Organizing for America | T. Neil Sroka's Blog: "Everyone is doing this because they want to make a difference."

"Everyone is doing this because they want to make a difference."

By T. Neil Sroka - Oct 17th, 2007 at 7:17 pm EDT

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Jasmine, a student at A.C. Flora High School in Columbia, began making calls for Barack Obama a few weeks ago because one of her friends asked her if she was interested in getting involved. She was a little apprehensive at first because she was so busy with homework, extracurricular activities, and a weekend job, but after her first night on the phones, she was hooked.

"Ever since that first night, I started feeling like, 'I gotta go. I gotta be there. I have to do all I can to help Barack win.' It's almost like a sickness."

While it probably helped that Jasmine didn't mind spending time on the phone helping identify new Obama supporters ("I love being on the phone... it's practically my hobby..."), her passion for Barack came easily given his steadfast opposition to the war in Iraq. Jasmine's Uncle Jamie has been back and forth to Iraq twice, while her much loved family friend, Antonio, is over there right now,

"He calls us every now and again to tell us that he's safe, that he's just guarding barracks, but... I worry. The people that are going over there are just so young, they're my age... [and] they're being shipped off almost as soon as they get out of Basic [training]."

Although Barack's position on the war and plan for bringing her friends and family back from Iraq might motivate her support, what keeps bringing Jackie back to the office in Columbia week after week has been the people she's met and the culture of the campaign.

"I just really like coming in -- everyone smiles and is so nice. It's almost a stress reliever after the day at school, because everyone here is doing this because they want to make a difference."

If you're interested in volunteering with the campaign here in the South Carolina sign-up to volunteer online or contact your local field office for more information. College and high school students are especially encouraged to join the campaign's Students for Obama phonebanks every Wednesday for an evening of food, fun, and phonecalls. Contact your local field office for more information and check out the pictures below from the past few weeks of Students for Obama evening phonebanks.

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OBAMA PORTRAIT ON YOUTUBE.COM | Report to Admin

By MarshaH Oct 18th 2007 at 12:18 pm EDT

For those of you who still have not heard:

There is a WONDERFUL and INSPIRING music video on youtube.com entitled 'Obama Portrait'.
In South Carolina we are starting to use the free downloaded high-quality stereo version from the composer's website in DVD form to show at house parties. Even people who knew nothing at all about Obama have been moved. The music soundtrack, which incorporates excerpts from the famous 2004 speech, can also be downloaded separately in high-quality.
Please SPREAD THE WORD to everyone possible about the importance of viewing the 'Obama Portrait' on youtube: the more views, the more likely it will catch the attention of the media and thus be able to spread more broadly in the country to inspire many more people.
It is an uplifting and informative campaign tool - again, please SPREAD THE WORD!

Together for Obama,
Anne

Clinton Campaign Violates SC Civil Rights? | Report to Admin

By ♫ ❀ ✿ ♪ MsCiara, in Paris ♪ ❀ ✿ ♫ Oct 19th 2007 at 1:30 am EDT

Students at Claflin University, a historically black college in Orangeburg, S.C., are accusing the school’s administration of prohibiting them from forming a “Students for Barack Obama” chapter, yet simultaneously compelling them to attend a press conference supporting his chief rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton.

In fact, several students who serve as volunteers on Obama’s presidential campaign tell FITSNews that they were coerced into holding Clinton signs and standing behind State Sen. John Matthews, who unveiled Clinton’s higher education plan at a press conference held at the school last week.

Which would probably explain some of the unenthusiastic expressions visible in this photograph.
Link

Here’s what we’ve been told …

About three weeks ago, an honors student at Claflin University says she approached the administration about establishing a Students for Barack Obama chapter at the school. The student was told that she and fellow students could not form such a group on campus, but no reason was given for the school’s decision.

Fast-forward to last week, when this same honors student says that she and other Obama supporters were in a class that was cancelled so that students could attend Sen. Matthews’ presentation on behalf of the Clinton campaign. She and other scholarship students say they were “coerced by administrators” into standing behind Matthews during his address. About half of those students are Obama volunteers who felt they had “no choice” but to stand behind Matthews at the event.

Not surprisingly, Clinton stickers and placards were passed out while the Senator was making his presentation, and a sign-up form for the Clinton campaign was circulated, which many of the students said they felt they were obligated to sign.

Claflin is technically a private institution, but it receives millions of dollars in government grants each year due to its historically-black designation.

According to a senior U.S. Department of Education official who spoke with FITSNews on the condition of anonymity…

“It stinks to high heaven,” the official said. “Given that Claflin receives federal money and based on the school’s clear support for Clinton and its efforts to limit support for Obama, this could be a violation of that prohibition. It could also be a potential violation of the First Amendment rights of free speech and free association…

Claflin University did not return repeated phone calls from FITSNews seeking comment. Clinton’s campaign said it would look into the allegations…

Re: Clinton Campaign Violates SC Civil Rights? | Report to Admin

By Alex Oct 19th 2007 at 10:57 am EDT

Can someone confirm whether this is true?

CLinton machine is forcing students to sign up at the college.....

Link

Re: Clinton Campaign Violates SC Civil Rights? | Report to Admin

By Luke Nov 11th 2007 at 1:03 am EST

Barack's Friday Nov 16th (Fundraising)
Our leader has inspired us 24x7 for the last nine months. Would you like to thank him for his committment to social service?

"Mother of all fundraising challenge" on Nov 16th(post debate day) dubbed "Barack's Friday".

Imagine the publicity such an event would generate.
It's worth tens of millions of dollars.
Furthermore it has potential to bring in numerous new supporters. Let's seize the moment and make it happen.

Audacious Goal: > $5,000,000 million

Please extend your support ... spread the word .

I know it is a stretch goal for most of us.
But not an impossible one, if we are in this together.

If you want to donate before Nov 16th, do it here please...

Link

Link to this project,
Link

Share this story. You will be surprised, like me, to find a friend who wants to donate $100 for this movement. Let's make it happen.

Re: Clinton Campaign Violates SC Civil Rights? | Report to Admin

By João P. Barreiros Feb 26th 2008 at 5:40 pm EST

That's what happens when people get completely disoriented. Although I'm not a US citizen (EU, Portugal) I'm deeply commited and hopeful to see Senator Obama as the next US President. He is indeed the reason for all of us, that see the US as a big and marvellous country of freedom, turn again as friend of the world, a partner and respected ally. Believe me that many of us in Portugal and throughout the EU are strongly supporting Sen. Obama's campaign and getting more and more interested and involved in this example of courage and of a real sense of true change.
I do whish you all the best,
Cheers
JP

Re: Clinton Campaign Violates SC Civil Rights? | Report to Admin

By Captain Church Jun 23rd 2008 at 2:10 pm EDT

----Race relations & prejudice
Every human ever born is at least 33rd cousins!

Skin color means nothing!
God scattered people at the Tower of Babel all over the planet, confused their languages and changed their appearance & skin color to keep them from "going overboard"!
Different skin color is like cars rolling off the assembly line in Detroit....It's the same basic car, just a different paint job!
A car painted red (or white, or black, or green, etc.) is no better or worse than any other color....it's just a matter of choice!!
Prejudice is a form of insanity! UNEQUAL opportunity, arrogance & the greed of Oligarchs/Dictators/BigBusines s is really to blame for poverty!
(Especially in the USA, where Abraham Lincoln once said: "Equal opportunity for every American in the unfinished work of America!"
*
A Texas Hero of Integration:
Link
*
See--->"LOVE is the Real Thing" on the forums noted below.......

Link
http://s2.excoboard.com/exco/i ndex.php?boardid=24582
Link *Wisdom for Teens*
Link
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ ThisFatherKnowsBest
Link
[~~~All groups:::5 permanent monographs & no chat~~~
like, "Who are YOU?!?" , "The useless War of the Sexes" and "LOVE is
the Real Thing".]

Jim Sorrell [CaptainChurch]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Be a Good Neighbor~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Love your neighbour as yourself."--->>>means , see to it that your
neighbour has it just as good as you do, self-lessly!~~~
"Who is my neighbour?"....EveryOne on the planet!
All humans born are @ least 33rd or 34th cousins [from Noah's 3 sons: we are All related family!] James Sorrell [CaptainChurch]971-239-1811 {messages}Salem, Oregon
james.sorrell@yahoo.com or
CaptainChurch@gmail.com~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These are some important websites to check out for supporters of Obama and as students! | Report to Admin

By Zach Tatum Nov 14th 2007 at 5:25 pm EST

Link

http://www.collegefreedom.org/

I think Students for Obama could really get involved with these and vice versa, hand in hand so to speak. Admins, please check it out for your own benefit. I think it will be mutual!

Sincerely,
Zach

You can vote on Jan 3rd! | Report to Admin

By Rich from Green Bay, WI Nov 23rd 2007 at 3:57 pm EST

You can help capture the headlines on January 3rd for Barack Obama!

We will set a one day political fundraising record on January 3, 2008!

January 3rd, 2008 is the Iowa caucus. The nation and the world will be watching.

I want to show my support for Barack so badly, but I don't live in Iowa! Pass the word. YOU can make a difference. You WILL make a difference. Make a difference for your children and for a world of potential.

pass the word.

If Ron Paul can raise millions in one day, then we can raise tens of millions for Barack.

January 3, 2008, go to BarackObama.com and donate a dollar, ten dollars, twenty dollars. America will be watching and listening. Send the fence sitters a message!

You can ensure Barack Obama gets the headline on January 4th. Your dollar vote will send a powerful message.

I'm not a regular blogger. You know where this message can be posted to get exposure. You can copy and paste this message in an email to your friends. So this is what we can do. You and me and everyone who supports Barack Obama as the candidate of hope.
BarackObama.com

Be heard on January 3rd.
Rich Green
RGreen1@new.rr.com

Re: You can vote on Jan 3rd! | Report to Admin

By Alex from Cleveland, OH Nov 26th 2007 at 11:04 pm EST

Sen. Hillary Clinton's PAC Hypocrisy

Not surprisingly, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (N.Y.) HILLPAC is the biggest operation on the Democratic side, employing 26 people (although several of these workers are shared with her official Senate office). Clinton keeps consulting costs to a minimum. In the first three months of 2006, HILLPAC employed just two consultants -- the Hudson Media Group, which received approximately $36,000, and Heather Hurlburt, who took in $15,000. Hudson Media Group is the political arm of the Glover Park Group, a firm where Clinton confidant Howard Wolfson is a partner. Hurlburt, who is based in Michigan, is a former speechwriter in the Clinton administration.

Clinton's main political consultants -- pollster Mark Penn and media consultant Mandy Grunwald -- do not appear on HILLPAC's payroll; since she is running for reelection this fall they are paid out of her principal Senate campaign committee -- Friends of Hillary.

Clinton has used HILLPAC to spread money around the country -- $90,000 to Senate candidates, $30,000 to House candidates, $24,000 to gubernatorial candidates, $45,000 to national party committees and $30,000 to state party committee. As you would expect, HILLPAC made donations to candidates and parties in the key early presidential states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

Source:Link

Re: You can vote on Jan 3rd! | Report to Admin

By Unknown user Jan 23rd 2008 at 2:00 pm EST

I have information that Bill Clinton has written a novel called Out of the Darkness under the name Michael Clinton Oliver. The Clintons are hiding that fact. Someone has told me that it is because the book has a racist character. Does the media know about it? Thanks
Gracie

FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO THE FBI | Report to Admin

By Gabriel Christou Nov 21st 2007 at 7:28 am EST

please visit
Link

you will see PHOTOS of WHO and WHERE Bin Laden and his NETWORKS ARE….

URGENT…PLEASE HELP…. I CANNOT FROM HERE….. I AM BLOCKED ALL AROUND
FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO THE FBI.

gavriild@gmail.com

Re: FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO THE FBI | Report to Admin

By Unknown user Jan 23rd 2008 at 1:57 pm EST

Re: FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO THE FBI | Report to Admin

By Unknown user Jan 23rd 2008 at 1:58 pm EST

A new place to spread the word | Report to Admin

By Bogdan from Austin, TX Nov 23rd 2007 at 11:39 am EST

I invite you to visit a new social network, focused on politics, at Link.

We must stay involved.

Hillary Caught LOSING IT on Tape | Report to Admin

By John from Cape May, NJ Nov 30th 2007 at 12:02 am EST

Why has the Media not reported this?

Link

This new YouTube piece (2min:30 second) clearly shows what Sen Clinton said immediately prior to the Iraq Invasion. It contrasts against calls for "dialogue" but clearly shows her BLOWING OFF WOMEN VOTERS voicing concerns BEFORE the Iraq Invasion, getting downright surly, then actually LOSING IT at the end. It has been buried as the Clinton Campaign is actively trying to purge such pieces.

Please view this and spread the word. It is the type of piece that is equivalent to a maccacca moment that exposed (and ultimately defeated) George Allen of Va. It's that important.

Re: Hillary Caught LOSING IT on Tape | Report to Admin

By Unknown user Jan 23rd 2008 at 1:56 pm EST

clintons | Report to Admin

By Unknown user Jan 23rd 2008 at 2:01 pm EST

Book | Report to Admin

By Unknown user Jan 23rd 2008 at 2:02 pm EST

He can do it... you can do it... we can do it. | Report to Admin

By Opsimath44 Jan 29th 2008 at 9:32 am EST

Hi y'all.

I probably shouldn't be here. I'm a 45 year old new student. Just retired from the army, now back in school getting my teaching license.

And I just have to tell all of you: this is different. This isn't like any other era in American political history.

You kids have always had the good ideas. What you never had before was respect. Folks thought you were silly and idealist (the 70's), or well intentioned but powerless (the early 60's), or just plain out-there-flapping (every Gen-X, Y, and Z era, whatever they all mean).

But this is different. It is so refreshing to be back in school, listening to the folks who are going to make a difference, and taking in the energy... your energy, that is is both potential and kinetic.

Gore had the support of the younger generation, but they didn't show up at the polls. Kerry had even more support, but it never materialized. But this is different. I can feel it. It's going to happen.

Keep up the good work!

yes | Report to Admin

By Stacy Feb 4th 2008 at 1:38 pm EST

I love it! Our "sickness" is going to heal this country!

yes | Report to Admin

By Stacy Feb 4th 2008 at 1:39 pm EST

I love it! Our "sickness" is going to heal this country!

Why not Clinton | Report to Admin

By Marilyn Feb 11th 2008 at 4:30 pm EST

I don't like Hillary - She represents the snubish "I Made it" baby boomer generation.

Everything, and everyone in her family is in the "how high can I climb" club (now Chelsea too).

Privileges - money, power, education, glory... None to share with the common people.

For any of us to consider Hillary, someone in her family has to come out and say "We took SO MUCH from the society, now it's time to give something back"

They need to work in a church, teach in a high school, or ANYTHING that has little "glory" and "power", to provide some "service" to the society they have taken so much from.

Why?

Because it is right, and decent. Don't know if Hillary will ever try to understand the meaning of words like this.

Time to take a minute and think about things other than "power" and "glory", Mrs. clinton

Why not Clinton | Report to Admin

By Marilyn Feb 11th 2008 at 5:30 pm EST

I don't like Hillary - She represents the snobbish "I Made it" baby boomer generation.

Everything, and everyone in her family is in the "how high can I climb" club (now Chelsea too).

Privileges - money, power, education, glory... None to share with the common people.

For any of us to consider Hillary, someone in her family has to come out and say "We took SO MUCH from the society, now it's time to give something back"

They need to work in a church, teach in a high school, or ANYTHING that has little "glory" and "power", to provide some "service" to the society they have taken so much from.

Why?

Because it is right, and decent. Don't know if Hillary will ever try to understand the meaning of words like this.

Time to take a minute and think about things other than "power" and "glory", Mrs. clinton

barack go !! | Report to Admin

By obadina-tangier Feb 27th 2008 at 5:18 pm EST

Yess.. i think is the best person more than the best person who can gorvern on the states. I hope i hope because i believe in hopes, because i believe in Obama.. here in the other part of the world in morocco we believe in Obama. Because is a unviersal feeling a universal change.
Thanx for make us to believe.. to open our teenager mind. THANX

thanks | Report to Admin

By Kathleen Apr 1st 2008 at 7:40 pm EDT

Thanks so much for your work for Barack's campaign. We need some more people like you. The Obama Nation appreciates it.

Barack Obama’s Authentic Dream | Report to Admin

By Dr. Hubert Rampersad May 31st 2008 at 3:15 am EDT

Barack Obama’s dream is—Bring about real change, change that we can believe in. His passion for change is the pillar of his authentic Personal Brand. Parts of his speeches: “America is a land of big dreamers and big hopes. It is this hope that has sustained us through revolution and civil war, depression and world war, a struggle for civil and social rights and the brink of nuclear crisis. And it is because our dreamers dreamed that we have emerged from each challenge more united, more prosperous, and more admired than before…….The true test of the American ideal is whether we’re able to recognize our failings and then rise together to meet the challenges of our time. Whether we allow ourselves to be shaped by events and history, or whether we act to shape them. Whether chance of birth or circumstance decides life’s big winners and losers, or whether we build a community where, at the very least, everyone has a chance to work hard, get ahead, and reach their dreams….Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek…. I don't want to settle for anything less than real change, fundamental change - change we need - change that we can believe in. It's change that I've been fighting for over two decades ago. Because those dreams - American dreams - are worth fighting for”.
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Dream it, hope it, believe it, fix it in your mind, visualize it, accept it, respond to it with love, passion, and integrity, give your peak performance to it and you will achieve it
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Also remember this:
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no dream + no hope + no self-knowledge + no thinking + no mindset change + no integrity + no passion + no trust + no love = NO SUSTAINABLE CHANGE
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.....» read more by clicking on this link Link
This comment is based on Dr. Hubert Rampersad’s new book “Authentic Personal Branding: A new blueprint for building and aligning a powerful leadership brand'” (Information Age Publishing, USA, 2008). He can be reached at: h.rampersad@tps-international. com, Link. His Blog is: rampersad.wordpress.com

Way to go Jasmine! | Report to Admin

By Mark from West Fargo, ND Jun 18th 2008 at 10:32 pm EDT

Way to go Jasmine - the phone princess!
These certainly are exciting times - time is truly flying by and the Democratic National Convention will be here before we know it.

Please take a moment to view this portrait - it is an amazing pictorial analogy of the youthful optimism and energy that this campaign has generated.

Link

Content on blogs in My.BarackObama represents the opinions of community members and in no way should be interpreted as endorsed or approved by the campaign.