The Postcard Campaign all started with TaLisa Sheppard and TaKeysha Cheney from Ohio. They wanted to reach out to Women voters in Pennsylvania during the primaries and named their group Women Pass It On.
This initiative was birthed out of a deep desire to counter the skewed perception from the media that only African Americans and young educated Caucasian men support Barack Obama. They wanted to offer women (who are deciding this election) and undecided voters a personal message from Americans around the world in hopes that they would realize that the issues we face are not based on gender. Poverty, sickness, and environmental crisis befall all of us, regardless of our sex. Like Barack and Michelle, they believe that we are our brother’s keeper... that we are our sister’s keeper... and that we rise and fall together.
After a regretful loss in the Ohio Primary they put together this grassroots initiative to work in collaboration with the local GOTV (Get Out the Vote) efforts in Pennsylvania. They received great support from staffers such as David Henry and Jeremy Bird who graciously supplied voter lists for this project with ease. It was a pleasure to know that official members of the campaign see the value in grassroots initiatives.
Realizing supporters wanted to continue participating they decided to follow it through for the General election. That’s how it all began.
I became involved when one of mybo friends, Cheryl, happened to be on the blogs posting information about this campaign during the primaries. I said, “That is something I can do since I’m afraid to make phone calls.” I contacted Talisa and started running with it.
The participation was unbelievable. People from other countries and Americans abroad wanted to help and this was a perfect way to do that. TaLisa was very surprised and thrilled with all the response. After the DNC convention Democratic organizations and HQ’s from other states were e-mailing me about the Postcard Campaign. Thanks to all of the supporters who joined my previous events and spreading the word there were more participants than expected.
During the final months I wanted to recognize all the participants and their stories so I decided to create a slide show. Mybo friend, Carla, happen to send me some bottle cap necklaces of Barack. SURPRISE! I decided to give them out to the individual who sent the most postcards (reported it to me) and the person (s) who sent the most out from having Postcard Parties. You will see who won in the slide show. Then I decided it would be best in a video so I contacted Dan aka Desert Dove Dan who had done a great job creating videos. Once he has completed the video I will post it here.
Goal: 200 supporters then 500 which we surpassed with 856 + 30 (didn't join) = 886
10,000 Postcards sent from this group which we surpassed with 32,399
I hope you enjoy the slideshows:
Part 1 http://s322.photobucket.com/albums/nn415/lbheart/Postcards%20For%20Votes%20Part%201/?action=view¤t=693afd5c.pbw
Part 2http://s322.photobucket.com/albums/nn415/lbheart/Postcards%20For%20Votes%20Part%202/?action=view¤t=a3cf9559.pbw
Part 3http://s322.photobucket.com/albums/nn415/lbheart/Postcards%20for%20Votes%20Part%203/?action=view¤t=498f1497.pbw
Part 4http://s322.photobucket.com/albums/nn415/lbheart/Postcards%20For%20Votes%20Part%204/?action=view¤t=8975457b.pbw&t=1231298615
Part 5http://s322.photobucket.com/albums/nn415/lbheart/Postcards%20For%20Votes%20Part%205/?action=view¤t=e0e4ca99.pbw
Part 6http://s322.photobucket.com/albums/nn415/lbheart/Postcards%20For%20Votes%20Part%206/?action=view¤t=9abad34a.pbw
Part 7http://s322.photobucket.com/albums/nn415/lbheart/Postcards%20For%20Votes%20Part%207/?action=view¤t=49b8cfb1.pbw
Part 8http://s322.photobucket.com/albums/nn415/lbheart/Postcards%20For%20Votes%20Part%208/?action=view¤t=c41c5073.pbw
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND A WIN!
I received this in an e-mail and thought it should be shared with all my friends here in Obamaland. If anyone is feeling blue this holiday season, just read this card. We all received our present early this year. LOL
What a present this is not only for us but our country and the world.
Gotta love it!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
A friend of mine at Skyhorse Publishing is putting together a book called Letters To President Obama.
If you are interested in more information or submitting a letter for possible inclusion in the book, go to www.letterstopresidentobama.com.
From a friend of a friend of a friend...
The following message was forwarded to us from an old friend living in Berlin who in turn got it
from the writer, an acquaintance of his living and working in China.
To all my American Friends,
I know that this passed week has brought joy to some of you and disappointment to some others. I genuinely respect your convictions, but I wanted to share with you what I have seen on the other side of the earth.
On Thursday 5 at 12 am in Shanghai (15 hours ahead of the West Coast) I was in a business meeting with Chinese people. Suddenly the door opened and someone just said "Obama". Everybody stood up and we all went downstairs to the main open space floor. The room was silent. Everybody was standing and gathering around the only two computers connected to Internet. Then managers went out from their offices to join the rest of the staff.
There was no shout, no emotions... but suddenly everyone started to congratulate each other. There were some Foreigners - mainly French, Australian and a few Americans. Everyone went to cheer and congratulate the Americans.
A Chinese director of the company came to me and whispered : "For the first time in my life, I really understand what means democracy. It is this amazing moment when people decide to take in hands their destiny to change the fate of their country". At this very moment, I felt the same overwhelming emotion that I had forgotten... the same emotion I felt in November 1989 when suddenly we heard that the Berlin wall was down, the same emotion I felt in 1991 watching on TV this old man walking through prison gates while the crowd shouted "Mandela is free!". This was history - when history comes as beautiful - a tidal wave reaching every part of the world.
Later that day, I crossed American people walking in the streets waving proudly their American passports among cheers and applause from the crowd... I have seen parties where Champagne was replaced by Coca- Cola!
One of my friend told me "you see, that is why America will remain the leader for a long time - they show to the rest of us the way, they invent the future."
I came back home and checked the French Newspapers on Internet. In the most respected "Le Monde", the columnist had written his paper in English - ending with "Today, we are all Americans!"
After less than a week, US companies are already submerged with job applications and official news agencies are reporting a sudden sales boom on American brands.
Then I realized that the new President of the United States of America is my age... It was time to go to bed, with stars in my head - stars and stripes, of course.
jma true lover of the United States of America
I finally tried phone banking and it was so easy! I wish I had found the time to do it all these weeks. But when push comes to shove I finally did it and I'm glad I did. I appreciated that I only had 1 eratic call. Half of the calls were wrong numbers or voice mail. Those who responded either were taking a message for the intended caller or have already voted absentee for Obama.
I hope we can continue to do what we can to get Obama into the Oval office. We still have an uphill battle that is not yet over.
HI Everyone-
I encourage you to use the Neighbor to Neighbor calling system on the Obama website and call as many people as possible today and tomorrow. You may choose the state you want to call and select as many calls as you would like to make. It doesn't take very long at all; there is even a script provided to help you know exactly how to begin the calls and how to respond to those you call. It is fun and will help the campaign.
Also: If there are any volunteer events near you -- please go out to those and help in any way. Just a few hours left -- we can do it! Yes, we can!!
Happiness and Peace-
Dawn :-)
P.S. Remember to wear your Obama gear when you go out to volunteer, go out to eat, take a walk in the park, wherever you go. Just asking that one person for his or her vote WILL make a difference.
Hi Everyone-
From now until the election, please wear your Barack Obama gear wherever you go and stop and talk with people about Barack and all of his plans for America. Please let everyone know that their votes and voices are needed, and that with Barack, their voices will be heard.
Take your Obama books with you and share his mission; direct everyone to barackobama.com; ask people to vote; let them know how to get registered and where they can vote; do everything you can from this moment to put Barack Obama in the White House.
FIRST OFF, NO! I AM NOT CALLING ANYONE "STUPID" BY ANY MEANS, ITS JUST A PHRASE THAT LEADS TO A POINT I WANT TO MAKE.
A PART OF WHAT BARACK OBAMA MAKE A LEAP FROM "LEAST LIKELY" TO WIN THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION, TO "FRONT RUNNER" AND NOW POTENTIALLY OUR PRESIDENT IS THE BASICS.
WHAT DO I MEAN BY THE BASICS?.
IN THE PRIMARIES, WHEN OBAMA STARTED TO USE THE PHRASE, OVER AND OVER, "YES WE CAN", AND "WE ARE ONE". AMONG OTHER COMMENTS, I DO NOT NEED TO LIST THEM ALL, JUST LOOK AT ALL OF THE "INSPIRATIONAL OBAMA VIDEOS" ON YOUTUBE.
WHEN OBAMA STARTED THE "YES WE CAN" THEME. DID OTHERS NOTICE AS I DID THAT IT "TURNED HEADS". MANY, INCLUDING MYSELF, HAD NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN POLITICS. THEN I HEARD THE INCREDIBLY INSPIRATIONAL SPEECHS, WORDS AND CHANTS THROUGH THE RALLIES. ALL YELLING A THUNDEROUS, "YES-WE-CAN".
IN THE FINAL STRETCH, PLEASE BARACK, GO BACK TO THE BASICS OF WHAT BROUGHT US HERE. READ AGAIN YOUR SPEECH FROM THE 2004 DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION THAT REACHED AND TOUCHED SO MANY. SAY THE WORDS THAT INSPIRE. "ONE VOICE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD", "YES WE CAN", "WE ARE THE ONES WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR".
PRESS THE FACT, AS YOU SAID IN THE DEMOCRATIC 2004 CONVENTION. "NOT THIS TIME, NOT THIS YEAR". JUST AS YOU STATED. THE OLD POLITICS OF HATE AND DIVISION AND SPIN ARE RUNNING WILD WITH MCCAIN AND PALIN LEADING THE WAY. SAME AS WHAT BUSH DID IN 2000 AND 2004.
YOUR WORDS BARACK, INSPIRED MILLIONS, AND CAN NOW, TODAY AND OVER THE NEXT 9 DAYS CARRY US INTO THE WHITE HOUSE.
SAY "CHOOSE HOPE OVER FEAR". THE LAST WAVE OF ABSOLUTE MOTIVATION, HOPE, INSPIRATION AND CHANGE CANNOT BE MATCHED BY OUR OPPONENT.
SO. K.I.S.S. - KEEP IT SIMPLE AND GO BACK TO THE BASICS FOR THE FINAL 9 DAYS. THAT WILL GET MORE YOUTH VOTE AND MORE PEOPLE ENERGIZED AND INSPIRED TO VOTE INSTEAD OF SPEAKING POLICY ONLY.
PLEASE. BACK TO "YES WE CAN", SAY IT BARACK, TODAY AND EVERY DAY THROUGH NOV. 4TH AND NOVEMBER 5TH LETS SAY, "YES WE DID AND NOW WERE "FIRED UP AND READY TO GO"
PLEASE PASS THIS THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN TO HOPEFULLY GET TO BARACKS HANDS.
LEE WILCOX
MONROE, CONNECTICUT
LEEWILCOX7@AOL.COM
Planning the party was easy but finding a place large enough for a Postcard Party was difficult. It took me weeks before I found this park and decided to go for it. The weekend that was available happen to be a weekend that the Obama Campaign was requesting Californians go to Nevada for one last big push in Voter Registration. Can’t blame anyone for going as I probably would have went myself.
My volunteers helped set up the park. There were red, white and blue star balloons, and table covers, pens in cups for the supporters to use, and information at the sign in table.
When supporters arrived we started talking about Sarah Palin and the 1st Debate between Obama and McCain. Many people have never participated in the postcard event before so I explained what to do and handed out instructions. Everyone was very friendly and enjoyed the fresh air while doing postcards.
There were also some fundraising Obama products, unique Obama products made by supporters, bottled water, cookies, and lollipops for the children. We raised $50.00 for the campaign.
Sixty-five postcards were written and mailed out. Mike donated stamps and Sharman donated postcards so another 52 were mailed after. A grand total of 117. Some decided they want to continue with this and I gave them my flyer for the general event to join.
Here is the slide show of the party:
Part 1 of 2
http://s322.photobucket.com/albums/nn415/lbheart/LA%20Postcard%20Party%20Part%201/?albumview=slideshow
Part 2 of 2
http://s322.photobucket.com/albums/nn415/lbheart/LA%20Postcard%20Party%20Part%202/?albumview=slideshow
John McCain made a speech today that is bursting with blatent lies about Barack Obama.
Why is this lying tolerated??!!! Why are some people so anxious to believe it??!!!
I am so disappointed. Before this election, I held Senator McCain in high regard. Now he has shown what he is truly about. He is just pathetic to me now. He doesn’t put “Country First”. He isn’t honorable. He isn’t trustworthy. He is a liar. ENOUGH!
Here is a NY Times article citing all of the lies and distortions. Please pass this on to other voters! The truth will set us free!
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/06/drilling-down-on-the-facts-in-mccains-speech/#comment-605794
Suzie and Fred McKay were kind enough to open their home to me and hold their first Postcard Party. Suzie and I met on the blogs while I was in LV on business. I live in California and was going to Las Vegas with my husband for our yearly vacation. As many of you know, you just can’t get away from this campaign. :- D
Each person received printed instructions and then I started explaining the story of who started Postcards for Votes and where we are today. It was like a show and tell set up. I had my postcards and instructions ready to explain what to do and how the process worked. Once I was done it was time to write those postcards. Fred has Multiple Sclerosis (MS for short) so he typed out his and some of us cut them out so I could use a glue stick to put them on his postcards. Suzie read his message and we were all touched. Here’s her blog to check out what he wrote:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/suziemckay/gG53Lf
My husband put together a CD of songs about America that I gave him. We had that playing in the background. There were also some fundraising Obama products, unique Obama products made by supporters, refreshments, and desserts. We raised $62.00 for the campaign which will be split between Suzie’s and my fundraising page. Here’s the links for both of our pages if you would like to donate:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/LBHeart
Here’s Suzie’s FR Page:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/SuzieM
All the supporters there had never done this before and plan to continue with this event. Forty one postcards were sent out. They also were going to get others involved. Suzie suggested I stop by the campaign office which just opened two days before. I went over there and made contact with some supporters who were interested in participating. Handed out the flyer I made for anyone to join.
Here is a slideshow of the party:
There is a startling article (Editorial Observer) in today's New York Times about Sarah Palin. The article is by Dorothy Samuels, and the publication date is September 25, 2008. It is entitled: Wasilla Watch: Sarah Palin and the Rape Kits.
The author begins with:
Even in tough budget times, there are lines that cannot be crossed. So I was startled by this tidbit reported recently by The Associated Press: When Sarah Palin was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, the small town began billing sexual-assault victims for the cost of rape kits and forensic exams.
Please read this troubling article and share it with supporting friends and those who are still "on the fence."
I agree with Samuels. Palin owes people an explanation.
Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/opinion/26fri4.html?em
I signed up with the Grassroots Finance Committe to raise $1,000 for Barack. Right now things are goving very slow. So I'm working on three different ways I might be able to raise the money.
1) Sell t-shirts. If you're interested in purchasing one of my shirts use this link: http://gearup4obama.googlepages.com/home
2) I plan to make and sell College Survival kits to students at our local university at their annual homecoming on Oct 10-12. Kits will include things college students can use as well as Obama stickers, buttons, and voter information.
3) I'm going to set up a fundraiser event similar to the Postcard event. The difference will be that I will send out note cards to 25 individuals and ask them to donate to the campaign.
Does anybody have any other ideas that may have worked for them?
My dear friends,
Most of you know of my ongoing commitment to Barack Obama for President and have previously heard of my time spent at rallies, meetings, postcard parties, voter events and more. You already know that my husband and I served as precinct captains for Barack during our California primaries.
What you may not know is that I have been tested personally this last month when it was discovered that my mother needed emergency heart surgery. After her quadruple bypass, she required several weeks of hands-on care. During this time, it was impossible to think of anything else and those long weeks left me additionally with complete mental and physical fatigue.
Since returning home just a few days ago, I have thought to myself that I wanted to find the energy to return to supporting Barack in every way possible, but wondered if I would be able to; if I could find that strength of purpose again.
Barack's acceptance speech last night was the tonic I needed to re-energize and force myself back into the fray. His words reminded me of the stakes going forward. The price we all will pay if he is not elected. Though you no doubt heard his speech yourselves, these phrases particularly resonated with me:
"America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this."
"We are more compassionate than a government that lets veterans sleep on our streets and families slide into poverty; that sits on its hands while a major American city drowns before our eyes."
"Tonight, I say to the American people, to Democrats and Republicans and Independents across this great land – enough!"
"Because one of the things that we have to change in our politics is the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other’s character and patriotism....So let us agree that patriotism has no party....The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America – they have served the United States of America."
"So I’ve got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first."
"Change happens because the American people demand it – because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time."
"America, this is one of those moments."
America...this is one of those moments. Will you please help me to show Barack Obama our support for his vision for our country?
I've set up my own personal fundraising page for Women for Obama, which you can view on the link below. All donation amounts of any kind are gratefully accepted.
Thank you so much,
Lisa
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/women/lisahopgood
ANYONE who reads this, if you could please pass this along and hopefully we can get the attention of HQ.
I am of the belief, with only 55 days left in the race, that Barack needs to bring back the Intensity and Inspiration that attracted most of us to him in the first place. You see on cable, Palin and McCain have huge crowds of thousands where ever they go, they are doing what Obama used to do on a daily basis. Inspriring American and creating a momentum and wave of spirit all over the country.
If you see YouTube, watch some of the rallies and gatherings Obama was doing in the Primaries. LETS GET BACK TO THE BASICS THAT BROUGHT US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY. Tommorrow and every single day until the election, we must bring back "YES WE CAN". "HOPE" "CHANGE".
What the McCain campaign cannot compete with is bringing back our Inspiration of thousands chanting YES WE CAN. The McCain attacks are exactly what Barack said we would face. The same old Republican scare tactics, multiple ads running every day, playing same old Politics games.
What we all loved about Obama is that his campaign is built on us, the people, and changing the ways of the dirty politics. The way he needs to come back is to bring back the INSPIRATION OF CHANGE and fight against this typical Republican attack machine that we all have been warned about. Just stop for a second and think, as the McCain machine keeps rolling over us, he is sitting in his "Straight Talk Express" just laughing and smiling as he "makes fun" of Obama, smears him, jumps on every word he says. When, who he is really making fun of is US, as this campaign is built by the people.
So, how Obama says "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH", as the American People that have brought us to where we are today, lets all get out and fight for our leader who is the true canidate of change. John McCain will not be laughing and smiling any longer if Obama starts massive rallies every day and bringing back the inspiration of Hope, Change and YES WE CAN. Day by Day the excitement will continue to build and build and we will be able to drown out the excitement of McCain-Palin. Going and talking in small venues, libraries or companies, is not going to bring back the momentum.
The HQ Team should right now be coordinating and planning huge rallies every day and Barack should go back to his Inspiring Messages he stated that brought all of us onto his team in the 1st place.
Help me to get this message around so we can change the momentum. BACK TO BASICS of what got us here is what will help us WIN. WE MUST. DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!!! WE CAN GET IT BACK.
YES WE CAN, YES WE MUST!
REMEMBER - FIRED UP - READY TO GO!!!
BRING BACK THE FIRE - IGNOR MCCAIN-PALIN. YOU ARE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THEIR GAME. WHAT "WILL" KNOCK THEM BACK ON THEIR HEELS IS 20,000 PLUS ALL CHANTING "YES WE CAN". THEN 40,000 THEN 60,000..... TO THE PRESIDENCY... IF THE FIREY WORDS AND SPEECHES OF INSPIRATION AND HOPE ARE BROUGHT BACK, MCCAIN CANT COMPETE WITH THAT.
PLEASE GET THIS TO CAMPAIGN HQ AND IN THE RIGHT HANDS!!!!!!
LEE WILCOX FROM CONNECTICUT
Did anyone else read this SNOPES article that claims to be true???
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/kilkenny.asp
