Check out Chris and Jessica's latest, from the March 23rd Culinary Workers Union rally in Las Vegas:
Randy was once heavily involved in politics, serving as a campaign manager in an Iowa congressional race, but he became turned off by the divisiveness of politics and the influence of big money on campaigns. He went on to serve locally in the city council of Iowa City, but has since focused on managing his small business. He says hasn’t been involved in a presidential race in twenty years.
Barack brought him back into politics:
I just think it’s a once in a generation chance to elect somebody who has the experience that’s actually important to be president. As opposed to a career politician, he’s worked in trenches and in the streets, trying to help people. We need to do things differently—we can’t let the big money and the lobbyists run the country anymore. We’ve got to return it to the people.
But Randy isn’t content to just let things happen; instead, he’s making things happen. This Saturday, on March 31st, he’s throwing a Hope Action Change event at Bob’s Your Uncle Pizza Café.
Click here for details on Randy’s event, and click here to find an event near you or to create your own event. It’s not too late. Again, we can’t do this without you. You guys are the backbone of this campaign.
We're hoping you're as psyched as we are for the nationwide Hope Action Change kickoff events coming up on March 31st. So far, hundreds of community get-togethers, big and small, have been planned in forty-nine states. I'm going to be previewing some of these events soon on the blog.
But even before the nationwide kickoff events have taken place, people are already actively involved all over the country. Take this past weekend, where folks from four different states (at least!) planned coordinated Honk for Obama events.
Here are some pics from the Ohio event via organizer Valli Frausto of Columbus:
More details from an email Valli sent to me:
The Gahanna News came to our event, interviewed us, and took pictures. We are going to be in a number of Suburban News Papers and if we are lucky, all of them. The thing that excites me about Honk for Obama is that it's such an easy event to organize (show up), only takes a few people to be a success (there were 10 in our group), and reaches a large audience. (The intersection we were at has a traffic flow of over 2,000 cars per hour.) We are serious about increasing visibilty for Senator Obama. This event was fun for everyone and we are all excited about doing it again. We had honks, waves, thumbs up and cheers. One person (from a car passing by) went to our group website and blogged about seeing the event.
For more, check out Misty Fowler's blog on the Utah event.
If you'd like to plan a Honk for Obama event in your community, check out the Honk for Obama group. This is the kind of creative energy from the grassroots the campaign needs to really take off. Keep it coming-- it's your campaign.
Update: Click here to read a blog post from Kurt Peppard about the Seattle Honk for Obama event (as well as the Seattle Bowling for Obama event).
Click here for some excellent audio via Jonathan Singer of MyDD from yesterday's Vegas event. Barack highlights his efforts helping to organize hotel workers in Chicago and emphasizes the importance of organized labor in the struggle for social justice in this country. It's great stuff.
And if you haven't already done so, check out Chris and Jessica's video sneak peek.
The Nevada weather is AMAZING, and created a perfect backdrop for the Culinary Workers Union rally last night. The entire parking lot was packed with Local 226 members waiting to hear what the 2008 Presidential candidates had to say and share with them. Here's a quick video preview:
Culinary Workers Union Contract '07 Rally
After trying out one too many buffets, Chris and I are headed home tonight... have a great weekend!
-Jessica
We wish the Edwards family the best in these trying days. To learn more and find out about what you can do, please visit the American Cancer Society.
Barack Obama:
"Today, Michelle and I join every American in sending our thoughts and prayers to Elizabeth and John and the entire Edwards family. We all admire Elizabeth’s strength and determination and the deep love they so obviously share."
That’s the question Barack wants you to answer. Share your thoughts on Yahoo! Answers—a place where the online community can collectively weigh in. We’re listening and we’re going to post the best ideas on our blog.
When we said this campaign was about you, we meant it. Get your voice out there.
This morning, on the first day of the fifth year of our involvement in Iraq, Senator Obama spoke on the Senate Floor about the staggering costs of the war:
On Thursdays, Senator Durbin and I hold a constituent coffee so we can hear from the folks back home. A young man came a few months ago who was about 25, 26 years old. He had been back from Iraq for a year. The first months of that year he spent in a coma. An explosion had shattered his face, blinded him in both eyes, and has left him without the use of one arm. He told us about how he was going through rehab, and he introduced us to his family. He has a wife and two young daughters like I do, and his wife talked for a bit about the adjustments they were making at home since dad got hurt. And I found myself looking at not just him, but at his wife, who loves him so much, and I thought about how their lives were forever changed because of the decision that was carried out four years ago. The sacrifices of war are immeasurable.
He told us about how he was going through rehab, and he introduced us to his family. He has a wife and two young daughters like I do, and his wife talked for a bit about the adjustments they were making at home since dad got hurt. And I found myself looking at not just him, but at his wife, who loves him so much, and I thought about how their lives were forever changed because of the decision that was carried out four years ago.
The sacrifices of war are immeasurable.
Barack, who opposed the war from the get-go, then called for the troops to start coming home:
Iraq has not been a failure of resolve, it has been a failure of strategy – and that strategy must change. It is time bring a responsible end to this conflict now.
After Obama spoke, Senator Kent Conrad from North Dakota responded to his stirring speech:
Mr. President, I just want to commend the Senator from Illinois, Senator Obama, for the wisdom that I think he has displayed with respect to the conflict in Iraq. I read a speech that he gave when he was a state senator warning about the dangers of going to war in Iraq. In many ways, it reflected many of the same feelings and analysis that I had given in my speech on the floor of the senate. I gave the last speech before that fateful vote to authorize going to war in Iraq... I've always felt that was an extremely serious mistake, military mistake for this country. I was so impressed that the Senator from Illinois, who was a state senator at the time, had the wisdom and the judgment to see that. I wish more had seen it. With that, I again want to thank the Senator from Illinois.
For more on the stunning toll this war has taken, check out this interactive map from the BBC. And for more on Barack’s position and how you can help him bring a responsible end to this conflict, visit our Iraq resource and action center.
Barack Obama is engaging all kinds of people-- not just people who follow politics, but people who have long been uninterested in, or even turned off, by the process. One person who was largely disengaged until she discovered Barack Obama is Sarah Carter, the granddaughter of former President Jimmy Carter.
Sarah, who recently volunteered for Barack at the Oakland rally, tells her story here via Daily Kos:
Many of you know me because of my posts and work on behalf of my Dad, Jack Carter, who ran for US Senate in Nevada last year. You may also know that Jimmy Carter is my grandfather. While I was growing up, I was always aware of what was going on politically, but I was never involved. I would vote, but that was about it. I had never volunteered for a campaign, never gone to a rally, and never given money to someone running for office. Until June of 2003.
Many of you know me because of my posts and work on behalf of my Dad, Jack Carter, who ran for US Senate in Nevada last year. You may also know that Jimmy Carter is my grandfather. While I was growing up, I was always aware of what was going on politically, but I was never involved. I would vote, but that was about it. I had never volunteered for a campaign, never gone to a rally, and never given money to someone running for office.
Until June of 2003.
Sarah met Barack at an event in Evanston, Illinois and the rest was history:
Obama was as great as we hoped he’d be. He was an impressive and convincing speaker. He was very knowledgeable, but very humble; he and his single staffer listened carefully while those older ladies (political veterans themselves) gave advice about how to handle suburban voters and about the pitfalls of previous candidates. He seemed like he was ambitious, but comfortable. He was someone who really believed that politics could do good. He believed that he was someone who had the power, and therefore, the responsibility to take charge. It was obvious to everyone at that fundraiser that he was going places – even if he didn’t win that first primary, he would some day be in a position to make some changes. I felt like he had showed me his hopes and dreams, and I wanted in on some of the action, too.
She went on to donate $50 to Obama's campaign, her first contribution ever, and has remained actively engaged in politics ever since-- volunteering for Howard Dean in 2003, blogging on Daily Kos and MyDD, and eventually serving as blogger and netroots coordinator for her father's campaign.
Barack Obama made me realize that my political opinions were important, and that I had a responsibility to participate. The rally in Oakland and the huge crowds that Obama is generating around the country show that, apparently, he has that effect on a lot of people. It’s catching on, and I think it has the potential to really change our country for the better. I'll certainly work my hardest to bring about that change. We live in an exciting time! We need to make the most of it!
Barack Obama made me realize that my political opinions were important, and that I had a responsibility to participate. The rally in Oakland and the huge crowds that Obama is generating around the country show that, apparently, he has that effect on a lot of people. It’s catching on, and I think it has the potential to really change our country for the better. I'll certainly work my hardest to bring about that change.
We live in an exciting time! We need to make the most of it!
Read Sarah's entire post here. And if you, or someone you know, was inspired by Barack Obama to engage in the political process for the first time, let us know. Create a blog and tell us your stories. We want to hear them, and I'll be highlighting some of the best posts here.
Barack Obama not only calls for a clear way out of Iraq, but strongly opposed the war from the beginning. Click here for more on Obama's bold stance and to learn how you can take action and help Barack in his mission to bring the troops home. And if you haven't seen this video highlighting Obama's consistent pre-war opposition yet, drop whatever else you're doing and watch it now:
Continue reading for Obama's statement on the fourth anniversary of the war.
Here's a sneak peek of Chris and Jessica's latest video dispatch from Oakland, where an astounding 12,000 people showed up to hear Barack speak. A special thanks to all the volunteers who donated their time, their talent, and their cameras to this effort.
Hi Everyone--
I'm Sam Graham-Felsen. Today's my first as a member of the Obama For America team. I'll be blogging regularly about the people who are making this one of the most exciting and unprecedented campaigns in history: you guys.
Here's a recent example of the kind of grassroots-generated action that Barack's inspiring across the country. Jennifer M. Dillard of Columbus, Ohio:
My kids are on Spring Break and we are off to Alabama to visit my husband’s family. Since we’ll be out of town and unable to participate in the Honk for Obama Visibility event on the 24th, I thought we could show our solidarity and publicize Obama by decorating our car for the trip! We’ll be driving through Southern Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. My husband’s parents live in the country and we’ll have to travel some back roads of Alabama to get to the house. What a great way to show our support for Barack Obama and get his name out there!
This is the kind of creative, bottom-up participation that's been the lifeblood of this campaign:
If you're also roadtrippin' for Obama, let us know. If you've decked out your car, bike, or other mode of transportation to spread the word about Barack, we'd love to hear your stories and see your pictures. If you haven't already done so, set up a blog and join the community. You're the ones who can truly take this campaign to another level.
The Oakland rally was a huge success (as you can see). No matter who I talk to about the event, almost the first thing I hear about is the diversity of the crowd.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama brought his platform of audacious hope Saturday to the largest and most diverse crowd to pack downtown Oakland in recent memory. Oakland Tribune, 3/18/07
It's becoming more and more clear that Barack's message resonates with people of all backgrounds. This is just another example of how Barack Obama is bringing people together instead of embracing the politics of divide.
Look at this great shot we got from Damon Williams. More to come...
Barack is just about to come out on stage in Oakland, but we wanted to let you take a look at what was happening before hand on this sunny St. Patrick's day in California.
Although the big rally scheduled for Keene, NH was cancelled, Barack was still able to spend some time with a small group of folks in Claremont, NH, the site where former President Bill Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich shook hands in 1995 and promised to create a bipartisan commission on campaign finance reform.
Click here to read the news articles from the Claremont Eagle Times.
Click here for more pictures.
As I'm sure you've heard by now, Mother Nature hasn't given up on this winter just yet and Keene, NH is expected to be right in the path of the latest storm. Weather reports are expecting upwards of a foot of snow during the scheduled time of Barack's visit tonight.
Although Barack was excited to be headed to New Hampshire this weekend, we unfortunately had to cancel the event due to these impending weather conditions. The safety of everyone involved with the event is our top priority and we would not want to jeopardize that.
Again, we're very sorry we had to cancel tonight's event, but you can be sure that Barack will be coming back to New Hampshire very soon.
If you don't live in the Northeast or you're enjoying the 75 degree temperatures in Oakland, anxiously awaiting for Barack's Oakland event tomorrow, click here to see what the folks in New England are up against.
We found this great letter to the editor in the Quad-City Times (Iowa Newspaper).
Next time you write up a great post for your own blog here at BarackObama.com, email it to your local newspaper as well and let everyone who isn't part of our community in on all the excitement.
Obama sets Iowa afireAnticipation was in the air for days in the Quad-Cities, but Davenport drummed up a big hit Saturday as fresh-faced Rock Island youth pounded rhythm in unison. So infectious was the phenomenon that many there, myself included, had to stand and stomp along. When Barack Obama entered the room and joined in the step clap cadence, the gymnasium caught fire. Obama, once a skinny kid from the south side of Chicago, coming from humble roots and making it the American way, touches something deep inside us all. Those in Democratic circles count their blessings for his presence and quality as a candidate, while the other side of the aisle is confounded by his ability to transcend party lines. Non-participating voters become active again, all simply accomplished by an attitude of an honest fresh discussion with the public that somehow becomes a one-on-one conversation, even in a room of thousands.Barack has what many desire yet few ever attain and many in his opposition fear: truthful integrity. Cecilia O'BrienMolineClick here to read this letter to the editor at QCTimes.com
Obama sets Iowa afire
Anticipation was in the air for days in the Quad-Cities, but Davenport drummed up a big hit Saturday as fresh-faced Rock Island youth pounded rhythm in unison. So infectious was the phenomenon that many there, myself included, had to stand and stomp along. When Barack Obama entered the room and joined in the step clap cadence, the gymnasium caught fire.
Obama, once a skinny kid from the south side of Chicago, coming from humble roots and making it the American way, touches something deep inside us all. Those in Democratic circles count their blessings for his presence and quality as a candidate, while the other side of the aisle is confounded by his ability to transcend party lines. Non-participating voters become active again, all simply accomplished by an attitude of an honest fresh discussion with the public that somehow becomes a one-on-one conversation, even in a room of thousands.
Cecilia O'Brien
Click here to see some video footage of Barack that is off the beaten track from QCTimes.com
Do you ever watch the decline of the inbred, Washington politics of today and ask yourself, "is anyone else seeing this?" Are you that person who yells at the TV when politicians mindlessly toss around political doublespeak?
Well, you're not the only one and we're trying to bring together these hopeful, like-minded folks who know there is a better way of running this country and are ready to do something about it.
That is why we're directing all of our grassroots efforts into our March 31st "Hope. Action. Change." Community Kickoff event.
We're looking to you to make a loud statement that we believe in a better tomorrow and the best way to take action is to host a Kickoff event at your house on the 31st.
It's easy, just click here and plan your event today on my.barackobama.com.
We'll provide you with all the information you need to run a party and you can even drop in on Barack himself in Iowa through our live webstream here at BarackObama.com.
These events are a really fun and productive way to spend your Saturday afternoon (and for you basketball fans, you'll all be able to wrap things up and have everyone stay for the NCAA Championship Game that night!)
If anyone out there is hosting an event or has any great event ideas, comment away...
Reviewing a list of the cities and towns that Barack has most recently visited doesn’t always convey the groundswell of support that is coming out for this campaign. Raw numbers—15,000 in Springfield, 20,000 in Austin—are impressive, but they can often mask the number of mobilizers that are the driving force behind this campaign.
This past weekend, on only a couple days’ notice, hundreds of volunteers came out to meetings to help organize Barack’s rally in Oakland this weekend. These were planning meetings, lacking the glamour or loud music of traditional rallies. What they weren’t missing was enthusiastic people willing to roll up their sleeves to work to make this campaign succeed.
By the end of the event, the sign-up sheets were overflowing with people not only willing to show up on Saturday to help out at the rally, but to begin the process of organizing in their communities.
Barack says often that this is a campaign about building a movement to change America, to reinvigorate our faith in the democratic process and rediscover its potential to bring about deep, lasting change. That isn’t rhetoric. It’s real. This campaign is different. People are noticing that, hearing this message, and getting up off the couch to volunteer.
If you want to follow the lead of others who are getting active, think about hosting a community gathering on March 31 in our day to kick off the nationwide grassroots campaign.
UPDATE : There was a great story about the 500 volunteers that showed up to volunteer in Oakland, not for the rally itself, but just to take part in organizing the event. Click here to read the story at the California Progress Report.
