Sometimes you're busy and you don't think you have time to watch a whole Obama speech.
So you think, I'll just click here and watch the beginning.
And then 15 minutes have gone by.
And then 30.
And then you're looking at your watch to see if you have time to watch it again.
This was one of those speeches. Here is Barack Obama's speech, "The Great Need of the Hour," delivered at Martin Luther King's church in Atlanta, Ebenezer Baptist:
Introduce Barack Obama to someone new. Forward this remarkable speech to everyone you know.
Pass it on.
The New Jersey Star-Ledger today endorsed Barack Obama as, "the inspired choice." Check it out here:
New Jersey Star-Ledger
"The inspired choice" Sunday, February 03, 2008 After eight years of a flat-footed administration that booted just about every foreign and domestic issue, the nation needs a sure-footed president who can repair the considerable damage wreaked at home and abroad. America -- and the world -- are thirsting for someone who can be a true leader. We firmly believe this is a moment in the nation's history unlike any other, one that re quires a president who is not just competent but who can in spire. That is why we endorse Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for president. We say that while acknowledging the exemplary qualities of Hillary Clinton, who has clearly demonstrated her mas tery of policy details during her seven years in the U.S. Senate. Nor do we quibble with her stands on the issues, which to a great extent mirror Obama's. Both favor a withdrawal of American forces from Iraq. Clinton, who has had a tough time explaining her initial vote in favor of the war, promises to begin bringing troops home within 60 days and hopes to have all troops out within a year. Obama, who opposed the war from the beginning, says he wants just about all American servicemen and women out of Iraq within 16 months. Both say they'd make sure such a withdrawal did not endanger our embassy people or the thousands of Iraqis who have helped us during the war. Both talk tough about Iran, not ruling out military action but allowing for direct diplomacy. On the economy, both would repeal the Bush tax cuts and both would extend help to those caught in the mortgage crisis. Clinton leans toward more government meddling with financial markets, while Obama favors a lighter government touch on the markets. On health care, their differences are more pronounced. Clinton would require coverage, while Obama would do so for children but concentrate more on attacking what's wrong with the health care delivery system so coverage becomes more affordable. To parse their policy differences is to smack into the mountain while stumbling over molehills. Democratic voters face a decision between a more known commodity, a careful pragmatist, and a less seasoned politician who has sounded a call to change unlike any heard in decades, one that has the ability to echo among young and old, black and white. A Clinton presidency would not be a disaster. Far from it. But it would be a lot more of what we've had in the past. An Obama presidency has the potential of restoring the world's faith in America. Some say faith is the problem, that voting for Obama requires a leap of faith that he indeed can deliver. We believe a vote for Obama is an affirmation of one's faith in an America that brings out the best in all of its people.
"The inspired choice"
Sunday, February 03, 2008
After eight years of a flat-footed administration that booted just about every foreign and domestic issue, the nation needs a sure-footed president who can repair the considerable damage wreaked at home and abroad. America -- and the world -- are thirsting for someone who can be a true leader.
We firmly believe this is a moment in the nation's history unlike any other, one that re quires a president who is not just competent but who can in spire. That is why we endorse Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for president.
We say that while acknowledging the exemplary qualities of Hillary Clinton, who has clearly demonstrated her mas tery of policy details during her seven years in the U.S. Senate. Nor do we quibble with her stands on the issues, which to a great extent mirror Obama's.
Both favor a withdrawal of American forces from Iraq. Clinton, who has had a tough time explaining her initial vote in favor of the war, promises to begin bringing troops home within 60 days and hopes to have all troops out within a year.
Obama, who opposed the war from the beginning, says he wants just about all American servicemen and women out of Iraq within 16 months. Both say they'd make sure such a withdrawal did not endanger our embassy people or the thousands of Iraqis who have helped us during the war.
Both talk tough about Iran, not ruling out military action but allowing for direct diplomacy. On the economy, both would repeal the Bush tax cuts and both would extend help to those caught in the mortgage crisis. Clinton leans toward more government meddling with financial markets, while Obama favors a lighter government touch on the markets.
On health care, their differences are more pronounced. Clinton would require coverage, while Obama would do so for children but concentrate more on attacking what's wrong with the health care delivery system so coverage becomes more affordable.
To parse their policy differences is to smack into the mountain while stumbling over molehills. Democratic voters face a decision between a more known commodity, a careful pragmatist, and a less seasoned politician who has sounded a call to change unlike any heard in decades, one that has the ability to echo among young and old, black and white.
A Clinton presidency would not be a disaster. Far from it. But it would be a lot more of what we've had in the past.
An Obama presidency has the potential of restoring the world's faith in America. Some say faith is the problem, that voting for Obama requires a leap of faith that he indeed can deliver. We believe a vote for Obama is an affirmation of one's faith in an America that brings out the best in all of its people.
Our recomendations
On Tuesday californians will vote on the presidential primaries and decide the fate of numerous ballot initiatives. These are our recommendations:Democratic Party: Barack Obama
Senator Barack Obama has the qualities to change the bitter tone that dominates in Washington and to take the actions that are needed for our country at this time. No one doubts the skill and experience of Senator Hillary Clinton, but these are not sufficient to revitalize our nation. With his multicultural sensibilities and humble origins, Obama demonstrates deep conviction as he has done in the area of immigration. He is the best option for truly visionary change.
Here's another big Feb 5th endorsement, from Alabama's Birmingham News:
Birmingham News
Democratic primary: Former first lady Hillary Clinton's ascendancy isn't a surprise. The senator from New York was deemed the early front-runner; in fact, many viewed her nomination as inevitable. But something happened along the way to her coronation. That something is the audacity of hope embodied by Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. He is not the man from Hope, but Obama sells hope like the Home Shopping Network peddles Esteban's guitars. With his cool charisma and soaring rhetoric, Obama mesmerizes crowds the way John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan did. He sells the hope of bridging America's ideological divide, of restoring our standing around the world, of improving the lives of our downtrodden, and many voters are buying. Except for details, there's not much difference in the two candidates' positions on major issues. Obama points out he always has been against the war in Iraq, while Clinton voted to authorize the war but now says she's against it. Clinton touts her experience and her ability to get things done. Unfortunately for Democrats, she carries enough baggage to fill an airport luggage carousel. And her husband's heavyhanded (and hardly presidential) treatment of Obama hasn't played well with many. In the general election, Republicans will remind voters of every problem, real and imagined, from the Clintons' eight years in the White House. For Democrats, Obama, with his ability to inspire and to mobilize young, African-American and independent voters, in particular, offers the best hope of victory in the general election.Barack Obama is the better choice for Democratic primary voters Tuesday.
Democratic primary:
Former first lady Hillary Clinton's ascendancy isn't a surprise. The senator from New York was deemed the early front-runner; in fact, many viewed her nomination as inevitable.
But something happened along the way to her coronation. That something is the audacity of hope embodied by Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. He is not the man from Hope, but Obama sells hope like the Home Shopping Network peddles Esteban's guitars. With his cool charisma and soaring rhetoric, Obama mesmerizes crowds the way John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan did. He sells the hope of bridging America's ideological divide, of restoring our standing around the world, of improving the lives of our downtrodden, and many voters are buying.
Except for details, there's not much difference in the two candidates' positions on major issues. Obama points out he always has been against the war in Iraq, while Clinton voted to authorize the war but now says she's against it.
Clinton touts her experience and her ability to get things done. Unfortunately for Democrats, she carries enough baggage to fill an airport luggage carousel. And her husband's heavyhanded (and hardly presidential) treatment of Obama hasn't played well with many. In the general election, Republicans will remind voters of every problem, real and imagined, from the Clintons' eight years in the White House.
For Democrats, Obama, with his ability to inspire and to mobilize young, African-American and independent voters, in particular, offers the best hope of victory in the general election.
Barack Obama is the better choice for Democratic primary voters Tuesday.
Today The Albuquerque Journal endorsed Barack Obama for New Mexico's Feb. 5th Democratic primary:
Albuquerque Journal
"Vote for Obama, Not Politics As Usual"Only about one-fifth of New Mexico's half-million registered Democrats turned out for the state's presidential primary vote four years ago. If that sounds anemic, consider the state chairman's turnout projection for Tuesday's noon-7 p.m. vote: less than half the 2004 level of 102,000.If that turns out to be the case, given the choices and the state of the union, blame it on the state of American politics.Blame it on round after round of below-the-belt campaigning. Blame it on consultants who profit from polarization and empower fringe ideologues at either end of the spectrum.Blame it on cynical politicians who hammer on wedge issues to raise funds and get elected, then put them on the shelf until the next time they need some red meat to "energize the base."A little closer to home, we could look in our mirrors. We could blame tuned-out voters tired of being manipulated by politicians instead of being motivated by them— not just motivated to line up and vote, but to engage again in this government by the people.Or, New Mexico's rank-and-file Democrats could forgo blame, tune back in and confound the official predictions. One way to do that— and send the message that they're tired of politics as usual— is to cast a vote Tuesday for Barack Obama.The first-term senator from Illinois has become one of the top two Democratic contenders by the strange tactic of perceiving the widespread disgust with political business as usual and by giving it voice.He confounds the reflexes that have been drilled into voters, like "the assumption that young people are apathetic. The assumption that Republicans won't cross over. The assumption that the wealthy care nothing for the poor, and that the poor don't vote. The assumption that African-Americans can't support the white candidate; whites can't support the African-American candidate; blacks and Latinos can't come together," Obama told supporters after finishing ahead of Hillary Clinton in South Carolina's primary.If Clinton came to this campaign with nothing more than her record as a New York senator, this would be a different race. That record is one of a centrist Democrat capable of working across the aisle and who has mastered the range of issues that would confront a president.But Sen. Clinton's baggage goes back further; as Bill Clinton advertised in the 1992 campaign, this is a two-fer deal. In 2008, that's a bad deal, because the Clintons— despite the combination of intelligence, charm and killer political instincts— are divisive figures. And their divisive tactics are evident in the current campaign.Worse, her campaign virtually embodies the tick-tock inevitability of the pendulum of polarization: Bush, Clinton, Bush Jr. ... Clinton II? That would be a gift for far-right strategists depressed by the prospect of a President McCain, much less a President Obama.It may be hard for citizens, who for so long have been in the habit of voting against the greater evil, to cast a vote "for" something. If so, vote against negative campaigning. Vote against division and the gridlock it encourages. Vote against being taken for granted by politicians who think they know what buttons to push. Vote against this dead-end status quo that predates the White House's current occupant and involves both parties.Or just be positive and vote for Sen. Barack Obama. At worst, he's guilty of campaigning on the promise of hope.Polling places for Tuesday's noon-to-7 p.m. vote are listed on nmdemocrats.org by precinct number, which is on voter registration cards or available at https://voterview.state.nm.us.
"Vote for Obama, Not Politics As Usual"
Only about one-fifth of New Mexico's half-million registered Democrats turned out for the state's presidential primary vote four years ago. If that sounds anemic, consider the state chairman's turnout projection for Tuesday's noon-7 p.m. vote: less than half the 2004 level of 102,000.
If that turns out to be the case, given the choices and the state of the union, blame it on the state of American politics.
Blame it on round after round of below-the-belt campaigning. Blame it on consultants who profit from polarization and empower fringe ideologues at either end of the spectrum.
Blame it on cynical politicians who hammer on wedge issues to raise funds and get elected, then put them on the shelf until the next time they need some red meat to "energize the base."
A little closer to home, we could look in our mirrors. We could blame tuned-out voters tired of being manipulated by politicians instead of being motivated by them— not just motivated to line up and vote, but to engage again in this government by the people.
Or, New Mexico's rank-and-file Democrats could forgo blame, tune back in and confound the official predictions. One way to do that— and send the message that they're tired of politics as usual— is to cast a vote Tuesday for Barack Obama.
The first-term senator from Illinois has become one of the top two Democratic contenders by the strange tactic of perceiving the widespread disgust with political business as usual and by giving it voice.
He confounds the reflexes that have been drilled into voters, like "the assumption that young people are apathetic. The assumption that Republicans won't cross over. The assumption that the wealthy care nothing for the poor, and that the poor don't vote. The assumption that African-Americans can't support the white candidate; whites can't support the African-American candidate; blacks and Latinos can't come together," Obama told supporters after finishing ahead of Hillary Clinton in South Carolina's primary.
If Clinton came to this campaign with nothing more than her record as a New York senator, this would be a different race. That record is one of a centrist Democrat capable of working across the aisle and who has mastered the range of issues that would confront a president.
But Sen. Clinton's baggage goes back further; as Bill Clinton advertised in the 1992 campaign, this is a two-fer deal. In 2008, that's a bad deal, because the Clintons— despite the combination of intelligence, charm and killer political instincts— are divisive figures. And their divisive tactics are evident in the current campaign.
Worse, her campaign virtually embodies the tick-tock inevitability of the pendulum of polarization: Bush, Clinton, Bush Jr. ... Clinton II? That would be a gift for far-right strategists depressed by the prospect of a President McCain, much less a President Obama.
It may be hard for citizens, who for so long have been in the habit of voting against the greater evil, to cast a vote "for" something. If so, vote against negative campaigning. Vote against division and the gridlock it encourages. Vote against being taken for granted by politicians who think they know what buttons to push. Vote against this dead-end status quo that predates the White House's current occupant and involves both parties.
Or just be positive and vote for Sen. Barack Obama. At worst, he's guilty of campaigning on the promise of hope.
Dave first met Senator Obama at a town hall meeting in his hometown, Concord, New Hampshire.
Right before the meeting was over, Dave raised his hand and asked a difficult question about prison reform. Sen. Obama turned to Dave, and then with the whole room watching, did something Dave hadn't really been expecting.
He answered the question.
"Barack had a complete grasp of the situation, cited studies and had an incredible ability to break down complex issues so that everyone in that room could digest them. He had the courage to recognize what we need in this country, and the intellect to respond to the facts. But in the end he said -- and he's right -- that the fundamental issue at the core of prison reform is fairness."
A few weeks later, Dave was knocking on doors and working the phones at his local Concord Obama HQ in New Hampshire. It was the first political work of his life.
Hearing Barack speak, I had a sense that I could do something. It took me out of that sense of helplessness that I think a lot of people in my generation feel, especially after the last eight years. He made me feel like I could make a difference again.
So Dave threw himself into volunteering and worked night and day all the way through the New Hampshire primary, where Barack came back from 20 points behind, and tied for the most delegates. Then, post-New Hampshire, some people's work was done. Not Dave.
Dave was asked to keep going and move with the campaign to Massachusetts.. He went, and this time he got more responsibility -- to say the least. On arrival in the Bay State he was placed in charge of organizing the phonebanks, canvasses and all other activities in 30 Massachusetts towns.
Keep in mind, Dave is a volunteer!
To give you an idea of what that entails: today alone, Dave is out there organizing canvasses in Wellesley, Needham, Belmont, Arlington, Brookline, Newton, Concord, and Waltham -- and then visibilities in Sherborn, Holliston, Belmont, and Framingham -- not to mention the phonebanks in Ashland, Wayland, Concord, Carlisle, Natick, Wellesley -- and don't forget the additional phonebanks he has going in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Concord, New Hampshire, and Claremont, California.
Wow.
With that kind of inspiration, by now you should all be fired up to get out there and volunteer!
Check here to see what's happening near you:
Sign up to volunteer.
Phonebank from home.
Make your own Obama signs with your friends and family and create your own visibility event.
Now is the time. Go out there, make a difference -- and make history.
Yes we can.
The energy building around the country for Barack Obama in these last few days is astonishing -- and you can see it for yourself in this great video made by grassroots phenomenon Harlem4Obama. It's gonna put a pep in your step:
Are you fired up?
Are you ready to go?
Then spread the word this weekend...
It's time to change the world.
NY.BarackObama.com
Yvette and Yvonne are twins. That's them after running the New York City Marathon.
The sisters have a lot in common (see photo), but one of the most important things they share right now is a deep belief in Barack Obama, and they will definitely both be voting for him in just a few days -- Yvette in Missouri on Feb. 5th, and Yvonne just a few days later in Washington DC on Feb. 12th.
Yvette and Yvonne were raised by a single mom, and didn't grow up with a lot of money. Yvette had to have ten pediatric surgeries as a child, and only by the luck of having good doctors who would accept "payment plans" were they able to afford them. But their mom had a good outlook and a lot of hope. Despite circumstances, she instilled the values of hard work, respect for others and getting a good education in her daughters -- and it really paid off.
Today, Yvette is doing lung transplant surgery research at Washington University in St. Louis, while Yvonne is a cardiothoracic surgeon at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Hope is not an empty word.
In Yvonne's (photo - right) words:
I'm not, nor will I ever be, rich. I struggle to pay off my educational and personal debt. For the first time in my life, I have registered to vote. Barack Obama is the reason. He is the first candidate that shares my vision for America's potential and future. Barack Obama is not looking to keep America divided, but to unite the people of the United States, regardless of our differences. America is not simply black and white, or rich and poor. Obama is aware of this, and like Kennedy was, is ready to step into office and lead the American people in unity.
I'm not, nor will I ever be, rich. I struggle to pay off my educational and personal debt. For the first time in my life, I have registered to vote. Barack Obama is the reason. He is the first candidate that shares my vision for America's potential and future.
Barack Obama is not looking to keep America divided, but to unite the people of the United States, regardless of our differences. America is not simply black and white, or rich and poor. Obama is aware of this, and like Kennedy was, is ready to step into office and lead the American people in unity.
Both Yvonne and Yvette see Barack Obama as a once in a lifetime candidate, someone who can actually help and inspire the whole country. In Yvette's words:
I support Barack Obama because he speaks to the American people, regardless of race, sex, creed, color, age, or socioeconomic status. For the first time in more than twenty years, I think that there is a candidate that can deliver and make improvements for every American and the United States. Barack Obama is the one candidate who is ready to improve America's standing in the world, restore the American people's faith in its own government, and UNITE this country.
I support Barack Obama because he speaks to the American people, regardless of race, sex, creed, color, age, or socioeconomic status.
For the first time in more than twenty years, I think that there is a candidate that can deliver and make improvements for every American and the United States. Barack Obama is the one candidate who is ready to improve America's standing in the world, restore the American people's faith in its own government, and UNITE this country.
The sisters have a truly inspirational story -- but in fact, the way we first met Yvette and Yvonne was because they sent in a photo of their dog, Kolbe, hoping to make him the mascot of the movement.
I think they've earned that:
Barack Obama is the candidate who can unite us all -- and every kind of person around this country, young, old, white, black, Latino, Asian, men and women, are uniting behind him in the last few days before February 5th.
The time is now to get out there and voice your opinion. Sign up for an event this weekend, put up your Obama signs, pin on your Obama buttons, and talk to your downstairs neighbor. We all need to do everything we can to make sure everyone turns out on Tuesday to vote for Barack Obama.
Click here to find out how you can help.
If Kolbe can, so can you.
Check out MO.BarackObama.com and DC.BarackObama.com to get involved in Missouri and Washington DC.
Meet Kit -- one of the hundreds of thousands of new Obama supporters to make a donation in the last month. As you might have read in today's New York Times, these are the small contributions that are, one by one, elevating this campaign to historically unprecedented fundraising heights.Kit is a civil rights lawyer, much like a certain Senator. She was born in Brooklyn where her parents moved after her father returned from the Second World War. Her parents were Rockefeller Republicans, but Kit has always been a Democrat. In fact, in 1968 she marched with her college classmates at the Pentagon, while her brother, a Marine, was called up from Camp LeJune to push demonstrators back. Living in Connecticut, the stark disparities between poverty and wealth are all around. The suburbs are among the richest in America, and next to them are some of the country's poorest urban areas. As a civil rights lawyer, she represents many people without economic opportunities or adequate resources for their children. As she says:
I see the personal cost of our country's social safety net being cut away. Well designed social services help families and children; they ultimately reduce the financial burden to taxpayers.Obama, to me, represents an opportunity to elect a great leader, not just a President. Though Hillary Clinton is my age and gender and also a lawyer, Barack Obama's vision for our country is straightforward, honsest, and closer to my own vision, and this is why I will vote for him. Obama is smart, pragmatic, not an ideologue, but he also possesses enough integrity not to settle for short-term political fixes. Obama personifies the values we need to project to the rest of the world and he would be the first leader in a long time to be respected inside and outside our country. He will address our broken health insurance system. He will use our military rationally, as a force of necessity rather than a force of pre-emptive aggression. He is inspiring.
Kit lives in the crucial Feb 5th voting state of Connecticut, and knows that Barack Obama is going to win only if everyone goes the extra mile -- by donating, making phone calls, and spreading the word -- to push him over the top next Tuesday.
As one fundraiser said of Barack Obama's stunning fundraising numbers in today's Times: "[I]t is not because you have bundlers working, it is because you have an avalanche of small donors operating online. It's a revolution."
You can be a part of it.
Please donate today by clicking here.
The moment has come to act -- make a contribution and then sign up to help in your area this weekend -- there's no time to lose!
If you're in Connecticut, you can start right now by going to CT.BarackObama.com.
Looks like Obama has the money and now thanks to his 22 state TV ad strategy he is in position to hammer the feb 5th states and make a big push here. Nationally he is within 3% of Clinton but if we break down the feb 5th states things are still up in the air. I'll talk about a few of them...
Georgia - Though a large black population it looks like he is trailing here. We really need this state.
CT/MASS - Very close in both of these states, Kennedy helping greatly here.
NY/NJ/DEL - Michelle Obama is working hard in DEL but I dont have a great feeling that we will win in his region.
IL - Pretty much in the bag, if we lost this state its over.
Missouri/Kansas - Hoping the strength of his parent's backgroud will help him do well here but I dunno.
AZ/CO/NM - Getting stronger in these states, would be a great lift to pick up a few.
California - Really need this state. Especially to offset probable Clinton wins in NY/NJ
Thought the debate last night was safe and both candidates looked good. I like the softer side of Clinton and I do like alot of her ideas and experience. I am an Obama supported because I do want a major change, feel a black candidate might be 100 years away again, and his different approach to politics might be just what this country needs. Yes he doesnt know alot of how to get things done in Washington but maybe we need a new way to get things done. Anyway I hope Obama pulls through but I do want to rally around Clinton and get excited about her if she becomes in the nominee. We cannot afford to have another Republican in office.
The time has come to let your neighbors, your grocer, your co-workers and your postman know that you proudly support Barack Obama for President -- so get out your gear, put on your buttons and suit up!
Check out the Obama Store today, where all the Feb 5th shirts are fired up and ready to go:
Now is the time to make your support visible!
Help build the momentum of endorsements like Ted Kennedy's and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' by putting on your gear -- make your own endorsement everywhere you go.
Check out the Obama Store today.
Here is a quick rundown of where if things ended right now how many states both Hillary and Barack would take on Feb 5th and how many electoral college & delegates each state holds...
Obama - Iowa 7 SC 8Clinton - NH 4 NV 5[clinton misc 27 + 17] Florida & Michigan
Official (electoral)
Obama: 15 Clinton: 9
left column is electtoral , right is del
Obama Mass 12 121 CT 7 60 GA 15 103 AL 9 60 IL 21 185 KS 6 41 CO 9 71 CA 55 441 134 1082Clinton NY 31 281 NJ 15 127 DEL 3 23 TN 11 85 MO 11 88 AR 6 47 MN 10 88 OK 7 47 ND 3 21 NM 5 38 AZ 10 67 UT 5 29 ID 4 23 AK 3 18 124 982
So by my account Barack would have a larger share if things ended this way. The key here is that he wins California, the southern states of GA and AL, and also can win his family states of Kansas and Missouri. Also I factored in the Kennedy strength in Mass and CT.
Organizational meeting and GOTV training
When: Thursday, January 31, cell phonebank from 6:30 – 7:30, GOTV meeting and training from 7:30 – 8:30
Where: Morse Auditorium, Boston University at 602 Commonwealth Ave. The closest T stop is Blandford Street Station on the MBTA Green Line – B line (towards Boston College). It is located just west of Kenmore Square.
Who: Anyone who wants to volunteer during GOTV
Questions/RSVP: 617 367 1187
Sign Up! http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/organizing/4vty4
In Feb 5th states across the country, the Obama movement is gaining momentum...
And it wouldn't be a true movement without an outpouring of grassroots art. Check out this New York painting, by the renowned Harlem muralist, Franco the Great:
And this painting by North Dakota native, Frank in Fargo who realized that a straight-up portrait might not do the Senator justice. As Sen. Obama himself has said many times, this campaign isn't about him; it's about all of us:
And then this handmade poster form clear across the country, designed by California volunteer Tanaya:
Get involved any way you can -- make posters, distribute literature, put up signs, make phone calls -- now is the time!
This movement is sweeping across the country -- inspiring everyone from Ted Kennedy to Toni Morrison, Tenaya in California to Harlem's own Franco the Great.
To get involved in New York or California or North Dakota -- three critical Feb 5th states -- go to NY.BarackObama.com or CA.BarackObama.com or ND.BarackObama.com.
Got more Obama art? Email us at Blog@BarackObama.com.
And let each other know what you're doing in the comments below!
There is something happening in Alaska. As Maya, a 16-year-old Alaska native who's been organizing for Obama in Kenai writes: "People have been coming out of the woodwork to support him that I didn't even know existed!"
"My mother asked me, 'Why is it so important to you that Obama wins?' 'It's like a revolution,' I said."
It's the same feeling that people are feeling in every corner of every state across the country.
Just this morning, Toni Morrison, Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning author wrote a stirring endorsement for Barack Obama, and in it reflected those same sentiments that Maya, several generations and a continent away, also shares. As Ms. Morrison wrote:
Dear Senator Obama, ...this is one of those singular moments that nations ignore at their peril. I will not rehearse the multiple crises facing us, but of one thing I am certain: this opportunity for a national evolution (even revolution) will not come again soon, and I am convinced you are the person to capture it.
Dear Senator Obama,
...this is one of those singular moments that nations ignore at their peril. I will not rehearse the multiple crises facing us, but of one thing I am certain: this opportunity for a national evolution (even revolution) will not come again soon, and I am convinced you are the person to capture it.
Here is Maya's account of the fired-up arctic support for Barack Obama, from her DailyKos diary entitled, "Grassroots Alaska: Obama Revolution:"
I was first impressed by Obama when my little sister and I watched his speech online announcing that he was going to run for president. After many times having watched the State of the Union addresses in which our current president could not even remember that the State of the Union Address was called the State of the Union Address, and innumerable other idiocies, we were excited by Obama's eloquence, charisma, and intelligence. The same day, we watched an interview with Mitt Romney. The contrast between the two was really strong. Mitt flip-flopped back-and-forth for the whole 30-minute interview and gave wishy-washy answers. From that day forward, I have had all eyes glued on Barack Obama.My parents read his book, Dreams from My Father, as we backpacked through Central America last year, and they were just as impressed as I was. He impressed them with his insight and thoughtfulness. Myself, after reading through his website and some of his plans, I believe he is the only person who can not only bring the citizens of America together, but the world together. This is important because we have so many big world problems that can't be faced single-handedly. When I listen to him speak, he floods me with hope and brings tears to my eyes...On the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska (area 16,079 sq. miles) where I live, our population at last census was 46,759. People keep to themselves quite a bit, and although they do turn out for local elections to some extent, I would have to say, national politics rarely is of popular interest or conversation. For example, I learned last week that during the last presidential race, 24 people turned out for the Democratic Caucus of our two major towns, Kenai and Soldotna. When the Iowa caucus was still approaching, days away, and there was still no Obama effort on the Kenai Peninsula, I decided to bring some change to Kenai, and my parents encouraged me to take the lead. Through Obama's website, I got in contact with our state director and district caucus director and told them that I wanted to get people to the caucus for Obama. Soon, I had a box of signs, buttons, stickers, and support cards thanks to Obama's grassroots campaign strategy. I arranged a location, and announced our first event on the website. I sent public service announcements to the radio stations and our local newspaper. At our first meeting, I had a turnout of 19 people, 5 of whom "came for information" about Obama and left committed to him. Five more were strongly committed, already. Two of my friends from high school came, but, like me, were too young to caucus, but not too young to organize......Since that meeting, people have been coming out of the woodwork to support him that I didn't even know existed!...Last week in my Spanish class, I brought some signs for a guy who was especially excited about my push for Obama. To my astonishment, what I thought to be a conservative class rallied in support of Obama. The young men in the back of the room insisted on holding up an Obama sign for the duration of the class, even to the distress of the teacher...When our teacher asked the guys why they were so excited about Obama, one of them simply replied, spontaneously repeating my sentiment from days earlier, "It's a revolution!"That's exactly what this campaign has come to mean to me and other young people across America. It is an opportunity for this nation, whose politics we have repeatedly been ashamed of over the last years, to get back in the game before people destroy our country and every country surrounding it.I believe in Barack Obama, and will be so proud to say he is our president next January. In this revolution, he has the power to change the world and every little town across the United States of America... just like my small community, Kenai, Alaska. It's all about empowering the people, so don't wait for somebody to call on you. Take initiative, and make it happen.
I was first impressed by Obama when my little sister and I watched his speech online announcing that he was going to run for president. After many times having watched the State of the Union addresses in which our current president could not even remember that the State of the Union Address was called the State of the Union Address, and innumerable other idiocies, we were excited by Obama's eloquence, charisma, and intelligence. The same day, we watched an interview with Mitt Romney. The contrast between the two was really strong. Mitt flip-flopped back-and-forth for the whole 30-minute interview and gave wishy-washy answers. From that day forward, I have had all eyes glued on Barack Obama.My parents read his book, Dreams from My Father, as we backpacked through Central America last year, and they were just as impressed as I was. He impressed them with his insight and thoughtfulness. Myself, after reading through his website and some of his plans, I believe he is the only person who can not only bring the citizens of America together, but the world together.
This is important because we have so many big world problems that can't be faced single-handedly. When I listen to him speak, he floods me with hope and brings tears to my eyes...On the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska (area 16,079 sq. miles) where I live, our population at last census was 46,759. People keep to themselves quite a bit, and although they do turn out for local elections to some extent, I would have to say, national politics rarely is of popular interest or conversation. For example, I learned last week that during the last presidential race, 24 people turned out for the Democratic Caucus of our two major towns, Kenai and Soldotna. When the Iowa caucus was still approaching, days away, and there was still no Obama effort on the Kenai Peninsula, I decided to bring some change to Kenai, and my parents encouraged me to take the lead. Through Obama's website, I got in contact with our state director and district caucus director and told them that I wanted to get people to the caucus for Obama. Soon, I had a box of signs, buttons, stickers, and support cards thanks to Obama's grassroots campaign strategy. I arranged a location, and announced our first event on the website. I sent public service announcements to the radio stations and our local newspaper. At our first meeting, I had a turnout of 19 people, 5 of whom "came for information" about Obama and left committed to him. Five more were strongly committed, already. Two of my friends from high school came, but, like me, were too young to caucus, but not too young to organize......Since that meeting, people have been coming out of the woodwork to support him that I didn't even know existed!...Last week in my Spanish class, I brought some signs for a guy who was especially excited about my push for Obama. To my astonishment, what I thought to be a conservative class rallied in support of Obama. The young men in the back of the room insisted on holding up an Obama sign for the duration of the class, even to the distress of the teacher...When our teacher asked the guys why they were so excited about Obama, one of them simply replied, spontaneously repeating my sentiment from days earlier, "It's a revolution!"That's exactly what this campaign has come to mean to me and other young people across America. It is an opportunity for this nation, whose politics we have repeatedly been ashamed of over the last years, to get back in the game before people destroy our country and every country surrounding it.I believe in Barack Obama, and will be so proud to say he is our president next January. In this revolution, he has the power to change the world and every little town across the United States of America... just like my small community, Kenai, Alaska. It's all about empowering the people, so don't wait for somebody to call on you. Take initiative, and make it happen.
To take your own initiative: make it happen here.
And visit Alaska.BarackObama.com to get involved in what's happening in Alaska.
Right now, South Carolinians are casting their votes -- and at 7pm EST, the polls will close and the results will start coming in. So there's still time to host your own South Carolina Watch Party! Call your friends and neighbors, order pizzas, and get together so you can all watch as the news comes in from today's big South Carolina Primary:
It's easy and it's a great way to connect to other Obama supporters.
And most importantly: you can start planning for what you're going to do to help out in these crucial last days before February 5th.
Here are two suggestions to get you and your friends started:
Make calls to February 5th voters
Answer Barack's call to action by picking up the phone. You can make calls from the comfort of your home whenever works best for you with our online phone banking tool. To get started reaching out to February 5th voters: click here.
Organize your community
From knocking on doors to get-out-the-vote efforts, we need your help to build the movement! Check out the Grassroots Action Guide for tips and resources on how to organize in your area.
If we are ready for real change in our country, now is the time to make the difference.
So call your friends, host a South Carolina Watch Party and get everyone involved today!
Today Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill wrote this op-ed piece for the Kansas City Star:
"Obama a leader of vision and courage" Once in a generation, a leader emerges with the unique vision and courage to rally Americans around a common purpose. Barack Obama is such a leader, and our party and our country must not miss this opportunity.Here in Missouri, we know what’s at stake in this election. Too many families are struggling to afford health care, to give their children a quality education, to own a home, and to live their American dream. Our troops are fighting tour after tour of duty in Iraq. Meanwhile, Americans are fed up with the partisanship and special interests in Washington, and have lost faith that fundamental change is possible.Barack Obama gives us a reason to believe again. He began his life in public service more than two decades ago, bringing jobs and hope to laid off steelworkers as a community organizer.As a state senator, he brought Democrats and Republicans together to expand health care and to give a tax cut to working people. And in Washington, I joined with Sen. Obama as he took the lead in fighting for, and passing, the farthest reaching ethics reform since Watergate.To make a difference in people’s lives, Barack Obama knows that we need to have a different Washington. He is not committed to winning the partisan food-fight that has become business as usual; he wants to put an end to it so that we can start doing the people’s business.To finally make health care affordable and accessible for all Americans, we need to push back against the special interests and bring Democrats and Republicans together — that’s what Sen. Obama has done throughout his public life.To end the war in Iraq and keep America safe, we need leaders with the judgment and courage to reject the politics of fear that has infected our national security decisions — that’s what Sen. Obama did when he stood up and opposed going to war in Iraq.On issue after issue, I have been impressed by how Barack Obama draws on his intellect, integrity and optimism to bring people together. Where some focus on our fears, he appeals to our hopes; where some focus on our difference, he speaks to our common goals.It was my 18-year-old daughter who helped convince me to support this extraordinary leader. In seeing how this candidacy had helped awaken her hopes and her commitment to her country, I realized what Sen. Obama means when he quotes Dr. King’s “fierce urgency of now.”We have a chance to choose a leader who can inspire our daughters and sons, and turn the page to a new chapter of American politics and policy.Now is the time to stand for change. Now is the time to stand for Barack Obama.
"Obama a leader of vision and courage"
Once in a generation, a leader emerges with the unique vision and courage to rally Americans around a common purpose. Barack Obama is such a leader, and our party and our country must not miss this opportunity.
Here in Missouri, we know what’s at stake in this election. Too many families are struggling to afford health care, to give their children a quality education, to own a home, and to live their American dream. Our troops are fighting tour after tour of duty in Iraq. Meanwhile, Americans are fed up with the partisanship and special interests in Washington, and have lost faith that fundamental change is possible.
Barack Obama gives us a reason to believe again. He began his life in public service more than two decades ago, bringing jobs and hope to laid off steelworkers as a community organizer.
As a state senator, he brought Democrats and Republicans together to expand health care and to give a tax cut to working people. And in Washington, I joined with Sen. Obama as he took the lead in fighting for, and passing, the farthest reaching ethics reform since Watergate.
To make a difference in people’s lives, Barack Obama knows that we need to have a different Washington. He is not committed to winning the partisan food-fight that has become business as usual; he wants to put an end to it so that we can start doing the people’s business.
To finally make health care affordable and accessible for all Americans, we need to push back against the special interests and bring Democrats and Republicans together — that’s what Sen. Obama has done throughout his public life.
To end the war in Iraq and keep America safe, we need leaders with the judgment and courage to reject the politics of fear that has infected our national security decisions — that’s what Sen. Obama did when he stood up and opposed going to war in Iraq.
On issue after issue, I have been impressed by how Barack Obama draws on his intellect, integrity and optimism to bring people together. Where some focus on our fears, he appeals to our hopes; where some focus on our difference, he speaks to our common goals.
It was my 18-year-old daughter who helped convince me to support this extraordinary leader. In seeing how this candidacy had helped awaken her hopes and her commitment to her country, I realized what Sen. Obama means when he quotes Dr. King’s “fierce urgency of now.”
We have a chance to choose a leader who can inspire our daughters and sons, and turn the page to a new chapter of American politics and policy.
Now is the time to stand for change. Now is the time to stand for Barack Obama.
Click here to read more about Senator McCaskill's formal endorsement of Barack Obama.
A beautiful view of New York from above:
Taken just this week...I think this is what hope looks like.
There are thousands of Obama events like these happening all over the country...so find an event near you by clicking here.
And now is a great time to create your own event -- like a South Carolina Watch Party, where you can watch the results of the South Carolina primary as they come in tomorrow night.
And if you're from New York, check out NY.BarackObama.com.
Zack is a high school senior in Montgomery, Alabama. At 17, he's too young to vote in his state's upcoming February 5th primary, but that hasn't stopped him from volunteering every week down at the Montgomery Obama headquarters -- typing letters, stuffing envelopes, and working on the "Build the Hope" system -- doing whatever it takes to help get Barack Obama elected as the next President of the United States.
In the fall, Zack is heading to the University of Central Florida and plans to major in Political Science -- a decision directly inspired by his respect and admiration for Barack Obama.
Zack grew up in a conservative Republican household in the South, and though he's always been interested in politics, it wasn't until he heard Barack Obama speak at the 2004 DNC convention that he started to form real political opinions of his own.
In his own words:
"I support Barack because I understand that we are at a critical point in history. The threat of global warming is real and other countries are developing stronger weapons programs that may threaten our security. Domestic issues such as gay rights, social security, and abortion have split Washington, and our country, in half.
I strongly believe it is up to my generation to take hold of this country to end politics of cynicism, and to have the audacity of hope to bring back that sense of unity that this country had immediately after 9/11.
My peers and I are the future leaders, and I try to encourage those around me to stand up for what is right, and to follow what they believe in, because we are on the eve of becoming tomorrow's Senators, Representatives, and Presidents. Barack Obama recognizes that and the needs of this country. He is working to bring our generation together such that he will just be one piece of the larger puzzle -- which is the future of our nation, and our world."
Even though he won't be able to vote for Barack Obama himself on February 5th, Zack knows how important it is to do the hard work to make sure that everyone else will.
And then when Barack wins the party nomination, Zack can look forward to voting for him in November of 2008!
The kind of politician who can mobilize an entire generation hasn't come around in long time. And it's clear: students all across the country are coming into politics for the first time, directly because of Barack Obama.
To check out and connect with the incredible volunteer efforts of Students For Obama, check out Students.BarackObama.com.
And to get involved in Alabama, please visit AL.BarackObama.com.
