Kids HQ Blog

Video: Election Night Speech in Grant Park

Christopher Hass — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:06:36 EST

"I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you." - Barack Obama, Election Night 2008

Read the full speech, as prepared for delivery . . .

Why You're Voting

Molly Claflin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:02:34 EST

Nantalie in Gotha, Florida writes:

“I am a proud grandma of a 10-year-old who really wants Obama to win. She has been a strong supporter of Obama since he announced his plans to run for president. She comes home from school all "pumped up" over her political debates with her friends and classmates. I am truly amazed by how much she and, her friends appear to know about the election and, the issues.

“I was so moved by her devotion to Obama that I recently registered to vote after 20 years of not participating in elections. Yes. I am ashamed to admit it, but it's the truth.

“Additionally, I went today and volunteered on behalf of my granddaughter at the local Obama campaign office. I had a very fulfilling day and, now my granddaughter will be proudly sporting an "Obama Girl" tee shirt tomorrow in recognition of Obama's visit.

“I will be in an early voting line to cast my vote for Obama.”

Follow Nantalie's example and cast your own vote for the next generation.

Picture of the Day

Elizabeth Kim — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:26:49 EDT

A baby is fascinated by a campaign button at Barack Obama's rally Saturday in Las Vegas.

When asked, Obama supporters frequently cite their children's and grandchildren's future as the reason they are volunteering for the campaign. Please help to elect Barack Obama president. Help us get out the vote on election day..

Have you early voted? The last day of early vote is this Friday. Click here to find the early voting location nearest you.

Share your stories and pictures with us and we'll try to publish as many as we can on our blog before election day. Your pictures will also be considered for publication as our "Picture of the Day."

Senator Biden is now my homeboy

Victor Zapanta — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:57:00 EDT

We were just passed along this YouTube link to Palm Beach County fifth grader Damon Weaver's interview with Senator Joe Biden. 4 minutes into the video Damon even gets an exclusive one-on-one with our Vice Presidential candidate! Damon's first question: what does a Vice President do?

It's in a word, adorable. Absolute must see.

***We've only got 12 days left before Election Day, and the Early Vote deadline is approaching. We need your help NOW more than ever to deliver Florida's electoral votes to Barack Obama. Please, contact your local office now to get involved.***

"Talk to your grandparents about Obama"

Christopher Hass — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:17:32 EDT

Last Friday, Representative Jan Schakowsky wrote an article for the Huffington Post encouraging supporters to reach out to their Grandparent to talk about Barack Obama:

This message is exclusively for Obama supporters who: 1) Have grandparents who are planning to vote for John McCain or are undecided about their choice for President and 2) Know someone whose grandparents are voting for John McCain or are undecided about their choice for President.
...I have been overwhelmed and inspired by the passion and commitment of young Obama volunteers and supporters everywhere I have traveled as one of the national co-chairs of Barack's campaign. Harnessing that energy for the purpose of moving older voters toward Barack Obama seemed like a natural.

Rep. Schakowsky lists a number of reasons why anyone over the age of 65 should support Barack Obama, including his position on Social Security, Medicare and taxes (as well as John McCain's opposing positions on the same). But in the end, she argues, the most effective argument may be an emotional one.

The one thing most grandparents have in common is that they have the most wonderful grandchildren in the world - so clever, so handsome, so pretty, ever so precious. Even if you are still unsure of your path in life, and even if your parents and friends occasionally wonder about you, your grandma and grandpa love you and have faith in you.
That is your weapon! "Precious" needs to get on the phone and say, "Grandpa, Grandma, I am asking you to vote for Barack Obama. This is really important to me. It's about my future. It's about the world I will be living in. It's about the world I want for my future children. (They will love that one!) Please! Do it for me!"
...The really great part of this strategy is that everything you could possibly say to your grandparents about how important Barack's election is for you is one hundred percent true.

When it comes to your family, you are Barack's most effective advocate. There are less than two weeks left in this election. If you haven't already talked to your family, now is the time.

If you've already talked to your parents and grandparents about Barack and what's at stake in this election, let us know how it went, and what advice you would offer fellow supporters who are thinking about having the talk themselves.

Continue reading for more tips, suggestions, and resources . . .

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

Sherri's story

Josh In Michigan — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:02:25 EDT

All this week, we'll be featuring Michiganders who have been volunteering and working to bring the change we need by helping to elect Barack Obama. Today, we're featuring Sherri from Milford, who sends in a photo of "the real reason I've worked so hard on this campaign - my new grandson Wyatt."

Join the Obama Campaign for Change and help us in this critically important stretch before Election Day. With only 15 days until the most important election in our lives, it's so important to keep our momentum going and keep making the phone calls, knocking on doors, and doing everything possible to bring about the change we need on November 4. Visit a Campaign for Change office near you to learn more about how to get involved, or check out our online action center today!

As a retired public school teacher of 30 years, I would obviously count education as one of my top priorities in terms of issues facing the new President. Several years ago I listened to an interview on NPR with Barack Obama, at the time a brand new member of the U.S. Senate. I had been following his career and was particularly interested in this interview because the topic was education. He spoke about the fact that there were some excellent places of learning in this country and we needed to study those places of success in order to find models for educational reform in districts that were failing. I was currently involved in a program that was developing lab sites where teachers could learn from other teachers, so I was impressed with his depth of understanding the power of professional learning communities. I looked up the names of some of the individuals advising him on educational matters and was further impressed by a line-up of professionals whose books I’d read and used in my own teaching practice. Barack continues to inspire me with his broad understanding of issues and his ability to find the brightest minds in the country to advise him on the details. I sincerely believe it will be the American children who will most benefit from an Obama administration.

UR Votes Count: Obama wins teens' choice for next president

Amanda Scott — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:02:09 EDT

Considered by many to be the most important presidential election in the past 50 years, the upcoming election is top-of-mind for Americans – even for teens under the legal voting age. This summer General Growth Properties, with the help of Disney star Selena Gomez, gave teens a chance to make their voices heard through an innovative, nationwide campaign, UR Votes Count. The program provided teens an opportunity to vote on important, relevant topics, such as the economy, environment, healthcare, the Iraq war, Social Security, national security and education, as well as their choice for the next U.S. president.

After 150 malls, 42 states and six weeks, teens' choice for the next president of the United States was clear. Illinois Senator Barack Obama won by an overwhelming 62 percent. Arizona Senator John McCain captured 33 percent of the votes, with Bob Barr and Ralph Nader rounding out the vote at two and three percent respectively.

"It's incredible so many teens came out to vote and learn more about the issues facing our nation today," said Disney star Selena Gomez. "Thank you to General Growth Properties for providing teenagers, like me, the opportunity to have our voices heard. I'm so proud to have been able to lend a hand in helping to educate my peers and usher in this next generation of voters."

When it comes to important issues facing the nation, the environment and education are top-of-mind for teens. Seventy-seven percent of teens plan to attend college. However, student loans will affect their decision. Nearly half of 17-year-olds will select their college or university based on the potential amount of debt they might take on through loans. The environment also proved to be a key concern for teens. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) are partly basing their vote on a candidate's stance on the environment. More than half (59 percent) believe the government should take stronger action and pass laws directing citizens to become more "green."

"It's so important people vote. With all of the attention and excitement surrounding the upcoming presidential election, we knew this would be a great time to engage and educate teens on the political process," said Wally Brewster, senior vice president, Marketing & Communications, General Growth Properties. "It's essential teens know their vote counts and they are empowered to shape the world as they think it should be."

Rounding out the hot topics on the minds of America's future voters are the economy, Social Security, healthcare, the Patriot Act and the Iraq war. Not surprisingly, teens are very aware of today's challenging economy. Nearly 90 percent believe the current economy is affecting their daily life as a teenager and 44 percent think it will take more than two years for the economy to improve.

When it comes to Social Security, only 39 percent of teens believe it will be available for them when they reach retirement age. Approximately 65 percent think they will need to provide support to their parents if Social Security isn't available when their parents reach retirement age. As for healthcare, an overwhelming 79 percent of teens think the federal government should provide healthcare for citizens.

...When it comes to the Iraq war, teens firmly voice their choice – more than half believe the U.S. should begin troop withdrawal now.

For more information about program results, visit www.urvotescount.com.

19 Days Left "Out of State Volunteers: You're Never Too Young"

Brett Brownell — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:58:59 EDT

Greg and Halle of New York submitted this story about their kids joining them as they came from New York to Pennsylvania to volunteer last weekend:

Along with their parents, these children came all the way from New York to help swing Pennsylvania for Obama. The kids felt very strongly about helping the campaign. In their own words, here are some of the reasons Obama's youngest supporters are getting involved:
"I want children to live in a happier, safer and cleaner world," says Ben.
Dylan knows that, "Senator Obama will work hard so that all children and grandparents get the medicine and doctors they need."
Emma wants, "The war to stop and Obama will try to make it stop when he is president."
"I am eight years old," says Zoe, "and George Bush has been the president my whole life. I want to finally have a president I can be proud of."

Obama Wins Scholastic News Election Poll

Amanda Scott — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:17:47 EDT

Almost 250,000 (a quarter of a million) kids voted by paper ballot or online
It's official. At least for the kids! The Scholastic Presidential Election Poll results are in: Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama won with 57 percent of the vote, to 39 percent for Republican nominee Senator John McCain.

The poll was open to kids from grades 1 to 12 in Scholastic News and Junior Scholastic magazines. Almost 250,000 (a quarter of a million) kids voted by paper ballot or online at www.scholastic.com/news. The poll closed on October 10.

Since 1940, the results of the student vote have mirrored the outcome of the general election all but twice: In 1948, kids voted for Thomas E. Dewey over Harry S. Truman. In 1960, more students voted for Richard M. Nixon than for John F. Kennedy. In 2000, a majority of student voters chose George W. Bush, mirroring the Electoral College result, but not the result of the popular vote.

...So why is a kid poll important? And does it mean anything come November 4? Kid Reporter Lya Ferreyra knows.

"Not only does [voting in the] poll give kids the experience they will need to vote in the future, but it allows them to have input on who should be the next President of the United States," she said. "It gives kids a voice, which is important, but we won't know the actual outcome until November 4. No one can predict that."

Letters from the Field: "Time for a change"

Josh In Michigan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:26:09 EDT

Kelly in Plymouth sent this story and photo:

My kids love Obama! My son is 3...he spells OBAMA and yells for President! I voted Republican ever since I could vote (20 yrs ago) but I am voting for OBAMA in 2008! It is time for a change. He gives me and my family hope. We love OBAMA.

KiDs FoR oBaMa

Melanie Yashar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:08:37 EDT

Yesterday, nearly 100 kids gathered in Pullen Park in Raleigh with their family and friends to show their support for Barack Obama. Children painted t-shirts, colored portraits of Barack, shot hoops for prizes and made American flags that they paraded around the park holding while cheering “Obama.”

But this event was more than just puff paint and glitter. Kids of all ages learned about the voting process--the electoral map, the candidates and past presidents. They were all able to register and vote by writing in their candidate of choice and dropping their ballot into a "confidential" ballot box.

They even wrote personal letters to Senator Obama, expressing their support and sending their wishes:

Dear Senator Obama,
I am having an Obama Rally on Oct.12, 2008 in Raleigh N.C. Pullen Park I want to know if you want to come. It is 1-3PM.

Sinserely,

Cole H.
Age 7

Dear Senator Obama,
I want you to be presadint because you are great for the economy. You have a great forin policy. We do not need a third term.

Hope you make it to the White house!
Your very yung suportar,

Ava A.
Age 8

Dear Senator Obama,
I am 9 years old and I hope that you become President of the Unites States. I have watched you speak two times and I believe that you will make this country and the world a better place. You seem to really care about peace and happiness for everyone. I think you prove that anyone who studies hard and does good things can become President or whatever they want to be. I wish I was 18 years old so I could vote for you.

Your loyal supporter,

Cole S.
Age 9
P.S. I think you made a good choice in your Vice President pick of Joe Biden.

So with 22 days left in this election, we have no choice but to get involved. If not for ourselves—for our children. Volunteer today!

Family Fun Events

Amanda Scott — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:28:55 EDT

Last Saturday our WFO in New Hampshire held a mamas for Obama/kids for Obama event so that families could come together to organize fun events that the whole family could participate in on behalf of Senator Obama.

Kids for Obama: Rally to Restore the Economy Edition

Xavier Lopez-Ayala — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:22:48 EDT

In the words of Senator Barack Obama, the "Obama for America Campaign is a different type of campaign". For the first time in campaign history, children ages 12 and under, have a place to go and actually vote—through their voice. What a great way to be introduced to politics and to express your support for Senator Obama.

Here's one youngster who is ready to help Barack change the world:

To learn more about the Kids for Obama program and how your kids can get involved, click here.

Fourth graders in South Lebanon learn about the campaign

Kevin Hartnett — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:03:25 EDT

Earlier this week Andrew Claster, a field organizer in Lebanon, PA hosted John Mohn's fourth grade classroom from South Lebanon Elementary School. He held a question and answer for 10 students and their parents. The kids were particularly interested to learn more about Barack's background and his family, and about a day in the life of a campaign organizer. By the end of the visit, the class knew a little bit more about Barack and what goes into electing a president, and the campaign had a few new volunteers!

More Kids for Obama

Amanda Scott — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:45:27 EDT

Check some pictures of kids for Obama!

Send an E-Card for National Grandparents Day

Nikki Sutton — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:59:58 EDT

Grandparents Day is this Sunday, September 7th. The Obama campaign has put together an easy way for you and your family to reach out to grandparents or a special older person in your life and let them know how much they mean to you. Check out our selection of online Grandparents Day cards.

Barack's grandparents played an important role in his life. He was shaped by their values and love, and he learned from their example that each generation has a responsibility to work for the generations that will follow.

Today, with your help, he is putting that lesson into action. Share Barack's story and your enthusiasm for this campaign with your grandparents and thank your grandparents for the important place they have in your lives. Honor their example and ask them to join you in our movement for change.

We've created online greeting cards you can send to show your love that we will auto-deliver on Sunday, September 7th, Grandparents Day. Together we can make a difference that will last for generations.

Mariah and Matthew

Amanda Scott — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:58:03 EDT

A supporter sent us this picture, along with a little information about why he is voting for Barack.

The middle class life style that I grew up in and was able to achieve on my own is moving out of reach for a lot of Americans. It leaves me wondering about my grandchildren's opportunities for their future.

Mariah is 6 and Matthew is 4. Too much of their future has been de-railed by the wasted resources of the current administration. The debt to China, the money wasted on war, the lives lost that could have shaped their lives, etc. The current economy makes it difficult for most Americans to improve their standard of living.
It must all end and a new beginning with the leadership of Barack Obama as our President.

Kids for Obama

Amanda Scott — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:47:43 EDT

Check out these pictures of Kids for Obama!

Easton Kids Join the Campaign for Change

Kevin Hartnett — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:59:21 EDT

Stephanie Monahon of Easton sends in this report, of kids leading the Obama campaign charge in Northampton County. A budding group of lemonade entrepreneurs has incorporated some Obama promotion into their stand, and in the second photo, a young citizen is about to discover that civic engagement tastes good!

And the prize for cutest photo goes to...

Arusha Gordon — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:05:27 EDT

With under 100 days left before the election, every weekend here in Virginia is jam-packed with Campaign for Change activities. This past weekend we had four office openings, and over ten Women for Obama kickoff events.

As you can see, these kids know that campaigns aren't just a thing for their parents:

If you have pictures and photos from your Campaign for Change events to share, just visit our Share Your Stories site.

Eastside Community Is Ready For Change

Lucas Fleischer - Ohio HQ — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:07:15 EDT

It was a sunny day here in Zanesville, a town in Southeastern Ohio, where Barack came to talk about the place where faith and community meet. The Eastside Community Ministry seems to be that very place.

Eastside, which provides a food pantry, emergency relief, clothing bank, and special outreach programs along with its flagship youth tutoring program, is exactly the kind of faith-based organization Barack was talking about in his speech today when he called for "an all hands on deck approach" to solving some of today's challenges. As he has said in the past, Barack believes that people don't want the government to solve their problems, but they would like to feel like the government is trying to help.

Sam, a volunteer at Eastside, described a similar approach here...

We're not attempting to give a handout, but training... to help people change their situation.

Mike, who volunteers here with Sam and teaches physical education at a local school, said that approach is useful in a place like Zanesville...

It has a small town feel, but it's big enough to have a little niche for everybody... diverse, with wealthy people as well as low-income... I see doctors' kids playing alongside kids who wear the same clothes to school every day.

Their life skills program with training in finance, health and nutrition, and even laundry, attempts to offer people all the skills they need to fight multi-generational poverty in a town that has been hard hit.

While Barack was here to talk about his support of faith-based programs, he stopped in to check on the kids who are part of the youth tutoring program. Sam told us:

They're excited. Some of them are not going to wash their hands any time soon [after shaking hands with Barack]. He made those kids' day, that's for sure. If not year.

A few of the volunteers at Eastside are Republicans, and even joked about not wanting to be interviewed for fear of getting kicked out of the Young Republicans Club, but when asked about Barack coming here today, one said:

The more public politicians talk about these issues, the better it will get... When he entered the race, I went to his website and learned all about him. And I was excited by the spirit of what he said. If he does what he says he'll do, and keeps talking about the things he's talking about, I'll probably vote for him in November.

Michelle Obama's Philadelphia Visit

Christopher Hass — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:05:09 EDT

(photos from Associated Press)

Yesterday Barack's wife Michelle was in Philadelphia for her first Pennsylvania visit. She spoke in front of a large crowd at Villanova University, but also found time to meet with small groups of mothers, teachers, and children.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

In her first day of Pennsylvania primary campaigning, Michelle Obama brought her husband's "politics of hope" refrain to Philadelphia's suburbs yesterday, hitting many of the notes that have resonated with voters elsewhere in the nation.
To high school students in Abington, she was the academic overachiever who dared them to dream big and to share what they reap.
To young, professional mothers in Haverford, she played sister in arms, swapping stories of struggling to juggle the demands of marriage, kids and career against a backdrop of thinning wages and evaporating benefits.
And to the toddler children of those working women, she was just the nice lady who came to their day care and read them a Dr. Seuss book.

And the Baltimore Sun:

Appearing before a cheering throng at Abington High School, Michelle Obama reiterated her husband's promises to restore hope and economic opportunities to Americans struggling to make ends meet.

''The bar is shifting and moving on regulr folks in a way that has got people tangled up, because it is hard to make it in this country when the bar is shifting and moving all the time,'' she said.

Finally, the Philadelphia Daily News talked with Oscar Abello, a member of the Students for Obama group that helped organize Michelle's visit yesterday:

Oscar Abello never knew his Villanova University classmates would turn out as a united group for anything that didn't involve basketball.
But they came yesterday, in the thousands, to see the woman some would call the first lady of change, Michelle Obama, at a rally organized by the school's grassroots group, Students for Obama, of which Abello is a member.
"Pennsylvania people, it starts soon!" the wife of Democratic presidential candidate and Illinois Senator Barack Obama said to loud applause.
... Abello said that he wasn't disappointed that Michelle Obama came to the university in her husband's stead.
"The message transcends any messenger you could think of," Abello said. "It's hope. It's let's stop being afraid. It's let's do this thing together."

You can also watch a video of Michelle reading to children in Haverford Township, and see additional photos of Michelle's Philadelphia visit.

Learn more about Michelle Obama, and check out PA.BarackObama.com for more news and info from Pennsylvania.

Michelle Obama Holds Women's Issues Roundtable in Zanesville

Caitlin Harvey — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:01:45 EST

Michelle Obama visited the Zanesville Day Nursery in Ohio today, where she got a tour of the nursery and held a roundtable on women's issues.

During the tour, she had the opportunity to meet 3, 4, and 5 year olds and learn about how the nursery provides early childhood education to children in Zanesville.

After the tour, she held a roundtable with six local women, where they discussed work and childcare issues.

Michelle spoke about how she likes meeting with women all over the country because she enjoys talking about their common challenges and struggles. She tells Barack about her experiences with women so that he can "continue to be accessible to folks and still connected to what's happening on the ground." She said:

I'm lucky because I have this strong, informal support network. But I'm like every other woman, except that the balancing act I'm trying to pull off is in front of the cameras.

Education was an important issue for all the women in attendance, and they all agreed that teachers are not valued enough. Michelle spoke about how everyone she meets is worried about the structure of public education. She said:

Every parent feels the struggle of No Child Left Behind. We have to work overtime to make money to pay for our kids' college educations...So many of our star students are not getting an education because their families can't afford it. Many of them are going into corporate law because they're forced to in order to pay for their degrees.

Michelle described how Barack is committed to improving public education across the country and making college affordable for everyone.

One of the attendees, Geri, asked Michelle how Barack will unite the country and help people see things from other's points of view. Michelle replied that Barack starts with empathy, and that his natural instinct is to try and understand where someone is coming from. She said:

The truth is, most people aren't on the polar opposites. There are extremes on every issue, but the vast majority of Americans are right down the middle. Having the opportunity to tour the nation, most folks are in the same spot when it comes to the future of the nation. How do we start trusting each other and change the tone in this nation to a more positive tone? That's what has dominated Barack's conversations because shifting the tone will be the hardest thing to do. If you can do that, the policy changes can be done.

Have you made your voice heard and voted early yet? Find out how where to vote early here.