My mom was a single mother of 4. My dad left us when we were very young and we never really saw much of him growing up in New York City. They fled Cuba in 1959 escaping Fidel Castro's communist regime. They lived in Florida for a while and then settled in NY where there were better opportunities for them. They cleaned offices in the skyscrapers of NY. My father participated in and was captured and jailed in the Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba, he spent two years in a Cuban jail and my Mother said he was never the same after that, the marriage eventually failed and my father left. My mother toiled at many different jobs, always just trying to keep a roof over our heads and some food in the fridge. We were poor for sure, and my mom was very lucky to have her mom, my Grandmother living with us to help her out with me and my three sisters. We always would say that our Grandmother was like our mom and our Mother was like our dad. I know my story is not unique, most of my friends growing up came from a broken home with no father. But we loved each other and we could always count on each other no matter what. In 1993 my Mother got sick, it was sudden and devestating. At 57 we expected to have many more years with our mother, you know you never expect to get sick, I think poverty keeps you deeply rooted in reality, when you're jumping through hoops just to get by day to day you're just focused on the daily struggle, health care while it should be a priority is pretty far down on the list of important things you need. My mom had no health care coverage. So when she suddenly started feeling really sick one day in 1993 she went to the emergency room of our local hospital, she was really constipated and haden't gone to the bathroom in almost a week. At the hospital they gave her a laxative and sent her home, four days later she awoke in the middle of the night screaming in pain and throwing up violently. She was rushed by ambulance to the hospital where they determined she had a blockage in her abdomin and they had to operate immediately. My younger sister and I stood there at four in the morning terrified as the Doctor told us, "If we don't go in right now, your mother will die tonight." This happened in May of 1993, my mother died on August 23 1993. In between she lived through the worst pain and misery I could ever imagine anyone living through, she had a Tumor, Cancer, she was Terminal and after a 10 hour operation where I'm sure the Doctors did everthing they could to save her life they gave us the worst possible news. I don't blame anyone. Things happen in life and I strongly believe that an adult is responsible for taking care of themselves and making the best possible decisions for themselves, but I sure do wish my mother had an opportunity to do something for herself. I know there are so many stories like mine in this great country of ours, a Country that gave my Mother and Father a chance at a better life, and gave me the opportunity to be born here and have all the advantages that being American bring. I know I could easily be in Cuba with nothing and no chance. I love America, My Country, My Pride, and My Heart, this Country is so good and does so much around the whole world. I think Health Care for my Mother would have given her the opportunity to see Doctors and get regular check ups earlier on in her life. Would they have found the tumor earlier, could they have treated her, could they have saved her life, would she still be here with us today? I know one thing for sure, she would have had a shot, a chance to help herself out, there are so many poor immigrants and non immigrants alike in this country who love this country, who would die for this country and get sick with nothing more then an Emergency Room avialable to them. We as a country can do better than this. We HAVE to do better than this. We need Health Care Reform 'TODAY' We can not afford to wait. Mr President, Thank You for all you are doing. Myself and my family are firmly behind you, 'HEALTHCARE REFORM CAN NOT WAIT, NOT EVEN ONE MORE DAY' Thank you and God Bless. Carlos
Hello:My name is Allie Feldman, and I'm helping Ben Baruch with Organizing for America here in New York. We just wanted to make sure everyone sees the email and video below discussing OFA's next nationwide initiative -- the Pledge Project. Please feel free to contact me or Ben if you have any questions or concerns.Stay tuned for more updates coming by the end of the week!Thanks,Allie--Allie FeldmanVolunteer Organizing for America | New Yorkallie.feldman@gmail.com 908-370-2689
Ben BaruchVolunteer LiaisonOrganizing for America | New York
bennett.baruch@obamaalumni.com
Just over a week ago, President Obama submitted his first budget and made it clear he was ready for the fight to come.The President isn't alone. We're ready for that fight too -- it's what you built this movement for.Watch a video I recorded announcing our new initiative, the Organizing for America Pledge Project:Americans are ready for the bold new direction this plan offers. It's what they voted for in November, and it's needed now more than ever as we continue to face an unprecedented economic crisis.But the special interests and old ways of Washington won't go away easily. In fact, they'll only fight back harder.It's up to you to organize support for President Obama's plan throughout the country. It's the only way we'll get the change this country needs.Take the next step now in our fight to bring change:http://my.barackobama.com/pledgeprojectThanks,MitchMitch StewartDirectorOrganizing for America
ALBANY — They have sent microfilm clerks and security guards from their desks in the Capitol to the hustings of eastern Long Island and the Buffalo suburbs. They have brought in a dozen outside consultants, including a firm that produced the Swift Boat campaign against John Kerry, to cut advertisements and raise money. They have spent millions of dollars to fight for seats that were once safely Republican.
No effort is being spared by New York Republicans in the final days of this election season, which will determine whether they continue to control the State Senate, their only outpost of power in an increasingly Democratic state. Even veterans like Senator Caesar Trunzo — 82 years old and running against the son of a candidate he beat a quarter-century ago — are making eight appearances a day to shake hands and ask for votes.
"We just keep going along, doing what we have to do, and then hope for the best," Mr. Trunzo said recently as he rushed off to a campaign rally in Patchogue, on Long Island. "It's so important that we control the New York State Senate."
Republicans have held a majority in the Senate for all but one of the last 70 years, outlasting governors and presidents, Watergate and Jack Abramoff, seemingly immune to the ebb and flow of national politics. The Senate majority has helped Republicans garner millions of dollars for their campaigns and 10 times that in state aid for their mostly suburban or rural districts. It has been the party's storehouse of institutional knowledge, the career springboard for generations of politicians and operatives, and the lifeblood of some of Albany's most powerful lobbyists.
But now the Republican majority is down to a single seat, provoking the most intense, expensive and sweeping campaign in many years. Eight Republican seats are being seriously contested, double the number in most recent election years.
"It's different, because they're fighting for their survival," said Michael D. Dawidziak, a Republican consultant. "They haven't fought for survival in any of their lifetimes."
The potential loss of the Senate majority is usually mentioned only glancingly on the campaign trail, in veiled references to the need for "balanced government." But it is the urgent undercurrent to conversations in campaign offices, in the hallways of the Capitol and among local Republican activists.
"Our troops, the committeemen, the volunteers — they are very aware of the Albany piece, where they usually are not," said James P. Domagalski, the Republican chairman of Erie County. "They understand what would happen if we lose the Senate."
The long tenures of many Republican senators fighting for re-election — some came into office in 1972 during Richard Nixon's landslide re-election — is a testament to the Senate Republicans' endurance and agility. But facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, a party name damaged by an unpopular administration in Washington, and the chance that Senator Barack Obama's presidential bid will bring a surge of Democratic voters to the polls, the challenge has never seemed so great.
"This is a national tide," said Alfonse M. D'Amato, a lobbyist and a former United States senator, who has been a major fund-raiser and booster for State Senate Republicans. "Sometimes the tide comes in."
Mr. D'Amato said he was convinced that Senate Republicans would hold on this year despite the obstacles they faced. And publicly and privately, Republican senators and aides scoff at the suggestion that this will be the year the majority cracks.
"I'm confident we're going to be victorious, and I'm not thinking about 'what if,' " said Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., of Long Island. "Because we're not going to have deal with the 'what if.' "
On the campaign trail, Republicans have used their fund-raising advantage to expand the playing field, devoting hundreds of thousands of dollars to races in which Democrats have shown unexpected weakness, to offset possible Republican losses. On Friday, they sent Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, a key ally, to campaign with Senator Serphin R. Maltese of Queens, who is the Democrats' top target.
In recent weeks, Republicans have aggressively have stoked fears that communities upstate and on Long Island would suffer from a Democratic takeover of the Senate, which would leave the governor's office and both legislative leadership posts in the hands of Democrats from the five boroughs. They are blunt about what is at stake.
"The biggest fear is that if we lose the majority, all funding goes to New York City," said Mr. Fuschillo.
After a devastating loss in February in an upstate special election, Republicans revamped their campaign committee, bringing on new senior staff members, several with experience on presidential campaigns. Since that race — where much of the television advertising was handled by a firm linked to a former party chairman — the committee has broadly expanded its roster of campaign and advertising consultants, bringing in highly regarded talent from the Beltway.
"We learned from the special that the TV in particular has to be top-notch. It can't be the same old same old. You can't use the same old political tactics," said Senator Thomas W. Libous, an upstate Republican and a leader of the party's campaign effort.
Facing an unprecedented number of races, Senate Republicans have devised a buddy system — as it is known internally — to send senators from safe districts to campaign for and advise incumbents in tight races. Party officials say they have also gotten safe incumbents to contribute more campaign money than in the past to their more vulnerable colleagues.
"They now say, 'Instead of trying to drive up my margins in my district, I should spend that time trying to help one of the weaker guys win his race,' " Mr. D'Amato said.
Republicans are also preparing to unveil the kind of technology more familiar from presidential campaigns with hundred-million-dollar budgets. In several key races on Tuesday — party officials would not say which — workers will use BlackBerrys to check off Republican voters as they arrive at polling places and send the lists to a central database, making the party's turnout operation far more efficient.
In some races, the G.O.P. has resorted to methods that are lower-tech but no less intensive. In Westchester County, where Republicans are hoping for an upset victory, the Republican candidate, Liz Feld, has been sending handwritten notes to voters to ask for their support.
The loss of the majority, Republicans say, would not only put their districts at a disadvantage in Albany. It could also cripple the party itself. The majority, after all, comes with roughly $85 million in earmark spending and hundreds of extra staff jobs in Albany and in district offices. In most areas of the state, Republican senators sit atop a well-established political food chain, providing patronage jobs, smoothing political disputes and running local party organizations.
Vincent F. Liguori, who is active with the Republican committee in Islip, on Long Island, said that having Mr. Trunzo as his senator was "like having my father looking out for me."
"It's like they say: To the victor belong the spoils," he added. "There's going to be a lot of people looking for work if he loses."
This is it!
We're coming down to the final stretch and Barack Obama needs your help now, more than ever before!
Please bring your cell phone, a charger and a few fun friends who care about change and join with thousands of your neighbors in the largest ever-attempted phone bank effort in New York state history. The Obama campaign is hosting several of these "mega call centers" all over New York, so invite your friends and family to make calls to voters in key battleground states and change America for years to come.
Visit http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/nylastcall to find a location near you.
Graham Long for US Congress; Help Defeat GOP Bushco incumbant Pete King on Long Island, NY 3rd Congressional District
Graham Long spends every day at work seeking solutions to Long Island's challenges. As an economic development advisor, working with Nassau County, he helps to shape a better future for Long Island.
This is his first run for public office.
Born and raised on the island, he is concerned, along with so many others, that he will not be able to afford to stay in his hometown.
With a background in suburban planning, historic preservation, & government, his goal is to restore the unique character of the island that has always been the frontier of America's future.
Graham is a regional planning specialist, and has worked with Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi on his initiatives to reduce our tax burden, create senior and next-generation affordable housing in our downtowns, strengthen our economy, and preserve our environment and the history and character of Long Island.
He has extensive background in both planning and government, starting out as an intern with The White House, working for the director of the President's National Economic Council in 2002.
While in Washington DC, Graham acted as Advisory Commissioner for the District of Columbia, focusing on regional planning, controlling development, and transportation infrastructure.
Since then he worked as an operations manager for the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City. After the current administration in Washington proved to be drifting away from the challenges our nation faces, Graham returned to Long Island and became active in local government issues.
He holds a B.A. in American Studies, concentrating in economic development and regional planning, from The George Washington University.
His family hails from Franklin Square, and Graham is a graduate of Locust Valley Central School District. He continues to reside in his hometown.
Visit and Bookmark Graham's website here:
http://grahamlong2008.com/
Graham Long is challenging Congressman Peter T. King for his long-held seat in the 3rd Congressional District.
While Mr. Long has never held elected office, he is no neophyte to the governmental arena, beginning with his work as an intern with the White House, working for the director of the President's National Economic Council in 2002 and acting as advisory commissioner for the District of Columbia, focusing on regional planning, development and transportation infrastructure. Mr. Long stated that "After the current administration in Washington proved to be drifting away from the challenges our nation faces, I returned to Long Island and became active in local government."
He currently works as an economic development advisor and regional planning specialist for Nassau County, working "to restore the unique character of the Island that has always been the frontier of America's future." His initiatives have served to help reduce the tax burden, create senior and next-generation affordable housing in downtowns, strengthen the economy, and preserve the environment, history and character of Long Island. These county issues, said Mr. Long, also apply to more local governments.
Concern for Long Island's economic base has led Mr. Long to the realization that "We need to bring in high-tech research and development industries and to steer our economy in a new direction that is centered on 'green' industries, building a renewable energy network, and rebuilding and reworking our crumbling infrastructure." Long Island has the educated workforce to do that, Mr. Long added, but the economy must provide that workforce the affordability to live here. Affordable rental and condominium units in the downtowns, which are often near public transportation, will serve to encourage seniors and young adults to remain on Long Island and will promote greater use of trains and buses, thus reducing traffic, as well as gasoline usage, he said.
Mr. Long believes property taxes can be reduced not only through increased federal and state aid for our schools, but also through restructuring and consolidating local government to make the system more efficient.
Mr. Long said he is running as the candidate of change, and that Rep. King is "the candidate for the status quo." The fact that he has never run for, nor held, political office serves to his advantage, Mr. Long believes, because, "I'm not beholden to any special interests. We can no longer trust the politicians in Washington to fix the problems they helped create in the first place."
If elected, Mr. Long said he vows to help Long Island preserve the legacy, neighborhoods, landmarks and environmental resources "that make our Island unique and attractive" while continuing "to grow responsibly and bring more development into our downtowns, encourage clean energy industries to come to Long Island, and rebuild and enhance our [public and private] transportation network."
In regard to international affairs, Mr. Long said, "We must encourage the next president to re-deploy our combat forces in Iraq, give our troops the benefits and breaks they deserve, and increase our troop levels in Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda is regrouping." The U.S. should reduce combat forces in Iraq, he said, while continuing to work as peacekeepers, which could provide our nation with greater international support. Mr. Long said he will also seek to reverse the current trend in Washington to export our economic base, which he said, has "left us with an unstable economy and a government based on borrowing."
Mr. Long stated, ""I am thrilled and honored to have the support of Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, State Assemblyman Charles Lavine, Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature Diane Yatauro and former Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger."
At press time, Mr. Long has also received the endorsement of the Nassau Women's Democratic Caucus and the Alliance for Retired Americans.
Mr. Long is running on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines. He holds a BA in American studies, concentrating in economic development and regional planning, from George Washington University. He resides in his home city of Glen Cove.
You know I can really Identify with Barack having to leave the campaign trail this week to be with his Grandmother, I say, Do it Mr, Senator you won't regret it. Back in 1992 I had moved to Columbus Ohio to get a fresh start and spend time with a good friend of mine, after about a month and a half, and after having just found a new job, I got word that my Grandmother had, had a heart attack. She had problems with her heart for years, and she would land in the hospital for a week or so at least once a year or so it seemed, it would always scare us so bad that we would literally be in the hospital with her night and day, but she always made it home, she was a tough old lady, and she had gone through alot of Crap in her life, no little thing like a bad heart was gonna keep her down, she had Grandchildren to raise for Goodness sake, there were dinners to cook, and homework to check, and a family that desperately needed her, you almost had the sense that nothing bad, or at least real bad would ever happen to her. So even that late August night in 92, when I got the call, Mommy's in the hospital, it's her heart, I worried,I was scared, but I figured I had time, like always. I diden't leave to New York right away, I waited, after all I had just started this job I coulden't just pick up and leave, could I?
To be honest, to this day I regret not getting on a plane and going home,I never saw my Grandma alive again, while in the hospital she had a stroke that paralyzed her and she passed away shortly thereafter peacefully in her sleep. My Grandmother ment more to me in my life then anyone ever before or since, and I suspect that she will always be the greatest force at work in my mind for as long as I LIVE. I should have been there, I wish I had been, if giving the chance again I would be. So Senator Obama you go to toots side, be with her talk to her and listen, you will not regret it I promise you that. God Bless, Carlos
I question what McCain was thinking when selecting a running mate who was obviously not well vetted. The results of the Alaskan panel review said it was not illegal to fire Monegan, but Palin makes it appear she wasn't in violation of ethics regulation when it was clearly stated she did.
Page 8, Finding Number One of the report says: "I find that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act."
Fight McCain's Latest Lies with 'Pinocchio Politics' Last week, the McCain-Palin message was ugly: that Obama "pals around" with terrorists, implying Obama is therefore a terrorist himself. This incited ugly behavior by their supporters, who openly called Obama a "terrorist." Americans recoiled in horror, and Obama surged to a commanding 8% lead in the polls, which would produce an Electoral College landslide. McCain read the polls, freaked out, and adopted an entirely new message: he's a "fighter." This one is true! McCain has devoted his political career to fighting against everything we care about: peace, justice, jobs, education, health care, the environment, civil rights, voting rights, and honest government. Well, we're fighters too. And as swing voters make their final decisions, we must fight to make sure they are not fooled by the new McCain-Palin message, and instead understand McCain and Palin are simply bald-faced liars. Our best weapon is humor, so watch this funny video from our friends at Agit-Pop. Here are their latest lies: LIE: The "Troopergate" report cleared Sarah Palin of wrongdoing. TRUTH: The report found Palin "abused her power by violating ... the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act" and could be punished when the Alaska legislature meets. (The Washington Post Fact-Checker gave Palin 4 Pinocchio's.) LIE: ACORN is committing massive "voter fraud" for Obama. TRUTH: ACORN registered 1.3 million new voters, but a tiny number of forms were invalid. ACORN flagged those invalid forms and urged authorities to prosecute ACORN employees who submitted them. (Democrats.com will pay $100 for every "Mickey Mouse" who actually votes.) LIE: Obama "pals around with terrorists" and lied about working with Bill Ayers. TRUTH: Obama was 8 when Bill Ayers planted bombs to protest Vietnam, and simply volunteers for the same Republican-led education charity. (Meanwhile McCain knowingly associates with terrorists, extremists, and criminals of all kinds.) The final debate is Wednesday night, so download your own "McLiar Bingo" boards to have fun keeping track of McCain's lies while you watch with your friends. Second, let's form "Pinocchio Posses " wherever McCain and Palin campaign. We'll wear home-made "Pinocchio noses " and hand out home-printed " McLiar Bingo " flyers with the lies and the truth. Keep checking our upcoming event list:http://www.pinocchiopolitics.org/candidate_sched.htmLet's make new friends and have a good time while we put an end to " Pinocchio Politics " and elect Barack Obama! More info and comments here: http://www.democrats.com/fight-mccains-lies-with-pinocchio-bingoThanks for all you do! ________________ Election Day Countdown: 21 Days If you want a real scare, watch this video nightmare about Election Night 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzuIHjQYW2c If you don't want that nightmare to come true, visit: http://govote.org/1. Register to vote 2. Request to vote absentee 3. Find your polling location with Google maps - for early voting or Election Day4. See exactly what you need to bring (photo ID or alternatives)Republicans are working quietly to steal another election by disenfranchising Democratic voters, just as they did in 2000 and 2004. So please make sure your vote counts! ##### Forward this message to everyone you know! To subscribe, create a free Democrats.com account here: http://www.democrats.com/user/register
Fight McCain's Latest Lies with 'Pinocchio Politics'
Last week, the McCain-Palin message was ugly: that Obama "pals around" with terrorists, implying Obama is therefore a terrorist himself. This incited ugly behavior by their supporters, who openly called Obama a "terrorist." Americans recoiled in horror, and Obama surged to a commanding 8% lead in the polls, which would produce an Electoral College landslide.
McCain read the polls, freaked out, and adopted an entirely new message: he's a "fighter." This one is true! McCain has devoted his political career to fighting against everything we care about: peace, justice, jobs, education, health care, the environment, civil rights, voting rights, and honest government.
Well, we're fighters too. And as swing voters make their final decisions, we must fight to make sure they are not fooled by the new McCain-Palin message, and instead understand McCain and Palin are simply bald-faced liars. Our best weapon is humor, so watch this funny video from our friends at Agit-Pop. Here are their latest lies:
LIE: The "Troopergate" report cleared Sarah Palin of wrongdoing. TRUTH: The report found Palin "abused her power by violating ... the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act" and could be punished when the Alaska legislature meets. (The Washington Post Fact-Checker gave Palin 4 Pinocchio's.)
LIE: ACORN is committing massive "voter fraud" for Obama. TRUTH: ACORN registered 1.3 million new voters, but a tiny number of forms were invalid. ACORN flagged those invalid forms and urged authorities to prosecute ACORN employees who submitted them. (Democrats.com will pay $100 for every "Mickey Mouse" who actually votes.)
LIE: Obama "pals around with terrorists" and lied about working with Bill Ayers. TRUTH: Obama was 8 when Bill Ayers planted bombs to protest Vietnam, and simply volunteers for the same Republican-led education charity. (Meanwhile McCain knowingly associates with terrorists, extremists, and criminals of all kinds.)
Second, let's form "Pinocchio Posses " wherever McCain and Palin campaign. We'll wear home-made "Pinocchio noses " and hand out home-printed " McLiar Bingo " flyers with the lies and the truth. Keep checking our upcoming event list:http://www.pinocchiopolitics.org/candidate_sched.htm
Let's make new friends and have a good time while we put an end to " Pinocchio Politics " and elect Barack Obama!
More info and comments here: http://www.democrats.com/fight-mccains-lies-with-pinocchio-bingo
Thanks for all you do!
Election Day Countdown: 21 Days
If you want a real scare, watch this video nightmare about Election Night 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzuIHjQYW2c
If you don't want that nightmare to come true, visit: http://govote.org/
1. Register to vote 2. Request to vote absentee 3. Find your polling location with Google maps - for early voting or Election Day4. See exactly what you need to bring (photo ID or alternatives)
Republicans are working quietly to steal another election by disenfranchising Democratic voters, just as they did in 2000 and 2004. So please make sure your vote counts!
#####
Forward this message to everyone you know!
To subscribe, create a free Democrats.com account here: http://www.democrats.com/user/register
Jorge Sanz paints a piece of the set at the site of the final presidential debate Barack Obama and John McCain at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Photograph: Jim Bourg/Reuters
After investing $3.5m in construction and planning, Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York found out there was something missing from its preparations for this week's third and final presidential debate. Water glasses. "We actually had to give the campaigns the exact water glass the candidates will be using during the debate," said Hofstra president Stuart Rabinowitz. "So they know the heft of it, I guess."
From the massive to the mundane, Hofstra has spent the last year getting ready for its close-up, re-tooling its David S Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex into the venue for a debate that will be watched by millions on television worldwide. "There are people cleaning and painting everywhere," said student Melissa Barnshaw, 17, of South Brunswick, New Jersey "And there's so much security. But it's not that inconvenient - I mean, it's not like this happens every day."
Construction crews have laid tens of thousands feet of cable and carpet, and installed thousands of phone lines and hundreds of flat-screen televisions. A television stand-up platform was built outside the Mack sports complex, where the debate will be held. Inside the arena, the university had to install equipment to reduce the noise from its air-conditioning system, after a sound crew from the Commission on Presidential Debates determined it ran too loudly.
Special vents were cut above the spot where each candidate will stand during the debate, to improve air flow so they won't perspire as Richard Nixon infamously did during the first-ever televised presidential debate in 1960. "They're still asking and we're still doing," Rabinowitz said on Friday of the debate preparations. "Whatever they want, we do."
Although Hofstra has played host to four former presidents, including Bill Clinton in 2005, officials say those events don't rival the work involved in preparing for the debate. "You can't compare anything we've ever done to this," said Melissa Connolly, Hofstra's vice president for university relations. "Absolutely nothing compares to this level of attention."
More than 3,000 media are credentialed to cover the debate. MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews will broadcast live from campus on Wednesday. Some parking lots will be closed to house television satellite trucks, Wednesday classes are cancelled, and parking will be limited to students and faculty with valid passes. Shuttles will run from four area hotels and Mitchel Field.
Resident students are being asked to Host a Commuter student on Tuesday night, to reduce traffic on Wednesday from commuter students eager to visit campus on debate day. Campus security officers are working 12-hour shifts, instead of their normal eight-hour shifts, and athletic schedules have been rearranged so most teams are playing away games.
"I knew this would be a major event," Rabinowitz said, "but until you're living through it, you really have no concept of how many media are here, the excitement for the students - how big it really is."
October 15 Presidential Debate Rally on Long Island is Official!
There will be a major rally and concert at Eisenhower Park on October 15, the date of the third and final presidential debate - at Hofstra. The support of Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper (Chairperson of the Long Island Obama Campaign) and Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi has enabled this long-planned event to become a reality. Bring friends, neighbors, and family!!
Go east on Hempstead Turnpike to the first traffic light Merrick Avenue, Borrelli's restaurant on the right side.
Make a left turn and go down about 1/2 mile park entrance on your right.
Follow the signs to parking field #6. There also is an entrance to the park on Hempstead Turnpike
Hofstra University is very pleased to host the third and final presidential debate of the 2008 presidential campaign on October 15. The debate itself is produced and sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that controls all aspects of debate production.
Ticket availability for the debate itself will be extremely limited. In debates produced by the CPD in prior presidential elections, at most a few hundred tickets were made available to the host university in the days immediately prior to the debate. The campaigns control a significant portion of the tickets.
Virtually all of tickets allocated to Hofstra University from the Commission on Presidential Debates will be distributed to current students in the days before the debate, as recommended by the CPD and consistent with past practices of debate hosts.
Tickets will not be available through the CPD or Hofstra University personnel and tickets are not available through any other means at this point in time.
This time around, debate-watching parties have a bit of local flavor. With Barack Obama and John McCain ready to duke it out tomorrow at Hofstra, a few places on Long Island are hosting parties and bringing in big names to celebrate. Whether you are a Republican, a Democrat or undecided, there is certainly a place for you to watch the final presidential debate. And if you want ringside seats, well, that's an option too - if you're willing to battle traffic.FOR ELEPHANTSRepublican Assembly Campaign Committee
WHERE Copperfields Ale House729 S. Oyster Bay Rd., BethpageWHEN 7:30-11 p.m.PHONE 518-462-2606WEB nyracc.comADMISSION $50-$250This event certainly will be a red event, unless Democrats want to contribute to the New York Republican Party. Party-goers will watch the debate on five plasma televisions, munch on finger food and mingle with high-ranking New York Republicans. The guest list includes: Rep. Peter King, State GOP Chairman Joseph Mondello, State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long, former Sen. Al D'Amato and many local Republican state assembly members. "Quite frankly, it's a chance to cheer on the Republican team and cheer on Sen. McCain," says Josh Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee.FOR DONKEYSBrian Foley Campaign CommitteeWHERE Comalapa Restaurant85 Timberline Dr., BrentwoodWHEN 8 p.m.-closingPHONE 917-337-7746WEB barackobama.com (click "Find Events")
ADMISSION FreeThis event is open to anyone on the political spectrum, says Jason Ortiz, a Brian Foley campaign staffer, but most in this Democrat-heavy community will be supporting Barack Obama. Besides Foley, who's running for the State Assembly, Ortiz says other community leaders are expected at this Salvadoran restaurant. "People should come out because it would give them a sense of how much support there is in the community for Barack Obama. The message of change has resonated in the community," he says.IN THE THICK OF IT ALL
Hofstra University Educate '08WHERE Hofstra's Monroe Lecture CenterCalifornia Ave., HempsteadWHEN 8 p.m.PHONE 516-463-6600WEB hofstra.edu/educate08ADMISSION Free; preregisterIf debate viewers want to say they were at Hofstra University at the same time the future president was, this may be the only opportunity. Though tickets to the debate itself are hard to come by, Hofstra will host expert panelists before the debate to discuss the issues and explain how to interpret the debate, followed by a viewing. Those who want to stay to talk about what they saw can join discussion groups. Parking for this event will be at Mitchel Field near Nassau Community College, and a shuttle bus will take people to the site.for more Come thirsty, leave politicalWHERE Garden City Hotel's Rein Bar and Bistro, 45 Seventh St., Garden CityWHEN Now to Election Day for specialty cocktails; specialty menu through SaturdayPHONE 516-747-3000WEB gardencityhotel.comThe Garden City Hotel may not be hosting an official event on the night of the debate, but it's featuring cleverly named cocktails and a "Stars and Stripes" $34.95 prix fixe menu in the week leading up to the historic event. Among the offerings, according to its Web site: "McCain's Baby Back Ribs," "Biden's Chicken Pot Pie" and "Campaign Bus Homemade Doughnuts." For thirsty and politically inclined diners, the restaurant will offer drinks including Blue Party and Maverick martinis, the Obama Slamma' and an Alaska Cocktail until Election Day.
More:
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/exploreli/ny-exmain5881544oct14,0,819897.story?page=2
Please set me straight if I have become neurotic but does anyone else think that recent events may have been driven from a cohesive republican strategy.
I made these observations at the time and now that my fear is coming true, I really do wonder if my crazy theory is true....
When the "surge" was implemented, I felt that it was partly due to a republican ploy to put in more troops only to send some home right before the election in November. This could be touted by the republicans as a sign of success and that they have things "headed in the right direction" and "were right all along".
I hoped that I was being overly neurotic, how could anyone play with people's lives like that, but again and again throughout history people have done worse and when leaders feel that there cause is God's cause, it can justify almost anything.
Second, was the price of gas. I guessed after gas prices were rising swiftly and seemingly without end that republicans would do what they could to drive prices artificially up just so that the price could come down right before the election. In doing so, after paying $4.30 a gallon for gas, all of a sudden gas that was $3.50 seems a bargain. The fact that it was recently under $2 is a distant almost unrealistic memory.
If I am reading too much into this let me know but after reading over and over again about the exploits of Karl Rove, and seeing McCain's latest attack ad claiming Barack Obama believes in "sex education" for kindegarteners - I am begining to believe that the republicans will do anything to stay in power.
I am angered, saddened, and drained to think this is possible, but it is all the more reason I want to support Barack Obama and bring a new kind of governing to Washington.
Why I can’t vote for a McCain – Palin Ticket:
• John McCain has supported loose immigration controls for 26 years and supports amnesty. To win the republican nomination he has said he is “against” those things even though he supported them for years.
• John McCain is the ultimate in hypocrisy. He was the co-sponsor of the McCain-Feingold Bill, but now says he would vote against it. He also voted AGAINST the Bush tax cuts, now he says we should make them permanent. His opinions change with the political winds. Oh yeah, his tagline was “experience” now he sees Barak Obama doing well with “Change” – now THAT is his new buzzword!
• John McCain is 72 years old. He would be the oldest president to ever take the oath of office. John McCain has had cancer multiple times and there is a definite possibility his vice president could become president (as 1/3 of all vice presidents eventually do) – not only did he pick a vice president for political reasons, he picked one that even many republicans say is unqualified.
• Sarah Palin believes that if a woman is raped by her father and gets pregnant, the government should force her to have the baby.
• Sarah Palin supported the secession of Alaska from the United States of America – this does not seem very patriotic to me.
• Sarah Palin is an enthusiastic and staunch supporter of guns, personally I don’t believe that criminals should have unfettered access to guns, especially if they are semi-automatic or automatic weapons – I am not sure Sarah Palin believes the same.
• Sarah Palin may have tried to have her ex-brother in law fired as a state trooper because of a personal dispute between him and her sister. Abuse of power has been a thorn in the side of America for the last eight years, we do not need anymore. The investigation into abuse of power continues to this day in what they call in Alaska “troopergate”. (In one poll in Alaska 87% of Alaskans believed she lied in relation to troopergate).
• Sarah Palin supported the 398 million dollar bridge to nowhere, but on the campaign trail she is making seem like she was against it. For the record, she campaigned to get elected supporting the bridge and took all the government money she could get – it was not until the congress STOPPED giving money that she decided that she “did not need their money”.
• Sarah Palin says she will “change” Washington, that she is an outsider and that she is against Earmarks. As Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska she hired lobbyists to go to Washington to secure as many earmarks as possible. They were very successful and Palin received over 8 Million dollars in Earmarks for Wasilla, a town of under 7,000 people.
• During Sarah Palin’s term as Governor, Alaska has requested 197.8 Million Dollars in Earmarks. Her stance on earmarks is clear.
• Sarah Palin supports teaching Abstinence only, which is unrealistic at best and counter productive at worst.
• Sarah Palin says she sold the “company jet on ebay” – while it is honorable to cut spending and a private jet for the governor is probably excessive the truth is that this is a lie. Palin did put the jet on ebay but it did not sell. She eventually sold the Jet through a broker, at a significant loss, to a campaign contributor.
• Sarah Palin does not believe global warming is a man-made problem, even though most conservatives have had to agree with the overwhelming scientific evidence.
• Sarah Palin wanted to ban books at the local Wasilla library. She was never able to ban books and there is no “list of books” that she wanted banned, that is a fake email. BUT the truth is she did speak with the local authorities and the local librarian about how she could go about banning “objectionable” books. It was reported in the local anchorage newspaper and is a matter of record. What books is really not important, the fact that she would think that this was OK in anyway, and could be possible speaks volumes. There is a pattern of abusing power developing with her (something we had enough of with the Bush Administration). At worst her style could be defined as “Bush-Cheney Bully governing.” By the way, she fired the librarian because she “questioned her loyalty”.
• Sarah Palin believes that Iraq is “God’s Plan” and also that her congregation should pray for a new Alaskan Pipeline. It seems she believes that religion should be intertwined with governing and that is scary and way too similar to that of George Bush.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters held back little Wednesday as they issued dismissive attacks on Barack Obama and flattering praise on her credentials to be vice president. In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.
Some examples:
PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."
THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."
PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. 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."
THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.
PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."
THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.
Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.
He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.
MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.
THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state _ by population.
MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.
THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.
FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."
THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.
FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right _ change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington _ throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."
THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.
___
Associated Press Writer Jim Drinkard in Washington contributed to this report.
Friends,
I am passing on information about a training session for volunteers. The Long Island Progressive Coalition will provide training for as many as 150 Obama supporters. The session will be held on Saturday, August 23, in Merrick.
The program will run approximately from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. For more information, directions to the event and to register, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpg2f2
