Last night, six members of the Lincoln Southeast Young Democrats came to the OFA office to make calls for Health Care reform.
Thanks guys! You made over 250 calls! Thank you so much for making sure our Senators hear from their constituents who support reform. You are truly making a difference. We'll see you all again real soon.
In communities across the state, Nebraskans continue fighting for the change they know is possible. Whether folks come together to make phone calls, knock on doors, or share their personal stories, something amazing is truly happening in Nebraska.
And such was the case last week in Fremont at an OFA organizational meeting at Gambino's Pizza, where folks from Dodge County gathered together around a common purpose: making change a reality. Together, we discussed how we would go about the task of identifying leaders, building teams, and engaging the community in support of President Obama's agenda.
We are excited that we are truly doing something that hasn't been done throughout Nebraska and the lasting impact we will have in our communities. And the folks in Fremont are ready to get to work, planning a phone bank on Wednesday, December 2nd where we'll be speaking with our friends and neighbors about the need for meaningful Health Reform and the President's plan to make it happen. Join us for the phone bank! Click Here.
Look for upcoming events throughout Northeast Nebraska in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Timothy Anderson
Nebraska State Director
Organizing for America
November 4, 2008: What a day it was in the Cornhusker State. For the first time since 1964 did one of Nebraska's Electoral College votes go to a Democratic candidate for President. Truly, it was an amazing day for folks in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District and all across the state as we shared in the victory of Barack Obama.
And since that historic day, we have even more to look back on to and to celebrate. That's why Nebraskans are coming together tonight to look back at what we accomplished in last year's election, to celebrate what we've accomplished since, and to prepare for the fights that remain ahead. Click here to find a Nov. 4th event near you.
Since taking office President Obama has led the way in accomplishing so many things: passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, finally guaranteeing equal pay for equal work; re-authorizing and expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) so that 11 million can have health coverage; signing into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act to create hundreds of thousands of opportunities for people to serve in their communities; and signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, legislation that will extend new federal protections to people who are victims of violent crime because of their sex or sexual orientation.
We should be very proud of all that President Obama has accomplished. Indeed, together we've played an intricate role in making it happen. Whether it's making phone calls, knocking on doors, hosting house meetings, attending trainings and events or speaking to your friends and coworkers, Nebraskans haven't stopped fighting for the change we need. In fact, we know that there is so much work to be done.
After a long process, we are closer than ever to enacting health insurance reform this year that will provide stability and security to those who have insurance, affordable options for those who don't, and lower costs for families, businesses and our country as a whole. However, to ensure that we enact such meaningful reform, we need your help. Just like you stepped up to answer call in the final days during last year's election to push us over the edge, so too can you make a difference now by hosting or joining a phone bank or canvass to reach out to Nebraskans and discuss the need for health insurance reform. Click the link to find a event near you http://bit.ly/1U7kXs
During last year's election, we came together as Nebraskans to do something extraordinary, and it is that achievement that we must celebrate. But we must also keep in mind what then President-elect Obama said on election night: "This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change."
Now is our moment, Nebraska. Now is our time. Let's make that change a reality.
The Health Insurance Reform Now Bus continued its cross-country journey today in Omaha, Nebraska, where a crowd turned out to hear health care stories and learn how they can get involved. They heard first from Kieran McCarney, who tends bar at a local watering hole and spent most of his childhood without health insurance.
As a volunteer for Organizing for America, Kieran was pleased to deliver signatures in support of the President's plan to his elected officials last week.
Last Wednesday, we delivered the names of over 6,000 Nebraska residents to Senator Nelson...who came out and publicly showed their support for the President's three core principals surrounding health care reform.
Kieran called on those assembled to not rest on their laurels, because "there is much work to be done" in order to secure insurance reform. As he told the crowd, "The cost of inaction is still too high."
He was followed by Camille Johnson Arthur, who spoke about her trials in obtaining insurance for her family and her children. She noticed that as soon as her monthly costs were more than her premiums, she was cut off:
Time and time again, we got bumped. Our policy got bumped. So it left me with a child who needed $300 a month in ADHD medication, and a daughter who was in the process of being diagnosed with asthma even though she was less than a year old. And I had no coverage for prescription meds.
Camille was eventually able to get care for her children, but not for herself or her husband. And to her, that means something's wrong with the system.
If my children can be healthy, but their parents can't, have we really solved the problem? I want my children to be healthy, but I want their parents to be healthy as well...So I ask you to continue to stand together for insurance reform. There are a whole lot more of Camille Johnson Arthurs out there who are waiting and hoping and pleading and begging that reform happens now.
Finally, Omaha heard from State Senator Brenda Council. Even though she's a practicing lawyer, she couldn't afford her COBRA coverage. She told the crowd that "We can't wait any longer for health care reform in this nation."
The bus spent the day in Salt Lake City today, and will be in Las Vegas tomorrow. Nevadans: we hope to see you there!
From Timothy Anderson, the Nebraska State Director:
The fight to fix our broken health care system is heating up -- and we need your help to make sure all Americans have the care that many have lacked for far too long. Our opponents have beaten back reform in the past, and they're ready again with seasoned lobbyists and big-money donors. But we've shown them before what our movement is capable of. This weekend, we will show them again. Nebraskans will take our message door-to-door in canvasses all across the state -- from Omaha to Kearney, Lincoln to Scottsbluff -- asking their neighbors to sign on in support of the President's principles for health care reform. Will you be one of them? Can you join us for a health care canvass near you this Saturday, June 20th? By joining a canvass on Saturday, you'll be adding your voice to this growing movement for change and helping to bring new people on board. No experience is needed -- organizers will be on hand to get you started, provide all the materials you'll need, and help you succeed every step of the way. When regular folks get together, and organize door-by-door, block-by-block, and neighborhood-by-neighborhood, we can build a movement from coast-to-coast. It's how we won a historic election -- and how we'll bring real change to America. To fix our health care crisis, we need real people like you to be part of the solution. With your help, we will prove that not only can we elect a new President -- we can build on that victory to tackle the problems facing Americans every day. Saturday is just one step toward making this change a reality. We can't do it without you. http://ne.barackobama.com/NEhccanvass Thank you, Timothy Timothy Anderson Nebraska State Director Organizing for America
The fight to fix our broken health care system is heating up -- and we need your help to make sure all Americans have the care that many have lacked for far too long. Our opponents have beaten back reform in the past, and they're ready again with seasoned lobbyists and big-money donors. But we've shown them before what our movement is capable of. This weekend, we will show them again. Nebraskans will take our message door-to-door in canvasses all across the state -- from Omaha to Kearney, Lincoln to Scottsbluff -- asking their neighbors to sign on in support of the President's principles for health care reform. Will you be one of them? Can you join us for a health care canvass near you this Saturday, June 20th?
From Timothy Anderson, the new Nebraska State Director for Organizing for America:
Since Inauguration Day, Organizing for America has been dedicated to making real the change we fought for during the election. But to be successful, we need to hear from you -- your effort and commitment are the backbone of this movement and this organization. That's why I'm so excited to announce that we're back on the ground in Nebraska, and over the next two weeks, we'll be hosting Listening Tour Town Halls in Lincoln and Omaha.Will you make your voice heard and join us on the Listening Tour in Lincoln on Tuesday, April 28th, or in Omaha on Tuesday, May 5th? At Listening Tour meetings, you'll get a chance to meet new state staff members, hear about some lessons learned during the general election, and offer your thoughts on how we can organize Nebraska going forward. Your ideas will be used to write a Nebraska-specific plan for Organizing for America in 2009 and beyond. The campaign brought an unprecedented number of new voices into the process -- we need to make sure those voices remain at the center of the debate as the President and Congress work on providing solutions for our economy. But these meetings are not just for folks who were involved in the campaign -- we're hopeful that every Nebraskan will get involved. We can't stop growing our movement now. We've never had a better opportunity to shape our future -- and just like during the election, we'll do it from the bottom up. Sign up now to attend a Listening Tour event. If you're unable to make one of these events, rest assured that we'll be hosting other events across the state in the weeks and months ahead. I look forward to seeing you, Timothy Timothy Anderson Nebraska State Director Organizing for America P.S. -- You can also get involved in Organizing for America in Nebraska by letting us know how you'd like to see Nebraska organized.
If you're unable to make one of these events, rest assured that we'll be hosting other events across the state in the weeks and months ahead. I look forward to seeing you, Timothy Timothy Anderson Nebraska State Director Organizing for America P.S. -- You can also get involved in Organizing for America in Nebraska by letting us know how you'd like to see Nebraska organized.
Today David Plouffe sent out the following message to supporters, inviting them to attend one the many grassroots house meetings taking place throughout the country later this month:
Exactly one month ago, you made history by giving all Americans a real opportunity for change. Now it's time to start preparing and working for change in our communities. On December 13th and 14th, supporters are coming together in every part of the country to reflect on what we've accomplished and plan the future of this movement. Your ideas and feedback will be collected and used to guide this movement in the months and years ahead. Join your friends and neighbors -- sign up to host or attend a Change is Coming house meeting near you. Since the election, the challenges we face -- and our responsibility to take action -- have only gotten more urgent. You can connect with fellow supporters, make progress on the issues you care about, and help shape the future of your community and our country. Learn what you can do now to support President-elect Obama's agenda for change and continue to make a difference in your community. Take the first important step by hosting or attending a Change is Coming house meeting. Sign up right now. To get our country back on track, it will take all of us working together. Barack and Joe have a clear agenda and an unprecedented opportunity for change. But they can't do it alone. Will you join us at a house meeting and help plan the next steps for this movement? Thanks, David David Plouffe Campaign Manager Obama for America
Alone among all other states, Nebraska and Maine use a tiered system for awarding electoral votes, in which a single elector is awarded based on votes within each Congressional district and two electors are awarded to the winner of the statewide popular vote. Yesterday, the Omaha World-Herald announced:
For the first time ever, a blue circle will appear in Nebraska on national electoral maps.Democrat Barack Obama won the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District on Friday, scooping up one of the state's five electoral votes.... "We always knew we could do it, but it would be an uphill climb. It's great to see a little corner of Nebraska turn blue," said John Berge, state director for the Obama campaign.Berge said the victory was a tribute to all the work done by staffers and the hundreds of Obama volunteers who manned telephones and walked neighborhoods in the Omaha metropolitan area.
For the first time ever, a blue circle will appear in Nebraska on national electoral maps.
Democrat Barack Obama won the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District on Friday, scooping up one of the state's five electoral votes.
... "We always knew we could do it, but it would be an uphill climb. It's great to see a little corner of Nebraska turn blue," said John Berge, state director for the Obama campaign.
Berge said the victory was a tribute to all the work done by staffers and the hundreds of Obama volunteers who manned telephones and walked neighborhoods in the Omaha metropolitan area.
Tuesday's election is the first time since 1964 that Nebraska has awarded an electoral vote to a Democrat.
The Nebraska results give Obama 365 electoral votes to John McCain's 162. Only Missouri and its 11 electoral votes remain undecided.
"I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you." - Barack Obama, Election Night 2008
Read the full speech, as prepared for delivery . . .
Election Day is the culmination of months of work – not only by Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and more than 2,000 staffers around our nation, but by countless volunteers who come out to help simply because they want to see our country taken in a new direction.
This campaign truly is about you, and people like you all across America.
Consider Tonya Medley.
Tonya moved to Omaha after living for a time in California and Washington, D.C., where many of her family still live. She works full-time at Baker’s grocery store in Omaha.
Back in August, when Campaign for Change organizers arrived in Omaha, Tonya was one of the very first people in the office, ready to help. For weeks, Tonya spent almost as much time making phone calls for Barack as she did at the store; and she did all of her work for the campaign as a volunteer.
When Hillary Clinton came to rally for Barack two weeks before Election Day, Tonya was there to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Today, she’s working to set up and manage staging locations for get-out-the-vote efforts across the Second Congressional District.
“This has been great,” she said. “I’m planning to finish this all the way through November 4. For me, this has been an awesome experience.”
Tonya hopes to become a community advocate for people with disabilities – she lives with cerebral palsy, and wants to show those around her what hope can mean in a single life.
“[People with disabilities] don’t have a voice. I’m living it. That’s going to give them some inspiration,” she says.
“Just like Barack being President.”
Tonya is courageous. She’s this campaign here in Nebraska. Everyone who has come out over the past 21 months is this campaign in Nebraska. Today, the thousands of hours you’ve spent on the phones and at the doors, every conversation you’ve had with your friends and neighbors about Barack – all of that comes down to today.
First, vote.
Second, remind everyone you know to vote.
Third, show up at any Campaign for Change field office, any time today, and help get out the vote. It’s going to be close in Nebraska’s Second Congressional District. Losing by 200 votes because there were 10 too few volunteers at the phones simply is not an option.
You can still vote early at the Douglas County Election Commission in Douglas County, or the Sarpy County Election Commission in Sarpy County. Early Voting ends at 4:30 p.m. today.
This is it. In 81 hours, the polls will close in Nebraska.
Every Obama-Biden supporter can do something between now and then. You can stop by any Omaha-area Campaign for Change office to make phone calls or knock doors for Barack. If you live in Western or Central Nebraska, you can use Neighbor to Neighbor to make calls into Nebraska's Second Congressional District.
To be successful in Nebraska, we must have volunteers, and there is no more time to wait. Luckily, people are as fired up as ever. Check this out: Last night, as the phone banks were wrapping up and Campaign for Change staff were getting ready for the biggest get-out-the-vote push of the campaign, a Millard North High School junior named Courtney Swanson sent a message to members of the Nebraska for Obama group on MyBarackObama.
Hello, I'm Courtney Swanson, a 16 year old Junior at Millard North High School. I've been avidly watching the news for 4 years now, and have followed this election very closely. I am, of course, for Barack Obama. Though I'm too young to vote, I can proudly proclaim that I have done a lot for the campaign. I've donated portions of my paycheck to the campaign, took a day off school to attend the Hillary Clinton rally (and bought a ton of merchandise there as well, all of which goes straight to the campaign), and today, I did my first bit of volunteer work.It couldn't have been easier. All I did was show up, get handed a phone, a list and free refreshments, and began calling a list of mostly Obama supporters. I won't lie in saying that there were several rude responses; 99% of them from McCain supporters. Still, all it takes is a simple "sorry to bother you" and they're gone, you're the better person, it's all over. I encourage you all to volunteer if you haven't already. It's easy, time go es by fast, you get free food and snacks, and you'll do your part in putting America back on its tracks. Every bit counts, even mine.
This is the attitude that will deliver a Nebraska electoral vote for Barack.
U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson met up with volunteers at a canvass training this afternoon, on the first day of Get-Out-The-Vote in Nebraska's Second Congressional District. After listening to Campaign for Change intern Teia Goodwin explain the canvassing process to volunteers, Nelson fired up the group before it spread out across the District to knock doors for Barack Obama.
He explained why these last eight days are so important, and outlined the need for "transformational change."
"That means making things the way we want them for the working families, the middle income families," he said.
Nelson explained that this need for a real change that will benefit real, hardworking Nebraskans, brought him out to volunteer for the campaign this afternoon. "There's never been a better time to get results than right now," he said.
And as for the fall wind and a daily high temperature of around 50 degrees?
"It's a little chilly out," Nelson noted, "so you'll just have to walk faster."
This is just the first of eight days of Get-Out-The-Vote work leading up to and through Election Day. You're encouraged to simply drop by a Nebraska Campaign for Change field office for a shift of canvassing or phonebanking. For more information, call 402-502-1858.
Nebraskans of all backgrounds have turned out to volunteer over the past few months, and Mick is no exception. A returned Peace Corps volunteer and an Omaha architect, he brings a unique perspective to the race and to his support for Barack Obama and Joe Biden; he was invited to blog as a guest about his experience volunteering for the campaign.
When I heard Senator Obama speak a couple of years ago concerning the Iraq war, I agreed with him when I heard him declare that he was not the “change that we were looking for," but that it was us! I decided to volunteer for his campaign. I am married with two daughters and the owner of a small business. My wife teaches high school; we served as Peace Corps Volunteers in the Dominican Republic (1988-1990). I'd like to tell a story about an experience that my wife and I had while we were assisting a community construct a school in the Dominican Republic. We were determined never to be the only ones working on the project; it was important that the community took ownership of the school if it was ever to be maintained long after we were gone.Our community was located in a remote mountain area where there was no electricity or running water. All of the concrete had to be mixed by hand and water was brought up from the river by young men on donkeys. To say the least, it was very physically demanding work, and the volunteerism was dwindling. Once a month a priest would come up to hold mass in the community, and one day we pulled him aside and asked him if he could say something motivating to the people to encourage them to volunteer. He agreed. For his sermon, he told the families that he was going to perform a “miracle”. Eyes opened wide, ours included as he claimed to everyone that he was going to lift a table up and over his head while using only his index finger. People got very excited and we all gathered around to see a miracle take place. Father held up his finger and prepared to lift the table over his head, but then he paused and asked us all to do the same and with each of us doing our small part we helped to make father’s “miracle” come true. I am happy to report that our family visited the school this past summer and that after eighteen years, and one small “miracle," classes are still being held.The time is now for all of us to work together and to take ownership of our future. Please lift a finger, by volunteering for Barack Obama’s Campaign at one of the three Campaign for Change offices here in Omaha.- Mick McGuire, Omaha
When I heard Senator Obama speak a couple of years ago concerning the Iraq war, I agreed with him when I heard him declare that he was not the “change that we were looking for," but that it was us! I decided to volunteer for his campaign.
I am married with two daughters and the owner of a small business. My wife teaches high school; we served as Peace Corps Volunteers in the Dominican Republic (1988-1990). I'd like to tell a story about an experience that my wife and I had while we were assisting a community construct a school in the Dominican Republic. We were determined never to be the only ones working on the project; it was important that the community took ownership of the school if it was ever to be maintained long after we were gone.
Our community was located in a remote mountain area where there was no electricity or running water. All of the concrete had to be mixed by hand and water was brought up from the river by young men on donkeys. To say the least, it was very physically demanding work, and the volunteerism was dwindling. Once a month a priest would come up to hold mass in the community, and one day we pulled him aside and asked him if he could say something motivating to the people to encourage them to volunteer. He agreed.
For his sermon, he told the families that he was going to perform a “miracle”. Eyes opened wide, ours included as he claimed to everyone that he was going to lift a table up and over his head while using only his index finger. People got very excited and we all gathered around to see a miracle take place. Father held up his finger and prepared to lift the table over his head, but then he paused and asked us all to do the same and with each of us doing our small part we helped to make father’s “miracle” come true. I am happy to report that our family visited the school this past summer and that after eighteen years, and one small “miracle," classes are still being held.
The time is now for all of us to work together and to take ownership of our future. Please lift a finger, by volunteering for Barack Obama’s Campaign at one of the three Campaign for Change offices here in Omaha.
- Mick McGuire, Omaha
Saturday night in Lincoln, hundreds of Obama-Biden supporters rallied at the State Theater with Sen. Ben Nelson and a number of local bands.
"If you haven't volunteered," said Nelson, sign up to volunteer, because we're going to need your support. You can't rely on the polls; you can't sit on a lead."
Andrea Wright was visiting from Omaha and dropped by the event. "[The election] is exciting," she said. "It's the first time in Nebraska that I feel my vote is really going to count. It's a big deal."
Anna Hopkins hosted her first house party for Barack in January 2007 - and last night, she volunteered to hand out lapel stickers outside the theater.
"We had a wonderful rally here earlier in the summer," she said, "and we have quite a few more people here tonight."
Perhaps best of all, the Nebraska Campaign for Change signed up hundreds of Get-Out-The-Vote shifts in Omaha this week, as the final push begins to win in Nebraska for Barack Obama. You can sign up here to be part of the effort.
This is it. With less than two weeks to go, it's time to Get Out the Vote in Nebraska. Watch this quick message from State Director John Berge, and sign up for as many volunteer shifts as you can:
Here are some more shots from Sen. Clinton's rally for Barack Obama in Omaha this week; these photos come to the Nebraska Campaign for Change from volunteer Jared Hanner. Look forward to the full video of Hillary's wonderful address soon, courtesy of local CFC volunteer Michael Machian.
This photo was taken this afternoon around 5:30 -- half an hour after the Douglas County Election Commissioner normally would close for the day.
The commissioner's office remained open late to accomodate at least 300 people who were still in line to register to vote on the last day of registration, and cast their early ballots.
Barack Obama promises real change that hardworking Nebraskans need. He and Joe Biden will work for a fair approach to health insurance, and they'll govern over an economic policy that puts the needs of the middle class ahead of the super-rich and big corporations.
That's why you're seeing this picture.
Nebraskans are ready for a president who will restore America's place in the world, and they want a government they can trust in Washington. They want to wake up and be free from worry about their retirement funds and Social Security, and they want to know their children will not be denied a college education for simple lack of money.
That's why people are lined up out the door at the Election Commission; and with enough volunteers behind them, Barack and Joe can turn this excitement into a real change for Nebraskans.
There are 11 days left. Although registration has now closed in Nebraska, you can cast your early vote until November 3; you can cast your vote for Barack, and then come down to any of the Nebraska Campaign for Change offices in Omaha to volunteer as part of a massive GOTV effort. With your help, Barack will win in Nebraska.
For the first time in 14 years, Democrats outnumber Republicans in Douglas County. Read this story from the Associated Press:
Democrats outnumber Republicans in Douglas CountyBy Anna Jo Bratton More Democrats than Republicans are registered to vote in Douglas County — the first time in 14 years that’s happened.Douglas County Election Commissioner Dave Phipps said Thursday that 126,139 Democrats were registered, versus 123,174 Republicans. That was as of Wednesday.The difference in each party’s increase from Oct. 1 is stark — Democrats have added more than 6,300, while Republicans have added about 1,590.Friday is the last day to register to vote.The numbers are good news for the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who has three offices in Omaha, with paid staffers and volunteers trying to register thousands of new voters.Obama is trying to shave off the electoral vote tied to the state’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Omaha.Nebraska and Maine are the only states that can split their electoral votes, although it’s never happened.READ MORE
