This election will be an extra special one for Barack supporter Suzanne McDaniel Hayes. Not only because Barack is a special kind of candidate, but also because Suzanne has cancer, and might not make it to next November.
TheStory.org has a profile of her on their site, which begins like this:
Suzanne McDaniel Hayes has always been a committed voter, but this year she is more determined than ever to vote. Suzanne is terminally ill with cancer, but she's hoping to live long enough to cast her ballot for the last time in her life. As she tells Dick, she's trying to set an example for her three children. She intends to go to the poll with her son, who will be voting for the first time.
Click HERE for the full story - just scroll down to "October 3rd."
Some people base their support in enthusiasm for the Vice Presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden--check out what a few volunteers cooked up for the Vice Presidential debate a couple weeks ago:
Some Ohioans have specific policy concerns: this well known Columbus blogger declares on his blog The Walker Evans Effect that he's supporting Barack because of his urban policy.
And then there are the not-quite-supporters. When Barack recently went on a five-city tour of Ohio, he stopped between Cincinnati and Portsmouth at a diner in Georgetown. He had a funny encounter with the self-declared die-hard Republican owner of the diner... Barack may or may not have won him over, but as the following article from the Dayton Daily News makes clear, he's certainly benefitting from his diner's newfound fame:
Don't tell restaurant owner Bill Seip that Democrat Barack Obama is bad for business.Seip knows better.It's been more than a week since Obama made his surprise stop at Seip's Fireside Restaurant in Georgetown on Thursday, Oct. 9, and folks in the Brown County village still are buzzing about it, said Seip.The last presidential campaign visit came from William Jennings Bryan in the early 1900s, said Seip.Ulysses S. Grant, the great Union Civil War general and the first Ohio-born president, moved with his family to Georgetown soon after his birth in Point Pleasant in nearby Clermont County in 1822 but nobody way back then knew Grant was headed for the White House.At the Fireside, Obama ordered up a "Big O" burger — a double cheeseburger – and coconut cream pie to go. Gov. Ted Strickland, Obama's traveling companion and guide through Ohio's Appalachian region, had lemon pie.The day after Obama's stop, Seip made the "Big O" the daily special and dubbed it the "Obama Burger.""I liked the guy myself," Seip, 46, said of Obama. "He was really down to earth. The way he took care of everybody. He was a nice guy."
Why are you a supporter? Do you have a special story? Let us know in the comments section below.
Right now, tens of thousands of volunteers are getting out the vote for Barack Obama, in this final stage of the Election. Their work is crucial--now more than ever--so in honor of them, the Ohio Campaign for Change takes a look at some of the people who make this campaign the powerhouse that it is.
Marion is practically a celebrity in the world of Obama volunteers. She recently had a whole article written about her and her dedication to volunteering in the Dayton Daily News, entitled "Fairborn Grandmother Hits the Streets for Obama." Hers is a special story--she got involved in the campaign shortly after her husband Lanny died from cancer, after losing his job and being left without health insurance. She's featured in two YouTube videos hugging Barack at rallies in the Dayton area, but more importantly, she makes an appearance as a Neighborhood Team Leader in this video from the campaign. She's the one who makes the joke about the conservative politics of Greene County, where she lives:
(It's not too late to be a leader in your neighborhood-- sign up to get out the vote right now).
Many an Ohio Field Organizer sings the praises of his or her best volunteers. Here's some appreciation from Tommy:
Sherill, one of my NTL's, tore something in her foot (doctors think it might be a stressed ligament or something) while canvassing earlier this week. That shift she got something like 85 doors. When she called me this evening, I was expecting her to cancel her shift tomorrow to go door to door, but instead she called to tell me that if she wrapped her foot in an Ace bandage and wore the right shoes, she could walk on the foot. She said that we only had a few days until the election and that she didn’t have time to not be on the doors. And so, with a wrapped foot, she’s going to lead a canvass tomorrow of 12 volunteers. Not a story from today’s work, but worth noting nonetheless.
Here's a picture of Mr. Hanna--as his Field Organizer Seth describes him: "86 years old, fired up and making calls."
Richard in Scioto County recounts a day of activity amongst his volunteers:
Volunteers traveled out to the home of Christina, our Western Scioto Neighborhood Team Leader who already had their maps, clipboards and sign-in sheets prepared. Christina gave an inspiring training, explaining to the students why she supports Obama and then allowing them to share as well. They knocked on doors, and found a stray dog that they promptly named “Scioto.” They took the dog and themselves out to the Scioto County Sorghum Festival, where they helped us sign up supporters at the Democratic Party booth. They and their new dog “Scioto” are now sitting fat and happy, bellies full of sorghum molasses, making phone calls here in the office.
And finally, Graham in Lawrence County swears by his tough guy volunteer, Sparky:
Sparky -- Charles if you look him up in the voter file -- is seen here posing in front of his truck, with the Lawrence County Democratic Headquarters and the Lawrence County Courthouse in the backdrop. Sparky makes sure that everyone in Lawrence County is properly registered to vote and makes sure that people are voting for Sen. Obama. Sparky doesn't understand how we are spending ten BILLION dollars each month in Iraq paving roads, building hospitals, and improving infrastructure in Iraq when there is no hospital in Lawrence County and people worry when they drive over the Ironton-Russell bridge because of its dilapidated condition. Sparky doesn't understand why the people in the upper echelons of society are relishing in the Bush tax cuts when people who depend on fixed incomes are spending a large fraction of it on soaring health care costs. Sparky doesn't understand these things because it is hard to understand that these things are happening in America. What Sparky does understand is that in America, we can do better. Sparky works everyday telling people he talks to in Lawrence County that in order for us to do better as a nation, they need to vote for Sen. Obama and that Sen. Obama is not going to take away his guns. Sparky knows that Sen. Obama is a supporter of the 2nd Amendment as he is. That is why he has two GUN OWNER for Obama stickers on his truck.
Are you a volunteer--a part of the backbone of this campaign? Give us your story in the comments section below.
In the last two days, Barack has made five stops in Ohio--Dayton, Cincinnati, Portsmouth, Chillicothe, and Columbus. He stirred crowds at rallies, met folks at diners, and gave encouragement to campaign field organizers.
Here are a couple local write-ups about the swing through the swing state, and a slideshow of pictures from the first four stops--Aviva will follow with a post and pictures from the event at Columbus yesterday.
From high atop Ault Park in Cincinnati to down low on the Ohio River in Portsmouth, Barack Obama set out on a southern Ohio tour Thursday where he plunged straight into the heart of Ohio's Republican politics.And he came with a message -- join us, because the Republicans have failed for the past eight years with economic policies that have shaken the nation's economy to its core.Maria Hoeffer, 33, of Norwood was one of many mothers who walked up Observatory Avenue with her child strapped against her. Her 17-month-old son, Makaio, high-fived Obama.Obama's speech "was just what we needed to hear at this time to lift our spirits," she said. "He's the American dream. He has lived it, and that's extremely inspiring for people."But the first day of Obama's two-day bus tour of southern Ohio was not all about the economy - after his stop in Cincinnati, the Obama bus caravan took an unannounced side trip to Georgetown, the county seat of Brown County, about 45 miles east of Cincinnati.There, the Obama party stopped at the Fireside Restaurant, where he made a surprise visit and ordered up a cheeseburger - lettuce, tomato and mustard - and coconut cream pie. Walking around the restaurant with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, he shook hands and paused to have his picture taken with dozens of customers. He stooped down to have his picture taken with a little boy with ears that stuck out, just like Obama's."We've got the same ears, buddy," Obama told the boy, who grinned from ear to ear. "Ear power."
From high atop Ault Park in Cincinnati to down low on the Ohio River in Portsmouth, Barack Obama set out on a southern Ohio tour Thursday where he plunged straight into the heart of Ohio's Republican politics.
And he came with a message -- join us, because the Republicans have failed for the past eight years with economic policies that have shaken the nation's economy to its core.
Maria Hoeffer, 33, of Norwood was one of many mothers who walked up Observatory Avenue with her child strapped against her. Her 17-month-old son, Makaio, high-fived Obama.
Obama's speech "was just what we needed to hear at this time to lift our spirits," she said. "He's the American dream. He has lived it, and that's extremely inspiring for people."
But the first day of Obama's two-day bus tour of southern Ohio was not all about the economy - after his stop in Cincinnati, the Obama bus caravan took an unannounced side trip to Georgetown, the county seat of Brown County, about 45 miles east of Cincinnati.
There, the Obama party stopped at the Fireside Restaurant, where he made a surprise visit and ordered up a cheeseburger - lettuce, tomato and mustard - and coconut cream pie. Walking around the restaurant with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, he shook hands and paused to have his picture taken with dozens of customers. He stooped down to have his picture taken with a little boy with ears that stuck out, just like Obama's.
"We've got the same ears, buddy," Obama told the boy, who grinned from ear to ear. "Ear power."
Lines of people began forming outside the university early Thursday afternoon, in anxious anticipation of hearing Obama speak."I feel that he's more educational than McCain, and I've watched the debates and feel that Obama would be able to lead our country better," said 17-year Destiny Skaggs, of Green High School. She said her 18th birthday is Nov. 19, just missing the voting deadline this year.Steve O'Connor, of West Liberty, Ky., called McCain a continuation of failed policies, and called Alaskan Governor turned vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin a step backwards."Somebody needs to have some concern for working people. For young people trying to go to college. For older people trying to afford their medicine, trying to stay in their homes. The last eight years this president has run the train off the tracks..."Derek Terrance came from Columbus to attend Shawnee State University, and said he never thought he'd see something like this in Portsmouth."I think his views are more like my generation, which is something that obviously appeals to me the most. It's somebody I can relate to more easily than a lot of the other candidates," he said.
Lines of people began forming outside the university early Thursday afternoon, in anxious anticipation of hearing Obama speak.
"I feel that he's more educational than McCain, and I've watched the debates and feel that Obama would be able to lead our country better," said 17-year Destiny Skaggs, of Green High School. She said her 18th birthday is Nov. 19, just missing the voting deadline this year.Steve O'Connor, of West Liberty, Ky., called McCain a continuation of failed policies, and called Alaskan Governor turned vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin a step backwards."Somebody needs to have some concern for working people. For young people trying to go to college. For older people trying to afford their medicine, trying to stay in their homes. The last eight years this president has run the train off the tracks..."Derek Terrance came from Columbus to attend Shawnee State University, and said he never thought he'd see something like this in Portsmouth."I think his views are more like my generation, which is something that obviously appeals to me the most. It's somebody I can relate to more easily than a lot of the other candidates," he said.
More Pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31295583@N03/sets/72157607918939389/
Let me give some background to this. I'm originally from this small, rural city in southern Ohio. Population of 20K, 91% white, about 5% black. So understand as you look at these http://www.city-data.com/city/Portsmouth-Ohio.htmlcrowds that this is astonishing to most of us from Portsmouth. A friend of mine was there to film part of his speech that stuck with everyone there – my mom related this part of his speech to me last night. Pics attached taken by a longtime friend of mine back home, Jenny Miller. Her 67 yr old mother was there with her, and was brought to tears watching Barack. http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/56808-barack-obama-portsmouth-ohio You’ll notice some faces from the news, Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Gov. Ted Strickland who is actually from Portsmouth and worked with my father at the Power Plant in Piketon before moving on to Congress and then Gov. of the State of Ohio. I think southern Ohio will do something they never would’ve imagined doing in their lifetime – go Blue! J
GO OBAMA/BIDEN!
Being an area that doesn't get much attention from the standard Democratic presidential candidate, Portsmouth was clearly overjoyed to have a first-hand look at Barack Obama. Here on the green at Shawnee State University, they were cheering back at him as he spoke more than the standard rally crowd. Of all ages, from all backgrounds, they're fired up, and ready to turn this red county blue.
Senator Sherrod Brown kicked it off by giving a shout-out to not just Portsmouth, but Ironton, Southern Ohio, and even Kentucky! He expressed confidence in the students here at Shawnee State University supporting Barack, but stressed the need to have "The Talk" with their parents.
But the event was especially momentous occasion for Governor Ted Strickland--although he's been to all three stops with Barack today, Portsmouth is just a few miles from where he grew up, and Shawnee State was where he was a teacher. These are his people, and he spoke to them frankly, as only he can:
We care about family, faith, and community. We also care about the Bill of Rights... and that includes the Second Amendment. I'm here tonight to tell you, that through direct talks I've had with him, if you are a hunter or gunowner, you have nothing to fear from Barack Obama. You can tell 'em I told you so. Tell 'em, "Ted told me!"
We care about family, faith, and community. We also care about the Bill of Rights... and that includes the Second Amendment.
I'm here tonight to tell you, that through direct talks I've had with him, if you are a hunter or gunowner, you have nothing to fear from Barack Obama. You can tell 'em I told you so. Tell 'em, "Ted told me!"
Barack's speech was a deft mix of financial shop talk and soaring rhetoric that played on the crowd's potent enthusiasm. He told a funny story about the owner of the diner in Georgetown, Ohio (where he stopped on the way), who he heard from the workers was a devout Republican. When Barack finally met the man, he asked him "I heard you're a dyed in the wool Republican." The man said yes. Barack paused, then simply said:
"So... How's business?"
The crowd here in Portsmouth roared with laughter.
Most of all, Barack conveyed a common-sense approach to fixing the economy's problems. He mentioned changing bankruptcy laws so they favor people with one home, instead of those with multiple. He condemned the AIG executives who recently spent their bailout money on vacation getaways, saying that they should write a check back to the American people, and "be fired on the spot." After detailing his plans to invest in college education and green jobs, he broke down how he would handle the country's finances into basics:
I'm not just here to tell you how we're going to spend money, I'm here to tell you how we're going to save money.I'll do what you do with your own family budget--cut out things that don't work.
I'm not just here to tell you how we're going to spend money, I'm here to tell you how we're going to save money.
I'll do what you do with your own family budget--cut out things that don't work.
A prolonged war in Iraq, and tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas are just a few of those money-saving budget cuts that Barack said Portsmouth, and Southern Ohio, and the Buckeye State as a whole could expect from his administration.
Barack is firing them up where ever he goes--from stadiums in Dayton, to parks in Cincy, to college quads in the southernmost tip of Ohio. And you can put your vote in for him today--so you can do your part to work to get him into office in the next few weeks.
Barack is hitting up no less than three different stops in Ohio today--Dayton, Cincinnati, and Portsmouth. Right now he is speaking to a stadium full of cheering supporters at the home of the Dayton Dragons at Fifth Third Field.
The Mayor of Dayton framed Barack's candidacy in a way specific to Dayton, tying him to the city's history of innovation, "from Charles Kettering to Paul Lawrence Dunbar."
Michael, one of the local Field Organizers in the Dayton area, let the rapt crowd know the 5 things Ohioans can do to help Barack Obama win their state:
Soon after, Barack took the stage. Despite a riled up crowd like one would expect to see at a baseball game on a bright autumn afternoon, Barack was very serious about the financial crisis facing us, and the specifics of what he, and America, would have to do to solve the problem
I have faith... not just because of the leadership I'm offering. But because of you. Because I have faith in you. I have faith in the people of the United States...Yes we can -- of course we can.
I have faith... not just because of the leadership I'm offering. But because of you. Because I have faith in you. I have faith in the people of the United States...
Yes we can -- of course we can.
Barack spoke directly to the huge number of people in attendance, asking for a show of hands of those who earn less than $250,000 (who will not see a tax raise), and those who have employer-based health benefits (to be taxed by John McCain), and those who don't have health care at all. The hands themselves told the story of how essential an Obama presidency really is. Dayton can't afford anything less.
More than anything, this rally was about jobs, and Barack wondered how the opposition could ignore the huge number of jobs lost in Ohio in the last 8 years, noting that you can say that the fundamentals of the economy are strong, but for most Americans "there's nothing more fundamental than a job."
As for the home stretch of the campaign, and the ugly direction the discourse seems to be going in:
I can take four more weeks of John McCain's attacks, but America can't take four more years of George Bush's failed policies.
Do you agree? There's only 27 days left to seal the deal-- vote early and get involved today.
This guest Field blog was written by Ellen Whelan-Wuest, Field Organizer in Portsmouth.
Please call or come to your Local Field Office. If you have any questions, email NH@BarackObama.com.
Hi
I have been very involved in supporting Barack Obama since i heard his 2004 Convention speech.
I was born in Portsmouth, O H I O, grew up mostly in Pike Co./Waverly, spent my Sophmore H.S. yr. thru graduation at Glenwood H.S. in N.Boston, and got a college degree from Ohio Univ. My folks still live in Waverly and one of my brother's Ed Thompson & family now live in Portsmouth. I moved to Anch., AK the first time in 1981, lived in Col. OH 89'thru 99', then returned to Anch. and have lived here since. Mostly, i love it here, although, as you know politics are very peculiar, if not downright wierd-like!
Also, I worked for ODOT, two years in Chillicothe OH, in Columbus, OH thru 1999 as an Env.Specialist for.
Some Alaskan women just recently started a grassroots effort to put on a rally of "Women Who Reject Sarah Palin" rally in which over 1000 people showed up, stood in front of City Library with signs along a busy midtown Anch. street. It was wonderful and very energizing. Check out my first youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv3Tp2XsLnI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM3zwl-sf0k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoQyv3LY7wA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xM6Ph5GrWI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9PqQYY_GDk Let me know what you think?
Next, there will be more positive rallies going on throughout Alaska with emphasis on registering new voters and supporting OBAMA/BIDEN ticket and little emphasis on Sarah Palin.
I will be flying into Cinci Oct. 04 and staying in Waverly thru Oct. 20. I hope to start writing some letters soon to some local S. OH newspapers.
I am a photographer, mulit-media person who would be interested in presenting an Alaska Slideshow OBAMA/BIDEN fundraiser if i could get some assistance w/ location and projector, screen, etc.
Hope to hear back from you. Pamela Thompson
I recommend this Alaskan Independent Media enews: http://www.alaskadispatch.com
If you live in South Hampton Roads and want a Veterans for Obama 08 T-Shirt please send your order to LearningInspire@gmail.com. I am putting in the order in a few days. The shirts are Navy Blue. Include your name, phone number, and email with your order so I can reach you when they come in to arrange pick-up and payment.
T-Shirts are 100% Cotton, Union Printed, and come in sizes S, M, L, XL, 2X please specify size and number of shirts.
We need your help buying yard signs - and other Veterans for Obama chum - please donate at:
ActBlue — Virginia Veterans for Obama
and ask others to do the same by writing a personal note with the link and forwarding to those you know supporting Obama.
If everyone raised $100 from people they know we would have a good chance of meeting our goal and having the Veterans for Obama yard signs, buttons, and bumperstickers you've been asking for!
Thank You!
Stephanie Marushia
757-650-6393
Region 5 Director Virginia Veterans for Obama
Hampton Roads Veterans & Military Families for Obama
If you are a Veteran or Military Family Member, please join us this Saturday at 3:00 at the Virginia Beach campaign office. http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpl2vb
Find out what you can do to help Senator Obama become the next President! We will be discussing our Veterans Outreach efforts for Hampton Roads. Please join us to share your ideas and let us know how you want to help.
We are still looking for local Veteran leaders and volunteers so if you are interested in helping call Stephanie Marushia at 757-650-6393 or email me at LearningInspire@gmail.com.
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen will campaign for Senator Barack Obama at a series of events across Southeast Ohio on Thursday and Friday, emphasizing Barack's commitment to the struggles of ordinary people, in light of the recent revelation that John McCain can't remember how many homes he owns. (The answer is seven, as highlighted in this new ad from the Obama campaign).
On Thursday, Gov. Bredesen will hold town hall forums to discuss Obama’s plan to improve the economy and help Ohio’s rural communities in St. Clairsville and Marietta, and deliver remarks at the grand opening of Obama’s Ohio for Change Campaign office in Zanesville. Issues like rural needs and the economy are what matter to Senator Obama, who with his modest origins would never lose touch with the plight of everyday Americans.
On Friday, Gov. Bredesen will join Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer for a breakfast with community members, host a conversation with local leaders on economic development in Ironton and hold a town hall in Portsmouth. Below are details, with links to news stories about the events!
Thursday, August 21:
St. Clairsville1:15 p.m.Town Hall Forum on the Economy Undo’s Restaurant 51130 National RoadSt. Clairsville, OH
Marietta4:15 p.m.Town Hall Forum on the Economy Plumbers and Pipefitters UnionLocal #168201 Front StreetMarietta, OH
Zanesville6:00 p.m.Zanesville Ohio for Change Campaign Office Opening126 Muskingum AvenueZanesville, OH
Friday, August 22:
Chillicothe8:30 a.m. Breakfast Meet and Greet with Chillicothe Mayor Joe SulzerBob Evans Restaurant (at Consumer Center and N. Bridge Street)1 Consumer Center DriveChillicothe, OH
Ironton11:10 a.m.Conversation with Local Leaders on Economic Development in IrontonIronton City Building301 S. 3rd Street #3Ironton, OHPortsmouth2:30 p.m.Town Hall Forum on the Economy Plumbers and Steamfitters Union #5771236 Gallia StPortsmouth, OH
We need your help! Are you a member of a local Veterans organization? We want to reach out to local Veterans to make sure they are registered to vote and have all the information they need to make an informed decision in this election. Please call Stephanie Marushia at 757-650-6393 and let us know about Hampton Roads Veterans groups.
If you want to volunteer please call me. We need help with canvassing, phone banking, voter registration, and hosting House Parties.
Thank You,
It's hard to open a newspaper in Ohio without coming across a story about how ubiquitous the Obama field team is here. Every day it seems like there's a new office opening in some far-off, traditionally conservative part of the state whose progressive citizens have been brought back to political life by Barack's candidacy. Just yesterday there was one in Woodlawn, today there was one in Port Clinton, and tomorrow there is another in Licking County.
Marion also welcomed 65 local supporters into a brand new office, which they more than deserved after their amazing voter outreach effort during the Birthday for Barack phone bank. A picture from the opening is below:
Ted Strickland had already spoken at three office openings, in Lima, Chillicothe, and Athens... but he wasn't done. This past Saturday he helped open the Campaign for Change doors in Trumbull County; the story is available here. (Trumbull County also happens to be home to the barn featured in our Barns for Obama video).
And that's just the start. Look for word of openings in Columbus, Defiance, Mt. Vernon, and Youngstown, and special events in St. Clairsville, Marietta, Chillicothe, Ironton, and Portsmouth (plus a special opening in Zanesville) featuring a very special guest...
With all this grass-roots activity it's no wonder that an Ohio resident left the following comment on Jack Cafferty's blog--which ended up being featured on Cafferty's TV show earlier tonight!:
Hello Everyone -
We need your help to get the word out about our Veterans & Military Families Potluck BBQ this coming Sunday, August 3, at 3:00 pm at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach! Please copy the following into an email and send it to any Veterans & Military Family Members you know!
The Veterans & Military Families for Obama BBQ is being held Sunday, August 3, at 3:00 pm at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach. It will be on the lake side of the park (Edwin Drive) in Picnic Shelter 2. If you are a Veteran or Military Family Member please join us, Candidate for Congress Glenn Nye, and Delegate Joe Bouchard at the event!It is a potluck BBQ, so we ask that everyone bring a side dish or dessert and that they RSVP with the number of people attending so that we have enough of everything. Children are welcome!We are getting a great response so far, but we need your help in getting the word out to Veterans and Military Families in the Hampton Roads area. Please pass along the link and event information to anyone you know that is a veteran or military family member that would be interested in coming!Please RSVP through the following link or call Stephanie at 757-650-6393. Here is the event info and link:Military & Veteran Families for Obama Potluck BBQ at Mt Trashmore in Virginia Beach on Sunday, August 3, at 3:00 pm. Kids are welcome!If you are unable to attend but would like to volunteer or receive periodic updates, please email me at LearningInspire@gmail.com or call 757-650-6393.Hope to see you there,Stephanie MarushiaHampton Roads Veterans & Military Families for Obama757-650-6393
BODY { FONT-FAMILY:Verdana; FONT-SIZE:10pt } P { FONT-FAMILY:Verdana; FONT-SIZE:10pt } DIV { FONT-FAMILY:Verdana; FONT-SIZE:10pt } TD { FONT-FAMILY:Verdana; FONT-SIZE:10pt } The Veterans & Military Families for Obama BBQ is being held Sunday, August 3, at 3:00 pm at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach. It will be on the lake side of the park (Edwin Drive) in Picnic Shelter 2. If you are a Veteran or Military Family Member please join us, Candidate for Congress Glenn Nye, and Delegate Joe Bouchard at the event!It is a potluck BBQ, so we ask that everyone bring a side dish or dessert and that they RSVP with the number of people attending so that we have enough of everything. Children are welcome!We are getting a great response so far, but we need your help in getting the word out to Veterans and Military Families in the Hampton Roads area. Please pass along the link and event information to anyone you know that is a veteran or military family member that would be interested in coming!Please RSVP through the following link or call Stephanie at 757-650-6393. Here is the event info and link:Military & Veteran Families for Obama Potluck BBQ at Mt Trashmore in Virginia Beach on Sunday, August 3, at 3:00 pm. Kids are welcome!If you are unable to attend but would like to volunteer or receive periodic updates, please email me at LearningInspire@gmail.com or call 757-650-6393.Hope to see you there,Stephanie MarushiaHampton Roads Veterans & Military Families for Obama757-650-6393
There was an excellent turnout tonight at Posh Dolche in downtown Norfolk. Women from Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, and Portsmouth were among those who attended. The meeting was hosted by the Norfolk-based Women for Obama group, and moderated by Daun Hester of the Norfolk City Council. It was both informative and entertaining. We discussed how we will move forward in preparation for Tuesday's primary, fundraising, upcoming events, and we shared testimonies of how/why we became involved in this campaign. There was even a former Republican in the crowd! A few enthusiastic male supporters showed up too. GObama '08 !
Thank you to all of the ladies whose purchases contributed to my personal fundraising campaign. You all helped me raise $124 of my $500 goal tonight!
Anyone wishing to donate can click the "Donate" link on the thermometer located on my page, or, better yet, start a page of your own, and spread the word while you raise money for Obama. Or even better still, do both! : D
I look forward to seeing you all again (and many more supporters) Saturday night at the "bar crawl" that will be hosted by the Karam's of Virginia Beach, at Chicho's Pizza (see "events" listing). Look out for more information on future events.
Hope+Action=Change
I’ve moved on to one of our staging areas, set up at a supporter’s home here in Portsmouth. People were scurrying around the living room and kitchen, preparing to hit the streets to talk to voters about Barack.
Sarah Sewall, a senior foreign policy advisor to Barack, dropped by to provide suggestions to volunteers in anticipation of handling questions from voters.
“The world is changing quickly, but Barack has the right judgment to take on the unexpected. He’s made the right calls on the big issues like Iraq, Pakistan and Iran while his opponents were steeped in conventional thinking,” she said.
That advice resonated with one volunteer I spoke with. Carter spent large parts of her past 35 years living overseas before returning to New Hampshire to live in North Hampton. A career journalist, she has been volunteering for the campaign since Barack’s announcement because she believes that he will do the most to restore America’s standing in the world.
“I am not sleeping I’m so excited. It’s just so exciting,” she said. “Doing this door to door canvassing, when you see all these people who are so fired up--it’s incredibly inspiring.”
Before I left for the event in Rochester, I ran into David, a civil rights attorney in New York.
David worked with Barack on the Harvard Law Review, and the pair turned out to be the last two candidates standing in the race for president of the Law Review.
“Barack had this tremendous ability to speak to people across the ideological divide,” he recalled. “Many of the people that he worked with on the Law Review have gone on to be some of the leading legal minds in the conservative movement, but he found a way to get them to work together with the liberals.”
David added, “Barack is the same consensus-builder today that he was back then.”
Like so many of Barack’s supporters, David is working on a campaign for the first time. “I’ve done a few small things before, but this time, we have a once-in-a-lifetime candidate and I’m willing to do what it takes,” he said.
I could feel the energy on the streets of Portsmouth this morning as I followed Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois on a canvassing route with Portsmouth resident Joan Jacobs. Many of the houses we approached would have been listed as “threes” (undecided) on our walk sheets just a few days ago, but we found recently-added Obama signs in their windows.
At each door, Senator Durbin shared his reasons for encouraging Barack to run. He said, “This is a unique moment in history, and people are calling out for someone who can unite the country. Barack is the only candidate who can.”
At a canvass kickoff this morning at the Portsmouth office, Sen. Durbin said:
Barack Obama represents a new generation of leadership, the same kind of inspirational vision of the possible that we last saw with John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy.
The volunteers I spoke with at the Portsmouth office couldn’t have agreed more.
Helen from Stratham is a breast cancer survivor who lost a family member in the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. Now, she is looking for a leader ready for the gravity of the times.
She believes Barack is that candidate, and echoed Senator Durbin’s view of the historic opportunity we have in this election:
It’s time to bring this country together, I don’t believe any of the other candidates will do that to the same effect that Senator Obama will. He reminds me of John F. Kennedy when I was a young teenager in high school… There’s a lot of substance to him, he’s a very intelligent man. I believe that he’s going to do a great job in the White House.
I also spoke with two Vietnam veterans, Don and Richard, who have flown in from Virginia to speak with fellow veterans at stops in Rochester, Dover, Portsmouth and Exeter. Both agreed with Helen about the significance of this election.
Richard, a former Rhodes Scholar and Air Force Colonel, said, “As I listened to Barack speak, it became clear to me that he has the stature and judgment to be president. He got it right on the Iraq war.”
Don, a retired Navy Commander with experience advising the Defense Department on foreign policy issues, added, “I have always been impressed by his grasp of details and his ability to think outside of the box and defy conventional thinking.”
Last night, Iowa conclusively and convincingly stood up for real change in this country. This morning, Granite Staters showed how hungry they were for the same, braving the early hour and the frigid temperatures to greet Barack Obama in Portsmouth, as he kicked off his tour of New Hampshire.
