Jenn Prosser is part of Obama for America campaign staff in Colorado. Recently, she met Frank, a volunteer and Obama supporter. She spoke with Frank about his story and why he supports Barack...

One of the most important elements of Barack Obama's campaign for change is each person's individual story - what motivated them to get involved in the grassroots movement. The stories are as unique and diverse as our country, showing the incredible unifying power of people's desire to bring real change to Washington.

In suburban Denver, Frank is a testament to the fact that people of all backgrounds are ready for change. Frank is a 92 year-old Republican and an enthusiastic Obama supporter.

Every Obama supporter has a story. They each have a unique background that shapes why they are voting for Barack. And veterans are no different. All across the country, veterans are coming together to support Obama for numerous reasons. Here are just a few of their stories...

Thomas in Tennessee:

My vision of the United States is one of greatness tempered with understanding.  I envision my President as a man who knows where I have been, who knows what it takes to make ends meet and who will listen.

I can see Barack standing at a gas pump, filling his own vehicle and wondering why he is paying $4.00 a gallon for the fuel.  I see him wondering why soldiers are dying everyday and being forsaken at home.  I see him wondering why grandmothers are worried about paying for their medical care or freezing to death.  I see him wondering why middle class Americans are thinking, "Do I pay this new mortgage payment or buy food?"  I see him wondering why a middle class family is at the bank cashing in their retirement savings to pay for their child's college education.  

And finally, I see him filled with a desire, a desire to be a president who not only listens but who also hears.  I know he will not forsake his people but will be a President of monumental stature.

Jim in Florida:

It's time for a change.   My name is Jim and I am a retired US Army veteran. I served our country in uniform for over 20 years.  I have been a Republican for the last 20 years but then something changed. I changed. I found something that can reshape America and the view that the world has of our great nation.

I found something that can inspire my generation and the next generation of Americans. It has inspired me to examine my core beliefs and dedicate myself to asking what is right for America at this crucial point in our Nations history.

Senator Obama's message of transformation had led me to rededicate myself to participate in a cause greater than myself, to examine what truly matters to me.

I care deeply for this country and the time for change is now!  We have an opportunity to change the world and inspire people in a global community.

I support Barrack Obama for President of the United States! Change is on the way.

Ken in Minnesota:

We need someone who understands the meaning of the middle class as President. Someone who is not blinded to the existence of the working American by privilege or status. Someone who is more interested in the humanity of America than being lobbied by the status quo or the desire to be a career politician.

America needs a fresh voice. A sincere voice. An overwhelming American voice. America does not need another politician. America needs and deserves a President that will show the faces and the will of the American people, not the facade of the personal wealth of those in the American government.

There is no single person better suited to accomplishing this task than Barack. The paradigms under which the many past administrations have operated are no longer valid. Our country needs change. He is the instrument of that change.

Chad in Colorado:

I am on active duty military, and have, along with many of my peers, voted for the Republican Party.  I am not happy about the direction that the Republicans have taken this country and I am truly excited about Barack Obama.  I believe he is sincere, and that he will take our country forward.  

I've served two combat tours in Iraq, and I think we need a change in our current policy.  I feel that Obama can deliver that change.  I've never researched a candidate in so much depth, and I absolutely agree with his position on several key issues.  I am excited about his potential as the next President, and I am committed to helping any way I can, even if in a small way by donating. I am surprised that many of my fellow soldiers are of the same opinion.  Barack Obama is indeed the candidate that offers the most hope to propel us into a bright future.

Chris, who is stationed in Japan:

Let me start by saying that I never would have believed that I would find myself on a Democratic candidate's website pledging my support. I am a 34-year-old Iraq war vet and the spouse of a Navy nurse stationed in Okinawa, Japan. In addition, I am a card-carrying Republican and former Congressional staffer for a Southern California congressman and political consultant for several campaigns. I even co-managed the Bush 2000 campaign in San Diego county.

With that being said, I will tell you why I, a Republican and a vet, support Mr. Obama. The reason is simple and is the main message: Change! I believe Americans need to feel inspired in this time of uncertainty and Mr. Obama is a symbol of hope and a new direction for America. I know it has been said already, but he truly is my generation's JFK.

In addition to my vote, I will also do what I can here to win military votes for Mr. Obama. I believe that Obama has a wonderful opportunity to cut into the traditional Republican voting bloc of military voters.

So good luck to Mr. Obama and I look forward to voting for him in the general.

Visit our Veterans for Obama page to join the veterans community and learn more about Barack's plans for veterans.

As part of a continuing series, we're following Obama Organizing Fellows as they share their stories and their experiences. They discuss the people they meet, the hardships of organizing, what the campaign means to them, and how this summer is changing their perspective.

Ben is an Organizing Fellow in Pennsylvania. His stories appear each Friday.

Up until today, I was planning to use this week's post to talk exclusively about the Democratic Women Governors event that I attended on Sunday afternoon. But then I had what was probably the most amazing day of voter registration ever. Not only did I register a significant number of new voters and recruit scores of volunteers, but I also gained a fresh perspective on this campaign and my role as an Organizing Fellow.

Before I go into further details about that, however, I do want to discuss the Democratic Women Governors event just a bit, because it was quite spectacular.

This past weekend, the National Governors Association conference was held in Philadelphia, which is only about twenty minutes away. As luck would have it, the campaign utilized this gathering of governors to organize an event in Montgomery County - where I've been working for the past five weeks - with Governors Janet Napolitano (D-AZ), Jennifer Granholm (D-MI), and Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS). As one of the Fellows staffing the event, my responsibility was to sign in guests before they entered the building. Although this task required me to endure two hours in the hot sun while dressed in full professional attire (we're talking long-sleeved button down shirt, pants, and socks that went up to my knees), it was well worth the temporary discomfort.

The event itself was great. Each governor spoke eloquently about Barack and the importance of this election, and each brought a unique style and sense of humor. That's right, sense of humor. I definitely laughed more than I expected. The audience clearly enjoyed the event as well and took full advantage of a lengthy question and answer session. And while the governors were all female and the crowd was primarily made up of women, the topics of conversation were applicable to all: the economy, health care, national security, the war. The issues most important to women are often the issues most important to all Americans.

Okay, now that that's out of the way, I can tell you more about my phenomenal day of voter registration. For a change of pace (and to find more unregistered people), we traveled out to the city of Norristown, PA. Once we arrived, I made my way over to a strip mall and planted myself in front of a Dairy Queen, a sandwich shop, and a dollar store.

And for some reason, I decided that I was going to approach voter registration differently. I'm not going to lie, all too often I've made snap judgments about people when out on the streets: Oh, she looks like she's already registered. He's definitely not an Obama supporter. She wouldn't want to volunteer with the campaign. But not this time. This time, I honestly talked to every single person who passed by. And every person who said they were already registered, I asked to volunteer.

Through this approach, I registered more voters and recruited more volunteers in a three-hour span than ever before. And I met the most diverse cast of characters along the way. Andy--the owner of the Dairy Queen--who, unlike most store owners, didn't kick me off his property, but instead invited me inside to register his employees. Mr. Hadley, who I pegged as a McCain supporter as he approached me, but then proceeded to tell me that he wrote a letter to Senator Obama to express his full support.

And Blanche, who, while waiting in the car for her husband to get ice cream, told me about the time Barack kissed her on the cheek at a rally. She's 76 years old with a heart condition, but still signed up to phonebank. When her husband returned to the car with two ice cream cones, Blanche took her cone, handed it to me, and said, "You take it, honey, it's too hot outside to not be eating ice cream." I laughed and told her that it was fine, but she insisted. After I took the cone, she handed me a $5 bill and said, "Now, you go back inside and get me another one." And I did.

So long story short, go out and register voters when you have the chance. And when you do, be sure to reach out to everyone. You never know who is registered, who is an Obama supporter, and who is willing to volunteer. The only way to find out is to ask. Every single person we pull into the political process takes us one step closer to getting Barack elected in November. And if that isn't enough of an incentive for you, just remember: you might get free ice cream.

Adam Cooper is on the ground in Virginia, where the campaign has made an early, ambitious effort to compete in a state that hasn't voted for a Democrat for president since 1964. 

Last week, Barack came to Fairfax to talk to Virginians about securing the economic future for women and families. The field house at Robinson Secondary was packed, and we met a lot of incredible people at the event eager to hear Barack address their concerns.

Everyone we talked with was feeling the economic crunch, but we were struck by the optimism and hope in the room.

Virginians are responding to Barack's plan to revitalize and grow the middle-class, and believe that if we work together we'll be able to bring about the change the country needs right now. Below is a short clip of some reactions to Barack's talk. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories with us.

The Listening to America Platform Meetings officially start tomorrow, with meetings in all 50 states. With these meetings, ordinary Americans are being asked to join in the creation of a major national party's platform, and it's inspiring voters everywhere to gather together in their communities to contribute to the platform.

Joey is a stay-at-home mom in New York who's long been a Republican activist. Barack changed that.

In college, I did a lot of Republican events for local congressmen, as well as fund raising and anti-government waste programs. Last year I read an article in the Atlantic Monthly, and it really changed my views about politics and introduced me to Barack. The world is just at a really pivotal point right now...and I think we need a fresh start.

She recognizes the historic nature of this campaign, and it inspired her to action despite her previous political leanings.

I’ve been a long term Republican like my entire life, but I donated in the primary and switched parties to vote for Barack. I thought the Platform Meetings were really interesting. This really is democracy in action, and it shows how [Barack] is different. He’s asking for input from people on the kinds of change they want to see in our country. It should be the norm, but it’s not, and it’s something I wanted to be a part of.

Even though she doesn't know a single person who's planning on coming to her event, she's not worried. She's read through our host guide and is ready to lead the discussion.

I don’t want to run it and say 'these are the things we’re going to discuss.' I’m going to bring up just how the US can remain or become a viable economic power again, because there are so many jobs going away and our workforce is unprepared to compete in the world. It really comes down to education. The other issue is security, because I do live in Manhattan. We can protect ourselves, but we have to fight terrorism through programs like education and assistance, to give them an alternative to the extremists.

You can join Joey and help organize others in your community to discuss the issues that matter to you. The reports generated by the Platform Meetings will be sent to the Platform Committee and will influence the final platform. Take this opportunity to have a say in the policies that will bring real change to America - sign up to attend a platform meeting today.

From TMJ-4:

Barack Obama’s campaign opened an office in Waukesha Wednesday.

Dozens of Obama’s supporters were at the office Wednesday for the opening of the office. They were trying to win over supporters in a place that’s typically thought of as a Republican county.

Senator Obama already has almost ten campaign offices in Wisconsin. What makes the latest one different, is that it’s in Waukesha County, one of the strongest Republican counties in the state.

Back in 2004, 67 percent of Waukesha County voted to re-elect President Bush. Volunteers and staff members hope to turn the tides by stepping up the Obama campaign in Waukesha County.

They say even if they can’t win in Waukesha, there’s still a lot of Democratic votes in the county.

TODAY’S TMJ4’s Michael George: “A lot of people would say that here in Waukesha County, it’s an uphill battle.”

“We do, but it’s great to be here and I think what we’re seeing is the response has been tremendous,” Tessa Bray said.

From Tampa Bay Online:

A largely young, racially diverse crowd of several hundred people chanting "Yes we can" at the top of their lungs showed up for the opening of Barack Obama's statewide campaign headquarters in an Ybor City office building this afternoon.

The office, which has been functioning for about two weeks, will be the nerve center of the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's attempt to win Florida. The workspace can hold as many as 40 people, including field workers who are in training before moving to other parts of the state, campaign officials said. More than 30 are housed there now, said Adora Andy, Tampa area regional spokeswoman for the campaign.

Florida campaign leaders said the location was chosen for reasons of both strategy and message.

They wanted an office in the crucial swing area of Florida, the Interstate 4 corridor.

In addition, "It's consistent with Obama's message that we have to do this together," said Frank Sanchez of Tampa, Obama's lead Hispanic fundraiser. "Ybor grew up as a community of immigrants of all races, and it prospered because they helped each other."

Sanchez said the opening and staffing of the office should lay to rest any speculation about whether Obama is committed to winning Florida.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg," he said. "We're going to be fully engaged here and fight to win."

From the Harrisonburg Daily News-Record:

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama will be making history of sorts Saturday, when his campaign headquarters opens in Harrisonburg at 124 S. Main. St.

Political observers said they can remember no other presidential candidate who opened a headquarters in the city.

The office's primary mission is to organize the Obama effort here, including voter registration, said Camron Gorguinpour, the office's field organizer.

The office is holding an open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A reception is planned from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m.

After the festivities, the office's first order of business is to register voters, Gorguinpour said.

"That's the most urgent activity," he said. Registration for the election ends one month before the Nov. 4 vote.

According to Obama's campaign, the candidate is opening offices in 20 localities across Virginia in addition to his statewide headquarters in Richmond, which opened last week. Besides Harrisonburg, other offices opening Saturday include Norfolk, Fairfax, Roanoke, Martinsville and Danville.

Although located in a city that has increasingly leaned toward Democrats in recent statewide elections, the office covers one of the most Republican areas in Virginia.

The office's coverage area includes Rockingham, Page and Augusta counties and the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro.

The opening of the presidential campaign headquarters could be the edge that Obama needs to win Harrisonburg, said Alan Finks, chairman of the City Democratic Committee.

"They are not giving up on anything," Finks said Thursday. "They are not going to write anybody off."

From the New York Times:

Senator Barack Obama raised $52 million in June, his campaign announced Thursday, recording his second-best fund-raising month of the year ...

After becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee last month, Mr. Obama also helped the Democratic National Committee markedly increase its fund-raising to $22.4 million in June. Together, the Obama campaign and the party have about $92.3 million in the bank, which is slightly less than Republicans, who began July with about $95 million.

Yet the magnitude of the fund-raising challenge — amassing about $300 million — was underscored by his pitch for donors to give another $25. Democrats also hope to collect about $180 million for the Democratic National Committee.

"I know this isn't the first time we've asked you for money, and it won't be the last," David Plouffe the campaign manager for Mr. Obama, announced in an e-mail message to supporters. "We have developed a strategy — a very aggressive strategy — that will only work if our millions of supporters continue to contribute their time and their money."

... Last week, Senator McCain, the likely Republican candidate, reported raising more than $22 million in June, his best month of the year. But because Mr. McCain is participating in the public financing system — he will receive about $84 million to spend on the general election campaign — his fund-raising burden is less than Mr. Obama's, and he is more reliant on the Republican National Committee.

Mr. Obama's campaign is the first to forego public funds since the presidential financing system was created three decades ago in the aftermath of Watergate.

Not since February, when Mr. Obama raised $55 million, has he reported as high a figure to the Federal Election Commission. Of his June total, about $50 million came in primary contributions, which must be spent before he accepts the party's nomination at the Democratic convention next month. The remaining $2 million can only be spent on the general election contest with Mr. McCain.

After breaking fund-raising records throughout the winter and spring, some supporters feared that Mr. Obama's contributions had slowed considerably. In May, he raised $21.9 million, one of his weakest months of his candidacy.

When asked about the health of his fund-raising late last week, Mr. Obama played down any concern, telling reporters, "I think you guys should wait until we release our numbers to make a decision as to how underwhelming they are."

Since the campaign began in February 2007, Mr. Obama has raised nearly $340 million.

... In his message to supporters on Thursday, Mr. Plouffe said the average June contribution was $68. The campaign has been asking donors to give again and again, until they reach the maximum $2,300 that individuals can donate to the primary and general election efforts.

Karen Finney, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee, said party contributions were up considerably in June after Mr. Obama clinched the nomination, raising $22.4 million in June, compared with $4.7 million in May.

... Extensive advertising efforts are underway by both candidates. While Mr. Obama is running a series of television ads in 18 states, Mr. McCain is investing more money into his campaign, which is targeting 11 states.

From the Sioux City Journal:

If you're a registered Democrat and your phone rings, it could be Paul Seaman wanting to know if you're going to support U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for president in November.

And would you like to volunteer for his campaign? Vote by mail?

Seaman and other volunteers are making hundreds of calls a night from lists of potential and confirmed Obama supporters from the new campaign office on 506 Nebraska St. in Sioux City.

...Meanwhile, local Obama volunteers are looking ahead to the general election in November and doing whatever they can to see their candidate win the White House.

Seaman, a 52-year-old chef from Sioux City, said he started volunteering because he believes in Obama and his message.

He said the response he's gotten from callers has been positive.

"People have been excited, for the most part, pleased that they have been called," Seaman said. "People have been enthusiastic and interested."

Ann Dailey, a paid organizer for the Obama presidential campaign, said building momentum is what the campaign is all about. The volunteers aren't soliciting donations.

"What we're all about on this campaign is building a grassroots movement," said Dailey, a 23-year-old from Moline, Ill. "The most important thing is to get people involved. It's not just getting them to come in once and getting them to make a few phone calls."

Currently, about 5,000 Obama volunteers statewide are making phone calls, canvassing, attending county fairs and marching in parades.

From Access North Georgia:

Barack Obama supporters plan two voter registration drives in Gainesville this weekend.

They will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Monique's Beauty & Barber Supply at 996 Athens Street and on Sunday downtown at 100 Washington Street.

Last weekend, volunteers for the presidential hopeful gathered in town for an organizational meeting with about 40 people in attendance, according to Dan Crawford, the Obama campaign's Regional Field Director, NE Atlanta Metro Area.

Crawford called the meeting "a huge success," adding, "thirty-nine people came out to start organizing their communities."

DNC Chairman Howard Dean kicked off the "Register For Change" cross-country bus tour today in Crawford, Texas. For the next six weeks, Dean will be touring the country, culminating in a swing through the Midwest on the way to the Democratic Convention in Denver. 

The Dallas Morning News reported this morning:

The Crawford visit was a symbolic first stop in a multi-city tour to promote Democratic voter registration as part of a 50-state strategy aimed at winning back the White House in November. [Dean] arrived in a red, white and blue bus powered by bio-diesel and festooned with the logo “Register for Change.”

On the Democrats.org blog, guest blogger (and College Dems member) Katie Naranjo was live blogging from the bus on the road to Austin:

Greetings from the Register for Change bus heading down Hwy 317 from Crawford to Austin. Currently manning the bus: Gov. Dean, Josh McConaha, Robert Garcia, Courtney Strange and me (Katie Naranjo), your fearless team of democrats registering Texans for the election of a lifetime.

Why is registering to vote such an important focus for the DNC and Obama?

In Texas, we have roughly over 5 million unregistered voters according to the Secretary of State’s 2008 primary results. As Texas politicians proved in previous elections, registering voters can change the outcome of an election locally and state wide.

... On the road with Gov. Dean, the cohort of students and staff provided much entertainment as we discuss generational politics with Gov. Dean. Each student provided stories of how they changed their parents, grand parents, or family member’s perception of politics and the Democratic Party.

As the bus rolls into Austin, more stories of hope and changing political views grab the attention of Gov. Dean and the staff. It is obvious, that even in the least likely places in Texas change is in the air.

You can check out photos of the bus, and follow the tour all month long at RegisterForChange.com.

Yesterday, Barack Obama traveled to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana to hold a Summit on Confronting 21st Century Threats. Senator Obama was joined by a panel of experts, including Indiana Senator Evan Bayh and former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn, to discuss security issues in a changing world—including nuclear non-proliferation, bioterrorism, cyber security and emerging national security threats.

Here is the full video of Barack's opening remarks to the Summit...

I’m excited to be posting on BlogHer. Not only because blogging is something I’ve actually been able to beat my daughters to; but because it gives me the opportunity to tell you a little bit about them, my husband, myself, and our experiences traveling all over this great country.

...Over the course of this campaign, I’ve been hosting roundtable discussions with working women all across America. I’m there to talk about my husband, of course – but more importantly, I’m there to listen. We talk about what it’s like to play multiple roles at once and what it’s like to feel stretched thin between the demands of a career and family.

...What I find is that our stories are similar. But what I also hear at each roundtable is that women are struggling. They are working hard and playing by the rules, doing the most important job of raising the next generation, but somehow can never get ahead. They’re desperate for change.

...We all need to do our part to keep women’s issues at the forefront of the national debate. That’s why communities like BlogHer are so important. It’s not just a forum or sounding board; it’s an energetic space that lets women know they’re not alone. It’s our own national virtual roundtable. But we need to take these online conversations offline as well. I’ll do my part, and so will Barack. But we need you all too.

With the general election now underway, campaign offices are rapidly opening (or re-opening) across the country. These offices are part of a massive ground effort to build grassroots, neighbor to neighbor networks in all 50 states. Jenn Prosser is on the ground in Colorado, and witnessed firsthand the incredible turn-out for the Denver office opening on Tuesday . . .

On Tuesday, over 1,200 people turned out in cities across Colorado as the Obama Campaign for Change celebrated the opening of four campaign offices. The people of Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo turned out in masses, eager to get involved in the campaign and help build Colorado's movement for change.

In Denver, the office was overflowing with people and excitement as supporters from the Mile High City talked about the general election and the hard work ahead.

Noerena, a volunteer at the Denver office, said she was thrilled by the turnout:

I think it shows the excitement that there is all over the city about the campaign. People are ready to start working and playing their part to help win Colorado. I feel the urgency of winning this election and I see that throughout this state. I've been helping register voters and make phone calls. Every little thing that we do could swing this election. Every little thing -- every single voter registration card we get filled out, every phone call we make -- could be the tipping point that sends Barack to the White House.

Mayor Hickenlooper took part in the celebration and spoke to the crowd of 700, sharing his enthusiasm for the campaign and the significant role that Colorado will play in the election. City Council President Michael Hancock and State Treasurer Cari Kennedy joined the mayor and voiced their determination to help elect Barack.

City Council President Hancock said:

I want you to know I have cleared my schedule for all of August. I'll be here with my sleeves rolled up, helping you to stuff envelopes, put stamps on those envelopes, make phone calls and send Barack Obama to the White House.

Here's a video from the Denver office opening:

You can find more photos and coverage of the recent Denver office openings at CO.BarackObama.com.

As part of a continuing series, we're following Obama Organizing Fellows as they share their stories and their experiences. They discuss the people they meet, the hardships of organizing, what the campaign means to them, and how this summer is changing their perspective.

Coretta is an Organizing Fellow in Georgia.  Her stories appear each Thursday.

This past Saturday a team of ten - three organizing fellows and six volunteers- blanketed the area surrounding the Greenbriar Mall. We spent most of the day, from 10am to 5pm, striking up conversations and adding new names to the voter rolls in Georgia. We met up at the South West corner of Fulton County at The Village on the Green community, which is less than a quarter of a mile past Greenbriar Mall. They were gracious enough to let us use their club house as our temporary space for our local organizing.

Jim, who helped arrange the use of the club house, was also on hand to help us set-up for the event. He donated supplies - six clipboards and a box of pens (which we never have enough of) - and allowed us to use his color copier. I decided this would be a great time to bring my son along. The indoor environment gave me time to attend to the needs of a precocious pre-schooler. I was not alone: one of our volunteers, Michael, who focused on entry points at Greenbriar Mall, brought his thirteen year-old son Kevin along. We were also joined by two teachers, Sharon and Ida who were able to bring in nineteen and fourteen voter registrations respectively (in less than two hours).

At the end of each community outreach event, I feel honored to add my energies and do what I can to help Senator Obama help move Georgia into a lovely shade of blue. I can't believe I am writing this, but counting the voter registration forms gives me chills. We ended the day with just under 80 new applications.

I know first hand how hours spent under a sweltering southern sun asking "Excuse me, are you registered to vote?" has the potential to move a nation forward. Volunteers and new registrants have such excitement in their eyes. This is a point that fellows and volunteers consistently report.

When this program began, I was so eager to help build voter capacity and expand volunteer networks in Atlanta. Now, I understand how critical it is for everyone working on this campaign to "submerge the ego", as one Fellow put it. There really is no room for personal tantrums here. We have to remain open, because too much is at stake. As I continue my endless search for additional places to host non-partisan voter registration drives or an Obama branded event, the My.Barack Obama.com site has been invaluable. The planning tools make it effortless to create an event and share it with local and even global supporters.

I am so glad that I applied for this fellowship. Here in Atlanta, teams of Organizing Fellows are learning how to delicately balance our organizing efforts while focusing on moving our campaign forward. We have to be nimble, stay on message, and address a myriad of situations as they unfold. With just two weeks left to the end of our fellowship, every Organizing Fellow can better appreciate what Senator Obama means when he speaks about "the fierce urgency of now."

I believe that Senator Obama truly plans to lead the United States of America: he aims to unite and offer up ways to meet the needs of all segments of our nation. This simple truth is hard for many pundits to comprehend, perhaps because the heightened level of grassroots engagement is unlike a traditional campaign. This campaign is about the people. We the people.

Check back next week for more from Coretta in Georgia, and visit our Flickr page for more of her photos.

In a speech at Washington's Constitution Hall today, Al Gore called for an ambitious commitment to renewable and carbon-free energy sources. CNN reported on the speech, in which Gore explained, "It is only a truly dysfunctional system that would buy into the perverse logic that the short-term answer to high gasoline prices is drilling for more oil 10 years from now."

In response to today's speech and Al Gore’s crucial efforts to address the climate crisis, Senator Obama released the following statement:

For decades, Al Gore has challenged the skeptics in Washington on climate change and awakened the conscience of a nation to the urgency of this threat. I strongly agree with Vice President Gore that we cannot drill our way to energy independence, but must fast-track investments in renewable sources of energy like solar power, wind power and advanced biofuels, and those are the investments I will make as President. It’s a strategy that will create millions of new jobs that pay well and cannot be outsourced, and one that will leave our children a world that is cleaner and safer.

Learn more about Barack's plan to create a new energy economy . . .

Howdy, y'all!  Live-blogging from Austin, Texas, where several of us from the campaign's new media team are taking part in Netroots Nation, a gathering of progressive online activists from across the country.

Online Organizers Chris Hughes and Judith Freeman are leading a seminar right now on how the campaign uses social networking tools to spread Barack's message of change and to bolster our field program on the local level.

Chris and Judith talked about the utility of my.barackobama.com and its capacity for spreading information and connecting with voters. They also discussed how the campaign has used external social networks such as MySpace, Facebook, and BlackPlanet and organize in neighborhoods across the country by communicating through Facebook groups, etc.

More updates to come.  We'll be live-blogging from the Register for Change event featuring DNC Chair Howard Dean later today. Stay tuned! 

**And feel free to leave Texas tips in the comments.  We'll be here for a few days and plan to sample some Texas barbeque. And by "sample," I mean consume large quantities of.

Ordinary citizens around America are preparing to host the first Listening to America Platform Meetings - the first opportunity for the people to help write a national party platform. There are already over 1,200 meetings planned, and every single one of them will have a voice in helping craft the 2008 Democratic Platform.

Rob in Indiana recognizes that the American dream is getting harder and harder to achieve. He lost his father when he was nine years old, and his mother got a job as a bus driver to provide for his family. He earned scholarships to get through college and today is a successful optometrist. When asked why he decided to host a platform meeting, Rob had this to say:

I just guess it’s been a long, tough seven years, and it’s time for a change in our country. I've felt for a couple years now that Obama has the ability to bring the country together more than any other candidate, and I think that government working together and getting some stuff done would be a good thing for the economy. I think...that he’s the right candidate to bring the country together and do some good in Washington.

I think about the standstill in policy and just the horrible job that Bush has done. I think Obama has the ability to hopefully unite the country and decrease the polarization in Washington. Besides that, I think he’s the perfect candidate to reach out to the world and in a sense apologize for some of the policies over the last few years.

This is Rob's first time organizing a grassroots event, and he doesn't know anyone who's planning to attend (they all signed up through My.BarackObama.com). He does, however, have a good plan set for the meeting.

I didn’t want to invite people and make them feel obligated in any way. The thing with this is you have to get people who really feel strongly about certain issues, you have to get people who want to be involved. I think there’ll be about 20 people in chairs around a circle, and I'll make sure everybody knows each other and gets comfortable, and just starts talking policy.

I’ve gone over most of the 2004 platform and Barack’s Blueprint for Change, and I’ve got it all reformatted into a Word document so I can print those and hand them out. Like I said, I don’t want to be the controlling factor of the meeting, I want to let people talk and see where it goes. I think economics is probably the big thing on everybody’s mind; I think we’re taking a hit here in the Midwest more than a lot of parts of the country.

You can join Rob and leave your own mark on the Democratic Party Platform. Sign up to host a Platform Meeting today - we have a complete host guide, so it couldn't be easier to create and plan your event.  The Platform Committee is waiting for your input - without you, our grassroots supporters, the Democratic Party can't write a platform that truly represents the interests of the people, so make your voice heard and host a Platform Meeting.

From the Washinton Post:

Barack Obama promoted his proposals to stop the spread of nuclear weapons to countries unfriendly to the United States and to address other security threats at a campaign event in this traditionally Republican state. The Democratic candidate is targeting GOP strongholds early in the general-election battle.

Only a few days before a planned trip abroad to highlight his foreign policy credentials, Obama led a roundtable discussion that included Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana and former Georgia senator Sam Nunn on the campus of Purdue University. Nunn has long worked on nonproliferation issues, and Bayh has served for years on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Obama also suggested appointing a "national cyber-adviser" who would report to the president on computer security issues.

"We've had the debate about terrorism dominate so much of our politics over the last eight years, and rightfully so," he said. "What this panel emphasizes is -- because a small group of individuals has the capacity to create great havoc -- it is important we don't approach this as an either-or proposition but a 'both'-'and' proposition. Yes, we must hunt down terrorists, but we also have to deal with the weapons they might use and take them out of circulation."

From the Indianapolis Star:

Sen. Barack Obama used a forum at Purdue University on Wednesday to tell voters he'll go after the terrorists, while also trying to take nuclear, biological and cyber tools out of their hands.

"Yes, we have to hunt down terrorists, but we also have to deal with the weapons that they might use," the Illinois Democrat said.

He was flanked at the event by Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia.

... Obama argued that the Bush administration has not stayed "one step ahead of the threats of the 21st century."

"And after 9/11, nowhere was this more apparent than in our invasion of Iraq," he said. "We invaded and occupied a state that had no collaborative relationship with al-Qaida. Instead of taking aggressive steps to secure the world's most dangerous technology, we have spent almost a trillion dollars to occupy a country in the heart of the Middle East that no longer had any weapons of mass destruction."

If elected president, he said, he would make it clear "America seeks a world with no nuclear weapons."

... He pledged to lead a global effort to secure nuclear materials; to spend $5 billion over three years to build an international intelligence and law-enforcement infrastructure to destroy terrorist networks; to declare the nation's information technology systems a "national asset" in order to develop ways to protect it from tampering; and to invest more in public health and, he added, education.

From the Washington Post:

Sen. Barack Obama's campaign announced Wednesday that it is adding 20 offices across Virginia, an unprecedented effort by a presidential candidate and another sign that he plans to compete vigorously in a state that has been on the sidelines during past presidential contests.

The offices, which will open Saturday, will be in nearly every medium-size city in the state, along with a few locations often overlooked by statewide candidates, much less a presidential campaign.

"A lot of these places may have never had a presidential campaign before," state Sen. John S. Edwards (D-Roanoke) said at an event announcing the offices. "It shows [Obama] is investing in the commonwealth and it is a bottom-up, not a top-down campaign."

In vote-rich Fairfax County, where the Illinois Democrat has assigned a paid staff member to each of the county's nine magisterial districts, the campaign will have two offices. He also is opening offices in Woodbridge and Winchester to reach voters in the Washington region's fast-growing outer suburbs.

... Several Virginia Democratic and Republican strategists said Wednesday that they cannot remember a candidate for governor, much less one for president, who committed to so many offices across the state.

From the St. Petersburg Times:

A diverse and enthusiastic crowd filled the sprawling offices of Barack Obama's Florida presidential campaign headquarters in Ybor City for its grand opening Wednesday.

The event marked the official opening of an Obama campaign office in the state. Florida campaign director Steve Schale said it will be the first of many.

"We will have the largest and most comprehensive political operation this state has ever seen," he said.

Plans call for opening satellite offices elsewhere in Tampa and Pinellas County. The campaign also will open offices in areas Schale said have typically been given little attention by Democrats, including Duval County, Gadsden County and St. Augustine.

But the Tampa office, on Ninth Avenue at 17th Street, is the "nerve center."

... About 300 supporters gathered for Obama's headquarters opening Wednesday.

... State Democratic Party chairwoman Karen Thurman was there, along with state Rep. Michael Scionti, D-Tampa, Hillsborough Commissioner Kevin White and state Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-West Palm Beach.

State Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, was among the speakers.

Obama supporters might have different backgrounds and experience, she said, but they are united "with one goal and that is to change America."

Campaign manager David Plouffe just sent out this email...

Friend --

We have some big news we want to share with you.

Because of your generosity and commitment, we're reporting to the press today that this campaign is in a very strong financial position.

In the month of June, supporters like you helped raise $52 million.

But more impressive than the number is how you did it. Hundreds of thousands of ordinary people contributed to building our campaign for change. Many were first-time donors, giving only what they could afford -- and the average donation was just $68.

You continue to prove what ordinary Americans committed to change can accomplish, despite the Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs funding so much of our opponents' campaign.

But we can't stop now.

It's going to take everything we've got to defeat John McCain and the Republican National Committee in November. And we can't do it without your continued support.

Can you make a donation of $25 now to strengthen our movement for change?

https://donate.barackobama.com/junenumbers

I also wanted to share with you another promising piece of news.

The Obama campaign and the DNC ended June with a combined total of nearly $72 million in the bank. It's a healthy number. But McCain and the RNC together still have a huge cash advantage, and we need your help to close the gap.

As I mentioned in my video message to you earlier in the week, we're facing a Republican machine with unprecedented resources at its disposal. The McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee finished June with nearly $100 million in the bank.

Our campaign does not accept donations from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs, and neither does the Democratic National Committee. But John McCain and the RNC have no such standards.

Along with the vast amounts of unregulated money being raised by shadowy outside groups, there's no telling how much they'll spend running attack ads.

We must work together and fight back against their efforts.

Please make a donation of $25 now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/junenumbers

I know this isn't the first time we've asked you for money, and it won't be the last.

We have developed a strategy -- a very aggressive strategy -- that will only work if our millions of supporters continue to contribute their time and their money.

We are now on the air with TV ads in 18 states -- including 14 that George W. Bush carried in the 2004 election. And in each one we're also building extensive grassroots field organizations.

It's all part of our strategy to spread Barack's positive message and compete in all 50 states.

That strategy will work, and it has to. The stakes are too high and the need for change too great. We are thrilled to be on this journey with you and thank you for all you have done so far. But victory is only possible with your continued help.

Please give $25 now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/junenumbers

We can't do this without you.

Thanks,

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Correction: $72 million is Obama for America's cash on hand only. This number does not include the DNC's cash on hand.

Every Wednesday we post a recap of Organizing Fellow Andy's week. He tells us what is going on in Ohio, who he is meeting and how working for the Obama campaign is changing his life.

Our team in Ohio recently made this video of Andy in action. Check it out...

We've made a commitment to run a true 50 state campaign, because we believe that people in every state have a desire, and a right, to do their part to work for change. You can see this desire in the thousands of active grassroots groups and tens of thousands of grassroots events that have already taken place all across the country.

And as of today, we now have over 1,200 "Listening to America" Platform Meetings planned, with meetings in every single state.

From July 19 to July 27, everyday people all across America will hold Platform Meetings in their own communities, where they will meet to talk about the issues that are most important to them and what should be at the heart of a Democratic platform for change.

They'll meet in places like Fairbanks, Alaska and Altoona, Alabama; Fort Smith, Arkansas, Kennesaw, Georgia, Cedar Hill, Texas and Danville, Indiana. The results of these Platform Meetings will be incorporated into the formal process that culminates in the adoption of the platform at the Democratic Convention in August.

Traditionally, these party platforms are written by paid professionals and then presented to the American people.

This year is different, because this campaign is different. No other campaign has ever asked this much from its supporters, but no other campaign has ever offered so many ways for ordinary people to get involved. These meetings are the next step in the process of re-engaging the American people in political life, and giving ordinary citizens a voice in Washington and a seat at the table.

There's still time to sign up to host or attend a Platform Meeting in your community.

Thelma is a youthful 87-year-old lifelong Republican from Oregon, who has worked for six different start-ups in Silicon Valley. When she's not writing, she enjoys working in her garden and keeping in touch with her two children. Republicanism was instilled in her from an early age.

Well, I grew up in Oregon and my parents were rabid Republicans. I've been a Republican all of my life, until Obama came along and I said, "this is it".

He's a very unusual person, and of course the parties have changed too. I never just voted for somebody because he was Republican or Democratic. I changed my voter registration from Republican to Democratic, and that was surprising to me after having been a Republican for a lifetime. I wouldn't vote for John McCain if he was the only person on the ballot.

She supports Senator Obama because he's a different kind of politician.

He is honest, and it seems as though he really is truly thinking about what is best for the people and for the country and he's not looking for something for himself and he's not even looking for something for the party. He seems to really be thinking for himself.

I admire him because he is bright, and I admire his wife for the same reason. He has the qualities that seem like he's looking out for people, he's interested in people and what will be good for the country.

Although she sees a need for change in all areas of policy, she's particularly concerned about the environment.

I'm certainly concerned about the environment. I always have been since I was a child, when I went camping here in Oregon. My father taught us that when we build a fire, we put it out.

We'll be featuring many profiles of our supporters in the weeks and months to come. If you have an interesting story, e-mail it to blog@barackobama.com.