Organizing for America | T. Neil Sroka's Blog: Video: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Gov. Tim Kaine in Columbia

Help me reach more people | Report to Admin

By Aris Dec 23rd 2007 at 6:45 pm EST

Hello all,

As alot of you know I try to do my part to spread the word about Obama by trying to write stories about what I think this man could bring to the table for America (and for all of you new to the blog...welcome). I post on MSM stories with whatever time I can muster to try to win the votes of those trying to make an honest decision on whom to support by confronting them with reason and the truth. I would be thrilled if any of my articles could help you convince even one person so please spread them around through your own networks if you like them and help me reach more people (Obama's moment in time went over pretty well at my families Thanksgiving dinner :) ). I will post the last 4 I wrote below. I don't mean to be so forward but it's crunch-time so I had to give it a shot. Thanks for the help guys and have a great night. It's after midnight here so I'm knocking off. Lots to do tomorrow.

Obama's Power of Hope
Link

Obama's Moment in Time
Link

Obama's not black, he's transparent
Link

The Birth of a Statesman
Link

Goodnight and keep up the good fight!

Re: Help me reach more people | Report to Admin

By Donna NH - Thank you my fellow Granite Staters! Yes we did! Dec 23rd 2007 at 6:59 pm EST

Hi Aris. Have you thought about posting your stories on sites like DailyKos, onemillionstrong, myDD, or other blog sites?

Re: Help me reach more people | Report to Admin

By Jean Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:57 pm EST

Read your work. Good stuff!

I cant hear the audio | Report to Admin

By Michelle from Youngstown, Ohio Dec 23rd 2007 at 9:52 pm EST

Hello,Is I'm the only one who couldn't hear the audio of the speeches?

Is it just my computer, or is it within the video itself, because I can hear the log off theme of my computer just fine.

Re: Help me reach more people | Report to Admin

By Isabelle Hussein Dec 23rd 2007 at 10:12 pm EST

Obama,

Please answer the 80-20 questionnaire with 6 yeses

Link

Great Video! | Report to Admin

By Steve Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:00 pm EST

Hats off to these gentlemen.Great speeches.

Re: Great Video! | Report to Admin

By Diamond -- IrishAmericansForObama Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:46 pm EST

WOW!

I don't even know what to say. Honestly!

Re: Great Video! | Report to Admin

By Amy Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:57 pm EST

Fan-tastic!!

Wonderful speeches. Thank you gentlemen!

Re: Great Video! | Report to Admin

By Jing from Irving, TX Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:04 pm EST

awesome speech, I believe Sen.Obama will take SC like a storm with help of the good people of SC.

GO FOR IT!!! PRES. O

Re: Great Video! | Report to Admin

By K Dec 24th 2007 at 9:49 am EST

I meet Gov. Kaine shortly after he was elected at a bagel shop. He held the door for my wife, surprising since he had his security patrol, tlked to me for a minute and then continued on. I was impressed with his comfort and ease. Kaine is a real plus here in VA. However, I would really like to see Barack chose former VA gov. Mark Warner for VP. Warner took a state, basically bankrupt following George Allen, and turned it into a business friendly, financially sound state.

Re: Great Video! | Report to Admin

By JP - VA 4 OBAMA Dec 24th 2007 at 10:37 am EST

Kevin, I think Warner would be a good choice, but he can win the seat for the Senate and we really need him there more right now, some may argue.

I think for many reasons Warner would be a good choice, but I think he will have to pick someone possibly from a die hard red state that could help win votes, VA is a purple state.

Re: Great Video! | Report to Admin

By Global Citizen Linda Dec 29th 2007 at 8:12 pm EST

Thanks a lot Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and Gov. Tim Kaine for the speeches and for endorsing and working for Senator Obama.

Very good speeches | Report to Admin

By swimshade Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:04 pm EST

This is the first that I have seen Jesse Jackson Jr. I liked this part:

"God keeps giving us chances. South Carolina you now have a chance to make a statement....A chance to forge a new history"

I so hope that everyone in the early states appreciates the important role that they play in lifting politics from being a "game" to consensus building between folks of differing opinions for the good of all.

Thank you to Rep Jackson Jr and Gov. Kaine for their drive, passion and leadership. Their words will inspire many to back Barack I am sure.

Re: Very good speeches | Report to Admin

By marytnurse, supporting Barack Obama until I see his library built on donations from We The People Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:24 pm EST

Sadly, in Iowa I'm not sure at all that we do, but I do think we are raising a much more conscientious if not more awakened generation who are coming of age. With a history of limited student participation, I feel as if our student votes will indeed be "rockin" this year, and have hope that we may even reach a 10% mark for participation in the caucus! I'll keep doing my part to educate!!!

Re: Very good speeches | Report to Admin

By Justin Andrews Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:33 pm EST

What's the feeling on the ground in Iowa?

Re: Very good speeches | Report to Admin

By marytnurse, supporting Barack Obama until I see his library built on donations from We The People Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:02 pm EST

Please keep in mind I'm stuck at home with my foot in the air. When I DO get to be out, always always in Obama shirts, I get lots of smiles and am able to educate a lot of people about the caucus process, and have brought a few around to caucusing for Senator Obama.

Mostly, tho, I am on phone detail, and mostly in my precinct. Also, I talk to people via email who are friends and family....I am cautiously optimistic, and have several who are impressed with the personal phone calls and the organization on the ground for Senator Obama. "Robo-call" is fast becoming an obscene word, while our positive, respectful and responsive message seems to be winning over some who are undecided.

The polls may be fairly close to accurate, tho don't count people like me who are newly registered Democrats (I'm an Independent) and those who are under 30 or so who have only cell phones. They often miss those who have never caucused before.

My take on it is that there will be a big difference between the cities and the rural areas in terms of the competition, as the rural areas are far more ferociously independent, and where John Edwards has been 'at home' for 5 years. I also suspect that some precincts will have a delegate or two for minor candidates. However, I am pretty confident that we are the strong second choice candidate for nearly every other campaign except for the Clinton camp, and even among them we are second choice for many.

And...keep in mind, no one can predict the outcome of the Iowa caucuses with any accuracy at all, unless they are doing so after the caucus. Period.

Re: Very good speeches | Report to Admin

By Justin Andrews Dec 23rd 2007 at 9:04 pm EST

Thanks for the summary and your efforts on the ground.

Enjoy the Holliday!

Z.

Re: Very good speeches | Report to Admin

By Carol-STL-MO Dec 24th 2007 at 12:54 am EST

Marynurse,

This 62yr old grandma from the midwest believes our wonderful youth of today WILL come thru.

As a "Ground Trooper" here in MO, I've seen the excitement, dedication & passion our great young people of today have shown. How the students come out in "droves" for events, how they hold fundraisers, & volunteer.All the work they are doing...Spreading the good word about Obama & registering their peer to vote.

Their "energy" is having a very positive effect for Obama & his campaign.

They realize that things don't have to stay the same as they are any longer --- That THEIR voice is heard, That THEIR vote WILL matter---That THEY have a say in THEIR future with Obama !!

If there are any SFBO, ST LOUIS U, WASHINGTON U, UMSL, or MIZZOU students or allumni reading this ---Thank You again for your support & together we WILL win this thing!!!

Wow | Report to Admin

By Matt S. Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:18 pm EST

Great speeches. I love the historical context. We are making history folks. Don't forget it.

Governor Kaine in Columbia, SC | Report to Admin

By Jane - Richmond, VA Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:34 pm EST

That's our Gov. - America are you listening? The "Red" State of Virginia has now elected two Democratic Governors (Mark Warner '01, followed by Tim Kaine '05) and in '06 elected Jim Webb (D) to the U.S. Senate.

Presidential candidate Barack Obama can and will win it in November 2008. People get ready...

Re: Governor Kaine in Columbia, SC | Report to Admin

By Marc Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:45 pm EST

Is the Obama campaign slowly, but assuredly rolling out Gov. Kaine for his close-up as the VP candidate?

If so, brilliant!! If not, they should!!!

Re: Governor Kaine in Columbia, SC | Report to Admin

By Diamond -- IrishAmericansForObama Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:26 pm EST

My guess is, Warner, Kaine and Webb are in the shortlist for VP.

But Kaine said he would recommend Webb, and Webb hasn't shown conviction like Kaine who endorsed Barack early.

Re: Governor Kaine in Columbia, SC | Report to Admin

By swimshade Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:52 pm EST

Tim Kaine was awesome. He really "gets it", the importance of embracing a better way of doing things...

I am so happy that Virginians elected him and so happy, too, that he is speaking up for change at the top. He is a person we need to admire and support.

Re: Governor Kaine in Columbia, SC | Report to Admin

By Theresa "Offering an olive branch to Clinton and McCain supporters" from NY Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:11 pm EST

Yes he is great!!

I also do want to thank Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. He actually called out his father, Rev. Jesse Jackson, for his less than enthusiastic endorsement of Barack a couple of months ago. His family is divided over their support of Barack and he took a stand.

Thank you Congressman for your outspoken support and for standing up for Barack in the African American community, we so appreciate it!

Re: Governor Kaine in Columbia, SC | Report to Admin

By “Honored & Humbled” Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:38 pm EST

I couldn't agree more with both of you!

Re: Governor Kaine in Columbia, SC | Report to Admin

By Theresa "Offering an olive branch to Clinton and McCain supporters" from NY Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:56 pm EST

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s letter to his dad:

Link

Re: Governor Kaine in Columbia, SC | Report to Admin

By Major_Man saying YES WE CAN! Dec 24th 2007 at 12:25 am EST

On Feb. 12th my fellow Virginians should put the nomination "mathematically" in Obama's hands.

Thanks Gov. Kaine and thanks Congressman Scott

Bounce From Ad | Report to Admin

By Kwame Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:37 pm EST

I have a sense that we will get a bounce from the Obama family Christmas ad. The ad will provide Iowa voters a very intuitive feel for the Obama family that they have not seen yet and they will also see how beautiful and all-American the family is.

What do the folks in Iowa think?

Re: Bounce From Ad | Report to Admin

By Laura Hubka ~From Iowa Where It Started and Will Continue~~~ Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:53 pm EST

Kvamme:

The people here dont really think we need adds from the politicians, but from what I have heard the Obama add is a particular favorite. Because it has no "politicing" in it. I was happy to see it and hoping for it to be just as it is.

That is one thing about this campaign. It is being run flawlessly. Everytime I hold my breath and hope they do one thing or the other they roll it out with in a few days.

It is astonishing to me.

The work here in Iowa is about to get under way

There are other things going on with students too.

But you really can not get too much info. we are not the only ones watching you know.

Just feel safe. Iowa will be good.

Re: Bounce From Ad | Report to Admin

By rich Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:13 pm EST

Link

12 tips for watching the Iowa caucuses

What to look for from now until Jan. 3

By Chuck Todd
Political Director
NBC News

updated 10:14 a.m. ET, Sun., Dec. 23, 2007

12 days to the Iowa Caucuses with Christmas falling in the middle making for a perfect theme column. So without further ado...

Here are 12 things (rather than 12 gifts) to watch for while we wait until that cold wintry night to see which candidate's been naughty and which one's been nice.

1. Turnout: this is the biggest wild card and the easiest crutch for even the most well-informed observer to lean on. The fact is, two of the three major Democratic campaigns are counting on turning out new caucus-goers to win. Obama's trying to turn independents and younger voters into likely caucus goers while Clinton is trying to turn out women of all ages. Only Edwards is trying to go old school and sticking to folks familiar with the process.

...

2. Shenanigans:

...

rumors have been flying that Clinton's folks would rather lose to Edwards than Obama.

...

5. Weather: ... the weather. That's right, there's no one thing the candidates have less control over than mother nature. If there's an ice storm in Iowa on Jan. 3, then Edwards and Huckabee probably will be feeling pretty good about the results.

...

12. Beware of the anecdote: anecdotes are the crack for campaigns and reporters in the final days of the caucuses. Here are some from four years ago that I remembering lingering on too long: "Edwards doesn't have enough precinct captains ... Kerry's crowds look stagnant ... Dean's getting the largest crowds ... Dean has more 55,000 'ones.'" Anyway, you get my point. The press has learned a thing or two from last caucuses. Notice there's no more false reporting about which campaign has the most "1s" or "2s." In case you're wondering, a "1" is a definite caucus-goer who is definitely going to support you. As campaigns learned from four years ago, Iowans are too polite to tell a nice young man or woman on the phone that they definitely WON'T support their candidacies. That's why you aren't seeing campaigns makes "1s" and "2s" claims this time around.

...

Re: Bounce From Ad | Report to Admin

By TUMAINI Dec 23rd 2007 at 10:56 pm EST

Laura, thanky you. I always look for your posts. I feel assured every time I read your posts. Thank you.

Re: Bounce From Ad | Report to Admin

By Blaze Dec 23rd 2007 at 9:03 pm EST

I've also been wondering whether Obama may get a small bounce at the poll off his chrimas ad.

He's the only candidate that put his family on his chrismas ad and many Iowans may appreciate the fact that he presented his entire family to the people of Iowa.

I hope we see a boost because of this ad since i believe it's clearly the best out of all of them and it really humanizes the candidate and shows Iowans that he has a very stable family unlike Hillary and Bill Clinton who's a serial womanizer.

Re: Bounce From Ad | Report to Admin

By eagleforlife Dec 23rd 2007 at 11:46 pm EST

You know you are right. The Senator is the only one that included his family in his Christmas Ad, which tells us that he puts family at the top, so any issues having to do with family (children, wife-woman) will also be at the forefront. This also shows that he is proud of his family.

Re: Bounce From Ad | Report to Admin

By Jean Dec 23rd 2007 at 9:12 pm EST

I absolutely love that video Christmas card.

I made my whole family sit down and watch it when they were here for an Early Chistmas gathering. They haven't been paying that much attention to the race, but were impressed with how at ease and articulate Michelle seems.

They already knew that Barack is calm, knowlegable and at ease. But it was their little girls that absolutely bowled my family over. They did't say much, but the WAY they said their greetin, they are clearly NICE, warm and kind [besides being as cute as the dickens.] They speak volumes about their parents.

Now that is electibility! | Report to Admin

By Ali Alavi Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:49 pm EST

When a governor of a red state says Barack can win his state, that means electibility!

Re: Now that is electibility! | Report to Admin

By Almak Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:30 pm EST

You got it right brother !

History is being made here...

This is the fourth quarter. We have to keep running the positive message on a daily basis.

We are going to win!!

My reasons | Report to Admin

By marytnurse, supporting Barack Obama until I see his library built on donations from We The People Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:52 pm EST

Laura Hubka, on the last blog at the bottom (go read it, it's great!) reminded me of what, after the JJ dinner, I came to understand was the foundation of my EMOTIONAL reason for supporting Barack; I've talked repeatedly about the mental reasons for supporting him, and I've FULLY investigated him and his opponents to a lesser extent, and KNOW he's the right guy!!! But that emotional part, that he so readily taps...that didn't really 'hit me' until on my way home at 2AM from the JJ dinner...

My son has special needs. My mother and grandmother live on fixed incomes and either already blind or facing blindness and the inherent increase in need for services. My health is good, (usually), and I have dug and continue to dig myself out of years of destructive behavior patterns. I'm just an average person. I know there are others whose lives are far more affected by crises and by trauma than mine, and I sincerely don't know how they do it. I know that I so desperately want to be able to help them to get what they deserve, but not just hand it to them.

My son touches my heart every day. He will never be independent, and he will always need someone's care and comfort, based on his birth and early childhood experiences with a mentally ill and chemically dependent family system.

I am afraid for the kind of world we will leave him if we DON'T have a President Obama. I'm afraid that silly season will rage on for years to come. I have hope and a desperate yearning for the sort of leadership that Senator Obama shows us each and every day. HE is the man I want to follow in dealing with our enemies, leading our troops, directing the comfort and aid to those here at home, as part of his constitutional and personal responsibilities.

America, our moment REALLY IS now! Let's end silly season together!!!

Re: My reasons | Report to Admin

By Laura Hubka ~From Iowa Where It Started and Will Continue~~~ Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:57 pm EST

Ahhhhhhhh Mary, You always say it all! you really do.

I am so glad I got to meet you and even though I was down there on the floor taking pictures of Barack and you were stuck with your bad foot in a chair in the stands, it meant so much to me to give you a hug and see your face.

It really puts just that much more hope in my heart. The people connected by this campaign are truely ones that have lived diverse lives and we have also become "emotionally" attached.

What ever happened to the man that had lost the "love of his life" and was going to be gone for awhile. was it ASMERET?

Re: My reasons | Report to Admin

By marytnurse, supporting Barack Obama until I see his library built on donations from We The People Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:07 pm EST

I think we haven't seen him....hmmmm it's time for him to come back, eh? And I could not agree more about this emotional attachment; lol as much as I was jealous of your fabulous pictures, it meant so much just to meet you, be able to get there, meet you and give you a hug, and watch that volunteer army (I didn't even have to actually do much, there were so many!) and to be in the THRONGS on another horribly stormy icy night....takes my breath away...

You know the most interesting part is that MOST people said they went (and in my precinct, wanted to go) not for Oprah, but for OBAMA???? lol take that all you Oprah minimizers!!

Re: My reasons | Report to Admin

By marytnurse, supporting Barack Obama until I see his library built on donations from We The People Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:10 pm EST

lol someone needs to edit better...you get the idea!

Re: My reasons | Report to Admin

By Kwame Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:15 pm EST

Mary, my best wishes to you, your son and the rest of your family.

Re: My reasons | Report to Admin

By marytnurse, supporting Barack Obama until I see his library built on donations from We The People Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:56 pm EST

Thank you Kwame, and to your family as well, no matter your reason for taking the break, enjoy it! lol I sure hope SOMEONE is here Christmas afternoon....sigh...

Re: My reasons | Report to Admin

By alex Dec 23rd 2007 at 8:59 pm EST

Laura

Asmeret is a woman.

Re: My reasons | Report to Admin

By Laura Hubka ~From Iowa Where It Started and Will Continue~~~ Dec 23rd 2007 at 9:38 pm EST

sorry, I am not sure of the name actually. Or the gender. I just remember the last words. They were so touching. I really felt for her.

Must read for Iowa HQ: 12 tips for caucuses | Report to Admin

By Morning Joe Dec 23rd 2007 at 7:56 pm EST

Hi Guys,
In case you haven't seen this : Link

Seems to me very very important read. Please take a look. All the best!