January 3, was a really great day. Barack Obama got the big win in the Iowa caucuses defeating his Democratic opponents with 38% of the vote. What a wonderful and terrific win for Barack Obama, his family, for his campaign staff and for all the people of America who stood behind him. Obama's win was a shock to me. Another thing that did shock me was that a candidate like Hillary Clinton placed third. Media reports, polls and political analysts predicted a Hillary Clinton win in Iowa and a close Obama second. But I guess media reports aren't always right because Hillary didn't make 2nd-John Edwards did.
Prior to the caucus, Hillary Clinton seemed to have support. Even though Barack Obama was decreasing the support gap between he and Clinton, it didn't seem he had enough to win in Iowa, according to media sources. But, all was wrong. A great win for Obama who had support from a growing youth votership, as well as women (who were thought to have supported Hillary).
Barack Obama's appeal and charisma that he brings forth, along with the wonderful support of his family, friends, campaign staff and many American supporters surely brought major success. Well, it's on to New Hampshire, and we already know who will win over there! Obama!
Aloha Friends, Today is the day! After months of preparations, the voters in Iowa will be the first to cast their votes for the Democratic nominee for President. Obama has strong support in Iowa, although most polls are deadlocked -- "too close to call". He got a boost yesterday when Dennis Kucinich asked his supporters to vote for Obama on the second ballot. It's an important vote of confidence from a progressive candidate. We should start seeing results from Iowa by by 7 or 8 pm tonight.
Win, lose, or draw -- the race is far from over. While some candidates have nearly gone 'all in' on Iowa, Obama has been building the basis for a nationwide campaign. He is well positioned in New Hampshire, and currently has staff and field offices in 22 states. With early fundraising and energetic supporters, Obama's team has been able to position him for Super Tuesday. If the race is close, Obama is better prepared for a long campaign than any other candidate.
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Aloha Friends,
This Thursday we'll be filing papers to nominate Barack Obama as a candidate for President in Hawaii. We'll be gathering at the Democratic Party of Hawaii headquarters at 3 pm to file the papers, which will be followed by a brief press conference led by Brian Schatz.
We'd like to have at least 30 supporters attend, so please come and invite friends. We will have signs for supporters, but please wear an Obama '08 T-shirts if you have one.
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Beyond the cost as measured in human lives and our international reputation, the war in Iraq has had a financial cost of more than $600 billion. This money is the missed opportunity of a generation. We've paid, and will continue to pay, so that the Bush administration can destabilize Iraq and engender hatred of America and the west.
In an effort to show these missed opportunities, Boston.com ran a special this week -- 'What can $611 Billion Buy?'
Through the end of 2007, Obama volunteers in Hawaii will be calling members of the Democratic Party to identify Barack Obama's supporters. By committing to help for two hours a week, you can be part of our efforts to build the Obama campaign in Hawaii.
We will be meeting together at an office downtown, enjoying refreshments and the time to meet other Obama supporters, and making calls to the friendly folks in the Democratic Party. We're asking supporters to commit to one shift a week for five weeks.
The Oahu County Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaii held a conference on Saturday with training sessions and discussions. The keynote lunch featured three former Democratic Governors of Hawaii on the stage with an extended Q&A. Here are some thoughts from the sessions:
It's exciting to see the energy that Obama is bringing to the Hawaii Democratic Party. Over the years I've noticed that there are few young people involved in politics, and I think that may be for lack of real inspiration. I've talked to many older party members who joined the party when the Kennedy's were running, and I'm hoping Obama can have the same effect - to revitalize the Democratic Party of Hawaii with new members and fresh energy. Over the course of this campaign we can bring in thousands of new voters to the party to participate in the caucus and get involved.
We've been holding weekly volunteer meetings on Oahu for the past few months which are open to all Obama supporters. Many of the attendees have been students from University of Hawaii who are interested in getting involved. Our weekly meetings are held on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 at the Democratic Party HQ, upstairs at Ward Warehouse.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the meetings, or if you would liek o participate but are unable to attend. My E-mail is df@davidfry.com.
Mahalo,
David Fry
Democratic Hawaii continues to stay true to its main platform-the Democratic one. People in Hawaii were waiting for the announcement that Barack Obama would be a candidate for the Presidency early this year. Barack Obama, a native to Hawaii, has strong support from the many Democratic constituents of this Island Nation.
Born in the mid 1960's in Honolulu, Hawaii, nobody realized that this layed back type of guy, would be one of the leading candidates for the Highest office in the world. Nobody knew that "Barry" would soon be one person fighting for the highest seat of power.
Barack Obama knows the needs of the Hawaiian people-one being federal recognition. Hawaii will continue to support Barack Obama-all the way to the White House.
Soka Gakkai International's President Daisaku Ikeda met with the Chinese Premier and other leaders of the Communist nation. Daisaku Ikeda has always had close relationships with China ever since having his famous peace dialogue with Premier Zhou Enlai in the 1970s. His wife KAneko Ikeda was present at the meeting.
President Ikeda has always fought for peace in the world, as well as the disarmament of Nuclear weapons. He is truly one of the rare leaders of the world-like Barack Obama.
President George W. Bush continues to halt the peace-making process by vetoing Congress' slatest bill-which would call for a withdrawal of US troops from the Middle East. The Democratic legislators are truly angered and so are the American people. President Bush continues to ask for more needed funding and Congress is ready to deny.
Nancy Pelosi (D-California), Speaker of the House of Representatives, is truly upset at the President's decision to deny the Congress a chance to bring home our men and women in uniform. Pelosi however, has made a strong determination to fight the President and get this bill signed and approved. She says the battle at home will be more fierce than the battle in Iraq.
President Bush shows no remorse for his decision, and neither does the rest of his cabinet in Washington. Republican Governors around the country continue to support President Bush in his fight with Congress. However, with a new powerful Democratically controlled Congress, he hardly has a chance to get anywhere.
Clearly we can see that President Bush is beginning to lose his influence in the Congress as Republican leaders start to deviate themselves away from him.
I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the families of the Virginia Tech students who passed away. I would also like to give my condolences towards the death of Cho Seung Hui. I offer my prayers to all families including the Cho family.
Why do I give condolences for the killer?
In Nichiren Buddhism, we believe in Cause and effect. You make a bad cause, you receive a bad effect. You make a good cause, you receive a good effect. That is truly how life is. Christianity, Islam and other major religions also see it like this, but through different ways. Cho Seung Hui made a bad cause by killing others, and killing himself. But, either way he will get his negative effect being reborn into something that suffers. If you live right, you die right. If you live wrong, you die wrong. However, he still has the potential to realize his wrongdoings and finally do things to better his life and contribute positively to society.
We all have a bad and a good side. Cho Seung Hui chose to use the bad. But, he still has the opportunity to use his good. In the next life, I believe he will change his ways and begin a new path towards happiness. For the slain students, teachers, staff, they will attain happiness as well. In this Buddhism, it is a win-win situation. For me not to pray for Cho Seung Hui, is a bad cause. I pray for the happiness of all people. That is just how we Nichiren Buddhists operate spiritually.
Another reason to support Barack Obama because he strongly believes in improving the education in America, wants to increase the teachers' salaries, and empowers to all the teachers and students in America. The education is the future of our children to the next generation. What the Education means to you, therefore it is true democracy!
What do you think of him? mahalo.
