Denver4Obama

Colorado Roots Leaders

Jenn from Denver, CO — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:25:11 EDT

Hello everyone,

For those of you who don’t know me, I was the Colorado New Media director for the Obama campaign. I’m now working with an organization called ProgressNow, which works to advance progressive politics and fight back against right wing propaganda in Colorado. We’re also working closely with OFA.

We know OFA is probably keeping you busy these days fighting for health insurance reform and we are working hard on those efforts too, in collaboration with OFA. We’ve been working to grow a listserv we call our GrassRoots Leaders. It’s made up of activists across the state and organizational leaders. And we’ve used this list to share information about events, local happenings and organizational happenings. The group also offers you a place to ask questions, find out more about the issues and learn about ways to get involved in local political action.

We’d love for you to join. Click on the link below and sign up.

http://www.progressnowcolorado.org/page/s/rootsleaders

By further building this group, we will to develop a comprehensive network that will give people the opportunity to stay informed and connected. We hope the Roots Leaders group will become a forum where people can discuss issues, build activism and support for local political movements in Colorado.

Thanks

Jenn

President Obama's Remarks On Healthcare

EsquireUK — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:29:11 EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-Presidents-Remarks-and-a-Letter-from-Ted/

"I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. It will be hard. But I also know that nearly a century after Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough. So let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year."

– President Barack Obama, February 24, 2009

President Obama spoke to a special joint session of Congress and the American people to outline his plan for health insurance reform. The core of his plan: provide more security and stability for people who have insurance, provide quality, affordable care to those who don’t, and rein in skyrocketing costs that are crushing American families, businesses and the government itself.

If You Have Health Insurance More Stability and Security
Ends discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions.
Limits premium discrimination based on gender and age.
Prevents insurance companies from dropping coverage when people are sick and need it most.
Caps out-of-pocket expenses so people don’t go broke when they get sick.
Eliminates extra charges for preventive care like mammograms, flu shots and diabetes tests to improve health and save money.
Protects Medicare for seniors.
Eliminates the "donut-hole" gap in coverage for prescription drugs.
If You Don't Have Insurance Quality, Affordable Choices for All Americans
Creates a new insurance marketplace – the Exchange – that allows people without insurance and small businesses to compare plans and buy insurance at competitive prices.
Provides new tax credits to help people buy insurance.
Provides small businesses tax credits and affordable options for covering employees.
Offers a public health insurance option to provide the uninsured and those who can’t find affordable coverage with a real choice.
Immediately offers new, low-cost coverage through a national "high risk" pool to protect people with preexisting conditions from financial ruin until the new Exchange is created.
For All Americans Reins In the Cost of Health Care for Our Families, Our Businesses, and Our Government
Won’t add a dime to the deficit and is paid for upfront.
Requires additional cuts if savings are not realized.
Implements a number of delivery system reforms that begin to rein in health care costs and align incentives for hospitals, physicians, and others to improve quality.
Creates an independent commission of doctors and medical experts to identify waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system.
Orders immediate medical malpractice reform projects that could help doctors focus on putting their patients first, not on practicing defensive medicine.
Requires large employers to cover their employees and individuals who can afford it to buy insurance so everyone shares in the responsibility of reform.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-Presidents-Remarks-and-a-Letter-from-Ted/

We Can Not Afford The Status Quo

EsquireUK — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:22:42 EDT

We Can Afford Reform, We Can’t Afford the Status Quo

Jared Bernstein, Chief Economist for the Vice President and Executive Director of the Middle Class Task Force, debunks the myth that we can’t afford health insurance reform. To the contrary, not only has the President demanded that reform not add to the deficit in the short term, but reform is the only way to get skyrocketing health care costs under control that will be devastating not for families , businesses, and for government deficits in the long term under the status quo.

Watch the Video

Earlier today, it was announced that President Obama will address a joint session of Congress on the issue of health insurance reform next Wednesday, September 9th. CNN reported:

It will be Obama's second speech to the full legislature since he took office in January, and the setting and rarity of such an event highlighted the importance the president places on his top domestic priority: overhauling the nation's ailing health care system.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid formally invited Obama to make the address, as required, in a letter issued Wednesday after news broke of the planned speech.

We'll have more information on this important speech in the days to come.

www.whitehouse.gov

Health Insurance Reform Now On The Ground

EsquireUK — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:25:10 EDT

Here's a look at some of the recent news coverage of the ongoing Health Insurance Reform Now bus tour:

From the Washington Post:

President Obama's supporters hope to recapture the energy of last year's triumphant election campaign in a bid to regain control of the health-care debate, planning more than 2,000 house parties, rallies and town hall meetings across the country over the next two weeks.

The initiative began Wednesday with a rally at a labor hall in Phoenix that featured the Obama sunrise logo and placards that became fixtures of the 2008 presidential campaign.

Organizing for America, a nationwide group of Obama supporters run by the Democratic National Committee, also brought along a colorful bus featuring the slogan, "Health Insurance Reform Now: Let's Get it Done." The vehicle is on an 11-city tour advocating for health-care reform.

"We think that change happens with neighbors talking to neighbors, and these rallies reflect that," said DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan. "That's how we won the campaign in the fall, with grass-roots organizing, and that's what we will see in these events going forward."

From the Denver Post:

President Barack Obama's Organizing for America team rolled its bright- blue bus into Denver on Friday evening and was greeted by about 1,500 supporters of health care reform at a rally at North High School.

"This is easily the biggest crowd we've seen," group organizer Mitch Stewart said as he stepped off the touring bus at the third of 10 stops across the country.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., had already warmed up the crowd.

"My daughter has epilepsy, and she's being discriminated against because of her prior condition," he told the cheering crowd. "We're not going to let her get pushed aside...

Michele Tyler, 61, of Evergreen said she came to the rally because her health policy with Humana won't cover a fourth surgery she needs for a badly broken ankle. In addition to the exclusion of her ankle, her policy has a $5,000 deductible, she said.

"My husband, who's self-employed, has ulcerative colitis, and Humana dropped him when he turned 60 in 2007," she said. "He's now covered by state insurance, Cover Colorado. We need to change this. This isn't right..."

The crowd in Denver was mostly older, with varying degrees of gray hair, with many minorities and children. The rally was organized by Obama staffers and Democratic Party workers who contacted supporters through e-mail, telephone banks, robo-calls and volunteers.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Supporters of President Barack Obama's health care plan rallied Saturday night outside the Summerfest grounds, chanting "Let's Get it Done" and presenting more than 24,000 "declarations of support" to Wisconsin's congressional delegation.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who died Tuesday and fought for health care reform for decades, was remembered with a moment of silence and a call to arms.

"He was a giant on whose shoulders we all stood," said Meagan Holman, a Milwaukeean who worked on Kennedy's staff for more than 10 years. In an emotional address, she said she didn't travel to Kennedy's funeral Saturday because she and her husband are still paying off bills from a high-risk pregnancy more than two years ago.

"Today, we buried our health care champion," said Bruce Coburn, director of the Service Employees International Union. "Tonight, we say, 'Don't mourn. It's time to organize.' This is the Super Bowl of that fight for change..."

The declarations of support were delivered to Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), as she and other members of Congress return to Washington.

Organizers told stories in support of better coverage.

Dream Gunther said she has good health insurance as a Milwaukee Public Schools teacher but remembers growing up with inadequate health insurance.

"We were the working poor," she said. "When we got sick, we didn't go to the doctor." She described how her twin sister, Keona, who also was at the rally, became ill and didn't want to tell their parents. "She said, 'What could they do if we tell them?' I felt what 47 million Americans feel every day."

Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton said it's time insurance companies changed. "Everyone else in the 20th century has had to evolve. Why can't the insurance industry?" she asked.

And from the Des Moines Register:

As the sun began to set, Miller and Mitch Stewart, director of Organizing for America, reflected on the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat., and called on members of Congress to take up Kennedy’s passion for working in a bipartisan manner on liberal issues, specifically health care reform.

Stewart read a statement from President Barack Obama that called Kennedy “the greatest United States senator of our time,” then urged the mostly democratic crowd for its support in passing health care reform.

“The status quo is no longer sustainable,” Stewart said. “This is serious, every one of us has something to lose here...”

President Obama Debunks The Myths

EsquireUK — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:52:10 EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/08/21/Weekly-Address-The-Moral-Case-for-Health-Insurance-Reform/

President Obama debunks the myths around health insurance reform, and discusses the public option proposal in which many of them are rooted -- but he focuses his address on the stark moral and historical turning point at which we find ourselves: "This is our chance to march forward. I cannot promise you that the reforms we seek will be perfect or make a difference overnight. But I can promise you this: if we pass health insurance reform, we will look back many years from now and say, this was the moment we summoned what’s best in each of us to make life better for all of us. This was the moment we built a health care system worthy of the nation and the people we love. This was the moment we earned our place alongside the greatest generations. And that is what our generation of Americans is called to do right now."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/08/21/Weekly-Address-The-Moral-Case-for-Health-Insurance-Reform/

White House Health Reform Site Updated

EsquireUK — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:00:37 EDT

Since the White House’s Reality Check site launched, we’ve seen incredible response from individuals eager to get the facts about health insurance reform and pass them along to family and friends.An ironic development is that the launch of an online program meant to provide facts about health insurance reform has itself become the target of fear-mongering and online rumors that are the tactics of choice for the defenders of the status quo.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/An-Update-on-Reality-Check/

The Indian Health Service will be fine and Native Americans will benefit

Kimberly Teehee, Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs at the White House Domestic Policy Council, debunks myths being spread about how health insurance reform will affect the Indian Health Service. To the contrary, reform will allow Native Americans to keep the care they have now and has benefits for every American.

Watch the Video

Reform will eliminate insurance discrimination against the disabled

Mike Strautmanis, Chief of Staff for Valerie Jarrett and father of a child with a disability, addresses the myth that health insurance reform will mean children with disabilities will not get the care they need. To the contrary, reform will make insurance more affordable, provide more options, and eliminate discrimination in purchasing health insurance so families won't be turned down if a parent or child has a pre-existing disability or other health condition.

Watch the Video

The return of the viral email

There are quite a few "viral emails" floating around, making outlandish claims about health insurance reform and pretending to be careful analyses of the bills moving through Congress. Drafted to appear as if they are written by concerned citizens, more often the information comes from organizations with a strident agenda to protect the status quo. White House Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle takes on one of the most prevalent emails directly.

Watch the Video

Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it

Kavita Patel, who works with Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett and who worked for years before as a physician, debunks the myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.

Watch the Video

The "euthanasia" distortion on help for families

Melody Barnes, the President's Director of the Domestic Policy Council, debunks the malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors.

Watch the Video

Vets' health care is safe and sound

Matt Flavin, Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy, explains that nothing in health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget greatly expands coverage for veterans who have been denied access in the past.

Watch the Video

Reform will benefit small business - not burden it

Christina Romer, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, debunks the myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.

Watch the Video

Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform

Robert Kocher of the National Economic Council debunks the myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform would simply eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies.

Watch the Video

You can keep your own insurance

Linda Douglass of the White House Office of Health Reform debunks the myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.

Watch the Video

En Español

En Español

En Español

En Español

For more information, visit HealthReform.gov

En Español

Links to Facebook, Twitter, and "More Ways to Share," point to third-party sites that are not on the White House server.

En Español

President Obama's Weekly Address

EsquireUK — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 09:32:55 EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Weekly-Address-Real-Conversations-about-Health-Insurance-Reform/

The President talks about how the chatter and ruckus around health insurance reform on television obscures the reality of what's happening in America. He discusses how in most towns people and Members of Congress are having constructive conversations, and how people are learning how reform will help them and their families with the real problems they have faced with the insurance system.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Weekly-Address-Real-Conversations-about-Health-Insurance-Reform/

Health Care For America Now

EsquireUK — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:31:32 EDT

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Taking-Questions-on-Health-Reform-in-New-Hampshire/

The President hosted a town hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on health insurance reform, telling the crowd, "I don't think government bureaucrats should be meddling, but I also don't think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling. That's the health care system I believe in." The President was introduced by Lori, a woman who can’t find coverage because of her medical condition. We all know someone like Lori who has been discriminated against because of pre-existing conditions, and can't receive the care they need. This is a personal issue for the President, who recounted his mother's battle with insurance companies as she battled with cancer in the last months of her life.

The President outlined how his plan will end these unfair, and often deadly, practices:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Taking-Questions-on-Health-Reform-in-New-Hampshire/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cqQl3lZzzE

We launched www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck this week to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. For example, we've just added a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from our Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on.

Health Care is a Moral Obligation

Bennet for Colorado — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:13:51 EDT

We have an urgent moral obligation to change the health care system in this country so that every American has access to affordable, quality health care.

Yet at a town hall in Pueblo on Saturday, Sen. Michael Bennet was greeted by a self-described "mob" with chants of "Health care...NO!" and "I hate Obama-nation."

While we should have a substantive conversation about health care, we cannot back down in the face of these intimidation tactics.

Any health care reform bill should control costs, allow people to keep their own medical plan and their own doctor, increase competition, and increase coverage -- all in a fiscally responsible way.

Providing patients with a public insurance option -- that increases competition and drives down prices -- would help to achieve these goals.

Watch the video from Michael's town hall in Pueblo and sign the petition to support health care reform today.

Legislation Introduced by Michael Bennet to Protect Military Families Passes Senate

Bennet for Colorado — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:28:24 EDT

Washington, DC -- Legislation introduced by Michael Bennet to protect the eligibility of military families for income sensitive child nutrition programs passed the Senate yesterday.

Bennet introduced the Military Family Nutrition Protection Act of 2009 so military families will not be penalized for their service to our country.

Under previous guidelines the additional pay received by military personnel when deployed was factored into determining eligibility for several child nutrition programs. These programs include the National School Lunch Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). WIC provides health care and nutrition assistance for mothers and infants, including vouchers for food.

"Taking away these nutritional benefits to kids and families when a loved one is being deployed doesn’t make any sense. Our military families are already struggling in these tough economic times and the challenges only increase when a family member is deployed,” Bennet said. “This bill is a common-sense fix that will make sure our kids aren’t denied access to healthy foods when their family members are bravely serving our nation in combat overseas."

Bennet introduced this bipartisan legislation with Mike Johanns (NE-R) and Bob Casey (PA-D).

Bennet Pushes for Health Reform at St. Joseph Hospital

Bennet for Colorado — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:42:28 EDT

Denver, CO -- Michael Bennet continued his push for health care reform during a visit on Monday to St. Joseph Hospital in Denver.

Bennet pointed to runaway costs as a problem underlying all aspects of our health care system.

"Having to plan around a double-digit increase every year is simply intolerable," said Bennet.

Bennet stressed that our current system must be changed to empower doctors, nurses and patients, rather than insurance companies.

Our current health insurance structure was cited by the medical professionals in attendance as a source of increased medical costs. The Denver Post has more:

Medical providers talked about the costly and time-consuming process of processing insurance claims.
Dr. Janet Steele of Larimer County said she deals with 65 different insurance companies, all with different rules, "at an enormous cost to the bottom."
Bennet noted the problem is even worse in rural Colorado.

Health Insurance Reform Under Attack

EsquireUK — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:01:42 EDT

Bennet Discusses Education Reform; Stresses Importance of Great Teachers

Bennet for Colorado — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:37:32 EDT

Michael Bennet discussed the factors he thinks are essential to improving performance in our schools in a National Journal blog post on July 30.

Bennet emphasized that great teachers are the key factor in improving student performance. For that reason, it is important that the best talent is drawn into the teaching profession. To ensure this happens we need to reexamine and improve the way teachers are recruited, hired and compensated.

Bennet also urged that improving student performance starts with sending our kids to school ready to learn. Increasing the access and quality of early childhood education will mean more kids are prepared when school starts. We also need to make sure our children aren't going to school hungry or sick because that makes learning more difficult.

Bennet stressed that meaningful education reform is going to be a community effort. From the National Journal:

Our schools should be centers for communities, delivering services, providing opportunities for families to learn together, and engaging entire communities in raising expectations for our students.

If we expect failure from our schools, that's exactly what we'll get. Communities must own outcomes, and challenge the status quo. If a city does not pick up the trash, or shovel the snow, there is public outrage. Surely, we can muster that kind of outrage in response to what is happening to our kids.

When I was a superintendent, I was often asked if I was afraid of the unintended consequences of the changes we were making. My reaction was, and still is, that the burden of proof is not on the people who want to change the system. The burden is on people who resist change, and work to keep the system the same. We have to break free from existing policies that don’t work and never will, and we have to learn from our mistakes. Our kids are depending on us to show the courage to change. Let’s get to work so we can meet this challenge.

Bennet to Fight Deficit by Introducing Pay-go Legislation; Solidifying a Reputation as “Deficit Hawk”

Bennet for Colorado — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:44:11 EDT

Washington, DC -- Michael Bennet took steps this week to fight our enormous budget deficit by voting against wasteful government programs, and introducing legislation to guarantee more responsible spending by Congress.

Bennet explained that, “Coloradans have been forced to tighten their fiscal belts. It’s time the government did too.”

The Denver Post has more on the efforts by Bennet to reduce our budget deficit:

As he defines his still fuzzy political persona, Sen. Michael Bennet is honing in on the words "deficit hawk," with two significant moves in that direction this week.

On Tuesday, he voted to strip $1.75 billion in additional funding for the F-22 fighter jet. And Wednesday, Bennet scored a coup, announcing that he would be the primary co-sponsor in the Senate of the "pay as you go" legislation that just passed the House.

"One of his highest concerns is the deficit and debt, and how we're going to lower it. He believes that's a huge economic problem for our country," said Bennet's spokeswoman, Deirdre Murphy. "That's pretty much ground zero."

Known as pay-go for short, the legislation would require new spending to be offset by increased taxes or cuts in other programs. If that doesn't happen, automatic cuts kick in — giving the process more teeth than current Senate rules meant to do the same thing.

Organizing for America Supporters Join Michael Bennet in Calling for Urgent Health Reform

Bennet for Colorado — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:41:16 EDT

Denver, CO -- More than 50 supporters of Organizing for America gathered for a conversation about the urgency of reforming our health care system at Michael Bennet's Denver office today.

Today's health care conversation comes the day after President Barack Obama held a prime time news conference pressing the need to reform our health care system.

President Obama emphasized that reforming health care will improve the lives of millions of Americans, "This is about the woman in Colorado who paid $700 a month to her insurance company, only to find out that they wouldn't pay a dime for her cancer treatment; who had to use up her retirement funds to save her own life."

Michael Bennet spoke earlier this month in Colorado Springs about the principles he believes should guide health care reform: lowering costs, making coverage available to all Americans and not passing the costs of reform onto our children. Click here to see footage of Bennet’s comments.

Organizing for America supporters have been holding events nationwide to show opponents of change that Americans want health reform now. Earlier this week opponents of health care reform predicted its defeat will be President Obama's "Waterloo moment".

Bennet Votes Against $1.75 billion in Government Waste

Bennet for Colorado — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:12:10 EDT

Washington, DC -- Michael Bennet took a strong stand against wasteful government spending yesterday by voting for an amendment offered by Senators John McCain and Carl Levin to eliminate $1.75 billion of funding for the F-22 Raptor fighter jet.

Michael Bennet voted to eliminate the program at the request of the Department of Defense. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urged that the program is wasteful and the funding should be redirected to other, more useful programs. He said lawmakers need to abandon the Cold War mentality of military spending.

Bennet agreed with Gates, "We should be listening when the Air Force tells us not to put any more money into this program. These planes were not used in Iraq or Afghanistan and our military leaders are telling us they don't want the funding. It is only common sense that we redirect the money to weapons and equipment that our troops can actually use to keep our country safe."

President Barack Obama told lawmakers he would veto the military spending bill if the $1.75 billion to purchase more F-22 fighter jets was not eliminated.

"To continue to procure additional F-22s would be to waste valuable resources that should be more usefully employed to provide our troops with weapons that they actually do need," President Obama wrote.

Stand with President Obama on Health Care

Peninnah — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:19:41 EDT

Stand with President Obama on Health Care

I know this is long, but it is very important. We can’t afford to be apathetic, and carefree this time. I am calling on you, ordinary citizens, Democrats and Republicans, Independents every citizen from the Appalachian Mountains to the Youth in the Hood to put aside your politics and support health care reform. The debate going on now should not be political; we are at war with the powerful lobbyists for the health and life of our families.

Everyone agrees that we need health care reform. It is the number one expenditure for most families other than their rent and mortgage. Millions of Americans have inadequate health care or no health care at all. Of these millions of uninsured and underinsured, I am certain that they are not all just Democrats. These uninsured and under insured, are Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. So why have we allowed this debate to be a political one. Republicans and Independents need health care too. It is ridiculous too to assume that the only people who are uninsured or under insured are Democrats. Get real people, health care reform is for all Americans not just for one political party. Let put politics aside and support our President’s effort to help all of US.

GOP Senator Jim DeMint told a special-interest attack group that if they're "able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him." And Republican Chairman Michael Steele backed up DeMint's statement 100%. At the same time, the Republican National Committee is running deceptive ads to scare Americans away from the reform we need.

Their plan is simple: oppose health care reform as a political ploy to weaken the President and defeat his entire agenda of change. The GOP is playing with our lives to stop Obama!!!! That’s what this debate has been about for them. Well, I am outraged, and you should be too.

President Obama said, "Think about that. This isn't about me. This isn't about politics. This is about a health care system that is breaking America's families, breaking America's businesses and breaking America's economy. And we can't afford the politics of delay and defeat when it comes to health care. Not this time, not now. There are too many lives and livelihoods at stake."

I am asking all citizens of every stripe to stand with the President, stand with US. Stand against special interests, lobbyist and opponents of health care reform in Washington who have made their priority clear: attack President Obama at any cost. President Obama is not just President of the Democrats, he is the President of All the citizens of the United States of America. America, please support YOUR President.

It’s obvious what the crooked politicians get out of it, however, this corruption is widespread, lobbyist have even gotten to the media. We can't let this kind of slash and burn politics succeed. We can fight back by collecting as many signatures as possible backing the President's principles for health care reform. A huge response will show Washington and the media that when Republicans try to "break" the President, Americans are ready to stand up for what's right.

The President has consistently argued that health care reform must: reduce costs, guarantee choice -- including the choice of a strong public insurance option -- and ensure all Americans have quality, affordable health care. These principles are the key to keeping our country healthy -- and protecting our families, businesses, and economy from costs that are spiraling out of control. It's the change the American people voted for and so desperately need.

But special interests and Republican leaders are so concerned with scoring points and destroying Obama that they are willing to cut off their noses to spite their face. They seem to think health care reform is a political game. They are literally playing politics with our lives and livelihood, and it has to stop.

We know that they will not "break" President Obama or the movement that supports him. And if we work together, they will not stop congress from enacting the real health care reform that Americans need and demand.

They don’t care about US

Why is it that all the people speaking out against health care reform have health insurance for themselves and their families. Shouldn’t they be listening to US. What we want, what we need!

But this is more than just the GOP playing politics some how that perhaps could have been expected. But it is also about corruption and greed. I think that some of the Democrats, Republicans and Independents have succumbed to the millions of dollars being thrown around by Insurance, Pharma and Hospital lobbyist.

Some senators who oppose this are not listening to the constituents that put them in office. They are not listening to YOU. You put them in office, however, the insurance companies have deep pockets and they cannot resist the lure of all that money. They sold US out to the highest bidder. I believe that some senators are brought and paid for and some in the media too. Sadly, it is working they want to line their pockets instead of support health care reform.

Congressional Budget Office Director commented that the House and Senate health bills would not rein in health care costs. But what they were saying is that health care reform cannot happen unless we are more efficient in the delivery of health care and cut out the waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system.

Republicans pounced on the remarks to fan the flames and sow discord among the Democratic Senators. Those comments taken out of proportion has given the greedy just the excuse they needed. They are still working on the bill, and will find the cost savings.

Another thing the GOP and the Media have pounced on are the comments made by Max Bacus that The President is not helping. What he meant is that President Obama’s doesn’t want to tax health benefits and that does is making it harder to fund health care reform.

Well I have my own ideas about funding. I want to privatize NASA and let the private industry that benefits the most take it over. The technology that is advanced from the NASA experiments benefit private industry so they should pay for it. I would rather use those trillions of dollars saved to fund health care for American citizens. Space exploration is a luxury that we cannot afford. Take care of home first, take care of the problems on this planet before we waste money in outer space, this is ridiculous we need that money here on earth. All the GPS systems, satellites, etc that are built from the technological experiments that are conducted in space are sold back to the United States by private industry. We are paying twice for technology that we discovered, I really don’t get that.

The other funding method that I advocate is to reform Medicare so that we are not paying for Medicare benefits for multi-millionaires. At this time every person over 65 is eligible for Medicare whether they need Medicare or not. It is just automatically given out to anyone who turns 65. Medicare is not Social Security. Every one who worked all their lives is entitle to the commensurate amount of Social Security that they heard. But Medicare should only be for those who need it. If you are a millionaire, you don’t need Medicare, you know you can afford your own health insurance. Its there for the taking so people just take it without thinking. There should be an income cap on Medicare. I don’t want to tax the wealthy to pay health care reform. I just want those who can afford to pay for their own to do just that. That’s my idea and I am sure you can think of some other cost saving methods. We can do it, yes, we can.

Don’t be scared by all the crazy ads you see on TV sponsored by the powerful lobbies. There will be no rationing or exclusion of pre-existing conditions. It is time, for the richest Country in the World to provide health care for All it citizens now.

Cut and trim and find the money. Look at NASA and all the other programs that don’t have any intrinsic value to the people. Oh it nice to ooh and aah about the space program, but it is time for the government to get out of that business, it is really not value added to the people.

I heard some one in the media suggest recently that the reason some politicians won’t support health care reform is that the millions of people who are uninsured or under insured don’t vote. So it back to that old adage that if you don’t vote, you don’t count. They have already counted you out of this equation. You better have your say on this before its too late.

Politicians are only concerned about their voting constituents. Well voting or not, you represents all of the people in your districts. We must let our voices be heard. Tell your representatives loud and clear. WE WANT HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS NOW!

Wake up people we can’t expect some one else to do this, we must rise up and do this for ourselves. Go to http://www.democrats.org/declare and sign the declaration of support for health care reform. Go to www.whitehouse.gov and enter your zip code to find the contact information for your congressional and senate representatives and let them know you want health care for ALL.

Again, please declare your support today. Sign your name in support of the President's health care principles. Or if you've already signed, please forward this message to all your friends and neighbors.

Raise a Rukus today.

Bennet Engages in Conversation with Arapahoe County Young Democrats and ArapaHope Community Team

Bennet for Colorado — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:11:56 EDT

Centennial, CO -- Michael Bennet engaged in a wide-ranging conversation with the Arapahoe County Young Democrats and the ArapaHope Community Team on Saturday, June 27. A large number of the crowd's questions for Michael concerned fixing our dysfunctional health care system.

Bennet told the crowd that changes must be made to our health care system because too many people aren't getting the care they need. He stressed the urgent need for health care reform that provides affordable access to quality health care for all Coloradans. Bennet said he is open to any fiscally responsible solution, including a public option, that will put an end to soaring health care costs while preserving patient choice.

Photo courtesy of Gena Ozols, President, Arapahoe County Young Democrats.

Health Care Reform Advocated by Michael Bennet

Bennet for Colorado — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:07:13 EDT

Washington, DC -- Michael Bennet pushed the case for reforming our broken health care system during a floor speech on June 25. Bennet cited skyrocketing health care costs as a barrier that prevents increasing numbers of Coloradans from receiving the medical services they need.

During his speech Bennet called for responsible solutions to our health care problems that won't "pass on the cost to the next generation in the form of increased deficits and debt." Bennet said the usual political gamesmanship -- on both sides of the aisle -- will need to be set-aside for meaningful, positive reforms to be enacted.

Bennet singled out the story of a woman in Pueblo as an example of what is wrong with our current health care system. The Pueblo Chieftain has more on her story:

Bennet, a freshman Democrat, said the real median income of American families has declined over the past decade while the cost of health insurance nearly doubled.
He cited as examples the cases of Theresa Trujillo of Pueblo and the small town of Blanca, in Costilla County.
In Trujillo's case, Bennet noted the young woman was forced to take out a loan to pay for breast cancer chemotherapy when her company-paid health coverage ran out.

Sen. Mark Udall Endorses Michael Bennet

Bennet for Colorado — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:55:51 EDT

Thornton, CO -- Sen. Mark Udall provided a key endorsement for Michael Bennet on Saturday, June 20. Udall says Bennet is, "The right person at the right time." He went on to say he looks forward to working with Michael to get things done in Washington. Click here for video of Udall's comments.

Health care reform

Michelle Foster — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:03:15 EDT

Twenty people came to the Organizing for America Healthcare Reform Kickoff house meeting I hosted yesterday. I only regret I forgot to take photos. What an amazing group! Nobody seemed to mind the tight fit of my small condo. We were too busy sharing stories about the need for reform.

One woman shared the full time job it was getting her mother into long term care. "As a single woman, who will do that for me when it's my turn? We need an easier system." A young 25-year-old said "I have had Type I Diabetes my whole life. Yet, I've never worried about my health - only my healthcare coverage." One college graduate, in spite of a full-time job, spends $500 a month on private insurance.

Clara, 80-years-old discussed the donut hole in medicare...the gap between what is covered and what is not covered. "I thankfully have a pharmacist who helps me know which drugs to ask the doctor to prescribe to save me money. I thank her with lottery tickets...but why can't my doctor be prescribing the least expensive options? What would I do if I didn't have a good relationship with pharmacist?"

What amazed me is that so many people attended this meeting. Different ages; different stories; one goal: pass healthcare reform NOW. I can't remember the last time a newly elected president called on supporters to continue their involvement through service and civic engagement. We are honored to answer that call and work for the best policy possible.

We will keep meeting and keep working until Obama's healthcare reform is passed. All agree this is the year - we can no longer afford to sit back and let congress do its work. WE must be our own best lobbyists and stay as active as we were during the campaign.

We will meet again June 14. See events. We are planning a video library project of healthcare stories. Please contact me if you have experience with video editing. We want to capture stories from around Denver. michelle.joy@comcast.net

Thank you all!

Nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor Praised by Michael Bennet

Bennet for Colorado — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:56:03 EDT

Washington, DC -- President Obama announced Tuesday that Judge Sonia Sotomayor will be nominated to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor is set to become the first Latina justice on the court, and only the third woman ever to serve on the court. Michael Bennet praised the nomination of Judge Sotomayor as "historic" and a "tremendous choice."

Judge Sotomayor is the daughter of Puerto Rican migrants, born and raised in a public housing project in the Bronx, New York. After graduating summa cum laude from Princeton, she went on to receive a law degree from Yale. Judge Sotomayor currently sits on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

The Colorado Independent has posted Michael's comments on Judge Sotomayor's nomination:

“Sonia Sotomayor is a tremendous choice for the U.S. Supreme Court. She is a thoughtful and balanced judge with a keen intellect and a broad academic and legal background. Her skill and fair-mindedness on the federal bench has won the praise and support of Republicans and Democrats alike.
“Judge Sotomayor’s nomination is historic. If confirmed, she will be only the third woman and the first Hispanic to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. She brings with her a compelling life story and personal experience that will add to the Court’s diversity and its shared understanding of how its decisions affect the daily lives of hardworking Americans.
“Today, President Obama has showed us how he can bring this country together. By selecting Judge Sotomayor, he has chosen a nominee who has previously been nominated for judicial appointments by President George H.W. Bush and by President Bill Clinton. Judge Sotomayor has been confirmed twice before by the full Senate and her nomination to the Supreme Court should be considered swiftly.”

Biden Hosts Town Hall Meeting on Middle Class, Green Jobs; Makes Surprise Visit with Bennet to Local Restaurant

Bennet for Colorado — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:03:38 EDT

Denver, CO -- Vice President Joe Biden hosted a town hall meeting at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science on Tuesday, May 26. Sen. Michael Bennet joined Biden in a discussion about strengthening the middle class through building a green energy economy in Colorado and across the entire United States.

Programs to retrain workers for green jobs and retrofitting buildings to be more energy efficient were highlighted as ways to jump-start the push for a green energy economy. Significantly, Biden announced that $500 million in federal funds will be used to get these programs off of the ground. For more information visit the White House’s website.

Bennet and Biden were joined on-stage by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Poneman, and United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk. Also in attendance were Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, state House Speaker Terrance Carroll, state Senate President Brandon Shaffer, former Sen. Gary Hart and former Denver Mayor Federico Peña.

Following the town hall meeting Biden and Bennet paid a surprise visit to M&D’s Cafe on 28th Avenue. The pair found time to order fried green tomatoes between shaking hands and posing for photos. At one point Biden even took a patron’s cell phone to talk to her very surprised husband on the other end.

For more photos of the visit to M&D’s Cafe visit our flickr page or Michael's Facebook profile. Photos of the town hall meeting at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science are also available on flickr and Facebook. For video of the town hall meeting visit the Denver Post.

Statement By Sen. Bennet on the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act

Bennet for Colorado — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:35:05 EDT

Colorado homeowners need real help right now. That’s why I am proud to have voted for the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009, which will help middle class families stay in their homes. This Act takes real action to stem the tide of foreclosures, assist homeowners and strengthen our housing sector. This legislation will also help homeowners by making it easier for lenders to modify mortgages.

Earlier, I voted against one amendment to the overall bill, the Durbin amendment, also known as “cramdown.” I voted against this amendment for three simple reasons -- it was not tailored narrowly enough to those who need it most, it would have raised interest rates, and it would have slowed down the housing recovery. The last thing working families and our fragile economy needs to face is higher interest rates.

Thousands of Colorado families continue to be at risk of losing their homes and financial ruin as a result of unscrupulous lending practices over the past few years. They need our help now to protect their futures. That’s why I voted against this specific amendment that would have given debt relief to people with million dollar homes, and would likely cause a spike in interest rates that could cripple the housing recovery.

And that is why I have taken on the credit card industry and in March, I placed the deciding vote for passage of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act out of committee. Endorsed by virtually every consumer protection organization, the legislation will protect consumers from confusing, misleading and predatory practices by credit card companies. I am now working with Senator Udall to ensure that the legislation passes the Senate.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Obama Radar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:54:06 EDT

Ms. ESHOO introduced the following bill;

To establish a program to deploy and integrate plug-in
electric drive vehicles in multiple regions.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives

of the United States of America in Congress assembled;

SECTION 1. LARGE-SCALE VEHICLE ELECTRIFICATION
4 PROGRAM.

Read the entire article here

Politics - YES and NO

Obama Radar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:19:47 EDT

One American at a time - we are making America GREEN!

Let's jump-start our economy NOW and we create Jobs.

For all that have a hard time or cannot afford to convert right now when you need it most:

Here is our answer:

Please pass this on to as many people as you know

Ps: Details about our Donations are on our website for your information.

Parallel Universes

Dianne Perea — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:38:22 EDT

Hello, President Obama.

The events of my life over the past six months have shown me the incredible parallels between my personal world and that of your journey to the White House and the path the United States is on today. I have moved through a personal crisis where life as I once knew it was utterly destroyed and I have had to rebuild my life from the ground up. There were days when I didn't see how I would be able to cope and didn't see how my life could possibly recover from such a devastating loss and blow. But day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute I have picked myself and my children up out of this mud and we've moved on, inch by inch toward the light of a new dawn. Today I can see the hope of better and brighter future. But getting to this moment has taken an inner strength and faith that I truly didn't know existed within me.

Over the past year, I have had to relearn everything I thought I knew about life and people, most importantly myself. When days became more frightening than I could bear, I thought about you, your campaign, and the work my children and I did with this great community to see the day when you would become our President. Working on your campaign during the summer of 2008 kept me alive while a part of my personal life was collapsing. The energy and hope that you brought into my world kept the embers of who I am going long enough to see me through the darkest moments of my life. And for this, I am eternally grateful to you.

God bless you, President Obama and your family. Thank you for the work and sacrifices you have made and continue to make on behalf of this country and people like me. You have changed my life in more ways than you will ever know.

Dianne Perea
Colorado Springs, Colorado

My concerns

margie — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:49:24 EST

Even though it will increase my taxes, I'm ready to support Obama's budget and work to overcome the pressure from the powerful interests against it. Health care, energy and education reform are worth the sacrifices required from all Americans. But I'm concerned about the way the administration is handling the banking crisis. The slow drip drip of taxpayer money into Citibank and AIG looks to me like we are just postponing the inevitable pain required to solve the bank and credit crisis. Many economists and blogs I respect suggest that until the banks are cleaned up we will follow the painful example of Japan. See for example blog written by Simon Johnson of MIT at http://baselinescenario.com.

Obama's economic team may have excellent reasons for choosing a different strategy, but in my opinion they have not done a good job of explaining their reasoning or their plan. I urge President Obama to join Simon Johnson, Planet Money and others who are doing an excellent job of educating those of us who until recently had little knowledge and less interest in economic theory. Once Obama supporters have confidence in the way the banking crisis is being handled we will be much better able to face those who oppose the budget or cry "socialism".l

President Obama Will Sign Stimulus Bill On Tuesday

EsquireUK — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 22:11:07 EST

Saturday, 14th February 2009

Washington, D.C.

www.whitehouse.gov

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will sign the $787 billion economic stimulus bill on Tuesday in Denver, a White House official said on Saturday.

Obama on Saturday hailed congressional approval of the stimulus bill as a "major milestone on our road to recovery" and vowed to move swiftly to set the plan in motion.

"I will sign this legislation into law shortly, and we'll begin making the immediate investments necessary to put people back to work," Obama said in his weekly radio address from Chicago after his biggest legislative victory since taking office on January 20.

The Senate cast the final vote, 60-38, late on Friday, hours after the House of Representatives passed an identical bill, 246-183, capping weeks of arguing over how to best jolt the economy out of deep recession.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18861.html

Public still sky-high on Obama 'brand'
By: Ben Smith
February 14, 2009 07:31 AM EST

With Barack Obama’s victory in passing a massive stimulus package marred by days of bad press — as not a single House Republican backed the bill, his health czar went down in flames and his second pick for commerce secretary walked away — the administration has been cut down to size, and lost some of its bipartisan sheen.

Such, at least, has been the beltway chatter, but so far the numbers don’t back it up.

Obama’s approval rating remains well above 60 percent in tracking polls. A range of state pollsters said they’d seen no diminution in the president’s sky-high approval ratings, and no improvement in congressional Republicans’ dismal numbers.

And that’s before the stimulus creates billions of dollars in spending on popular programs, which could, at least temporarily, further boost Obama’s popularity.

“It’s eerie — I read the news from the Beltway, and there’s this disconnect with the polls from the Midwest that I see all around me,” said Ann Seltzer, the authoritative Iowa pollster who works throughout the Midwest.

That’s a perception treasured by Obama’s aides, who spent a two-year presidential campaign safeguarding “the brand,” as they called it, of a new, post-partisan sort of political figure.

With the stimulus safely passed, they say they’re relying on the steady support of a populace that, after a closely watched election, is tuning out the Washington cut and thrust, and views Obama as a high-minded reformer and his Republican rivals as bitter partisans.

“You shouldn’t judge his success in reaching out by the vote count in either chamber of Congress — you’ve really got to judge it based more on what people in the country are thinking and saying,” said John Del Cecato, a media adviser to Obama’s campaign and former partner of Obama aide David Axelrod.

“If you look at any number of public polls, and private polls support this, it’s not just Democrats and independents who support the way he’s gone about advancing the stimulus plan — it’s a certain amount of Republicans too.”

A CBS News poll released February 5, for instance, found 81 percent of Americans said Obama is reaching out to congressional Republicans, while just 41 percent said the congressional Republicans were looking for bipartisanship.

“There have been a number of different surveys that have shown that Americans perceive that Obama is extending a hand of cooperation, a hand that the Republican leadership is not reciprocating — that’s very striking in the data,” said Mark Blumenthal, the editor of Pollster.com, who also noted that Obama has managed to remain popular even with some Republicans.

“Everyone’s talking about spending, spending ,spending and — 20 to 30 percent of Republicans approve of his performance,” said Blumenthal. “How is that bad?”

Republican leaders make the case that the reassertion of partisan reality will, in time, take the sheen off the new president.

“What’s regrettable is that Republicans are being cast as the partisans as a way to deflect attention away from Congressional Democrats’ failure to craft an effective — and bipartisan — economic stimulus bill,” said a spokeswoman for House Minority Leader John A. Boehner. “But we don’t control anything in Washington, so using us as a political whipping boy is laughable. At some point, the American people will expect the results and action rather than blame and deflection. Only time will tell when their patience will run thin.”

There’s another possibility, however: That In opposing en masse a stimulus bill that means instant, massive national spending, the GOP is cast as the Grinch to Obama’s Santa Claus. And outside Washington, Obama’s aides anticipate, the spending will drown out the chatter about recent White House stumbles.

“Let’s be honest: Will the economic recovery or Judd Gregg be a bigger discussion point a week from now?” Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, asked reporters Thursday.

Pollsters almost universally agreed with Emanuel.

“I don’t think he’s lost anything in terms of overall job approval or favorability,” said Andy Smith, a pollster at the University of New Hampshire. “That’s just the a perception inside the Beltway that everybody outside Washington pays attention to politics and eats and lives politics the way you guys do down there.”

As he builds up a record in office, pollsters agree that the value of Obama’s brand will have more to do with his results, and less with his atmospherics.

“Over time, the kind of disputes showed themselves in the final vote on the stimulus package — that kind of partisanship will become apparent to voters around the country,” said Quinnipiac University pollster Peter Brown. “But whether that will be good or bad for Obama will mostly be a factor of whether people think their lives are getting better.”

we need to demonstrate for the stimulus

john ferguson — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:27:14 EST

I think we need to make it clear that we want the stimulus, and that in fact we are pissed that the senate has added in private enrichment tax breaks and taken out the investments we need in schools, health and engergy that will get us moving in the right direction. How hypocritical to talk about the interest and inflation burden on our children after the mess they created with the war deficit and the give away to the financial barons with their billion dollar incomes. I am sick of their double dealing and slimy two faced lies they tell to fool people into supporting federal policies that keep the middle class folks in line and poor. We need investment is schools. We need preventative health care and care for everyone. We need investment in green energy to stop using the naturla resources that are under their sands. If we demand it we can have it. We have to demonstrate in the streets as decisively as we voted in November. Don't let them take the election away from us now. Please! Don't let them do it!

Tell Barack Obama to stand up for the things he got elected to do. Tell him to not be afraid to call their bluff. Them him we will demonstrate in the streets to support him. We need CHANGE. WE NEED REAL CAHNGE.

Looking for TEAMMATES

TanJoy — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:22:18 EST

Seeking help and collaboration. I am interested in keeping the Montbello neighbors tuned in with the Change progressing in Washington. If you are interested or think you might share the same motivation. Contact me. Let's make a connection and let's do this thing. Yes, we can!

YES WE DID, YES WE MUST

Carla Mays — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:08:53 EST

YES WE DID! YES WE MUST:

Þ Protect him from harm both verbal & phyiscal

Þ Stay "FIRED UP" by staying active

Þ Work Bi-Partisan to bring "Change" together

Þ Don't just bitch, get active and stay engaged

Þ Start and join a local "Change" group

Þ Be philanthropic, serve your community, state and nation

Þ Stick by Obama, STOP smears on the Right & the Left!!!! Hold yourself responsible as you hold Barack!

Join the future of this movement!!

http://change.gov/joinus

http://www.communityorganize.com

http://www.ourpresidency.com

http://www.usaservice.org

http://www.whitehouse.gov

Barack's DNC 2004 Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0&feature=PlayList&p=B1939005B8A4D4ED&index=188

Barack's DNC 2008 Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ato7BtisXzE&feature=channel

Barack’s Election Acceptance Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wJ-2Zu_Iic&feature=channel

Barack’s Inauguration Speech

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4

America's 44th President

EsquireUK — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:23:10 EST

Tuesday, 20th January 2009

Washington, D.C.

Swearing-In Ceremony Streamed Live

The Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony will be streamed live on the World Wide web at http://inaugural.senate.gov/ beginning at 9:30 a.m. EST.

The Promise Of A New Beginning

EsquireUK — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 07:21:20 EST

Sunday, 18th January 2009

Washington, D.C.

Text SERVE to 56333 for alerts about Renewing America Together – National Day of Service.

Text EVENTS to 56333 to receive the latest info on events & updates on free Inaugural events in the area.

Text SCHDL to 56333 for latest updates and breaking announcements and any schedule changes.

Text TIPS to 56333 for information on how to prepare for Inauguration

Text WEATHER to 56333 for basic weather updates in the DC area and planning

Text METRO to 56333 for alerts about the buses and trains in DC.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gGxFlr

www.change.gov

Text SERVE to 56333 for alerts about Renewing America Together – National Day of Service.

Text EVENTS to 56333 to receive the latest info on events & updates on free Inaugural events in the area.

Text SCHDL to 56333 for latest updates and breaking announcements and any schedule changes.

Text TIPS to 56333 for information on how to prepare for Inauguration

Text WEATHER to 56333 for basic weather updates in the DC area and planning

Text METRO to 56333 for alerts about the buses and trains in DC.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gGxFlr

Its A New Dawn

Ron Booth Adams County Colorado — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 08:54:44 EST

In a few hours here in Adams County we will have our 'Change is Coming' house meeting. It looks more as if it will be as much a community gathering as anything, with 60 attendees signed up.

While making coffee and watching the sun come up it occurs to me just how much the sunrise looks just as it did on election day November 4th. Full of excitement, full of hope and full of possibilities for the future.

There can be no doubt that indeed we are standing on the threshold of a new era for our nation and for the world.

seriously folks...the Constitution and HRC

Patty in Colorado — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:53:55 EST

It would be a violation of the Constitution to appoint Hillary Clinton to Secretary of State because the executive order raising the salary of Secretary of State was made while she was in office as a Senator.

The salary amount can be recinded ("fixed" as in "Saxbe fix"), but it doesn't change the historical fact that she was in office when the SoS salary was increased.

Therefore, she cannot be appointed to SoS without violating the Constitution.

IF Hillary gets offered Secretary of State

Patty in Colorado — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:46:48 EST

Again, we are engulfed in Clinton drama.

IF Hillary gets the nomination for Secretary of State - nothing official has come out on change.gov or this site, has it??? - IF she is nominated, the Senate has to confirm the nomination.

We will again be engulfed for MONTHS with Hillary drama and revelations about exactly how UNQUALIFIED she is to represent the United States.

How can she possibly pass the vetting? How can the activities of her husband, an impeached president who lied to the Grand Jury, to name one thing, possibly pass muster with the Obama administration?

If Obama lets these criminals into his administration, not only will his administration be seriously polluted, but his promises will all be overshadowed by two people who have their minds set to undermine him at every turn.

Recall when Bill Clinton called the potential of Barack Obama, a black man, becoming President "a fairy tale" ...?

The Clintons, by their presence, will guarantee that the Barack Obama administration will be a fairy tale with a very bad ending.

Obama Inauguration Talk Online Monday, December 1st 2:30 PM PST

Zennie — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:40:15 EST

I'm annoucing my first online radio broadcast. This one on the "Obama Inauguration". The idea is to have a one-stop, hour-and-a-half tallk show on "How to attend the Inauguration." To that end, I'm inviting people hosting special events to be guests call-ins. Please send an email -- my email is listed at the bottom -- or call at the number below.

I'm also sending a guest invite for those involved in event planning or hotel marketing to call in as a guest. Please email or call me me if you're interested.

Here's the show link, or you can go to http://www.zennie62.com and
click on the link there.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Zennie62

Thanks,
Zennie Abraham, Jr.
Chairman and CEO
zennie@sportsbusinesssims.com
Sports Business Simulations
510-387-9809
SBS Online Marketing at http://www.sbson.com

17 Reasons why Hillary will Poison the Obama Administration

Patty in Colorado — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:24:44 EST

Hillary:
1. is all about DRAMA.
2. has no foreign relations experience.
3. is a control-freak.
4. disagrees with Obama on the major issue regarding foreign relations, that of meeting with adversaries without PRECONDITIONS.
5. believes in threatening adversaries with violence/attacks/ultimatums.
6. confessed to be waiting to see if Obama got assassinated before she finally conceded the primary and withdrew.
7. mismanaged her campaign horrendously.
8. is handling this possible nomination as if she is entitled to it, and as if it is inevitable - like her run for the presidency.
9. wants to be president and will do ANYTHING to get it.
10. would bring her own team on board and take over control of the position and the agenda.
11. could not be counted on to actually represent Obama's foreign policy.
12. would confuse foreign leaders, who know HRC has aspirations for a presidency and foreign policy positions of her own.
13. would undermine Obama's presidency because she could never be trusted.
14. would dilute and inevitably fracture Obama's attempts to create relationships with foreign countries because no one would ever really know if she was pushing her own agenda to other leaders, or truly representing Obama. Therefore, Obama's presidency would come under suspicion and could not be trusted either...just when foreign leaders have so much hope that Obama will be different than Bush...
15. was in favor of the Iraq war, voted for it, and refuses still to admit that she didn't read the intel, and made a mistake voting for the war.
16. does not believe that the troops should withdraw from Iraq, or that the war should end, so she will make sure it doesn't.
17. recently asked Senator Ted Kennedy to give up his chairmanship of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (which he has devoted his entire life to), so she could have a leadership position in the Senate. This she did while Senator Ted is dying of brain cancer and undergoing chemo. This action on HRC's part is simply deplorable, and reason enough not to entrust the position of SoS to her.

Why would Obama pick her? How is this sitting with the millions of us who gave up jobs, family life, time, energy, and money to support the promise of CHANGE ????

started new group: Impeach Now So Obama doesn't have to deal with it

John H Kennedy — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:49:49 EST

I started a new group a few minutes ago entitled:

Impeach Now So Obama doesn't have to deal with it

for those of you that believe it is crucial that Bush and Cheney be impeached Now

to safe guard our freedoms in the future...

AND for those of you that think impeachment needs to be done Now

so Barack doesn't have to deal with it in 2009.

Lets discuss it and work together this week to pressure Pelosi, Rep. Conyers, Rep Nadler

and our own congressmen to allow impeachment hearings to start in November. There is

plent of evidence of their crimes. It just takes courage on the part of our congressmen.

Congress has the time. Clinton I'm told was impeached on Dec 19th.

Lets discuss this.

America Awakened

Dianne Perea — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:08:59 EST

As Barack Obama began the first words of his acceptance speech on November 4th, I was clapping my hands, jumping up and down for joy, and cheering for this man for whom I've been campaigning for so many months with all my heart and soul. But as he spoke, my wide smile began to fade and my thoughts wandered inward. The room was filled with cheering, celebrating supporters, but their faces and the sounds of their voices soon took on a dream-like state. What remained clear was the image of Barack Obama on the screen and his words, along now with my own inner dialogue.

The words Barack Obama chose, "brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand" echoed in my soul, and made me fully understand the significance of what I was witnessing. The "history" that was being made this night was not so much about the first African-American president, but rather the courageous step our country took to let this man of vision lead our nation down the road to recovery. I thought about the young and the old, my grandmother and my young daughters. My eyes welled up with tears, tears of joy, disbelief, amazement, and the realization that what was happening was the citizens were reclaiming their country and its fate, and the rebuilding that will soon be done will happen by one and all.

As the tears streamed down my cheeks, I began to more fully understand that the full sense of ownership our country will now finally be restored, and as a result, give us a sense of pride that will be felt across the country by everyone. The hard work and sacrifices we are about to all make will make, and have already made, will remind us how strong we are when we clasp hands and work toward a common goal.

This new great chapter in American history, "America Awakened" will begin recounting of Barack Obama handing over his "Olympic Gold" win to the people of this country, by saying "You are the reason for my victory." This gesture, an act so bold and noble, has already ignited the flames of non-partisan partnership, pride and a hope for a better future. Obama is clear that hard work is ahead for us all, but like an eager child wanting to help their parents with a project, we're genuinely looking forward being part of a team again.

Our children will know this to be the norm as they grow up in this new social environment, and I will tell stories to my grandchildren about the time when we had simply forgotten about the original vision, unity and strength of this great nation. I will also tell them about the day a man named Barack Obama had the courage to wake us all up from a very bad dream so we could begin living in a wakened and clear-minded union once again.

Dianne Perea
Colorado Springs, Colorado

"We Did It!" "Yabba-Dabba-Do!"

Bigskygirl — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:36:52 EST

I'm sorry we couldn't turn Montana for you all, but boy, did we try! The win, was overwhelming, and a little hard to believe! I bauled like a baby!

I'm going to *MISS* you guys, it's been such an exciting time for our country, and what a "GREAT" outcome!

So send me a note from time to time, and stay in touch, O.K? O.K.

bigskygirl2001@gmail.com

BSG ;-)

Polls close in 30 minutes

Jenn Prosser — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:30:30 EST

There are thirty minutes left until polls close.

You can vote until 7:00 p.m. As long as you are in line at 7:00 p.m. you are allowed to vote. If you have any problems, call 1-877-CO-08-VOTE (1-877-260-8868). Stay in line. Every vote counts. Let's deliver Colorado for Barack!

Polls have opened in Colorado

Jenn Prosser — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:00:06 EST

Polls have open in Colorado.

Have you voted yet? Find your polling location here. If you have already voted, help get others out to vote and volunteer at a staging location near you.

Final words from Michelle

Jenn Prosser — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:12:14 EST

Michelle recorded this video before her rally today in Littleton:

Click here if you need to look up your polling place location. Sign up to volunteer. Every vote counts!

Senator Tom Daschle Gets out the Vote

Greg Hauenstein — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:28:41 EST

Our work today and tomorrow will decide the outcome of this election.

Knowing this, the Campaign for Change RV made one final swing through the state to fire up the troops and sign up new ones to hit the streets, dial the phones, crunch the data, drive the vans, and check the polls. Along this trip through Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, Longmont, Louisville, and Lafayette were Former Governor Roy Romer and Senator Ken Salazar were joined today by Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.

The crowds everywhere were stunning. As Former Governor Romer addressed the crowds in Loveland and Longmont he noted that things were much different from when he was in office. There were so many more volunteers in the offices and staging locations than he had ever seen volunteer in these areas of the state.

Senator Daschle is one of the longest supporters of Barack's bid for the Presidency. He told the crowds that what he saw in an up-and-coming US Senator four years ago has spread to millions across the country, and that with hard work, this can be spread even further:

"As you make these connections, I know you understand the historic nature of this election. I would argue that this election ranks up there with 1860 and 1932 as two of the most transformational elections of our time. I don't care if you live to be 100. We're going to look back on the year 2008 and we are going to say we were part of that effort. That was the year we changed America. That was the year we gave America new hope."

Here is a video of our stop in Loveland:

This is it. This is our last chance to change this country. Sign up to help us out now.

President Barack Obama, "To Dream the Impossbile Dreams"

Darlene Gay-Allen — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:49:53 EST

dbamagirl has shared a video with you on YouTube: Tuesday Election Barack Obama 2008 "To Dream the Impossbile Dreams" Luther Vandross - The Impossible Dream (The Quest) LIVE 1996 Luther Vandross, one of the premier male vocalist of our time performs the standard "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)" in this memorable clip from 1996. Composed by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics written by Joe Darion. It was written for the 1965 musical "Man of La Mancha". Luther's rendering is one of the best I've heard. Give a listen. © 2008 YouTube, LLC

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
And to run where
the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
And to love pure and
chaste from afar
To try when your arms
are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause

To be willing to march,
march into hell
For that heavenly cause
And I know
If I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart
Will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest
And the world will be
better for this
That one man, scorned
and covered with scars,
Still strove with his last
ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable,
the unreachable,
The unreachable star
And I'll always dream
The impossible dream
Yes, and I'll reach
The unreachable star

Day Two: Get Out The Vote in the Colorado sunshine

Jenn Prosser — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:07:23 EST

On average, Colorado gets 300 days of sun per year. Volunteers have taken full advantage of two of those days by knocking on doors all over the Rocky Mountain State.

Others are getting their warmth from the energy inside the staging locations where they are making phone calls and helping to run the biggest grassroots campaign Colorado has ever seen.

Lynn has been volunteering in Denver for months and will be there through the end. She told me about the importance of the last four days:

It's important to volunteer at any time, but the last couple days are crucial. We are keeping up the sustained effort for Barack and Mark Udall and we need every volunteer we can get. We're not getting complacent, we are keeping our momentum that we've built through the past few months so that we can make sure Barack wins on Tuesday.

This office has become a community and it's this marvelous world of spirit and enthusiasm and filled with wonderful people. Seeing the smiles around the offices, being a part of something so, it has probably extended my life.

There are two more days of sunshine and two more days of campaigning, and there's still time to help out today. Visit a staging location near you and help Barack win Colorado this Tuesday!

If you don't live in Colorado, find a GOTV event near you to volunteer today.

I Can Not Control Nov.4

Kentucky Woman — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:37:25 EST

There is very little I can do to get you out to the polls. I can not control your actions. I can not make you vote. I can 't even deliver a state to Obama. I do not live in a swing state/ toss up state, but I hope Kentucky will surprise us all. Besides voting, reminding others to vote and fasting until the polls close there is not much I can control.

I need your help in order to take back this country. Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Colorado, New Mexico, Indiana ( where My Sister is working hard to Get Out The Vote ), North Carolina, Virginia, Nevada, Missouri and Georgia too, your votes are key to change this country. My vote counts but your States can win the Electoral College. It is important for the youth to vote in recorded numbers. It is important for seniors to vote.

I can't make you take responsibility for your country but you are responsible for your country. I can't make you vote but you should vote!

What will I do? I will fast until 7:00 PM Tuesday. I will vote and bring 4 other voters with me to the polls. I will write about the importance of voting. I will call and make sure that others vote. I will pray for landslide. I can not make you vote, but I will ask you now please vote for Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States of America.

You control you and your vote.

Early Vote comes to an end

Greg Hauenstein — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:14:36 EDT

Yesterday saw the end of early voting in Colorado. Over a million people have cast their ballot, and all over the country, turnout records are shattering.

Just down the street from our state headquarters was a polling place with a line of voters out the door and supporters waving people in down the street.

Michelle voted the day early vote locations opened, but as of this morning her son hadn't. She told us about their conversation:

"This is the last day! He's 30 so I can't punish him, but he said 'Mom, I promise I will.'"

Maggie was with Michelle. Both are long time volunteers, Maggie canvassing over 1,000 doors and hosting several house parties. She, like Michelle, voted as early as possible and devoted her free time to getting others to the polls.

"God forbid something should happen on the fourth, machines break down, you forget your ID, it would be horrible.

Less than three days left. It's time. We need you and it's the most important thing in the world right now."

TECHNOLOGY IS WONDERFUL

TanJoy — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:43:13 EDT

So, it is down to the wire and I can't go to the office to volunteer there just is not enough time. So, before I head to the laundry mat, I print my phone list from MY.BARACKOBAMA.COM.

With clothes in 5 washers I dial the first number on my cell. While at the laundry I cleared 10-14 phone calls. Simple and easy. People hanging up in my face, others wanting to get a little pre-celebration in while sending up a few hopes and prayers. When the rinse cycle began I took a break to drop in my fabric softener. Propped up on the other hip and went to phone calling again.

And folks say they can't volunteer. Where there is a will there is a way. I have had FUN! And I feel so much more a part of the campaign. After I returned home that is when I really got a big kick out of this whole experience. I am in my yard clearing weeds out of my rocks, when not 1, not 2 but 3 teams of door-knockers passed by. So while I continued my 2nd calling list for the day, we are waving and encouraging each other along the way.

I don't know them. They don't know me. But we know that Barack Obama knows us and for that we are inspired, we are empowered and we are totally included.

Get your seat at the table. Volunteer for the candidate for true change.

Robert Redford Comes to Aurora

Greg Hauenstein — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:29:30 EDT

Robert Redford is no stranger to West, attending the University of Colorado at Boulder, working at Estes Park, and founding the Sundance Film Festival in central Utah.

Today he came to Aurora to speak to people about the importance of early voting and why Barack Obama and Mark Udall should be elected.

"We need somebody who is intelligent, compassionate and has moral fiber. This is a man who, when other people play partisanship like a sport, he doesn't think like that, he doesn't work like that, and he doesn't live like that.

Look what we've lost. We can get it back with the team we have."

He introduced Mark Udall, a longtime fan of Robert's movies, including "The Candidate."

"McKay is standing there and says 'What do we do now?' Well what we're going to do is work on the green energy economy, we're going to help our veterans, we're going to help working people, we're going to pass the children's health insurance program, and we're going to end the war in Iraq honorably and responsibly. We're going to end it."

At 81, Ruth Ellen has been a lifelong Republican, but this year is supporting the Democratic ticket.

"I'm so ashamed of my party, especially the last four years. So I drive my little green Prius and drive all the old folks to the polls to early vote."

The Campaign for Change RV comes to Commerce City

Greg Hauenstein — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:52:38 EDT

On Wednesday, the Campaign for Change RV headed to Commerce City. On board were Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien, Congressman Ed Perlmutter, and Texas State Representative Rafael Anchia.

It was retail politics at its finest as they made stops and spoke to voters at grocery stores, restaurants, and community centers. They made sure to tell everyone they spoke to where their early vote location is located.

Here are some pictures from the day:

Barack Makes Phone Calls in Brighton

Greg Hauenstein — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:24:45 EDT

After Sunday's record shattering crowds in Denver cleared out and the cheers in Ft. Collins died down, Barack decided he was not yet done with our state for the day. He went to our field office in Brighton and thanked the volunteers and staff for the work they are doing and pressed them to keep working hard through election day.

Robert was one of the volunteers there.

He said:

"I'm a native of Brighton. I've been around here for seventy-one years now. I've been a life long Democrat... Obama, to me, is the all-American person. He started at the bottom and rose all the way to the top."

Dozens of volunteers joined Barack as he made phone calls to voters letting them know they can vote early through Friday and that their help is needed all weekend and on Election Day.

Here's a video of the stop:

With just 6 days left until Election Day, we need your help. Sign up for a GOTV shift and help change the world.

Charles Meets Barack

Greg Hauenstein — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:39:06 EDT

After Charles met Senator Obama on Sunday before the historic rally in Denver, he said it was one of the most memorable experiences of his life.

That's saying something, as Charles was born in 1922.

He's seen the Great Depression, a world war, served in the Korean War, and has volunteered for campaigns since Franklin D. Roosevelt, but it's the energy of this campaign that has excited this lifelong Democrat more than any others.

He sees similarities between Barack and the last candidate he volunteered for: Bill Clinton.

"I like anyone who's come from a hard life because they understand people that are having a hard life. Barack Obama, like President Clinton, they really understand the people and lives we're going through with."

Charles volunteers in our Boulder office almost every day, greeting people at the door making sure they sign in, and always has a story to tell folks with an open ear.

We caught up with Charles yesterday:

Michelle Obama to hold Early Vote For Change Rally in Colorado Springs

Greg Hauenstein — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:25:01 EDT

DENVER, CO – Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama, will return to Colorado on Tuesday, October 28, to host an Early Vote for Change Rally in Colorado Springs. Early voting in Colorado started Monday and runs through October 31.

Mrs. Obama’s most recent visit to Colorado was earlier this month for a voter registration rally at Farrand Field in Boulder, which drew a reported record crowd for that venue of 9,700 people.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28

Colorado Springs City Auditorium

221 E Kiowa St.

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Doors Open: 4:30 pm

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. To RSVP please visit www.co.barackobama.com

Media outlets should RSVP by visiting http://co.barackobama.com/page/s/mediarsvp

***For security reasons do not bring bags or umbrellas and please limit personal items. No signs or banners allowed.***

Why I'm Voting For Barack Obama

Chris Campbell — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 03:32:37 EDT

Dear Fellow Voters, I'm voting for Barack Obama because he has the judgement and temperament to lead, and he will bring about the change we so desperately need. I like his decision making process. He surrounds himself with people who will challenge him (both democrats and republicans), carefully listens to their viewpoints, and weighs all sides before making a decision. As President, Barack Obama will reach across party lines and bring sound solutions to the problems of the economy, the war, health care and education reform. He will restore America's standing in the world community. I have watched Senator Obama for many months now. I am impressed by his honesty, intellect, integrity and calm yet strong demeanor. That is the kind of person I want as my President. Whatever your party affiliation, I hope you will join me in voting for Barack Obama. A vote for Obama is a vote for change! Sincerely, Chris Campbell San Diego, CA

Northern Colorado greets the Early Vote Tour

Greg Hauenstein — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:04:42 EDT

The Early Vote Tour wrapped up this evening after visiting Steamboat Springs, Walden, Hot Sulphur Springs, and Granby.

People that have never seen a Democratic Presidential campaign came out in droves, packing diners and sidewalks to greet Senator Ken Salazar, Governor Roy Romer, and Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak as they spread the word that they can vote for Barack Obama right now.

In Granby, we spoke to Felicia about what this campaign means to her:

"I have three children. One is a Wall Streeter, one is a teacher, and one is a fast food manager. White, pink, and blue collar workers. They are all for Obama and as much as anything I'm doing this for them. Obama speaks to all of them.

I've never been so inspired by a candidate and I haven't been this involved with a campaign since Bobby Kennedy in 1968."

At the end of every speech, the local field organizer told everyone how important it was that they volunteer. With just 10 days left until Election Day, and a beautiful weekend ahead of us, we need you to volunteer. Find your local field office and join your neighbors as you knock on some doors and call members of your community.

DON'T REST NOW - GET OUT THE VOTE!

anirvan — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:54:06 EDT

RESIST COMPLACENCY!

I am sure you are all happy that the polls look good for Obama, but please don't rest now. Republicans are smart and they know how to win elections. Their best bet now is for Obama supporters not to show up at the polls at the same rates as McCain supporters. Even the most generous polls give Obama a lead of 5-8 points. Not only can these numbers change quickly, it is less than 1 vote in 10.

THIS RACE IS STILL VERY CLOSE, SO LET US DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET EVERY OBAMA SUPPORTER TO THE POLLS.

I phonebanked for Obama last weekend and called Colorado voters, and I will be doing it again this weekend. If you don't have plans for this check out the local Obama events and make some calls!

Let us finish what we started. Let us get Barack Obama elected, and help write a new chapter in American history.

We can rest on November 5th!

When Pizza Meets Politics

Greg Hauenstein — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:17:08 EDT

Our last stop on the Early Vote Tour Thursday was Idaho Springs. Taking a walk down Miner Street, Governor Romer, Commissioner Stulp, and Senator Salazar visited two Idaho Springs establishments: Tommyknocker's Brewery and BeauJo's Pizza.

The Democrats of Clear Creek County came out in droves to BeauJo's Pizza to hear from the surrogates, eat some unbeatable pizza, as well as make phone calls to voters and let them know they can vote now, either through early voting or voting by mail.

Joe was making phone calls when we arrived. He talked to us about the great turnout at the restaurant.

It's very heartening. It's indicative of how things are going. We have dozens of unpaid volunteers taking time to make calls to total strangers! I'm fifty years old and my first election was Ford versus Carter. I'm a student of history and this election is as important as Hoover versus Franklin Roosevelt. People here clearly believe that Barack is the answer.

Here are some pictures from the stop:

TANJOY'S BALLOT PARTY 1 - DEBRIEF

TanJoy — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:08:53 EDT

WELL, AT FIRST THERE WERE TWO RESPONSES. ONE SAID YES, THE OTHER SAID MAYBE.

SO THE 2 OF US SURFED THROUGH THE INTERNET TO GET HELP WITH SELECTING OUR JUDGES. THEN WE SHARED OUR KNOWLEDGE AD UNDERSTANDING OF THE BALLOT ISSUES.

ONE IDEA REMAINED TRUE. AT EVERY POINT WE ASKED " YES, BUT HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE PEOPLE? WOULD THIS BE BEST FOR THE FEW CORPRATE OWNERS OR WOULD THIS BE BEST FOR THOSE WHO ARE LIVING ON LESS? THEN WE ENTERTAINED WILL THIS BALLOT ISSUE CONTRIBUTE TO ANY PRESERVATION OR CONSERVATION EFFORTS?" WE INTENTIONALLY ATTEMPTED TO MAKE CHIOCES THAT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US AS OPPOSED TO ME, I , MYSELF OR JUST THEM.

MOSTLY WE VOTED FOR SOMETHING NOT AGAINST ANY CANDIDATE OR ISSUE.

WOW! ENLIGHTENING FOR ME. I HOPE YOU ARE HAVING FUN WITH VOTING THIS YEAR. I HOPE YOU ARE VOTING FROM YOUR "KNOWER" AND NOT FROM "WHAT OTHERS THINK, I SHOULD".

SITES TO HELP:

http://www.cojudicialperformance.com/retentionlist.cfm?year=2008

http://www.lwvcolorado.org/

Early Vote Tour comes to Golden

Greg Hauenstein — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:03:34 EDT

The Campaign for Change RV is back out on the trail! The RV is coming to towns all over Colorado letting people know they can vote NOW.

As we headed up into the mountains we stopped at our Jefferson County Headquarters in Golden. Volunteers were there making phone calls and preparing for canvasses this coming weekend. The weather is supposed to be great and they are hoping for a great crowd.

We talked with Arica, one of the volunteers in the office. She came all the way from Orange County, California and has taken a month off of her job to help get Barack elected.

He represents the America I was taught America was supposed to be. I was raised that way but I never saw it. I never got to be a part of something big.

I told my husband that if he gets the nomination I would go work for his campaign. He said, "sure sure," but I told him, "I need to know that you're hearing me. If he gets the nomination, I'm going to work for him."

Senator Salazar was quick to lead by example and made some phone calls to voters in Jefferson County.

Keep an eye on http://co.barackobama.com for further updates from the road!

a hunch about Palin...

Patty in Colorado — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:33:45 EDT

Way back, when McCain picked Palin, I conjectured that she had been "bought" by the campaign. I was thinking that McVain figured he was gonna lose and he "hired" her ( bought her) to stimulate the base and lure in the disgruntled Hillary voters. Ever since then, I've been saying she was his Political Viagra. LOL!

Anyway, I have always thought that she was told that being McCain's running mate would guarantee her political future, and she could have a lot of things in the way of perks, in exchange for firing up the base. McVain figured that if he lost, no biggie, she'd be gone. And if he won, he figured that he'd be able to wing it with her, and hand her off to his staff, while he engaged Lieberman as surrogate VP.

There's no question she initially fired up the base. She definitely didn't seem to get many of the Hillary voters, however.

I think she was also told that she'd have a lot more influence as VP, if she did her best to perform as required, and McVain somehow managed to get elected. That would account for her thinking that there were many more responsibilities involved with being VP, than there actually are. Far be it from her to think of looking in the Constitution, where the relatively few duties and privileges of VP are all laid out in plain language.

As the negatives against Palin continue to grow exponentially, and McVain's prospects of winning shrink daily, Palin is realizing that her political future is seriously at risk. She's now fighting for her own survival, while at the same time, continuing to nurture her vain illusions of ascending to the Vice Presidency, and beyond. She honestly believes she's qualified to hold the highest office in the land, even as she politically bungee jumps closer and closer to the ground.

She is now a liability and an huge embarrassment to the campaign, and to McVain in particular. He can't wait to get this over with. He cares very much what people think of him. It is excruciating for him to have his reputation, honor, and integrity, such as it was, rapidly disintegrate into a steaming pile of dung. He absolutely hates being the butt of jokes, no matter how well he seems to take it.

So, this news of Palin's $150K wardrobe and all the other perks she's getting, fits in pretty well with the picture of her being used, bribed, and basically poised for dumping at McVain's earliest convenience. It doesn't matter any more whether people or the press are good to her - McVain has realized that he's going down in flames. But he wants to make sure it looks like Palin is the reason for his failures, so he doesn't care if any of the negative stuff about her continues to sink his ship. The press is backing up this image; calling Palin "the biggest drag on the campaign" and blaming her for the continued downward slide of McCain's poll numbers.

It wouldn't surprise me if he actually had known that there were a lot of skeletons in her closet when he picked her. At the point he picked her, his ratings were taking a nosedive. He was not on good terms with his staff or the Republican Party, apparently due to their denial of Lieberman as his first pick for VP. He clearly lashed out at everyone, including his supporters and donors, by picking Palin in an openly impulsive act of defiance. McVain calculated that, if he wasn't able to resurrect or maintain his campaign with doses of Palin Viagra, he could bring the skeletons out to effectively put his campaign out of its misery. Now that he can't ignore the train wreck that his campaign has become, the skeletons come marching out, one by one. "It's all Palin's fault" he can say. He certainly never did - and doesn't now - give a damn about her political future.

Today, Chuck Todd (CNN) was talking about how he observed no apparent chemistry between Palin and McVain. He was talking about how mystified he was by this. [These guys need to learn to ask the women what's going on, when a woman's actions are mysterious.]

Here's my take on it...From the beginning, McVain was drooling over Palin. In the film footage of the rallies, you can see him hanging on her every word, but trying not to appear so obviously infatuated with her. You can see him following her around, conscious of his proximity to her at every moment, anxious when she strayed out on her own, and eager to hug her and kiss her at every opportunity.

This type of touchy-feely behavior no doubt surprised Palin initially, and she rolled with it to be a good sport. But ultimately, all the drooling made Palin (and the First Dude) quite uncomfortable. Not only is it unprofessional, but McVain wanted to be too close in the hugs, and too affectionate in the kisses. You can see all this in the news footage. Palin has been able to choreograph more physical distance between her and McVain. The hugs are shorter and there is a definite projection by Palin of some boundaries - she is keeping him at bay because she does not want to have this old fart lusting after her! I mean, a woman can only take so much of this crap! And she certainly doesn't want to give him any encouragement.

McVain probably thought he could basically have his way with her because he's (or his campaign or the RNC) is footing the huge bill for her presence and contribution to the campaign. He thought he could do with her what he does with all women - treat them like they are there for his pleasure, to do what he needs them to do, to serve him and to serve his agenda.

When she started making a fool of herself in interviews, McVain soon insisted on accompanying her, chaperoning her, to act as a control, fill in the gaps when she obviously was clueless, and to prevent her embarrassing gaffes. At this point in time, his campaign was starting to spiral out of his control. It's totally gone now. No one can even successfully do damage control anymore.

Tomorrow, Palin and her husband, Todd, are scheduled to give depositions in TrooperGate. The expectation is that there will be some negative repercussions on Palin's official position as Governor of Alaska. This, combined with the rest of the verdicts against Palin, will afford the McVain campaign an ideal opportunity to unload her - because unloading her is the only thing that might make a difference in the projected outcome of this election.

Feeling Sorry For McCain?

Kentucky Woman — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:59:56 EDT

Some of you are ready for a change but feel sorry for the war hero McCain, don't. He has 13 cars, 7+ house, healthcare, a job as a U.S. Senator and two Pageant girls ( Cindy and Sarah ).

What you should feel sorry for is your wallet, your recent layoff, your crappy mortgage/foreclosure, your reposed car/high car payments, your high interest credit cards, your lack of healthcare and your spouse in the same Target Clothes that they bought on sale last year. Let's face it, you would like to feed you family healthy organic food, but healthy food is to expensive. Feel sorry about that and vote today. Vote Obama and improve your wallet.

A request that can translate into something significant

Slim — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:53:27 EDT

Many have heard how successful the Obama/Biden campaign has been in fund-raising yet another important factor is the level of on the ground volunteers and staff. The campaign's ability to contact every voter in a battleground state can make all the difference on November 4th. If you cannot go to a battleground state or cannot work in your own battleground state to help elect Obama/Biden, I am asking you to sponsor someone that can.

I have taken time off of work to help during the critical days of the Obama campaign, the last 4 days. There are others like me but many of them have not found a way to go to where they are most needed. If you want to help visit this web page http://travelforchange.org

The wonderful person that sponsored me effectively contributed 60 more volunteer hours to the Obama/Biden effort to have every vote cast and counted during a critical voting period (11/1/08 - 11/4/2008). Thanks for reading my blog and considering this request.

Barack Obama: I Believe In The American People

EsquireUK — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:23:24 EDT

www.barackobama.com

Tuesday, 21st October 2008

Chicago, Illinois

Senator Obama sat down with Governors Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Bill Ritter of Colorado and Ted Strickland of Ohio will join Senator Obama, Google CEO Eric Schmidt and former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volker this morning at a Growing America's Jobs Summit to discuss the economic challenges facing the country and his Economic Rescue Plan for the Middle Class.

Victoria Villalba, President and owner of Victoria and Associates Career Services, Inc. a Miami-based staffing/ recruitment company, also participated in the summit to discuss the challenges facing small businesses.

Before opening up the Summit for discussions, Obama made some opening remarks...

I know these are difficult times. But I believe that we can steer ourselves out of this crisis, because I believe in this country. I believe in the American people. And I believe in the leaders here at this table and across America who understand what families are going through, and have been on the frontlines, meeting our challenges head on – helping small businesses take off, harnessing renewable energy and information technology to create 21st century jobs, reforming schools and training workers to succeed in the global economy.

That’s why we’re here today – because a crisis like this calls for the best ideas, the brightest minds, the most innovative solutions from every corner of this country. These leaders need and deserve a partner in the White House – a President who understands that our prosperity doesn’t come from Wall Street or Washington, but from the hard work and ingenuity of our people. So we should be investing in their productivity and working to create the high-wage, high skill jobs that support our families and strengthen our economy. And that is exactly what I’ll do if I’m elected President.
I’ll start by creating a new American Jobs tax credit for each new employee that companies hire here in the United States over the next two years. I’ll stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas and invest in companies that create good jobs right here in Florida. And I’ll help small businesses get back on their feet by eliminating capital gains taxes and giving them emergency loans to keep their doors open and hire workers.

These are a few of the steps we must take right now to start getting our economy back on track. But we also need a new set of priorities to create jobs and grow our economy over the long term.

That means investing in renewable energy. I’ve proposed $15 billion a year to create five million new green jobs over the next decade – jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced; jobs building solar panels and wind turbines and fuel-efficient cars; jobs that will help us end our dependence on oil from Middle East dictators.

I also plan to put two million more Americans to work fixing our crumbling roads, schools and bridges, because it’s time to build an American infrastructure for the twenty-first century. If we can spend $10 billion a month rebuilding Iraq, we can certainly spend some money to rebuild America.
Read Obama's full remarks as prepared for delivery...

www.barackobama.com

Read the Obama-Biden full Economic Rescue Plan for the Middle Class and the Small Business Emergency Rescue Plan.

New to the site or still undecided? Learn more about Barack Obama and his position on important issues. If you're already a supporter, find out what you can do to help between now and Election Day, and please consider making a donation to strengthen our field operation and help Get Out The Vote.

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
Growing American Jobs Summit
As Prepared for Delivery
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Lake Worth, Florida

I want to thank you all for joining us here in Florida today for this economic summit.

We meet at a moment of great uncertainty for America. The economic crisis we face is the worst since the Great Depression. Businesses large and small are finding it impossible to get loans, which means they can’t buy new equipment, or hire new workers, or even make payroll for the workers they have. We’ve lost more than 750,000 jobs this year – and we just learned that here in Florida, we lost nearly 11,000 jobs in September alone. Wages are lower than they’ve been in a decade, at a time when the cost of health care and college have never been higher.

Earlier this month, with major financial institutions on the verge of collapse and global markets on the brink, we took unprecedented action and passed a $700 billion rescue plan. I have no doubt this was the right thing to do to address the immediate crisis and put our economy on firmer footing. But it was also just the beginning – not the end – of our work to rebuild our struggling economy.

Some of the folks on this stage know this better than just about anyone. They are on the front lines, dealing with the fallout from eight years of greed on Wall Street and irresponsibility in Washington. When we spend $10 billion a month in Iraq, that means less money to fix crumbling roads and bridges here at home. When our President passes tax breaks for big corporations and multimillionaires, that leaves our states without the resources to provide health care and good schools and police and firefighters. Today, twenty-one states are facing budget shortfalls – including Florida. And governors across America are facing an impossible choice: cut vital services or raise property taxes on families already struggling to stay afloat.

Now, let’s be clear: the financial crisis that states, businesses and families are facing didn’t just spring up full-blown overnight. This has been a long time coming, and the warning signs have been very clear. But while President Bush and Senator McCain were ready to move heaven and earth to address the crisis on Wall Street, President Bush has failed to address the crisis on Main Street – and Senator McCain has failed to fully acknowledge it. Instead of commonsense solutions, month after month, they’ve offered little more than willful ignorance, wishful thinking, and outdated ideology.

Nine months ago – back in January – I called for a stimulus plan to provide immediate relief for states, along with tax rebates to get money directly to middle class families and a foreclosure prevention fund to help them keep their homes. Senator McCain, on the other hand, insisted that the fundamentals of the economy were strong. And his advisors openly mocked the stimulus plan before Congress – one referred to it, and I quote, as “borrowing money from the Chinese and dropping it from helicopters.” Another dismissed it as “junk.”

Last August, I called for a Jobs and Growth Fund to help states put people to work rebuilding and repairing our roads, bridges and schools. And I called for $25 billion to help states and local governments pay for services and avoid raising property taxes, because tax increases are the last thing our families need in an economy like this. But President Bush and Senator McCain thought that a second stimulus package was unnecessary.

Finally, after nine straight months of job losses and the worst market turmoil in generations, at a time when even the Bush White House has acknowledged the need for a second stimulus, Senator McCain put forth a plan – and it’s fair to say, it leaves a lot to be desired.

It’s a proposal that does nothing to create jobs. It’s an emergency plan that does nothing to help families with the emergencies of lost jobs and falling wages and mounting bills. It contains a housing proposal that offers a $300 billion bailout for Wall Street banks – but does little to help middle class families stay in their homes.

In short, it’s an economic proposal that does nothing to rebuild our economy, but everything to continue the same failed policies of the past eight years – when speculators gamed the system, regulators looked the other way, and lobbyists bought their way into our government. It’s the same failed politics of decrying greed on Wall Street one minute, and then rewarding that greed the next minute with tax cuts for Wall Street corporations and CEOs. It’s the same failed philosophy: give more and more to those with the most and hope prosperity trickles down to everyone else.

You know, it’s funny – yesterday, I heard Senator McCain say that I’m more concerned with who gets your piece of the pie than with growing the pie. But make no mistake about it, after eight years of Bush-McCain economics, the pie is now shrinking. That means lower wages and declining incomes and plummeting home values and rising unemployment.

So we’ve seen what they offer. We’ve seen where it leads. This economic crisis is the final verdict on their failed leadership – and it’s time for something new.
www.barackobama.com

I know these are difficult times. But I believe that we can steer ourselves out of this crisis, because I believe in this country. I believe in the American people. And I believe in the leaders here at this table and across America who understand what families are going through, and have been on the frontlines, meeting our challenges head on – helping small businesses take off, harnessing renewable energy and information technology to create 21st century jobs, reforming schools and training workers to succeed in the global economy.

That’s why we’re here today – because a crisis like this calls for the best ideas, the brightest minds, the most innovative solutions from every corner of this country. These leaders need and deserve a partner in the White House – a President who understands that our prosperity doesn’t come from Wall Street or Washington, but from the hard work and ingenuity of our people. So we should be investing in their productivity and working to create the high-wage, high skill jobs that support our families and strengthen our economy. And that is exactly what I’ll do if I’m elected President.

I’ll start by creating a new American Jobs tax credit for each new employee that companies hire here in the United States over the next two years. I’ll stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas and invest in companies that create good jobs right here in Florida. And I’ll help small businesses get back on their feet by eliminating capital gains taxes and giving them emergency loans to keep their doors open and hire workers.

These are a few of the steps we must take right now to start getting our economy back on track. But we also need a new set of priorities to create jobs and grow our economy over the long term.

That means investing in renewable energy. I’ve proposed $15 billion a year to create five million new green jobs over the next decade – jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced; jobs building solar panels and wind turbines and fuel-efficient cars; jobs that will help us end our dependence on oil from Middle East dictators.

I also plan to put two million more Americans to work fixing our crumbling roads, schools and bridges, because it’s time to build an American infrastructure for the twenty-first century. If we can spend $10 billion a month rebuilding Iraq, we can certainly spend some money to rebuild America.

Now, I know that none of this will come easy or without cost. But I’m confident that we’re ready to meet this challenge. Over the past twenty months, I’ve met folks all across this country who work that extra shift, and take that last bus home because they want more for their kids. They work long hours and face long odds without complaint or regret. They’re not asking government to solve all their problems – they’re just asking for a chance to work hard and provide for their families and contribute to this country. That’s why I’m running for President – to give them that chance and rebuild our economy and ensure that our children and grandchildren have the same opportunities that we had.

I’d now like to open up a discussion with the folks here on stage with me and have a chance to hear their thoughts and ideas.

www.barackobama.com

So you want to vote for Barack

Jenn Prosser — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:34:50 EDT

There are still eight days left to request a mail-in ballot by mail, and you can pick up a mail-in ballot from your county clerk's office through October 31st.

Watch this video and learn more about voting by mail:

If you have questions, visit our Mail-in Ballot page.

America, Please Vote

EsquireUK — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:31:37 EDT

www.barackobama.com

http://www.cctvcambridge.org/node/4611

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amukRM9SSoo

Monday, 20th October 2008

Chicago, Illinois

All across the country, thousands of people are already voting for Barack Obama. More than a dozen states have early voting this year, where voters can cast their ballots early and avoid the long lines on Election Day.

Today is the kickoff of early voting in Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Texas and Alaska. These states can help put Barack over the top and win on November 4.

www.barackobama.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amukRM9SSoo

www.barackobama.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amukRM9SSoo

Early voting is good for everybody. It helps more people get to the polls, it means our supporters will be free to help others get to the polls on election day, and – most importantly – it locks in your vote for Barack.

Many of our supporters have already voted and told us a little bit about their experience.

Tony from Wisconsin:

My wife and I voted for Obama this morning in Wisconsin … two votes down, millions to go!

BJ from Chicago, Illinois:

I voted on Monday, and I am still smiling!

Andrea from Pensacola, Florida:

I voted for Barack Obama this week here in Florida via absentee/mail-in ballot.

I am so proud to vote for the Barack Obama/Joe Biden ticket because I know they will look out for the middle class and working families of America!

We need to keep voting running smoothly. We can decrease the number of people at the polls by many of us voting for Obama via absentee or mail-in ballots!

Doreen from Davenport, Iowa:

Hey you guys -- my 19-year-old, 21-year-old, 22-year-old, and I have all voted for our next President! We are very happy and proud. Now it’s your turn!

Vanessa from Austin, Texas:

Early voting starts today here in Texas. I can’t wait to vote for Obama/Biden!

Ty, an Army Officer stationed in Iraq:

I voted for Obama. And not only that -- after I voted I helped numerous soldiers here vote via Write In/Absentee Ballot because they hadn't received their actual ballot yet.

Tina in Franklin, North Carolina:

In about two hours I will cast my vote for Obama here in North Carolina. Can't wait!

Sin in Tennessee:

I went to Early Voting this morning, its first day in Tennessee. I arrived before the voting station opened to find that some voters had camped out over night to be sure they were among the first to vote. I waited in a line for an hour and a half to get to cast my vote for Obama/Biden. Tennessee may not be a player in this election, but it is very important for all of us to vote. For the remainder of the week, young people are taking parents and grandparents to the polls early. We will be working in Georgia with friends as soon as this week is over.

Veronica in Albuquerque, New Mexico:

I just voted early in New Mexico. Make me proud Barack. WIN BIG.

Be one of the millions of Obama supporters around the country voting early and standing up for change. Don’t wait until November – make a difference today. Vote.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amukRM9SSoo

Seniors Roundtable in Fort Collins

Greg Hauenstein — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:30:54 EDT

With all the turmoil in the economy over the last month, there is no clearer time to highlight the need to protect Social Security and not leave it to the whims of Wall Street. This was a major topic of conversation at the Fort Collins Senior Center on Friday morning.

State Senator Bob Bacon joined a packed room of seniors to discuss Senator Obama's plan to protect Social Security, reform our health care system to make insurance affordable, and reform our tax policy so people on fixed income aren't overburdened by taxes.

"There are enormous problems every four to eight years. Some are of our own making, some we have no control over. We need someone who will tell us the truth because fixing these problems won't be easy."

Betty lives in The Worthington Independent Living in Fort Collins and volunteers at the Campaign for Change office every week. She laughed as she talked about her volunteer experience.

"I've been working every Tuesday from 1:00 to 4:00. I've been so pleased with the number of young people coming in. It's so important that they take an interest. They need to save their country."

Senator Bacon took questions from the audience afterwards. Topics discussed ranged from Social Security and Medicare to Iraq and college affordability. You can find where Barack stands on all these issues by visiting our issues page.

Keep Our Eye on the Ball: Go to Florida, Go to Ohio

Randy Wells — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:19:58 EDT

"This is a 51/49 country, not a 60/40 country... If you want to elect Barack Obama, go to Florida, go to Ohio. Go to the battleground states."

Obama supporters are more confident now than at any time this year. (Who even remembers the depressing days right after Sen. McCain chose Gov. Palin?) The media echo chamber is largely reinforcing this confidence, just as they have in months past. The powerful endorsement by Colin Powell today on Meet the Press will likely dominate press coverage for a day or two, with only two weeks and two days left to election day. That is huge.

But we should keep our eye on the ball! Lets focus our attention on the battleground states, because if Obama wins only one of these, we likely win the whole ballgame: Florida, Colorado, Ohio. And the single thing that will tip the balance is a significant move by older voters, particularly in places like Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The Great Schlep

Sarah Silverman gives a funny take on our mission: go to your grandparents, your parents, your friends and family in these toss-up states, and make sure they are on board. It would be great to win North Carolina or Virginia, but it is essential that we will our share of toss-ups.

Fair warning: this humorous video does contain expletives.

http://www.thegreatschlep.com/

Conservatives sing the praises of Barack Obama

"I sense in this guy a first-class mind who might just do smart things." --Christopher Buckley

"Barack Obama is the sharpest knife in the [Democratic] drawer." --Rush Limbaugh

Colin Powell Strongly Endorses Barack Obama

Randy Wells — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:58:54 EDT

Colin Powell is now endorsing Barack Obama on Meet the Press.

"I have gone back and forth between someone I have the highest regard for, John McCain, and someone I have been getting to know, Barack Obama." Both candidates would be good presidents.

However, Barack Obama displays "intellectual vigor, intellectual curiosity", and he is surrounding himself with people that will give him the advice that he needs. "I think he is a transformational figure... I will be voting for him."

While Powell continues to love and admire John McCain, who he has known for more than 20 years, he is very concerned about the rightward direction of the Republican Party. "We must stop polarizing our country. John McCain is an non-polarizing as anyone I know, but there is a polarizing element in the Republican Party." The effort by the McCain campaign to tie Obama to terrorism (via his relationship to Bill Ayers) is a "terrible stretch, its demogogary" and its further evidence that the McCain campaign has been "narrow, ... too narrow for America."

Powell tells a compelling story about a young man who was 14 at the time of 9-11. This young man was born in New Jersey, and waited until he was of age to join the military and serve his country. That young man was killed in combat, and is buried in Arlington Cemetary. His gravestone has the star and crecent of his Muslim faith, just as others there have a cross or a Star of David. The McCain campaign effort to tar Obama as Muslim (despite the fact that it is not true) insults the memory of this young man, and the millions of American Muslims who should be able to aspire to serve this country, and yes to become President of the United States.

Barack Obama will electrify this country, and the world. He has established himself as the right candidate. At this point in history, we need a president who will be transformational, a generational change. That is Barack Obama.

PLEASE DONATE..

John — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 11:23:13 EDT

Minnesota Republican Congresswoman Michelle Bachman appeared on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews yesterday, and called Barack Obama and his wife Michelle "anti-american", as well as implying that all democrats are anti-american. She called for the media to investigate democrats in congress to so they can be outted as being un-american.

So in response, lets show her what democracy is all about. Lets make our voices heard, by donating to her rival, Democrat Elwyn Tinklenberg, and aid him in removing another hate-monger from the halls of the U.S. Capitol. As with Obama, any amount is accepted. The link to donate is below.

http://www.actblue.com/page/nonewmccarthy

Editorial Page Endorsements of Obama Part II Denver Post, Chicago Tribune, San Francsico Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Cincinnati City Beat; Please put these to good use!

Stephen Fox, Contributing Editor New Mexico Sun News — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:57:35 EDT

[For months, I have been urging and coaching and doing free editing to help Obama supporters write letters to the Editor, and always recommended to them that they consult EDITOR AND PUBLISHER, a guide to newspapers in America which lists the name of the Editorial Page Editor, to call ahead and discuss op/ed lengths rather than just letter to the editor lengths.

To see this latest blast of endorsements reaffirms my faith both in independent and discerning American Editorial Pages and the strength of my tactical approach to Presidential Politics, but above all, faith in the intelligence, compassion, and coolness of our best candidate, Obama, who has rightly convinced hundreds of millions of American he is the right choice!---note from Stephen Fox]

__________________________

How we decided: Denver Post

By Dan Haley
Up until late this week, our editorial board was torn over our
presidential endorsement.

Just like Colorado, we were divided neatly between Barack Obama and John McCain.

We had many of the same conversations in our board room that many of you have had over your own kitchen tables or in coffee shops or at cocktail parties.

Obama is too inexperienced. McCain's health care plan is a disaster.

Neither man has articulated a clear plan for the economy. Obama won't say what programs he'll cut given the economic crisis, while McCain still thinks he can balance the budget through tax cuts and lucky charms.

Sarah Palin isn't qualified to be president. Joe Biden is a blooper waiting to happen.

Of course, we even had a few nice things to say about the candidates, but being skeptics, we often gravitated back to the negatives.

That seems to be where we are as a nation, too: the negatives. Maybe Obama can change that. I have my doubts. But wouldn't it be nice?

Anyway, as you can see, we eventually found ourselves at Barack Obama.

"Typical left-wing Denver Post," many of you will mutter. Others may be surprised. Since we endorsed George W. Bush in 2004, many readers have assumed, according to the e-mails we still receive, that we're in the pocket of Republicans. (They forget, or just don't know, that we actually endorsed Al Gore in 2000.)

The Post is an independent newspaper that doesn't care what's good for Republicans or what's good for Democrats. We owe nothing to either party.

Today, with our endorsement of Obama, we lean further to the left than my own personal compass. But it's where the majority of our board is, and that's OK.

We know our endorsement is likely to anger about, oh, 47 percent of the people in Colorado. And that's OK, too.

Endorsements are meant to stoke a public dialogue.

Since 1946, when Palmer Hoyt re-established the editorial page, we've endorsed a candidate in 14 presidential races. Until today, we had endorsed seven Democrats and seven Republicans.

In 1974, in an editorial written after Hoyt's retirement, The Post wrote:

"An editorial endorsement of a candidate is nothing more nor nothing less than an opinion intended to stimulate public discussion and to give the newspaper's best judgment for its readers to ponder and weigh as they see fit. Our endorsement system is not beyond criticism. We are seeking improved government of the people, by the people, and for the people, and so far we have not found a better way to express election opinion than the endorsement system."

And since "lively disagreement is the lifeblood of opinion pages," as the late Sue O'Brien once wrote, one of our board members, Chuck Plunkett, has penned a dissent column, also found on this page.

The endorsement process often isn't pretty. It can be a fierce debate, fueled by high emotions. But it tells you where we stand today as a newspaper.

After all the debates, YouTube videos, and the endless loop of campaign ads, our hope is to give you something else of substance to chew on as you mull the election.

Editorial page editor Dan Haley can be reached at dhaley@denverpost.com.

_________________________________

LOS ANGELES TIMES

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-endorse19-
2008oct19,0,5198206.story

>From the Los Angeles Times
Endorsement: Barack Obama for president
He is the competent, confident leader who represents the aspirations of the United States.

11:01 AM PDT, October 17, 2008

It is inherent in the American character to aspire to greatness, so it can be disorienting when the nation stumbles or loses confidence in bedrock principles or institutions. That's where the United States is as it prepares to select a new president: We have seen the government take a stake in venerable private financial houses; we have witnessed eight years of executive branch power grabs and erosion of civil liberties; we are still recovering from a murderous attack by terrorists on our own soil and still struggling with how best to prevent a recurrence.

We need a leader who demonstrates thoughtful calm and grace under pressure, one not prone to volatile gesture or capricious pronouncement. We need a leader well-grounded in the intellectual and legal foundations of American freedom. Yet we ask that the same person also possess the spark and passion to inspire the best within us: creativity, generosity and a fierce defense of justice and liberty.

The Times without hesitation endorses Barack Obama for president.

Our nation has never before had a candidate like Obama, a man born in the 1960s, of black African and white heritage, raised and educated abroad as well as in the United States, and bringing with him a personal narrative that encompasses much of the American story but that, until now, has been reflected in little of its elected leadership. The excitement of Obama's early campaign was amplified by that newness. But as the presidential race draws to its conclusion, it is Obama's character and temperament that come to the fore. It is his steadiness. His maturity.

These are qualities American leadership has sorely lacked for close to a decade. The U.S. Constitution, more than two centuries old, now offers the world one of its more mature and certainly most stable governments, but our political culture is still struggling to shake off a brash and unseemly adolescence. In George W. Bush, the executive branch turned its back on an adult role in the nation and the world and retreated into self-absorbed unilateralism.

John McCain distinguished himself through much of the Bush presidency by speaking out against reckless and self-defeating policies. He earned The Times' respect, and our endorsement in the California Republican primary, for his denunciation of torture, his readiness to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and his willingness to buck his party on issues such as immigration reform. But the man known for his sense of honor and consistency has since announced that he wouldn't vote for his own immigration bill, and he redefined "torture" in such a disingenuous way as to nearly embrace what he once abhorred.

Indeed, the presidential campaign has rendered McCain nearly unrecognizable. His selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate was, as a short-term political tactic, brilliant. It was also irresponsible, as Palin is the most unqualified vice presidential nominee of a major party in living memory. The decision calls into question just what kind of thinking -- if that's the appropriate word -- would drive the White House in a McCain presidency.
Fortunately, the public has shown more discernment, and the early enthusiasm for Palin has given way to national ridicule of her candidacy and McCain's judgment.

Obama's selection also was telling. He might have scored a steeper bump in the polls by making a more dramatic choice than the capable and experienced Joe Biden. But for all the excitement of his own candidacy, Obama has offered more competence than drama.

He is no lone rider. He is a consensus builder, a leader. As a
constitutional scholar, he has articulated a respect for the rule of law and the limited power of the executive that make him the best hope of restoring balance and process to the Justice Department. He is a Democrat, leaning further left than right, and that should be reflected in his nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a good thing; the court operates best when it is ideologically balanced. With its present alignment at seven justices named by Republicans and two by Democrats, it is due for a tug from the left.

We are not sanguine about Obama's economic policies. He speaks with populist sweep about taxing oil companies to give middle-class families rebates that of course they would welcome, but would be far too small to stimulate the economy. His ideas on taxation do not stray far from those put forward by Democrats over the last several decades. His response to the most recent, and drastic, fallout of the sub- prime mortgage meltdown has been appropriately cautious; this is uncharted territory, and Obama is not a master of economic theory or practice.

And that's fine. Obama inspires confidence not so much in his grasp of Wall Street finance, but in his acknowledgment of and comfort with his lack of expertise. He will not be one to forge far-reaching economic policy without sounding out the best thinkers and practitioners, and he has many at his disposal. He has won the backing of some on Wall Street not because he's one of them, but because they recognize his talent for extracting from a broad range of proposals a coherent and workable program.

On paper, McCain presents the type of economic program The Times has
repeatedly backed: One that would ease the tax burden on business and other high earners most likely to invest in the economy and hire new workers. But he has been disturbingly unfocused in his response to the current financial situation, rushing to "suspend" his campaign and take action (although just what action never became clear). Having little to contribute, he instead chose to exploit the crisis.

We may one day look back on this presidential campaign in wonder. We may marvel that Obama's critics called him an elitist, as if an Ivy League education were a source of embarrassment, and belittled his eloquence, as if a gift with words were suddenly a defect. In fact, Obama is educated and eloquent, sober and exciting, steady and mature. He represents the nation as it is, and as it aspires to be.

________________________________________________

CHICAGO TRIBUNE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS 161 YEAR HISTORY ENDORSES
DEMOCRAT: OBAMA!

However this election turns out, it will dramatically advance America's slow progress toward equality and inclusion. It took Abraham Lincoln's extraordinary courage in the Civil War to get us here. It took an epic battle to secure women the right to vote. It took the perseverance of the civil rights movement. Now we have an election in which we will choose the first African-American president . . . or the first female vice president.

In recent weeks it has been easy to lose sight of this history in the making. Americans are focused on the greatest threat to the world economic system in 80 years. They feel a personal vulnerability the likes of which they haven't experienced since Sept. 11, 2001. It's a different kind of vulnerability. Unlike Sept. 11, the economic threat hasn't forged a common bond in this nation. It has fed anger, fear and mistrust.

On Nov. 4 we're going to elect a president to lead us through a perilous time and restore in us a common sense of national purpose.

The strongest candidate to do that is Sen. Barack Obama. The Tribune is proud to endorse him today for president of the United States.

____________________________________________

NOTES FROM WASHINGTON INDEPENDENT:

[It's no surprise that the liberal media would support its favorite son. However, as the Tribune notes in its editorial, this marks the first time in the newspaper's history that it has endorsed a Democrat for the nation's highest office. The Los Angeles Times has not endorsed a candidate in the presidential race since 1972, and it has never supported a Democrat before either.

The four newspapers all pointed to Sen. John McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, as a key reason for endorsing Obama. McCain has largely ignored or brushed aside questions about Palin's lack of experience -- and by extension, his judgment. The Los Angeles Times was the most scathing:

Indeed, the presidential campaign has rendered McCain nearly unrecognizable. His selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate was, as a short-term political tactic, brilliant. It was also irresponsible, as Palin is the most unqualified vice presidential nominee of a major party in living memory. The decision calls into question just what kind of thinking -- if that's the appropriate word -- would drive the White House in a McCain presidency.
Fortunately, the public has shown more discernment, and the early enthusiasm for Palin has given way to national ridicule of her candidacy and McCain's judgment.

_______________________________________

THE CHRONICLE RECOMMENDS: Barack Obama for president
Why Obama is the choice
The Illinois senator has shown beyond a doubt that he is the one to lead the nation in troubled times.

Friday, October 17, 2008

The stakes were extraordinarily high even before our economy began to spasm and hurtle toward the abyss.

From the start of the campaign, Americans were confronted with profound policy choices about how and when to extricate this nation from a war it initiated, how to temper a looming recession, and whether to continue Bush administration policies that had widened the gap between rich and poor, eroded individual liberties, strengthened presidential power, shifted the Supreme Court to the right, weakened relations with our allies, and delayed action necessary to slow the warming of the planet.

Then, suddenly, the emergence of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression gave Americans an opportunity to see the two major-party candidates under heightened stress. It was a rare chance to see the two senators encounter the type of pressure that comes with the job description of president of the United States.

Even though each ultimately voted for the same solution - the $700 billion bailout-their demeanors could not have been more different. Sen. John McCain magnified the aura of crisis, "suspending" his campaign to return to Washington, where his role in negotiations was at best tangential. Sen. Barack Obama was a portrait of calmness and deliberation, reminding Americans that it is possible for a leader to juggle more than one task at a time.

Obama showed steadiness in a moment of anxiety, with Americans' portfolios withering and policymakers scrambling to do something - anything - to staunch the panic. The Illinois senator was similarly deliberative - in contrast with McCain's quick-draw provocation - when Russia invaded Georgia in August.

In those crises, and in the hot lights of three debates, Obama demonstrated a presidential depth and temperament. His performance under the unrelenting scrutiny of the past 20 months has helped quell the "experience issue" for a 47-year-old senator who was elected in 2004.

Still, the breadth of the job of the presidency is such that even the most capable and experienced leader must rely on the advice and judgment of seasoned and specialized appointees. A president's success is determined not only by his aptitude, instincts and communication skills - which Obama demonstrated throughout the campaign - but also by the quality of the advisers around him. Do they have the mettle to challenge a president? Does he have the self-confidence, and the trust in them, to encourage such challenges?

Obama's selection of Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate suggests that he would encourage vigorous input in his administration. Biden, 65 and a senator since 1972, has established himself as one of Washington's pre-eminent authorities on foreign policy - and a man who is famously unafraid to volunteer his opinion.

McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, has been largely sequestered from the news media since her selection in late August. She has yet to have anything resembling a traditional news conference, where the full range of her knowledge and views can be explored. Her avoidance of questions and reliance on cue-card talking points in the one vice presidential debate did
nothing to allay doubts about whether the 44-year-old governor of two years is capable of assuming the reins of the presidency. Her selection was but an act of political calculation by McCain.

The erstwhile appeal of "maverick" McCain, 72, has been further undercut by his tack to the right on the Bush tax cuts (which he initially resisted), his newfound allegiance to the religious right (in 2000, he called its leaders "agents of intolerance") and the low tone of his campaign in recent weeks (with attempts to portray Obama as a "pal of terrorists").

While both candidates speak of "change," on the issue that matters most to Americans at this moment - the economy - there is no question about which candidate's policies represents a distinct departure from the approach of the last eight years. McCain's agenda largely reflects the orthodoxy of deregulation and top-weighted tax cuts that defined Republican politics for almost 30 years. McCain has poured forth more proposals to stimulate the economy with cuts on capital gains taxes and allowing certain early withdrawals on retirement accounts. He also has floated a plan to purchase troubled mortgages to help homeowners avoid foreclosure and stay in their
homes.

Obama draws on some of the traditional Democratic themes: a more active government role in regulating businesses and trade agreements, more tax relief for the middle class, and stimulating the economy with public-works projects.

Both candidates have been less than forthcoming about how their tax-cut and spending plans might be derailed if the economy continues to tank or the bailout proves less effective and more expensive than anticipated.

At the start of the year, it looked as if the war in Iraq might be the defining issue of 2008. The United States has spent hundreds of billions of dollars - and lost more than 4,100 troops - since President Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq more than five years ago. McCain's stubborn insistence on "victory" before withdrawal runs the danger of extending the quagmire.

Meanwhile, the threat of terrorism has not gone away. As Obama has noted, the invasion of Iraq diverted resources and attention from what should be the main front on terrorism: the rugged terrain along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where al Qaeda and, presumably, its leader, Osama bin Laden, retreated after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

Beyond Iraq, the president who walks into the Oval Office on Jan. 20, 2009, will need to rebuild alliances that have been frayed by the unilateralist approach of the Bush White House. McCain has mocked Obama for his willingness to open dialogue with Iran and other rogue nations, but, again, the go-it-alone, world-opinion-be-damned approach of the past eight years has not made us safer. The challenges of our times - curbing global warming, addressing the global economic crisis, combatting terrorism - require international cooperation.

Throughout a campaign that has been intense - and at some points ugly - Obama has kept his composure and maintained a vision of optimism that has drawn an unparalleled wave of young people into the political process. His policies and his persona have offered hope to a nation that is deeply polarized, swimming in debt, mired in war and ridden with anxiety. He taps into that treasured American reservoir - patriotism - with his calls for sacrifice and national service.

Barack Obama is the right president for these troubled times.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/17/EDLP13H6V9.DTL

____________________________

BY GREG MITCHELL EDITOR AND PUBLISHER:

NEW YORK The Obama-Biden ticket maintains its strong lead in the race fornewspaper endorsements, picking up 12 more papers in the past day, including the giant Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune on Friday afternoon. This brings his lead over McCain-Palin by this measure to over 3-1 so far, at 51-16, including most of the major papers that have decided so far. In contrast, John Kerry barely edged George W. Bush in endorsements in 2004, by about 220 to 205.

The readership of the 51 newspapers backing Obama now stands at 6,299,363 daily circulation. He gained two biggies yesterday in The Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle, and today picked up the Modesto Bee in addition to the L.A. Times, plus el Diario La Prensa and La Opinion.

The Columbian in Washington was an unexpected win for Obama, since the newspaper endorsed President Bush in the 2004 election. Obama has now picked up at least seven "flip-flops" of this type.

The Mountain Valley News in Colorado adds to McCain's endorsement list, bringing his total to 16 newspapers. The daily circulation of hisnewspapers now stands at 1,502,163.

________________________________________

SKY NEWS:

In Pennsylvania, Conservative radio host Michael Smerconish said he was also throwing his support behind Mr Obama.

"John McCain is an honorable man who has served his country well. But he will not get my vote. For the first time since registering as a Republican 28 years ago, I'm voting for a Democrat for president."

And there are reports that former Secretary of State Colin Powell - who served the last three Republican presidents including George W Bush - may come out in support of the Democrat too.

Sky News political analyst Jon-Christopher Bua said: "Although no one endorsement can turn the tide for a candidate, each one helps push some segment of the undecided voters closer to their choice.

He added: None of this is very good news for John Mc Cain."

The latest endorsements come after the Republican failed to land a knock-out blow in the third and final presidential debate in New York and as voters swing behind Mr Obama in states which have previously been Republican strongholds.

The Illinois Senator now has an eight point lead in Virginia which hasn't backed a Democrat since 1964. He is also challenging Mr McCain in Indiana. The state has only backed a Democrat once since 1940.

-----------------------------------------

Cincinnati CityBeat:

As Election Day creeps ever closer, it's time for CityBeat to start
publishing election endorsements and help those remaining undecided voters get their act together. Given our niche in Greater Cincinnati as a voice for progressive causes, we've recommended candidates and ballot issue positions since our founding in 1994 and take that role seriously.

Let's begin with the big enchilada this fall, the presidential race. It should come as no shock that CityBeat endorses Sen. Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States.

There's no shock in our choice because Obama is truly the only candidate on the presidential ballot who can turn this country around. And the country needs turned around in a big way and in a hurry.

The litany of Bush administration failures and scandals is too long to list here, but we can boil down the past eight years to these truths: Bush and his cronies have abused the power of the federal government (torture of accused terrorists and others, domestic spying of U.S. citizens, politicization of U.S. Attorneys, etc.) while failing to make the government effective where it should be (poor Iraq War planning and reconstruction, poor oversight of the financial markets, poor management of disaster aid, etc.).

In short, they've overstepped government boundaries when restraint was required and blew off responsibilities when they felt like it. An Obama presidency will move 180 degrees from Bush's cynical, disinterested, manipulative approach.

Obama has run a serious, focused, organized and inspirational campaign for president and at every step of the long, long process has emerged both victorious and humble. His management of the big picture atop a two-year-long 50-state campaign organization bodes very well for his ability to lead the Democratic Party, Congress and the country over the next four to eight years.

Much of the excitement around Obama flows from his compelling personal story, starting (and in some cases ending) with his standing as the first African-American major party presidential nominee and soon to be the country's first black president.

It's difficult to overstate the significance of this accomplishment, as his election would impact the country and world in so many ways, but it would also be wrong to reduce Obama simply to a symbol.

As with anyone, who Obama is and how he behaves tie directly back to how he was raised and the decisions he made along the way as an adult. Brought up by a single white mother, white grandparents and an Asian stepfather in exotic Hawaii and Indonesia, dealing with abandonment by his own father, trying to find a path in both the black and white worlds while assimilating with the establishment at Ivy League universities, Obama faced and overcame challenges before age 30 that few of us can relate to.

He learned his politics fighting against and later collaborating with the Daley Machine in Chicago, and he caught some breaks along the way.

Would Obama have been elected to the U.S. Senate in Illinois if his better-known Republican rival hadn't flamed out in a sex scandal? Would he have beaten Hillary Clinton if she hadn't made so many tactical mistakes
throughout the early Democratic primary season? Would he be on the verge of becoming president if John McCain were running even a halfway decent campaign? Who knows?

Ultimately, the most impressive thing about Obama's run for the presidency is that his campaign has come across as planned out, strategic and thoughtful. Imagine a president who plans, strategizes and thinks. A crazy concept, we know, but that sort of leader is desperately needed right now.

Obama will enjoy about a two-year honeymoon as president. Both houses of Congress will have more Democrats, and the Senate might even feature a filibuster-proof 60-40 Democratic advantage.

Obama will have the necessary support in Congress to enact his reform plans for health care, financial markets, taxes, the wars in the Middle East and just about everything else. Given how the polls look these days, he should beat McCain so decisively that he'll be able to claim a "mandate" from voters for fundamental change.

He'll also inherit two of the most daunting problems of modern times: the threat of Middle Easternbred terrorism against the West and the global financial meltdown. Both situations continue to drain attention and money that could be used to improve everyday life for most of us via better schools, fairer health care, better retirement plans, cleaner environment, better transportation and better planning.

If Obama isn't able to get his team focused on accomplishing his stated goals and if world events interfere with his plans, the public will be ready to punish him and the Democrats in the mid-term Congressional elections in two years -- much like they punished President Clinton in 1994. So he has two years to get something done.

Obama reminds us of the two most popular Democratic presidents since World War II, John Kennedy and Bill Clinton. Like them, he's youthful, optimistic and oozes personal charm and warmth. He represents the "best and brightest" of his generation.

The warning for Obama, of course, is that both Kennedy and Clinton are often remembered more for their personal foibles than for their breakthroughs and accomplishments. Still, they remain revered presidents in many American households.

Will Obama be able to join the ranks of the revered? Will he fulfill his promises? Will he really be different?

One thing is for sure: When Barack Obama takes the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2009, the world changes and everything becomes possible. That sounds like a future we can all believe in.

Third Debate - Barack Obama for President ! Clearly and Surely !!!

Patty in Colorado — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:55:34 EDT

Barack was FANTASTIC in this debate!!! He was calm and articulate. He treated McCain with tremendous respect. Obama is such an excellent role model for how to deal with challenging people and situations.

Barack clearly explained his healthcare policy, his plans for the economy, and every other issue he faced. When he was confronted with the Ayers matter and the Acorn issue, Obama very calmly and competently blew those issues away with the truth.

I think he won the debate very soon into it when, instead of being confrontational and deceptive as McCain was being, he pointed out that the people are NOT primarily interested in the various tactics in use to challenge the opponent, but rather, people are interested in hearing a debate about the issues.

He mentioned how important it is to "agree to disagree without being disagreeable."

There were a handful of other winning moments when Barack clearly swept away the opposition.

McCain had one good moment when he shined, and that was at the end, when he shook Barack's hand and congratulated him with, "Good Job! Good Job."

The Moment by John Cory, TruthOut Perspective

Edie "Hussein" M. Ph.D. — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:34:58 EDT

Full Article:

The Moment

Monday 13 October 2008

http://www.truthout.org/101308J

by: John Cory, t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Arizona Senator John McCain. (Photo: Gunby / AP)

    Senator McCain. Was this the moment? The epiphany? The realization that stoking the flames of bigotry and fear had come home to roost?

    As I watched your town hall gathering, I wondered what was going through your mind when you came face to face with the incendiary results of your campaign tactics. What did you see and feel when that elderly woman said Obama was an Arab? Or the man who said he feared an Obama presidency? And all the others?

    I saw your face. I watched your body language as you took the microphone and quickly distanced yourself from that one.

    At that moment, did you see your reflection in the mirror of her eyes? A reflection, not of a maverick, but a pariah? Did you see the decades of American scar tissue? Birmingham? Burning crosses? The noose? Did you see that awful year in American history when Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated, cut down in the prime of their dreams for a better America?
    Did you hear the echo of Dr. King's words about being 'judged not by the color of their skin, but the content of their character,' and suddenly realize that it was not your opponent's character in question - but yours? Perhaps you heard the whisper of Langston Hughes when he asked, 'What happens to a dream deferred ...? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?'

    Did you suddenly smell the rot and fetid acrid aroma of fear and hate, the carcass of mendacious political tactics decaying at your feet? Or did you sniff the flop-sweat of your own campaign standing in a puddle of decimating poll numbers?

    I watched your mouth dry up and wondered if you could taste the bitter words like 'Arab,' 'terrorist,' 'treason,' 'kill him,' - all served up on the plate of red meat politics by your campaign. Did it make you choke and want to spit out the rancid flavor of ignorance and violence? Or did you want to savor the success of the politics of personal destruction?

    Did you feel the cold chill of defeat? Did your heart pound with the all-encompassing realization that you would never be president? Could you sense that the America you appeal to is stale and dying out and being replaced by the freshness of hope and tolerance and a rainbow of change?
    No doubt, the media will genuflect before your image and be pushed by your campaign spinners to reanoint you as a maverick and honorable man in rising to the defense of your opponent. But your ads still sully the airwaves. Your surrogates still spew their venom. After all, this is just politics. People need to understand that. Nothing personal - it is just politics.

    But here was this moment. And you know it, regardless of whether or not you were reading from cue cards or just looking down to avoid having to face the ugliness before you - you know.

    And when the crowd booed as you struggled to use words about decency and honorable character to defuse the situation you created, you must have recalled the words from Proverbs, 'He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind ...'

    This is not a moment for you to be proud of in this campaign. Garnering credit for coming to the defense of Senator Obama is like an arsonist claiming heroism for saving lives after having set fire to the building in the first place.

    It does not matter how the media or your advisers and consultants spin this moment because it can only reflect badly on you. If it is tossed off as politics as usual, your campaign appears shallow and less interested in what's best for America than what is best for John McCain. If it is said that there is no room for this kind of rhetoric in a presidential campaign, then you look weak and unable to control your own staff that continue to push these messages. If it is about leadership and going against the flow, then we see that a McCain presidency will be divisive and reinforce the meme of 'two Americas.' We have already had eight years of a divided country from the man who ran as a 'Uniter not a divider.'

    This was a defining moment.

    And you, sir, lost.

John Cory is a Vietnam veteran. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with V device, 1969 - 1970.

http://www.truthout.org/101308J

Video: Colorado Rural Tour

Greg Hauenstein — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:42:46 EDT

After over a dozen stops and hundreds of supporters came to show their support, the first Colorado Rural Tour came to a close late Friday night.

Agriculture Commissioner John Stulp, former Governor Roy Romer, Governor Bill Ritter, Senator Ken Salazar, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, as well as local elected officials and candidates came out to share their support for Senator Obama with the people of their communities. From issues of support for the Farm Bill, to energy independence, to the economic crunch that Main St. has been dealing with for years, they let their fellow Coloradans know that Senator Obama is the only candidate that will be fighting for them in the White House.

Here's the video from the tour:

We'll be launching a second Rural Tour this weekend in Southwest Colorado. Keep an eye on http://co.barackobama.com to see if the RV is coming to your town!

Let's Blow the RNC out of the water

Kentucky Woman — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:58:22 EDT

Give money to the campaign and allow the campaign to buy advertisement in every state, not just the swing states. Help me, help the campaign by giving to my personal fundraising page.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/VoteForYou

More Pets Please

Let the world know that a vote for Obama is a vote for you. Supporting Obama does not mean you're deluded, it means you are protecting your own interest. We must define what we want our country and world to be, and I feel that Barack Obama is a big part of that definition. The USA is a country of tolerance, intelligence, imagination, and immense possibilities. We are not a people who talk down to each other, belittling one another, because we are a country that respects all its citizens, no matter the age, sex or social background of the person. This is my dream, my Hope. It starts here and it ends never.

I titled this page to connect money raised to a theme I hope you will support. Donating here in this fundraiser not only allows you to support your candidate but attaches your money to a message. A message with money behind it.

Barack Obama and I are committed to changing the political process by building a campaign built on a broad base of support from ordinary Americans.

I've set my own personal fundraising goal for the campaign, which you can see in the thermometer to the right.

Will you make a donation to help me reach my goal?

Contribute Now

Graphic updated every 5 minutes
Create your own page now!

Vote early in Colorado!

Jenn Prosser — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:01:47 EDT

Usually, people vote on the first Tuesday in November, but in Colorado, polls open a week from tomorrow and thousands of people have already cast their vote by using a mail-in ballot.

Last week, while Kal Penn was traveling around the state visiting colleges, he took a moment to record this video for us about voting early and getting involved in the Campaign for Change:

Isaac Slade of The Fray also stopped by the office to request a mail-in ballot so he can cast his vote for Barack early and skip the lines on election day.

Have you requested a mail-in ballot yet? If not, you can download the form here.

If you already have your ballot, take a creative photo of you voting for Barack, submit it to Colorado@barackobama.com and you might see your face on the Obama blog!

Colorado Rural Tour Day Three: Photos

Greg Hauenstein — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:09:08 EDT

Friday wrapped up the Campaign for Change Rural Tour. The RV worked (and sometimes strained) its way up the Western Slope back towards Denver.

The towns of Olathe, Hotchkiss, Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Edwards, and finally Dillon all got to see the Campaign for Change RV roll through and hear its passengers, Agriculture Commissioner John Stulp, Former Governor Roy Romer, and US Senator Ken Salazar tell them why Senator Obama is the best choice for rural America

Here are some pictures from the final day:

Saddened by the Behavior on the Right

Kentucky Woman — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:09:09 EDT

This week has been depressing, negative, angry, hateful and full of racially tinged fear and it is all do to the crowds of Palin followers. Palin was right, we don't see the America they see. They think hate and distrust is the way to win and control the citizen of the U.S.A . I say they have forgotten what U.S.A means. U stands for United. United. We are the United States of America. We are not the Ugly states of America! So people stop acting ugly! It will take all of us united to change the direction of this country.

Colorado Rural Tour Day Two: Photos

Greg Hauenstein — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:09:13 EDT

On Thursday the Campaign for Change Rural Tour continued across Southern Colorado. Joining the tour for the day was US Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota. As a member of the Agriculture Committee with Senator Salazar as well as being from a state with a large agriculture community, she was right at home on Highway 50 visiting Pueblo, Cañon City, Salida, Gunnison, and Montrose.

Many of these communities have never seen a Democratic Presidential campaign, but it's a testiment to Senator Obama and the organization he and the citizens of Colorado have built together that they are reaching into every county in the state.

Here are some pictures from the day:

This is Barack's video on Ayers and McCain Video on Domestic Terrorism!

LuAnn in Indiana — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:16:14 EDT

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5989582

This video is from Barack and explains the Bill Ayers issue. It is clear that McCain, Palin and the RNC are planning to paint Ayers as a terrorist and try to link him tightly with Barack.These are the facts. Barack was 8 when Ayers was participating in some deplorable acts during the Vietnam Era which was a time when there were a lot of radical movements and things happening. I am not defending Bill Ayers but this happened during a terrible time in our history and it was 40 years ago.Barack served on a board with Ayers which was appointed by a Republican. There is nothing here but we know they are going to try and make this look bad.On the other hand, McCain voted twice against stopping DOMESTIC TERRORISM. Watch this terrible video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDlpWfLyYss
I guess he feels it was okay to BOMB medical clinics and kill doctors and patients! TERRORISM is terrorism and if the McCain camp wants to go there then I think we should bring this up.
Just because McCain does not approve of a Women's Right to Choose does not mean it is OKAY to BOMB clinics and KILL doctors and patients.
So, does the McCain camp really want to go here? They will and they will get away with it unless We all say ENOUGH and let him know WE know about his votes to stop actual terrorism HERE in the US.
Come on Obama supporters. Barack and Joe need our help and full support in these final days! Both of them have the integrity and intelligence to lead us through this Crisis facing all of us.
We have the power to stop this nonsense and we have the TRUTH and the FACTS on our side. Let's use them!
Thanks,LuAnn in Indiana

McCain's rage make him unfit to be President...Watch!

LuAnn in Indiana — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:45:45 EDT

Watch this and think if this man could talk to foreign leaders or make rational cool headed decisions. This is so scary. He could blow up and not work with anyone he did not like. OMG he even shoved a woman in the hallway and has called his wife the c word in public!

You have watched how hateful and condescending he has been towards Barack and even the media now. He is out and out lying and will do anything to win.We need this out there viral and let people see the REAL McCain.......not the kind of PRESIDENT we need in this time of crisis!

Watch the video and send it to friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAyK-enrF1g

LuAnn

Tell everyone including the media!

Colorado Rural Tour Day One: Photos

Greg Hauenstein — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:56:56 EDT

The Campaign for Change RV began its tour across rural Colorado early Wednesday morning. Colorado Agriculture Commissioner John Stulp, Former Governor Roy Romer, Governor Bill Ritter, and US Senator Ken Salazar all came along for the ride and told their fellow Coloradans why Senator Obama is the best choice for rural America.

Day One brought the tour to Sterling, Fort Morgan, Windsor, and Greeley. Here are some pictures from the day:

I have some very interesting articles

Siw — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:49:14 EDT

I came across theses article on the site: The Huffington Post. If you are old enouhg to remember the French Actress who was and still is a bomb shell: Brigitte Bardot. This is what she has to say about Gov Palin:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/07/brigitte-bardot-sarah-pal_n_132671.html

French film legend-turned-activist Brigitte Bardot took a swipe at Sarah Palin on Tuesday, saying the US vice presidential candidate was a disgrace to women.

"I hope you lose these elections because that would be a victory for the world," Bardot wrote in an open letter to Republican John McCain's running mate in the November vote.

"By denying the responsibility of man in global warming, by advocating gun rights and making statements that are disconcertingly stupid, you are a disgrace to women and you alone represent a terrible threat, a true environmental catastrophe," wrote Bardot.

The screen icon from the 1960s, who now heads an animal rights foundation, went on to assail Palin for supporting Arctic oil exploration that could jeopardize delicate animal habitats and for dismissing measures to protect polar bears.

"This shows your total lack of responsibility, your inability to protect or simply respect animal life," Bardot wrote.

In a final salvo against Palin, the 74-year-old ex-star picked up on Palin's depiction of herself as a pitbull wearing lipstick and said she "implored" her not to compare herself to dogs.

"I know them well and I can assure you that no pitbull, no dog, nor any other animal for that matter is as dangerous as you are," Bardot wrote.

This is another article that made me feel as if " I am not the only one who has anger about the Attacks on Sen Obama, Because when i first heard them I was insulted and angry, hurt.. and MAD as a wet hen..

http://www.theroot.com/id/48383

Enough of the hate and smears! Palin has skeletons of her own!

LuAnn in Indiana — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:14:01 EDT

McCain, Palin and the GOP want to talk about Bill Ayers and terrorists.......well it looks like they a Major problem. Please get this out there.

If Palin gets VP talk about anti American! She is stirring up hate wherever she goes. We have to say Enough!

This is not acceptable!

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/10/07/palins_unamerican/index.html

We don't not need hate and partisanship stirred up. Palin is stirring it and McCain is letting her run free with whatever she wants to say. This country needs to work together to get us out of this mess we are in. Barack is the only one who has the intelligence, knowledge, temperament and vision for that great future.Let's all help Barack and make sure all the slurs and hate stops!

Enough!

LuAnn

Facts about John McCain we need to share ASAP!

LuAnn in Indiana — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:58:17 EDT

These are facts about McCain, his family, his life and all the mistruths that he likes to brag about. Please take the time to watch these and you may be shocked.People everywhere have the right to know these things about John McCain.He is no maverick. He would be a disaster as President. He is strictly out for John McCain and has proven he will say or do anything to get elected.Please help Barack and share these facts. McCain’s campaign is getting nastier.

Thanks, LuAnn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06zsn5BuL3Y

http://www.politicalbase.com/profile/jnail/blog/&blogId=4588

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/1

VP Debate Watch Parties from all over Colorado

Greg Hauenstein — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:28:54 EDT

Thursday night, millions of people all over the country gathered around their TV sets to watch the Vice Presidential debate. What they saw in Joe Biden was what Barack saw in him when he made his decision to add Joe to the ticket: a man with deep understanding of the struggles of working families, a Senator with decades of experience dealing with crises all over the world, and a committed public servant who loves his country and wants to give everyone the same opportunities he and Barack had.

House parties were held all over Colorado and neighbors gathered together to watch and discuss what they saw. Amber was in downtown Denver. Her partner is currently serving in Iraq and she heard a clear difference between the two campaigns tonight:

"I agreed with Senator Biden. I feel he had a better articulated plan. His plan was clear about how we're going to get out and the importance of being transparent with the people about what our expectations are. "

Thursday night's debate shattered TV ratings and Americans saw a clear choice.

John McCain and Sarah Palin want four more years of a war that is draining the country of lives, money, and respect, four more years of a broken health care system, and four more years of economic policies that have left our communities and our financial markets in shambles.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden will end this war and bring our troops home to the care they deserve, Barack and Joe will create a health care system in this country that all can take part in, and Barack and Joe will get the economy back on its feet by giving tax cuts to the middle class famlies who need it and who are, as Joe said, "The economic engine of America..."

Last Chance Workout OCT. 6 Tomorrow

Kentucky Woman — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:24:42 EDT

Tomorrow is your last chance to get friends, family members, Obama supporters, and yourself to register to vote. Call people you suspect may have forgotten the deadline. Make arrangements to get them to the office to vote. In KY you can register at the DMV or you can register at voter registration. Many states have early voting including Kentucky so You may be allowed to register to vote and vote the same day. Get it out of the way what ever state you are in, so that Nov. 4th you will be free to help out the campaign, through an "I voted party" or just celebrate with family and friends.

It is time for a change. We need all to Register to vote!!!

P.S. Don't just depend on mailing it! Go in person if you can!!

DICK CHENEY-ROLE MODEL Editorial, New York Times

Stephen Fox, Contributing Editor New Mexico Sun News — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:23:14 EDT

October 4, 2008

In all the talk about the vice-presidential debate, there was an issue that did not get much attention but kept nagging at us: Sarah Palin’s description of the role and the responsibilities of the office for which she is running, vice president of the United States.

In Thursday night’s debate, Ms. Palin was asked about the vice president’s role in government. She said she agreed with Dick Cheney that “we have a lot of flexibility in there” under the Constitution.

And she declared that she was “thankful that the Constitution would allow a bit more authority given to the vice president also, if that vice president so chose to exert it.”

It is hard to tell from Ms. Palin’s remarks whether she understands how profoundly Dick Cheney has reshaped the vice presidency — as part of a larger drive to free the executive branch from all checks and balances. Nor did she seem to understand how much damage that has done to American democracy.

Mr. Cheney has shown what can happen when a vice president — a position that is easy to lampoon and overlook — is given free rein by the president and does not care about trampling on the Constitution. Mr. Cheney has long taken the bizarre view that the lesson of Watergate was that Congress was too powerful and the president not powerful enough.

He dedicated himself to expanding President Bush’s authority and arrogating to himself executive, legislative and legal powers that are nowhere in the Constitution. This isn’t the first time that Ms. Palin was confronted with the issue.

In an interview with Katie Couric of CBS News, the Alaska governor was asked what she thought was the best and worst about the Cheney vice presidency. Ms. Palin tried to dodge: laughing and joking about the hunting accident in which Mr. Cheney accidentally shot a friend.

The only thing she had to add was that Mr. Cheney showed support for the troops in Iraq. There was not a word about Mr. Cheney’s role in starting the war with Iraq, in misleading Americans about weapons of mass destruction, in leading the charge to create illegal prison camps where detainees are tortured, in illegally wiretapping Americans, in creating an energy policy that favored the oil industry that made him very rich before the administration began.

Ms. Couric asked Joseph Biden, Ms. Palin’s rival, the same question in a separate interview. He had it exactly right when he told her that Mr. Cheney’s theory of the “unitary executive” held that “Congress and the people have no power in a time of war.” And he had it right in the debate when he called Mr. Cheney “the most dangerous vice president we’ve had in American history.”

The Constitution does not state or imply any flexibility in the office of vice president. It gives the vice president no legislative responsibilities other than casting a tie-breaking vote in the Senate when needed and no executive powers at all. The vice president’s constitutional role is to be ready to serve if the president dies or becomes incapacitated.

Any president deserves a vice president who will be a sound adviser and trustworthy supporter. But the American people also deserve and need a vice president who understands and respects the balance of power — and the limits of his or her own power. That is fundamental to our democracy.

So far, Ms. Palin has it exactly, frighteningly wrong.

GREAT DEBATE, JOE!

Edie "Hussein" M. Ph.D. — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:08:42 EDT

Senator Joe Biden hit the ball out of the park in tonight's debate! He was the CLEAR WINNER!

THANK YOU JOE!

OBAMA-BIDEN 2008!

YES WE CAN!

Comments on Obama's Senate speech on the Bailout Bill

Patty in Colorado — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:36:18 EDT

If you're an Obama supporter, as I have been for the last two years, this post may bother you. On the other hand, you may have perceived many of the same ideas while listening to Obama address the Senate yesterday, concerning the bailout bill.

Frankly, I was very disappointed with Obama's support of the bill. I was even more disappointed with his speech! To my ears, Obama used a rusty formulaic structure for his speech, with an unusual amount of fear and guilt lathered on the American people.

From the beginning of the speech, he was talking about blame for the state of the economy - but he didn't mention the Iraq War, outsourcing of jobs, or the plummeting employment rate. He used an analogy of putting out a fire now (by passing this bill in a hurry), but he failed to mention the other truthful part of that analogy - that some fires actually need to happen in order to destroy things so that new things can take place. Example: some of the moldy houses that Katrina visited had to be allowed to burn down, so new ones could be rebuilt. Many people have commented on the similarity between the devastation caused by Katrina, and the destruction to our economy.

Obama went on to accuse the House of failing to act. This is a blatant mischaracterization. The House DID act, just not the way Obama and others wanted it to. This is partisanship, pure and simple. I was surprised to hear Obama go there. He also connected the stock market drop to the House decision to vote down the original bailout bill. I was watching the stock market going down before the voting even started. Plus, it is simply inaccurate to attribute the activity in the stock market to anything other than investors' willingness to invest. Period. There are a multitude of reasons why investors choose to buy and sell stocks. Most of those reasons have nothing to do with what is happening at the same time in Congress.

Bottom line, Obama used fear and guilt in large doses in an attempt to persuade the American people to approve of this bailout bill created in the Senate. The bulk of his speech is chock full of talk about dire consequences, dangerous situations, threats of what will happen if we don't act now to rescue Wall Street. It was horrifying to hear him use causes near and dear, such as mortgages, car loans and college tuitions, payrolls, and bills, to convnce fellow Senators of the viability of this bailout bill. To plead the case for the bill based on a fear of a recession - that most of us already know we're in - well, that was an insult to our intelligence.

Obama also erroneously appropriated credit to the bailout bill for things that the bill simply doesn't guarantee, such as real protections for taxpayers, oversight, accountability, help for homeowners, elimination of golden parachutes, and profits or returns on our taxpayer contributions to this bill. Yes, those things are mentioned in the bill (I've read all 106 pages) - but every condition has a giant loophole for the Treasury Secretary to slide through, without any obligation to Congress, taxpayers, or anyone at all.

There are absolutely NO guarantees that the provisions of the bill will be managed correctly, that any money will be gotten back by the taxpayers, or that there will be any profits whatsoever. Obama clearly stated this in his speech. But didn't he also say previously that he would NOT support a bill that didn't have those guarantees built in?

One key item in the bill, which Obama mentioned in his speech, concerns the possibility Obama described by saying, "If we fall short, we will levy a fee on financial institutions so that they can repay us for the losses they caused." There's a clause in the bill about this, true. However, there are many more clauses in the bill, which indicate the very real possibility, even intention, that the Treasury Secretary will buy up assets and then dismantle the financial institutions. There would be no entity to "bill" a fee to, no financial institution from which to obtain reimbursement for our losses.

Another Senator has called this bailout bill "legislative blackmail."

The conclusion of Obama's speech exhorted the American people to do more to help our economy, to take more action to prevent the economic downfall we face. From this soapbox, Obama launched his familiar stump speech - blaming the runaway spending of the Bush Administration, and saying that many important programs will be delayed or abandoned, in spite of our great sacrifices.

The best line of his speech came at the very end, where he said, "...our destiny is not written for us, but by us." That rang true. Unfortunately, that truth was cloaked in thick political rhetoric, the likes of which has a real potential to derail Obama's voting base.

"Biden's Strategy: Go easy on Palin" by Roger Simon of Politico

Patty in Colorado — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:06:13 EDT

This blog post is in response to "Biden's Strategy: Go easy on Palin" by Roger Simon in today's Politico.com Ideas feature.

It seems to me that the Obama camp isn't listening to the undecided and Republican voters, whose votes must be swayed towards Obama, in order to win this election. According to Roger Simon, the Obama Campaign is pursuing what I call a "Biden-Lite" approach to debating Sarah Palin tonight.

If the Obama campaign really believes that the voters aren't paying attention to the bottom of the ticket, then why is Palin so popular? Why was John McCain's campaign starting to sink, until it got a dose of "political viagra" in the form of Palin joining the ticket? ("Political Viagra" is a term coined by me. Feel free to use it as often as you like, as long as you give me credit for it.)

I am convinced that the bottom of the ticket is WAY more important to the Republicans this time. They don't have anything else to brag about!

Simon says that Biden is going to let Palin's blunders slide. That's fine. He's going to be calling her "Governor Palin", which will do a lot to reinforce her electability and experience, if only through the conveyance of stereotypes that we all have about authority figures with important titles.

Biden is being coached against condescension. He's still going to appear condescending, and maybe even arrogant. That's his personality. No amount of coaching is going to rid him of the trait he developed as a survival mechanism for the last 55 years.

He WILL go off-script. He is impulsive, especially when emotionally wounded. And he will feel wounded, because he can't help it. Part of his personality is to defend his dignity at all costs. It is reflexive. He thinks it is beneath his dignity to NOT respond with equal force to a personal or professional hit. He won't be able to resist pouncing on the lies and misscharacterizations Palin throws at him. He will forget about Barack long enough to be willing to sacrifice all that he has gained through the Obama campaign, in order to assert his pride.

The Obama camp is maintaining that McCain is the target, not Palin. How wrong, wrong, wrong that is. We all know who McCain is, and we're tired, bored, and disgusted with him. Alone, he can't even get 200 people to a rally without paying them. McCain is old news. But when we see Biden going after his friend of 25 years, suddenly we will feel sorry for McCain, the "underdog", who is getting attacked.

The "focus on McCain" strategy carries with it an extreme danger of backfiring on Biden, to the point of injuring the Obama ticket.

Palin IS the most vital component of the McCain ticket, and she is the most important opponent tonight. Millions of viewers will be watching this debate just TO SEE HER. She is, after all, only a heartbeat away from the presidency, if McCain gets elected.

The Obama campaign owes it to every voter to expose Palin for the unprepared, unqualified, inexperienced, radical right-wing, religious fanatic that she is.

Biden - Palin impact on Obama campaign

Patty in Colorado — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:33:36 EDT

Palin is no match for Biden, no matter how many attacks she throws his way.

However, the Obama campaign could take a hit if Biden is exposed as having many controversial votes, positions, and assertions (and he has tons, apparently). Plus, if Palin exposes the disagreements between Biden and Obama, that will impact the Obama campaign.

Many people are still asking why Obama picked an old, angry, white guy, who voted for the war (before he was against it), who has been in the Senate for 26 years, tends towards arrogance and condescension, and currently makes significant gaffes when he speaks.

Such a hit on Biden, coupled with the very questionable vote for the bailout bill by both Obama and Biden, could cost the campaign some points.

I'm still voting for them, and I think they'll win. But we should be prepared for some negs in the coming days. McCain's negs will continue to surpass Obama's in the coming weeks, however. Palin could even drop out, and no matter who replaces her, it's too late for McVain to win.

Sarah Palin, A to Z

John from Midpines, CA — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:38:07 EDT

Sarah Palin, A to Z

Abstinence-only education: Palin opposes all other sex education programs.

Bridge to Nowhere: Repeatedly claims to have said “thanks, but no thanks” to Congress. This is not true. Palin supported the bridge boondoggle before Congress said “no thanks,” and still took the earmark from Congress for other projects. Palin has continued to spend earmarked funds on a second Bridge to Nowhere -- Don Young’s Way --named after Alaska’s champion pork-barrel congressman (Young raised funds for Palin’s campaign for Governor).

Censorship: Palin inquired about banning books at the Wasilla public library. Palin prepared to fire the Wasilla librarian, but backed off when the community rallied to the defense of the librarian.

Debt: Palin left Wasilla with $19 million in long-term debt (Wasilla had no debt before she was Mayor).

Earmarks: McCain has repeatedly said that Palin rejected earmarks from Congress. This is not true. Palin requested nearly $200 million in federal earmarks this year alone, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation.

Five Twenty Seven: Palin was a director of a 527 political slush fund organized by indicted Alaska Senator Ted Stevens from 2003-2005. The 527 --“Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service, Inc.” -- could raise unlimited funds from corporate donors. Stevens actively campaigned for Palin in her 2006 campaign for Governor, before being indicted by a federal grand jury for not disclosing massive home renovation, autos and other “gifts” from Veco, an oil services company.

Global Warming: Palin said in August, 2008 that man-made pollution is not contributing to climate change. Palin changed her position after becoming the Vice Presidential nominee, and now says “it doesn’t really what matter what caused it at this point.”

Hate Crimes: Opposes expansion of hate-crimes laws.

Investigation: The Alaska legislature is investigating claims that Palin fired Alaska’s public safety commissioner for refusing to fire a state trooper who was involved in a custody battle with Palin's sister (Troopergate). Todd Palin has received a subpoena from the Alaska legislature, but is refusing to testify.

John McCain’s Judgment: Impulsively selected Sarah Palin as running mate in his most important campaign decision, placing her Just a heartbeat away from the Presidency.

K St. (Washington, DC lobbyist central): Palin hired a Washington lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for Wasilla totaling $27 million. Lobbyist was former chief of staff for indicted Senator Ted Stevens (see 527 above).

Lies: See Bridge to Nowhere, Earmarks, etc.

More Regulation and Magazines: Asked by Katie Couric to give specific examples in McCain’s 26 years in the U.S. Senate where he pushed for more regulation, Palin said: “I’ll try to find you some and I’ll bring `em to ya.”

Newspapers: Couric asked Palin to name newspapers and magazines she regularly reads to stay informed about issues. Palin responded: “All of them, any of them that have been in front of me over all these years.”

Oil Company Supporter: Supports drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, and took contributions from Veco oil company executives in her 2002 campaign for Lieutenant Governor (see 527 above for relationship between indicted Senator Ted Stevens, Veco and Palin; also, see Polar bears).

Polar Bears: Palin sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as a threatened species, over concern that the special protection would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska (see Oil Company Supporter).

Question: “What is it exactly that the Vice President does every day” -- Sarah Palin to Larry Kudlow in CNBC, July, 2008.

Roe V. Wade: Palin would overturn. So would McCain. Palin would make abortion illegal, even in cases of rape and incest. McCain voted against extending Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and infants up of one year of age with incomes below the Federal poverty line; Opposed legislation requiring insurers to provide the same level of coverage for contraceptives as they do for other prescription drugs; Voted against funding for preventive health care services intended to reduce unintended pregnancies.

Supreme Court: When asked by Katie Couric to name even one Supreme Court decision other than Roe v. Wade that she disagrees with, Palin drew a blank.

Travel Expenses and Tax Records: Palin bilked Alaska taxpayers for 312 days of travel expenses for nights she slept at home during her first 19 months as Governor. Palin’s husband and daughters charged Alaska taxpayers over $43,000 for travel. The Palin’s have refused to release their tax records until after the election, raising questions about whether they disclosed their taxpayer-funded travel income.

Unprepared: ‘I think she has pretty thoroughly — and probably irretrievably — proven that she is not up to the job of being president of the United States,” -- David Frum, former speechwriter for President George H.W. Bush.

Violence against Women: Victims of rape forced to pay for their own forensic evidence kits in Wasilla while Palin was Mayor. McCain has repeatedly voted in the Senate against funding to confront and prevent domestic violence. McCain opposed a program to aid children who have witnessed domestic violence.

Wolves: Palin strongly supports an aerial hunting program targeting bears and wolves, described as “brutal” by Defenders of Wildlife. The program has killed 800 wolves, including many pups. In March 2007, Palin's administration announced that it would offer $150 for the foreleg of each freshly killed wolf, in order to encourage hunters. Palin spent $400,000 in taxpayer funds to defeat a recent ballot initiative to stop the program.

X: Palin has XX Chromosomes in common with Hillary Clinton, and virtually nothing else.

You Tube: Palin in her own words on foreign policy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nokTjEdaUGg; and as portrayed by Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdDqSvJ6aHc

Zero foreign policy experience: “I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq.” -- Palin quoted in the Alaska Business Monthly. Asked by Katie Couric to explain tatements about proximity to Russia giving her foreign policy experience, Palin said: “Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of…... As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state.”

Bailout Bill - Section 116 - Oversight and Audits

Patty in Colorado — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:32:29 EDT

There's a section in the former House bill that pretty much nullifies every oversight feature that the proponents of the bill are pushing. It's in Section 116 on Oversight and Audits. (The Senate did NOT say that they deleted or changed this provision.)

Translated: IF the Treasury Secretary establishes the TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program - he has the option to NOT create it, per this bill), the Comptroller General of the US is supposed to do some oversight of all the activities.

But IF the Comptroller (the top officer of the GAO - Government Accountability Office) finds anything that needs to be investigated (outlined in numerous pages in the bill), the TARP - IF it exists - can either take action to address the problems - OR - "certify to appropriate committees of Congress that no action is necessary or appropriate." (page 62 of the House bill draft)

In other words, Paulson can basically blow off the GAO and Congress, just like Bush has done for all the crimes he's committed. Congress may protest, but we've seen how effective THAT is.

By the way, Paulson put together a huge sub-prime mortgage system for Goldman Sachs, when he worked there. Goldman Sachs is first on his list, he says, to rescue. AND Paulson blamed the sub-prime mortgage system for the problems he says he'll fix with the 700 Billion.

The way I (and many other professionals) read this bill, it looks very much like Paulson will have the freedom to bailout whoever he pleases and get paid to do it, with basically zero accountability. There are so many loopholes built in to the bill; Paulson can essentially say "NO" to every effort at oversight, or anything and everything that would benefit taxpayers.

By the way, the Oversight committee mentioned in the bill (the top layer of the so-called many levels of oversight for this scheme) is composed of Secretary Paulson, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bernanke, HUD secretary, and a Fannie Mae exec, and a Freddie Mac executive. Having these people on the oversight committee is like having wolves guarding the henhouse.

Check MarketWatch.com for the article called "The Downturn has just begun"

McCain: "I never understood the economy" and other priceless quotes

anirvan — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:06:19 EDT

McCain on the economy (in his own word):
McCain: I Never Really Understood Economics. McCain said, “The issue of economics is something that I’ve really never understood as well as I should.” (Boston Globe, 12/18/07)
McCain Says We’re NOT Headed Into a Recession. McCain said, “I don’t believe we’re headed into a recession. I believe the fundamentals of this economy are strong, and I believe they will remain strong.” (GOP Debate, Myrtle Beach, FNC, 1/10/08)
McCain Dismissed Concerns on Mortgage Crisis and Economy. While campaigning in Florida, McCain dismissed concerns about the economy. “Even if the economy is the, quote, No. 1 issue, the real issue will remain America’s security,” McCain said. “And if they choose to say, ‘Look, I do not need this guy because he’s not as good on home loan mortgages or whatever it is, I understand about that, I will accept that verdict.” (The New York Times, 1/28/08)
McCain: Americans Have Seen Great Economic Progress Since Bush Took Office. Since President Bush took office, “I think if you look at the overall record and millions of jobs have been created… you can make an argument that there’s been great progress economically over that period of time,” McCain said. (“Money & Politics,” Bloomberg, 4/17/08)
McCain says the fundamentals of the economy are strong. Addressing today’s news of upheaval in America’s financial markets, McCain said this morning that, despite fears over the "turmoil" on Wall Street, “the fundamentals of our economy are strong.”(NBC 9/15/08)

Astrologically speaking ... TWO - watch Uranus!

Patty in Colorado — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:57:19 EDT

I'm continuing to watch the sinking of the McCain ship...per the astrological transit he is experiencing - Transiting Uranus conjunct his Natal Saturn, in exact aspect today. (Also opposite his Natal Sun in Virgo, but past the exact aspect)

[interpretation: lightning bolt of change - he asked for it - to everything he considers his career and personal foundation]

Here's the latest news:

Calls rise among Republicans for Sarah Palin to step down from GOP ticket

BY THOMAS M. DeFRANK and DAVID SALTONSTALL
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Sunday, September 28th 2008, 11:31 AM
Link

Financial Markets Rescue Plan LINK

Patty in Colorado — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:35:43 EDT

The most recent suggested bill for the Rescue Plan has posted the (printable) bill at:

http://www.cspan.org/pdf/marketsbill_draft.pdf

CSPAN.ORG/pdf/marketsbill_draft.pdf

Earlier in the day, Representative Gregg (R) briefly outlined the main points of the bill, and it sounded like the Treasury Secretary is still getting way too much unregulated and unsupervised power.

PLUS, the "oversight panel" they are constructing, he said, includes SEC Chairman Cox, FED Chairman Bernanke, CEOs from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and Treasury Secretary Paulson. The congressional oversight is only done by monthly reports from the above mentioned people, who are directly involved in receiving funds, profits, and other money from the deals they do to "save" the economy.

Initial reviews of the "new" bill say that it's basically the same thing Treasury Secretary Paulson proposed the first time! (See CSPAN Washington Journal for September 28, 2008: guest speaker from Freedom Works, Matt Kibbe.)

VOTE PBS POLL AGAINST PALIN

FAITH in GOD — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:16:52 EDT

Subject: Vote against Sarah Palin - Please do ASAP

PBS is running a poll which asks if Sarah Palin is qualified to be VP. Republicans are flooding the poll SO WE MUST ACT NOW!

Please click on this link:
http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

Here is a small thing you can do in two clicks • SECONDS! Check this out and do it fast!