Virginia for Obama

CHOCOLATE CITY ON THE SOUTHSIDE

Carolyn Harper LaViscount — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:46:34 EST

It is true that our current healthcare system is rife with abuse and waste; ignoring the savings inherent in preventative care ( take for example a diabetes sufferer who cannot get coverage until diagnosed as end-stage renal--ready for dialysis); held hostage by the insurance and pharmaceutical cabals; hopelessly mired in paper documents when electronic alternatives are available and cheaper; hard-working families are being driven to bancruptcy by catastrophic medical expenses; emergency rooms are staggering under the weight of the hordes who use them in place of a primary care physician and the hospitals are closing due to the budget crises generated by masses of uninsured and those unable to pay---the list is formidable.

There are those who would criticize President Obama for moving so massively in the first year of his tenure: He had no choice. Our problems are not insurmountable but they do require immediate action. To fulfill his mandate for 'change' it has been necessary for the President to act on several fronts at once and healthcare reform is a major piece of his strategy to put us in place to take full advantage of economic recovery.

It is well known that current benefit levels for beneficiaries of Medicaid and Medicare at not sustainable without fundamental changes to the system. These are cornerstones of the safety net that must be accessible to the most vulnerable segments of the population: the elderly, the disabled and the poor.

The bill which is being formulated in Congress is landmark legislation on the order of the civil rights metamorphosis enacted in the 1960's. We must make our representatives accountable to us for the way that they participate in this process. Fifth DistrictCongressman Perriello and Senators Warner and Webb have to answer to us for how they vote. It is not enough to wait until the next election to have our voices heard--we must act now.

Town meetings, letters, emails and calls to congressional representatives give them the opportunity to be responsive to public opinion on this critical issue.

One focus of the debate is abortion. The House version of the healthcare reform bill contained some prohibitions against the use of taxpayer funds for abortion. I hope that the concept is retained and strengthened by the Senate.

We pledge allegiance to 'one nation, under God.' It is inconsistent with that pledge to allow the destruction of human life-life which was formed in God's image. I believe that we err when we sanctify the murder of innocent unborn children by enshrining such activities in the law.

I hope that others who feel as I do will hold the line on this critical point. Furthermore, I would extend those prohibitions to the provision of services to illegal aliens. We need to stand up and be counted as citizens---paying our way to the extent possible.

Right now, everything is on the table. Let us do our part by engaging in the process.

One more point: For the first time since 1975, there will be no cost of living adjustment to awards of Social Security and Social Security Disability Income. A one-time payment should be considered; although the inflation rate was 0%, the costs of the necessities of life have continued to rise.

New Obama Group Forming 'AmericaNOchange'

Al Boek — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:42:29 EST

Fellow President Obama Supporters and Former Ones"

AS the founder of the Obama Group named YESWECANSOLVEIT...

I have taken the liberty of forming still another group called

AmericaNOchange. I doubt this one gets approved.

Thought I'd better hurry and write this and send it to all groups that

I am still a member of before I am banned here forever. Why would

that happen? you ask. Because I just formed a new group with a little

kid yelling "Hey You" while flipping off the viewer. Hope the president

and his staff gets the message.

The esculation of the war in Aftganistan is the last straw. Three strikes

your out!

First, he keeps the same people on the payroll that got us into this

financial disaster. He let's Bush and Cheney walk scot-free. He continues

to bail out the banks, "all too big to fail" why they screw us in every way.

And tonight on national tv he will try to convience us all that the way to

end the war in Aftganistan is to exculate it. This did not work in Vietnam,

I know, because I volunteered to go there, and it will not work in Aftganistan.

To add insult to injury. The powers that be, the ones backing McCain in

my city in Northern California, are all meeting to determine what the same

good ole boys get to do with local stimulus funds...So my question is?

WHAT THE HELL HAS CHANGED IN AMERICAN PRESIDENT OBAMA?

I am so damned mad right now, I swear, if I could afford it, I'd trade in

my next presidential ballot for a passport.

Al Boek, Ex-Supporter of a One-Term President

earlallenboek@yahoo.com

530-549-4315

Redding, California

Senators to get in touch with....Thanks Donna

VA . Greatgran 'Grab A Mop' for President Obama — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:41:48 EST

Well done, Donna! Calls, Letters, Emails and Faxes are Needed to request a vote for HCR with a strong P.O.
By Donna No Shock Barack No Drama Obama of MD Yesterday at 10:26 am EST (Updated Yesterday at 10:26 am EST) Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
355 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4843
Fax 202-228-1371
Email:Link

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)
Washington, D.C.
720 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-6551
Fax: 202-228-0012
Email: Link

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Washington, DC
328 Hart Senate Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-5824
Fax: 202-224-9735
Email: Link

Sen. Joe Lieberman (CT)
Washington
706 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-4041
Fax: 202-224-9750
Email:Link

Email from a Repub / my church member/scared gun owner.

VA . Greatgran 'Grab A Mop' for President Obama — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:26:52 EST

This is Crunch Time on ObamaCare
-- Urge Senators Warner and Webb to tell Harry Reid "I'm not your puppet!"

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://gunowners.org

Thursday, November 19, 2009

This week will be as important as any week in our lifetime in determining whether the anti-gun health care bill moves forward.

As a result of the mandates in the Senate bill, all of your gun-related health data can be dumped into a government database that was created in section 13001 of the stimulus bill. This includes any firearms-related information your doctor has gleaned..... or any determination of PTSD, or something similar, that can preclude you from owning firearms.

The vote this week will be on shutting down a Republican filibuster of the bill. And the key votes will be just a few Democrats: Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Evan Bayh of Indiana, Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, and your very own Mark Warner and Jim Webb of Virginia.

The Senate and the House have a great tradition of conservative Democrats: Democratic Senators Jim Allen of Alabama, Harry Byrd, Jr., of Virginia, and (former Democratic) Congressman Virgil Goode of Virginia were, in their day, as pro-gun and fiscally responsible as any Republican.

The question is whether any conservative or even "moderate" Democrats survive, or whether we are left with a bunch of cowards who will do whatever their leftist leadership demands of them.

In the House, every evidence is that the so-called "Blue Dog Democrats" were nothing but a stable of Pelosi puppets. The Blue Dogs whined and complained about the deficit spending created by the bill, but when push came to shove, Pelosi was able to get just enough of the supposedly moderate Democrats to do her bidding and support her bill.

Is this the case in the Senate as well?

1) The "moderate" Democrats in the Senate have demanded seventy-two hours to examine any legislative language -- and a CBO assessment based on final legislative language. They will not get this before this week's vote. The question is whether they were serious.

2) The "moderate" Democrats in the Senate have demanded a bill which does not send the deficit spiraling into the stratosphere. The Reid bill will add over a hundred billion dollars to the deficit, when you consider the $210-247 billion Medicare "fix" Reid is trying to sneak through on separate legislation. It will add over A HALF A TRILLION DOLLARS TO THE DEFICIT IF YOU DISCOUNT THE PHONY MEDICARE "CUTS." Was the promise worth the paper it was written on?

3) The "moderate" Democrats have promised a bill which will not tax the middle class. But the Reid bill will impose enormous costs and taxes -- not only on the middle class, but on the sick and elderly.

This is a week in which a handful of senators will make history. Will they be heroes and champions? Or liars and cowards? We will see.

They are being told that this is their chance to "make history." But history seldom rewards those who break their word because they are frightened of their masters.

ACTION: Write Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb. Tell them to vote against "cloture" on the "motion to proceed" to the Senate ObamaCare bill.

You can contact Senator Warner by going to his webform at: http://warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=contact You can contact Senator Webb by going to his webform at: http://www.webb.senate.gov/contact.cfm

----- Pre-written letter -----

Dear Senator:

This week will be as important as any week in our lifetime in determining whether the anti-gun health care bill moves forward.

As a result of the mandates in the Senate bill, all my gun-related health data can be dumped into a government database that was created in section 13001 of the stimulus bill. This includes any firearms-related information your doctor has gleaned..... or any determination of PTSD, or something similar, that can preclude you from owning firearms.

The vote this week will be on shutting down a Republican filibuster of the motion to bring the bill up -- "cloture" on the "motion to proceed."

The Senate and the House have a great tradition of conservative Democrats. The question is whether any conservative or even "moderate" Democrats will remain independent, or whether they will just do whatever their leftist leadership demands of them.

In the House, every evidence is that the so-called "Blue Dog Democrats" were nothing but a stable of Pelosi puppets. And the only question was which ones Pelosi would choose to dance at the end of their strings, and which would be allowed to lie crumpled up in the corner.

Is this the case in the Senate as well?

1) You have demanded seventy-two hours to examine any legislative language -- and a CBO assessment based on final legislative language. You will not get this before this week's vote. The question is whether you were serious.

2) You have demanded a bill which does not send the deficit spiraling into the stratosphere. The Reid bill will add over a hundred billion dollars to the deficit, when you consider the $210-247 billion Medicare "fix" Reid is trying to sneak through on separate Legislation (S. 1776).

It will add over A HALF A TRILLION DOLLARS TO THE DEFICIT IF YOU DISCOUNT THE PHONY MEDICARE "CUTS." Was your promise worth the paper it was written on?

3) You have promised a bill which will not tax the middle class. But the Reid bill will impose enormous costs and taxes -- not only on the middle class, but on the sick and elderly. Did you mean what you said?

This is a week in which you will make history. Will you be a hero and a champion? Or a Reid puppet? I have faith that you will live up to your calling.

You are being told that this is your chance to "make history." But history seldom rewards cowards who break their word because they are frightened by their "masters."

Please, show me and the people who elected you that you are the hero we elected you to be. Vote against "cloture" on the anti-gun health care bill.

Sincerely,

******************************************************************************

NOTE:

I emailed,called,signed petitions,spoke to Sarah in McConnell off. and Jamie in Reid's off. The

opponents to HCR are busy,please stay aggressive. Continue to email and call.

VAgg

CHOCOLATE CITY ON THE SOUTHSIDE

Carolyn Harper LaViscount — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:19:35 EST

I am at work on my first novel, A memoir: No Regrets..., love and politics southern-style.

A BAND OF BROTHERS .

VA . Greatgran 'Grab A Mop' for President Obama — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:31:12 EST

Over the years four veterans that called themselves "Brothers from another Mother" had remained just that.They always kept in touch and though miles separated them,they were able to get together several times .Four years ago,Tom passed away 2 months before they were to meet at our home in VA.
It was decided the closest to Texas would attend the funeral representing all 3 brothers..and besides that, being the youngest,he was the fittest.Remember,years have passed and they realized each time they lay eyes on each other is a blessing.The reunion should not be postponed.

What a joy it was for me,and our grown kids to
gather round this loving group .They spent 3 glorious days together.After the first day we left
them alone, to sit around the Dining table sharing memories and photos.I cooked,served and quietly observed as they joined hands in prayer, remembering the 'other brother'.
Twenty months later Dick died,he was the oldest.
Ed,'the kid' attended because Richard,my hubby,
legs don't hold up for lengthy travel,like they once did.
The two boys,brothers,just got off the phone.The call that's made on Veterans Day.
I've heard their promise to each other.The families know and you can surmise.
I want those who come here with hate in their hearts to know that this is how our veterans love each other.It transcends politics,race and religion.

"We few,we happy few,we band of brothers;"
...W.Shakespeare

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR CALLS

VA . Greatgran 'Grab A Mop' for President Obama — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:51:50 EDT

I obtain so much information from my sisters and brothers on OFA. I find it helpful when

calling my neighbors list. It is amazing that so many folks that voted for our President have

forgotten his words that "CHANGE" doesn't come easy and we must want it bad enough to work

with him to make it happen. I will continue to post daily on OFA,...however time making calls,

attending listening events and canvassing go hand in hand with our OFA BLOG. I,like so many

others here have learned how to post and make calls and email our Senators at the same time.

I hope calling a few neighbors daily will be added to that agenda.

VAgg

Yes, It's Time for Change!

Jill 4 Obama — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:17:45 EDT

Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. speaks with Admin. Jackson and Sec. Donovan on the new green economy. Photo credit: Johnny Simon Green the Block Obama Administration officials and members of the Green the Block campaign discuss opportunities in the new green economy and announce their first major initiative.
Correspondence Video The President's position on health care insurance reform is informed by the ten letters he reads every day. Watch a behind-the-scenes video showing how these letters are chosen from the tens of thousands he receives daily.
White House Photo, Lawrence Jackson, 7/31/09 Weekly Address: The Economy & GDP 8-1-09 The President discusses the state of the economy amidst positive signs from the GDP. Recognizing that is little comfort to those struggling, he offers hope for the time ahead.

Health Insurance Consumer Protections Watch the President's remarks, or get the fact sheet on how 8 fundamental consumer protections in reform can bring you and your family peace of mind.

Correspondence Video The President's position on health care insurance reform is informed by the ten letters he reads every day. Watch a behind-the-scenes video showing how these letters are chosen from the tens of thousands he receives daily.

Let's go change the world...

It's time for Health Insurance Reform!

WhiteHouse.gov/live: Joining The Discussion

EsquireUK — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:32:18 EDT

Joining the discussion at Whitehouse.gov/live

Posted by Nathan Sterken

The White House live stream broadcasts all kinds of White House events, from press conferences with the President to concerts in the East Room. As you may have seen, it’s also home to a new, interactive feature—Open for Questions. During what we call "Open for Questions" sessions, which are hosted about once a week, administration officials answer questions from the public in a live, online video chat. To participate in a future session, stay tuned to the White House blog, Facebook page or Twitter feed for announcements, and then head to the White House Live application on Facebook during the event to submit a question.

By looking at the percentage of people from each state who tuned in, we can see that the popularity of Open for Questions and other White House events varies from state to state with each event. The map below, for example, shows this Wednesday’s Open for Questions session with the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors was most popular in the Midwest and Virginia:

The President’s primetime press conference in the midst of the H1N1 outbreak, though, was popular in California—home to the first confirmed case of H1N1:

And when President Obama weclomed Alison Krauss and Union Station, Brad Paisley, and Charley Pride to the White House, the event was most popular in Tennessee, the nation’s country music capital:

Stay tuned to the White House blog to hear about future Open for Questions sessions and other White House events. To participate in future Open for Questions segments, visit the White House Live application on Facebook.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Joining-the-discussion-at-Whitehousegov-live/

Obama Prime time Address on Health Care - Wed, 7/22

Glen Besa — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 07:51:55 EDT

Obama's Prime time address on Health Care this coming Wednesday seems like a great opporunity for a watch party! I also think that OFA needs to have yard signs and bumper stickers available for sale. The messages could be any appropriate slogan with an Organizing for America tag line

Health Care for All Americans

Clean Energy Jobs Now

etc.

Letter for Distribution to newspapers / Reworked on Gosals letter.

VA . Greatgran 'Grab A Mop' for President Obama — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:46:27 EDT

These days, one can't go many places without hearing about the need for Health Care Reform and Insurance Plan coverage with choice of a Public Option plan,as well.

Today was a day where groups of people all over the Unites States attended Events having to do with Health Care Reform. These events were all organized by volunteers. There was no compensation other than the fact that the events were successful. Since these events were successful then the argument that we don't need Health Care Reform becomes a false statement. Today was just more proof of how much we do need Health Care Reform, and it must include a Public Option.

There is something else that can be done to prove the need for Health Care Reform with a Public option. Many Doctors, Nurses and Health Care Workers,are supportive because they know it's needed and must happen now. The fact that forty seven million Americans,that includes working people are without insurance,threatens the very core of our Nation.To the concerned members of our prestigious Medical Profession,I submit this challange...

How about organizing your own "Health Care Day", in cities all around the United States and volunteering your time and your service. I'm not talking about a day where blood pressure is taken and weight is checked. I'm talking about a Health Care Day where Pap Tests and Mammograms for women without Health Care Coverage are given at no charge. A Health Care Day where prostate exams are given to men without Health Care Coverage at no charge.

A Health Care Day like this would bring out thousands of people, because they do not have health care coverage to afford these tests. That would prove once again, that there is an urgency and need for a Public Option to be included in Health Care Reform.

So, to all Health Care professionals, are you ready to show your support, and volunteer just as Middle Class Americans did all over the United States today? We, Middle Class Americans,are asking you to do, what we are doing on a regular basis,"A Day of Service".

Fellow Virginians -- Vote Terry McAuliffe For Governor

Candace N. - V.O.B — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:38:23 EDT

Virginia needs a governor who thinks outside of the box, is intelligent, has Virginian's best interest at heart, is dedicated and enthusiastic. Terry McAuliffe is that person. Don't take your voting right for granted, take a few moments to vote today. Let's get someone in office who is going to work hard for us. Vote Terry McAuliffe

Our Call to Service!

Charles (ChucK) — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:08:26 EDT

When our President speaks, do we listen to everything he says? Do we just receive the messages that are pleasing to our ears and give us hope for the future? He has told us time and time again, that he can not change our lives without us working towards changing ourselves. He can promote, and sign legislation to improve the wages of teachers, but we do not ensure our children study and do their homework, the positive result of the presidents good work will be limited.

We are now faced with a challenge to improve, reform, and our healthcare system. What good will it do to provide healtcare to every American citizen, if you will not go to the doctor for regualar check ups, eat a proper diet, and exercise? Change we can believe in is change we must take responsibility for in our lives, and communities first. If we can spend our resources on things that we enjoy, many of which serve no longterm purpose of a positive nature, we should certainly consider dedicating a portion of our disposable income to something that matters. When my neihbors lost their homes, the value of mines dropped.

When a child goes to school sick with a communicable disease, virus, or bacterial infection that has not been treated because they do not have access to a doctor, your child may come home with that illness. This can be prevented by us taking a active role in supporting the passage of legislation that will solve this problem. We have a responsibility to speak out and spread the word to people who our President cannot speak to every minute of every day. We are out here, living in real time, in our real lives, not what is depicted on the news networks or descripbe by the political pundits who have been detached from the real American experience for years.

We must bridge the gap. We must invest in our future with our human assests, as well as our financial assests. Sacrifice now, to ensure you will not have to do it continually for the rest of your life, and your children will have to pick up the tab after we are gone. I served as a Marine, and continue to serve as a federal employee, union officer, as well as a Independent Advocate. I do not have to, but I have a responsibility to conitnually ask what I can do for my country, fellow co workers, and my community.

We all must do the same. President Obama made this clear throughout his campaign and his first 100 days in office. Have you answered his call, and joined a cause bigger than yourself? You need not bear arms, but you must serve your country in some way larger than being a law abiding tax paying citizen.

Do I have a witness on this?

Yes I do and he is our President and Commander in Chief.

God Bless You!

God Bless America!

Charles

Obama's Hamburger Hamlet - Much Ado About Mustard

Mark Wiznitzer — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:19:44 EDT

To be, or not to be medium well, that is the question!
In the most high and palmy District of Washington.
A little ere 100 days the mightiest Republicans fell,
Were storefronts now tenantless, and swine flue fright doth rule,
Did gibber of Ray's Steaks and Hell Burgers in Arlington streets.

Where Geithner and Bernanke proclaimed that
Both a borrower and a lender be;
For loan oft gains both votes and friends,
And borrowing stimulates weary economy.

Find out the cause of this effect,
Because the Commander in Chief hungereth.
Or rather say, the cause of this detect,
For this effect defective comes by cause,
So with his VP escapeth his White Castle.

Not a computer mouse stirring.
And then it started like a guilty thing
Upon a fearful summons.
But, look, the noon, in hungered mantle clad,
Obama rides o'er the slew of yon high shills.
The memory be green of Arugula farmers,
With Biden that less than kin, yet more than kind.
That it should come to this!

"Season your admiration with a spicy mustard."
The President's baked meats
Did coldly furnish forth their ratings tables.

Words, words, words.
Give thy thoughts no tongue, except on talk radio.
Why, Rush, a robustious periwig-pated fellow,
Very like a whale,
Would hang on him,
As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on.

Sean cried "Thrift, thrift, Horatio Alger!
All is not well; I suspect some French socialist Dijon foul play.
Something is rotten in the state of Virginia."

Alas, poor Yokels! We knew them, Ho-radio.
Tis as easy as lying.
What! Frighted with false ire?
The loonies doth protest too much, methinks.
They have a plentiful lack of wits.
More matter, with less condiments.
There is nothing either good nor bad, but thinking makes it so tasty.

"This above all: to thine own self be true,
Medium-well it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Brevity is the soul of wit:
"No ketchup" commandeth the Prince.

Lord! we know what we are, but know not what we may be.
For I am more a modern Lincoln than an FDR.
He was a man, take him for all in all,
We shall not look upon his like again.

A king of shreds and patches worthy of GQ.
Not just a rhapsody of words.
For the apparel oft proclaims the man.
Report me and my cause aright
To the unemployed.
Come, my limo!
Good-night sides;
Good night, sweet relish;
Good night.

Virginia Democrats

Candace N. - V.O.B — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:21:33 EDT

Fellow Virginia Democrats we have a tight gubernatorial race. I have listened to all of the candidates and have done research on all of them. We have strong candidates but I feel that Terry McAuliffe is the best one for Virginia. He thinks out of the box, he is intelligent and he is passionate about matters concerning our state. If you have followed his career there is no mistaking that when he sets his mind to getting something done he won't stop until he does. I don't see that same determination from some of the other candidates. With the economy in peril and with important issues like education, the environment and unemployment affecting Virginians, we have to make sure that we elect the most qualified person to address these issues, and that person is Mr. Terry McAuliffe. I attended the Alexandria, Virginia office opening and I was glad to meet so many people that volunteered for President Obama. I challenge you to do your research, listen to all of the candidates and it will become clear to you that Mr. McAuliffe is the right choice for Governor. I hope you will join me in supporting him with all of the dedication that you showed when you supported President Obama. Go to terrymcauliffe.com and to see how you can support the candidate with the ideas to make Virginia's future brighter.

CHOCOLATE CITY ON THE SOUTHSIDE

Carolyn Harper LaViscount — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:26:40 EDT

For more information on the Employee Free Choice Act, the following websites can be consulted:

www.freechoiceact.org

www.aflcio.org

www.heritage.org

www.themiddleclass.org

CHOCOLATE CITY ON THE SOUTHSIDE

Carolyn Harper LaViscount — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:12:05 EDT

"Let us pray." Those were the words of financial historian, John Steele Gordon, when he was asked by an Associated Press (AP) writer to comment on the current global financial crisis. He went on to opine that "..., it's probably going to be the worst postwar recession...," The same AP report included a litany of dismal statistics comparing the current troubles to the recession of 1982. The list includes:

In January, reports showed 207,000 manufacturing jobs vanished in the largest one month drop since October1982.

Major automakers'U.S. sales extendedtheir deep slump in February, putting the industry on track for its worst sales month in more than 27 years.

Struggling homebuilders have just completed the worst year for new home sales since 1982.

There are 12.5 million people out of work today, topping the number of jobless in 1982.

I have personal memories of seeing a tent-city in Phoenix, Arizona. Hundreds of unemployed and homeless in a rag-tag assortment of tent-like structures--most of them with shopping carts holding all of their worldly possessions. Many had migrated from the states where steel-working, auto-making and logging had paid the bills. In the face of staggering numbers of job losses, frustrated workers sought a new start in the southwest. Phoenix was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers. (I took pictures and sent them to my mother here in Danville--appalled that this was happening in America.)

Ronald Reagan presided over the 80's recession and not even the "teflon" president could avoid comparisons to Herbert Hoover when he visited a beleaguered Pittsburgh, Pa. What he faced pales in comparison to President Obama's challenge. In Reagan's era, the problem was pretty much an in-house situation which responded to some changes in monetary policy to curb inflation. The situation we face today is global in scope and it is only the icing on layers of inattention to the fundamental problems that are faced by our own economic system.

Although I do not agree with President Obama on every jot and tittle--he could have gone further in reform of the tax code-- I stand firmly behind him on the direction in which he is taking this country. It's time to pay the piper. President Obama's budget is right on target. He is making us face what has been hidden by political smoke and mirrors--the actual cost of running this country if we are to adhere to the ideals on which this country was founded. Funding understaffed agencies like the Veteran's and Social Security Administrations, aggressively pursuing energy independence, providing access to quality health care for every American, refurbishing the country's crumbling infrastructure and the list goes on.

President Obama's detractors--most of them proponents of what they would call "limited government"--are screaming at the price tag on his initial budget. They warn that he is creating a socialist state, that he is set to destroy the world's greatest monument to capitalism. Some quote noted economist, Adam Smith, who defended the market economy so eloquently when he said, "Speak to a man of his own self-interest." What they ignore is that Smith did not stop there. To quote Amartya Sen from "Capitalism Beyond the Crisis:"

Smith viewed markets and capital as doing good work within their own

sphere, but first, they required support from other institutions--including public

services such as schools--values other than pure profit seeking, and second,

they needed restraint and correction by still other institutions--e.g., well-

devised financial regulations and state assistance to the poor--for preventing

instability, inequity and injustice. If we were to look for a new approach to the

organization of economic activity that included a pragmatic choice of a

variety of public services and well-considered legislation, we would be

following rather than departing from the agenda of reform that Smith

outlined as he both defended and criticized capitaism.

President Obama has chosen not to deal in "half measures." He is attacking on a myriad of fronts, taking possession of the mandate he was dealt in the November election. He and his staff, most notably, Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner, are moving in a calculated but expeditious way to change the direction of American policy, both domestically and around the world. He called for change--we said yes and change he is giving us.

The beauty of the American system has been and continues to be the rule of law. We accomplished regime change of monumental proportions in November in a deliberate and peaceful manner. The Bush administration graciously offered all possible cooperation to the incoming president, handing over power in way which is the envy of the civilized world.

We have much to be thankful for.

It is noteworthy that President Obama last week welcomed England's Prime Minister Gordon Brown to the White House for substantive talks. England and America remain the staunchest of allies. Also, Great Britain's membership in the Eurpean Union makes Brown something of an emissary to that struggling confederation.

(According to a New York Times report, "The leaders of the Eurpean Union [EU]gathered..,in Brussels in an emergency summit meeting that seemed to highlight the very worries it was designed to calm: that the world economic crisis has unleashed forces threatening to split Europe into rival camps." EU countries share little in common except a currency. They do not enjoy a "joint political destiny.')

Our united states make us unique.

President Obama is taking full advantage of our unique position and I applaud his efforts. These are critical times and they call for drastic measures.

I agree with Mr. Brown that we need to pray, but to that prayer we must add action. God helps those who help themselves.

We Are Empowered

Antonia Hussein Inman — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:13:03 EST

Obama Family,

This was written by a young man in Georgia. It perfectly expresses what I think we need to do to here in SW Virginia and NE Tennessee. The needs in our community are so great, that I think we need to jumpstart our community meeting next Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m. at Starbucks in Bristol, Virginia on Lee Highway.

Please read this and send me any information about resources existing in our community for jobs, job fairs, volunteering, food distribution, etc. There are children going hungry in our area tonight. So many are disenfranchised with no employment or medical care. We cannot wait for President Obama to help us. We must help ourselves and build a community of people ready, organized and willing to rebuild our country, from this little area of the South on up to Capitol Hill.

From Preston Harden of Georgia: "I hope all is well with you. Last night, President Obama delivered an outstanding message about responsiblity and productivity of the American people. President Obama and his team are working hard for the American people and to rebuild our great county. However, we as Americans are empowered to also rebuild our country. Each day, I feel empowered to do something to help rebuild my community by mentoring a student, volunteering with a shelter or doing something to help my someone else. As well, I also hold my elected officials accountable by attending legislative sessions at the capital and staying involved with our elected officials. The days of feeling less than or powerless are over - We are empowered to take back our country by each one of us taking back our communities. The problems we face today can not be solve solely by our Government or the Stimulus - it begins with each one of us. If you know someone who is seeking employment - then share openings, job fairs, etc. If you have skills to teach others, then share your knowledge - together we can rebuild, but we must work together as Americans. By helping each other, we are helping to rebuild our communities and taking back our country. Therefore, I want to stress to each one of you today to please get involved with your local political party, with your local community organizations (i.e., shelter, mentoring program, etc) to be empowered, we must be informed.

We are Americans - We are Empowered.

Thank you for your support,

Preston L. Harden,

Borrowed for SW Virginia and NE Tennessee by

Antonia Inman

Send information about jobs, volunteer needs, your resources and I will post on a website and in our list serv.

Time for Action

MikeF — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:34:48 EST

We need to stop the GOP from becoming roadblocks on our road to recovery. We need to continue our activism in order to the Obama administration to succeed. Important business is being stymied by stubborn representatives of the old school. Please take time to visit Congressman Rob Wittman's web site (http://www.wittman.house.gov) and vote in his online poll. Vote FOR the stimulus package and visit his site often to express YOURSELF!

The Bills That President Obama has Signed

Candace N. - V.O.B — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:25:08 EST

I am so happy to see President Obama move so quickly to fulfill his promises to the American people. He signed important bills that should have been signed by former president Bush. The SCHIP bill was imporatant as well as the Ledbetter bill. President Obama is proving that he wants to build the country from the bottom up. I hope the republicans will accept president Obama's hand of bipartisanship.

Pay the Bill and Keep the CHANGE

Mark Wiznitzer — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:17:11 EST

Let’s be honest. We didn’t really expect Congress to come up with a "bold" stimulus plan, did we? But do we agree that NO action will only aggravate our current crisis?

The GOP surprised us when it failed to respond more constructively to the bipartisan overture from Barack Obama. I personally witnessed the precedent-setting bipartisan dinner for his defeated opponent (my photo of the President-elect at the dinner honoring McCain, January 19) and noted the subsequent meetings with Congressional Republicans. And what did we get in the way of proposals from the loyal opposition? More of the dogma-driven, supply-side ideology that contributed to our current mess: tax cuts!

On the other hand, GOP critics have a point: the bill that passed the House and was embraced by Obama essentially is an accumulation of favorite Democratic spending proposals.

What is missing is CHANGE. The CHANGE Obama advocated in his campaign for the Presidency. The CHANGE that won him a resounding mandate to govern for four years. The CHANGE from policies that have worked to benefit few and imperil many. Where are the first steps toward affordable health care, a sustainable green economy and alternative energy? And why are we not moving boldly to address the systemic failures that underlie the current crisis in credit markets?

Obama asked for ideas. And Paul Krugman and Robert Reich, among others, obliged. But what these brilliant men offer is predictable: rationales for orthodox Keynesian solutions and concern about labor market distortions, respectively. More is needed, not just in additional spending, but in fresh ideas that advance the President's policy agenda. So, if suggestions are still welcomed, here is my two-cents worth. And please do keep the CHANGE.

Health Care

Obama has promised the nation affordable health care similar to his own Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), to be available to all by the end of his first term. There is no need to back off this goal. Health care is one of the largest drags on our economy and the stimulus bill provides a real opportunity to begin managing its cost. In addition to the bill’s provisions to help state governments fund Medicare and work projects, I suggest that the federal government reimburse all state and local governments for their employer's share of health care for the rest of this year. In exchange, recipients may not fire government workers and must commit to integrating their health care plans with the existing FEHBP starting in 2010. That provides additional and immediate financial assistance to state and local governments, while paving the way for the establishment of a Public Employees Health Benefits Program. By January 2010, the federal government’s negotiated health care program would expand its base and economies of scale. The next step will be to apply the system to businesses, and subsequently to capture the un- and under-insured.

Energy Independence

Most honest leaders recognize that in due course government will have to produce the substantial additional revenue to pay for the stimulus. But good luck finding a politician willing to propose increasing taxes of any kind. So let me suggest instead a hefty tariff on imported oil to fund the “green economy.” A tariff of 50 percent or more on the landed cost of all imported energy (probably with some form of accommodation for our NAFTA partners) can be justified because of national security as well as the external costs to our environment inherent in the use of fossil fuels. And such a levy would promote conservation, subsidize domestic production, and help to fund and protect our investments in alternative energy. This is a measure that should be welcomed by Republicans who advocate "drill, baby, drill” as well as environmentalists interested in promoting clean energy. The windfall earned by American producers could be invested domestically or taxed as profits. And while there may be a marginal increase of fuel cost at the pump, it will pale in comparison with the amounts we forked over to foreign potentates rather than our own Treasury these past few years, when oil was effectively 200% greater than its current price.

Reestablish a ‘Risk-Free’ Investment Benchmark

Explanations for our current credit crisis and financial market meltdown abound, including the Washington Post's excellent series. But absent from all the expert analyses is any mention of the Treasury Department's October 2001 decision to discontinue issuing 30-year Bonds. That decision, on the heels of 9/11 and the cusp of Bush's costly war on terror, both lowered mortgage yields and prompted increased sales of bundled mortgages marketed as alternative 'risk-free' instruments, which in turn fueled the housing bubble and distorted both government and corporate credit point spreads. Treasury Bond auctions have resumed, but a clear provision to finance America’s recovery through borrowing would repair yield spreads – both between short and long term sovereign debt and in relation to all other debt instruments. Transparent budget financing will help re-establish more realistic risk pricing and global confidence in the US economy. But the 30-year Bond will not regain its position as a benchmark for 'risk-free' long-term investment if Fed meddling in the market, as it proposes to do with its planned purchase of Treasuries from troubled banks. In fact, this central-bankers-gone-wild approach will only create a greater Treasury bubble that will seriously aggravate our problems. Once markets are allowed to properly price the cost and risk of our recovery without Fed manipulation, global confidence in the US economy has a chance to be recover.

So Pay the Bill, and Keep the CHANGE

Barack Obama attended his last inaugural event, the Staff Ball, at the DC Armory on January 21. But he arrived after a performance by the opening act, Arcade Fire. So here are some insightful lysircs from their “Intervention”:

You say it's money that we need
As if we're only mouths to feed
I know no matter what you say
There are some debts you'll never pay

The message is relevant to the stimulus bill now before Congress.

We can act responsibly and cautiously if we:

Pay the Bill and Keep the CHANGE.

Virginia Democrats

Candace N. - V.O.B — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:53:51 EST

I encourage my fellow Democrats living in Virginia to join the organization " Virginia Democrats" at www.vademocrats.org I joined last year and during the primary through inaugural periods I received very valuable information and links from them. By joining you help raise funds for our Virginia candidates. The website list events in Virginia along with other information important to Virginia residents. On February 7th the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner will be held in Richmond, Virginia featuring special guest speaker President Bill Clinton. Please go to the before mentioned site to get details on how you can attend. While attending the dinner, please show your support for Governor Hopeful Terry Mcauliffe, he along with the other gubernatorial candidates will be speaking. Once again I highly recommend joining this organization if you want to keep up to speed with what's going on in Virginia.

Email I Received Today In Regard To Inauguration Access Denial Investigation

Candace N. - V.O.B — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:08:01 EST

Senator Feinstein Issues Statement Following Meeting with Inauguration Officials

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after meeting with law enforcement officials to discuss the Inauguration Swearing-In Ceremony:

“Today I met with Mark Sullivan, Director of the Secret Service, Philip D. Morse, the Chief of the Capitol Police, and Terrence Gainer, Senate Sergeant at Arms, along with other law enforcement officials to discuss the 56th Presidential Inaugural Swearing-In Ceremony.
An unprecedented number of people, estimated at nearly two million, converged on the National Mall area for this ceremony, and there was not one major arrest or injury at the event, apart from various medical emergencies. All law enforcement agencies worked very hard to keep the nation’s capital safe during this historic event, and they deserve our thanks. But the purpose of the discussion today was to learn more about what led to thousands of people not being able to get into their designated ticketed areas.
It is clear that there were significant problems with managing crowds, especially in the Third Street Tunnel and the agencies involved are in the process of sorting out exactly what happened. There will be an after-action report compiled, not to cast blame, but to help us understand what mistakes were made so that we can make sure they are not repeated at future Inaugurals.”

The Southern Ball

Candace N. - V.O.B — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:42:42 EST

My daughter and I had a wonderful time at the Southern Ball. We had no trouble with getting there or departing. We were also fortunate that we did not have to wait in line to get in. I have read many horror stories about coats being lost at the coat check area during previous balls, but PIC had a good system in place that made coat checking easy and made it very unlikely that one's coat would get lost. The amount of guest was just right, one could move around with ease. The pastry chef gets a special nod because the desserts were great. The people at the Southern Ball, especially the ladies were so friendly. People would introduce themselves and say which state they were from and just reflect on how wonderful and historical the day was. My daughter and I were rather close to the stage when President Obama arrived but some people in front of us were tall and were blocking our view so a gentleman offered to take a couple of pictures of the president for my daughter since he was tall himself and had a good vantage point. It was an incredible night, one in which my daughter and I will always cherish. I hope we will be fortunate enough to do it again four years from now.

Time To Celebrate

Candace N. - V.O.B — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:43:34 EST

It is amazing looking back, all of blogs, making donations, attending and hosting events, making phone calls and canvassing,. At first it seemed like alot of work and it ws but today made the work worth it and I can't wait to do it again in four more years and I think the other dedicated supporters on this site feel the same way. I am about to pop open some champagne and get ready to celebrate at the ball. Party responsibly tonight everyone. WE DID IT !!! YES WE DID !!!

Congatulations Mr. President

Candace N. - V.O.B — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:23:50 EST

Congratulations Mr. President Barack Obama. How wonderful it is to be able to say that. This is a great day for our country.

Fashion For The Inauguration

Candace N. - V.O.B — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:58:04 EST

I can't wait to see what our soon to be first lady Mrs. Obama is going to wear for the inaugural festivities. I bet the little ones are excited about getting all "dolled" up as well. As for the president elect, he does not have too many options to go along with his tuxedo, but I am sure that he will be very dapper.

Obama agrees to modest changes in proposed tax cuts after inviting critics to show him ideas

Candace N. - V.O.B — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:46:36 EST

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pushed by fellow Democrats, President-elect Barack Obama agreed to modest changes in his proposed tax cuts on Friday after inviting lawmakers to "just show me" ideas for fixing an economy shedding jobs at an alarming rate. Democratic congressional officials said that Obama aides came under pressure in closed-door talks to jettison or significantly alter a proposed tax credit for creating jobs.

Further, Democrats sought inclusion of relief for upper middle-class families hit by the alternative minimum tax. The so-called AMT was originally designed to make sure the very wealthy did not escape taxes, but it now hits many more people because of inflation, despite measures by Congress every year to prevent it from reaching tens of millions of middle-income families.

Congressional officials said aides to the president-elect had agreed to increase the $10 billion originally ticketed for energy tax breaks, although the final total remained unclear. Two officials said at least $20 billion would be reserved, but others indicated it could go higher.

Details were not available, but Obama has spoken in the past about increasing tax breaks for production of alternative energy sources such as wind power. The energy tax provisions make up a small part of a massive economic stimulus bill - expected to reach over $800 billion over two years - that congressional leaders hope to pass before mid-February.

With more than 11 million Americans out of work, Obama pressed Congress for urgent action and said the U.S. is undergoing "a devastating economic crisis that will become more difficult to contain with time." His warning was underscored by a government report showing that unemployment hit a 16-year high of 7.2 percent in December.

But congressional Democrats are making it clear they want to put their own stamp on the revival plan, despite the inevitable delays. Some Obama ideas, like a $3,000 job creation tax credit, might get scrapped.

Many Democrats aren't thrilled with Obama's business tax cut plans and are griping that there's not enough money in the measure for traditional infrastructure projects like road construction and water projects or for tax credits to promote renewable energy.

Beyond the emerging rifts - and the openness with which Democrats are pushing back against some of Obama's ideas - is the sheer enormity of crafting such a complex, controversial measure in just weeks. Lawmakers' insistence on making changes could delay the recovery plan beyond a mid-February deadline declared by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Obama, at a news conference, sought to play down the differences. "There's no disagreement that the economy is in dire straits," he said. "There's no disagreement that we need to create jobs."

Top Democrats affirmed there is far more agreement than disagreement on the major parts of the recovery plan: aid to cash-strapped state governments, $500-$1,000 tax cuts for most workers and working couples, and a huge spending package blending old fashioned public works projects with aid to the poor and unemployed and a variety of other initiatives.

Obama said he welcomed input from lawmakers in both parties.

"If members of Congress have good ideas, if they can identify a project for me that will create jobs in an efficient way that does not hamper our ability over the long term to get control of our deficit, that is good for the economy, then I'm going to accept it," the president-elect said.

"What we can't do is drag this out when we just saw a half-million jobs lost," Obama said.

"If you can show me that something is going to work, I will welcome it," he said.

A squadron of Obama officials came to the Capitol on Friday to brief House Democrats on the measure, and they again heard criticism of some of Obama's proposed tax cuts, particularly a $3,000 credit for job creation. Lawmakers pressed for more infrastructure spending and tax credits to promote renewable energy and said that more needs to be done to address the housing crisis.

"There's considerable expertise running around the halls of Congress, and this week represents the first, most significant opportunity to have good, constructive dialogue on how we build the best package," said Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D.

Obama is promising to ride herd.

"It is my job to make sure that Congress stays focused in the weeks to come and gets this done," he said.

The top Democrat in Congress is a cheerleader for the Obama plan.

"All of their priorities are ones that we share," Pelosi said. "We just want to make sure that those (ideas), when they're written in the bill, are ones that can be used immediately and can create jobs."

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., emphasized areas of broad agreement and the universal sentiment of a need to act.

"Please don't get the idea there was some sort of breakdown here," Boxer told reporters.

The details are closely held and subject to change - and the cost of various components seems to be bouncing around daily in the push and pull between the Obama transition team and congressional leaders.

"Spend more on infrastructure. That was a recommendation made in the caucus," Rep. Pomeroy said. Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., said money will be added to have state and local governments buy up foreclosed homes.

Boxer said about 20 percent of the bill would provide aid to the cash-strapped states, with 40 percent, or about $300 billion for tax cuts for individuals and businesses. The remaining 40 percent would go to spending programs such as infrastructure, help for the unemployed and renewable energy.

One tax provision would provide a $500 tax cut for most workers and $1,000 for couples, at a cost of about $140 billion to $150 billion over two years. The individual tax cuts may be awarded by withholding less from worker paychecks, effectively making checks about $10 to $20 larger each week.

Congratulations Chairman Tim Kaine

EsquireUK — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:47:30 EST

Friday, 9th January 2009

Washington, D.C.

President-elect Barack Obama looks on as Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine speaks at the Democratic National Committee, where Obama announced Kaine as the new DNC chairman. (Charles Dharapak/Associated Press)

www.change.gov

I received this important message from President Elect Barack Obama...

Raphael--

Yesterday, I had the honor of introducing Virginia Governor Tim Kaine as the next Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

We're in a strong position to build the Democratic Party, renew our commitment to the principles we share, and continue the outstanding work of Chairman Howard Dean.

Among his many achievements, Governor Dean launched a strategy to reach out to Americans in all 50 states -- north, south, east and west. This 50-state strategy helped Democrats compete in states where we hadn't in years, including states like Virginia.

Governor Kaine has seen the power of the 50-state strategy firsthand, and under his leadership, Democrats will continue to organize and compete in every corner of our country.

Share your question for incoming Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine -- he'll answer as many as possible in a video on Democrats.org.

Tim is the ideal leader to grow and strengthen this party -- not by appealing to our divisions, but by appealing to our common hopes; not by pursuing policies that advance a specific dogma, but by pursuing policies that work for ordinary people.

As Governor of Virginia, Tim was known for his intelligence, integrity, and strong economic leadership.

He has a record of putting public service above partisanship, and he knows that reaching across party lines is the way to achieve progress for all Americans.

Over the next few days, you'll have a unique opportunity to get to know Governor Kaine. You can submit a question online, and he'll answer as many as possible in a special video next week.

Learn more about the future of the Democratic Party by submitting your question to Governor Kaine:

http://www.democrats.org/welcomekaine

The success of our party in the years ahead depends on strong leadership, but it also depends on a committed membership determined to bring change.

Thank you for your hard work and please join me in welcoming Chairman Tim Kaine,

Barack

By Chris Cillizza
President-elect Barack Obama formalized his appointment of Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine as the head of the Democratic National Committee today, installing a loyalist in the key political job.

"Tim and I share a philosophy," said Obama. "It is a pragmatic, progressive philosophy."

Kaine outlined three tasks he would seek to accomplish as head of the DNC: promote Obama's agenda, carry the "banner" of the party and work to expand on the civic engagement begun during Obama's campaign.

Both Obama and Kaine emphasized in their remarks a desire to find solutions to problems regardless of party affiliation -- an unusual declaration given that the Virginia governor was being named as the chief political surrogate for the incoming president. "We are the party of problem solvers and unifiers," said Kaine.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2009/01/obama_announces_kaine_as_dnc_c.html?wprss=thefix

www.change.gov

Foundation won't disclose Bush library donors

Candace N. - V.O.B — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:05:07 EST

Wow what a surprise, NOT !!

DALLAS (AP) -- Donors to President George W. Bush's presidential library probably will remain a mystery, said the foundation overseeing fundraising.

Mark Langdale, who heads the George W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation, said that's the way some donors want it.

"It's our decision not to disclose who the donors are," he said.

The foundation will oversee construction of the library, museum and public policy institute at the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas. The group had raised less than $3 million when the latest tax reports were filed in August. That's far short of its $300 million goal, but foundation officials said fundraising will pick up significantly after Bush leaves office Jan. 20.

The issue of whether to identify presidential library contributors was reignited recently when President-elect Barack Obama tapped Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to serve as secretary of state.

The foundation that oversees her husband's library, the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock, Ark., had not previously released donors' names - no law requires disclosure of who donates to presidential library foundations.

But last month, the Clinton foundation published donors' names as part of Bill Clinton's effort to avoid conflicts of interest regarding his wife's new post. The list showed that governments from Saudi Arabia to Norway made sizable contributions, as well as corporations and billionaires with interests in U.S. foreign policy.

Bush officials have said the president would not accept foreign donations while in office. Both Clinton and Bush's father had the same policy but accepted large gifts from foreigners after leaving the White House.

Noting that the Clinton list was released as part of an agreement to help Hillary Clinton join the Obama Cabinet, Langdale said, "We don't have those set of circumstances," The Dallas Morning News reported in Monday's editions.

The Bush foundation does, however, have to contend with a recession and the president's low ratings in public opinion polls.

"Clearly, we're in tough economic headwinds, so it's going to be a harder climb than it would have been a year ago," Langdale said.

But he said the foundation expects to meet its fundraising goal by autumn of 2010, the planned groundbreaking date.

Former DNC chief announces Va. gov run

Candace N. - V.O.B — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:16:45 EST

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe said on Saturday he intends to run for governor of Virginia.

After months of speculation over his plans, McAuliffe announced his intentions in a video posted on his Web site. In the video, McAuliffe said he will make his intention to run official on Wednesday as part of a week-long campaign kickoff.

The stops include town hall meetings in Hampton Roads, Bristol, Richmond and others, where McAuliffe will unveil plans for job creation, education and renewable energy.

"Over the coming months we will travel to every corner of the commonwealth to ask all Virginians to join our campaign to get the economy moving again," McAuliffe said in the video.

In November, the 51-year-old established his campaign committee, Friends of Terry McAuliffe, with the State Board of Elections, secured the services of strategist Mike Henry and began touring Virginia, but had not made his candidacy certain.

McAuliffe faces two other Democrats who have been active for nearly a year in an already contentious nomination fight to succeed Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

State Sen. Creigh Deeds narrowly lost the attorney general's race in 2005, and former House Democratic Caucus chairman Brian Moran is also in the race.

"We welcome Terry McAuliffe to the race and we're looking forward to an open and honest discussion of how we keep Virginia moving forward," said Peter Jackson, a spokesman for Deeds.

In a statement, Moran also welcomed McAuliffe to the campaign.

"I am more convinced than ever that Virginians want a governor with a proven record of fighting for Virginia families and a vision for the commonwealth," Moran said.

The Democratic nominee will face Republican Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who is unchallenged for his party's nomination, in the Nov. 3 election.

Phil Cox, a spokesman for McDonnell also welcomed McAuliffe into the race, saying he has a "tough primary fight ahead of him." But Cox said there will be plenty of time during the campaign to compare and contrast records.

A native of upstate New York, McAuliffe has lived in Virginia for about 17 years. He lives in the Washington, D.C., suburb of McLean.

McAuliffe brings to the race a national fundraising base and profile that neither of his potential primary rivals could match. As chairman of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, McAuliffe helped her raise tens of millions of dollars. And as DNC chairman, he helped restore the fiscal health of a party that was broke and dispirited after Al Gore's wrenching 2000 presidential loss.

But McAuliffe also brings a political portfolio well to the left of Democrats Mark R. Warner and Kaine, who toiled in the state party for years before they were elected governor by pledging bipartisan cooperation and campaigning as moderates.

McAuliffe, however, does ride a crest of success the Democratic Party has not known in Virginia for generations.

President-elect Barack Obama became the first Democrat to carry Virginia in a presidential race in 44 years. The party claimed both of the state's U.S. Senate seats for the first time since 1970, and it controls six of the state's 11 U.S. House seats in the wake of newcomer Tom Perriello's victory over Republican Rep. Virgil Goode after a recount.

Only two states - Virginia and New Jersey - elect governors this year.

Happy Holidays

MikeF — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:29:25 EST

As we approach the end of the year I want to wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New year.

The inauguration of Barack Obama will be one of the most important events ever in the United States. Many of you will be traveling to Washington DC to witness this momentous event. Please be safe, enjoy the moment, and come back to share your experiences with those of us who cannot attend the event.

Most sincerely,

Mike Fazzi

The Ridiculous Protest Against Rick Warren

Candace N. - V.O.B — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:31:34 EST

First let me say that I don't care about anyone's sexual orientation. From my experiences, studies and personal opinion, I believe people are born gay. Anyway it is crazy that Barack's choice for pastor is an issue. People always have to make an issue where there is none. If the pastor was a person that is guilty of gay bashing then I could see the protest, but he just believes marriage should be between a man and a woman and that is his right just as it is everyone's right to their own sexual preference. So if you don't want people to criticize you for being gay don't criticize people for not sharing your beliefs (you can't have it both ways). And further more if you are so secure with your sexuality why does one man's opinion bother you? If one man can get under your skin for so little, then you are in need of therapy. When a group of people be it ethnic, pertaining to sexual orientation or others complain about every little thing, the population loses interests in their cause and when a real issue arises these groups don't get support because people feel "here they go crying again". So please in the future choose your battles more carefully because Barack's pastor choice for his inauguration is really a dumb thing to be complaining about. We are fighting a war, we have alot of homeless and hungry people, disease, our economy is in the toilet and we have a million other things to worry about and yet you are flipping out about pastor Warren? Come on give me a break !!!

Overreaching with Rick Warren

Kelli — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:05:07 EST

I think Obama's gone just a little too far with his choice of Rick Warren. It's great he wants to be nice but there are plenty of other choices. This is just as slap in the face to the gay community and to the progressives who supported him so long and so strongly.

What does everyone else think?

Officials: Obama selects Vilsack for ag post

Candace N. - V.O.B — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:27:22 EST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- President-elect Barack Obama has selected former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack to become his agriculture secretary, according to Democratic officials familiar with the selection process.

Obama will announce the nomination of Vilsack on Wednesday, the officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the selection before the announcement. Obama also plans to announce his nomination of Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar as interior secretary at the same news conference, other Democratic officials said.

Vilsack will be the fourth former opponent of Obama in the campaign for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination to join his new administration. Others include Vice President-elect Joe Biden, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has been tapped for secretary of state, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, selected to head the Commerce Department.

Vilsack announced his presidential candidacy in late 2006, positioning himself as a Washington outsider with heartland appeal, but he dropped out before the primaries because of an inability to raise money. He endorsed Clinton and campaigned actively for her in the long primary campaign against Obama. After Obama defeated Clinton, Vilsack endorsed him.

First elected governor in 1998, Vilsack, 58, carved out a reputation as a political centrist. He balanced Iowa's budget and resisted raising taxes, but he was willing to spend money on such priorities as education and health. He argued that pushing alternative energy sources was key to bolstering rural sections of the nation that are struggling economically and with vanishing populations.

Salazar will head a department that oversees oil and gas drilling on public lands and manages the nation's parks and wildlife refuges. Salazar is expected to try to balance the protection of natural resources while tapping the nation's energy potential - an approach Obama has said he wants.

Salazar co-sponsored a bill in Congress to create a new land conservation system under the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management for permanently protecting 26 million acres of national monuments, wilderness areas and wild and scenic rivers. The legislation died during the lame-duck session of Congress after the November election.

The Colorado senator opposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and objected to the Bush administration's efforts to lease Western lands for oil shale development. It will be up to the Obama administration whether to go ahead with leasing.

If Salazar is confirmed as interior secretary, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, will select a replacement to fill the last two years of his Senate term. Before being elected to the Senate in 2004, Salazar was Colorado's attorney general. He also headed Colorado's Natural Resources Department from 1990 through 1994.

President Elect Obama's Cabinet Picks

Candace N. - V.O.B — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:09:52 EST

Some liberals are not to thrilled with President elect Obama's cabinet picks. I think he has made sound, diverse choices. Some previous administrations (especially the last one) were full of "yes" people that did not challenge the president. Barack has surrounded himself with people that will challenge him and give him a broad variety of ideas. Some say that a group of people with strong personalities will pose a problem for Barack, but I think he will listen to everyone and know exactly when and how to reign everyone in. He will take all ideas into consideration but when the final decision is made he will let everyone know that he is president and has the last word. I think a good cabinet should have liberals, moderates and conservatives. A good show that one is going to be bipartisan is by having a diverse group of people around.

Food Tasters for Obama Logo Goes Viral

Mark Wiznitzer — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:15:37 EST

Check out the story behind the Obama logo as told by Sol Sender, who led its creative development. Sender recounts the story in two parts on the VSA Partners website. A graphic presentation of the other ideas that were considered in the development process leading up to the ultimate selection of the now ubiquitous design is at "Obama logo ideas that weren't chosen."

Both parts of Sol's interview are on YouTube. And if you advance to minute 2:18 on "Sol Sender - Logo Design Part 2 of 2" you will see our Food Tasters for Obama logo -- conceived by me and executed by my son Zach -- used as an example of the "viral expression" of the grassroots movement.

We will be back with more political analysis and satire soon. If you would like to be notified when a new article is posted join Food Tasters For Obama.

Name by name, Obama's Cabinet taking shape

Candace N. - V.O.B — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:20:24 EST

Day by day, name by name, President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet is taking shape, and other top jobs are being filled.

A look at who has made the list and who is being talked about for jobs that are still open:

NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED:

TREASURY SECRETARY: Timothy Geithner, president of Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

SECRETARY OF STATE: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.

ATTORNEY GENERAL: Eric Holder, former deputy attorney general.

DEFENSE SECRETARY: Robert Gates, a holdover from Bush administration.

HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Gov. Janet Napolitano, D-Ariz.

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Retired Marine Gen. James Jones.

COMMERCE SECRETARY: Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M.

NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL DIRECTOR: Lawrence Summers, former treasury secretary.

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DIRECTOR: Peter Orszag, director of Congressional Budget Office.

---

POSTS TO BE DECIDED, WITH THE CONTENDERS:

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.

CIA DIRECTOR

John Gannon, former deputy director for intelligence at the CIA during the Clinton administration

Jami Miscik, former head of CIA's analytical operations

Steve Kappes, CIA's current No. 2

Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., heads the House Homeland Security subcommittee on intelligence.

John McLaughlin, former interim CIA chief

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DIRECTOR

Denny Blair, retired admiral and former commander of the U.S. Pacific Command.

Don Kerr, No. 2 official in Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Jami Miscik, former head of CIA's analytical operations.

Former Rep. Tim Roemer, D-Ind.

ENERGY SECRETARY

Dan Reicher, director of climate change and energy initiatives at Google, former assistant energy secretary in charge of efficiency and renewable energy programs in the Clinton administration.

Former Rep. Philip Sharp, D-Ind., now president of Resources for the Future think tank.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kan.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich.

John Bryson, retired chairman of Edison International, parent company of Southern California Edison. Co-chair of the Electric Drive Transportation Association, a leading advocate for plug-in hybrid vehicles.

INTERIOR SECRETARY

Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, D-Ariz.

Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash.

Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif.

Former Gov. Gary Locke, D-Wash.

John Berry, director of the National Zoo, former executive director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

EPA ADMINISTRATOR

Lisa P. Jackson, former commissioner of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Mary Nichols, head of California Air Resources Board.

HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.

Mayor Shirley Franklin of Atlanta.

Renee Glover, head of Atlanta's housing authority.

Nicolas Retsinas, director of Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies.

Bart Harvey, former chief executive of Enterprise Community Investment

U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

Rep. Xavier Beccera, D-Calif.

Former Gov. Gary Locke, D-Wash.

LABOR SECRETARY

Ed McElroy, former president of the American Federation of Teachers.

Linda Chavez-Thompson, former AFL-CIO vice president.

Mary Beth Maxwell, executive director American Rights at Work

Former Rep. David Bonior, D-Mich., member of Obama's transition economic advisory board.

Maria Echaveste, former Clinton White House adviser.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kan.

EDUCATION SECRETARY

Former Gov. Roy Barnes, D-Ga.

Arne Duncan, chief executive officer of Chicago public schools.

Linda Darling-Hammond, education professor at Stanford University.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kan.

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY

Jane Garvey, former head of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Mortimer Downey, former deputy transportation secretary.

Steve Heminger, executive director, San Francisco Bay area transportation commission.

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY

Dennis Wolff, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture.

Tom Buis, president of National Farmers Union.

Former Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Texas.

Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D.

Former Rep. Jill Long Thompson, D-Ind.

VETERANS AFFAIRS

Tammy Duckworth, a disabled Iraq war veteran and director of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, D-Md.

Former Sen. Max Cleland. D-Ga.

Fla. rep. 'flabbergasted' Obama call wasn't prank

Candace N. - V.O.B — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:17:00 EST

MIAMI (AP) -- First she hung up on President-elect Barack Obama - twice. Now Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is fielding calls from angry constituents who think she did it on purpose.

The Miami congresswoman says she and the Democrat had a good laugh Wednesday after she apologized profusely for assuming his calls were a prank.

"I was just flabbergasted," Ros-Lehtinen said Thursday. "I just hung up on the most powerful man on earth - twice."

She said Obama called to congratulate her on her re-election, saying he was looking forward to working with her as the ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs committee.

But she assumed it was a radio station prank. Typically, when high-ranking officials call, an aide calls in advance to verify. That was the procedure recently when Ros-Lehtinen received a call from Sen. Hillary Clinton.

"But this one was just out of the blue he's calling me. And I said, 'Boy, you're a much better impersonator than that guy on Saturday Night Live,' and he's laughing and he's thinking I'm kidding," she said.

Obama tried convincing her that he truly was the president-elect, but Ros-Lehtinen says she "wished him the best of luck and told him I was going to hang up on him."

A few minutes later, Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief of staff, called the congresswoman with Obama on the line to tell her it wasn't a joke.

"I said I really do appreciate it. I love these pranks more than anybody and I'm honored that you would prank me, but I'm gonna hang up."

And she did.

It took a call from Rep. Howard Berman, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, to persuade Ros-Lehtinen that Obama really did want to talk to her. She asked Berman to tell her an inside joke about a colleague that only they would know to make sure the phone call was legitimate.

When Obama finally called back, the congresswoman said they talked about policies on Cuba and Israel.

He told her "anytime my ego gets too pumped up, I think Michelle will remind me that you hung up not once, but twice on me," Ros-Lehtinen said.

Obama's office has not commented on the mix-up.

One Last Thought About Palin

Candace N. - V.O.B — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:04:30 EST

Many people in the news media say Palin will be the next republican star, I beg to differ. The smart republicans like Jindal, Crist and Romney are not going to support Palin again. They did not want to support her the first time and only did so out of party loyalty. This time around the republicans are going to have to nominate people with fresh ideas that have intelligence and Palin does not possess either. Also the next time a women is nominated for a high ranking office, I hope she does not follow the lead of the last two women that were in the public eye (no names need to be mention). The sexism cry has to be stopped. If the woman can't handle the heat then don't go near the flame. The women and their supporters cried sexism about any comment that was made. Look at what Barack got, he did not cry about the gutter attacks against him. He did not cry about race or play any other cards. He took it and responded when necessary. When women use their gender to avoid heat, it sets all women back. Sure Palin got a lot of heat but that was not because of her gender, she got heat because she is an idiot.

Barack Obama Steps Up For Georgia and Jim Martin

Shawn O'Donnell — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:17:50 EST

Barack Obama Steps Up For Georgia and Jim Martin

BACK STAGE WITH BARACK ELECTION NIGHT

FAITH in GOD — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:51:46 EST

Here are wonderful, moving photos of the Obama family during the election night returns. Hope you enjoy them as much as we have. My sister-n-law, after months of deliberation, suddenly changed her mind and decided to vote for Barack when she entered the polling booth. When she forwarded these pictures to us, we knew her heart had been changed. We thank her for being a part of history! ENJOY!

http://flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/sets/72157608716313371/show/

CHOCOLATE CITY ON THE SOUTHSIDE

Carolyn Harper LaViscount — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:19:56 EST

THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE IS CRITICAL IN THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION AND CANNOT BE DISPOSED OF AS POLITICAL PLUNDER. SENATOR CLINTON HAS HER STRENGTHS, BUT HER PERSONALITY IS A TAD BRITTLE FOR THE TASK OF NEGOTIATING AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS. IN THE INTEREST OF BIPARTISAN LEADERSHIP, I WOULD SUGGEST THE NAME, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN.

The Hillary Possibility

Candace N. - V.O.B — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:24:19 EST

I don't know how I feel about Hillary as Secretary of State. I know I certainly did not want her as VP after her primary antics, but I am just unsure about this possible appointment. There is no doubt she can do the job. There is something about Kerry that does not have me convinced that he would be a wise choice, he put Obama into the spotlight but when it comes to such an important position, even if Obama thinks he owes Kerry something, that is not a position that should be used as a reward. Richardson should certaily have some kind of appointment, but I have to admit I think Hillary would do a better job. What do you think?

CHOCOLATE CITY ON THE SOUTHSIDE

Carolyn Harper LaViscount — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:57:27 EST

LET US CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS, OUR NATION AND THE WORLD.

Obama's Sister: An Email on Her Brother and Grandmother

Jill 4 Obama — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:02:52 EST

Obama's Sister: An Email on Her Brother and Grandmother By Dan Nakaso / Honolulu Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008 Senator Obama sheds tears while talking about his grandmother Madelyn Dunham. Emmanuel Dunand / AFP / Getty

Barack Obama's sister has not emerged in public since the death of their grandmother two days before her brother's historic presidential election but in a post-election email to close friends Maya Soetoro-Ng said "I wept tears of joy for all of us on Tuesday. He may not be a perfect man. Certainly, he has often said that he'll likely be an imperfect president, but he is a good man, a smart man, a disciplined soul who balances temperance with determination and courage. We've made a great choice, I assure you."

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My Chance Encounter with Obama in Hawaii

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Their maternal grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, died on the Sunday before the Tuesday Nov. 4 presidential election in the two-bedroom, 10-story apartment where Dunham raised Obama. The email was shared with this reporter (and with his newspaper, the daily Honolulu Advertiser).

In the final run-up to Election Day, Obama had abruptly changed his campaign schedule to fly back home and visit Dunham, who was dying of cancer at the age of 86. After her death was announced, on Election Day eve, he spoke movingly of her at a final campaign appearance, tears streaming down his face. Services for Dunham have not been announced and the Honolulu mortuary handling the arrangements, Borthwick Mortuary, has not returned phone calls. Obama's campaign, however, says he will return home to Honolulu sometime in December, prior to his Jan. 20 inauguration 5,100 miles away in the nation's capitol.

During a family vacation in August, then Sen. Obama brought his family to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, which overlooks the apartment where he grew up. Obama and his children left two leis at niche No. 440, where the ashes of his grandfather Stanley Dunham are in an urn behind a bronze plaque. Stanley Dunham was an Army sergeant in World War II and died of prostate cancer in 1992. Officials at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific have since been contacted by Borthwick Mortuary about holding a service for Madelyn Dunham, says Gene Castagnetti, the cemetery's director. Stanley Dunham's niche is large enough to hold another urn. If the family decides on that arrangement, Sgt. Dunham's bronze plaque covering the niche would be removed and replaced with another that would include his wife's name, birthday and date of death.

As it turned out, Dunham's koa wood urn arrived on Election Day, Soetoro-Ng wrote in her email. Soetoro-Ng surrounded the urn with pictures of Dunham's late daughter, Stanley Ann Dunham (the mother of Soetoro-Ng and the President-elect), Dunham's grandchildren and her great grandchildren, "all of us who benefited so much from her steady voice and hand," she wrote.

Soetoro-Ng could have accepted her brother's invitation to be by his side on Election Night in Chicago. But, as she had for much of the past eight years, she chose to stay in the apartment on Beretania Street where Dunham raised Obama as a boy and where Soetoro-Ng had later cared for her. In the post-election email, Soetoro-Ng writes of the sometimes-conflicting emotions surrounding both her grandmother's death and her brother's success — and of the need to then unplug for a while with her husband, Konrad, and their 4-year-old daughter, Suhaila, on Oahu's rural North Shore. She writes that she had been flooded with email messages "of both congratulation and condolence.... There's a wide swatch of emotion cutting through me, sometimes swirling, never simple... a briny mixture of elation, sadness, determination, regret, pride, hope, fatigue. You can imagine..."

Dunham, whom Obama called "Toot" after the Hawaiian word for grandparent, tutu, never showed self-pity or fear as she faced the end of her life, Soetoro-Ng writes. But Dunham could be wickedly funny. "When she saw the number of flowers that had been sent to her," Soetoro-Ng writes, 'she said, 'Oh my...with all of this hullabaloo, it's going to be embarrassing if I DON'T die.' I gave her a chuckle and of course told her that I wouldn't at all mind such an embarrassment, and then I invited her to stay and dance with me into the new year. She couldn't stay, but she certainly tried, and defied expectations again and again."

Click here for pictures of Obama's campaign.

Did anyone else lose blogs ?

Candace N. - V.O.B — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:15:03 EST

I have posted 2005 blogs. It was indicated on my page the other day. Today it says 1,100. I am too tired to count but I hope 900 + have not been deleted.

Thanks JFK Fan & Other Well Wishers

Candace N. - V.O.B — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:37:34 EST

I want to thank JFK Fan for posting a get well blog for me. I had throat surgery and was in lots of pain. I was feeling in the dumps because I missed out on election activities the final week. I thought the get well blog was a very sweet thing to do and the well wishes from this wonderful Obama family of bloggers that posted well wishes to the blog really lifted my spirits. Thank you so very much. The people on this site are the best. I am still on cloud nine because all our hard work paid off. We are part of history and our great country will have the leader that it needs on January 20th 2009 :-)

In Dreams I Wander Nameless Streets in Search of Faceless Voters

Mark Wiznitzer — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:11:10 EST

Dear Friends:

To those of you who so kindly congratulated me for Tuesday’s election outcome, as if Barack Obama’s victory resulted from my personal and deeply committed efforts. I thank you for your generous comments.

To those who may have wondered how I fared in “radio silence” for six weeks on the Ohio battleground. Be assured that I survived.

To those who do not know me or are unfamiliar with my previous descriptions of the realities and ironies of the 2008 election. What follows is the final chapter of my life as a political activist, a missionary for democracy, an apostle of Change. Hopefully you will also understand how it is that for the first three nights after I returned home I woke up from the same dream in which I wander nameless streets in search of faceless voters.

The Buckeye State

On September 23 I joined the Ohio Campaign for Change as a member of its newly created Vote Corps. The invitation had warned of 14-hour days, seven days a week, right up through Election Day. I accepted because the Obama campaign considered this important enough to make it a paid position and because it was in the one state McCain had to win to become President.

I left home certain that my life experiences -- in retail sales, as diplomat and political officer, and Obama volunteer in seven states – would be useful in the Buckeye State. Stopping at Starbucks on the way out of Burlington that Sunday morning, I noticed the first trace of red on the outer edge of a leaf on a small maple tree in the parking lot. I realized that by the time I returned to Vermont the leaf peepers would have come and gone. Fortunately, it turned out to be a mild autumn in Ohio that showcased the Buckeye State’s own colorful foliage.

The Akron Vote Corps

A hundred of us reported to Columbus for Vote Corps training and by the first night we were already deployed across the state. I was assigned to the city of Akron, birthplace of Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James and Pretenders’ singer-songwriter Chrissie Hynde, who wrote about her birthplace in “My City Was Gone”. The Akron Campaign for Change Office was headed by Regional Field Director Max Lesko. In charge of Summit and Portage Counties, he proved himself a very capable and genial manager. My hosts, Cathy and David, and their daughter Nicky, lived in a northwest suburb. Their friendship and cozy accommodations would be my home for the next six weeks.

At first the Akron Vote Corps consisted of six whites, from metropolitan DC, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Texas and California. Like most of the Obama staff and volunteers I met during the primaries, they were young and well-educated. In fact, I was two-and-a-half times their average age. By the end of the second week we lost one and gained five new members. Our new team-mates were all African Americans, from California, Texas and Georgia. Their average age was early forties and many had worked on the Kerry campaign. One of my first initiatives was to buy half a dozen fingerless gloves for our new friends from the warm weather states. Our Vote Corps was rounded out by a “Lead,” a young lawyer from Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown’s Washington staff.

The Vote Corps’ mission was to register voters, identify supporters and get out the vote for Barack Obama. Our primary targets were “Sporadics,” first time voters and people who voted Democratic in the past, but did not always turn out. For a while we were also instructed to knock on every single door in a targeted neighborhood. I successfully resisted attempts to create competition within our group for most doors knocked, “Doors” being the campaign’s primary measure for the work accomplished by staff and volunteers. My feeling was that competition focused on this imperfect metric would distort our effort, demoralize some members of our group, and sacrifice quality for quantity. For in the end, the real measure of our success would be the vote count on Election Day. And to that end, it was our diligence after the “knock” that would help determione the outcome.

Registration

Our first task was registering new voters and re-registering people who had moved before the deadline of October 6. We knocked on doors and scoured bus stops and other public places to register as many people as possible. Most people were already registered, as they clearly understood the importance of this election. Those who had not yet done so enthusiastically signed up, particularly in the African-American community. My first Saturday in Akron, I missed my first grandchild’s first birthday party back in Virginia. But my reward on that day was registering many first-time voters, including former felons who had recently regained the rights of other free men and women.

Many of our Sporadics were transients who frequently moved from one run-down Akron neighborhood to another. This city was in decline for a long time, and the recent economic downturn just aggravated conditions. In older residential neighborhoods there are a growing number of abandoned homes or houses soon to be vacated due to lost jobs or foreclosure. Many porches are marked by hand-painted signs announcing “Copper Already Stolen” or littered with trash by people who have given up. It is in this environment that we spread our message of Hope and Change.

Starting on September 30, we entered “golden week” when voters could both register and vote early. Ohio’s new rules allowed “no fault” early voting by absentee ballot or in person. A single polling place was created for Summit County at the Job Center in northeast Akron. The Job Center is well-known, because job losses have been ongoing for many years. The building, also known by locals as “the old library,” is next to another landmark, the County’s Auto Title Office. For those without cars, bus number 12 took people there from downtown in 15 minutes.

Early Voting

Registration and early voting at the Job Center was very convenient. Open every day, including Saturday and Sunday, there were 50 polling booths and seating for voters waiting for their paper ballots. But many Ohioans, especially African Americans disenfranchised in previous elections were suspicious. They worried that ballots were going to “disappear,” as reportedly happened in 2004 in Cuyahoga County. Overcoming these legitimate concerns required some persuasion. Our most important argument was: “Barack Obama wants his supporters to vote early.” That usually did it. We helped to spread the word that this process would protect, not suppress voting rights. And by November 3, the daily early vote turnout had grown from hundreds to thousands, the wait from 15 minutes to three hours.

By my third week I had developed a routine for creating a multiplier effect in conversation with early voters. Once they had made an Early Vote Commit, I introduced community organizing techniques to build on the widespread desire to help Obama get elected. Within the family, a grandparent or parent, or maybe the principal driver would agree to take responsibility for getting the entire household to vote early. I also encouraged voters to take along a relative or friend, or a neighbor who needed a ride.

Finally, I would make the following pitch:

“I’m working for Obama and I want you to work for him too. So I’m going to deputize you. No badge, no pay, just the satisfaction of knowing you helped to elect Barack Obama."

That always earned a smile. Then I continued:

"Now I'm sure you know someone who wouldn’t vote unless you drag their lazy a-- to the Job Center to vote. Do you know anyone like that?”

I could tell when they were hooked. Eyes turned skyward. Faces revealed minds thinking of who they would get to early vote. A knowing smile indicated they knew exactly who they would take along. In closing I urged them to let everyone know how easy it was to vote at the Job Center and that Obama wanted them to do so. By the time I left their door, the early voter had been empowered and had taken ownership of the Obama campaign. Now it was their campaign too.

Get Out The Vote

During our last week in Ohio, the Vote Corps was dissolved. We were detailed to assist Field Organizers with their neighborhood teams of volunteers, which were part of the Ohio get out the vote (GOTV) strategy at the precinct level.

I was assigned to Barberton to work for Sol, an energetic field organizer from Texas. My main “turf” was the south Akron neighborhood of Kenmore. Unlike my earlier work with Sporadics in largely African American neighborhoods, I was instructed to “persuade” and “motivate” the remaining “Undecided” voters. But with Election Day closing in fast, there would only be minutes to talk to any single voter.

In Barberton and Kenmore, the Undecideds were predominantly white, working class Democrats. Most did not want to vote for McCain, but were not yet sure about Barack Obama. I understood their concern. Not only was Obama a relatively new and unknown political personality. Most of these voters had supported Hillary in the March primary. And like voters elsewhere, they were being bombarded with smear emails, Republican mailings about Ayers and NRA propaganda warning Obama would take away their guns.

With openly racist voters there was the curt “Thanks for your time.” But it was not difficult to pull the other undecided voters off the fence, especially with the credibility of being an older white man with a knowledge of history and 23 years of federal service under five US Presidents. These voters knew that Obama and Hillary shared a common policy agenda and that she was campaigning hard for the Democratic ticket. They also recognized Rove tactics and our argument that: “They can’t win with the truth, so they are attacking him with lies.” Second amendment concerns were easily neutralized with Biden’s quote: “No one’s taking away my Beretta.” But the simplest most effective argument was “Are you happy with the way things are going or do you want change?” And Change is what voters wanted more than anything this year.

Election Day

November 3rd and 4th were taken up with the final GOTV effort, primarily distributing door hangers and reminding voters of their polling places. From 3:30 pm on Election Day until it was too dark to read house numbers, I scoured for remaining undecided voters who had yet to cast their ballots. I actually found several and they agreed to go to their local poll station, which by then was no longer crowded.

I was at the Barberton volunteers’ party at Lake Anna Hall when MSNBC announced Ohio for Obama. Having already won Pennsylvania, I knew it was all over except for reaching 270 electoral votes. While happy, I was so physically and mentally exhausted that the victory did not seem real. I headed back to my host family home and watched the candidates’ speeches before turning in and resting for the long drive home. Now as my dreams of knocking on doors in Ohio recede, the enormity of our achievement and the challenges facing Barack Obama are coming into better focus. I have no idea what my next step will be, but I will continue to do what I can to get our country back on the right track.

Epilogue

After 40 days of walking the streets of Summit County, I had knocked on or distributed campaign literature at over 4000 doors.

More importantly, I had in-person conversations with more than 1500 voters and obtained about 1000 Early Vote Commits, which probably understates the number of people who were convinced to go to the Job Center. Along the way I also helped remove several hundred bad addresses from our “Turf,” easing the task of later attempts by volunteers to find our voters.

The Akron Vote Corps’ effort over five weeks contributed greatly to the early vote turnout, which by Election Day totaled 90,000, or fully one-third of the 272,000 ballots cast in Summit County. And while he won Ohio’s 20 electoral votes with 51% of the state’s popular vote, Barack Obama won Summit County with 57.45%.

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YES WE DID!

MikeF — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:26:04 EST

It's been a couple of days and I must tell you that the excitement has not abated. The fact that the Nation has selected an intelligent, articulate, caring individual is still causing a buzz everywhere I go. I had to head off to Times Square on business early Wednesday morning with very little sleep and the train to NYC was packed with excitement. Yesterday, traveling back home we were analyzing the impact that Obama will have on the economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, jobs, health care, on and on and on.

One important hope is that the campaign keeps this web forum active in the form of energizing supporters.

Here's the idea:

Image President Obama submitting a health care plan that the Republicans block (I know, you wouldn't dream that they would do such a thing.) Now, image Obama asking you, me, and everyone on this forum to call the key 13, 14, 15 Senators who are blocking the bill. 30 million supporters flooding their phones, email, snail mail. Do you think they'll continue to block a bill when their names, addresses, and phone numbers are text messaged to each and every one of you? I can't image any but the most bull headed Senator not buckling under the pressure.

Yes, we can change our health care system.

Yes, we can create good paying jobs.

Yes, we can improve our transportion.

Yes, we can develop independent, renewable energy technologies.

Yes, We Can!

Congratulations President Elect Barack Obama

Candace N. - V.O.B — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:15:36 EST

Congrats to President elect Barack Obama, it has been a long journey. An overwhelming amount of people have blogged, canvassed, phoned banked, fundraised and volunteered in other ways tirelessly for almost two years for this campaign. Supporters can truly feel like it is their campaign. Barack assembled an incredible campaign staff that in turn made it possible for ordinary citizens to participate in the process on a level that they wanted to. President Elect Obama has made history, not only for being the first African American president but for also being a beacon of light that this country needs to restore our standing in the world. I am very proud of Barack's accomplishments and I am proud that our country has come so far in regard to race relations. I wish President elect Barack Obama and his family all of life's best and I know that he will be an incredible president.

I Knew Barack Would Win Virginia

Candace N. - V.O.B — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:56:08 EST

I had surgery so my mother had to drive me to my polling place to vote. I was not going to miss voting even if I had to crawl to get there. I don't understand why anyone would not vote unless there was a true emergency keeping them from dong so. Anyway, after we voted we went to some of the places that were giving free food to people that voted. Electricity was in the air, I listened to what people were saying to my mother (I had throat surgery so I could not talk). And everyone was excited about Obama. I never saw so many people so excited after voting. It was like one big Obama party along Richmond Highway. People were taking cell phone pictures with other supporters that they just met in line, some traded stories about their volunteer experiences and others were just overjoyed knowing that in a few hours our country was going to make history and that the change that we need was finally coming.

I'm exhausted.

Bobby — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:36:12 EST

Started making GOTV calls yesterday to Virginia after I got the urgent email for phone call volunteers. I was already tired but that email scared me. The calls made didn't show up on my home page but oh well. Stayed up until 3AM watching returns. Sure wish we'd picked up 1 or 2 more Senate seats. The voter registration and GOTV operations really paid big dividends yesterday. Thanks to all donors and workers. Almost too tired to celebrate. It hasn't really sunk in yet. Seems like things are already moving fast too. Not much time to celebrate. That's it. I'm spent.

FIRED UP! MY WHOLE FAMILY VOTED! YES WE DID!

FAITH in GOD — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:11:03 EST

Monday night, we drove three hours to see Barack in Manassas, Virginia. We had fasted all day and prayed the beautiful prayers written and shared by our prayer group! My cousin, who voted early, saw Obama in Charlotte, North Carolina just a few hours before. Traffic was heavier than usual - Redskins' game, breakdowns, and 90,000+ people headed to the fairgrounds! We took three of our children with us [the others were working or away]. Barack was fabulous. My husband almost cried he was so touched by Barack's words and the courage he displayed as the news of his dear grandmother's passing was still fresh. We were both close to our grandmothers so we really have compasssion for him. Barack told the story of the woman in South Carolina who turned a dreary rainy day into something special when she kept saying to him "Fired Up - Ready to Go!" That's how we felt in Manassas, the night before the election of the century! We felt an urgent sense of purpose - and Fired Up! Ready to Go!

When the event was over - 90,000+ slowly left the fairgrounds, encouraged and determined to vote - no matter the lines, the rain, the wait, no matter what. We got home at 2 am in the morning. On the news, they said as late as one in the morning, people were still inching slowly off the fairground where the last rally before today's election was held. Wow. We had just left Virginia after canvassing all day in Winchester on Saturday and canvassing in Pennsylvania two weeks before. What a week! What a month! What a year!!!

6 am Tuesday morning, I was back in the car, picking up our daughter in DC, checking on my 85 year old father, checking in with my sister, my cousins, my aunts and uncles in Virginia and North Carolina . All was set. We all went to vote. In DC, we stood in a line this morning that wrapped around the block for two hours - it didn't feel like it. Cars honked as people drove by on their way to work. People waved, people screamed "OBAMA. " It was festive. It was emotional. It was transcendent. We were all so happy to be in line for THIS VOTE. I took pictures of my neighbors. We took pictures of the line. We took pictures placing the ballot in the box. My daughter did the electronic thing - this is her very first Presidential Election! She said, "Mommy, I'm so glad this election is my first time." My niece told her mom 'thank you.' She said she finally understood why we had rallied, and argued, and protested, and knocked on doors, and fought so hard all these years. She said we did it so that she, my daughters, our children, all of us could see this day. It was an amazing day.

My father was dressed as if he were going to work. At 85. and a veteran, he's in great shape. He walked briskly to the car and drove himself to vote with great pride and determination [he's at a different precinct than me]. Daddy was so proud of what he had to do today! I know he was proud watching his daughters and his granddaughters going to vote, too. Isn't that what he fought for? Thank you GOD. I witnessed three generations voting all together on this most historic day! It was amazing. Thank you GOD for blessing this process.

Our hearts are filled with PRAISE!! Thank you GOD for the Victory of Barack Obama as the new President-elect of the United States of America - the Whole United States of America. One Nation, under GOD!! We Thank You GOD! Peace to All - Rita

The dawn of a new era.

jgunnink — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:49:59 EST

I remember where I was when I got my first real introduction to Barack Obama. It was February, 2007. I was in SFO, getting ready to fly back to Virginia after a company offsite, looking for something to read at one of the airport book kiosks, when I saw his face staring up at me from the jacket of his latest book "The Audacity of Hope." I had heard about his fabled senate race though I had missed his historic speech at the 2004 DNC. I thought, what a marvelous American story, so I bought the book. For the next 5 hours in the air I read, and read, and with each page became more and more convinced that Barack should be our next president. I know that sounds incredibly premature, but that's how convinced I was of his integrity, his judgement, his intellect, and his ability to lead.

When I got back to Viriginia I tried to convey to my wife Susan how excited I was about him and that I was thinking about doing some political volunteer work for the first time in my life. She worked for Ted Kennedy in the nineties and had seen all sides of politics, so while she was encouraging I could tell that she was understandably cautious about such a fresh face, particularly in the dog eat dog world that modern politics had become. I gave her the book to read while I picked up "Dreams from my Father" at Barnes and Noble and started to learn even more about this amazing man.

Within a few weeks I had registered with his website and signed up for an event to meet up with others hopeful for change. I remember being struck by the diversity of people at that event - people of all races and age groups had showed up. The people I met that day would set the stage for my involvement in the campaign over the next year. Within a few months, Susan and I had hosted a kickoff house party, marched in a parade with Obama supporters, and I had attended several fundraising events including one in D.C. where I got to see Barack in person and shake his hand. In June I spent several nights at the Arlington County Fair collecting signatures to get Barack on the primary ballot in VA. I was blogging and raising money. By the end I tallied that between personal fundraising and the house party, I had helped raise close to $4,000 for his campaign.

I couldn't believe the energy at every event, though it never surprised me given the man and the power of his message. When primary season began, I was thinking that America didn't even know yet what a candidate they had. Some were surprised by Iowa, but I wasn't. When Barack swept the Beltway, including a Virginia primary that had the highest voter turnout ever and which even saw conservative neighbors of mine voting for Obama, I couldn't have been more proud of my new adopted state, and I knew that it was just the beginning.

After Barack was nominated at the DNC, many of our old doubts and fears resurfaced, with people talking about the Palin bump and how the Republicans were going to outmaneuver us again. Throughout this time I maintained an optimistic viewpoint. I just knew there was way too much substance there for people to ignore. When pundits call this or that debate a draw, I was like "which debate were they watching?" In the end the American people spoke, and spoke loudly.

I want to thank everyone for enduring my emails over the last year and a half. This was a long a grueling campaign and I know the road ahead will be even harder. But I am convinced that that Barack Obama will go down as not just the first African-American president, but as one of our great presidents. I have always felt that he is a once a century politician, and that we are all lucky to be alive to experience this. He is not just our Kennedy, he is our FDR. So join me today in a toast to him, but more importantly to the American people, who finally found the courage to reclaim their country.

Congratulations and Thanks

Shawn O'Donnell — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:56:24 EST

My Thanks To Each of You and Congratulations President-Elect Barack Obama and May God Bless America! http://virginiadem.wordpress.com/2008/11/04/congratulations-president-elect-barack-obama-and-may-god-bless-america/

What Now?

Glenn from Haymarket — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:39:40 EST

How do we move forward? How do we take advantage of this? How does this Vast and diverse community take advantage of itself? How do we move this movement of ideas to help Obama accomplish our goals? That is the question. Do we let this vast network just fade away? I say no. It is time to take the next step. Who is with me?

My Election Day Nightmare and Motivation to Get out the Vote Today

Tommy News — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:29:23 EST

My Election Day Nightmare and Motivation to Get out the Vote Today

My Election Day Nightmare
This morning before 4 AM, I awoke from a terrible, frightening dream. In that dream, Sarah Palin had become President, and she was giving orders in the White House cabinet room in her flat Fargo accent to her shady looking cabinet. I saw Karl Rove and Dick Cheney in the room, and other scary looking people. This dream has frankly scared the hell out of me and I decided to write this post and send it out to you with an urgent request to help keep my nightmare from becoming a reality.
This is yet another close election. We must work to avoid a repeat of 2000 and 2004 by getting out as many voters as possible. Please do everything you can today to help get Barack Obama elected and prevent 4 more years of the same failed Bush policies that have put our nation into two wars and the economic mess it is in and the very real possibility of an incompetent and dangerous Sarah Palin presidency. Help keep McCain-Palin out of the White House with your vote for Obama-Biden.

Get out and vote, volunteer, make calls, bring others to the polls. Every vote matters! Be prepared to wait on line to cast your vote. Don't get off the line. After you have voted, Starbucks is offering free coffee to voters as an incentive. Just go to Starbucks after you vote, and tell them you have voted to claim your free tall coffee. Bring a group to the polls and then to Starbucks! Then round up another group and do it again!
I urge you to help keep my horrible nightmare from becoming a reality.
Please also go to op-ed news and help me get my message out. Buzz up my article, digg it, rate it, and add a comment, to help get it read. Then please to work on getting out the vote today. Get on the phone and make sure everyone you know is voting. Forward this message on to your email list. Volunteer. Call voters in swing states. Bring water and snacks to voters waiting on line and tell them to stay on line until they have voted. Tell them about the free coffee at Starbucks. Offer water, cookies and snacks. Do everything you can to get voters on those lines and keep them there. The lines are predicted to be shortest from about 1PM to about 4 PM. Find out more here or call your party headquarters to volunteer.www.mybarackobama.com
Please, our very future depends upon it. Lets get to work.
-Tommy
Here is the link to my article, please help me get the word out TODAY!Click Here:http://www.opednews.com/articles/TAKE-ACTION-Get-voters-ou-by-Tommy-News-081102-549.html
TAKE ACTION: Get Voters out to the Polls and Pass This On. ROCK THE VOTE! Election day is approaching fast. We have very little time left to make this important voter turnout drive succeed.This is one of the most important elections of our lifetimes. The economy is in big trouble, jobs are disappearing, people are losing their homes, two wars are raging, and the cost of living is soaring. Millions have no health care and global warming needs to be addressed. The way to get the change we need is to elect the right leaders. Every vote counts, and your vote and participation in this voter turnout drive can make all the difference. It is your civic duty and your Constitutional right to vote, and your help is needed to get out the vote. Rock The Vote has made voting easier with the information you need. But you must act now, Election Day is November 4th! Please join in and help get voters out, and then pass this important message on to everyone in your address book. Click Here to see how you can help Rock The Vote! http://rockthevote.org/Go Here:http://www.opednews.com/articles/TAKE-ACTION-Get-voters-ou-by-Tommy-News-081102-549.html

From Rob Kall at Op-Ed News:

Don't go to work today. Don't stay home. Work as a volunteer in the early AM, then vote between 10 and 3 when the polls are least busy, then work some more.When the polls close where you live, start making calls for other states, other candidates. Keep going until you drop. You will be a part of history either way. Make sure you know you've done all you can, not just for your presidential candidate, whoever he or she is, but also for congressional legislators all over the nation.

Share your experience of the day with other OEN folks. Use this Diary:

Voting Day Open Thread-- Post reports, observations, Thoughts Links

Let us know what you're feeling, seeing, doing.

Me, I was up at 3:30 AM, unable to sleep, thinking about vote theft. I found my other half had been up with the election on her mind since 2:30. I leave in five minutes to work the early shift at the polls.

I spoke to my "ex" last night. She's a born-again who votes strictly on abortion (she wasn't when we met and married) and even she said she and her church people are saying prayers for whoever wins. I guess, if McCain wins, the world needs the US to go down the tubes, because it surely will, strangled, blinded, gelded, starved and tortured by right wing extremist traitors to democracy.

But I am fearfully hopeful today. We'll see how it goes, right? It's all we can do, besides work our asses off today. And, BTW, there were plenty of people in their seventies and eighties out canvassing, knocking on doors and phone banking over the weekend, and people in wheel-chairs. What's your excuse for not doing MORE today?

Laying the guilt on heavy today,

rob kall
--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

This Time the Tide Is Turning on Election Day

Jill 4 Obama — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:38:12 EST

November 4, 2008

To celebrate this great Election Day, this time the tide is turning... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s9ubMQX7WE

Excerpt from Senator Barack Obama, American Promise

The Democratic Convention

August 28, 2008

I realize that I am not the likeliest candidate for this office. I don't fit the typical pedigree, and I haven't spent my career in the halls of Washington.

But I stand before you tonight because all across America something is stirring. What the nay-sayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me. It's been about you.

For eighteen long months, you have stood up, one by one, and said enough to the politics of the past. You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics with the same old players and expect a different result. You have shown what history teaches us - that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it - because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time.

America, this is one of those moments.

I believe that as hard as it will be, the change we need is coming. Because I've seen it. Because I've lived it. I've seen it in Illinois, when we provided health care to more children and moved more families from welfare to work. I've seen it in Washington, when we worked across party lines to open up government and hold lobbyists more accountable, to give better care for our veterans and keep nuclear weapons out of terrorist hands.

And I've seen it in this campaign. In the young people who voted for the first time, and in those who got involved again after a very long time. In the Republicans who never thought they'd pick up a Democratic ballot, but did. I've seen it in the workers who would rather cut their hours back a day than see their friends lose their jobs, in the soldiers who re-enlist after losing a limb, in the good neighbors who take a stranger in when a hurricane strikes and the floodwaters rise.

This country of ours has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military on Earth, but that's not what makes us strong. Our universities and our culture are the envy of the world, but that's not what keeps the world coming to our shores.

Instead, it is that American spirit - that American promise - that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend.

That promise is our greatest inheritance. It's a promise I make to my daughters when I tuck them in at night, and a promise that you make to yours - a promise that has led immigrants to cross oceans and pioneers to travel west; a promise that led workers to picket lines, and women to reach for the ballot.

And it is that promise that forty five years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln's Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream.

The men and women who gathered there could've heard many things. They could've heard words of anger and discord. They could've been told to succumb to the fear and frustration of so many dreams deferred.

But what the people heard instead - people of every creed and color, from every walk of life - is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one.

"We cannot walk alone," the preacher cried. "And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back."

America, we cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done. Not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for. Not with an economy to fix and cities to rebuild and farms to save. Not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend. America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone. At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise - that American promise - and in the words of Scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess.

Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America. http://my.barackobama.com/nov4

Shocking News!

HeinousJ — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:19:29 EST

Palin found not guilty by her personal Personnel Board!!!

Will wonders never cease!

(posted with tongue firmly in cheek)

"The Republican Effect"

HeinousJ — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:36:49 EST

I have a feeling that there is a group of Republicans who are going to vote for Obama, but publicly support McCain. These will be the people who hold positions of esteem or import in their "conservative" communities, and for whom non-support of McCain might damage their reputations and/or alienate their friends and associates.

I volunteer at the Public Library in Arcadia, California -- a wealthy, primarily Republican, community. I always wear an Obama T-shirt, and I have had quite a few people whisper to me that they like my shirt. They say it as if it's "our little secret." It's their way of letting me know that they're going to vote Obama.

I hope this is much bigger than my small experience...and I have a feeling that it is!

Three Strikes and Mac's Out!

GoFuckYourself — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:39:33 EST

We hear a lot from John McCain about his experience. Well, if his experience is so valuable, then why did Barack whip him in three presidential areas since the start of the general election? First, Barack chose a VP who is qualified for the job. Mac didn't. Second, Barack handled the financial melt down with aplomb. Mac didn't. And third, Barack has managed a masterful campaign. Mac hasn't. Three strikes and Mac's out!

SUPER BARACK!! Watch It and Smile!

FAITH in GOD — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:20:21 EST

SUPERBARACK
So this is it... Just two days to go before we change the world. And we've got just the thing to lift your spirits and recharge your batteries for the home stretch.

The final chapter of The Obamacles is here...

SuperBarack!

Click on the picture below to watch right now... or, if that doesn't work, go to this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0usWSw6CR7I

Please send this to everyone you know...

YES... WE... CAN!!!

NOW GET OUT THERE AND VOTE! TAKE SOME FOLKS WITH YOU!! AND WORK THE POLLS!!

May GOD bless us all!

This is it

Caleb — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:55:59 EST

After 22 months of campaigning, volunteering, phone banking and donations, we have just about reached election day.

I encourage each of you to call that one last friend, talk to your neighbor, make sure your friends and co-workers have a ride to the polls tomorrow. We have all worked too hard to not make this final push to ensure we can celebrate tomorrow night.

The deal is not closed yet. Lets seal the deal like Barack has asked by giving one big last push.

YES WE CAN!

Barack Morning Buzz-11-3-08

Barack Daily Buzz - Victory2008.net — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:25:41 EST

Barack Morning Buzz-11-3-08
On to Victory Tomorrow

(1) Obama and McCain Battle Across Campaign's Closing Day
Beth Fouhy-Associated Press
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081103/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_rdp_231

(2) Obama Looks to Rewrite Nation's Electoral Map
Zachary Coile-San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/02/MNOL13RTV0.DTL&type=politics

(3) Obama in Command on Eve of Vote
Jitendra Joshi-Agence France Presse-AFP
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081103/ts_afp/usvote_081103121444

(4) In Ohio, Obama's Ground Game Outguns McCain's
Bob Drogin and Robin Abcarian-Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-ground3-2008nov03,0,6488135.story

(5) Obama Gets a Little Help from "The Boss" in Ohio
Associated Press
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riB6-UsMidc&eurl=http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=Barack+Obama&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=news_group&resnum=1&ctiurl=http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/riB6-UsMidc/hqdefault.jpg

(6) Confident Obama Campaigns with Springsteen
John McCormick-Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-campaign-obamanov03,0,4733969.story

(7) Despite Rain, Obama and Springsteen Rally Ohio Crowd
Maria Gavrilovic-CBS News-From The Road
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/11/02/politics/fromtheroad/entry4564162.shtml

(8) Yes We Can! Obama's Fans Show Their Support in Ohio
Tim Reid-Times-UK
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5070119.ece

(9) Economic Message Buoys Obama
Scott Helman-Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/11/03/economic_message_buoys_obama/

(10) Obama Maintains 13 Point Lead
Brian Montopoli-CBS News-Horserace
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/11/02/politics/horserace/entry4564135.shtml

(11) Voters Across Nation Hit by Dirty Tricks
Deborah Hastings-Associated Press
http://news.aol.com/elections/article/some-voters-hit-with-dirty-tricks/235328?icid=100214839x1212694777x1200806876

(12) Latest Newspaper Endorsements in Presidential Race
Associated Press
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hr5hmYnjJMz50Swp8ech-tpt4zoAD9476PSG0

(13) Your Guide to the Obama Grant Park Rally
James Janega-Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-obama-rally-qanov02,0,5894064.story

(14) Level of White Support for Obama a Surprise
John Harwood-New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/us/politics/03caucus.html?hp

(15) For Some White Voters, Obama's Race is Seen as a "Bonus"
Richard Fausset-Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-whitevote3-2008nov03,0,1297098.story

(16) A Long Campaign and a Changed Obama
Jay Newton-Small-TIME
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1855677,00.html?imw=Y

(17) I Believe All the Polls and None of Them
Greil Marcus-Salon
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/11/03/obama/

(18) Obama Extends Lead into Final Days
Edward Luce-Financial Times-UK
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/54d64cc6-a948-11dd-a19a-000077b07658.html

(19) Obama Repels Criticism to Claim Big Lead
Jon Cohen and Jennifer Agiesta-The Age-Australia
http://www.theage.com.au/world/us-election-2008/obama-repels-criticism-to-claim-big-lead-20081103-5gzx.html

(20) Electoral Math-For McCain, the Numbers Are Not Adding Up
Mark Halperin-TIME
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1855843,00.html

(21) Win or Lose, Obama has Changed the Game in Georgia
Jim Galloway-Atlanta Journal-Constitution-Political Insider
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2008/11/02/win_or_lose_obama_has_changed.html

(22) Voters Mix Enthusiasm and Pessimism
Susan Page-USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-11-02-poll_N.htm

(23) World Closely Watching U.S. Presidential Election
Ali Kotarumalos-Associated Press
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081103/ap_on_re_ca/us_elections_world_view_1

(24) European Press Review-Obama the Better Choice
Deutsche Welle-Germany
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3761723,00.html

(25) Obama's Last Lap-Cue "Chariots of Fire"
Jay Newton-Small-TIME
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1855780,00.html

(26) Obama and McCain Duel in Final Hours of White House Race
Agence France Presse-AFP
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hmjXfdIdDywEjmM6ApPXauHf-7VA

(27) Election Rivals Urge U.S. to Vote
The Press Association-UK
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gRGYtXGxFld-QiIkxRZhKDGNYZyQ

(28) Obama Says Laws Apply to His Aunt Living Illegally in U.S.
Agence France Presse-AFP
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jD2GIqUp5AgAk4fsi4-_WbUG2LEQ

(29) Obama's Tangled Roots that Connect a World Family
Ben Macintyre-Times-UK
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5068651.ece

(30) McCain Mocked by Obama after Cheney Endorsement
Toby Harnden-Telegraph-UK
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/3368443/John-McCain-mocked-by-Barack-Obama-after-Dick-Cheney-endorsement.html

Some Things Campaign Volunteers can Do Monday and Tuesday*

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:06:34 EST

**Some Things Campaign Volunteers can Do Monday and Tuesday***Get Campaign Information here or call your local party headquarters:www.mybarackobama.com Hi everyone,Final plea - If you want to see Democratic victories where you live, and are available for even one hour the day or evening before the election, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE choose a candidate or election, call the office near you, and offer to help. Not sure where it is? Google the candidate, proposal, your area and the word "office". There are Obama offices in even the smallest communities in swing states, for example. Also, consider the local Democrats office, state reps, senators, commissioners, etc.The day before, there are always:- yard signs that can be put out before dawn on election day near polling places (schools, post offices, churches, etc.),- doorknob signs and phone calls, reminding people where their polling places are and the times they are open,- stacks of leftover literature that can be placed on front doors,- tired, overworked, stressed out staff who need nourishment.Campaign staff in every election are going crazy trying to get these last minute things done. If you want to see your candidates/proposals win, please go see how you can help in the final hours! If these ideas do not float your Democratic boat, please take an hour and call every Democrat you know. Make sure they are planning to vote, know where their precinct is, and the hours they are open. Tell them Obama needs a team of Democrats below him to get the job done right. Offer to babysit, give them a ride, or whatever it takes to get them to the polls on Tuesday, and keep them there until they vote. On election day - Bring some water bottles and granola bars to people in long lines. Offer to hold their space in line while they use the bathroom --- whatever it takes!!! (Just don't campaign while in line or wear campaign stuff). Research shows, when young people, minority members, working people, women, and other groups VOTE, DEMOCRATS WIN. Let's all help them get them to their voting booth!Bring people to the polls Tuesday and then to Starbucks for a free tall coffee. Just tell Starbucks you voted and they will give you a free tall coffee.Call voters in swing states and use the scripts available here:www.mybarackobama.com YES WE CAN!!!!!!Thanks,Tommy

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Made 25 GOTV calls to NV today.

Bobby — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:42:04 EST

THey are not recorded in Calls Made on my homepage. Hope the techs didn't lose the data I submitted. Make calls you guys. It's easy.

TAKE ACTION: Get Voters out and ROCK THE VOTE!

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:02:46 EST

TAKE ACTION: Get Voters out to the Polls and Pass This On. ROCK THE VOTE! Election day is approaching fast. We have very little time left to make this important voter turnout drive succeed.This is one of the most important elections of our lifetimes. The economy is in big trouble, jobs are disappearing, people are losing their homes, two wars are raging, and the cost of living is soaring. Millions have no health care and global warming needs to be addressed. The way to get the change we need is to elect the right leaders. Every vote counts, and your vote and participation in this voter turnout drive can make all the difference. It is your civic duty and your Constitutional right to vote, and your help is needed to get out the vote. Rock The Vote has made voting easier with the information you need. But you must act now, Electon Day is November 4th! Please join in and help get voters out, and then pass this important message on to everyone in your address book. Click Here to see how you an help Rock The Vote! http://rockthevote.org/Dear Rock the Vote Friends,

Last year, Rock the Vote joined with Live Earth as its partner. On 7-7-07, millions of people worldwide experienced Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis. In doing so, they were making the commitment to take action against the climate crisis. Besides the hundreds of thousands of people attending the Live Earth concerts on seven continents, over 10,000 "Friends of Live Earth' in 195 countries participated in house parties to watch the event and at least ten million more people viewed the concerts online.

Don't be left behind! Join the millions of people across the world who have pledged to take action against the climate crisis.
Together, we will solve the climate crisis.

Remember to register to vote because you can't vote if you're not registered! Why is voting important when it comes to stopping the climate crisis? Well, here are some things to consider:

- The next U.S. president will inherit a country that makes up less than 5% of the world's population but produces nearly a quarter of the world's greenhouse gases.

- Legislation regarding environmental issues is crafted by the lawmakers YOU elect.

- Congress appropriates the funds for the development of clean renewable energy sources.

- The administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, which has the legal responsibility to regulate carbon emissions, will be appointed by the next president.

Register now at and tell your friends to register as well.

The future is now. We cannot wait. Together we will make a difference.

Get Ready Rock The Vote: Tuesday 11-4 is Election Day This November 4th is Election Day in The United States of America. It is your Constitutional right and your civic duty as an American to vote. Your vote matters, EACH and EVERY vote counts! This year's elections offer you some important opportunities to make your vote count! I urge you to get ready to vote Tuesday, November 4th. Voting is one of the most important things that you can do. The polls open early, and stay open late. The time to act is now. Get out and vote, don't miss your chance to make a difference! Tell your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to vote. Remind them that election day is November 4th. Offer to bring people to the polls or go with them. Pass this message on to everyone in your address book. Rock The Vote! Tuesday, November 4th http://www.rockthevote.com/home.html November 4th--Election Day 2008--is just around the corner. The bottom line is if you target and talk to people they will vote. Get Involved! Click Here to Rock The Vote:http://www.rockthevote.com/home.html

Our future and real change depends on you.Project Vote We cannot turn out voters who never made it onto the rolls to begin with. By the time Election Day 2009 comes around it will be too late; the time to act is now.

It turns out there are still a lot of people in Washington and our state capitals who are working to discourage Americans from voting.

One of our most important groups working to register and protect voters -- Project Vote -- recently released a study which documented in great detail years of voter suppression all over the country. The result is that hundreds and thousands of minority voters, many of them 'single mothers,' were purged from the rolls and deprived of their right to vote in 2004 and 2006. That is outrageous!

And if it sounds sickeningly familiar, you are right. These are the same anti-American tactics that kept people from voting in the South during the Civil Rights movement. And it has to stop.

Please join is in this monumental battle for our democracy. Step up and say there is nothing more important than the ability to vote in America. Will you fight with us to ensure that every single eligible voter can go to the polls?

By the time Election Day comes around it will be too late. We cannot turn out voters who never made it onto the voter rolls to begin with. Early work to get voters on the rolls and make sure they stay there no matter what is crucial to our fight to take back our democracy. Project Vote http://www.projectvote.org/If you are registered to vote get out and VOTE! The polls open early and close late. Vote before or after work or on your break. Find out where to vote here or contact your local Board of Elections: http://www.rockthevote.com/electioncenter/If you are not registered to vote, register now!Call or write your local board of elections for a voter registration form or click here to get one:http://www.rockthevote.com/http://projectvote.org/our-work-pages/our-work/voter-registration.html
Not sure who to vote for?Educate yourself. Read the Voter's Guide in your local newspaper or on line to find out who and what is on the ballot in your Election District. Read the websites of the candidates and parties to find out where they stand on the issues that matter to you. Ask about the candidates and find out their qualifications and where they stand. Talk to people and find out who they are voting for and why. Read the ballot initiatives and find out what they mean and how they affect you. Get a sample ballot before you go into the voting booth and take your time deciding who and what to vote for. You Can Make a Difference! ROCK THE VOTE Tuesday, November 4th I invite you to join our Yahoo groups here for informative news and discussion:Click these links and join our fine groups: 4 United We Stand Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4UnitedWeStand/Matthew Shepard Pride and Tolerance Grouphttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/MatthewShepardPrideandTolerance/New York State Senate Shift Control To Democrat Grouphttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/NewYorkStateSenateShiftControlToDemocrat/
--
Together, We Can Change The World, One Mind At A Time!
Have a great day,
Tommy

Help Us Fight a Dishonest Attack

Arusha Gordon — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:10:05 EST

Some of you may have recently seen some of the false ads from the NRA, attacking Barack's record on gun ownership. Help us fight the smears and get the real facts on Barack's position.

Check out this video where Barack states plainly and clearly, to a crowd right here in Virginia, that he strongly supports the 2nd Amendment and pledges to protect gun owners and gun owners' rights. Send the video to your gun owning friends and family members.

Two days until the polls open!

Call for Obama volunteers

Tommy News — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:08:23 EST

Call for Obama volunteers

Dear MoveOn member,

The 2008 election is in 48 hours. Obama needs your help. And you can make a difference right now, right where you are.

The Obama campaign has put out an urgent request for volunteers in the swing states. It's up to us to recruit them by calling MoveOn members in swing states and helping them volunteer. Our website makes it easy for you to call. And it really, really works: our phone calls have recruited more than 145,000 volunteers in states like Ohio and Florida!

But Obama still needs more, and we're down to the wire. We set an audacious goal of making 175,000 calls this week—but our momentum is so phenomenal, we're raising the bar to 250,000 calls! Come through for Obama when it counts—click here now:

http://pol.moveon.org/obama/teams/index.html?id=14960-10306849-LruGMAx&t=2

To make calls with our tool, all you need is a phone and a computer. Try it for just five minutes, and you'll see how fun and easy it is; many of the MoveOn members you reach will be grateful you called. Here's one:

I am glad I was able to help and hope that it has made a difference. I always wanted to help out, but never knew where to go or how to sign up. Thanks for the invite!—Stacy M., Indiana

We can't leave anything to chance in this election. Help us hit our target of 175,000 250,000 calls, and send the reinforcements Obama needs for the final push—click here to sign up now:

http://pol.moveon.org/obama/teams/index.html?id=14960-10306849-LruGMAx&t=3

Thanks for all you do,

–Justin, Adam G., Peter, Aisling, and the rest of the team

I Can Not Control Nov.4

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

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

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

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

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

You control you and your vote.

Yes, We Can! in every language -- Yes We Did!

Kevin Vincent — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:09:50 EDT

Back in January before the Virginia primary -- what seems like years ago now -- I posted a blog with translations of "Yes We Can". Since the primary, I have gotten a few additional translations. Now almost on the eve of this historic election, when we will all get to proudly cast our ballots for Barack Obama, it is time to post an updated version. I wish I also had translations of "Yes We Will" to add and then on Wednesday that I could add "Yes We Did!" translations, but we'll have to do that after November 4.

If you want to see the updated translations, here's the link --

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/kevinvincent/CjTS

I have been so proud to be part of this amazing movement for Change and Hope. And like you, I can't wait to see Barack in the White House.

Thank you so much for everything you all have done for the past two years, and for everything else I know you will do during the next three days, to make this dream for all of us come true. We still have much work to do, but I know that --

Yes We Can!

Yes We Will!

Kevin Vincent, Coordinator

Arlingtonians for Obama

Ethel and Max Kennedy on Barack and RFK

Adam — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 23:22:22 EDT

Last week Max and Ethel Kennenedy, the son and widow of Sen. Robert Kennedy, toured Southwest Virginia with the message that Barack will fight for all Virginians.

They spoke of how Barack, during his multiple trips to the Southwest, has reminded them of RFK's famous connection to the voters of this region.

They also spoke of how this moment, this election, will be remembered forever, and that you're going to want to say you did your part. Watch the video here:

Three days left folks. Get out the vote.

Jay Z and Russell Simmons Get-Out-The-Vote

J. Scott — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:07:46 EDT

Jay Z and Russell Simmons just held a rally here in Richmond. Both spoke about how amazing it was that Virginia was considered a "battleground" state and the historic nature of this campaign.

They both warned the audience of excited students that Barack Obama will not win next Tuesday if students do not get out and vote. If you are a student and did not vote absentee, make sure you and your friends make it to the polls on Tuesday, November 4th!

Students, please sign up to help get out the vote.

Yes We Can! Win Virginia? Yes We Can!

Shawn O'Donnell — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:39:45 EDT

Yes We Can! Win Virginia? Yes We Can!

Absentee in person ends TODAY

J. Scott — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:59:57 EDT

Virginia, this is it. Millions of people have already voted absentee for Barack Obama and today is the last day for eligible residents to vote absentee in person in Virginia.

Registrars are open across Virginia today, click here to find out where and when your registrar is open for absentee voting.

After you vote, you should make sure that others get out and vote by signing up here. And if you do not have time today, you can still vote on TUESDAY NOVEMBER 4th!

Enjoy these pictures of people voting absentee in Richmond!

Byrd Park Canvasses for Change events this weekend are cancelled

Christopher Martin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:36:34 EDT

When I checked Friday evening, my.BarackObama.com had pulled the plug on the Neighbor to Neighbor feature that printed walk lists. Without walk lists, we would be pretty much flying blind. Sorry for the short notice, but I had hoped the feature might be available again Saturday morning but it's not.

I wanted to provide a nearby event in the neighborhood this weekend people could go to. As it is, the closest canvass staging area at this point is 222 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA where shifts will be running all day Saturday and Sunday. Call the Richmond Obama HQ for more details. You can also find plenty of things to do in the closing days of the campaign at my.BarackObama.com/actioncenter.

Thanks to all the volunteers who participated in the Byrd Park Canvass for Change. Since it began as a weekly event in August, we've knocked on hundreds of doors and covered much of the area. Sorry we're ending, not with a bang, but a whimper, but thanks for your support.

Youth vote! Vote youth!

Bobby — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 03:15:51 EDT

You gotta be there Tuesday. It's the chance to show how much your voices count. Voting is how you walk the walk.

Share the Plan.

J. Scott — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:28:41 EDT

There are a lot of voters out there who are still undecided. If you or someone you know hasn't made up there mind yet and cares about a specific issue, check out the campaign’s new website on Barack’s plans for the issues that matter to Virginians.

The site allows voters to easily get more information on Barack’s policies, watch a video on each issue, and best of all easily share the plan with friends.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt, born and raised in Virginia, is a big fan of the site:

With so few days left, let's keep getting the word out that Barack Obama has the best policies for Virginia.

For the most part,I like Sen. Obama's campaign schedule the last 4 days.

Bobby — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:20:39 EDT

Indiana and Iowa today. NV,Colorado and Missouri tomorrow. A Midwest and Western swing. Iowa and Colorado have always been must wins for Obama. Looks like NM is safely in his column. He and McCain were both in Albequerqe last weekend. There were about 1500 at McCain's rally and 30-something thousand at Obama's. A Nevada win also for Obama will make it real tough for McCain to get to 270.

Sunday Obama has 3 rallies in Ohio.

Monday,Obama has rallies in FLA.NC and VA.

If he nails down IA,CO,NV and NM all he has to do is win one state among PA,OH,VA,NC,and FLA. Obama could win MO and IN and get to 270 without winning PA,OH,VA,NC or FLA. That scenario is doubtful but it's an illustration of how many ways Obama can get to 270.

Lots of Obama surrogates will be in PA in the next 4 days,plus Sen, Obama has Gov. Rendell,Sen. Webb and Sen. Bob Casey campaigning for him in PA. I think Obama is gonna get a coattail effect from Mark Warner in his Senate race in VA. He's way ahead of his GOP opponent. One last touchdown by Sen. Obama in PA would be nice but the calendaris short.

Need Clarification

Shawna — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:54:42 EDT

The otehr day my mom sent me the following email. I just wanted to know if someone could confirm or deny the information in it. I apologize in advance for the formatting, I just did not have time to fix it.

Thanks!

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.

Please vote today.........if you can!!

Dave — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:15:22 EDT

If you are already registered to vote, please don't wait until Tuesday, 4th November 2008. Go and vote for Obama using the absentee voting system today, if you haven't done so. This will ensure that you don't queue up for ages waiting to cast your vote on next Tuesday.

Remember, you have a right to cast your vote if you're already registered. If someone tries to stop or challenge you, politely take their name and photograph if you can. We have a voter protection team in most polling stations and am sure they will be able to offer you help and support.

If you're using an electronic voting machine, ensure you review your vote - clearly select Barack Obama. In most cases, if you make a mistake and press the wrong button, you should be able to change this quite easily.

It's important to note that Al Gore lost Florida by 537 votes in 2000. Therefore, every vote counts in this election. Please don't assume anything and make sure you get up early on Tuesday and be at the voting location in good time.

Good luck and God bless you folks.

Obama/Biden '08

A 6-year old on the AIG bailout

Sine in KS — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:42:26 EDT

My 6-year old daughter was looking at pictures in the NY Times. A suitcase full of money, along with an article about AIG and how it has used billions in Fed money but failed to disclose for what, caught her eye (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/business/30aig.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&em&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1225426931-X0UkKF4IS5YDV9iIokTjUQ). After sounding out the title, “Where did the cash go?” she thought for a minute, then said: “I guess somebody was robbed of all their money.”

Mr. Paulson, she speaks the truth: You let yourself be robbed of the money we entrusted you with! How much more incompetent can this administration get?

All in for Obama

Glenn from Haymarket — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:45:02 EDT

I just went All In For Obama. I have now given the entire $4600 I am legally allowed to give to this campaign. I urge every person to give, even if it is $5 dollars to this election. WE HAVE TO WIN THIS ELECTION. We are responsible for this nation. He is the person to change this country. McCain must not win. No matter the cost. We must take control of this nation. Our future.. Our very lives depend upon this. I know this message is alarmist , but now is the time, do not only vote, but make your voice be heard. Crush the message of the repubs and do all you can for this campaign.

Thank You

Glenn McIntyre

YOUTH VOTE - GET TO THE POLLS

Claudia — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:41:29 EDT

It is Thursday and 5 days to go. Watching the updates on the early voting. It is showing the students and young people and those newly registered are not getting to the polls yet.

On Neighbor to Neighbor, I am calling the under 20 year old folks first. Yes, I am mostly getting the answering machine or students away at college. Hope all these young people's enthusiasm reverts into voting by November 4.

I am like your Grandmother and the furture is in your hands. It is your future. Get involved NOW. Don't waste yourself by not voting.

Close your eyes, listen to the Obama songs on You Tube and get to the polls.

Barack needs your vorte and so does America.

ROCK THE VOTE

Listen

Dig deeper folks.

Bobby — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:53:25 EDT

I donated $25 more today. I hadn't planned to donate anymore. I'd already donated $40 more this month than last month. I gave more to help defray the costs of all the emails and text messages on Election Day,if nothing else. You can donate to my Personal Fundraising Page if you'd like. I've spread my donations around to several of the Obama Bloggers but it's been awhile since anyone donated to my PF page.

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

Welcome to McCain's Amerika

Withfeeling — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:01:45 EDT

IowaStateDaily.com
Pre-emptive ejection: Audience members removed at McCain rally in Cedar Falls
By Dylan Boyle — Daily Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 2:57 PM CDT

Audience members escorted out of Sen. John McCain’s, R-Ariz., campaign event in Cedar Falls questioned why they were asked to leave Sunday’s rally even though they were not protesting.

David Zarifis, director of public safety for the University of Northern Iowa, said McCain staffers requested UNI police assist in escorting out “about four or five” people from the rally prior to McCain’s speech.

Zarifis said while the people who were taken out weren’t protesting or causing problems, McCain’s staff were worried they would during the speech.

“Apparently, they had been identified by those staffers as potential protesters within the event,” Zarifis said. “The facility was rented by the RNC for the McCain campaign, so it’s really a private facility for them. We assisted in their desires to have those people removed.”

Lara Elborno, a student at the University of Iowa, said she was approached by a police officer and a McCain staffer and was told she had to leave or she would be arrested for trespassing.

“It was a very confusing, very frustrating situation,” Elborno said. “I said that I had a right to be there, I wasn’t doing anything disruptive — I was sitting, waiting for the rally to start.”

She said McCain staffers wouldn’t tell her why she was being asked to leave and when she got outside, she saw “a group of about 20 people” who had all been asked to leave.

Elborno said after seeing the people who were asked to leave, she was concerned that McCain’s staffers were profiling people on appearance to determine who might be a potential protester.

“When I started talking to them, it kind of became clear that they were kind of just telling people to leave that they thought maybe would be disruptive, but based on what? Based on how they looked,” Elborno said. “It was pretty much all young people, the college demographic.”

Elborno said even McCain supporters were among those being asked to leave.

“I saw a couple that had been escorted out and they were confused as well, and the girl was crying, so I said ‘Why are you crying? and she said ‘I already voted for McCain, I’m a Republican, and they said we had to leave because we didn’t look right,’” Elborno said. “They were handpicking these people and they had nothing to go off of, besides the way the people looked.”

Elborno said while she has protested at events before, no plans were discussed beforehand for a protest and she shouldn’t have been taken out because she was not causing a disturbance.

“If I had been disruptive, then I would have deserved to be taken out,” Elborno said. “But at the time I was asked to leave, I wasn’t doing anything.”

Elborno said she’s stunned at how the situation was handled, especially McCain’s staffers’ refusal to discuss the matter.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said.

Despite repeated attempts, McCain’s campaign could not be reached for comment.

source

Barack-The Hero

Dr. Barbara Palmer — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:41:46 EDT

You be the judge. No position on http://www.snopes.com/ http://tinyurl.com/3en2hu A Stranded Stranger The Norwegian newspaper VG has reported a truly amazing story about a newly-wed trying to get to Norway to be with her husband, and the stranger who helped pay an unexpected luggage surcharge. The blog 'Leisha's Random Thoughts' has translated the story. It was 1988, and Mary Andersen was at the Miami airport checking in for a long flight to Norway to be with her husband when the airline representative informed her that she wouldn't be able to check her luggage without paying a 100 surcharge: When it was finally Mary's turn, she got the message that would crush her bubbling feeling of happiness. -You'll have to pay a 103 dollar surcharge if you want to bring both those suitcases to Norway, the man behind the counter said. Mary had no money. Her new husband had travelled ahead of her to Norway, and she had no one else to call. I was completely desperate and tried to think which of my things I could manage without. But I had already made such a careful selection of my most prized possessions, says Mary. As tears streamed down her face, she heard a 'gentle and friendly voice' behind her saying, 'That's okay, I'll pay for her.' Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before. He had a gentle and kind voice that was still firm and decisive. The first thing I thought was, who is this man? Although this happened 20 years ago, Mary still remembers the authority that radiated from the man. -He was nicely dressed, fashionably dressed with brown leather shoes, a cotton shirt open at the throat and khaki pants, says Mary. She was thrilled to be able to bring both her suitcases to Norway and assured the stranger that he would get his money back. The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper that he gave to Mary. She thanked him repeatedly. When she finally walked off towards the security checkpoint, he waved goodbye to her. Who was the man? Barack Obama. Twenty years later, she is thrilled that the friendly stranger at the airport may be the next President and has voted for him already and donated 100 dollars to his campaign: He was my knight in shining armor, says Mary, smiling. She paid the 103 dollars back to Obama the day after she arrived in Norway. At that time he had just finished his job as a poorly paid community worker* in Chicago, and had started his law studies at prestigious Harvard university. Mary even convinced her parents to vote for him: In the spring of 2006 Mary's parents had heard that Obama was considering a run for president, but that he had still not decided. They chose to write a letter in which they told him that he would receive their votes. At the same time, they thanked Obama for helping their daughter 18 years earlier. And Obama replied: In a letter to Mary's parents dated May 4th, 2006 and stamped United States Senate, Washington DC, Barack Obama writes: I want to thank you for the lovely things you wrote about me and for reminding me of what happened at Miami airport. I'm happy I could help back then, and I'm delighted to hear that your daughter is happy in Norway. Please send her my best wishes. Sincerely, Barack Obama, United States senator. The parents sent the letter on to Mary. Mary says that when her friends and associates talk about the election, especially when race relations is the heated subject, she relates the story of the kind man who helped out a stranger-in-need over twenty years ago, years before he had even thought about running for high office. Original Norwegian newspaper article: http://tinyurl.com/3g59z6

Why This Is Not Over

Andrew Hammer — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:58:32 EDT

The nation was ready for a change.

It had been through a depression, a war, and sixteen years of government by the same political party. The incumbent was an unpopular man who had been a "last choice" pick four years earlier for the Vice-Presidency. The challenger was an intelligent, charismatic, well-spoken and experienced governor of a major state who had been nominated once before and whose time had finally come.

Everything was in place, the polls looked great, and on election night, the media was so certain of the challenger's imminent victory that a major American newspaper reported that he won before all the votes had come in.

And then Thomas Dewey lost. The great hope of the Republican Party failed to take the presidency away from Harry Truman, a man who inherited the office in the shadow of Franklin Roosevelt.

Fast forward sixty years, and we Obama supporters find ourselves in a similarly dangerous situation. The polls look great, and our opponent looks like a beaten man who made a bad choice for a running mate, and can't seem to do much of anything right. Our guy looks presidential, and no one can deny he has the charisma of a classic American leader. The whole world wants him to be elected.

But just as in 1948, the only thing that matters is the final vote count. Not polls, not charisma, not clever slogans. And if we do not work every day to until November 4th to win this election, as if we were the ones who were ten points behind, we could well find ourselves mourning a numbing loss of the White House the next day.

If you're young, it's so easy to feel over-confident about all of this. Hell, even if you're old it's easy. It's so obvious that Obama is the best choice for the job, right? How could anyone not see that? But many don't, and many won't, and you and I will never understand why they won't, because we just don't think that way.

What I'm trying to say to everyone who reads this is that we can lose this election.

The only way to prevent that is to resist the temptation to believe that we have already won it. The media is singing into our ears about how great our campaign is, how well-funded and well-organized we are. How naturally presidential Obama looks and sounds.

Don't believe it. Work as if we have nothing and need to gain everything. Speak passionately but patiently to people who are not yet convinced that Obama is the right choice to lead the nation. We need them to join us if they can.

If you are living in a part of your state where our victory is very clearly assured, then consider going to another part of your state where it's an uphill battle, and your help is desperately needed.

This election symbolizes deep change on many levels, but only one of them has to do with the election. We are at a point of cultural and generational change in this nation that will take place no matter what the result of the election may be.

The people who remember the Great Depression are now all near 80 or older. The youthful generation of the 1960s that we still see in films and television shows, the ones who are often seen as eternally youthful hippies; they are now all near or over 60. So change is going to come; the question for us is will we get the political leadership we want to steward us through those other kinds of inevitable changes.

Time has done its part; it's up to us to do the rest. As Barack Obama has said from the very beginning, it's not about him, it's about us. He can do nothing unless we make him the next President.

Let's get out there and make the change we want.

Andrew Hammer is a writer, speaker and activist with over fifteen years of experience as a consultant on faith and politics to progressive political parties throughout the world.

Help Barack Obama on Halloween: Trick or Vote for Change!

Tommy News — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:34:04 EDT

Help Barack Obama on Halloween: Trick or Vote for Change!Please Pass This Message On! Go door to door on Halloween and get out the Vote! Download and Print out some fliers or the attached pictures, Bring some treats to hand out, and go door to door with a group. http://www.barackobama.com/downloads/Get creative.Carve a Barack O' Lantern and put it in your window, on your lawn, or by your door: with a Rally sign.http://yeswecarve.com/Have two candy bowls ready - one Red one filled with DumDums and one Blue one filled with Smarties!You could also participate in a non-partesan get out the vote effort and ask people if they are voting Tuesday and give them this addresswww.rockthevote,org for voting information and poling places, along with the phone number for your local Board of Elections for voting infomation.Barack Obama Trick Or Vote: http://yeswecarve.com/ http://www.barackobama.com/downloads/Non Partesan Trick Or Vote:http://www.trickorvote.org/

Trick or Vote is a nationwide nonpartisan costume canvass taking place on Halloween in a city near you. A spooky crew of monsters will be out in full force to remind young folks to vote, and you can be spooky too.
Studies show that the most effective way to get young people to vote before an election is to knock on their doors and encourage them to. And what's the one day when we're all culturally ready for a knock on the door? Halloween! Just 5 days before the general Election.
So while you might be too old to trick or treat, you're never too old to Trick or Vote!
We need canvass volunteers! Sign up now
Trick or Vote is nonpartesan, and explicitly is not associated with the campaign, and I am just posting it because I think it's a cool way to help get the vote out.

http://www.trickorvote.org/Trick or Vote! Obama-Biden Halloween Edition
Right around the corner: the High Holy Days of Halloween, up there with Chinese New Year and Thanksgiving in importance in our household. Agonizing over and careful selection of a costume starts in July and is a multi-month and fickle process, Chez Cynematic. (The five year old will be Yoda.)
You getting excited too? First of all, you need to get your pumpkin and carve a big Obama logo on it. Patterns and instructions here, at YesWeCarve. (Do yourself a favor, you MUST look at the awesome pics.)
Then, you need to figure out your costume. Paper Obama masks available here. People who want to be (or exorcise through playacting) scary-ass race-baiting, soul-sucking, brain-eating zombies can find McCain masks here.
I won't even Go There on the Palin thing. Too. Effing. Frightening.

Next, get youth voters & Parentocrats out with their kiddies fired up to vote with a Trick or Vote canvass. Looks like it can work a couple different ways: you organize and hit the street giving out vote-happy treats, or (maybe more workable for the Parentocrats on candy-dispensing duty?) you stay at home and let the voters come to you for those vote-happy treats.

Things you can hand out along with candy: pamphlets that have poll location-finding information. Stars and stripes pumpkins with election day information. Halloween-themed door-hanger reminders for those too grumpy to answer the door or out partying. For more about this nonpartisan, fun way to ask registered voters to vote, visit the Trick or Vote Wiki.
Watch the video here:http://momocrats.typepad.com/momocrats/2008/10/trick-or-vote-o.htmlIf you want a really frightening costume, dress as a John McCain Mummy or McFrankenstein or a Sarah Palin Vampiress or Witch! Be creative! Fight Back Against This:
Republicans plan special goody for trick-or-treatersOctober 29, 2008

Parents, check the kids' candy extra carefully this Halloween. Some Broward Republicans plan to drop a little something extra into the bags: a piece of political propaganda.

Each is about 3 by 4 inches on heavy paper, the brainchild of Sharon Day, Broward's state Republican committeewoman. When parents go through the kids' candy, they'll find messages telling them, "Don't Make Everyday Halloween in America! Keep Barack Obama from using your hard earned dollars as his own personal 'Trick or Treat' bag!"

More:http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbsharonday1129sboct29,0,2527510.storyGo Here to Sign Up:http://www.trickorvote.org/

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Norfolk Hears “Closing Argument” Directly From Barack Obama

Shawn O'Donnell — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:51:33 EDT

Norfolk Hears “Closing Argument” Directly From Barack Obama

Appalled!

Matt L. — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:20:16 EDT

Just moments ago I discovered this news about voter supression going on in my own backyard at Virginia Tech.

http://crooksandliars.com/2008/09/09/virginia-county-issues-chilling-voter-registration-report/

I didn't go to Tech and I'm not even a football fan but as someone who has lived in Christiansburg all my life I'm offended and ashamed that such tactics could be taking place in my hometown. Or at least next door in Blacksburg. To any Tech student's out there, do not let them do this! Know your rights and cast your vote! This election needs you!

Watch Barack in Harrisonburg

Arusha Gordon — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:18:54 EDT

Barack is in Harrisonburg, Virginia tonight. He'll be speaking any minute - tune in here to catch a live stream of the event:

7 days to go. Sign up to help us Get-Out-The-Vote.

CHOCOLATE CITY ON THE SOUTHSIDE

Carolyn Harper LaViscount — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:56:07 EDT

www.freewebs.com/carolynharperlaviscount

Sarah Palin palled around with convicted Alaska felon Senator Ted Stevens, her mentor!

Tommy News — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:08:53 EDT

Sarah Palin palled around with convicted Alaska felon Senator Ted Stevens, her mentor!

If the media digs into Obama, then they better dig into Palin and McCain too. You say Ayers, I say G. Gordon Liddy. You say Wright. I say Hagee. You say political corruption in Chicago, I say Keating Five. You say 'elitist', I say McCain's a failure, and has been all his natural born life.

McCain: Veteran, yes. Tortured veteran, yes. But, why was he tortured? Because they caught him. 894th out of 899 in his class. Crashed 5 planes. Caught behind enemy lines. Navy cover-ups, saving his political future. Keating Five. Gordon Liddy. Absolute, complete, fundamental flip-flop on his ideology for this campaign. Commited adultery and abandoned his wife and children for a wealthy Busch heiress. Lied and Lied and Lied.

- Hide quoted text -

Please Pass this message on and help expose the Republican party of corruption before the election!

- Hide quoted text -The Sarah and Ted Show

10/28/08, 1:40 am EST

This Ted Stevens fiasco is baggage of the McCain camp's own choosing. Before they added Sarah Palin to the ticket, Alaska was anything but Main Street America. Under the old rules, Steven's corruption scandal could well have blown over as a parochial scandal of the great, oily North.

But since picking Palin, McCain & Co. have staked out Alaska as the living, beating heart of American authenticity. And so, today, Ted Steven's felonious betrayal of the public trust is going to allow Democrats to campaign like it's 2006 — against the Republican "culture of corruption" that proved so electorally toxic to the GOP two years ago.

Let's remember that the McCain camp knew in late July that Stevens was under indictment and demanding a speedy trial that would put Alaska's frontier ethics front-and-center in the days before the election.

And yet, thanks to a vetting free Veepstakes, in August the campaign chose Palin, who not only owes her governorship to Stevens' throaty endorsement, but as recently as 2005 served as the director of "Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service" 527 group.

As usual, the intrepid Anchorage Daily News offers the go-to coverage of the Stevens/Palin entanglements. This adn.com video offers a glimpse of their buddy-buddy relationship:

Watch the video here:

http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/index.php/2008/10/28/ted-stevens-palin-mentor/

At minute 1:13 you can see the last-minute 2006 campaign commercial in which Stevens passes the baton to Palin's "new generation" of leadership, asking his fellow Alaskans to "help Sarah become governor, which we all want to see."

Half way through, we see Palin and Stevens joshing around together at a press conference from this past July — post the FBI raid of Stevens' home, but just prior to his indictment. Stevens chummily calls it "The Sarah and Ted Show."

Minute 3:39

Stevens: Hell, I don't know if you know it but when Frank Murkowski was first elected this lady and I … traveled around the state for two weeks. We've known each other a long time. Worked together a long time.

Minute 4:12

Palin: I have great respect for the senator…. His voice, his experience, his passion needs to be heard across America. So that Alaska can contribute more. So that we can be producers. So that we can help lead the rest of the U.S. I, again, have great respect for him. There's a big difference between reality and perception regarding our relationship.

So here's my question: If Sarah Palin was such an all-American maverick, what was she doing palling around with a suspected felon like Ted Stevens?

More:http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/index.php/2008/10/28/ted-stevens-palin-mentor/

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

Tim Kaine Steps Up Again For Barack Obama

Shawn O'Donnell — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:08 EDT

Tim Kaine Steps Up Again For Barack Obama

Barns for Obama Video

Adam — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:41:12 EDT

Barack Obama has an aggressive plan to reinvest in and rebuild rural America.

His commitment to fighting for rural American values and rural American jobs is why he's earned the support of Sen. Jim Webb, and why a group of grassroots volunteers in Wytheville painted another Barn for Obama.

Check it out here:

8 days left. GOTV!

Who is EXCITED!!!??

Caleb — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:17:58 EDT

Can I ask, who is excited about Barack's visit tomorrow evening to Harrisonburg!!?? You'll find me standing in line first thing tomorrow morning. I wouldn't miss this opportunity!

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds free concert in Richmond, VA

J. Scott — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:51:49 EDT

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds were in Richmond earlier tonight, performing right across the street from the Richmond Campaign for Change headquarters. They put on a three hour concert to show support for Barack Obama and encourage fans to get involved and Get Out the Vote.

Young voters have registered in unprecedented numbers in Virginia this year, and could be key to turning the state blue for the first time in 40 years. That is exciting stuff, but it'll only happen if everyone gets out to vote on November 4th --- and if everyone brings their friends, roommates, and classmates to go vote with them. Check out pictures from the Dave Matthews show and then sign up to help make history by turning Virginia blue.

Eight days left!