Evansville for Obama

New Web Home for Evansville Grassroots!

Indiana Obama Fan — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:15:27 EDT

http://www.evansvilleforchange.com/

check it out!!!!!!!

Remarks of Senator Obama, Indianapolis, IN, Oct. 23, 2008

Jill 4 Obama — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:20:17 EDT

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama (Indianapolis, IN) Indianapolis, IN | October 23, 2008

It is fitting that we meet today on the mall of the American Legion, surrounded by monuments to our nation's heroes. Because on this day, 25 years ago, the Marine barracks in Beirut were bombed. 241 Americans laid down their lives for this country and for the peace they were there to protect. We revere their service. We honor their sacrifice. And we keep their families in our prayers.

We will never forget them.

Indiana, in just 12 days, you'll have the chance to elect your next President. And you'll have the chance to bring the change we need to Washington. That's the good news. But we're going to have to work, and struggle, and fight for every single one of those 12 days to move our country in a new direction.

I am hopeful about the outcome. We were thrilled this weekend when a great American statesman, General Colin Powell, joined our cause. But we cannot let up. And we won't.

Because one thing we know is that change never comes without a fight. In the final days of campaigns, the say-anything, do-anything politics too often takes over. We've seen it before. And we're seeing it again today. The ugly phone calls. The misleading mail and TV ads. The careless, outrageous comments. All aimed at keeping us from working together, all aimed at stopping change.

Well, what we need now is not misleading charges and divisive attacks. What we need is honest leadership and real change, and that's why I'm running for President of the United States.

Now, more than ever, this campaign has to be about the problems facing the American people - because this is a moment of great uncertainty for America.

We're facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The Dow plummeted again yesterday, threatening the job security, retirement security, and economic security of millions of ordinary Americans. Indiana lost 4,500 manufacturing jobs in September alone. And just today, we learned that more and more Americans are filing for unemployment. Home values are falling. Foreclosures are rising. Wages are shrinking. And the cost of health care and college tuition has never been higher.

And that's what this election is all about - because John McCain and I have real differences about how to get us out of this economic mess. You see, Senator McCain thinks the economic policies of George W. Bush are just right for America. In the Senate, he's voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time. Said earlier this year that we've made "great progress" over the last eight years. And while Senator McCain says now that he's different from President Bush, you sure couldn't tell by the policies he's proposing.

Just yesterday, Senator McCain strongly defended the Bush policy of lavishing tax cuts on corporations that ship American jobs overseas. He made the peculiar argument that the best way to stop companies from shipping jobs overseas is to give more tax cuts to companies that ship jobs overseas. More tax cuts for job outsourcers. That's what Senator McCain proposed as his answer to outsourcing.

He said that's - quote - "simple fundamental economics."

Well, Indiana, my opponent may call that "fundamental economics," but we know that's just another name for the Wall Street first, Main Street last economic philosophy we've had for the past eight years - and that's fundamentally wrong.

If Senator McCain wants to defend tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas, that's his choice. But I say, let's end tax cuts for companies that ship American jobs overseas, and give them to companies that create good jobs right here in Indiana - in the United States of America.

If he wants to defend free trade agreements designed to protect the profits of multinational corporations and a trade policy that lets countries like China tilt the playing field against our workers, that's up to him. But I say, we need a trade policy that protects the dreams of hardworking Americans.

If he wants to defend a tax code that's more than 10,000 pages long and filled with loopholes written in by corporate lobbyists like the ones running his campaign, he's got every right. He has every right to defend offshore tax havens that let companies avoid paying taxes here in America. But I say, it's time to close corporate loopholes, shut offshore tax havens, and restore balance and fairness to our tax code.

By the way, did you know that there's a building in the Cayman Islands that supposedly houses 18,000 corporations. That's either the biggest building or the biggest tax scam on record. And I think we know which one it is.

That's the system my opponent defends. That's the system he wants to preserve. Well, Indiana, we've tried it John McCain's way. We've tried it George Bush's way. And we're here today to say enough is enough. We can't afford four more years of their "fundamental economics." That's why I'm running for President of the United States of America.

You see, I have a different notion of fundamental economics than my opponent. Because where I come from, there's nothing more fundamental than a good-paying job. There's nothing more fundamental than being able to pay your health care bills, put your kids through college, or retire with dignity and security. There's nothing more fundamental than the American dream - and that's the dream we can reclaim if you stand with me on November 4.

I know we can do this. I know we can steer ourselves out of this crisis. Because I believe in you. I believe in the American people.

We are the United States of America. We are a nation that's faced down war and depression; great challenges and great threats. And at each and every moment, we have risen to meet these challenges - not as Democrats, not as Republicans, but as Americans. With resolve. With confidence. With that fundamental belief that here in America, our destiny is not written for us; it's written by us. That's who we are, and that's the country we need to be right now.

But Indiana, I know this. It will take a new direction. It will take new leadership in Washington. It will take a real change in the policies and politics of the last eight years. And that's why I'm running for President of the United States.

It's time to turn the page on eight years of economic policies that put Wall Street before Main Street but ended up hurting both. We need policies that grow our economy from the bottom-up, so that every American, everywhere, has the chance to get ahead. Not just the person who owns the factory, but the men and women who work on its floor. Because if we've learned anything from this economic crisis, it's that we're all connected; we're all in this together; and we will rise or fall as one nation - as one people.

The rescue plan that passed the Congress was a necessary first step to easing this credit crisis, but if we're going to rebuild this economy from the bottom up, we need an immediate rescue plan for the middle-class - and that's what I will do as President of the United States.

Nine months ago, 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 people keep their homes. Senator McCain's 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."

Just this week, after nine straight months of job losses, when our Federal Reserve Chairman supports another stimulus to get our economy moving, Senator McCain said he doesn't think we need to pass this stimulus immediately. Well, the working families who've been hard hit by this economic crisis - folks who can't pay their mortgages or their medical bills or send their kids to college - they can't afford to go to the back of the line behind CEOs and Wall Street banks. They need help right here, right now - and that's why I'm running for President of the United States.

I've proposed a new American jobs tax credit for each new employee that companies hire here in the United States over the next two years. And I'll help make sure the fuel-efficient cars of tomorrow are built not just in South Korea or Japan, but right here in Indiana.

Few have been harder hit by our credit crisis than the workers who make our cars and the companies that supply their parts. Now, when it came to rescuing Wall Street, Washington didn't waste a minute. But now that auto-workers are suffering, Washington's put on the breaks. It turns out it could take a year for the auto industry to get the loan guarantees we passed a few weeks ago.

Well, the workers who are being laid off and the companies that are seeing their sales drop - they can't afford to wait a year, they need help right now. That's why I've called on Washington to fast-track those loan guarantees and provide more as needed - because that's how we'll secure our auto jobs and save our auto industry.

I'll also help small businesses by eliminating capital gains taxes and giving them emergency loans to keep their doors open and hire workers. I'll put a three-month moratorium on foreclosures so that we can give homeowners the breathing room they need to get back on their feet. And I will create a Jobs and Growth fund to help states and local governments save one million jobs and pay for health care and education without having to raise your taxes.

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

It starts with tax relief. There's been a lot of talk about taxes in this campaign. And the truth is, my opponent and I are both proposing tax cuts. The difference is, he wants to give a $700,000 tax cut to the average Fortune 500 CEO. I want to put a middle class tax cut in the pockets of 95% of workers and their families. My opponent doesn't want you to know this, but under my plan, tax rates for middle class families will actually be less than they were under Ronald Reagan.

It's true that I want to roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans and go back to the rate they paid under Bill Clinton. John McCain calls that socialism. What he forgets is that just a few years ago, he himself said those Bush tax cuts were irresponsible. He said he couldn't "in good conscience" support a tax cut where the benefits went to the wealthy at the expense of "middle class Americans who most need tax relief." Well, he was right then, and I am right now.

Let me be crystal clear: If you make less than a quarter of a million dollars a year - which includes 98% of small business owners - you won't see your taxes increase one single dime. Not your payroll taxes, not your income taxes, not your capital gains taxes - nothing. That is my commitment to you.

For the last eight years, we've given more and more to those with the most and hoped that prosperity would trickle down to everyone else. And guess what? It didn't. So it's time to try something new. It's time to grow this economy from the bottom-up. It's time to invest in the middle-class again.

If I am President, I will invest $15 billion a year in renewable sources of energy 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'll also put two million more Americans to work rebuilding our crumbling roads, schools, and bridges - because it is time to build an American infrastructure for the 21st century. And if people ask how we're going to pay for this, you tell them that if we can spend $10 billion a month in Iraq, we can spend some money to rebuild America.

If I am President, I will finally fix the problems in our health care system that we've been talking about for too long. This issue is personal for me. My mother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 53, and I'll never forget how she spent the final months of her life lying in a hospital bed, fighting with her insurance company because they claimed that her cancer was a pre-existing condition and didn't want to pay for treatment. If I am President, I will make sure those insurance companies can never do that again.

My health care plan will make sure insurance companies can't discriminate against those who are sick and need care most. If you have health insurance, the only thing that will change under my plan is that we will lower premiums. If you don't have health insurance, you'll be able to get the same kind of health insurance that Members of Congress get for themselves. And we'll invest in preventative care and new technology to finally lower the cost of health care for families, businesses, and the entire economy. That's the change we need.

And if I'm President, we'll give every child, everywhere the skills and the knowledge they need to compete with any worker, anywhere in the world. I will not allow countries to out-teach us today so they can out-compete us tomorrow. It is time to provide every American with a world-class education. That means investing in early childhood education. That means recruiting an army of new teachers, and paying them better, and giving them more support in exchange for higher standards and more accountability.

And it means investing in agricultural education. From seeing all those blue corduroy jackets in the crowd, I know there's a Future Farmers of America convention here in Indianapolis. And I want you to know that if I'm elected President, I will fight for you - because America's farmers are America's future. And it's time we had a President who understood that.

We need to make sure every American who has the drive and the will but not the money can go to college. My opponent's top economic advisor actually said that they have no plan to invest in college affordability because we can't have a giveaway to every special interest. Well I don't think the young people of America are a special interest - they are the future of this country. That's why I'll make this deal with you: if you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford your tuition. No ifs, ands or buts. You invest in America, America will invest in you, and together, we will move this country forward.

Now, make no mistake: the change we need won't come easy or without cost. We will all need to tighten our belts, we will all need to sacrifice and we will all need to pull our weight because now more than ever, we are all in this together.

At a defining moment like this, we don't have the luxury of relying on the same political games and the same political tactics that are used every election to divide us from one another and make us afraid of one another. With the challenges and crises we face right now, we cannot afford to divide this country by class or region; by who we are or what policies we support.

There are no real or fake parts of this country. We are not separated by the pro-America and anti-America parts of this nation - we all love this country, no matter where we live or where we come from. There are patriots who supported this war in Iraq and patriots who opposed it; patriots who believe in Democratic policies and those who believe in Republican policies. The men and women from Indiana and all across America who serve on our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America - they have served the United States of America.

We have always been at our best when we've had leadership that called us to look past our differences and come together as one nation, as one people; leadership that rallied this entire country to a common purpose - to a higher purpose. And I am running for President of the United States of America because that is the country we need to be right now.

This country and the dream it represents are being tested in a way that we haven't seen in nearly a century. And future generations will judge ours by how we respond to this test. Will they say that this was a time when America lost its way and its purpose? When we allowed the same divisions and fear tactics and our own petty differences to plunge this country into a dark and painful recession?

Or will they say that this was another one of those moments when America overcame? When we battled back from adversity by recognizing that common stake that we have in each other's success?

This is one of those moments. I realize you're cynical and fed up with politics. I understand that you're disappointed and even angry with your leaders. You have every right to be. But despite all of this, I ask of you what's been asked of the American people in times of trial and turmoil throughout our history. I ask you to believe - to believe in yourselves, in each other, and in the future we can build together.

Together, we cannot fail. Not now. Not when we have a crisis to solve and an economy to save. Not when there are so many Americans without jobs and without homes. Not when there are families who can't afford to see a doctor, or send their child to college, or pay their bills at the end of the month. Not when there is a generation that is counting on us to give them the same opportunities and the same chances that we had for ourselves.

We can do this. Americans have done this before. Some of us had grandparents or parents who said maybe I can't go to college but my child can; maybe I can't have my own business but my child can. I may have to rent, but maybe my children will have a home they can call their own. I may not have a lot of money but maybe my child will run for Senate. I might live in a small village but maybe someday my son can be president of the United States of America.

Now it falls to us. Together, we cannot fail. And I need you to make it happen. If you want the next four years looking like the last eight, then I am not your candidate. But if you want real change - if you want an economy that rewards work, and that works for Main Street and Wall Street; if you want tax relief for the middle class and millions of new jobs; if you want health care you can afford and education that helps your kids compete; then I ask you to knock on some doors, make some calls, talk to your neighbors, and give me your vote.

In Indiana, you can vote early right here, and right now. To find out how, just go to voteforchange.com. And if you stand with me, I promise you - we will win Indiana, we will win this election, and then you and I - together - will change this country and change this world. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless America.

Why Obama, a Teaching Tool for Obama

Jill 4 Obama — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:23:35 EDT

Here is a great Obama tool to pass on to others.

Try using this "To the Point" video on You Tube for a simple Obama teaching tool:

Why Obama:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydiaaThq2LE

http://whyobamafilm.org/sources.html

Show 1 Reader Comment

The Grandmother of Barack

Kari — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:47:33 EDT

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is canceling nearly all his campaign events Thursday and Friday to visit his suddenly gravely ill 85-year-old grandmother in Hawaii, a spokesman said.

Robert Gibbs told reporters aboard Obama's plane that Madelyn Payne Dunham, who helped raise Obama, was released from the hospital late last week. But he said her health had deteriorated "to the point where her situation is very serious."

Events originally planned for Madison, Wis., and Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday will be replaced by one in Indianapolis before he makes the long flight to Hawaii. On Friday, Obama's wife, Michelle, will sub for Obama at rallies in Akron and Columbus, in Ohio, said campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki. Obama was expected to resume campaigning on Saturday, at an undecided location in the West, she said.

"Sen. Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has always been one of the most important people in his life, along with his mother and his grandfather," Gibbs said. "Recently his grandmother has become ill and in the last few weeks her health has deteriorated to the point where her situation is very serious. It is for that reason that Sen. Obama has decided to change his schedule on Thursday and Friday so that he can see her and spend some time with her."

Citing the family's desire for privacy, Gibbs would not discuss the nature of Dunham's illness. It seemed likely that she was close to death, as Gibbs said that "everyone understands the decision that Sen. Obama is making." Dunham turns 86 on Sunday.

A Nobel Prize?

Kari — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:42:07 EDT

I was emailed this letter this morning, October 15, 2008. I was unable to verify it; or find its source. So, I am blogging this with a bit of doubt; but still thought it was worth the read.

October 14, 2008

An Open Letter to the American People,

This year's presidential election is among the most significant in our nation's history. The country urgently needs a visionary leader who can ensure the future of our traditional strengths in science and technology and who can harness those strengths to address many of our greatest problems: energy, disease, climate change, security, and economic competitiveness.

We are convinced that Senator Barack Obama is such a leader, and we urge you to join us in supporting him.

During the administration of George W. Bush, vital parts of our country's scientific enterprise have been damaged by stagnant or declining federal support. The government's scientific advisory process has been distorted by political considerations. As a result, our once dominant position in the scientific world has been shaken and our prosperity has been placed at risk. We have lost time critical for the development of new ways to provide energy, treat disease, reverse climate change, strengthen our security, and improve our economy.

We have watched Senator Obama's approach to these issues with admiration. We especially applaud his emphasis during the campaign on the power of science and technology to enhance our nation's competitiveness. In particular, we support the measures he plans to take – through new initiatives in education and training, expanded research funding, an unbiased process for obtaining scientific advice, and an appropriate balance of basic and applied research – to meet the nation's and the world's most urgent needs.

Senator Obama understands that Presidential leadership and federal investments in science and technology are crucial elements in successful governance of the world's leading country. We hope you will join us as we work together to ensure his election in November.

Signed,

Alexei Arikosov Physics 2003

Roger Guillemin Medicine 1977

Peter Agre Chemistry 2003

John L. Hall Physics 2005

Sidney Altman Chemistry 1989

Leland H. Hartwell Medicine 2001

Philip W. Anderson Physics 1977

Dudley Herschbach Chemistry 1986

Richard Axel Medicine 2004

Roald Hoffmann Chemistry 1981

David Baltimore Medicine 1975

H. Robert Horvitz Medicine 2002

Baruj Benacerraf Medicine 1980

Louis Ignarro Medicine 1998

Paul Berg Chemistry 1980

Eric R. Kandel Medicine 2000

J. Michael Bishop Medicine 1989

Walter Kohn Chemistry 1998

N. Bloembergen Physics 1981

Roger Kornberg Chemistry 2006

Michael S. Brown Medicine 1985

Leon M. Lederman Physics 1988

Linda B. Buck Medicine 2004

Craig C. Mello Medicine 2006

Mario R. Capecchi Medicine 2007

Yoichiro Nambu Physics 2008

Martin Chalfie Chemistry 2008

Marshall Nirenberg Medicine 1968

Stanley Cohen Medicine 1986

Douglas D. Osheroff Physics 1996

Leon Cooper Physics 1972

Stanley B. Prusiner Medicine 1997

James W. Cronin Physics 1980

Norman F. Ramsey Physics 1989

Robert F. Curl Chemistry 1996

Robert Richardson Physics 1996

Johann Diesenhofer Chemistry 1988

Burton Richter Physics 1976

John B. Fenn Chemistry 2002

Sherwood Rowland Chemistry 1995

Edmond H. Fischer Medicine 1992

Oliver Smithies Medicine 2007

Val Fitch Physics 1980

Richard R Schrock Chemistry 2005

Jerome I. Friedman Physics 1990

Joseph H. Taylor Jr. Physics 1993

Murray Gell-Man Physics 1969

E. Donnall Thomas Medicine 1990

Riccardo Giacconi Physics 2002

Charles H. Townes Physics 1964

Walter Gilbert Chemistry 1980

Roger Tsien Chemistry 2008

Alfred G. Gilman Medicine 1994

Daniel C.Tsui Physics 1998

Donald A. Glaser Physics 1960

Harold Varmus Medicine 1989

Sheldon L. Glashow Physics 1979

James D. Watson Medicine 1962

Joseph Goldstein Medicine 1985

Eric Wieschaus Medicine 1995

Paul Greengard Medicine 2000

Frank Wilczek Physics 2004

David Gross Physics 2004

Robert W. Wilson Physics 1978

Robert H. Grubbs Chemistry 2005

The views expressed in this letter represent those of the signers acting as individual citizens.

They do not necessarily represent the views of the institutions with which they are affiliated. The

Medicine award is for “Physiology or Medicine.”

You tube and pdf of letter available here:

http://scienceblogs.com/voteforscience/2008/10/all_2008_us_nobel_laureates_in.php?utm_source=sbhomepage&utm_medium=link&utm_content=channellink

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2008/10/14/65_US_Nobel_laureates_endorse_Obama/UPI-87491224015215/

McCains POW Time Served

Kari — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:43:22 EDT

As a Female Disabled Veteran (US Army and US Navy), I am asking that each person take one moment to reflect on whether or not you could make it through military boot camp - let alone a war such as Vietnam, Iraq or Pakistan. Now, I don't happen to believe that McCain is a "hero". I do believe he was given differential treatment by his captors for the making of propaganda films. However, since this would be a perfect time for one of the video/films to surface; and none have ~ I have to also consider that my evaluation of him cooperating witht the enemy may be incorrect. But even if the films were not made, I do NOT consider him a Hero - he was just one of thousands of men who were captured. He is just lucky, because one of us is not wearing a POW/MIA bracelet on our wrist with his name on it.

But I know what I went through just in Training Camp. It ain't easy! I enlisted in the Navy during Vietnam. I know that the Navy Boot-camps are considered one of the easier ones....yet I spent the first two weeks crying every day and night, calling my parents and asking them to find a way to get me out of there, and knowing I had made the biggest mistake of my life. Lucky for me, my parents consoled me but ignored my pleas. I became tougher and learned to accept my decision. I trained with rifles, handguns, gas chambers, obstacle courses, and ran like Forest Gump. And I wouldn't trade one day of that camp or my years in the Navy for anything. The only thing I can blame them for is my OCD today where I still fold my socks, underwear, and bras according to Chief Kluckner's way. (lol) And the only reason I left was because I had married and quickly became pregnant. You have to remember that "back in the day" women were not allowed to the in the military and pregnant, so I received an honorable discharge and moved to Indiana with my husband.

After graduating from Ball State in 1982 and being part of the first ROTC program since Vietnam, I made the decision to rejoin the Military (minus one husband) and off I went to training as a Army Officer. This training was easy compared to enlisted boot camp; but still, every day I thought about all the other jobs I could have accepted instead of the path I chose. I will say that some of the training was brutal. Like POW training. We spent two days with fellow Army counterparts; but in this situation, they played the part of the enemy. I was tough back then, and when my platoon and I were captured, the enemy ordered my squad to begin jumping jacks, I told my group, "Stand down. We will take no orders from these people." BAD MISTAKE. At least my squad was not punished, but I was. And when I also refused to give out any information except for my name, rank and serial number, it got REAL BAD. Now remember, these were not REAL enemies, nor were they REALLY going to hurt me. But for the following two hours, you could not have gotten ME to believe it was not REAL. I don't ever remember being that frightened or more cornered in my entire life. For me, IT WAS HELL ON EARTH. And this was JUST training - no real guns, no real torture, no real enemy. But it gave me the idea and the thought and the knowledge, that I NEVER EVER wanted to be captured by the "real thing".

So, this entire soap-box preaching was just to ask you to stop for a moment and think if you could have been in my combat boots; let alone John McCain's in the real situation. And no, I know of no Military Man or Woman who could lose 5 planes, 5 jets, 5 helicopters, 5 tanks or even 5 miles without there being consequences. But we were at War; and errors are overlooked more in the time of War.

I hope no one takes offense by this letter; I have been and will continue to be Devoted to Change....but I think that criticism of McCain during his time in the military needs to be done lightly; and perhaps, only by those that have been there. I know I haven't been in the real war.

Thanks for reading this terribly long and perhaps worthless letter.

1 crazyobamafan,

Kari

Let there be light, hope and happiness in your heart each and every day.

Host a Debate Watch Party

Indiana from Indianapolis, IN — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:45:21 EDT

The final presidential debate is this Wednesday, October 15th, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

It's the last chance for undecided voters to see Barack and John McCain side-by-side and determine who will bring the change this country needs.

You can make the most of this opportunity by bringing your friends, family, and fellow supporters together to watch.

Sign up to host a Debate Watch Party. We'll make sure you have everything you need to make the event a success.

If you've hosted an event before, you know how powerful they can be to help grow our movement. If you haven't, it's a terrific way to show your support, and we'll be with you every step of the way to help.

We're having a special conference call for Debate Watch Party hosts next week. We'll give you ideas for how to get your guests involved in the rest of the campaign.

In these final weeks, each of us needs to do whatever we can to keep growing our movement and encourage undecided voters to cast their vote for change.

Sign up to host a Debate Watch Party now:

http://my.barackobama.com/debate-watch-party

Thanks,

Jon

Jon Carson
National Field Director
Obama for America

Palin found to have "Abused her Power"

Kari — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:22:44 EDT

Legislative panel: Palin abused authority

57 minutes ago

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A legislative committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has found she unlawfully abused her authority in firing the state's public safety commissioner.

The investigative report concludes that a family grudge wasn't the sole reason for firing Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan but says it likely was a contributing factor.

The Republican vice presidential nominee has been accused of firing a commissioner to settle a family dispute. Palin supporters have called the investigation politically motivated.

Monegan says he was dismissed as retribution for resisting pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce with the governor's sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska lawmakers have emerged from a private session in Anchorage where they spent more than six hours discussing a politically charged ethics report into Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of her state public safety commissioner.

The legislative panel began its public session by discussing whether to release the report's findings. The investigation was examining whether Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, fired a state commissioner to settle a family dispute. The report was also expected to touch on whether Palin's husband meddled in state affairs and whether her administration inappropriately accessed employee medical records.

Critics claim Palin fired Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan after months of pressure on him to fire Mike Wooten, a state trooper involved in a nasty divorce and custody dispute with the governor's sister.

Lawmakers indicated they planned to release the report even though there was disagreement about its findings.

"I think there are some problems in this report," Republican state Sen. Gary Stevens. "I would encourage people to be very cautious, to look at this with a jaundiced eye."

Gosh, I do love them polls right now!

Kari — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:10:58 EDT

NBC POLL:

OBAMA 49% MCCAIN 43%

CNN POLL:

OBAMA 53% MCCAIN 45%

GALLUP POLL:

OBAMA 51% MCAIN 42%

WASHINGTON POST:

OBAMA 51% MCCAIN 45% (OF OHIO VOTERS!!!!!!!)

THOSE WHO WERE POLLED IN REGARDS TO THE ECONOMY:

OBAMA 61% MCCAIN 34%

http://news.yahoo.com/election/2008/dashboard?name=Polls|content=111100022012201011102000101100000020100012111200101

Oct.6 Last Chance Workout

Kentucky Woman — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:16:44 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!!

Long Uphill Battle McCain Faces (good!)

Kari — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:23:32 EDT

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer Sat Oct 4, 7:26 PM ET

WASHINGTON - One month before Election Day, Barack Obama sits atop battleground polls in a shrinking playing field, the economic crisis is breaking his way and he has made progress toward winning the White House.

The onus is on Republican John McCain to turn the race around under exceptionally challenging circumstances — and his options are limited.

McCain's advisers say the Arizona senator will ramp up his attacks in the coming days with a tougher, more focused message describing "who Obama is," including questioning his character, "liberal" record and "too risky" proposals in advertising and appearances.

Obama's advisers, in turn, say he will argue that McCain is unable to articulate an economic vision that's different from President Bush's. In a new push, the Illinois senator is calling McCain's health care plan "radical."

Now that the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin is over, the contest returns to being entirely about Obama and McCain and likely will stay that way until Nov. 4. The rivals meet Tuesday in their second of three debates.

Interviews with party insiders across the country Friday showed this: Democrats are optimistic of victory if nervous over whether Obama can hold his advantage while Republicans are worried that the race may be moving out of reach though hopeful that McCain will beat the odds as he did in the GOP primary.

Both sides note that plenty can change in one month — and they're right.

"Very confident, yet not overly so," said Ohio Democratic Party chief Chris Redfern, who said the financial turmoil is dreadful for the country but "politically it's advantageous" for Obama.

South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson said that given McCain's standing, "I'd be concerned at this time, but I would never count this guy out. He's got the political hide of an alligator."

The Electoral College battle playing out over roughly a dozen states puts McCain's challenge to reach the necessary 270 votes in stark terms.

McCain can't prevail without holding onto most of the states that Bush won, and he's now virtually tied or trailing in public polls in at least 10 of them — Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia — as he tries to fend off Obama's well-funded advertising onslaught and grass-roots efforts.

I'd rather be pink than red

Dwan — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:25:59 EDT

I have noticed with great pride that on electoral maps everywhere that the state of Indiana is changing. Where once there stood a state bathed in red there is now a state of pink. Pink of course is not blue, and the fight to leave the old red ideas behind has been a hard one but I have faith. I know that when I see signs in yards, and pictures of fields that have signs that say farmers for Obama that we as a state are moving forward. And that is some thing for all Hoosiers to be proud of. So for now pink looks good to me, it means that for the first time since 1964 a Democrat has inspired my state to make a change. And I for one will be proud to proclaim to the world that I am from a pink state.

Time.Com article on Palin

Kari — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:41:54 EDT

Why Some Women Hate Sarah Palin By Belinda Luscombe Thursday, Oct. 02, 2008 A woman holds an anti Sarah Palin sign. David McNew / Getty

Ah, women, the consistently, tragically underestimated constituency. What the Democrats learned during the primaries and the Republicans might now be finding out the hard way, I learned at my very academic, well-regarded all-girls high school: that is never to discount the ability of women to open a robust, committed, well-thought-out vat of hatred for another girl.

Women are weapons-grade haters. Hillary Clinton knows it. Palin knows it too. When women get their hate on, they don't just dislike, or find disfavor with, or sort of not really appreciate. They loathe — deeply, richly, sustainingly. I do not say this to disparage my gender; women also love in more or less the same way.

When men disagree, the steps to resolution are reasonably clear and unsophisticated. Acts of physical violence are visited upon one another's person or property, and the whole thing blows over. Women? Nu-unh. We savor the discord. We draw it out. We share our contempt with our friends, like a useful stock tip, or really good salsa. And then we all go hate together: a mutually encouraging group activity for when the book group gets quiet.

The hatred women have for Sarah Palin, and others had for Hillary before her, is not necessarily about politics. Anybody can run the numbers on how many people Palin's pro-life, pro-gun, socially conservative policies will seduce and how many they will alienate. Rather, the test that the McCain campaign failed to put her through was the Abbotsleigh Ladies College test. (Named after my high school. Go, green and gold!). It's a simple three-point pass-fail exam: Will the other girls like her?

Say Hello to Michigan!!!!!!!

Kari — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:26:39 EDT

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writers Thu Oct 2, 7:24 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate John McCain conceded battleground Michigan to the Democrats on Thursday, GOP officials said, a major retreat as he struggles to regain his footing in a campaign increasingly dominated by economic issues.

These officials said McCain was pulling staff and advertising out of the economically distressed Midwestern state. He also canceled a visit slated for next week. Michigan, with 17 electoral votes, voted for Democrat John Kerry in 2004, but Republicans had poured money into an effort to try to place it in their column this year.

The decision marked the first time either McCain or his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, has tacitly conceded a traditional battleground state in a race for the White House with little more than a month remaining.

In a campaign now unfolding across more than a dozen states, the decision allows McCain's resources to be sent to Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida and other more competitive states. But it also means Obama can shift money to other states like Virginia, Colorado and North Carolina where he is trying to eat into traditional Republican territory.

OH YEAH!

Kari — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:24:32 EDT

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 33 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama has surged to a seven-point lead over John McCain one month before the presidential election, lifted by voters who think the Democrat is better suited to lead the nation through its sudden financial crisis, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll that underscores the mounting concerns of some McCain backers.

Likely voters now back Obama 48-41 percent over McCain, a dramatic shift from an AP-GfK survey that gave the Republican a slight edge nearly three weeks ago, before Wall Street collapsed and sent ripples across worldwide markets. On top of that, unrelated surveys show Obama beating McCain in several battlegrounds, including Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania and Iowa — four states critical in the state-by-state fight for the presidency.

Several GOP strategists close to McCain's campaign privately fret that his chances for victory are starting to slip away.

Swing States More Important than EVER!

Kari — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:20:56 EDT

By GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 20 minutes ago

BOSTON - Heading into the final weekend of the 2004 presidential campaign, John Kerry was feeling good about his chances of winning the White House.

The Democratic nominee thought he had bested President Bush in their three prime-time debates. He also felt he'd convinced Americans his military and foreign affairs experience left him better equipped to end the Iraqi war.

Then Osama bin Laden weighed in with the most recent "October surprise" to land with a thud on a presidential campaign.

Kerry believes bin Laden cost him the presidency by issuing a videotape that criticized Bush and warned U.S. voters that "your security is in your own hands" in the election. And the Massachusetts senator thinks that's instructive for both Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain during the final month of their campaign.

Yard signs and bumper stickers rant

Rich — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:41:51 EDT

I was a full time volunteer during the primaries in Kentucky. I called hundreds of people (I don't like making calls) and I've knocked on thousands of doors. I've attended community meetings, I've joined the local democrats in trying to get our local representatives elected, along with our representatives in the federal offices.

I was excited to hear that Obama was going to run a 50 state campaign. We're now a little over a month away from the election. and there is no Obama presence in Owensboro, Kentucky. There are no offices, there are no Obama staffers, there is nothing Obama related here.

I, like a lot of volunteers, donated time instead of money because, frankly, I don't have any money. Now that the general election is upon us, I don't even have the option of donating my time. There a lot of people in Owensboro who want to help. They also would like bumper stickers and yard signs, to show their support.

Right now, it seems the only way we can get yard signs here is to either donate $15.00 to the Obama campaign, or drive 45 miles north, canvass in Indiana, and knock on 50 doors. I don't have a problem knocking on 50 doors, or even 500 doors, but I can't afford to drive 50 miles to do it. I also can't afford to donate money to the campaign. It's why I donated my time.

There doesn't appear to be a bumper sticker option for Kentucky. Does the 50 state stratagy mean that he will accept donations from all states, but doesn't want to campaign in them all? Why are the only emails I'm getting asking me for money, when I can't find a local office for the campaign? Kentucky seemed so important in the primaries, but now, neither candidate is doing anything here except taking our money.

We are one of the poorest states in the Union. There is no presidential campaign going on here, except on the news. This is exatly what I expect from our candidates. History shows this to be the case, and I'm more than a little upset that Barack is doing it too. I thought he was different. It seems that, once again, during the Presidential election, neither candidate cares about Kentucky.

First Presidential Debate goes to Obama!

Yaymee — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 08:33:42 EDT

THANK YOU Barack – for reinforcing the facts we’ve been sharing door to door in Evansville Indiana! You did us all proud. You stayed cool while defending your stance – and you called John McCain out when he tried to twist facts as he’s done for months.

You respectfully tried to engage McCain in conversation while he completely avoided eye contact and came off as both disrespectful and untrustworthy.

Go Obama! We’ve got your back in Southern Indiana! Amy J

Tina Fey

Kari — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:15:01 EDT

Please visit Huffington Post to watch the NBC SNL opening of "Clinton and Palin". The U Tube version has been pulled due to copywright infringement. If you need a laugh or two, the video is deinitely worth watching.

I have posted it on both my facebook and myspace accounts.

Visits to Iraq?

Kari — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 01:33:27 EDT

by GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 4 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The question of whether Sarah Palin has ever been to Iraq pushed Obama aides Saturday to accuse the McCain campaign of outright lies, distortions and distractions to the American people.

Since Republican presidential nominee John McCain tapped the Alaska governor to be his running mate on Aug. 29, questions about her experience have been fueled by her relatively brief tenure in office, as well as a dearth of foreign travel.

Palin made a well-documented trip to Kuwait and Germany last year to visit U.S. troops, and over time, the governor and her staff have revealed she also visited Canada and Mexico. Meanwhile, her aides clarified that a purported visit to Ireland was little more than a refueling stop during her trip to the Middle East.

On Saturday, a Palin aide told The Associated Press the governor also traveled one-quarter mile into Iraq during her July 2007 trip to participate in a re-enlistment ceremony for a member of the Alaska National Guard. Palin did not mention the excursion when asked about her foreign travels last week during a two-part ABC News interview because the bulk of her trip was elsewhere, said spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt.

That answer appears to contradict one provided to The Boston Globe, which reported Saturday that McCain-Palin aides had twice revised their description of Palin's visit to Iraq.

The newspaper said unnamed aides initially explained that Palin had visited a "military outpost" inside Iraq. The Globe said campaign aides and members of the Alaska National Guard subsequently explained that she did not venture beyond the Iraq/Kuwait border when she visited the Khabari Alawazem Crossing on July 25, 2007.

Lt. Col. Dave Osborn, commander of the 3d Battalion, 207th Infantry of the Alaska National Guard, who was in charge of the 570 local troops serving in Kuwait and Iraq, said Palin did not cross in Iraq.

"You have to have permission to go into a lot of areas, and (the crossing) is where her permissions were," Osborn told the newspaper during a telephone interview Friday.

But Schmitt said Palin was accompanied by a Pentagon general who oversees National Guard matters.

"According to the general who traveled with her, while she was there she presided over a re-enlistment ceremony of an Alaskan National Guard soldier," the spokeswoman said.

The discrepancy prompted a blistering memorandum to campaign reporters by aides to Democratic nominee Barack Obama. The Illinois senator and his staff have been criticized in some party circles lately for not responding forcefully enough to McCain and Palin since her surprise addition to the Republican ticket.

"Since naming Gov. Palin as their vice presidential nominee, the McCain campaign has distorted, distracted and outright lied to the American people about her record in a desperate attempt to hide the fact that a McCain/Palin administration would be nothing more than a continuation of the failed Bush policies of the last eight years," the memo read.

Among other things, the memo cited the Iraq-visit dispute, as well as Palin's claims to be a fiscal conservative despite significant growth in the Alaska state budget.

Change

Kari — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:21:52 EDT

Why we need this Change in November. In the last eight years, seniors have seen the erosion of many of the gains it took most of our lifetime to achieve. Reversing those losses begins with this election. We can either choose a new direction for our country, or we can choose to continue the same old politics and the same failed policies that got us here in the first place.

Voters should not listen to commericals from either candidate or what the media might be saying. We need to research the laws and also the lobbyists that are using the Candidates to ensure "their" victory in November. Barack Obama has a wonderful website with ALL of this past voting records; as well as his platform for the Citizens of the US. Then read John McCains. It is easy to see the differences - what they TRULY stand for; and what they have voted for or against in the past. And who has the "special interests of lobbyists" contributing to their campaign. Commercials and Ads should not sway your vote. Research should.

Powerful Washington special interests came close to privatizing Social Security in 2005 with the help of President George W. Bush and Senator McCain. Their approach would have resulted in profits of billions for those special interests. Those profits would come out of the pockets of every day Americans who would see their benefits cut and who would have to work to meet a higher retirement age before becoming eligible for Social Security. Barack Obama will not give them a second chance.

Barack Obama will ensure that Social Security is protected from those who would privatize it and cut benefits to make a profit. And Barack is committed to making repairs to Social Security that will strengthen it for today’s retirees, their children and their grandchildren

To McCain, Palin and the media

Dylan from Evansville, IN — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:47:50 EDT

In re: Barack's comment about lipstick on a pig and the indignant statements from McCain's camp and the corporate media...

They're using feminist rhetoric to support chauvinist action

And if we're not careful, it will take us even farther away from the substantive issues and deeper into the sty - which is exactly what they want.

McCain promised to run an issue-driven campaign. We need to call him out on his lie. And we need to demand that Governor Palin isn't a Faberge egg. She doesn't deserve to be handled with kid gloves any more than any other person who takes the leap into national politics.

Barack Talks Back

Kari — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:33:14 EDT

Carrie Budoff Brown reports:

Barack Obama hit John McCain on Wednesday over a comment from his campaign manager that the presidential race will be decided more on personalities than on issues.

“Which probably explains why last night when they were speaking, all these speakers [at the Republican National Convention] came up, you didn’t hear a single word about the economy,” Obama said at an economic forum in New Philadelphia, Ohio. “Not once did people mention the hardships that people are going through.”

“I guess I don’t blame them,” Obama added, “because if you don’t have any issues to run on, you want it all to be about personality. If you have got George Bush’s track record and John McCain voting 90 percent of the time in agreement with George Bush, then you probably you don’t want to talk about issues either.”

McCain campaign manager Rick Davis told Washington Post editors Tuesday that issues will have an impact on undecided voters but will not be conclusive.

“This election is not about issues,” Davis said. “This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates.”

The Obama campaign challenged the remarks Tuesday, and Obama added criticism of Davis’ remarks in his stump speech Wednesday, as part of an extended riff aimed at painting McCain as out of touch.

Palin mocks Barack? She's not right in the head!

Kari — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:29:41 EDT

By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent 30 minutes ago

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Claiming her historic place on the Republican ticket, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin mocked Barack Obama's experience and promise of change Wednesday night and pledged to help John McCain upend the Washington establishment.

"In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers," she said in a barbed reference to Obama's campaign theme. "And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change," she added in remarks prepared for her prime time address to the Republican National Convention.

In a second unmistakable jab at McCain's White House opponent, Palin traced her career as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, to governor of her state, adding: "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a `community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

As a young man, Obama did a stint as a community organizer.

The Alaska governor had top billing at the convention on a night delegates also lined up for a noisy roll call of the states to deliver their presidential nomination to McCain.

Palin, 44, also jabbed at the news media, which have raised convention week questions about her background and her family, including her 17-year-old unmarried, pregnant daughter. "Here's little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion — I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country."

EVERY SINGLE SUPPORTER SHOULD READ THIS!

Kari — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:12:38 EDT

This what some McCain supporters think of us.

I have received several e-mails from someone that I don't know, a friend of a friend, (I guess) who has taken it upon himself to continue to spam me questioning my values, believes and faith. Including that the values that I'm teaching my children are some how not God like values. This is all because of my support for Obama. He says that I am jumping on the band wagon just because of 'feel good talk!' He included how his children would lose his love and support if they were gay. He has suggested to me that the things that matter to me and us Democrats are not the important things in life! As well as, I have no faith in God. It us Democrats that have taken prayer out of schools so our children will not know anything about Faith! His slams go o n and on. You can tell by my reply what some of his comments were.

He wanted to know what really matters to me.

Below was my reply!

________________________________________________________________________

First of all, the love for MY child (and other children that most people turn a blind eye on) is absolute and will always be unconditional, period!

We sit at our table at night hold hands and thank God for his glory! We are on bended knees every night before we sleep. My child/children are taught what is important comes from God! I don't need a school to teach my child faith!

What really matters to me, you ask? This is what really matters to me.......

When I rock and comfort a drug addicted baby in my arms all night until the withdrawals go away. When a five old little girl is brought to my home, I teach her that an adult's hug doesn't require a sexual favor in return. I teach the two year old little boy that when an infant cries you don't stop the cries by kicking and hitting him until it ends. I teach my child and all the others that come through my home the value of life, all life. I don't teach them that my love or Gods love is conditional. I don't teach them to hate, to decimate, judge or de-value any other life.

My son sees how blessed we are and what horrible things evil spirit can bring to others. He is being taught to serve and give back to the ones that need it most and not to turn a blind eye on the truth. We are responsible for being our brother keepers! This is what I care about! This is not just 'feel good talk to me.' it is my actions that speak of my faith, one child at a time!

Some use their faith to hide behind to teach hate and intolerants! This is not the message that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ taught! Why do some people think that they are above his teachings!

You stand firm on your right to life values, but do your actions help in anyway with the overloaded system of children that desperately need help now?

Will your faith, without deeds get you into heaven? (From the bible, I 'm sure you know)

I voted for Bush twice and his father and Regean.

I don't like being lied to.

I believe this country is better than the way we are acting now.

Do as I do, not as I say! Leading by example! What a concept that would be!

As far as my fella's plan is concerned, the burden to end our dependants on foreign oil does not fall on him alone. He will lead us in this massive undertaking, but its all of us, we have the reasonability to take part and leave our children a better world!

We need a real leader, someone that can invoke us to do better, inspire us to try harder and truly act on that inspiration!

This is small part of what I believe. Do you have a better understanding of what matters to me now?

If we put our words into action we can make the world a better place!

God Bless Ed!

The next e-mail I got from ED was an apology!!

Wow. That's all I can say

Kari — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:44:38 EDT

I think we will look back at today as the day when the Republicans most certainly lost the Presidency. In choosing Sarah Palin of Alaska for Vice President, the Republicans have made a cynical but clever choice. At least they think it is clever. She is a woman, young (44 years old), a Governor (only two years), a mother (five children), pro-life, and pro-gun. But what is she not? She is NOT pro-choice. She has NO national experience. She has never been under the intense scrutiny of a national campaign. She is under investigation for some incident in Alaska that is messy and personal. She has no international experience. Her experience governing is in a very small state, famous for its "Bridge to Nowhere" kind of political graft. Her Republican colleague in that state, Senator Ted Stevens has been indicted for corruption.

When Republicans and independents go into the voting booth, will they have the confidence to vote for a McCain-Palin ticket, knowing that John McCain has had several recurrences of his skin cancer, and will be the oldest President ever? Can they imagine Sarah Palin stepping into the Oval Office and dealing with all the problems we face right now? The Russians and the terrorists must be quaking in their boots.

It's a slap in the face of other Republican women like Kay Bailey Hutchison, bless her heart, who was forced to stumble through an interview on TV trying to make the case for Palin whom she has never met. There are certainly women in the Republican party who were "in line" for this before Palin. Did the Rovian type advisors to McCain just cynically think that throwing a young attractive inexperienced woman into the mix would satisfy women who long to see a woman president? Women, and Republican women, are not so stupid as to fall for that! It is reminiscent of the Republicans putting up Alan Keyes to run against Barack Obama for the Illinois Senate just because he was black. Voters saw through that pretty quickly.

It's also a slap in the face of Democratic women voters. They don't get Hillary but they get Sarah as the first potential woman President? In fact, I can just hear Biden saying, "Sarah Palin, you are NO Hillary Clinton!" I would imagine that the few remaining Clinton supporters who are wondering if they should support John McCain are even more leery now. There is absolutely no overlap between the positions Hillary Clinton has fought her entire life for and Sarah Palin. The two women are not remotely substitutable. They are as different as they can be.

WHAT A MAN - WHAT A SPEECH

Kari — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:52:28 EDT

I hope all of you were lucky enough to be surrounded by Obama Supporters while you watched our next President of the US give one of the best speeches of his life...and maybe the best speech I have ever heard.

I was lucky enough to enjoy the evening with the Jackson County IL for OBAMA group along with the site administrator, Kate. She is a non-stop working woman with a beautiful young girl and the fire and energy to carry Barack all the way to the White House.

And what can I say about Tina? Dressed head to shoes in Obama! She is a BEAUTIFUL and gracious and loving woman and her husband better know how lucky he is. She is full of the "spirit" of Change and I would stand proudly next to her in any situation.

And how lucky I was that I was there. To meet more and more dedicated and driven individuals from young children to us old "peeps." There must of been enough energy to light all of Carbondale up for a month.

Special Thanks for Buffalo Wild Wings, and the amazing wait staff we had. The food was perfect, the drinks always full and the staff was cheering Barack on right with us.

Also, A BIG THANK YOU for WSIL TV 3, Rachael and Brandon for staying through the entire evening and making us stand up and get on the news. Rachael, you are an amazing girl; and I know we were meant to meet and be friends. We were on "live" during the news; and I had two text messages within 2 minutes by friends saying, "We saw you on the NEWS!" Too funny.

Thank you Kate. Thank you for making me get out of my house and get involved. Thank you for being so kind and so enthusiastic...it definitely has rubbed off on me. I can't wait till we all get a chance to sit in a quieter environment and come up with 100 more ideas for ways of getting the message of CHANGE out.

I am not sure I have EVER been so moved as I was tonight. The speeches from Senator Dick Durbin, Joe Biden, Tim Kayne, and of course, Barack were wonderful. And the speeches from the "good ole' folks" were just as great....especially Barney Smith's....don't you think?

No one could guess what this campaign means to me. No one could know how much this election means to me. No one will ever see the fire in the blood, the beating of my heart, or the electricity that is produced in my body and mind...but everyone will hear me roar. NO MORE!

And never, ever forget what Barack said to each and everyone of us tonight: "This election is NOT about me - it is about YOU!

Take that to the bank and count on cashing that one, for sure. I am challenging each and every one of you to call 5 friends and/or family members and tell them about Barack's Speech and how it affected you. And challenge each one of them to call 5 more. Spread the word. Our Time is Approaching.

So, blah blah blah....Kari rambles on for an hour or more....but just know that I was moved tonight and I can bet my bottom dollar (at the bottom of my big old' purse) that you were too.

And if you missed his speech, well shame on you. Find it on the internet and Really listen to it. Listen to the passion and emotion of Barack Obama. He is the one for me!

One Crazy Obama Supporter,

Kari

Nobody want McCain in Office!

Kari — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:25:30 EDT

Cindy McCain's half-sister tells Us Magazine that she won't help put her famous sibling in the White House:

"I'm not voting for McCain," Kathleen Hensley Portalski tells Us. "I have a different political standpoint.

"I'm voting for Obama," the Phoenix resident says. "I think his proposals to improve the country are more positive and I'm not a big war believer."

...

Portalski's son Nathan, an aerospace machinist, is also backing Obama.

"I wouldn't vote for John McCain if he was a Democrat," he tells Us. "I would not vote at all before I'd vote for him.

"I question whether Cindy is someone I'd want to see in the White House as first lady," he adds.

Thank God

Kentucky Woman — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:03:45 EDT

Thank God it is over. The delegate count is done and I am so proud of our behavior. So happy we have made history and so ready for Barack Obama to become our President-Elect. Thank God.

A Change of Heart and Party.....

Kari — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:20:24 EDT

Susan Eisenhower Leaving GOP For Good, Cites McCain's "Rove-Style" Politics
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stephenfox/gG5sn9

National Interest:
   I have decided I can no longer be a registered Republican. For the first
time in my life I announced my support for a Democratic candidate for the
presidency, in February of this year. This was not an endorsement of the
Democratic platform, nor was it a slap in the face to the Republican Party.
It was an expression of support specifically for Senator Barack Obama. I had
always intended to go back to party ranks after the election and work with
my many dedicated friends and colleagues to help reshape the GOP, especially
in the foreign-policy arena. But I now know I will be more effective
focusing on our national and international problems than I will be in trying
to reinvigorate a political organization that has already consumed nearly
all of its moderate "seed corn."

And now, as the party threatens to trivialize what promised to be a
serious debate on our future direction, it will alienate many young people
who might have come into party ranks.

   My decision came at the end of last week when it was demonstrated to the
nation that McCain and this Bush White House have learned little in the last
five years. They mishandled what became a crisis in the Caucusus, and this
has undermined U.S. national security. At the same time, the McCain camp
appears to be comfortable with running an unworthy Karl Rove-style political
campaign. Will the McCain operation, and its sponsors, do anything to win?
Read on...
   Eisenhower obliterates the media narrative that John McCain is strong on
national security and foreign policy and shows the growing distaste within
the GOP for the destructive Rove/Bush, scorched earth politics the McCain
camp has unfortunately chosen to adopt. Susan believes the GOP has lost its
way and has finally awakened to the destructive nature of the Bush regime -
the one her grandfather warned us about all those years ago.

What did Americans get from having a war in IRAQ?

Kentucky Woman — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:06:01 EDT

Did we get a reduction in the price of gas and heating oil? Do women in Iraq have equal rights? Did we protect the 100,000 plus Iraqi Christians? Can we trust that Iraq will be our allies in the future? Did we lower our deficit? Does Russia respect us? Can our allies depend on us to back them up if Russia invades? Did we catch Bin Laden? Do we have a stronger Army, Navy, Air force and Marine corps? Has it brought jobs back to America?

If the answer is no to all of the above, how are we safer?

team players

Kari — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 08:05:24 EDT

WHAT A GREAT TEAM WE HAVE TO TAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE!

Running Mate Picked but not Revealed!

Kari — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:30:56 EDT

By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer 11 minutes ago

CHICAGO - Barack Obama says he's decided on a running mate, but he won't say who. The Democratic presidential candidate told USA Today on Thursday that he went with someone who is independent and would challenge him in the White House. He also said he wanted someone who is prepared to be president and would help him strengthen the economy.

He wouldn't say whether he's informed his pick yet. He says he won't reveal anything else about the decision until he announces it.

Obama is planning to do so in a text message to supporters sometime before Saturday afternoon, when he's scheduled to appear with his pick in Illinois. Asked by an Associated Press reporter when the text would be sent, Obama just grinned and said, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Debate Dates Released

Kari — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:27:02 EDT

WASHINGTON - John McCain and Barack Obama have agreed to hold three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate this fall, the campaigns said in a joint statement Thursday that outlined formats, dates and locations.

The Commission on Presidential Debates will sponsor the events.

The first, on Sept. 26 at the University of Mississippi, will focus on foreign policy and national security, and McCain and Obama will answer questions from moderator Jim Lehrer while standing at podiums.

On Oct. 7, the two will meet again for a town-hall style debate at Belmont University. Moderator Tom Brokaw will call on audience members and pose questions submitted through the Internet.

The third presidential debate, on domestic and economic policy, is slated for Oct. 15 at Hofstra University. McCain and Obama will sit at a table with moderator Bob Schieffer.

Vice presidential contenders are to meet Oct. 2 at Washington University in St. Louis

Saturday in Springfield, IL

Kari — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:09:31 EDT

By BETH FOUHY, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 45 minutes ago

RALEIGH, N.C. - Barack Obama and his newly named running mate will campaign together Saturday at the place where the Democratic presidential hopeful formally launched his White House bid.

A senior Obama adviser told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday that the Illinois senator and his choice for vice president will appear in Springfield, Ill., at the former state Capitol where Abraham Lincoln once served.

The last time Obama appeared there he announced he was running for president.

I want things to be easy

Kentucky Woman — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:11:27 EDT

I want things to be easy for us. I want the DNC to have a million more registered voters in every state than the RNC. I want the RNC and Mcsame to fight using policy only. I want peoples hearts to be leaded by the desire for a better America and not by fear of race, ethnicity, or education. I want this election year to be easy. I want us to win out right and in a landslide. There is only one mistake we can make and that is taking anyone's vote for granted. We have to keep our base engaged. We must not write off a voter because they don't fit the demographics. Just because your State, County, district, is leaning Bush/Mcsame, doesn't mean Obama won't win in your area. Don't ignore the fact that we thought we could survive 8 years of Bush. How well are we doing? We can't afford to allow Mcsame to take us another 4 years in the wrong direction.

Birthday Wish #1

Kentucky Woman — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:42:22 EDT

Father give Obama the support of the American voter. Allow him to have a vision for the country that we all can get behind.

Volunteer Training

Kari — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:24:11 EDT

Let me put it this way folks: The Democratic Convention is First Class all the way. I am still having trouble believing I spent over $1000 to go to 3 hours of training; but Denver is sure a beautiful city.

Most of the training was concentrated on giving the delegates, VIPS, family members, etc FIRST CLASS SERVICE. The hope is that we are SO good to them; that they will want to return to Denver with their families for a vacation.

We had someone from Dale Carnegie, an inspirational speaker, and we were introduced to the woman who is solely responsible for getting the Convention to Denver. It was quite an honor.

Denver is surrounded by beautiful mountains and not much air! We were able to visit the US Mint, the State Capital Building and the 16th Street Mall.....sort of a mix of Hollywood, Venice and New York City. I absolutely loved it. And to be sure you understand: when they say, "alcohol will hit your system 25% faster", they ain't a kidding! I drank a ton of water to stay hydrated, used a lot of sunscreen (less atmosphere to shield you from the Sun) and walk my .... shoes off?

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency at the Convention Center - right where the training took place.

Just for those who are planning to go: There are NO hotel rooms within 100 miles. I am still looking for someone who may open their home to me.

I have yet to receive an assignment. The Convention itself will be held at the Pepsi Center and Senator Obama's acceptance speech will be at Inesco Field..I think they hold some type of football game there...joke, please....

I met some wonderful local volunteers and I am looking forward to seeing them again at the Convention.

I am leaving tomorrow for an extended vacation; but will have my computer with me. I hope I will receive my Volunteer Assignment soon so I can share it with all.

Most volunteers will NOT be at the Pepsi Center; so unless I win that Backstate Pass by donating another $100 - my chances of meeting our next President are slim to none.

Hope all is going well.

Kate: What is up? How's the Jackson Country Group doing?

Take care!

Kari

"...Leaving on a Jet Plane..."

Kari — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:23:20 EDT

Well, I a going to Denver today. I am flying out this afternoon for Denver, Colorado for the Mandatory Training session being held at the convention center tomorrow morning. I will definitely let you all what that was like when I return on Sunday.

Since Obama is in Europe...figuring I won't get to meet him tomorrow; but I am hoping to meet as many of the Campaign staff as possible. If anyone has any suggestions, any comments or anything they would like me to ask about the convention or about volunteering, that you think could be handled by someone that will teaching "we little volunteers", please let me know and I will try to find someone who can answer it.

Have a great weekend...I will home very late on Sunday night.

The political use of polling

Patrick Frank — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:32:47 EDT

NBC's handling of their recent poll suggests how numbers can be manipulated or used for or against a candidate. Some numbers from the poll were headlined and highlighted, others were ignored. Some of these problems with reporting may be unintentional and a result of time constraints. But we need we need to be aware and willing to respond to media outlets that convey a distorted impression of Barack or the current state of the race. I have copied, below, the email I sent to Meet the Press and Chuck Todd, with whom I have had frequent correspondence, regarding this matter...

I am a grassroots Obama volunteer from Kingstree, South Carolina.

If you utilize the recent NBC/WSJ poll results on Meet the Press, I hope you and Chuck Todd (if he is on) will have time to present a balanced view of the data with respect to Obama and McCain.

In the NBC reporting of this poll that I have seen, some significant positives for Obama in the poll have not been mentioned.

For example, in this poll a majority of voters perceived Obama as more...

Easygoing and likeable, offering hope and optimism, being compassionate enough to understand the people, and improving America's standing in the world

As Chuck Todd has reported, if Obama were pitted against McCain today, Obama would receive 47% of the vote, McCain would receive 41% of the vote. But I have not heard it mentioned that if Bob Barr and Ralph Nader were thrown into the mix, Obama would garner 48% of the vote, while McCain would garner 35. So the third party candidates could make a huge difference, at least in terms of the popular vote.

44% of Obama voters are excited about him, while only 14% of McCain voters are excited. I have also not heard this mentioned in broadcasts. This finding could be significant in terms of election-day turnout.

Chuck Todd did say on Nightly News that voters surveyed consider Obama the more mainstream candidate, though I could not find that data in the poll, posted on RealClear.

Finally, voters, by a 60-30 margin, said they favor a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq, in effect agreeing with Obama's position.

There are positives for McCain in the poll, too, of course. For example, a majority saw McCain as having stronger leadership qualities, being consistent and standing up for his beliefs, being more honest and straightforward (by a narrow margin), and being a good commander in chief. And, as has been widely reported by NBC, a majority of voters surveyed consider Obama to be the riskier choice.

I just ask, if this poll is cited, that a balanced view of the findings be given. Also, it should be noted that polling is only a snapshot. For example, the full impact of Obama’s trip overseas has not been yet been seen.

Chuck Todd does an excellent job of crunching the numbers, but I hope that he is given time and takes the opportunity to present a balanced picture, though I understand that time is a strong limiting factor in the presentation of network news.

Thank you,

Patrick Frank

An athlete (pretty much over the hill) talks about motivation

Patrick Frank — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:27:33 EDT

Based on my experience playing baseball aqnd basketball, this is what I have brought to this campaign...

*Work hard

*Come back stronger when under adversity

*Be consistent

*Support your teammates

*Don't worry about the crowd

Patrick Frank

(832) 372-8851

patrickgfrank@yahoo.com

Alternative Fuel

Kari — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:56:17 EDT

McCain and his voting record

Kari — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:14:54 EDT

Hearing-Gate Exposed! McCain Has Worse Afghanistan Hearing Record Than Obama

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf reports from Capitol Hill: The McCain campaign criticism of Sen. Barack Obama's hearing record on Capitol Hill led us to put the shoe on the other foot.

It turns out that presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain has attended even fewer Afghanistan-related Senate hearings over the past two years than Obama's one. Which is a nice way of saying, McCain, R-Ariz., the top Republican on the Senate Armed Service Committee, has attended zero of his committee's six hearings on Afghanistan over the last two years.

Meanwhile, Obama attended the full Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Afghanistan in March 2007, although he used the opportunity to ask Gen. James L. Jones, then the commander of NATO, about Pakistan.

Jones also came before the Senate Armed Services Committee that week. But McCain was a no-show.

The findings are surprising given the fact that the McCain campaign loudly criticized Obama this week for failing to schedule any hearings on Afghanistan in the last year and a half. Obama chairs the European Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which has oversight of military operations in Afghanistan.

“As the situation in Afghanistan grows more tense, it is time for us to hold a hearing on the mission there,” Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., a McCain surrogate and ranking member of Obama's subcommittee wrote in a letter to the Illinois senator. “The success of Afghanistan is critical to the future of NATO and vital to our efforts to defeat Al Qaeda and the Taliban.”

Of the three Afghanistan-related hearings that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has had over the past 22 months, Obama, the presumptive Democratic candidate, has only attended one.

Meanwhile, DeMint, who most recently attacked Obama over Afghanistan, didn't attend any. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, the Democratic chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, missed one of the Afghanistan hearings too -- while he was in the midst of his own presidential campaign.

A review of the Senate Armed Services Committee hearings as listed on the committee Web site for the past two years reveals that McCain's committee has held six hearings that included the word "Afghanistan" in the title or Central Command -- which overseas U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

McCain missed them all.

Make Your Voice Heard - Marion IL

Kari — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:17:36 EDT

What a great experience I had today as local Southern Illlinoisian people met to discuss the wants, needs and desires for the Democratic Party Platform. There were young and old retirees and working men and women, a rep from Senator Durbin's office, a rep from OBAMA's office, and several representatives from the County Commissioners; as well as the media! We focused on 4 major issues that are of utmost importance to us. The first working group was Energy, Technological and Enviromental issues. The second was based on the War in Iraq, cost of this war in dollars and life and limb; as well as peace time issues. The third group was Ecomony, Job Security, Outsourcing, and a stable Social Security system. The fourth group focused on Health Care and Education. We then split into the four groups and came to some type of agreement of what to forward to the Democratic Party Platform. Not everyone agreed on every issue and some heated discussion and shaking of heads could be seen; but we came to agreement of each of the Four Major issues. I enjoyed meeting other passionate and dedicated men and women who were all working towards our common goal: Barack OBAMA as our next President of the United States.

Special thanks to the group that put this together; as well as the Operating Engineers Local 302 Union Hall who allowed us to use their facilities.

I will be leaving this Friday for Denver for my Volunteer Training. I am bringing my lap top and hopefully will be able to update you several times on Saturday as to how the training went.

Have a great week and Please take the time out of your very busy day to get involved!

Kari

John McCain "jokes" about killing~

Kari — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:00:09 EDT

"Heeere's JOHNNY!" The Weekly Spin, July 9, 2008 Blog Postings, Spin Of The Day Postings McCain Jokes (Again) About Killing Iranians
Source: Reuters, July 8, 2008

Reacting to a report that revealed American cigarette exports to Iran have risen tenfold during George W. Bush's time in office, Republican presidential candidate John McCain commented, "Maybe that's a way of killing 'em."

He followed this by saying, "I meant that as a joke, as a person who hasn't had a cigarette in 28 years, 29 years." McCain's public joke about killing Iranians was the second of his campaign.

Last year at a South Carolina campaign stop, when he was asked if there was a plan to attack Iran, McCain responded by saying "You know that old Beach Boys song, Bomb Iran?" He then sang "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" before discussing what he believed to be the serious threat Iran poses to Israel's national security

McCain is the Underdog

Kari — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:07:46 EDT

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer 30 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - John McCain calls himself an underdog. That may be an understatement. The GOP presidential candidate trails Democrat Barack Obama in polls, organization and money while trying to succeed a deeply unpopular fellow Republican in a year that favors Democrats.

McCain also doesn't seem to have a coherent message let alone much of a strategy despite securing the nomination three months earlier than Obama.

"This is a tough race. We are behind. We are the underdog. That's what I like to be," the GOP nominee-in-waiting frequently tells donors these days, keenly aware not only of his woes but also his proven comeback ability: He won his party's nomination despite the implosion of his campaign last summer.

The America We Love

Jill 4 Obama — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:12:21 EDT

Obama Speeches

June 30, 2008
Remarks of Senator Barack Obama: The America We Love

On a spring morning in April of 1775, a simple band of colonists - farmers and merchants, blacksmiths and printers, men and boys - left their homes and families in Lexington and Concord to take up arms against the tyranny of an Empire. The odds against them were long and the risks enormous - for even if they survived the battle, any ultimate failure would bring charges of treason, and death by hanging. And yet they took that chance. They did so not on behalf of a particular tribe or lineage, but on behalf of a larger idea. The idea of liberty. The idea of God-given, inalienable rights. And with the first shot of that fateful day - a shot heard round the world - the American Revolution, and America's experiment with democracy, began.

Those men of Lexington and Concord were among our first patriots. And at the beginning of a week when we celebrate the birth of our nation, I think it is fitting to pause for a moment and reflect on the meaning of patriotism - theirs, and ours. We do so in part because we are in the midst of war - more than one and a half million of our finest young men and women have now fought in Iraq and Afghanistan; over 60,000 have been wounded, and over 4,600 have been laid to rest. The costs of war have been great, and the debate surrounding our mission in Iraq has been fierce. It is natural, in light of such sacrifice by so many, to think more deeply about the commitments that bind us to our nation, and to each other.

We reflect on these questions as well because we are in the midst of a presidential election, perhaps the most consequential in generations; a contest that will determine the course of this nation for years, perhaps decades, to come. Not only is it a debate about big issues - health care, jobs, energy, education, and retirement security - but it is also a debate about values. How do we keep ourselves safe and secure while preserving our liberties? How do we restore trust in a government that seems increasingly removed from its people and dominated by special interests? How do we ensure that in an increasingly global economy, the winners maintain allegiance to the less fortunate? And how do we resolve our differences at a time of increasing diversity?

Finally, it is worth considering the meaning of patriotism because the question of who is - or is not - a patriot all too often poisons our political debates, in ways that divide us rather than bringing us together. I have come to know this from my own experience on the campaign trail. Throughout my life, I have always taken my deep and abiding love for this country as a given. It was how I was raised; it is what propelled me into public service; it is why I am running for President. And yet, at certain times over the last sixteen months, I have found, for the first time, my patriotism challenged - at times as a result of my own carelessness, more often as a result of the desire by some to score political points and raise fears about who I am and what I stand for.

So let me say at this at outset of my remarks. I will never question the patriotism of others in this campaign. And I will not stand idly by when I hear others question mine.

My concerns here aren't simply personal, however. After all, throughout our history, men and women of far greater stature and significance than me have had their patriotism questioned in the midst of momentous debates. Thomas Jefferson was accused by the Federalists of selling out to the French. The anti-Federalists were just as convinced that John Adams was in cahoots with the British and intent on restoring monarchal rule. Likewise, even our wisest Presidents have sought to justify questionable policies on the basis of patriotism. Adams' Alien and Sedition Act, Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus, Roosevelt's internment of Japanese Americans - all were defended as expressions of patriotism, and those who disagreed with their policies were sometimes labeled as unpatriotic.

In other words, the use of patriotism as a political sword or a political shield is as old as the Republic. Still, what is striking about today's patriotism debate is the degree to which it remains rooted in the culture wars of the 1960s - in arguments that go back forty years or more. In the early years of the civil rights movement and opposition to the Vietnam War, defenders of the status quo often accused anybody who questioned the wisdom of government policies of being unpatriotic. Meanwhile, some of those in the so-called counter-culture of the Sixties reacted not merely by criticizing particular government policies, but by attacking the symbols, and in extreme cases, the very idea, of America itself - by burning flags; by blaming America for all that was wrong with the world; and perhaps most tragically, by failing to honor those veterans coming home from Vietnam, something that remains a national shame to this day.

Most Americans never bought into these simplistic world-views - these caricatures of left and right. Most Americans understood that dissent does not make one unpatriotic, and that there is nothing smart or sophisticated about a cynical disregard for America's traditions and institutions. And yet the anger and turmoil of that period never entirely drained away. All too often our politics still seems trapped in these old, threadbare arguments - a fact most evident during our recent debates about the war in Iraq, when those who opposed administration policy were tagged by some as unpatriotic, and a general providing his best counsel on how to move forward in Iraq was accused of betrayal.

Given the enormous challenges that lie before us, we can no longer afford these sorts of divisions. None of us expect that arguments about patriotism will, or should, vanish entirely; after all, when we argue about patriotism, we are arguing about who we are as a country, and more importantly, who we should be. But surely we can agree that no party or political philosophy has a monopoly on patriotism. And surely we can arrive at a definition of patriotism that, however rough and imperfect, captures the best of America's common spirit.

What would such a definition look like? For me, as for most Americans, patriotism starts as a gut instinct, a loyalty and love for country rooted in my earliest memories. I'm not just talking about the recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance or the Thanksgiving pageants at school or the fireworks on the Fourth of July, as wonderful as those things may be. Rather, I'm referring to the way the American ideal wove its way throughout the lessons my family taught me as a child.

One of my earliest memories is of sitting on my grandfather's shoulders and watching the astronauts come to shore in Hawaii. I remember the cheers and small flags that people waved, and my grandfather explaining how we Americans could do anything we set our minds to do. That's my idea of America.

I remember listening to my grandmother telling stories about her work on a bomber assembly-line during World War II. I remember my grandfather handing me his dog-tags from his time in Patton's Army, and understanding that his defense of this country marked one of his greatest sources of pride. That's my idea of America.

I remember, when living for four years in Indonesia as a child, listening to my mother reading me the first lines of the Declaration of Independence - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." I remember her explaining how this declaration applied to every American, black and white and brown alike; how those words, and words of the United States Constitution, protected us from the injustices that we witnessed other people suffering during those years abroad. That's my idea of America.

As I got older, that gut instinct - that America is the greatest country on earth - would survive my growing awareness of our nation's imperfections: it's ongoing racial strife; the perversion of our political system laid bare during the Watergate hearings; the wrenching poverty of the Mississippi Delta and the hills of Appalachia. Not only because, in my mind, the joys of American life and culture, its vitality, its variety and its freedom, always outweighed its imperfections, but because I learned that what makes America great has never been its perfection but the belief that it can be made better. I came to understand that our revolution was waged for the sake of that belief - that we could be governed by laws, not men; that we could be equal in the eyes of those laws; that we could be free to say what we want and assemble with whomever we want and worship as we please; that we could have the right to pursue our individual dreams but the obligation to help our fellow citizens pursue theirs.

For a young man of mixed race, without firm anchor in any particular community, without even a father's steadying hand, it is this essential American idea - that we are not constrained by the accident of birth but can make of our lives what we will - that has defined my life, just as it has defined the life of so many other Americans.

That is why, for me, patriotism is always more than just loyalty to a place on a map or a certain kind of people. Instead, it is also loyalty to America's ideals - ideals for which anyone can sacrifice, or defend, or give their last full measure of devotion. I believe it is this loyalty that allows a country teeming with different races and ethnicities, religions and customs, to come together as one. It is the application of these ideals that separate us from Zimbabwe, where the opposition party and their supporters have been silently hunted, tortured or killed; or Burma, where tens of thousands continue to struggle for basic food and shelter in the wake of a monstrous storm because a military junta fears opening up the country to outsiders; or Iraq, where despite the heroic efforts of our military, and the courage of many ordinary Iraqis, even limited cooperation between various factions remains far too elusive.

I believe those who attack America's flaws without acknowledging the singular greatness of our ideals, and their proven capacity to inspire a better world, do not truly understand America.

Of course, precisely because America isn't perfect, precisely because our ideals constantly demand more from us, patriotism can never be defined as loyalty to any particular leader or government or policy. As Mark Twain, that greatest of American satirists and proud son of Missouri, once wrote, "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." We may hope that our leaders and our government stand up for our ideals, and there are many times in our history when that's occurred. But when our laws, our leaders or our government are out of alignment with our ideals, then the dissent of ordinary Americans may prove to be one of the truest expression of patriotism.

The young preacher from Georgia, Martin Luther King, Jr., who led a movement to help America confront our tragic history of racial injustice and live up to the meaning of our creed - he was a patriot. The young soldier who first spoke about the prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib - he is a patriot. Recognizing a wrong being committed in this country's name; insisting that we deliver on the promise of our Constitution - these are the acts of patriots, men and women who are defending that which is best in America. And we should never forget that - especially when we disagree with them; especially when they make us uncomfortable with their words.

Beyond a loyalty to America's ideals, beyond a willingness to dissent on behalf of those ideals, I also believe that patriotism must, if it is to mean anything, involve the willingness to sacrifice - to give up something we value on behalf of a larger cause. For those who have fought under the flag of this nation - for the young veterans I meet when I visit Walter Reed; for those like John McCain who have endured physical torment in service to our country - no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary. And let me also add that no one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign, and that goes for supporters on both sides.

We must always express our profound gratitude for the service of our men and women in uniform. Period. Indeed, one of the good things to emerge from the current conflict in Iraq has been the widespread recognition that whether you support this war or oppose it, the sacrifice of our troops is always worthy of honor.

For the rest of us - for those of us not in uniform or without loved ones in the military - the call to sacrifice for the country's greater good remains an imperative of citizenship. Sadly, in recent years, in the midst of war on two fronts, this call to service never came. After 9/11, we were asked to shop. The wealthiest among us saw their tax obligations decline, even as the costs of war continued to mount. Rather than work together to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and thereby lessen our vulnerability to a volatile region, our energy policy remained unchanged, and our oil dependence only grew.

In spite of this absence of leadership from Washington, I have seen a new generation of Americans begin to take up the call. I meet them everywhere I go, young people involved in the project of American renewal; not only those who have signed up to fight for our country in distant lands, but those who are fighting for a better America here at home, by teaching in underserved schools, or caring for the sick in understaffed hospitals, or promoting more sustainable energy policies in their local communities.

I believe one of the tasks of the next Administration is to ensure that this movement towards service grows and sustains itself in the years to come. We should expand AmeriCorps and grow the Peace Corps. We should encourage national service by making it part of the requirement for a new college assistance program, even as we strengthen the benefits for those whose sense of duty has already led them to serve in our military.

We must remember, though, that true patriotism cannot be forced or legislated with a mere set of government programs. Instead, it must reside in the hearts of our people, and cultivated in the heart of our culture, and nurtured in the hearts of our children.

As we begin our fourth century as a nation, it is easy to take the extraordinary nature of America for granted. But it is our responsibility as Americans and as parents to instill that history in our children, both at home and at school. The loss of quality civic education from so many of our classrooms has left too many young Americans without the most basic knowledge of who our forefathers are, or what they did, or the significance of the founding documents that bear their names. Too many children are ignorant of the sheer effort, the risks and sacrifices made by previous generations, to ensure that this country survived war and depression; through the great struggles for civil, and social, and worker's rights.

It is up to us, then, to teach them. It is up to us to teach them that even though we have faced great challenges and made our share of mistakes, we have always been able to come together and make this nation stronger, and more prosperous, and more united, and more just. It is up to us to teach them that America has been a force for good in the world, and that other nations and other people have looked to us as the last, best hope of Earth. It is up to us to teach them that it is good to give back to one's community; that it is honorable to serve in the military; that it is vital to participate in our democracy and make our voices heard.

And it is up to us to teach our children a lesson that those of us in politics too often forget: that patriotism involves not only defending this country against external threat, but also working constantly to make America a better place for future generations.

When we pile up mountains of debt for the next generation to absorb, or put off changes to our energy policies, knowing full well the potential consequences of inaction, we are placing our short-term interests ahead of the nation's long-term well-being. When we fail to educate effectively millions of our children so that they might compete in a global economy, or we fail to invest in the basic scientific research that has driven innovation in this country, we risk leaving behind an America that has fallen in the ranks of the world. Just as patriotism involves each of us making a commitment to this nation that extends beyond our own immediate self-interest, so must that commitment extends beyond our own time here on earth.

Our greatest leaders have always understood this. They've defined patriotism with an eye toward posterity. George Washington is rightly revered for his leadership of the Continental Army, but one of his greatest acts of patriotism was his insistence on stepping down after two terms, thereby setting a pattern for those that would follow, reminding future presidents that this is a government of and by and for the people.

Abraham Lincoln did not simply win a war or hold the Union together. In his unwillingness to demonize those against whom he fought; in his refusal to succumb to either the hatred or self-righteousness that war can unleash; in his ultimate insistence that in the aftermath of war the nation would no longer remain half slave and half free; and his trust in the better angels of our nature - he displayed the wisdom and courage that sets a standard for patriotism.

And it was the most famous son of Independence, Harry S Truman, who sat in the White House during his final days in office and said in his Farewell Address: "When Franklin Roosevelt died, I felt there must be a million men better qualified than I, to take up the Presidential task…But through all of it, through all the years I have worked here in this room, I have been well aware than I did not really work alone - that you were working with me. No President could ever hope to lead our country, or to sustain the burdens of this office, save the people helped with their support."

In the end, it may be this quality that best describes patriotism in my mind - not just a love of America in the abstract, but a very particular love for, and faith in, the American people. That is why our heart swells with pride at the sight of our flag; why we shed a tear as the lonely notes of Taps sound. For we know that the greatness of this country - its victories in war, its enormous wealth, its scientific and cultural achievements - all result from the energy and imagination of the American people; their toil, drive, struggle, restlessness, humor and quiet heroism.

That is the liberty we defend - the liberty of each of us to pursue our own dreams. That is the equality we seek - not an equality of results, but the chance of every single one of us to make it if we try. That is the community we strive to build - one in which we trust in this sometimes messy democracy of ours, one in which we continue to insist that there is nothing we cannot do when we put our mind to it, one in which we see ourselves as part of a larger story, our own fates wrapped up in the fates of those who share allegiance to America's happy and singular creed.

Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Not Big Enough!

Paul Romero — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:19:33 EDT

Well I am certainly dissappointed in the thought that Obama would consider Hillary for a VP! The truth is she is not needed. And it also goes against the message of change. She is part of that establishment that needs to be changed. Loose the baggage. Keep it fresh and new. This is what excites and motivates people (us). We don't want any of the old crap. Flush it down where it belongs in the annals of history. As a prophetic word of encouragement to Obama, you WILL BE FAR Greater a success without the bullshit of the such and the like.

Y'all The DNC Needs Money

Kentucky Woman — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:21:15 EDT

Let's help all our Democrats win in Nov. Please donate.

Bobby Kennedy predicted this 40 years ago...

Ted — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:18:23 EDT

Bobby Kennedy gave a remarkable prediction back in 1968· Tim Russert used this is this week's "Meet The Press"· Pretty interesting huh???

Ted

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

Attorney General Robert F· Kennedy told the world that the United States - despite Alabama violence - is moving so fast in race relations a Negro could be President in 40 years·

"There's no question about it," the Attorney General said· "In the next 40 years a Negro can achieve the same position that my brother has·"

Kennedy said that prejudice exists and probably will continue to exist ··· "But we have tried to make progress and we are making progress· ··· We are not going to accept the status quo·"

Barrack Obama

GARY RHODES — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:10:31 EDT

IM 57 YEARS OLD I REMEMBER JOHN AND ROBERT KENNEDY AND MARTAIN LUTHER KING SPEECHES BARACK OBAMA IS RIGHT WITH THEM HES GOT THE GIFT.I HAD A CHANCE TO MEET HIM AT A DINNER IN INDIANAPOLIS HES JUST LIKE ONE OF US.IVE MADE OVER 6000 PHONE CALLS I PLAN ON MAKING MANY MORE IN THE MONTHS TO COME.

Voting for a different candidate

Matt — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:31:32 EDT

We've recently seen huge numbers of Hillary supporters claiming that they will vote for John McCain in November. I understand their frustrations over their candidate not getting the nomination. I really do. In 2004 I was a very strong supporter of John Edwards. I felt a personal connection to his campaign. When I did some more research, I couldn't bring myself to vote for John Kerry, but I certainly wasn't going to vote for George W. Bush. I knew better.

I instead researched all the parties that candidates that were running. I fell in love the with Green Party's candidate David Cobb. In November, I voted for David Cobb. I felt like I was casting my vote for the person who best represented my personal politics.

I strongly urge all the Clinton supporters out there who are calling for a switch to the McCain boat to make this consideration. If you really truly can't support Barack Obama, please look at the alternatives. Don't switch to McCain because you are angry your candidate lost. Be intelligent and look into alternatives. Make sure that you are supporting someone that acutally represents your best interests and not the best interests of the people that are harming America.

Congratulations...

Ted — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:13:16 EDT

Just for a moment I hope you will take in the historic importance of last night's primaries. It has been over 200 years in the making. We shown ourselves, our country and indeed the the entire world that race does not matter anymore. We have finally joined the 21st century and I am proud to be an American. Yes, I'll say it, for the first time in my life I'm proud to be an American.

Seventeen months ago people were laughing at us. "Never" they thought. This country is hungry for change, we deserve it and Barack Obama has delivered us to a great place. I have to be honest, last night I cried. This is and again I stress the point, a huge ground-breaking historic event. The world was stunned, they never thought that we would let an African-American in this country become the Democratic nominee for the Presidency of the United States of America.

To each of you I say thank you, thank you, thank you; we did it. This was the first election in history where we actually changed and shaped it's outcome. Social networking pages such as Myspace, facebook and websites and blogs such as these have enabled us to take this all the way to November. We are in a great place, a quantam leap forward from where we were even yesterday. Spread the word, spread the joy and share the hope.

Yes We Can... Yes We Did... Yes We Will!!

Ted Tucker

Does anyone know?

Matt — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 02:16:50 EDT

Where does Barack Obama stand on the issue of DC statehood? Does he have a position on this issue even? It's not a very common talking point, but it would be nice that Washington D.C. finally have representation in Congress.

The real Obama challenge

Yaymee — Sun, 25 May 2008 08:05:06 EDT

It seems it's human nature to hit back.

In the past week we've had numerous excuses to do just that. Hillary's remarks made an easy target.

But Obama and his campaign again demonstrated just what "Change" is about. Change requires a different reaction - and the most effective reaction begins with recognizing and ignoring distractions.

Don't get me wrong - I was right there screaming for "revenge!" and I took great comfort watching Olbermann lash out against the implications of Hillary's remark. But as the barbs flew across our email lists one email got everyone's attention - it was from a Hillary supporter who was apparently 'trolling' the list.

"All you Clinton hating Obama supporters need to get a life."

One sentence. That was it.

Not the kind of exchange we need to build bridges. Our fiery tongues sparked the fire that could burn bridges instead.

This distraction could burn bridges.

Obama said in one of his speeches something like 'be careful who you tear down cause you might need them on your side some day.'

We need Hillary's supporters on our side. We can to let the media take care of the distraction as they like - but we need to be the carpenters; the bridge builders.

The real challenge we face as the primary race draws to a close is in reaching out to those who feel that they disagree with us. Those who are angry with us. Hillary supporters and Republicans who are still desperately looking for the path out of Bush country.

When they meet us, let's make sure our bridges are in good repair and that we have a hand extended to help them across.

We need to reach 300,000 voters. Help!

Kentucky Woman — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:40:12 EDT

We need as many people as possible to canvass. Eye to eye contact is the best way to win. Talking on the phone is good, but seeing a voter is better. We need four canvassing captains. We need you by 12:00 pm tomorrow. We need more people to just canvass. Help. We have had very few resources/people and those canvassers are worn out. We need new blood. Young Blood! We need more votes to counter any Hillary votes in the rural area.

Please help. Without you, we may have trouble achieving our goals election day.

Please go to:

1812 West Muhammed Ali

Jays Restaurant
Talk to Million or Joy

Say you are there to canvass!

Barack in Louisville...

Ted — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:40:10 EDT

I went to see Barack at his Louisville rally. It was amazing. It was inspiring. Did I mention it was amazing and inspiring? For those of you not familiar with downtown Louisville, I will attempt to paint a picture for you. The convention center probably takes up a good two city blocks. I tried to park at the Hyatt but the lot was full so I made my way to the Marriott and parked there.

The doors were not supposed to open until 5:00 PM. Senator Obama was scheduled to speak at 7:00 PM. I was there at 4:00 PM and the line already stretched from the entrance to the convention center, around the corner, around the convention center, past the Marriott, past the Hyatt, past the convention center itself. It was amazing. The weather was perfect, the crowd was energetic and everything was well organzized. I was as excited as a kid at Christmas.

Once inside, I signed in and we made our way up the escalator to a packed foyer where there was yet another line. This was the security checkpoint. The only problem here was once we were at the top and safely off the escalator, the volunteer staff had not been monitoring closely enough the number of people going up. No one could move and people were still on the escalator trying to get off. People were literally balancing themselves on the rails on either side. It could have been disastrous. Finally, they shut them down and the crowd was able to move about safely.

Inside the exhibit hall where Barack was going to be speaking the crowd was energetic and ready for something amazing. By my estimate (though this is only an estimate) I would say they had between 10 and 12,000 people in a standing room only atmosphere. The fire marshal actually turned away roughly 2,000 people still waiting to get inside.

Kentucky congressman, Ben Chandler spoke and then an employee from the Ford Motor Plant spoke. He announced that he would soon be laid off as well as thousands of other local workers for Ford. Then, he introduced Barack. It took about three minutes or so from the time of his introduction to the time that Barack actually made it to the podium. It was electric. He was gracious, warm and excited. He spoke approximately 41 minutes on topics ranging from healthcare to economic reform, to fuel costs. He covered everything. He even made a joke about being Dick Cheney's cousin.

It was an amazing evening. Once we made it back to our car and got out of the parking garage and onto the street, the police blocked the road. I thought they were going to let other traffic through but no one was coming. It was then that a parade of cars, police cars, secret service came whizzing by. Instantly, everone began honking, waving, looking out their windows and sun roofs. His motorcade went right by us. He too was smiling and waving. If someone had been there and not known that Senator Obama had just spoke, they would have thought that everyone had either lost thier minds or that this was this rudest place in America to drive because you couldn't hear ANYTHING but horns, horns and more horns!!!

Here's a link to the video of the event:

http://www.wave3.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=2479561&at1=News&h1=RAW:

Enjoy,

Ted Tucker

Hello!

Paul Romero — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:02:26 EDT

I just wanted to drop in and say hello to all of you. I hope all is going well and you are enjoying the things that you would enjoy. The best for all in the hope of all. Thanks. Later Days. Paul

The Latest Dirt Digging

swimmer — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:26:07 EDT

Found this interesting! They are not happy unless there is dirt or mud to sling. My advice would be, hang it up!

With Barack Obama having the Democratic presidential nomination all but wrapped up, Hillary Clinton backers are hoping that a devastating revelation about Obama could derail his candidacy — and they’re desperately seeking to find it.

That’s the inside story from veteran newsman Carl Bernstein, who writes in his CNN column:

“The Clinton campaign’s search for damaging information and its hope that such information exists continues, according to knowledgeable sources.”

Top Clinton adviser Harold Ickes warned on the eve of the North Carolina and Indian primaries that Obama could be vulnerable to an “October surprise” by the John McCain campaign, notes Bernstein, whose latest book is “A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton.”

He adds: “Several Clinton associates say there is still a ray of hope among some in her campaign that a ‘catastrophic’ revelation about Obama might make it possible for her to win the presidential nomination.”

But there is also a strong chance that Clinton will try to maneuver her way into the vice presidential slot on the Obama ticket, according to Bernstein, even though Obama “won’t want to take her on the ticket.”

The Obama Diet

Yaymee — Sun, 11 May 2008 07:53:25 EDT

Simple and FREE diet plan: The Obama Diet

Leave work at 5pm and head to your nearest Obama campaign Headquarters
Pick up a canvassing map - walk the map knocking doors and talking to neighbors about Barack for 3-4 hours each night
Head home and fall into bed, too tired to eat
Extra points for full-day shifts on weekends!
Extra points for jumping up and down during Obama Rallies!!

Just think...if we all follow this diet plan, not only will we all lose weight, gain muscle and improve our overall health - we'll be sure to win Barack Obama as our next President!

Hey, I've lost 12 pounds in 8 weeks and I know several others who've lost similar amounts. And don't forget that you can carry this plan into neighboring States who need your help with canvassing - and we now have a general election Voter Registration Push to further motivate us!

We can do it - Yes We Can!!

PA, OH, TN & IN : Help us with West Virginia & Kentucky

Kentucky Woman — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:00:00 EDT

Ohio, Pennsylvania, TN and Indiana you can speak to our demographics and we can use your help. We need to win as many delegates as possible from West Virginia and Kentucky. Don't write us off. You may be the key to us getting the numbers we want. You maybe the one to make a voter comfortable with casting their vote for Obama. You can speak to us about your choice and why you continue to support Obama despite the election results in your states! Don't forget we need to build support for the general election. Why not start now? Why not start with West Virginia and Kentucky! Don' t forget West Virginia has early voting!

IMPORTANT: Independents can vote for Barack Obama on May 13. You simply need to request a Democratic ballot. Please call your local field office with questions.

Here's how you can take action right now:

Clinton admits her Gas break this summer is unlikely

Ted — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:59:01 EDT

EVANSVILLE, Indiana (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton admitted on Monday it would be tough to lift the federal gasoline tax this summer as she has proposed because of a likely veto from President George W. Bush.

Clinton, a New York senator, and rival Barack Obama, a senator from Illinois, have sparred over the gasoline tax before primary elections on Tuesday in Indiana and North Carolina.

Obama has accused the former first lady of political pandering with a proposal that would not save consumers much money in the end.

Clinton says the legislation would save the average driver about $70 over the summer and should be advocated even if chances of passage are slim.

"Realistically, it's tough. I know that," she told reporters on her campaign plane on Monday.

"Do I think we can get it done, past a veto by President Bush as the ultimate blocker?" she said. "It's obviously a very difficult challenge. But that doesn't mean you don't try."

Obama leads Clinton in the race for their party's White House nomination, but she has been more successful in gaining support from working-class voters in big states such as Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Indiana and North Carolina, with a combined 187 delegates to the August nominating convention at stake, are the biggest prizes remaining in the tight nominating race.

Clinton has painted economists -- and Obama -- who have panned the proposal, as being out of touch with working-class voters. She repeated that theme on Monday.

"We've got to produce results for working people. They've got to feel that Democrats are on their side," she said.

"Folks really respect it if you get up and fight. Even if you can't on the first, second or third time produce all the results that you would like."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Tomorrow is still a day away...

Ted — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:42:42 EDT

As I write this, tomorrow's primaries have yet to happen. Right now, tomorrow is full of hope.... full of promise and full of potential. Tomorrow can be the day that we finally put the Wright controversy to rest. Tomorrow can be the day that we essentially wrap this up. Tomorrow CAN BE that day because tomorrow hasn't happened yet but let me tell you about today.

Today was like most days. I went to work and went about my life as usual. Nothing exciting, just the same ole same ole. After work, I was on my way to run errands, workout and see some friends. Along the way I decided to stop by the Owensboro Obama Headquarters and introduce myself. I was out of town when they opened and today was the first chance I had. Like most local HQ's, this one was nothing grand... an empty storefront that had obviously seen better days. There were a few tables, a few chairs, a couple of computers, some signs on the windows and walls and the distinct smell of an old building that feels neglected. I walked in and there were four people there beside myself. Three volunteers and an older man that appeared to just be passing time. One of the volunteers was on the phone sitting in the floor, one was on the computer and the other was a make-shift desk by the door talking to the elderly gentleman. I made small talk with the girl after she got off the phone. "How are things going?" "What do you think about tomorrow?" That sort of thing. Then I talked to the (I am assuming) head of the Owensboro office. He was really nice and had even read a few of the blogs I have posted. I introduced myself, he introduced himself and I offered to help out in any way they needed and I left. That's it. Done. Over. Nothing earth shattering happened, there was no parade... no hoop-la... nothing. But I left there with a smile on my face because I was HOME. It's people like me... people like you... people like the 3 volunteers in the office and people like the elderly gentleman sitting in the chair that are going to make this possible. It's people like all of us that are tired of the way things have done and it's people like us that demand change and will not settle for anything less.

So what about tomorrow (or today as most of you will be reading this)? Who knows? I know we can do this and I know we will do this. Will we wrap it up with Indiana and North Carolina? I hope so. I think so but as I said at the beginning... tomorrow hasn't happened yet. Regardless of the outcome, this is our time and this is our country and Barack Obama is our next President. Let me encourage each of you to do all you can to help our country and to help our candidate. We are a strong people when we want to be.

Yes we can, Yes we will and Yes we are!!!

Regards,

Ted Tucker

Tomorrow

Kentucky Woman — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:51:29 EDT

While Indiana goes to the polls I will be driving through Indiana from Kentucky to Chicago. I thought I would be home. I thought I would be able to make calls but I can't. In my business you go when you get the call or you may miss your one major job for the year. I was kind of sad that I would be missing a party I put together. I am happy to get the chance to work. I just want to say to you in Indiana get out and vote early tomorrow. You never know what will change your schedule. Get it out of the way there is nothing sadder than missing your chance to have your voice heard. The next second, minute or hour is not promised. If I were voting tomorrow I would have to pray that my polling station opened on time at 6:00 am. We don't do things on time in KY! You want your candidate to win! You have to vote!

Louisville Courier-Journal endorses Obama

Ted — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:42:35 EDT

With the Indiana primary just days away, this morning the Louisville Courier-Journal endorsed Barack both in Tuesday's contest and Kentucky's May 20th primary:

"We were always the longshot," [Senator Obama said in an interview last week with this newspaper's editorial board]. "The fact we've done so well speaks to the hunger of the American people for a different message and a different direction."

We agree, and we also believe that Sen. Obama is the Democratic candidate better equipped to restore Americans' hope for the future and to bring change to Washington.

For that reason, we endorse Sen. Obama in Tuesday's Indiana primary and in the May 20 contest in Kentucky.

Read the list of over 100 newspapers that have endorsed Barack Obama . . .

What is wrong with this Party? The DNC

Kentucky Woman — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:50:56 EDT

Why are we so divided? Why can't we pick a leader? A pencil pusher is not a leader. What is wrong with us? I have one thing to say to the DNC, enough! Senator Clinton can stay in the race as long as she wants but she does not have the right to tear down the party of JFK.

Maybe it doesn't bother her that the only reason she won PA was because of votes due to fear of the black man, but it bothers me! Maybe it doesn't bother her that she is the only feminist that I know of who has gotten where she is only because of a man, but it bothers me. I loved my party and now because of her action in this race I will never trust my party again. Obama will fight for the party when up against the RNC, but she is beating up on a fellow Democrat. The Democratic party is a family. Obama would never beat up on his sister, but Hillary has no problem beating on her bother. I am disgusted! I am tired! Fighting family is no fun and it leaves you with no safe haven. I want to trust this family again. Are we still the good guys?

We CAN disagree without being disagreeable!

Kurt Neumann--Victory Bound to DC — Sat, 03 May 2008 22:54:34 EDT

I traveled to Evansville, Indiana today with a group from St.Louis and had an experience I wanted to share on the weekend before the Indiana primary:

My canvassing partner Mary Ellen and I were canvassing in an area where there was two large areas of houses that were separated by a 2 mile walk...we were walking on the left hand side of the road where there was no sidewalk and there was alot of hills and curves...all of a sudden we heard a voice shouting "Do you need a ride"...to this I replied, "Yes, but please pull into the next driveway where we can meet you since this was a road where drivers tended to drive fast and we were concerned that she would cause an accident by stopping in the middle of the road...

Before we got into her van, I asked if she minded giving a couple of Obama supporters a lift and she said that this was fine and that she was concerned that we were walking along a "dangerous road"...she took us to the entrance of the subdivision where we needed to be and proceeded to tell us that she had lived on the road a long time and that she had seen many accidents and she just could not bear to see us risking our lives...she mentioned that she felt that either Barack or Hillary would do a good job as president...she also said that the Obama campaign should be happy that it had two dedicated volunteers out there willing to walk a long way and on a dangerous stretch of road...we profusely thanked this kind woman and went on our way...Mary Ellen mentioned to me that she thought she saw this woman outside of her house as we walked down the road and sure enough that was the case...the sign in front of her house read "Hoosiers for Hillary" !!

Yes, we CAN disagree without being disagreeable...this story was the highlight of our day...LET'S GET OUT AND MAKE THIS CHANGE AND BRING OUR COUNTRY BACK TO THIS SHINING EXAMPLE WHERE WE LOOK PAST OUR DIFFERENCES AND LOOK OUT FOR EVERYONE'S BACK!!

KURT

Senator Barack Obama Loves You, INDIANAPOLIS!

Jill 4 Obama — Sat, 03 May 2008 14:18:17 EDT

SENATOR BARACK OBAMA IS IN INDIANAPOLIS !!!

See Barack TODAY AND TOMORROW!

He Hopes to Get to See All of You!

With Us or Against Us

""""Jeff C."""" — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:15:08 EDT

Seems like a no-brainer to me. I throw my hat in with the "against" folks.

In case everyone hasn't already heard, Sen. Clinton--tired of co-opting John McCain's campaign material, dusted off one of President Bush's golden oldies during a campaign speech in Indiana the other night. The line was in reference to her gratuitously pandering "gas-tax holiday" idea.

Always one to double down on a bad bet, Sen. Clinton stated she would introduce legislation in Congress, which she framed this way:

I want them [meaning Congress] to tell us, are they with us or against us when it comes to taking on the oil companies?

Don't we already have enough experience with a president that refuses to admit they're wrong and plows ahead despite all evidence to the contrary? How's that been working out for us?

OK--put aside for the moment that the "them" to which Sen. Clinton refers is a Congress that is controlled by the Democratic Party; the party of which she is a member.

Put aside that the "us" to which she is referring are members of the Democratic Party that support her.

Put aside that the Speaker of the House, a democrat, has said the proposal is going nowhere.

Put aside that no one actually believes Sen. Clinton's proposal is a good idea, which more than likely includes herself. In fact, 150 economists across the political spectrum independently put out a petition stating what a hare-brained idea this is.

Putting aside all that, is there really anyone left out there--with the exception of the most dyed-in-the-wool Clinton supporters, that honestly believes Sen. Clinton is placing the interests of the country or her party ahead of herself?

Aren't we long past accepting this type of cheap gimmickry from our elected leaders? If not, this is exatcly the type of vote-buying crap that we deserve.

The "Gas-Tax Holiday" is the Defining Issue of the Campaign

""""Jeff C."""" — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:04:17 EDT

The current Clinton campaign spin, which actually means the Clinton campaignitself, is that they have a political "winner" with regards tothe "gas-tax holiday" issue. Never mind that the McCain-Clinton proposal hasbeen universally panned as the crassest form of short-term pandering.

Sen. Obama has a put out a response ad that I believe is largely ineffectiveand walks right into a trap that has been set by the Clinton campaign. InSen. Obama's ad, he mocks the amount of money that the average driverwill save on gas and decries the McCain-Clinton proposal as typical
Washington game-playing [which is exactly what it is].

However, Sen. Obama has exposed his flank with the ad. It allows the Clinton campaign to respond with the kind of mock-outrage and tsk-tsk'ing for which they have no peers. The Clinton campaign response, which I'm paraphrasing, goes something like this:

Well, Sen. Obama might not think that $30 is much money, but to working families struggling to make their mortgage payments and put food on the table it's a welcome break.

The response plays right into the perceived weakness of Sen. Obama [which I happen to think is ludicrous]; which is, that he doesn't understand the struggles of blue-collar workers and cannot connect with them.

The intrepid folks at Talking Points Memo reported the spin from the Clinton campaign in today's conference call this way:

Is Hillary gaining politically by her support for a so-called "gas tax holiday"?
On a conference call with reporters just now, Hillary chief strategist Geoff Garin claimed that the campaign's internal polling shows that it is.
"We're seeing in our polling that working people appreciate the fact that Senator Clinton understands the incredible economic strain they are facing," Garin said.
Also, Garin sought to spin one of the main arguments against the gas tax holiday -- the fact that it saves consumers a negligible amount on average -- as a further sign that Hillary's in touch with blue-collar workers.
"It may not seem like a lot to some people," Garin said, adding that "every penny counts."
The fact that Hillary supports the gas tax holiday because she understands that the meager average savings involved do matter to ordinary folks is likely to be core Hillary spin as the gas tax argument continues to unfold.

Sen. Obama needs to put out a response ad that basically squarely hits back on the jaw-dropping hypocrisy of the Clinton campaign spin. No one actually believes that Sen. Clinton thinks this is a prudent policy choice. However, because the Clinton campaign's internal polling shows that this is a good political issue, then Sen. Clinton is willing to crassly milk it for all its worth.

Never mind that no one actually believes that its a good idea. Sen. Obama should be hammering this issue because it plays right into the worst stereotype with regards to Sen. Clinton--and fairly, I believe. That is, that she is willing to do or say anything in order to win an election. That every decision she makes is not about what's best for Indiana, or North Carolina, or America; but rather, what is best for her.

She has the same position as John McCain on this issue.

She was with John McCain in voting to label the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization.

She was with John McCain in voting to authorize this disastrous war.

Why? Because she believed it was the right thing to do? No--it was because it was the politically expedient thing to do at the time for her; damn the consequences for the country. Republican policies have been a disaster for blue-collar folks for the past eight years. The Democratic Party will not win this year simply by being republican-lite.

That's why today's conference call should be so damaging to the Clinton campaign. Chief Strategist Geoff Garin only stated what many folks already know: that the Clinton campaign is pushing this proposal because their internal polling tells them it helps Sen. Clinton now.

It's really this simple: Sen. Clinton is doing what she thinks is best for her; Sen. Obama is doing what he thinks is best for America.

Think about the question posed by TPM and the answer for America and states such as Indiana & North Carolina:

Is Hillary gaining politically by her support for a so-called "gas tax holiday?

When she wins; we lose.

As always folks take care and keep up the good work.

Jeff Cronin

KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN ATTACKED FOR SUPPORTING OBAMA

Ted — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:26:49 EDT

THOUGHT YOU ALL SHOULD READ THIS...

THANKS,

~TED~

Kentucky SD Attacked for Supporting Obama
by SaintCog

Wed Apr 30, 2008 at 08:09:59 AM PDT

UPDATE: Within 30 minutes of this Diary hitting Kos, we raised over $2,500.00 for Congressman Chandler for supporting Barack Obama. As of 11:15 PDT, we are over $4,000.00. Think we can hit 5K? Yes We Can!! And Yes We Did. You can view the running tally here. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to show Super Delegates this kind of support, especially when they come under fire. Other Super Delegates take notice.

OK, here's the deal. As long as this diary is on the rec list, the fundraising goal for Congressman Chandler goes up in $1,000 incremenets. Let's show these Super Delegates what happens when they support Obama, even when it's not politically expedient for them.

Let's hit $6,000! Keep it going!!

SaintCog's diary :: ::
Yesterday Kentucky Congressman Ben Chandler had the courage to come out in support of Barack Obama, despite the long odds against him winning the state's primary. This was an embarrassment to the Hillary campaign that an elected SD would put the reputation with his own constituents at stake to support the candidate he believed would make the better candidate, president or both.

Today Representative Chandler is feeling the heat for this endorsement. According to Poltico Chandler's phone has been ringing off the hook since yesterday receiving numeros vitriolic complaints, many with offensive racial slurs, about his endorsement of Senator Obama. As of 2:30 PM yesterday, he had received 300 phone calls opposing his decision and only 5 calls in support.

We need to take action on this.

Call Representative Chandler's office (especially if you are a Kentucky resident) and let him know that you support his decision to endorse the next President of the United States, Barack Obama!

D.C. Office for federal legislation issues or Washington, D.C.

1504 Longworth HOB
Washington
, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202)-225-4706
Fax: (202)-225-2122

Press Contact:
Stephanie Pepper
Phone: (202)-225-4706
Fax: (202)-225-2122

DONATE TO BEN CHANDLER'S CAMPAIGN TO SHOW SUPPORT TO ALL OBAMA SUPERDELEGATES

I just spoke with the campaign manager for Congressman Chandler. She said that their website will be up and running within the weeK, and there will be a link for donations.

In the meantime, we can donate to him via his ActBlue page or by mailing him physical donation checks to the following address:

Chandler for Congress
PO Box 12678
Lexington, KY 40583

We need to show all superdelegates that Supporting Barack Obama for President not only poses no risk to them, but will ultimately benefit them in real terms. We can only do this through our donation efforts.

[Update x2] Wow, the rec list. I am always so happy to see how we at Kos respond immediately and decisively - it's reflective of the candidate we support.

I would like to use this rec'd diary to drop an early plug for a voter registration website that I and a group of us across the country are starting - VoteZip. org.

It's not ready to be launched officially yet, but I thought I'd give everyone on Kos a heads up. Please check it out and tell us what you think.

Interested in canvassing???

Ted — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:02:22 EDT

There will be a group of us going to Henderson this Saturday to do some canvassing. If you want to join us and get a little experience under your belt, you are more than welcome!!!

Meet at the parking lot behind the County Courthouse (faces N. Elm & 1st
St):
County Courthouse
20 North Main Street
Henderson, KY 42420-3120

Google Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=20%20North%20Main%20St
reet%20Henderson%2C%20KY%2042420-3120&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl

We will have canvassing groups leaving at 10am and 2pm, and a Precinct
Leader Training session at 1pm. For the groups that leave for the 10am
canvass, they will need to be back in the parking lot by 1pm for the
training.

KY CONGRESSMAN ENDORSES OBAMA

Ted — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:40:28 EDT

KENTUCKY CONGRESSMAN ENDORSES OBAMA...
This is great news. I would expect Bruce Lunsford to endorse Obama in his (Lunsford's) bid to defeat Mitch McConnell for U.S. Senate. Continue to send Gov. Steve Beshear emails encouraging him to endorse Senator Obama as well.

LOUISVILLE, KY — U.S.

Congressman Ben Chandler from Kentucky endorsed Barack Obama for President today, citing his ability to lead the country forward:
"Today I am pleased to announce my support and to offer my endorsement to Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States. I have listened to this man, I have met with him and like many of you, I am inspired by his message of change and of hope for our future. But more importantly, I am convinced Barack Obama will provide the steady hand and leadership we need to chart a new path for our nation.

In these tough economic times, when many in our nation and right here in Kentucky are struggling to make ends meet and to provide for their families, too much is at stake for us to do nothing. I hope all Kentuckians and citizens throughout the nation will join with me in firmly supporting Barack Obama to lead our nation to a better future and to a place of respect for our country around the world."

Said Obama: "I am honored to have the support of Congressman Ben Chandler. As a Congressman, Ben has been a tireless fighter for working families and seniors, our troops in Iraq and our veterans at home. When he served as Kentucky Attorney General, he fought to pass Megan's Law and protect women and children, and he took action to protect the elderly from patient abuse and neglect. I look forward to working with Ben to strengthen our middle class and to keep our sacred trust with our past and present servicemen and women.”

Congressman Chandler is Senator Obama’s 244th Superdelegate endorsement. Senator Obama is now 288 delegates away from winning the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

Times a tickin VOTE NOW

Kentucky Woman — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:58:48 EDT

IN and NC time is running out and May 6th might as well be yesterday. You don't have to wait until May 6th to vote. You know you're voting for Obama. Let the undecideds stand in line on May 6th. North Carolina can even register to vote and vote all in the same day. I want an early projection for Obama. I can't vote. I'm in KY. There's no early voting here.

Being a good friend

Kentucky Woman — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:09:01 EDT

Being a good friend means standing on your own sometimes. It means telling a friend when they are wrong/right but hurtful. A good friend knows how to distance themselves from certain actions without burning a bridge. Obama never threw Wright under the bus. I respect him for that. Obama taught me how to maintain my honor, correct a friend ( for being hurtful ) and leave his relationship in tact.

Rev. Wright seems to treat his friends in the same way the Clintons do, with a throw them under the bus attitude. The Clintons do this constantly and Wright, from the same generation I might add, seems to have the same attitude. I am saddened by their actions because it comes from pure selfishness. There is a truth to what Wright says about the country, but to belittle what Obama stands for and why he is running to defended his own actions is completely Clintonesque.

Hope.Act.Change

Patrick from Los Angeles, CA — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:31:46 EDT

Check out my blog by clicking on the link below:

http://www.hopeactchange.com/media/view/4990

INDIANA & WEST VIRGINIA I am so Jealous: Have You VOTED! You can and should VOTE EARLY!

Kentucky Woman — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:24:18 EDT

Voting now is the easiest way to show your support. Don't wait until May 6th, Indiana! Don't wait until May 13th, WV! I know it is fun to wait in line and be part of the masses. I know you are getting around to it soon. But you should know the only support that truly matters is your vote. Everything else is cool, but not as important. Vote! Don't put it off. Don't say I don't have the time this week. Vote now! Your Polls are open. I'm so jealous!!! I have to wait in line like everyone else in KY! We don't have early voting. I am so jealous!!!!

You don't know where to vote early? Click on the icons below:

Welcome to Indiana for ObamaIt's time to put an end to the say-anything-to-win politics of the past. Together we can face the challenges of the future with a new kind of politics and a new kind of leadership.

Welcome to West Virginia for Obama

It's time to put an end to the say-anything-to-win politics of the past. Together we can face the challenges of the future with a new kind of politics and a new kind of leadership.

Mrs. Clinton

Kentucky Woman — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:07:56 EDT

Are you running just to continue a fight with Republicans? Sure you're a fighter and that's what fighters do.

I want a President who is not looking for a fight. I want a President who cares more about the country than about fighting old battles. I want a President to improve my beautiful country and unite its wonderful people. Barack Obama is that President. He will build the country up and if he has to fight for our citizen he will, but he isn't running just to fight. He's our next President. If fighting is so important to you maybe you should start practicing law again! You can fight in court all day!

"Is he one of us? Is he safe? Does he love America?" --the ANSWER

Connie from Memphis, TN — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:02:39 EDT

Democratic Pollster Peter Hart said these are the questions undecided voters have about Barack.--

"Is he one of us? Is he safe? Does he love America?"

Because they dont know him, if these qustions were answered, he would have their support. Here's how to answer these questions,,,let Barack do what he does best--

Hard to believe, but there are ALOT of people, UNDECIDED VOTERS among them,
who have never heard Barack's famous "not a red America, not a blue America,
but the UNITED States of America" speech. Imagine what a difference it would
make if EVERY voter in IN and NC heard it. That's not possible, but we can make a real,
targeted difference. Most undecided voters are not voting on issues, but their GUT...
how they FEEL about the candidate. Let's do our part, door to door, block by block... .

I encourage you to download the speech and 'burn' it onto a DVD to give away. Directions below...

2004 Democratic National Convention Speech P1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awQkJNVsgKM

Convention Speech P2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UDKXKGZ3PY&feature=related

HOW TO TRANSFER VIDEOS TO DVD:
Here's how to download videos and transfer to dvd-

first find the URLs of the videos you want ...listed above
then go to VideoDownloadX.com and paste the video URL into their download box
now click 'Download' and it will open a new page with the download link
download each video to your computer
download free DVD authoring software called DVD Flick; it takes all your videos in a batch, and converts into a DVD format and
burns a DVD that can play inside any DVD player or even your computer.

...or call your nearest geek...or your Obama office volunteers to help you,.

To see a complete VIDEO/AUDIO ARCHIVE of SPEECHES, go here

Energy Vampires-Don't Allow The RNC or The Clinton Campaign to upset you

Kentucky Woman — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:42:09 EDT

Don't allow the RNC or the Clinton Campaign to upset you. When they upset you they are allowed to feed off your negative energy. Don't give them your energy. Don't give them your thoughts. When they say something inflammatory smile, laugh, workout, and then say 3 good things about Obama. Say it out loud, email it to your friends, blog about it online, or call someone on the phone.

My 3 good things about Obama today:

He will be our next President.
He believes in this country.
Obama has won more states.

See, isn't that easy. Next turn off the TV, get out and enjoy your life. Don't let those vampires steal from you.

Tools and info for Vanderburgh Co. voters

Yaymee — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:04:19 EDT

We did such a great job getting new voters registered - now we need to make sure they get to the polls to VOTE for Barack!!

What might stop them from getting out to vote? What if May 6th is a rainy/stormy day or they have a hard time getting to the polls that day for any reason, if they can't physically stand in line very long - encourage them to VOTE NOW (through May 2nd!) at the locations below.

If they don't know if they're registered or don't know their polling location they can find what they need by going online to: http://www.indianavoters.com/

You can vote early at these libraries:
Central Library
200 SE ML King Jr Blvd - MAP

North Park Branch Library
960 Koehler Dr - MAP

Oaklyn Branch Library
3001 Oaklyn Dr - MAP

YOU MUST SHOW A GOVERNMENT ISSUED I.D. BEFORE YOU CAN VOTE

YOU MAY VOTE HERE AS LONG AS YOU ARE A REGISTERED VOTER RESIDING IN VANDERBURGH COUNTY

Voting hours:
10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday Through Thursday
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday
April 14 to May 2, 2008

You can also vote early here:

Vanderburgh Co. Voter Registration
Civic Center Complex, Room 106

Handy Tool: The public can find out if they're registered AND find their polling place for May 6th here: http://www.indianavoters.com/

We need volunteers

Rich — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:04:57 EDT

Hi everyone,

In case you didn't know, Barack opened up a campaign office here in Owensboro. It's at 805 Frederica St.

The office opened up Sunday, and we had a great turnout. Over a hundred people were there, speeches where given, people were chanting, it was very infectious. Since then, we've had a slow steady stream of people coming into the office, pledging their support, and offering to help in whatever way they can.

This weekend, we're canvassing the neighborhoods making phone calls, and doing data entry work on the computer. According to the MSNBC report that's playing on the TV behind me right now, Kentucky is a Clinton state. They've said this about a lot of states, and they've been wrong more than right. We'd like to prove them wrong again.

If you have time this weekend, we really need you. Come on by the office, and we'll find something for everyone to do. We're not asking for a weekend commitment, or even a full day. If you can find a few hours free during the day, we can use the help.

Another thing we can really use, that's vital, is pre-paid cell phones. The office is only going to be open until the primaries on May 20th, so it'll be less expensive to get pre-paid cell phones then it will be to run proper phone lines for a month.

If you have any questions, you can call the office at 270-207-8256, or send email to the official Obama staffer in Owensboro, Kyle Strosahl at kyle.strosahl@gmail.com

Thank you for you support,

rich borskie

Evansville Speech

Marijo — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:39:13 EDT

I just finished watching the "New York Times" video of Barack in Evansville. How inspiring! But as someone who has spent much of her youth "down home" (in Winslow, Petersburg and Evansville), someone should have told Barack that John Mellencamp had to come down from Seymour to Evansville. I did note that Barack fell right in to a slight Hoosier twang -- forgit instead of forget.

I hope you can use my help at Evansville headquarters the weekend before the primary, even though the campaign likes to have out-of-state volunteers do canvassing. On Dec. 9, I broke my ankle in two places, and I'm just getting back to normal walking. However, I can't stand on my feet for long periods, so I'd need to be able to make phone calls and do data entry.

I hope to be able to hear from someone by this Friday, April 25. I can stay with relatives, but I'd like to let them know as soon as possible if I'm coming.

Indiana & North Carolina Now is the time to Vote! Let the World hear your Voice Today! Vote Early!

Kentucky Woman — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:12:43 EDT

Ohio and PA had their say. Today you can have yours. Vote Early. Vote Today. Give us an Early projection for Barack Obama. The sooner the Votes get in the sooner they can count them. We don't need a landslide, but we will have one. Time to get this done. Find out how to vote early below.

Letter to the Editor

Jema — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:07:05 EDT

I submitted a letter to the editor of my local newspaper here in Tell City. I was notified that I was too late for the deadline. They do not print letters two weeks before an election. Yeah it's weird. What can I say? I tried. So I've included it below. Hopefully some residents from Perry County will read it that I was trying to reach out to. I've submitted it to the Evansville Courier and hopefully it will get printed.

On Tuesday, May 6th I will vote for change that I can believe in by casting my ballot for Senator Barack Obama. To me Obama represents change and transformation for America. He is introspective, inspires and encourages America to try new directions. Obama advocates diplomacy as a means for peace, something everyone wants for our future and our children’s future. He has openly addressed issues of race, gender, religion, subjects that make many of us uncomfortable. We face enormous problems domestically and abroad; the failing economy, a dysfunctional healthcare system, the difficulties of the Iraq war, decent care for our Veterans, the environment, the economic disparity which has grown so dramatically in the past decade between the rich and the average American family resulting from unbalanced tax policies and unjust shelters. Some say Obama is just a good speaker. But I want a good speaker. I’ve waited years for someone to represent the United States in a presidential manner. Someone with the dignity and knowledge necessary to bring the United States back from its outcast status among the nations of the world. I wasn’t fortunate enough to remember John F. Kennedy but history tells me he was a charismatic leader who represented the ideals of Americans. Barack Obama is my 2008 JFK. He may not have the experience that his critics say he lacks but that’s what specifically attracts me to him. He’s not a timeworn Washington insider. He’s open to ideas, new concepts, he’s thoughtful in nature and willing to listen to what Americans have to say, Republican, Independent and Democrat. As Barack says, “In this election – in this moment – let us reach for what we know is possible. A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes again.” Jema Watts, Tell City, IN

Tuesday Night Party! 4/22 @ 8:30...

Indiana Obama Fan — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:36:27 EDT

Hi Friends,

After calling and knocking on doors Tuesday evening, we're meeting at Jillian's (by the boat!) at 8:30PM to watch the Pennsylvania results come in! We hope you can join us that night!!! We will be celebrating with lots of other Obama supporters. See you there!!!

If you haven't made it in yet, please stop in at the Obama for America Evansville Headquarters at 330 Main Street in downtown Evansville. We need your help making calls, knocking on doors, office help, and lots of other tasks as well!!!!

YES WE CAN ~ and YES INDIANA WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DeLyn

Ba-rack-in Philly: A Declaration of Independence from cynical politics

Midwest Common Sense — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:04:43 EDT

On the 233rd anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, the legacy lives on in Pennsylvania.....

35,000 in Philadelphia!

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/caitlinharvey/gGCxFF

Obama Rocks Philly: Over 40,000 at Downtown Rally/March - largest crowd ever

Amazing rally and spontaneous march in the streets of Philadelphia - "Declare your Independence!"

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/18/22105/1053/669/498696

Tune in to C-SPAN tonight (Saturday, April 19) at 8:45 pm Eastern, 7:45 Central to watch the On Track for Change tour rolling in to Harrisburg LIVE! It will be aired AGAIN at 11pm Central Time (midnight Eastern) Saturday night, and 10:30 am Central Time (11:30 Eastern) Sunday morning.

"In four days, you get the chance to help bring about the change that we need right now. Here in the city and the state that gave birth to our democracy, we can declare our independence from the politics that has shut us out, and let us down, and told us to settle.
We can declare our independence from the politics that's put the oil companies, and the drug companies, and the insurance companies in charge of the decisions that impact our lives and our children's lives.
We can declare independence from the say-anything, do-anything politics that's all about how to win and not why we should; that politics that exploits our differences instead of speaking to our common concerns and our common destinies as Americans.
We can do all these things, but only if we declare our independence from the cynicism and the doubt that tells us that change can't happen."

- Barack Obama, to a crowd of 35,000 outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia, 4-18-2008.

Race

Matt — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:35:27 EDT

I am really getting tired of these Clinton supporters coming out and saying that Barack Obama wouldn't be where he is if it weren't for his race. The fact of the matter is, that I was inspired by his message. I believe that most of his supporters would say the same thing. To imply that he is only gaining votes because he isn't white is simply insane. The founder of BET stated that if the junior senator from Illinois, Joe Smith were running for office he wouldn't automatically have the amount of support. Well if Joe Smith had the call to action and was as wonderful an orator as Barack Obama, Joe Smith would damn well have as much support as Senator Obama has now. This campaign isn't about race, gender, or age. This campaign is about Hope for America. There is no reason that we should tolerate this childish pettiness any longer. I would like to say to everyone to grow up and treat this like what it is. This is quite possibly the biggest decision that we will ever make in our lives. We need to base it on solid fact not whether someone is black, white, red, brown, male, female, forty, or ninety. This isn't high school. These people aren't making decisions about how much the Coke machine is going to cost. These people are very much responisble for making decisions that affect your personal and professional lives. Treat this campaign as such.

The Bitterness

Rich — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:41:16 EDT

What is there to be bitter about? I just heard John McCain talk about americans who have to decide between prescriptions and food and rent. Does Senator McCain think these people aren't bitter about the direction the country is heading toward?

When did Katrina happen? Is the city re-built, as our President promised?

Why would our government fight so hard and so long to reject a raise to the minimum wage, while fighting just as hard to remove the estate taxes? When it came time to give themselves a raise, there was no fight in the House or the Senate.

why can't I find a tech support job, while I call tech support and get someone from India who doesn't know as much about how to fix my computer as i do?

Bridges to nowhere and Teapot museums are being built, while children in Los Angeles are going without shoes. The government is worried about violence in Iraq, while the White House is in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in America. Insurance companies make more medical decisions for you than your doctor does. Insurance companies are the main reason for the rising cost of medical care, but they raise taxes on cigarettes to pay for child healthcare, which doesn't cover all the children. They ignore government abuses while investigating what kind of drugs baseball players are using.

Why does the freest country in the world have more of its citizens in jail then any other country? A larger percentage of the population than any other country? Between the fines levied, the community service served, and the work done for slave wages in our prisons, it seems our police are here to rob it's citizens and find slaves to work in prison, all to make more money for the state, to upgrade their equipment so they can bust more people and make more money.

I can keep going and going here, but I'll only ask one more question.

Why do I always have to vote against something or someone? Once, just once, I would like to vote for something. I would like to vote for someone. I don't want to have to choose between the lesser of two evils, I want a change. A change I can believe in. I want Barack Obama as my President.

Barack again rises above corporate media attacks

Midwest Common Sense — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:12:51 EDT

The latest corporate media attack on Barack.......
...and it is knocked back out of the park once again, with an honesty we see so rarely in politics. Watch the video from Terra Haute, Indiana:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc9PepjyDow&eurl
To paraphrase Lincoln, the corporate media has warred upon Barack as Satan wars upon the Bible. But they have once again come up short - like Lincoln, Obama continues to speak the truth and stands tall with integrity through the storm. We should never let the corporate media hypnotize us into false despair - remember the lesson that Lincoln taught us:

"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise -- with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country."
- President Abraham Lincoln, December 1, 1862.

Yes, we must disenthrall ourselves from subservience to the pundits and corporate media talking heads who feel it is their birthright to direct our electoral process and manipulate the people into more fear and cynicism. Now is the time to RISE above the constant media-driven negativity and division inflicted on our souls each and every day, and move forward together toward a new future, discarding the tired old dogmas of the past and the vicious cynicism of the entrenched powers that be. It's up to us - we are the ones we've been waiting for!

Melanie Shouse
North County for Obama (St. Louis, Missouri)
www.barackobama.com

"Cynicism is a sorry excuse for wisdom."
- Barack Obama

The Tide is Turning....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s9ubMQX7WE

and Obama's Everywhere, Man!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMokHZ_35qY

Text of remarks in Terre Haute:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGBWx9

Barack's plan to help rural America:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/rural/

Saturday Rally

Indiana Obama Fan — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:02:17 EDT

Hey Friends,

I hope to see everyone at our rally tomorrow at 11:00. Join us at the Four Freedoms Monument to celebrate this amazing candidate who will be our next President.

We will hit the streets to canvas at 12:00.

I'll see you tomorrow!!!!

Fired up ~ READY TO GO!!!!

Perspective

Woolley — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:30:30 EDT

As posted on http://obamalanduk.blogspot.com 8 April 2008

Today I had the pleasure of seeing my first official event... of the Clinton campaign. Chelsea Clinton spoke at the student union of the University of Southern Indiana. And the result was fascinating.

The event was staged as a "town hall" setup. That is, it was a somewhat intimate setting, with a strong focus on questions from the audience. As there is more of a direct conversation with the community, there is generally less fanfare than one finds in a rally. Furthermore, this setup lends itself to policy oriented discussions, partly to avoid unplanned political maneuvers. In this respect, Chelsea shone brilliantly. She showed a mastership of the issues at hand, including specific policy knowledge, relevant statistics, and an ability to put her words into perspective. After seeing Chelsea today, I was impressed by an obviously well-educated, bright person. Furthermore, I was left with the impression that a Hillary administration would be well grounded in strong policy decisions.

Unfortunately, good policy does not necessarily lead to good governance. In order to rule in our democracy, one must not only make good decisions but lead people into action as well. This sense of greater perspective is what lacks in the Clinton campaign (I'm not sure most people have a good sense of why Hillary even wants to be president). And this perspective was lacking in Chelsea's demeanor as well. There was no overwhelming theme framing the Chelsea's articulate responses, except a familiarity with mundane details.

Furthermore, this lack of perspective was made all the more apparent by the elephant in the room. Barack Obama's campaign for change, which has also displayed credibility on the policy level, has consistently portrayed a message of urgency and inspiration. Obama's ability to consistently relate his policy stance back to the fundamentals of American democracy taps into a deeper sense of patriotism and humanity. This uniting element blatantly contrasts with a consistently lackluster, yet competent, performance from the Clinton campaign.

On that note, registration for voting in the Indiana primary ended yesterday. Obama's registration drive resulted in 50,000 new voters, roughly 5% of the projected vote. In Evansville, we registered roughly 4,000, while the local Clinton campaign does not claim to have registered any.

Inspiration and Energy!

Yaymee — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:19:17 EDT

We're all working hard to get Indiana ready to go OBAMA BLUE on May 6th! Here's a few of the things that keep me FIRED UP and READY TO GO!

Fired Up, and Ready To Go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyJ72iZ3tW4

One Voice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmUUYo9o9eg

Obama answers:"Why should I vote for you?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3GLyuVzIn8

Be Smart. Vote Obama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5G7yDiI4ZU

Hope Changes Everything: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLVN3Trs5VQ

Ready to Believe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmPOJDOays4

Babies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJOB6ni7otQ

And I HOPE you enjoy!

Amy

Limitations

Paul Romero — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:53:32 EDT

I feel so limited as to how much I can help. This Sucks! I don't have money to give at least not alot. I can't even make phone calls as I don't have a phone. Maybe I can volunteer somewhere? Yey, that is what I will do. Thanks.....

In Evansville

Rich — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 23:44:26 EDT

I went to Evansville Indiana today to help register voters for their primary. It didn't go that good. All the apartments in the area we went to had security doors, so instead of knocking door to door, we rang buzzers, and got ignored. The people walking on the street were friendly enough, and we got one of them to register, but that was it.

The guy I was canvassing with couldn't stay long, so we went back to the Obama headquarters at 330 Main St. in Evansville. since no one else was going out at that time, and I didn't know Evansville, I volunteered to work on their computers. It was easy work, just taking registration forms, and entering the information into a computer database. I did a whole bunch of them, then some other people came in and needed something to do. The only thing left was making phone calls.

The people that came in didn't look enthusiastic about calling people, so I volunteered to step away from the computer I was working on, letting someone else use it, while I made phone calls. I used to work in computer tech support, on the phone, so I'm not nervous about talking to strangers on the phone. I called about 30 or so people, then it was time to call it day. I'll go back tomorrow and help out some more. I think I'd rather help in the office instead of canvassing the neighborhood. It just feels like I was more productive.

I got an email mentioning a Precient Convention here in Owensboro today, we were supposed to show up at our polling location at 10am. I went there, the school on Tamarac, and there was no sign of life, Not one single car, not one person outside. That's why I went to Evansville today. I also officially signed on the Obama website up to work in Kentucky today, so I'll see how that goes.

Pre-Determination

Paul Romero — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:58:20 EDT

The Indiana Primary is coming up shortly I still have to get registered to vote. Nevertheless, I just wanted to say on this beautiful sunny Saturday I hope everyone is really enjoying this day. And because you will most likely recieve this after, I hope you enjoyed the past beautiful sunny Saturday.

A Rose by any other Name (850... and counting) (5)

Adoyo — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:49:13 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

I love this idea. I will wear a rose proudly wherever I go and welcome the chance to explain why I'm wearing it. Thank you for organizing this. (Jody)
Great idea. I love it. Will pass the word. sTAY iN pEACE (Zax)
Finally, an event that does not require a gas guzzler to attend! (Karen)
simply brilliant! (Julie)
This is an amazing idea. You are doing a wonderful thing! (Holly)
Click here to read more reactions -->

Saturday, April 5th - we need you!!!!

Indiana Obama Fan — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:01:45 EDT

Hey Friends,

We need you on Saturday! We have a lot of folks in our community who need to register to vote, and we are going to help them - all weekend!

Just show up to the CK NEWSOME COMMUNITY CENTER on Walnut Street at 10am on Saturday and we will put you to work!!!

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

A Rose by any other Name (750 ... and counting) (4)

Adoyo — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:07:28 EDT

graphic design by Lynn Griffin

> - CLICK HERE TO JOIN US AND WEAR A ROSE FOR OBAMA! - <

Here's what folks are saying:

Great idea! (Tresa)
I will proudly being wearing a rose pin - the National Flower of the United States right next to my Obama '08 pin! What a beautiful idea! (Christine)
YES! A rose indeed will sit on my desk as a reminder. Now until election day!!! (Bethany)
How sweet it is!!! (Kathleen)
A beautiful idea, and I imagine very effective. I'm looking forward to responding to questions about it! (Lauren)
I love Roses! I will spread the word! (Vicki)
Thank you for this wonderful idea! :) Greetings from Brazil to you! (Marta)
Click here to read more reactions -->

Making a Call In Texas

1!! Juan "Hussein" Perez — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:39:13 EDT

Based on early returns and my quick analysis of those returns, I believe that Obama will win today's county conventions by a 57%-43% margin or greater. I think it might be closer to 60%-40%.