"I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you." - Barack Obama, Election Night 2008
Read the full speech, as prepared for delivery . . .
Since the beginning of this campaign, Environmentalists have been excited by Barack’s candidacy. His record on consistently protecting the environment is undeniable. Here is what environmentalists, from the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters, are saying about why they’re supporting Barack:
Brett H. from Madison, Wisconsin:
I support Barack Obama for president because he is the only candidate with an inspiring and effective national energy policy that will save us money at the pump, bring us more efficient vehicles and appliances, more clean renewable energy, and clean up old coal plants. He is a the real champion to reduce global warming and will work with local governments on practical solutions, not just supporting drilling more sensitive coast lines and wildlife refuges. I also appreciate his judgment to chose a running mate show shares his values and mine.
Mark H:
I would argue that climate change is the single largest issue for the environment and wildlife. Barack has been the most consistent in expressing the need for a new energy policy and combating global warming. He supports a cap and trade program that will put us on the right path to solving this crisis. I'm confident, as president he will stand up for wildlife and the environment in a bipartisan way and will do more for our cause than any other candidate.
Luke K. from Anchorage, Alaska:
I’m voting for Barack Obama. His vision is evident in his energy policy: I cannot wait for the day when our nation’s energy will come from clean, renewable sources and the kind of revitalization that will provide for our economy, as opposed to having to endure four more years of drilling policies that create more problems than they solve. As an avid sportsmen and backpacker, I’m also concerned for our public lands and wildlife. His commitment to these public resources is unquestioned and is one that recognizes the balancing act between conservation, recreation, and economic development, a balance that has been lacking over the last eight years and one that we can’t afford to lose for four more years.
Jack, Chicago:
Barack realized that protecting the environment wasn't just the right thing to do, it was crucial. We are constantly told by the world's leading scientists that we have as little as ten years to drastically change the way we use energy before it becomes irreversible. I think to have a leader of that unique potential has not come across in my lifetime and I don't know when it will again.
With less than a week to go until Election Day, we need to do all we can to help elect Barack. Get involved today.
When you line up Obama’s energy plan against McCain’s, the differences are clear. On issue after issue Obama sides with working families and environmentally sensible policies. Just look at the comparison chart below.
In serving its mission to provide factual information about Congressional voting records relating to environmental legislation, the League of Conversation Voters Scorecard gave numerical ratings to both Presidential Candidates. Barack Obama earned a score of 96, the highest rating they gave to a Presidential Candidate all year. John McCain, however, earned a score of 26. You can see the entire score sheet here. On the site you can also see each candidate’s completed questionnaire and a breakdown of their voting record. As his voting record proves, Barack has been a consistent supporter of Environmental issues.
It seems every day brings a new reason to make a big change to a real environmental President. Today is no exception. The Wall Street Journal reports today that the Bush Administration has yet another scheme to help dirty power plants avoid installing modern pollution controls. See:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122506399213970419.html?mod=googlenews_wsj#printMode
What is it with these people? Can't they let a bad idea die? Back in 2005, one of Senator Obama's first acts in the U.S. Senate was casting the tie-breaking vote to kill a similar idea - then called the "Clear Skies" act. Barack's leadership stopped the idea back then, but apparently the Bush administration is back at it.
It's been 2839 long days since the Bush-Cheney team took over our environmental policies, only 84 until Barack Obama is sworn in as our next President, and just 7 left for you and I to do anything to influence the outcome of this election. Let's make every one count!
Barack Obama loves making phone calls. If he has time in his busy schedule to make a stop at a local office on the campaign trail, he always stops by to make some phone calls to undecided voters. This past Sunday he was in Colorado holding Early Vote for Change rallies in Denver and Fort Collins but that didn't stop him from visiting a volunteer office in Brighton.
Contacting voters is one of the most important ways we can reach out to voters during this last week. The McCain campaign is bombarding undecided voters with robocalls full of lies and smears but personal calls from supporters will help spread the truth about Barack's message.Whether you spend 30 minutes or a couple of hours calling voters, one-on-one conversations could help us win some crucial battleground states. Polls open one week from today. With most battleground states in a tie, your phone calls could make the difference and put Barack over the top.Yesterday our supporters beat the goal of 100,000 calls by making 124,000. Today, the goal is to contact 125,000 voters. Call time is 5-9pm local so log on to Neighbor-to-Neighbor and contact undecided voters tonight.
This afternoon, National Field Director Jon Carson sent out this message to supporters:
Ask your Boss. Ask your Professor. Take Election Day off and volunteer to make history. Watch this video and sign up to help get out the vote on Tuesday, November 4th: This election will be decided by what this grassroots movement can accomplish on Election Day. We have volunteer shifts to fill throughout the day -- make calls, knock on doors, and make sure your fellow voters get to the polls. No previous experience is required. Sign up now to take the day off and make history on November 4th. Thanks, Jon Jon Carson National Field Director Obama for America
Ask your Boss. Ask your Professor. Take Election Day off and volunteer to make history.
Watch this video and sign up to help get out the vote on Tuesday, November 4th:
This election will be decided by what this grassroots movement can accomplish on Election Day. We have volunteer shifts to fill throughout the day -- make calls, knock on doors, and make sure your fellow voters get to the polls. No previous experience is required. Sign up now to take the day off and make history on November 4th.
Thanks, Jon Jon Carson National Field Director Obama for America
If you live in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia or Wisconsin, you can sign up now to volunteer in your community.
If you live elsewhere and are willing to travel to a neighboring battleground state to help out, you can sign up here, or you can sign up to make phone calls on Election Day to help Get Out The Vote.
Barack gave his closing argument speech in Canton, Ohio this morning. During his remarks he told voters that this election is not over. That we have to spend the next eight days working as hard as ever because our future depends on next Tuesday. We have one week to contact voters. One week to spread Barack's message to undecideds. One week to make sure every supporter votes early and brings their friends and family along. One week. We know we can do it. We can do it because, as Barack said this morning, we've been doing it for 21 months.
We began this journey in the depths of winter nearly two years ago, on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. Back then, we didn’t have much money or many endorsements. We weren’t given much of a chance by the polls or the pundits, and we knew how steep our climb would be. But I also knew this. I knew that the size of our challenges had outgrown the smallness of our politics. I believed that Democrats and Republicans and Americans of every political stripe were hungry for new ideas, new leadership, and a new kind of politics – one that favors common sense over ideology; one that focuses on those values and ideals we hold in common as Americans. Most of all, I believed in your ability to make change happen. I knew that the American people were a decent, generous people who are willing to work hard and sacrifice for future generations. And I was convinced that when we come together, our voices are more powerful than the most entrenched lobbyists, or the most vicious political attacks, or the full force of a status quo in Washington that wants to keep things just the way they are. Twenty-one months later, my faith in the American people has been vindicated. That’s how we’ve come so far and so close – because of you. That’s how we’ll change this country – with your help. And that’s why we can’t afford to slow down, sit back, or let up for one day, one minute, or one second in this last week. Not now. Not when so much is at stake.
You can start working for change tonight. Help us by making phone calls to voters across the country. Everyday this week we must contact 100,000 voters daily. We need your help.Take an hour or two out tonight during call time (5-9pm local) and contact voters. Your phone calls will make the difference one week from now.
From the beginning of the general election, strategically, we tried to have as wide of a map as possible. Our belief was we wanted to, on the morning of Nov. 4th, have as many possible avenues to as many electoral votes as possible. And we think we've been able to create that dynamic and have a lot of competitive states in play here. - David Plouffe
national polling averages as of 10/25/08 via pollster.com
With only ten days left, it's become apparent just how wide the election map is. But as the number of competitive states grows larger, so to does the universe of voters that we have to identify, persuade and get to the polls. Now more than ever, we are relying on volunteers in every corner of the country to help execute the field plan we've built over the last 20 months.
Jen O'Malley Dillon, the battleground states director, explained:
We have expected all along that this race is going to tighten up, especially in the battlegrounds states. So we have spent a lot of time building our organizational strengths, building capacity and really focusing on our voter contact and our neighborhood organizations. We really feel that in a number of these states, this election is going to come down to our ground organization and what happens in the final days of the campaign.
In almost two dozen key states, the outcome is very much still up in the air. Over the next ten days, you have an unprecedented opportunity to be part of this effort and to contribute directly to the outcome of this election.
If you live in or near one of the many battleground states, you can connect with a local office and help our field operation on the ground. Face-to-face contact is the most powerful way to get out the vote or persuade undecided voters in battleground states. Sign up today -- state staff are waiting for your help.
This weekend, we're counting on our grassroots phonebankers to make an additional 300,000 calls to voters in key states. As of 7:00 PM Central tonight, you've already made 113,762 calls. Right from your own home, on your own schedule, you can do your part in just an hour or two by calling voters in one of these crucial states. We'll give you the phone numbers and the talking points. It couldn't be easier. You can get your list of targeted voters to call right now.
Finally, supporters will be coming together on Wednesday, October 29th, to watch Barack's national TV appearance and call voters in battleground states. Talking one-on-one with potential fellow voters is one of the easiest and most effective ways for you to make an impact in this election. Find a Last Call for Change house party near you or sign up to host one.
As National Field Director Jon Carson said in an email sent out to supporters tonight, each passing day is an opportunity we'll never have again to change America. You hold this election in your hands.
Polls close in 10 days.
Early voting has started in over half the states already. Barack and Michelle both held early vote rallies in Florida earlier this week. Joe held early vote rallies in Colorado, and Jill will be holding early vote rallies in Florida this weekend. Early voting is an easy way to help the campaign. You secure your vote for Barack, you help the campaign narrow the universe of voters that we have to contact, and you free yourself up to help recruit others to vote. We will be spending a massive amount of time and money on our Get Out The Vote effort, and we need more volunteers than ever before.Barack is in Nevada today to reminded supporters to vote early. And earlier this week he was in Indiana...
If you live in Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Montana, New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Georgia, West Virginia, Oregon, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Hawaii, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Louisiana, Kansas, New Jersey, or Idaho, early voting has begun. Vote for Barack today.
National Phonebank Coordinator Nicole Aro sent out this message to supporters tonight:
In crucial battleground states like Ohio, Florida, and Virginia, the race is neck-and-neck. This weekend, you can help Barack get ahead. In every corner of the country, friends and neighbors are coming together for Last Call for Change phonebanks to call potential supporters in battleground states. There may be one right near you. All you need to do is bring a cell phone -- and some friends -- and we'll take care of the rest.Find a local Last Call for Change phonebank and make a difference this weekend. With Election Day just around the corner, swing voters are getting bombarded with the McCain campaign's lies and distortions. It's more important than ever that supporters like you reach out and share the truth about Barack one-on-one. You can also let voters in battleground states know about important early voting opportunities. It's a great opportunity to get together with friends and fellow supporters and, at the same time, make a difference in a crucial state.Find a phonebank near you and sign up today. Together, we can reach millions of voters, generate historic turnout, and win this election. Thanks, Nicole Nicole Aro National Phonebank Coordinator Obama for America
Philip is a 59-year-old dairy farmer in McGregor, Iowa. He’s also a fervent Obama supporter.
“I support him because of the way he carries himself,” Philip says. “Obama has the perfect temperament and judgment for the job of president. He’s the kind of person that if things get tense, you know he’s the one everyone else in the room would look to. He’s a natural leader.” Philip has not only donated to the campaign, but volunteered by walking neighborhoods in McGregor and registering everyone he can to vote.
I try to be part of the team. I set a personal goal of getting 100 new votes for the Democrats. It sounds simple – but that’s a lot! I plan to knock on about 1500 doors to do it. And when I’m at the gas pump or at the grocery store or in line at the post office, I always ask people if they’re registered to vote, and talk to them about Obama. I carry voter registration forms with me wherever I go.
Philip lives with his wife of 34 years on a 495-acre farm that’s also home to 170 dairy cows. Philip, who likes to hunt and fish in his spare time, is especially proud of his son who is a senior at Louisiana State University. He says the recent flooding in the Midwest is still one of the biggest problems in his home town.
There’s lots of flood damage in our county. Whole neighborhoods were wiped out and there’s no rebuilding yet. The floods made me really concerned about global warming. I want my government working on that! But I know Obama’s concerned about global warming as well.
Philip says that energy is another major concern in his part of Iowa.
Our economy is terrible right now. But at lot of farmers see renewable energy – like ethanol -- as a way to revitalize our rural economy. McCain opposes ethanol, but Barack has said he wants to renew the rural economy through renewable energy. I think he can make a big difference for a lot of people out here by investing in renewable energy.
Barack has a plan to end America's dependence on foreign oil by investing in renewable alternatives like wind, solar, clean coal andd ethanol. The Obama-Biden plan will not only help build the ecconomy in rural communities, but these alternative energy sources will provide more than 5 million well-paying American jobs. Read more about Barack's energy plan.
Join Philip and make a difference in your community by contributing to the Obama movement for change.
Voices for Change is a series featuring profiles of Barack Obama's grassroots supporters from across the nation. The people who make up this movement come from all different backgrounds, but they share a common goal of helping bring about fundamental change in Washington.
Joe Biden spoke to residents of Charleston, West Virginia this morning. He spoke to attendees about clean coal and working through this economic crisis.
Barack and I believe clean coal is part of our energy future. That’s why we supported adding $200 million in funding for carbon capture and sequestration technology. Instead of pouring our energy dollars into the sands of Saudi Arabia and the pockets of Venezuela, we should be exporting home-made technology – solving not only our own energy challenges, but the worlds. We need to make an investment in rebuilding America’s infrastructure – including broadband and the infrastructure of the future. Our plan that we estimate will create 12,000 jobs here in West Virginia alone. This is about jobs. But in a sense, it’s about even more than jobs. It’s about dignity. It’s about respect. It’s about understanding what people are going through. When a job is lost or a house is foreclosed on, it’s not just an economic loss… it’s emotionally devastation. It’s about having to make that long walk up that short flight of stairs…That’s something I’ve experienced. At the end of the day, if we want to strengthen the middle class and regain our respect in the world, we have to do one thing more: We have to unite this country....Great presidents have always turned dire circumstances into real opportunities…by reminding Americans of what we’ve overcome in the past, and appealing to our better angels. And I believe Barack Obama will be a great president. My father always told me “Champ, when you get knocked down, get up. Get up.” I’ve never seen a time when more Americans have been knocked down. It’s time for us to get up, together, and bring the change we need…to the country we love. America is ready. You are ready. I am ready. And Barack Obama is ready. It is our time.
Barack and I believe clean coal is part of our energy future. That’s why we supported adding $200 million in funding for carbon capture and sequestration technology. Instead of pouring our energy dollars into the sands of Saudi Arabia and the pockets of Venezuela, we should be exporting home-made technology – solving not only our own energy challenges, but the worlds. We need to make an investment in rebuilding America’s infrastructure – including broadband and the infrastructure of the future. Our plan that we estimate will create 12,000 jobs here in West Virginia alone. This is about jobs. But in a sense, it’s about even more than jobs. It’s about dignity. It’s about respect. It’s about understanding what people are going through. When a job is lost or a house is foreclosed on, it’s not just an economic loss… it’s emotionally devastation. It’s about having to make that long walk up that short flight of stairs…That’s something I’ve experienced. At the end of the day, if we want to strengthen the middle class and regain our respect in the world, we have to do one thing more: We have to unite this country.
...Great presidents have always turned dire circumstances into real opportunities…by reminding Americans of what we’ve overcome in the past, and appealing to our better angels. And I believe Barack Obama will be a great president. My father always told me “Champ, when you get knocked down, get up. Get up.”
I’ve never seen a time when more Americans have been knocked down. It’s time for us to get up, together, and bring the change we need…to the country we love. America is ready. You are ready. I am ready. And Barack Obama is ready. It is our time.
Continue reading for excerpts of Joe's remarks, as prepared for delivery...
New to the site or still undecided? Learn more about Barack Obama and his position on important issues. If you're already a supporter, find out what you can do to help between now and Election Day, and please consider making a donation to strengthen our field operation and help Get Out The Vote.
Every day we put off getting involved is another day lost. Every day we work harder than the day before is a day won. The only way we are going to win this election is our field work -- our on the ground organizing. The most important election of our lifetime will come down to how many volunteers get involved over the next 12 days. Watch this volunteer video from Michigan -- and remember what four years ago felt like.
We can bring change to Washington. We can win this election -- but we can't do it by sitting on the sidelines. You can contact voters from home, volunteer at your local campaign office, knock on doors, travel to battleground states and make sure everyone you know votes early. Visit your state page to see how you can help our Get Out The Vote effort. Your time connecting with voters could make the difference on November 4.
Unsure about the differences between Barack Obama and John McCain's energy plans? Check out the side by side comparision below...
It’s hard to believe there are only a few weeks left before Election Day. Countless Obama supporters are out in the field working hard to bring change. They're phonebanking, canvassing, talking to their neighbors and, in some states, registering voters before state deadlines close. And they're making a difference. Here are just a few of their stories:Gwen in Virginia:
I spent a beautiful day outdoors yesterday, canvassing for Obama in Fluvanna County. We covered a lot of houses, and right when we were about to go home, we talked to one more person because I called out to him instead of turning around and leaving at the “Beware of Dog” sign. This led to a conversation that brought some joy to an elderly man’s day and may result in one more vote. If having volunteers come to your door helps emphasize the importance of the election and increases the likelihood of your voting, then we accomplished that too.If you want Obama to win, and you are concerned that he won’t, do something to help make it happen.
Kim and Jody in Indiana:
We had an amazing time canvassing today in Chesterton, Indiana. Very enthusiastically Obama!
Tamara in Pennsylvania:
I went canvassing for the campaign with my husband and two kids. We met a kid and his mother on the way out the door. She sat down on the porch while my kids picked her dandelions and my husband and I spoke to her. This stay-at-home soon-to-be grandma Navy veteran was Obama all the way. Though we did not get her pinned down to a volunteer shift she did know where to go and knew someone that was. I left hopeful that she would.And if you want to see just how much America needs change just knock on some doors! Change comes from the roots and it only happens when we rise up to the challenge.
Don’t sit on the sidelines. You can join Gwen, Kim, Jody and Tamara. Get involved in your community today and make a difference in November.
This morning, the campaign sent out the following message to supporters, along with a link to a special video from Barack. . .
Election Day is exactly two weeks from today. But right now, we're facing an urgent deadline that will determine exactly where we can compete -- and how fiercely -- in the final push. Barack recorded a special video message about why your support is so vital before this Thursday at midnight. Will you watch the video and make a donation before the deadline? On Friday morning, we have to make the final, hard decisions about deploying our resources. Your support will determine how hard we can fight in key battleground states -- and if we can expand our operation into some newly competitive states in the final days. What began in Springfield, Illinois, more than 20 months ago will reach its peak on Tuesday, November 4th. We know what we need to do to win. But it's up to you whether or not we have the resources to fight hard and expand our reach. Thank you for all you've done to bring the campaign this far. Will you watch Barack's message and make a donation before Thursday at midnight? Thank you for everything you're doing, Obama for America
Election Day is exactly two weeks from today. But right now, we're facing an urgent deadline that will determine exactly where we can compete -- and how fiercely -- in the final push. Barack recorded a special video message about why your support is so vital before this Thursday at midnight. Will you watch the video and make a donation before the deadline?
On Friday morning, we have to make the final, hard decisions about deploying our resources. Your support will determine how hard we can fight in key battleground states -- and if we can expand our operation into some newly competitive states in the final days. What began in Springfield, Illinois, more than 20 months ago will reach its peak on Tuesday, November 4th. We know what we need to do to win. But it's up to you whether or not we have the resources to fight hard and expand our reach. Thank you for all you've done to bring the campaign this far. Will you watch Barack's message and make a donation before Thursday at midnight? Thank you for everything you're doing, Obama for America
One-on-one conversations with voters could be what wins the election for Barack. A lot of voters are still undecided and need to know the change Barack is going to bring to Washington.Most importantly, they need to know why you support Barack. By taking the time to talk to someone and tell them your story you could persuade someone to vote for Barack.One of the easiest ways to talk to other people is by using our online Neighbor-to-Neighbor tool. This allows you to call voters in battleground states and talk to them about the issues you care about. Whether it's the economy, education, social security or the war in Iraq, many other Americans are struggling and facing the same situations that you are. Tell them why you are voting for Barack and how we can fix the problems this country is facing.Volunteers in Wisconsin recently recorded a short video with some tips on how to phonebank. It's simple and easy, even if you've never phonebanked before.
Call time (suggested time to call voters) is Monday thru Friday 5-9pm local time. What are you doing tonight? Take some time out to call voters and tell them about Barack. There are only 15 days left to win the election. As Barack says, keep pushing toward the finish line.
Imagine a country where you have a leader in place who has that same sort of sense about the need to transform our country, the need to do it with respect to both how we consume and how we produce and understands the opportunities that are a part of that. It's not built of desperation or a lack of hope, it's built out of a sense of an ability to create jobs and create a different energy future, to create a different economy and at the same time be responsible stewards of the environment. You guys have definitely done it here at the New Belgium brewery, there are companies doing it around America and what we badly need is a leader in Washington D. C. who will partner with the states and develop a new energy economy in this country. So that's one of the reasons why I so heartily embrace Barack Obama's campaign for presidency because I believe he has the vision for that new energy economy.
Read this piece from the Associated Press comparing the commitment of the candidates on Great Lakes restoration and preservation:
Restoring Great Lakes becomes a campaign issue
By JOHN FLESHER – 2 days ago
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The Great Lakes are ailing, scientists warn, on the verge of ecological ruin from big-city sewage and invasive species. Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama promise to support restoration and cleanup, yet the nation's financial crisis calls into question how those efforts will be funded.
Advocates for the lakes region are begging the next president to support a rescue plan expected to cost more than $20 billion. They liken it to the Florida Everglades restoration that Congress approved eight years ago — and it, too, is struggling for lack of money.
"The current economic crisis is even more of a reason why both candidates should articulate comprehensive, detailed Great Lakes cleanup commitments," said Jeff Skelding, national campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. "Investment in cleanup of the lakes is also an investment in a healthy regional economy."
The Great Lakes region includes crucial states in the presidential race: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The McCain and Obama campaigns agree that the Great Lakes need help but argue over the approach.
While campaigning for re-election in 2004, President Bush established an interagency task force that oversaw development of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy. It called for upgrading wastewater and sewage treatment systems, stemming the exotic species tide, restoring wetlands and wildlife habitat and cleaning up toxic sediments. But the administration provided little money.
Obama, an Illinois senator, said last month that McCain had "stood with Bush" in failing to support adequate spending on the lakes. The Democrat, whose home city of Chicago anchors Lake Michigan's southern shore, released a five-point plan featuring a $5 billion "down payment" toward implementing the restoration.
McCain's campaign said the Obama plan "throws taxpayers' money at the problem." Yet aides said the Republican senator from Arizona also supports the restoration, although he has put forward no detailed plan or spending commitment. Obama is a co-sponsor of legislation to implement the restoration; McCain is not.
"The Great Lakes restoration must be a bipartisan initiative that brings on board all regions of the country in supporting the lakes as a national treasure," McCain campaign spokeswoman Sarah Lenti said in a written statement.
Robert Sisson, a national staffer with Republicans for Environmental Protection, said McCain's support of the lakes was sincere. But the budget crisis makes any specific funding pledge at this point an empty gesture, he said.
McCain is trying to have it both ways, said Heather Zichal, Obama's energy and environmental policy director.
"If John McCain is saying this restoration can take place without a significant federal contribution, he's just paying lip service when he claims to support it," Zichal said.
She acknowledged that money would be tight. But hailing from a Great Lakes state, Obama understands the lakes' dire situation and would give them top billing, Zichal said.
"You don't have to explain to a Great Lakes senator why this should be a priority," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. "It's in our DNA."
Obama's plan also calls for appointing a Great Lakes czar within the Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate efforts on the federal, state and local levels.
Other proposals include stepped-up efforts to identify and reduce toxic pollution, promote water conservation and crack down on ship ballast discharges responsible for most of the 185 invasive species that threaten the lakes' ecosystem.
The Great Lakes system holds 90 percent of the nation's surface fresh water. Yet it's under assault from sewage overflows in cities such as Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee. One study warned that the lakes were reaching a "tipping point" where they might be unable to heal themselves from pollution.
A recent University of Notre Dame report said invasive species arriving in the ballast tanks of cargo ships cost the regional economy $200 million a year. The most feared potential invader is the Asian carp — a 100-pound eating machine that gorges on plankton, an essential component of the aquatic food web.
Obama has pledged to finish construction of an electronic barrier in Chicago to keep the carp from invading Lake Michigan from the Illinois River. Biologists say if the carp gains a foothold in the lakes, it would be catastrophic for the region's $4 billion fishing industry.
In 2006, Obama inserted $400,000 for the barrier into an emergency bill for the Iraq war and hurricane relief. Additional money was included in a 2007 package for water projects enacted over Bush's veto. Obama supported the override, while McCain sided with the president.
McCain's campaign described the $23 billion measure as a budget buster, loaded with "pork barrel projects that only benefit individual congressmen and their districts." Obama's campaign said McCain's opposition showed he wasn't serious about supporting the lakes.
Obama favors restoring federal authority to protect wetlands and other waterways that was eroded by Supreme Court rulings in two cases from the Great Lakes region during the Bush years, Zichal said. Scientists say loss of wetlands is a serious threat to the lakes, where they filter toxins and provide fish spawning areas.
The McCain campaign did not respond to a question about his position on that issue.
