THIS COMES FROM AN ANALYSIS BY THE D.C. PRESS INSIDERS WHO HAVE ASKED WHAT WILL DETERMINE THE CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSE TO THE More Progressive aspects of the HealthCare Reform Legislation.
In the ensuing months after the election, many supporters of Obama who had not previously been active in the Democrat Party came to a big decision. Lots of us were not officially members but almost always supporting candidates and issues that were the agenda of the Domocrats consistently. We decided to take a look at the local Democrat Parties near us and determined to join the party which chose to nominate Barack Obama as its Presidential Candidate for 2008 general election.
Since then, in Dane County, I am aware of a small but growing new group who have joined the Democrats formally. I have not investigated how many of us have made that decision, but I am sure we are not unique. It must be true that throughout the state many OFA members are choosing to connect with the Democrat party, and personally, I view this as a healthy political decision. It we have been hanging back, for whatever the reason, not being sure if we want yet more events to attend and actions to participate in, we have been cheating both ourselves and the party which most pragmatically represents our views and demonstrates concerns for the issues we most often understand in the same way. We can help the Democrat party be more effective as we try to support the agenda of Obama, and we can be more effective in shaping how the party repsonds about all sorts of issues. We need to connect, empower and improve the quality of our citizen involvement to keep the good policies at the table and get them passed. We need to take every opportunity to be the voice of change. The Democrats embraced Obama to be that Voice of Change, it is good to join them officially and support that effort more inclusively! Meetings of the DaneDems take place monthly at the Concourse Hotel in Madison. There is free parking in the hotel basement lot! It is so easy!
Many people who voted for Obama gave strength to his campaign and were critical to his election. Their views and political action choices did not necessarily coincide with wishing to be a part of the major party affiliation. I was part of that group. Wanted to be independent. But then, I realized we are missing an important opportunity: to be the fresh voices of our Obama movement that is really important to the Democrats, especially now,but in the future as well, since we don't want the policies we fought hard to promote via our support of Obama just evaporate after his terms of office close. We have to keep our eyes on the horizon and think of our families, communities, state, nation, and how we will affect our international communities. It is important to keep our voices strong, keep focused, keep active, and if each of us does our small bit, we can achieve this. So I decided to link that can serve to promote all that: The Democrat Party.
I invite you to join me in starting an important activity 'being the voices of Obama' in the Democrat Party. If you would like reports from me about recent meetings, I'll be happy to share them with you. I attended the 2nd Congressional District Democratic Convention in Portage last month, and the Democrat Leadership Institute at Devil's Lake Resort. I will be attending the State Democrat Convention, June 11-12th in Green Bay. This is how we begin to exercise fresh voices of Obama within the party that chose him. It is very exciting to meet so many others with similar views! Try it, I'm finding it very fulfilling and purposeful.
Dear Mister President,
My family is in a crisis situation and we urgently need your help. I have done everything I can with the help of a lawyer, and many prayers, but now I am relying on your influence so my family can remain together in our home.
My husband, Rigo, was brought to this country from Banderas, Mexico by a family friend, Raul Cardenas,( who has been a father figure to him), when he was 13 years old. His biological father was an abusive alcoholic, so coming to the United States provided a safe haven for him. We met in school and despite our language and culture differences we fell in love. We have been together for 14 years now and have two beautiful sons. After we got married I started the process to get his papers. He had never done the paper work because he had known many people who were deported and was afraid if he went in, he would be deported also. I had bought a house and sold it, using the money to help with the fees. We now live with Raul and have been fighting his case with immigration for over four years. My husband did enter illegally into this country, but he was a child when he came. He has lived here longer than he did in Mexico and this is his home. If he is deported, my children and I will go with him because we are a family. I do not speak Spanish and do not want to live in a foreign land. My family members are here and it will cause great emotional hardships for all of us, if we have to leave. My mother’s mental and physical health are poor and we are her support system .She depends on me for transportation and her other needs. My children are her life and the only joy she experiences.
Since this threat of deportation came upon us we have not been able to relax and enjoy life. It is ever constant in our thoughts and the stress is overwhelming at times. If you were standing before me right now I would throw myself at your feet and beg for mercy. PLEASE help us and other families in our situation, by allowing us to remain together in this country.
The first people to come to this land immigrated here because of persecution and lack of economic opportunity. This is still the valid reason for most, including my husband. None of us have the choice of where we are born, but we should be given one as to where we live and die. This country is where we belong; it is where we want our bodies to be buried, because our hearts desire is in this land. PLEASE , help us in our struggle.
I thank you in advance and I pray you make the right decisions in all matters.
Sincerely,
Michelle Santos
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090413/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_cuba
At least the are two guys who are trying to organize a rally against Obama on day ONE.
This two TRAITORS are manipulating the LATINO community with false pretenses about the delicate issue of immigration.
It seems to me very strange this innocents creatures are telling us the good news if LATINOS go for a rally in day ONE.
It's my opinion these two craps a re-pug infiltrated in this blog.
Percy H Florez
I woke up and looked at my phone and saw the headline. Barack Obama elected the 44th president of the United States. Wow. I don't get very emotional. I've been told it's a trait that I have inhereted from my mother's side of the family. But I cried like a little baby that night. Tears of joy and yes tears of sorrow to think of all those in my family that are not alive anymore to see this day. All four of my grandparents are gone and I would have loved for my Grandma Elena to have seen this.
I have never been so proud to be an American in my life. The simple fact that we as a nation collectively voted to put the best candidate in office, regardless of the color of his skin, tells me that Americans might just get this thing right. That's the most important aspect about this election. That people did not vote for him because he is or isn't African-American or that he is or isn't the son of an African father and White mother. We voted for him because he was clearly the candidate who will fight for the issues that matter to us. And because he was the clear choice in this election for change. Change that we can believe in and that is not just a bunch of promises. We all believe in him and know that he will carry out his promises and make them a reality.
To quote an Oliver Stone movie "Nixon", when Richard Nixon asks one of his White House servants why he voted for John F. Kennedy in the 1960 election, he replies: "Because he made me see the stars."
President-elect Obama has truly made me see the stars. I am proud to say that I have been a supporter of his before the primaries and caucuses. Before Hillary and before John McCain. And.....I think I made the right decision.
I will be getting married in December of this year. I hope to have kids very soon thereafter. I am proud to know that they will be born in a country headed by President Barack Obama.
Thank you for making me cry. God bless America!!!!!
I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first. We just made history. And I don't want you to forget how we did it. You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change. I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign. We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next. But I want to be very clear about one thing... All of this happened because of you. Thank you, Barack
Find a polling place near you at Last Call for Change.
To learn more about what Ryan's volunteer effort and how you can get involved too, watch below and then go to Last Call For Change to find a phone bank near your house.
Early Voting for the entire state of Florida has just been extended.
Every Early Vote location in Florida will now be every day from 7am-7pm up through November 2.
Please pass along this great news to everyone you know who will be voting in Florida. Click here to find your nearest early vote location.
Here's the release:
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS ~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~October 28, 2008Contact:GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008. "I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote." Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting. Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting. Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29. Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217. STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217 WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties; WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; andWHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008. GOVERNORATTEST:SECRETARY OF STATE
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS
~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~
October 28, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
"I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote."
Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting.
Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting.
Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29.
Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217.
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217
WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and
WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and
WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and
WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties;
WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; and
WHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008.
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE
Last weekend, I traveled with 150 friends to the battleground state of Nevada, joining thousands of Californians in campaigning for Senator Barack Obama. Over the weekend, our group knocked on over 5,000 doors. We spread out across Las Vegas, meeting people in their homes and talking to them about their hopes and concerns. What we heard is that Nevadans, like many of their fellow Americans, are worried. They are yearning for change and strong leadership to put our country back on track. Most were responsive to Senator Obama's economic plan of tax cuts for the middle class and smarter regulation of our financial sector. I know that an Obama administration would bring renewed focus toward reviving our urban centers, and I will be working to bring that message to other voters between now and Election Day. Join us on another Drive for Change for the final Get Out the Vote Weekend.
This weekend, the Obama campaign held four ginormous super phonebanks in the Los Angeles area. Harnessing the amazing enthusiasm here in the final weeks of the Presidential campaign, these phonebanks are full of great energy, dedication, and cell phone waves (oh, and yummy snacks). In my neck of the woods, our Hollywood-Los Feliz-Silver Lake phonebanks joined forces at the fabled Sunset-Gower Studios, located at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Gower St. (This intersection was once known as "Gower Gulch" - silver-screen cowboys used to gather there looking for work as extras on western films.) Last weekend, this particular phonebank drew 200 volunteers who made 13,000 calls to battleground states and, in phonebanks throughout California, over 500,000 voters were called! This weekend our goal was higher - the campaign has challenged California volunteers to reach at least 625,000 voters - the Last Call For Change! Former home of Columbia Pictures ("It Happened One Night", "Funny Girl" and "The Caine Mutiny") and current home to such TV shows as Dexter and Heroes, Sunset-Gower houses many independent film and television production companies. It was also the former home of one of my all-time personal favorites: Six Feet Under. (You can read more about the studio's history here.) Last weekend, entering data from calls to Colorado, I was really heartened by the number of voters solidly in the Obama camp, versus the ones for McCain. The polls there are bearing this out. This weekend, we're over halfway toward beating last week's totals - 111 volunteers on Saturday, making nearly 9,000 calls! Sunday will surely rock. Thanks to the incredible volunteer coordinators who are making this phonebank happen every weekend. Your dedication is inspiring. And of course, the roomful of volunteers who didn't want to leave. Folks, if you haven't tried it yet, it's not too late - get thee to CA.BarackObama.com and find the nearest phonebank. You can make calls, enter data, sell swag, bring snacks - the possibilities are endless. You won't regret it!
"This is a 51/49 country, not a 60/40 country... If you want to elect Barack Obama, go to Florida, go to Ohio. Go to the battleground states."
Obama supporters are more confident now than at any time this year. (Who even remembers the depressing days right after Sen. McCain chose Gov. Palin?) The media echo chamber is largely reinforcing this confidence, just as they have in months past. The powerful endorsement by Colin Powell today on Meet the Press will likely dominate press coverage for a day or two, with only two weeks and two days left to election day. That is huge.
But we should keep our eye on the ball! Lets focus our attention on the battleground states, because if Obama wins only one of these, we likely win the whole ballgame: Florida, Colorado, Ohio. And the single thing that will tip the balance is a significant move by older voters, particularly in places like Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The Great Schlep
Sarah Silverman gives a funny take on our mission: go to your grandparents, your parents, your friends and family in these toss-up states, and make sure they are on board. It would be great to win North Carolina or Virginia, but it is essential that we will our share of toss-ups.
Fair warning: this humorous video does contain expletives.
http://www.thegreatschlep.com/
Conservatives sing the praises of Barack Obama
"I sense in this guy a first-class mind who might just do smart things." --Christopher Buckley
"Barack Obama is the sharpest knife in the [Democratic] drawer." --Rush Limbaugh
Colin Powell is now endorsing Barack Obama on Meet the Press.
"I have gone back and forth between someone I have the highest regard for, John McCain, and someone I have been getting to know, Barack Obama." Both candidates would be good presidents.
However, Barack Obama displays "intellectual vigor, intellectual curiosity", and he is surrounding himself with people that will give him the advice that he needs. "I think he is a transformational figure... I will be voting for him."
While Powell continues to love and admire John McCain, who he has known for more than 20 years, he is very concerned about the rightward direction of the Republican Party. "We must stop polarizing our country. John McCain is an non-polarizing as anyone I know, but there is a polarizing element in the Republican Party."
The effort by the McCain campaign to tie Obama to terrorism (via his relationship to Bill Ayers) is a "terrible stretch, its demogogary" and its further evidence that the McCain campaign has been "narrow, ... too narrow for America." Powell tells a compelling story about a young man who was 14 at the time of 9-11. This young man was born in New Jersey, and waited until he was of age to join the military and serve his country. That young man was killed in combat, and is buried in Arlington Cemetary. His gravestone has the star and crecent of his Muslim faith, just as others there have a cross or a Star of David. The McCain campaign effort to tar Obama as Muslim (despite the fact that it is not true) insults the memory of this young man, and the millions of American Muslims who should be able to aspire to serve this country, and yes to become President of the United States.
Barack Obama will electrify this country, and the world. He has established himself as the right candidate. At this point in history, we need a president who will be transformational, a generational change. That is Barack Obama.
I have not regretted a moment of the time I've spent doing this. I have met new friends, including many new heroes, and have learned more about the political process than I ever thought I would know. I have learned so much about veterans and military issues, and the various advocacy groups working these issues, that I know this is going to continue to be a part of my life long after Nov. 4. And I have learned so much about how much Barack Obama cares about veterans. I was a supporter before I took on this role, but what I have learned about this man, who has never served a day in uniform, but who, with his wife, goes out of his way to reach out not only to the person serving, but to the family members of that person, has not just reinforced my faith in his abilities as a leader, but as a human being who cares for his fellow man.
Barack Obama believes America has a sacred trust with our veterans. He is committed to creating a 21st Century Department of Veterans' Affairs that provides the care and benefits our nation's veterans deserve. Obama will demand that the military and the VA coordinate to provide a seamless transition from active duty to civilian life, and improve mental health treatment at every stage of military service. He will require that they work to recruit more health professionals, improve screening processes, offer more support to families and make PTSD benefits claims fairer. We shouldn't have to hear stories about veterans losing their families and careers after they come home because they cannot deal with the emotional scars created by repeated deployments. There shouldn't be more stories of veterans committing suicide because they can't re-integrate into civilian life.
