Organizing for America | Jon Jones: Barack Is Coming to Cleveland

Post from Jon Jones:

Barack Is Coming to Cleveland

By Jon Jones - Feb 26th, 2007 at 12:13 pm EST

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Don't expect a little wintry mix to stop the Cleveland faithful from hosting a great event with Barack Obama tonight at Cuyahoga Community College.

We will be linking to ABC5 in Cleveland (NewsNet5.com) for a livestream of the event at 7pm EST.

Ohio volunteers have been busy at work preparing for the event. Take a look at some of the images below.

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outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By rich Feb 26th 2007 at 12:23 pm EST

Tom Vilsack dropped out of the president race last Friday and Al Gore's movie "An Inconvenient Truth" won two oscars yesterday for Documentary Feature and Original Song.

IMO reachout by Obama supporters is needed to those dedicated Americans who are behind Vilsack's run (now concluded) and the draft-Gore to run.

Fund-raising and rallies are important but so is networking.

As the line goes "We are ALL in this together".

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By rich Feb 26th 2007 at 12:28 pm EST

In other words, demonstrate that the Obama campaign is expansive, is more than just about Obama.

Talk to Vilsack supporters. Talk to draft-Gore supporters. Find out what their concerns are and see in Obama can meet those concerns.

Sometimes "build it and they will come" is not enough to sell something. Sometimes you need to go and get them to see a reason to buy.

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By James Gleeson Feb 26th 2007 at 1:15 pm EST

All in all Rich seems to be talking about making an environmental economy a big part of the campaign.

Rich, in Barack's recent book, the Audacity of Hope, he spends a lot of time talking about revitalizing the American economy with investing home, by creating new jobs (for all of those supposed jobs that Bush claims that Americans won't do) with a new environmental economy. We would invest in a new infrastructure that would not only create more manufacturing jobs, more small businesses and more entrepreneurs, but it would be environmentally friendly (new cars, power grids, healthy watersheds, etc).

Barack has been consistent in his message and actions in Illinois.

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By rich Feb 26th 2007 at 1:27 pm EST

Nope, I'm not talking about the environment per se.

I'm talking about having a discussion with Vilsack supporters and draft-Gore supporters.

There's much more to those two men's campaigns (one dormant now, the other officially has not started) and to their followers if you reachout and find out.

Here's one link if you want to check it out:

Link

And I've read Barack's book "Audacity of Hope". Events have changed since Friday and IMO if Obama really wants to go ALL the way to the White House, it will take outreach on Obama and his supporters to get it done and to make this campaign last for the next 21 months.

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By James Gleeson Feb 26th 2007 at 1:32 pm EST

The biggest issue for Gore and Vilsack is the environment. I would suspect, that their supporters biggest issue was the same, which is why they were attracted to them.

I was giving reference to the fact that Obama shares the same concerns for the current environmental problems, and like Gore and Vilsack he gives his stance on how to help curb the effects of global warming by making changes at home (as individuals) and as a nation.

So to reach out to their supporters, would be to appeal to their environmental concerns (their main issue), and to demostrate the Obama's campaign stance on that.

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By rich Feb 26th 2007 at 1:45 pm EST

Did you check out the link ?

Link

(lots of draft-Gore supporters there and common thread amongst many of them is that Gore has paid his dues)

But if you think no outreach is needed and this blog is fine, the rallies are fine, etc. then so be it.

It's just there's a lot of seasoned campaign netroots people who have supported Al Gore, Howard Dean, etc. in past campaigns who could be of assistance to the Barack Obama campaign.

They just need that extra outreach to be convinced of Obama's campaign. IMO they aren't convinced now.

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By Misty F Feb 26th 2007 at 1:52 pm EST

Nearly all of the people I've talked to in the Draft-Gore movement think highly of Obama, so I honestly think they'll be coming our way, soon. Then, of course, I'm rather hoping for Obama/Gore/08. :)

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By rich Feb 26th 2007 at 1:54 pm EST

Don't assume anything. See for yourself:

Link

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By rich Feb 26th 2007 at 2:03 pm EST

In fact, for the subsection of draft-Gore for prez that do also like Obama, those folks phrase what they would like to see as Gore/Obama '08 and not the other way around.

Only Obama folks reaching out to them, could they be convinced of turning that phrase around to Obama/Gore '08.

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By John from Santa Clarita, CA Feb 26th 2007 at 7:39 pm EST

Gore has repeatedly said he will not seek office again. He just said show after he won an oscar.

I'm not sure Gore would want to be VP to Obama. He so wanted to be president before, and why on Earth would he want to spend another 4 or 8 years as VP again?

He seems to now be focused on campaigning for Environmental Issues. I think he will focus his energies on these environmental stuff in the future.

If Obama reaches out to Gore, it shouldn't be to ask him to be his VP, but it should be to ask him to help his campaign.

United for America | Report to Admin

By PlumIslander Feb 26th 2007 at 1:57 pm EST

I've been looking down the road....Now, I don't really know too much about the feasibility of this idea...but, I'm going to do my homework.

Link

Re: United for America | Report to Admin

By Daniel Whelan Feb 26th 2007 at 3:20 pm EST

There's absolutely no possible way I'd vote for a mixed ticket. That would merely solidify my long held belief that there's not enough of a difference between the parties in the first place. I already make reference to our so-called two party system in almost everything I write, merging them into one is not a solution I'd support in any way, shape, or form.

I believe the two parties need to do more to distinguish themselves, not less. Obviously it's just my opinion, but the mixed party ticket would seem to be the DLC's perfected evolution to the Republican light scenario.

I've always said there's absolutely no reason that Joe Lieberman and Dennis Kucinich should be in the same party. Like wise, there's no reason the Dick Cheney and Ron Paul should be in the same party. These relationships don't speak to diversity, they speak to conformity, and there's a MAJOR difference.

There should be a dozen legitimately viable political parties, each representing more refined viewpoints of the American population, and working together to guide our nation. The fact that we currently only have two... almost, is the result of massive efforts by those two parties to make sure that the playing field is severely titled for everyone else.

The fact that Greens, Socialists, Libertarians, Constitutionalists, Communists, Anarchists, and the multitude of other viewpoints within our general population are restricted from participating in our public discourse does not help us as a nation, in fact it hurts us in too many ways to describe here.

We have millions who are at least under represented, and millions more with no representation at all. When the election comes around we can't understand why tens of millions of eligible voters don't come out to the polls. Just because they're eligible to vote doesn't mean they have anyone to vote for.

It's not uncommon to see the most heinous totalitarian regimes on earth allow their people to select leaders from one party, we allow you to choose from two. How much better is that really? Well it's one better isn't it, one better than the most heinous totalitarian regimes on earth. I think we should be raising our standards, not lowering them.

A mixed ticket would be the fastest way to get me to vote "third party."

Peace

Re: United for America | Report to Admin

By Mike Dunne Feb 26th 2007 at 8:17 pm EST

I think I agree. Gore would make a great president. But so would Obama. And this is Obama's time on the political stage. The only way Gore would run, IMO, would be if the Democratic Party became hopelessly deadlocked between Obama and Clinton. I wouldn't be surprised if he entertains that fantasy, but he probably realizes it's pretty far-fetched.

I also think an Obama/Gore ticket would be out of the question. Gore can do more in his current role than he could as VP. The one advantage to a Gore/Obama ticket would be the chance for 16 straight years of good leadership in the Presidency. I don't think this nation has had that since the days of Jefferson and Madison (though we came close with FDR).

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By Obama-logue Feb 26th 2007 at 3:31 pm EST

Gore would be an amazing Secretary of the Interior or head of the EPA. Then we'd see environmental change really kicked into high gear.

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By Montana Feb 26th 2007 at 2:25 pm EST

I checked out the link. I don't see where it says anything about outreach; I am sure I missed it somewhere along the way. Is Hillary reaching out to the Draft Gore campaign? I think if I was in the Draft Gore camp, any outreach by another campaign at this point would seem presumptuous. I think it is too early to be demanding it of Obama's campaign, in my opinion.

Re: outreach to Gore and Vilsack supporters | Report to Admin

By rich Feb 26th 2007 at 2:32 pm EST

"outreach" is part of the phrasing/framing that I coined in the comment title here, not there on the other blog link that I pointed to amongst progressives enamored with Al Gore.

Of course Hillary may think she doesn't need to reach out to draft-Gore supporters, she's in the lead in the polls and in the funding amongst the dems.

And I'm not demanding anything here for Obama supporters to do any outreach to draft-Gore supporters, I'm just suggesting it.

And nothing is too early, if done in a sympathetic, empathetic manner. If you think that my outreach suggestion means coming in holding up Obama '08 banner statements and phrasing, there's subtler ways to approach others.

I got my feet in both camps.

Cleveland video | Report to Admin

By Montana Feb 26th 2007 at 3:34 pm EST

I will be watching...thanks for letting us know about the linkup.

obama-rama...in cleveland???? | Report to Admin

By Ohio2008 Feb 26th 2007 at 4:05 pm EST

Obama, who says he wants to walk the high road. At the DNC, he hushed the crowd with a sermon about how politics should not be "blood sport." But his campaign brags that he was "alone among the candidates in opposing the Iraq war" from the start, and in his speech he proclaimed that he was "opposed to this invasion publicly, frequently and before it began." No blood, but a sharp jab.

Taking the high rode? Explaining the differences? | Report to Admin

By Lorraine Feb 26th 2007 at 4:21 pm EST

Two TOTALLY different issues. You are trying to compare apples and oranges. How can a voter make a choice if the candidate doesn't let said voter know the differences between the two.

Re: obama-rama...in cleveland???? | Report to Admin

By Mike Dunne Feb 26th 2007 at 5:00 pm EST

I don't see the contradiction there. I think by "blood sport" he means the "Swift-boating" and tearing down of the other candidate with innuendoes and smears. There is way too much of that going on. But that doesn't mean he has to become milquetoast and ignore policy blunders made by his opponents.

Latest Zogby Poll has Barack gaining on Hillary,Beats GOP Contenders | Report to Admin

By Luis Feb 26th 2007 at 6:37 pm EST

Link

This is off-topic,but I had to bring this poll here for all to see the great news about Barack gaining on Hillary and beating the principal candidates of the GOP.

Group Invite Spam! | Report to Admin

By Vermonter Feb 26th 2007 at 7:06 pm EST

Be the 100th Member of the Obama Rapid Response Group!

Are you interested in defending Barack Obama from misinformation and negative spin in the media?

Want to work together to organize efforts to respectfully contact the media to correct the record?

Would you like to point the Obama community to important resources and information we can use to make the case for Barack?

Interested in finding a cure for electoral dysfunction?

If so, go to the Obama Rapid Response home page:
Link

At the time I'm writing this, there are 99 members. Act now, and you'll win... um... I'll... we could maybe...

Ah, forget it... Just join the group if you're interested, you just might be glad you did.

Neil Jensen
Vermonters for Obama
______________________________

For a good model for how this kind of thing can work, go to Media Matters for America at: Link

Cheney | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Feb 27th 2007 at 9:29 am EST

Cheney got a little taste of what it's like over there. Too bad the troops don't have bomb shelters to hide in. I think he should go to Walter Reed Army Hospital and Arlington National Cemetery to see what it's like on the other end.
Barack Obama- For the Troops

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