Tonight’s Democratic debate has no doubt sent a ripple of fear through the cold heart of the Republican Party. Contrasted against past Republican “who can build the tallest fence” slobber fests, the three Democratic candidates showed why adults should be in charge of government.
Barack Obama’s message of change has clearly permeated the Clinton and Edward campaigns. Hillary asked viewers to imagine any one of the candidates in the Oval Office – and I did.
I was immediately struck with an incredible feeling of what was possible with Barack Obama in the White House. The thought of all that was possible with a solid Democratic majority in the Congress, led by a visionary like Barack Obama, filled me with hope anew. Now some of you might think I am being a little too idealistically giddy, but I just couldn’t help myself.
For a somewhat cynical sort like me, that says a lot. It would be easy to blame the seven year reign of George W. Bush – and that would be too easy. The damage done by the Bush Administration cannot be ignored but the problem is far deeper. From time to time during the last seven years, many of us have thought of giving up and giving in, without hope and without a clear direction. Along comes Barack Obama who erases any doubt that together, we can turn the country around, writing a new and exciting chapter to our history in process.
So take Hillary’s advice and imagine who should be in the Oval Office. Imagine President Barack Obama – now that has a nice ring to it.
Michael O’Brien
Athens County Democrats for Obama
Athens, Ohio
Barack Obama's message is simple: our country and the world needs change. To this end, I am asking every Obama supporter to help. If you are anything like me, you've accumulated a lot of stuff that you no longer need or use (old books, videos, cds, clothes, etc). Please take these items to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army by Febuary 5th (Super Tuesday). Why? Because it's time to prove to the cynics that we are a movement, that the people are about to speak, and they need to listen up. Together, we can change the world.We made history in Iowa. I was lucky enough to be there, and it changed my life. Will you help me make history again?By signing up, you are committing to change. If you live outside of Central Ohio, would you consider starting your own event in your area? Please click the link below. Thank you.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4vbw4
As a salty, old political junkie, I know better than to put much stock in opinion polls. I admit that the opinion polls looking at the New Hampshire primary had me feeling a little too giddy.
Having gotten it out of my system, I will continue to stay focused on the reality of a tough primary fight – it ain’t over till it’s over.
Yesterday’s vote reaffirmed that we all need to work harder than ever to keep the momentum going. Many pundits are predicting that February 5th, Super Tuesday, is the end of the road, dismissing the importance of the primaries in March and beyond.
This is going to be a very close contest, right down to the wire. We must all continue make phone calls, write letters to the editor and engage our friends and families.
Let’s keep the pressure on and the message of real change front and center.
In peace & justice,
We came so close.... Never-the-less, we had a great time and had a tremendous showing of new supporters ready to buckle down and help us get the job done in Ohio.
This good looking group (below) spearheaded the drive in Central Ohio to get Senator Obama on the Ohio ballot. To stay informed and get involved in the Central Ohio area, join "Central Ohioans for Obama" on this site and be sure to sign up to receive emails from our group.
11 new supporters in the last 12 hours just from my own circle of influence!!!
2 in Michigan will vote "uncommitted" since Barack is not on the ballot
2 in Colorado leaning heavily towards Barack in a general election (can't vote for him in their primary as they are not registered Democrats)
2 in Ohio that leaned towards another candidate that they see as unlikely to win the nomination
1 in Ohio newly registered to vote
1 in Ohio newly registered to vote who in a matter of hours has reached out to 3 others to register to vote and support Barack.
All these folks were on the fence primarily because they figured it would all be decided before they had a chance to vote!!! All after the NH result who see this as a 50 state movement and intend to have their voices heard!!!
YES WE CAN!!!!!!
Real change is undeniably what most Americans are looking for in their next President.
I noticed that one year ago today, I came to this website and created a profile. I found my way here because my college aged son had called me and said I really needed to read a book called the Audacity of Hope and learn about a guy named Barack Obama. He called me because, at 49 years old, I had always been diligent about going and voting in every election from the time I could vote. In all those years, I remained an independent who went to the polls to vote for the lesser of the evils. My son told me he thought he'd found someone I could vote FOR. He was right.
In February of last year, my son and I volunteered for Barack's rally in Cleveland. Since then, I have donated to the campaign multiple times. I had never donated to any political candidate before.
Just hours before NH citizens go to the polls, I can say that the first step to real change in our country, is electing Barack Obama. Barack is a leader. He has the ability to inspire a nation and it's going to take "we the people" all working together to effect change.
Leaders have vision and the skills to communicate that message and inspire others to action. As I watch the huge crowds coming to see Barack in New Hampshire, I see the same Barack that I saw back in February. With Barack, what you see is what you get. He hasn't had to retool his strategy. He hasn't had to change his persona or his message because it wasn't working. He was tuned into the people of America from the beginning.
After all these years of hoping a candidate would come along and simply be honest with me, tell me who they are right up front and give me a reason to believe that the politics of America could be different, he's arrived!
Thank you to my son, Jeff, for that call over a year ago!
Barack Obama
On the eve of the New Hampshire Primary
You can feel it. The momentum has increased beyond what most of us thought possible. Starting at midnight tonight, the people of Hew Hampshire will begin to vote for their candidate of choice. All indications are that Barack Obama will again make history by being the first candidate in over 30 years to win in both Iowa and New Hampshire.
Winning tomorrow would be tremendous, but the real prize is yet to come. One month from now, over 1,600 delegates will be up for grabs. Now is not the time to relax.
If you have friends or family in any of the Super Tuesday states, now is the time to engage them. Let them know why you feel that Barack Obama should the next President of our great country. Now is the time to share your own commitment to change.
Change is in the air…can you feel it?
More pictures in the extended post.
Thanks to the hard work of our brothers and sisters in Iowa, Senator Obama will be rolling into New Hampshire with a full head of steam.
The real work for rest of us starts now. Together, we can keep the train rolling down the track toward the Democratic Convention in Denver and on the White House.
You don’t need a ticket to get on this train, but the ride isn’t free. We all need to work harder than ever.
Savor this great victory! Let it inspire us to redouble our efforts to make Barack Obama the next President of our great country.
While Democrats all over Ohio are attending party caucuses, there is no more important caucus than the one in Iowa. Senator Obama has staked his claim to history and stands on the verge of changing America forever. In Iowa, citizens of all ages are standing with Senator Obama, working to make change happen.
Our work here in Ohio is just beginning. Though the primary is some weeks away, time has a tendency to fly by. Begin today by engaging your friends and neighbors in the dialogue of change.
Do not be discouraged by those pundits and others who think the Ohio will not mean very much. The Ohio primary will make a difference despite what some experts are predicting.
This is not the typical political season and the Obama for President Campaign is anything but typical.
So while we are watching events unfold in Iowa, remember that there is a long way to go before we get to Denver. Raise your voice, take a stand and together we can make change happen.
Yesterday Mayor Coleman and a number of other elected officials submitted the petitions that we gathered to put Senator Obama on the Ohio Ballot. The area in the Secretary of States office lobby was crowded, but there was just enough room for all the grass roots supporters who showed up to stand. It was very exciting to witness such a historical moment. We had a lot of fun and got a little rowdy!
The pre-caucus party last night was fun too. It was nice to get caught up with supporters I hadn't seen in awhile, meet some I hadn't met before, and chat with some of the people running for delegate positions. Carter Stewart dropped by to thank us for our efforts earlier in the day for the petition submission.
Hope everyone gets out tonight to select delegates!
In Columbus, afterwards we'll be going to Byrnes pub in Grandview to meet up with Drinking Liberally and watch the Iowa Caucus!
Just 2 days before the Iowa caucuses and on the 1st day of 2008, I wanted to share a link to a video that shows how one voice leads to a movement that we are all a part of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmUUYo9o9eg
Let's go change the world!
