no rules how can you win? I am sick and disgusted once again.
I know that personally attacking Hillary Clinton is not the aim here. I know that being negative IS NOT my forte'. But this makes me want to crawl in a hole. I want to move to Iceland or Greenland.
The debate was out of control. I have been to debates this year and you are told to keep quiet. This audience was clearly filled with Hillary supporters. Wolfe was biased and the questions from the "audience" was a joke. They could not remember what they were supposed to say it was quite obvious.
This is what we have to fight. I am going to go out and work even harder. We need some people in Nevada and NOW! I wish I could go.
Luckally most "normal" people do not watch the debates. Obama did fine. But putting two past Clinton advisiors on after the debate to critique was beyond stupidity on CNN's part.
I guess maybe this was good for us all. We will all go out and work harder and faster to get this job done. The one that needs to get done. The truth must rise to the top no matter how hard it is to get it there!
This is gonna be long folks!
We got there about 1130 am. When we went around the corner. My jaw dropped. HRC signs everywhere...everyone elses???no where. There was poor Shannon holding a huge HOPE sign on the corner. I stopped and asked what was going on. She said we are not supposed to put up small signs until 12 noon and bigger signs until 2pm. I said, well then what the heck is going on? And she said "who knows, they are not making them take them down". We were off to the Pre event, they were setting up and giving out t shirts to volunteers. We walked around and checked things out. (my hubby has not been a verbal supporter, but even he said we need to go check into our hotel and get back here! I knew then he was in) I smiled! I was fired up and mad!
We hurried to the hotel and got ready and went back. We went right up to the front doors of the Vetrans Memorial Auditorium. LINED WITH HRC signs. big ones, BIGGER ONES.. all lined up with smaller ones stuck in the ground below them. Some of the poor Obama supporters were trying to stick little yard signs with HOPE on it in front of the big signs and these two very angry and pushy young girls (20-24) were sticking signs in front of every HOPE sign and staring at us daring us to put up another one. Finally I got mad and grabbed a hope sign and stood in front of HRC signs then my sister in law and hubby did the same. Everyone that came by smiled. I looked at those young girls and said, HONEY, SHE MAY HAVE SIGNS BUT WE HAVE REAL VOTERS LIKE ME!, she just scowled and walked away. I was steaming. It was so juvinille, considering they got there at 5 am and put up signs- CHEATING!
We went to the pre event with John Legend. It was awesome. I did not wear my boot because I thought I would be ok, well, my foot swelled up so big and I could not stand anymore so I had to sit back to the side and did not see most of it, but when I heard Baracks voice I cried. I was just so overcome with the "fight" I had outside with these rude pushy people. I was overcome with the thought that Barack just might not win because how can he fight when there are no rules. My husband gave me a hug and I felt full of fear.
When the preevent was over we went outside to march with Barack and Michelle to the event just a couple of blocks away. As we got to the site where we were to march from I turned around still fearful. But what I saw was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The streets were full of people all the way down the block all the way up the other block and down the street. I almost fell over. Where did these people come from! Thousands, and thousands! All of us screaming FIRED UP- READY TO GO! my mind lifted from the bottomless pit of dispair! We really do have the voteers. We marched we talked we all were in awe of the sheer numbers. I can not believe what it must have been like in Central Park. But here we all were true supporters, voters, IOWANS!!
We marched and sang, and chanted. I even lead the FIRED UP- READY TO GO for a block or so before my voice gave out. As we went past the HIllary supporters in thier area we out numbered them 300 to one on the street. We could not even fit into any of the space left for us all. They did not fill up thier space. Across the street Dodd was giving away free beer! We thought about switching for a few minutes (ha ha)
We went inside and all we could do was talk about the sheer numbers, The Hillary people had a look of horror on thier faces. I am not kidding, they were litterly disgusted! and pissed off. I was happy. I we waited in the hall (we had floor tickets the rest of the people had balcony tickets)I talked on and on about how many people we had and how Hillary cheated. I could not help myself. I was on my phone calling my friends that are voters and exclaming that we have won Iowa. We Have WON! That this was just a small cross section of voters. A lot of people there for Hillary were from out of state!
While we waited we held our Barack OBama signs and saw many many others with signs. Then...in comes the rowdy crowd with these blow up bat like things, they are beating on them with DODD right in front of them, they just kept beating on these things. It was loud and gave me a headache. We had to wait for about 45 min to get in. Once we got in, the Hillary people also had those bat things and were beating them in chant. They did not stop for at least an hour. I reminded me what it would be like if she were president...very irritating and nothing I could do about it! They also had switched to bight yellow t shirts with "turn up the heat" on them. All I could think was. OK she was complaining a couple of weeks ago about being picked on and now she wants to turn up the heat. What ever. The first thing I did notice is the number of people we had lost from the march. We could have fit everyone in there. Where were those tickets! WE still out numbered Hillarys people by two full statium rows. But her people had prime seating on the floor and up in the stands (and those darn bat things) I felt like I was at a football game.
As each candidate went on stage with introduction the roars got louder and louder. Hillary's bunch was LOUD, but as Barack came out before he was even introduced, I almost jumped at the sound of our cheers! The house nearly came down! We chanted and chanted and chanted.
The speeches went on and I fell asleep during Harkin (sorry I have a hard time with the guy) then came Clinton with her "I am very comfortable in the kitchen" speech and her cronies with the "Turn up the heat" chant. It was impressive.
Then they called out Barack like he was a prize fighter! the house was on fire! A lot of people were gone from the balcony because after Edwards and the rest spoke, most of thier supporters left. I was sorry for that because then they would not have the opportunity to hear the next pres. talk!
A supporter from the audience called out "we love you Barack" and he called back " I love you too" We were on our feet constantly, we were on our chairs, I was again in tears! Barack was on fire! The crowd was in awe. I even saw some of the yellow blow up bat things beating for Barack! Maybe some wanted to switch? (I can only hope)! We were given a "scipt" as I suppose the Hillary people were. It had the times for things to happen like standing up and raiseing certian signs. We felt like it was some sort of game. It was fun, more fun than I thought it would be. Very entertaining for sure. Just to see what the big campaigns (Edwards, Clinton and Obama) had planned was very entertaining. On the floor seats we got supper and desert, in the balcony they had to buy thier food ..hotdogs ect.)
As it was over and Barack ended his speech we all chanted for quite awhile and would not let Madam Speaker Pelosi speak. She had to wait and so did the HRC supporters. They were quiet then and stayed that way. I ran to the front and waited and positioned myself near the place where Barack would be coming down, of course he went to the other side. But I got myself down there and when he came by I said, can I have 5 seconds? I passed him my circle sign and he almost seemed put off, but then I realized he was looking for a pen. I had one and handed it to him and he said thank you. I walked to my husband that had been looking out for me and my HUGE ankle and I smiled. I said OK we can go
I suddenly realized why the rest of the country listens to us Iowans and why we have such a HUGE responsibilty to this country. We have so many opportunites to meet these candidates and get to know them on a personal level. We have the awesome responsibilty to move this country. We as Iowans are the place the world is looking to to make the decision. I wanted to get home and call the world. Tell them that Hillary cheated..yet again! and no one was going to talk about it AGAIN! I wanted to tell them that Barack talked of the issues not just of being mad about the current situation of the world. We know we are all mad. But Barack has the answers or he knows where to get them.
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I saw the first "HOPE" signs in yards today in my local town. I have been lookin at HER signs for 4 weeks now. SHE only has 4 in town. I saw one Mccain. I was suddenly overcome with joy and happiness. Then I realized that there are 56 days and a wake up (military term)till the Iowa caucus!I went up to the door of the person who had the sign and they were not home. I happened to have an extra "OBAMA CIRCLE" sign in my car and I wrote a thank you note on the back and left it in thier screen door. I hoped to cause enthusiasm for doing the 'Right thing" and supporting Barack. Hoping they would show others that putting that "HOPE" sign in thier yard was a smart choice.
I have so much work to do. What would I do if I have to pick HER name on the ballot? I mean really what are the chances HER name will be there. Well I guessed that the more hard work and effort I put into this the more I lessen those chances. I have to devise a plan. A good one to get all those people around me to caucus for Barack. I HAVE to do it and SO DO YOU!
This is the most vaunerable time for all the candidates. One slip, one lack of support can mean a bus ride home. There has to be a solid line of support in every town, in every city in every home across IOWA. We have the chance to do that because our candidate is truely spotless. SHE may be running a "perfect campaign" but our candidate is as close as it gets to being "perfect" as any one would want a normal human being to be. We all have faults and flaws, but non of us are perfect in all ways. There is going to be SLAMS and DUNKS from the other sides but Barack and his campaign leaders are on the right track.
The movement is strong but we have to keep those chins up and positive. We are all responsible for making the news about Barack come out to the light even though the MSM may not want it there.
My heart is in this campaign as I believe that many of you feel the same. This is America and we are all in this together. Everytime you are scared of calling or canvassing or you are tiered of walking to the next door to ask what they think about Barack. Think of yourself at the voting booth having to choose HER name.
You will straighten up quite a bit and fast.
Love from Iowa,
Laura
MYSPACE "TOM" brings some "events" for Presidental candidates.
Over the next several months we will be hosting an event for each Presidential candidate. Here's your chance to ask them the questions on your mind via MySpaceIM or by going to one of the live events held on college campuses around the country!
The first event features senator and presidential hopeful John Edwards. It's This <b>Thursday at noon EST</b>. <a href="http://www.myspace.com/election2008">Add the profile</a> as your friend, and watch the teaser video here! Please participate in this historic event!
<a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?
