What a great honor it was to work registering voters today in front of Prudential Center prior to the GospelFest event!
I've participated in phone banks before, but this was my first time working in-person to get out the vote. I found it thrilling to see how few people needed to be registered. When you're on the ground seeing so much energy around this once-in-a-lifetime candidate, you can't help but feel optimistic about how it's going to go in November. But it doesn't mean we can sit on our laurels. As long as Sen. McCain thinks NJ is a battleground state, we've got to get out enough of a vote to overcome any extra spending or travel McCain invests in campaigning here.
So to my new friends Caroline, Danny, Sandra, Caitlin, Indira and all those others I had the honor of working with today, and to those voters who took the time to register today, our paths will cross again soon and let's work towards celebrating together this November.
Very best regards,
Jason from Montclair, NJ USA
I made several new friends in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. In the past several months, we canvassed on foot and by phone in so many states we lost track. We did GOTV and mingled and planned at watch parties across New Jersey. We donated large and small amounts. We bought fashionable Obama gear. We even marched across the bridge from Lambertville, New Jersey to New Hope, PA. We went to the Women for Obama Weekend in Glenside, PA and canvassed in Philly and met Judge Hackett, Jessica Lange, Caroline Kennedy and Congressman Conyers at a Philly fundraiser. Some even met Michelle Obama and Barack Obama. Some of you drove/flew to Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, North Carolina and beyond.
We did good. We worked hard. We came together with a common goal - Barack Obama for President. This is an amazing time in our history and we can tell our kids and grandkids that we helped to bring about change.
Barack Obama for President!
Whoo Hoo!
Congratulations to everyone ... even us, Obama Republicans. :)
Now, on to November and BEYOND!!!
AP:Obama Clinches Democratic Nomination
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 1:40 PM
WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, based on an Associated Press tally of convention delegates, becoming the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a fall campaign for the White House.
Campaigning on an insistent call for change, Obama outlasted former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in a historic race that sparked record turnout in primary after primary, yet exposed deep racial divisions within the party.
The AP tally was based on public commitments from delegates as well as more than a dozen private commitments. It also included a minimum number of delegates Obama was guaranteed even if he lost the final two primaries in South Dakota and Montana later in the day.
The 46-year-old first term senator will face Sen. John McCain of Arizona in the fall campaign to become the 44th president.
Clinton was ready to concede that her rival had amassed the delegates needed to triumph, according to officials in her campaign. These officials said the New York senator did not intend to suspend or end her candidacy in a speech Tuesday night in New York. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they had not been authorized to divulge her plans.
Obama's triumph was fashioned on prodigious fundraising, meticulous organizing and his theme of change aimed at an electorate opposed to the Iraq war and worried about the economy _ all harnessed to his own innate gifts as a campaigner.
Clinton campaigned for months as the candidate of experience, a former first lady and second-term senator ready, she said, to take over on Day One.
But after a year on the trail, Obama won the kickoff Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3, and the 46-year-old, first-term Illinois senator became something of an overnight political phenomenon.
''We came together as Democrats, as Republicans and independents, to stand up and say we are one nation, we are one people and our time for change has come,'' he said that night in Des Moines.
A video produced by Will I. Am and built around Obama's ''Yes, we can'' rallying cry quickly went viral. It drew its one millionth hit within a few days of being posted.
New Jersey for Obama is hosting a Community Kick Off Event at the Glen Ridge Train Station/Senior Center on March 31st. The event starts @ 3:30 and Sen. Obama will start speaking at 4:00 pm so show up on time!
RSVP here: Link you all can make it!
Anti-Clinton and Anti-Edwards merchandise is bothering me. Anti-Clinton and Anti-Edwards merchandise worn, created, or propagated by so-called-Obama-supporters is pissing me off. While malicious attacks have found fertile breeding ground in America’s political conversation, the whole point of Senator Obama’s message and the engine driving genuine supporters is a desire to redirect the conversation’s ethical compass. True supporters have got to think outside of the box.
Get outta the box and onto a memory stick.
I caught the live SEIU Health Care Forum in Las Vegas webcast on thinkprogress.org and I must admit that Clinton and Edwards were both quite impressive. I’m still full on pulling for Obama but I think all three of them are exceptional Americans. Everyone from exceptional Americans to ordinary folks from other countries deserves respect. I waited tables at a Mexican restaurant in Tribeca my first semester at Columbia, and contrary to popular belief, even waiters speaking sub par Spanish deserve respect. The candidates are claiming to be here to serve us. It is nearly impossible to effectively serve someone when respect has turned its back.
During the forum, Obama got hit with the toughest questions but it was a blessing because he came across as the most thoughtful and intelligent as a result. As I watched, I felt as though Obama was being attacked while other candidates were being handed silver platters on which to pontificate. Then I got excited: we all know that animals attack when they feel threatened. There was one young lady in particular who nervously critiqued Obama’s site before asking her question which was in truth a statement with a question mark added to the end. This nervous young lady was on the attack because her interests were threatened. And this is why we grassroots Obama supporters must not wear, create, or propagate any merchandise that is anti-anyone; first and foremost because we mustn’t let them see us sweat. There are some vile anti-Clinton shirts out there that in actuality do little more than admit fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Any Obama supporter wearing malicious merchandise is admitting fear, uncertainty, and doubt. We should sweat courage, confidence, and conviction. Secondly, our party must not arrive at the general election as a bloody mass of battered barracuda. We must arrive at the general election with the swagger of an NBA first-round draft pick.
I’m cutting and pasting an excerpt from a blogger named Sven on the Health Care Forum
Link
Who do you think would be the BEST president on the issue of health care?Hillary Clinton 34%John Edwards 16%Barack Obama 9%Bill Richardson 4%Dennis Kucinich 0%Chris Dodd 2%Joe Biden 0%Mike Gravel 0%Now, please note that they're just asking who would be best on health care. Clearly, Hillary has an edge here both because of name recognition and because of her work on health care during the Clinton presidency.What I found really disturbing about these numbers though, was that 50% of the respondents were 65 or older. How representative are numbers when you have a sample of only 5% below 40 years of age? And it really made me wonder how representative other poll numbers are that do not publish the age range of respondents.
One of my goals within the grassroots effort has been to get more Generation X & Generation Y voters out to the polls because this country’s political goliaths have been sleeping on us. We are the ones whose Social Security benefits are in the gravest danger. We are the one’s who will pay through the nose for this war (many of us with our lives). Remember that line in the movie Troy, “War is old men talking and young men dying”? Goliath has been sleeping on us because we have been sleeping on him.
It usually takes a massive shift in the global consciousness to move young voters to get out to the polls. Vietnam was a shift that gave rise to an increase in voter turnout amongst younger voters. So guess what? This is our shift. Anyone who has waited tables knows that if the shift before you had a rough time, you have got to be on top of your game. So guess what? This is our shift.
This is our shift.
Akin
www.atthatdrop.com
Democracy for America is polling its members. Let's make sure they know Obama is our choice. Click on the link below to vote and while you're there, sign up with DFA. They are a great, progressive orgnization.
The bill to push New Jersey's primary up to February 5th, 2007, passed the Assembly today. Now it just needs a signature from Governor Corzine Roughly 20 other states are considering (or have already passed) similar legislation.
This news is dated, but still something folks in New Jersey should be aware of. The Quinnipiac Poll of New jersey residents released on March 1st contained some interesting numbers. Click <a href ="Link to read the full release.
Important numbers:
Favorable - Unfavorable (Don't know enough about candidate)
Obama: 42% - 11% (45%!!!)
Clinton: 47% - 43% (8%)
I am currently reading it. I decided that if I am going to truly support Barack, then I should educate myself about him.
I have no delusions about Barack walking on water or being the Great Black Savior. I believe him when he speaks. But he is after all a politician. I want to learn about his accomplishments and I want to see his plans laid out for this country.
For the first time as a voter I truly feel committed to a candidate. I love the fact that he isn't trying to save the world, just improve it.
I am just a woman from Jersey whom has lived a little bit. I just need to feel safe in my own country. I haven't felt safe since 9/11 and I need to believe that as a black woman in America that there is HOPE for my senior years and that we don't lose what freedoms I hold so precious.
Hi all -- In regard to the NYC's first fundraiser, which I posted about yesterday (below) and was wondering if anyone else in NJ was interested in planning similar events in the state (Hoboken or elsewhere), basing it off the model these NYC’rs implemented. It looks like they've got a successful, and fun, way to raise funds for his campaign! Check out video they made last night:Link Don't know if anyone from Jersey made it there -- if so, would love to hear how it was; I hope to get to their next event, and looking forward to it! Also hoping to hear from fellow Jerseyians' interested in planning similar events to this here .... I think it's just you and me so far from here, Kim ! :)
Check out video they made last night:Link
Hello everyone!
I am a fellow New Jersey resident, and as a means of attempting to reach all other NJ Barack Obama supporters -- I've tried to identify/capture all NJ-based blogs established on this site, and am posted to all. I apologize in advance if this is a redundant posting for anyone who participants in more than one of these NJ-based blogs -- but I thought it’d be better to risk the chance of duplication, rather than inadvertently overlook someone.
I’d like to connect up with as many people in the state as possible for thoughts and feedback on the concept of a state-wide Obama fundraiser; all proceeds from the event(s) going directly to his campaign – as a combined contribution from NJ residents (all the various supporters/groups listed here)
I’ve already made a personal contribution to his campaign, as I’m sure many of you already have. But as we’re likely all very aware – there is extremely tight competition from the very large-source financial contributing sources between Obama, Hillary, and all of the Democratic primary candidates. His campaign organizers are asking all his supporters/blog participants to take up fundraising initiatives for him: my thought on this has been what if we all combined efforts, and combining our individual creative talents and professional expertise, not to mention this will give us the ability collectively exchange ideas, resources, time, and energy.
It seemed to me this might help us to not only get to know each from all throughout the state – and the many college campuses within the state – but it would also allow us to together achieve an absolutely remarkable fundraiser(s) success’ for Senator Obama’s campaign!
Here’s an event some being thrown NYC this weekend:
Event:PARTY LIKE A BARACK STAR!When:Feb 17, 2007Where:THE GRAND, a night club. 11pm on41 E. 58th St. @ Madison Ave.New York, 10022 Type:Fundraising
Event:PARTY LIKE A BARACK STAR!
When:Feb 17, 2007
Where:THE GRAND, a night club. 11pm on41 E. 58th St. @ Madison Ave.New York, 10022
Type:Fundraising
The person facilitating this event is planning to have many more similar fundraising initiatives in the future. He will be using a similar concept to the one (above). I’ve been in communication with him, and will be assisting with the promotion and publicity around these future events. I work in PR; and will be working (volunteering my time) to get some advance press promo and media at the events. It’s got a great hook: Obama supporters on Hillary’s turf! (Although I’m not helping with any other part: he is personal friends with Obama (attended Harvard Law together), and don’t think needs more manpower with other details -- and regardless I wouldn’t personally have any more time to take on other details/planning.)
However, in saying this -- it also occurred to me that this might be a good fundraising model for us on our ‘side of the bridge and tunnel’ J In Hoboken? I wondered if there are others our there in NJ who like this concept. And if so – are there people who would consider volunteering to help plan, coordinate, and execute club/bar fundraising initiative(s). I also thought this location might provide an ideal location to bring a wide range of age groups (college age – 40’s, or so). And overall, I think it would be just FUN night out, together shared with others who all want to see Senator Obama as our next president!
Thoughts anyone to any of this: good idea, bad idea? If there are people out there who have direct experience with event planning or fundraising: negotiating fees/$ with merchants and facility/bar/restaurant owners (albeit through school – fraternity/sorority, or professionally, or otherwise) that would be fantastic! I can get the media’s interest. Are there people with experience such as bar bouncing/door -- or have something particular they feel they can contribute to the success of this concept?
If others like this idea: I think the most important aspects would be enough volunteers and allowing enough time in advance to ensure it is a huge hit, not a flop!
I think if we all contributed with not only some time and creative energy, but were able to make contributions with specific manpower skills you can offer: then we’d work efficiently, with little stress –and pull off one hell of a SUCCESFUL ‘BARACK and ROLL’ !!!
I’m looking forward to feedback and ideas from others. Thoughts … Anyone?
Best Wishes All, Deana
PS: By the way -- I saw this story in USA Today -- and noticed a Sparta, NJ resident is listed as being in the photo. Just curious if this person also happens to be on one of these blogs here? Story here: Link
some times speaking the truth really hurt but in this modern day , out country is becoming more cynical about the truth.
Sen. Obama apologises for using the term "Wasted", You be the judge.
should he apologise for using the term wasted or this is what the truth is. i was very happy when he apologised yesterday( 2/13/07), this really show how Obama will handle things in the future..... no time waisting in doing the right thing.
this is what he said "Even as I said it, I realized I had misspoken, It is not at all what I intended to say, and I would absolutely apologize if any (military families) felt that in some ways it had diminished the enormous courage and sacrifice that they'd shown"
So you be the judge.... thanks for your comments..........
WHO WOULD YOU VOTE FOR IF TODAY WAS THE ELECTION?..........
1. Hillary Clinton
2. Barack Obama
and why? please share you comments with every one here.
nii
In response to Donna's original post on the Women for Obama blog - that "women's issues" often means only "abortion" or "childcare" and Cecily's advocation to get started in our own lives and communities, I wanted to share what I've been doing since Sunday and hopefully encourage others to join us!
I'm just buzzing with excitement about the possibilities presented by this website and Obama's campaign: Americans across the spectrum really seem to have taken up his challenge and I couldn't be more encouraged by the response and all the individual initiative he has inspired. The Audacity of Hope indeed!
I believe he has touched a deep nerve and tapped into an even deeper hunger in America, not just for inspired leadership but for a "New Way Forward", and we must make the most of this unique moment. We all must step up and do our part. Here is mine. Regardless of your stand on the Choice issue, I hope you will join the conversation and make it richer for your contribution.
I dont even know what to tell the Austrialian PM, for joining in in out debate against the Iraq war. well first of all, i would like to thank him for sending his troops to Iraq for a NON- COMBAT MISSION, his troops are not in front line of this war. So his country is not suffering the pain of death of their soldies, i cant remember the last time i heard that an Austrialian soldier has been killed.
Over the weekend, the Austrialian PM, has come balls to say this to Sen. Obama, "if i were runing al qaeda in Iraq, i would put a circle around march 2008, and pray, as many times as possible , for a victory not only for Obama, but also for the Democrats"
Now dont get me wrong for quoting his words, am so worried about how the PM is attacking Sen. Obama on his policies.
There has to be some one from this current administration trying to undermine this policies.
Am praying so hard that the PM looses his upcoming election in Australia.
this is what i want to tell him, SENDING 1000 AUSTRALIAN TROOPS TO IRAQ IN A NON COMBAT ZONE IS NOT A GOOD WORK, THEY ARE NOT REALLY HELPING. SO JUST LIKE HOW SEN. OBAMA SAID, " IF THE PM WAS GINNED UP TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT IN IRAQ, HE SHOULD SEND ANOTHER 20000 AUSTRALIANS TO THE WAR.
WELL MAY BE TO A COMBAT ZONE, AND LET THE BLEED AND FEEL THE PAIN THAT WE FEEL. THEN MAY BE HE MIGHT TRY TO THINK ABOUT CRITIZING ANY POLITICIAN IN THE US.
THANK, NII
