Posts with the tag Arkansas

UNITED AGAINST RACISM

WEBMASTER — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:46:34 EDT

Hi Friend

There is a new group that just started on Facebook that I thought Organizing for America members may be interested in joining. Please see United Against Racism -

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/354956/80588439?m=9dc74a6e

United Against Racism

posted by David Apperson

Arkansas Election Blog

WEBMASTER — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:53:30 EDT

As President Obama recently related to me regarding local service; "Now is our time to work together, reaffirm our enduring spirit, and choose our better history."

It is our responsibility as Americans to vote, and vote we must. And now is the time to prepare for the next election. I invite all citizens of Arkansas to post a message on the Arkansas Election Blog.

Arkansas Election Blog
arkansas-election.blogspot.com

BARACK OBAMA FIRST 100 DAYS

WEBMASTER — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:23:01 EDT

During the first 100 days of the Obama presidency we have seen outstanding leadership in tackling the many issues facing our great nation. And it seems that overwhelming poll numbers indicate that America agrees with President Obama. see THE WHITE HOUSE

The question remains; What can we as fellow Americans do to help our neighbors and countrymen? Included are nine things you can do to help the President celebrate his first 100 Days in office:

1. Donate unused suits to the Salvation Army
2. Donate time to Americorps
3. Donate toys for children at Toys for Tots
4. Donate blood at the Red Cross
5. Donate a can of food each week to a Local Shelter or Food Pantry
6. Donate money to Save the Children
7. Donate time at local a Veterans Hospital
8. Donate an hour a day to your Child
9. Donate to the Make a Wish Foundation

Participation is greatly appreciated. What you do for the least of our brethren, you do for yourself -
http://donate.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxWJh

Barack Obama First 100 Days posted by David Apperson

PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL SPEECH

WEBMASTER — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:39:36 EST

Presidential Inaugural Address Delivered by President Barack Obama on 20 Jan 2009

My fellow citizens -
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
President Barack Obama

Presidential Inaugural Speech - A message for all people
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxHqT

source: David Apperson, webmaster

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

WEBMASTER — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:26:14 EST

The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.

Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.

Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when

individuals and organizations understand that alternative energy technology exists and
when people see the economic benefits of using alternative energy technologies

Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.

Alternative Energy
Source: David Apperson

url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy

PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM

WEBMASTER — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:06:01 EST

Obama-Biden PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM is giving all people a voice in the administration -

The PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM is doing a great job. Thank the Almighty Creator that this is a new day in the history of this great nation.

WEBMASTER - DESIGNERS AND DEVELOPERS

WEBMASTER — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:14:56 EST

President Barack Obama

Internet Webmasters, Designers and Developers

If you are an independent webmaster, designer or developer and have linked a business, personal, or political website or blog to your barack obama posts or other barackobama.com web pages and would like to be recognized for your efforts let me know.

Mail your contact and other pertinent information to:

David Apperson, Webmaster
10336 Loch Lomond Rd PMB 105
Middletown CA 95461

or email contact information to yofast@gmail.com

Camp Obama Wraps Up in Hot Springs

Micah — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:54:45 EDT

On Sunday volunteers gathered in Hot Springs for the state's fifth Camp Obama field organizer training. Over the past month over 600 Arkansans have participated in Camp Obama in Texarkana, Hot Springs, Fayetteville, Jonesboro and Little Rock.

Participants learned key organizing skills including voter persuasion, canvassing, phone banking, Get Out the Vote and Neighbor to Neighbor. These newly minted Deputy Field Organizers will join the hundreds of other volunteers working for change in Arkansas and our neighboring battleground state, Missouri.

With less than a month to go before election day, the hard work of volunteers is more important than ever. We need your help to win Arkansas for Obama-- call or visit your local field office today to sign up for phone banking or to join The Big MO.

Single Parents

Lee Euler 3rd — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:11:10 EDT

Here I go writing about the election and other issues that are on my mind. First and foremost my name is Lee and I moved to Arkansas in 11/05. I am a native of Freeport Il. where I was born and raised. This will be the first time I have ever voted in my entire life. I know that since I am from Arkansas there is a lot of hidden prejudice. I dont like that one bit. Its really unfortunate. I am a Single Father and I always here canidates talk about Single Mothers, and I am frustrated because of the hidden bias againsted Fathers. I believe that single fathers are in the minority and there has been times where I was singled out. I just want to make the point that we should maybe use more politically correct terms such as Single Parents. I am a good Father, and I make sure that I go on every field trip, I am a volunteer reading tutor at the School, and am involved in my daughters studies. I have a strong will to succeed and find it difficult to even go back to School because I have to work full-time to make end meet. I still make sure that I am always learning something new. I couldnt believe my ears when I heard Barrack Obama speak for the first time. Over the years I too had noticed the same issues that he was talking about, and had never heard a canidate for President acknowledge those things. I know that the Republicans are using the same strategy as in 2004, because I read the transcripts. I am glad that Senator Obama IS going to be our next President, and I cant wait to start volunteering more, I have always believed that we would be a better Country is everyone volunteered their time one way or another. We have to get this Country back on track, and work on Domestic policies. We have to focus on the United States, cause if we start focusing on other countries then we will lose track of ourselves. I believe that we can make good things happen in a timely manner, instead of dealing with the bureaucratic red tape. We have to learn to expedite changes necessary for a better Country. If we can elect Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden, then we will be able to see partisanship in our Country and thus become more United.

Boonieland and VP-ville

Gil Keith-Agaran — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:00:56 EDT

At a local nonprofit fundraiser tonight in Wailea, Maui, I ran into a friend who has attended a number of Democratic National Conventions. My wife is a delegate and I'm an alternate.

In Denver, the Hawaii delegation has been assigned to the Marriott South Park Meadows hotel in Littleton, Colorado. One Hawaii delegate figured out based on the light rail schedule that we'll be about 50 minutes away from the Pepsi Center where the Convention evening activities will take place.

My friend the DNC veteran commented that Hawaii is always in the "boonies." We might be the birthplace of the party's nominee but in the hierarchy of things political, the islands' delegation doesn't command center stage. She wonders, however, about the placement of Arkansas in the same quarters -- I suppose Kremlinologists speculate that the Razorbacks got favorable housing during the Clinton years but now end up in the same place as four electoral vote Hawaii. Delaware, the home of another possible Vice-Presidential nominee, is the third state in our billet so I would rather think it's just the luck of the draw. But then my buddies think I'm an idealist. . . .

If Hillary Rodham Clinton or Joe Biden is picked, the opening reception Sunday night at South Park Meadows may be a little more memorable than expected. Both HRC and JB are expected to speak to the HI, AK and DE delegations at one of the breakfast meetings next week.

I would guess that Hawaii's delegation includes the largest proportion of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, including our Senior U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who is heading up our delegation, junior U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, former Governor John Waihee, Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann, State Senator Colleen Hanabusa, State Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Edmond Arquero, Donna Hoshide, Al Lewis, State Party Vice Chair Kari Luna, Dayton Nakanelua, Jadine Nielsen, Stephanie Ohigashi, Caroline Sinaivaiana, and Jennifer Tsuji. That's sixteen of the twenty-nine delegates. In addition, alternates Melody Aduja, Lono Lyman and me are also AAPIs.

We leave for Denver on Saturday night on a direct flight from Kahului with a couple of others from Maui.

Come to Arkansas Senator Obama, We Need You!

Jack Moore — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:23:29 EDT

A recent New York Times story highlighted the lack of attention the Obama Campaign has given to Arkansas since becoming the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party. While Arkansas offers only a handful of electoral votes, Arkansas has picked the winning candidate since 1992. I am not sure if Senator Obama realizes that Arkansas, like much of the nation, is going through a time of great anxiety. While the housing crisis and economic downturn has not hit Arkansas quite yet, many Arkansans can see the financial storm clouds coming from the east and west and they are bracing for the storm.

To make matters worse, the state of Arkansas has done little in terms of taxation policy to attract new business. Many companies might consider relocating to Little Rock, but the state income tax and corporate taxes make the idea a non-starter. At the state level, Governor Beebe has done more than his predecessor to attract the business community. Hewlett Packard will open a facility in Conway, Arkansas. Candidate Obama would do well to come to Arkansas and make the case that he would clear the way for small business and large corporations alike to move facilities into low income areas and offer tax incentives and corporate tax holidays in exchange for a commitment from employers to stay in the region for at least 10 years. This would also help to debunk the widely held view that Obama is going to raise everyone's taxes. If he can make the connection that these tax breaks will bring jobs, Arkansans can see that Obama is on the right track. If central Arkansas can become a haven for jobs, I will look at my taxes as contribution to help bolster the economy. It's the same principle of the local church that raises money to buy a new church van. Everyone pays and everyone gets to use the church van. Right now, Americans feel they are paying their taxes and what are they getting in return?

Some may think that this sounds a lot like Enterprise Zones, I say call it whatever you want but it is a tried and true way of bolstering the economy. Now Senator Obama has many great advisers, but I feel he is not pressing the pure economic issues hard enough. There are those who would make the case that Arkansas is just to socially conservative to vote for Obama. I don't believe that for a minute. The only reason that Arkanas will go to McCain is if Senator Obama walks away from the battle field and refuses to fight.

I will acknowledge here that I was a supporter of Senator Clinton, and one of the reasons I supported her was the fact that she realized that we are in a fight here. I think she was able to tap into the mindset of many Americans in the heartland with her uphill battle for the nomination. I would note that when the odds of her success became more unlikely, voters in the swing states of Ohio and Pennsylvania turned out in even higher numbers. The media had decided it was over, but Hillary didn't give up. Many people seem to see this as blind ambition or detachment from reality, I saw it as the definitive American story: fighting all the way to the finish.

The struggle and fight to the finish narrative works in states like Arkansas. Many people here have struggled all their lives to provide for their families. In truth, the Unity and Change message is less important here because people live, work, and worship among Republicans and Democrats. We all have realized that we must agree to disagree on many issues. Here is where we agree:

1. We want to keep our job and our healthcare coverage

2. If we are going to pay all of these taxes when the price of food and gas is going sky high, then the Feds ought to be making spending cuts too. It is hard to preach personal savings and responsibility, when the government is running record deficits

3. We want to hear about ending royalties to the oil companies as long as Exxon is making record profits

4. We want to know that Obama is gong to be tough on crime, but still be willing to follow the Constitution

5. We want our soldiers to come back home from Iraq because we all understand that Iraq must now stand on its own two feet However, we want to know that Obama will use force when force is required. Diplomacy should always come first, but sometimes we must be willing to fight

So Arkansas is waiting for a visit from Senator Obama and we will be glad to hear his views.

Obama's Arkansas Roots

Nathan — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:28:02 EDT

USA Today has an article about Obama's ancestors in Arkansas, and suggestions for the Senator from a Jonesboro native.

Another NEA for Obama flyer

Nathan — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:29:34 EDT

I've created a new flyer to help spread the word about the NEA for Obama site. If you live in the Northeast Arkansas area, print a few out and put them up where you can (always ask permission unless it's a community bulletin board!). To help keep track of where we currently have flyers, leave a comment on this post and let us know where you put them.

New NEA for Obama flyer

Nathan — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:48:13 EDT

Rasmussen reports Obama within single digits in Arkansas

Nathan — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:11:47 EDT

From Rasmussen

"The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Arkansas shows John McCain leading Barack Obama 48% to 39%. That’s a stunning improvement for Obama who trailed by twenty-four points a month ago. This is most likely a direct result of the former Clinton supporters accepting Obama now that he has clinched the nomination. Nationally, Obama has enjoyed a modest bounce since winning that prize."

BARACK OBAMA - ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE

WEBMASTER — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:23:04 EST

BARACK IS A UNIVERSAL WORD MEANING TO BRING A BLESSING.

ACCORDING TO HOSEA 4:6 WITH A VISION WE HAVE THE ETERNAL RIGHT TO SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP, GUIDANCE and HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE.

In 1999, the Federal Communications Law Journal revealed how Bill and Hillary Clinton were put in a compromising position. see PLAYING THE NAME GAME - A GLIMPSE AT THE FUTURE / page 411

In this digital age we need courage, leadership and true vision. Obama has shown such in the proper use of political blogging. It is my belief that the message of HOPE spoken by Obama is a God given word and that the vision must not slip from the grasp of the American people or the other nations, peoples and tongues that support Barack Obama around the world.

This is a day the Lord has made. Barak Obama is on his way to the THE WHITE HOUSE . . . .

and I am humbly honored to finish this message with the closing remarks of the world famous CIVIL RIGHTS leader, DR MARTIN LUTHER KING, born 15 JAN 1929, who proclaimed to the world at the LINCOLN MEMORIAL on 28 AUG 1963 in his famous freedom speech:

I HAVE A DREAM

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

THAT DAY IS HERE - YOU ARE FREE

UPDATE: OBAMA MAKES HISTORY as FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT and YES HE DID

HONOR PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1861-1865

Homestate Advantage Talking Points

Gerry Filippatos — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:09:08 EST

You want to know about someone ... ask his or her neighbors. Barack won his childhood home state of Hawaii by 52% (76% to 22%) and he won his adult home state of Illinois by 32% (65% to 32%). Illinois, which Hillary lost by 32%, also has the distinction of being her childhood home state, where she grew up through high school. Moreover Hillary's combined margin of victory in her two adult home states -- New York and Arkansas -- is only 30.5%. She won New York by only 17% (57% to 40%) and Arkansas, where she was first lady of the state for 12 years, by 44% (70% to 26%) Thus, Hillary's combined average margin of victory for her home states (9.7%) pales in comparison to Barack's (42%).

Yes We DID!

Nathan — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:41:48 EST

I just got back from a business trip in Minnesota, so I've been out of touch for a few days. I wanted to congratulate everyone for the hard work you've put in, MSNBC estimates that we've scored 8 delegates for Obama here in Arkansas! Without you guys, that number would have been much lower. I wanted to remind everyone that though the campaign will be focusing on the states yet to come, you can still lend a hand by phonebanking. Calling those states to let them know about Obama, or calling Obama supporters to update them on when/how to get involved in their area.To make a call to the upcoming states - http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/phonebankmapYou can also donate to the campaign. In case you haven't heard, Obama raised almost 8 MILLION within 48 hours of the Feb 5th primary closings.Once again, thank you.

Obama Conversations

Dr. Mark Elrod — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:09:36 EST

One of my students wrote this story on his blog today. It's pretty funny:

This past weekend a great group of Harding students were able to go down to Little Rock to Gusano's Pizza for a Barack Obama watch party there. It was fun to see peoples reactions when we came in wearing our Harding t-shirts and seeing us there.
The room was really great to be in. There were hippies, college kids, old black ladies, white collar white guys. They were a blast to be around and talk with and hang out with, and with results like these who couldn't be excited? That night was encouraging.
Monday I was in Goodwill looking for books (as par usual). Once I went to the counter the woman checking people out was talking to a friend there. She said, "You know Charline, I don't even follow politics. You know what I do, Charline? I just walk into the voting booth and I say, 'Dear Jesus, please tell me who to vote for.' and he tells me who, every time he just puts a name into my head and says 'Vote for him.' Jesus tells me who to vote for every year."
So I walked up to the counter, set my things down and said, "Hi my name is Coleman and Jesus told me to tell you to vote for Barack Obama."
She stopped and looked at me and said, "Like hell I will! That guy is not running this country on my vote!"

So that settles it. Jesus is a Republican. He just doesn't know it.

Travel This Weekend

LPC_Michael — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:01:20 EST

Is anybody from the Austin area planning to take a road trip to Oklahoma, Louisiana or Arkansas to volunteer this weekend? If there are people going, I'd love to tag along and help.

Early voting begins in Arkansas!

Nathan — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:43:34 EST

Early voting started today in Arkansas, meaning that everyone who wishes to vote in the primary can do so now before February 5th. To check your voter registration or find your local polling place, please visit https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/

Results from Arkansas State University: Success!

Nathan — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:11:03 EST

We had a great time on the ASU campus yesterday. We were met with enthusiasm, and sometimes curiosity, when people asked why we were standing outside in the 30 degree weather. The campus had fewer students than normal (to be expected on a Friday), but all said we handed out over 600 flyers! We talked with Democrats and Republicans, independents and undecideds, and had good discussions with all. We handed out the "On The Issues" flyer to students and faculty, and when we identified faculty gave them a copy of the "On Education" flyer. The pictures below show mostly a sparse campus (they were taken while classes were going on) but in between classes we had to work to reach everyone.

Bob and I setting up.

More coverage.

Curious students.

Big Win in South Carolina

Charlie Alison — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:42:57 EST

Woohoo about the 2 to 1 margin in the South Carolina primary. About 30 people came to On the Mark in Fayetteville to watch the results. We plan to meet at 3:30 p.m Sunday, Jan. 27, at RZ's coffeehouse in the Arkansas Union on the University of Arkansas campus to plan visibility events and possibly some canvassing.

We're also looking at having a watch party Thursday for the Democratic Debate. Watch the events section of MyBarackObama, or send me an e-mail at charlie.alison@gmail.com

Do not bring your evil here, I warn you!

John Lewis-Dickerson, Atlanta — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 03:51:56 EST

BILL CLINTON'S CONTROVERSIAL POSTCARD!!!

Bill Clinton sent his "Mammaw" a racially insensitive postcard!

TO VIEW IMAGES- http://serr8d.blogspot.com/2007/10/bill-clinton-racist-postcard-buy-it-now.html

I don't think this has hit MSM yet. I can't wait to hear Bill's response for this one. He'll just blame Obama of course. Bill was a college student at Georgetown at this time. This was during the height of the civil rights movement. It's really disturbing.

"The Swamp is my world: It is who I am; It is what I am. I was once a man; I know the evil men do. Do not bring your evil here, I warn you! Beware the wrath of... Swamp Thing." OBAMA/FEINGOLD '08!

Join us for the Obama Little Rock office opening!

Nathan — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:23:38 EST

The Arkansas HQ for the Obama campaign will be opening on Saturday, January 19th. Doors open at 10AM.

For more details, please see the event page:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4vbpm

Fired up in Arkansas!

Nathan — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:58:14 EST

I just got back from a debate watch party in Little Rock, and Senator Obama did a great job! If you missed it, the following post from the national blog was on the front page for awhile today:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/CGsJ

This officially kicks off the Obama '08 campaign in Arkansas! I met with Tim Fraser, the Regional Field Director for Arkansas, and he's got big plans for the region. The news cameras were rolling tonight, and as soon as I find some footage online, I'll share.

Fired up in Arkansas

Sam Graham-Felsen — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:34:46 EST

The commitment of our grassroots supporters across the country has been truly inspiring. Yesterday, a huge grassroots crowd showed up for an organizational meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas. One of our field organizers in Arkansas, Tim Fraser, writes, "I just got to Arkansas today and walked into an organizational meeting with 100 folks attending... I am truly impressed with the grassroots organization on the ground and they are all fired up and ready to get to work."

Here's a video from the local news coverage of this event:

If you're from Arkansas, check out AR.BarackObama.com for details of how you can get involved and join the movement for change.

NEA for Obama is now live!

Nathan — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:16:56 EST

NEA for Obama is a group for residents and volunteers in the Northeast Arkansas area to plan campaign events, fundraising, and more.

Check out the group today at http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/NEAforObama

Getting started in Northeast Arkansas

Nathan — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:28:16 EST

Keep an eye on my blog! With less than a month from the Arkansas primary election, I will be working to coordinate canvassing and efforts to get out the vote in the NEA area. Planning meetings and event details will be posted within the next week, so stay tuned!

Registered?

Dr. Mark Elrod — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 09:51:27 EST

On February 5, Arkansas voters will participate in "Super Tuesday" and help select over half the delegates to the Democrat and Republican nominating conventions.

Voters in caucuses and primaries will select 2,062 Democratic and 1,048 Republican delegates from twenty-two states.

But you can't do it if you're not registered to vote.

I know it's a rather late reminder but Monday (January 7) is the deadline for registering to vote in the Arkansas. I don't know when the deadline is in your state but you may want to check.

This will be Alan's first opportunity to vote, so we're pretty excited about it around here.

We Wish The Clintons Would Just Go Away

John Lewis-Dickerson, Atlanta — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:29:06 EST

Why We Wish The Clintons Would Just Go Away

By Paul Jenkins

Posted December 15, 2007 | 11:49 AM (EST)

Because they surround themselves with people like Mark Penn and James Carville (Rove-like figures, just dumber and more duplicitous than Karl), and rather than making the Clintons look pure by contrast, they make them look even sleazier.

Because they lie more often than they tell the truth, and we can't take it anymore (where to begin? Ah, perhaps, one of Bill's freshest: he was always against the war in Iraq).

Because when they don't lie, they avoid telling the truth, prevaricate and try to laugh it off.

ARTICLE- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-jenkins/why-we-wish-the-clintons-_b_76930.html

New Hampshire bound

Charlie Alison — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:08:03 EST

If there's anyone from Northwest Arkansas who will be in New Hampshire during the two weeks leading up to the NH primary, keep an eye out for me in Nashua. I'll be volunteering in the Obama headquarters there. Don't know yet what they'll have me doing, but it will be fun and exhausting, I'm sure.

I'll be there from Dec. 26 through the primary on January 8. If they let me have time to eat, I'll be glad to grab lunch or dinner with fellow Arkansawyers.

Inspired by Hull House

Alexander Jones — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 03:43:36 EST

I'm just now finishing my first reading of Jane Addams, and so I thought it appropriate to register to vote. Too bad we can't do that electronically yet.This will have to do for now, however. My first impressions of the race are not exactly good for Barack, but I definitely support him and hope he triumphs over Hillary. Most students here at Hendrix College are solidly in her camp, especially most women here. I would say that Obama comprises the second-largest portion of support here though, and I think that's the national trend under a microscope.We'll see how it plays out, but I don't think Hillary will win without a fight, as Obama's newly-announced 5-city Iowa tour focuses on stealing a key bloc of her support. We'll see how it turns out, but if I can ever get some money together, I'll get around to donating to Obama.If by chance anyone from Hendrix reads this, let's setup an Obama fundraising drive on campus, or at least try and build his support.

Why I Won’t Be Voting for Hillary Clinton

Dr. Mark Elrod — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:05:34 EST

Hillary Rodham Clinton is a smart, ambitious and skillful woman and I am glad she’s serving in the US Senate.

I hope she has a long and productive career there.

In few months, I'm going to have the opportunity to vote for Hillary Clinton in the Arkansas presidential primary. While I find myself in agreement with Hillary Clinton on any number of policy issues, I'm going to be voting for somebody else in February.

This isn’t an easy decision for ME for two reasons: I'd really like to see a Democrat in the White House in 2009 and some of my best friends in Arkansas and elsewhere are working to get Hillary Clinton elected.

And there is a good chance that Hillary Clinton could win the Democratic nomination and become our nation’s first female president in 2009. So I may be betting on the wrong side once again.

Allow me to go ahead and dispense with the gender and harpie issue up front -- none of my reasons for not voting for Clinton have anything to do with her gender qualifications or her personality. In fact, one of the positives of the 2008 presidential campaign may be the elimination of gender as a demographic barrier to the presidency.

But I have come up with four better reasons why I can't vote Hillary Clinton:

Hillary Clinton seems to be willing to say whatever it takes to get elected. Hillary Clinton is a liberal in the sense that she is pro-civil rights, pro-free speech, pro-gay rights, pro-progressive taxation and pro-health care but I don't find her to be nearly as liberal as she is often thought to be. My larger problem with Clinton is that she too often goes against what she really seems to believe for the sake of political capital.

For me, the best example is her introduction of a “flag-burning bill” in congress in December 2005. Hillary Clinton is smart enough to know that bills of this kind are dead on arrival – particularly in the Senate – but she pushed the bill anyway and that sort of thing drives me crazy. While this kind of pandering does not necessarily distinguish Hillary Clinton from a lot of other politicians she engages in far too much of it for my taste.

Hillary Clinton has the potential for polarizing America more than any president since George W. Bush. This is a problem that the Clinton campaign is well aware of -- a recent Washington Post/ABC poll puts Mrs. Clinton’s “strongly favorable rating” at about 28 percent while her “strongly unfavorable rating” is hovering at 35 percent. The good news for the Clinton campaign is that the good numbers are coming up and the bad numbers have gone down a little.

But the weird and polarizing part is that her positive and negatives are both higher than those of any other Democrat or Republican in the poll. As such, Hillary Clinton's negative numbers may be the only thing that would allow the GOP to hold onto the White House in 2008.

Hillary Clinton voted for the war in Iraq in 2002 and will not admit that it was a mistake. Mrs. Clinton’s position on the war authorization bill is that she does not regret the vote – she only regrets the way the president has handled the authorization. The war and the war resolution have been a litmus test for me for some time and I find Mrs. Clinton’s attempts to have it both ways on Iraq to be indefensible.

If she had admitted to casting a misinformed and mistaken vote for the war when she opened her presidential campaign, I might be willing to give her a pass. But she hasn’t and I’m not.

I also don't see American forces being withdrawn from Iraq during a Clinton presidency. At every turn, Mrs. Clinton equivocates on a complete US withdraw from Iraq, which means that her position is less consistent than the president's. For example, in a recent Foreign Affairs article outlining what needs to be done in Iraq, Mrs. Clinton said:

We must withdraw from Iraq in a way that brings our troops home safely, begins to restore stability to the region, and replaces military force with a new diplomatic initiative to engage countries around the world in securing Iraq's future. To that end, as president, I will convene the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the secretary of defense, and the National Security Council and direct them to draw up a clear, viable plan to bring our troops home, starting within the first 60 days of my administration.

She then suggests deploying "specialized units" to Iraq to engage al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups in the region. Clinton also says that she will "consider" leaving US forces in the Kurdish-controlled regions of northern Iraq.

That is not a withdraw and I can't vote for it.

President Hillary Clinton could make the years 2009-2017 the longest and most miserable eight years of my life at Harding University. This one is completely personal.

It probably doesn’t come as a surprise to most of you that the majority of the people I work with here at Harding hate the Clintons with the heat of ten thousand suns. If Hillary Clinton gets elected president, I'm certain that I will be subjected to daily screeds from my colleagues about how she is the worst thing that has ever happened to America. I really don’t feel like listening to that for eight years. I know this will be true if any Democrat is elected president but a Clinton presidency would be far worse.

While I certainly don’t see the election of Hillary Clinton as the end of the world, I think we could do better.

On the other hand, if Hillary Clinton actually does get elected and all of the people I know at Harding who have promised to move to Canada really do it, it may actually make life in Searcy a little more tolerable.

A note on nomenclature: One of the other things I struggled with when I sat down to write this post was how to refer to Hillary Clinton. The basic question was whether or not to refer to her as "Hillary" as I and others have done in the past or "Clinton" which may seem impolite. I realize that "Hillary" is often used merely to distinguish one Clinton form the other (like "Bush 41" and "Bush 43") but I don't think I know Mrs. Clinton well enough to do that. So, in the true spirit of feminism, I'm going to call her "Clinton" or "Hillary Clinton". I'll try to be consistent about that.

This post appeared originally at my personal weblog: www.markaelrod.net

Campaign Strategy: More than the First Four states

V, aka VCubed/Virginia V — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:18:32 EDT

This is why your help calling New Yorkers to get them to the rally Sept. 27th is absolutely critical. This is why you can double your donation if you donate now, when there are matching donors to meet your donation. This is why you would make a difference just making Obama support more visible, with window signs, buttons and bumper stickers ready to share with friends, neighbors, and neighborhood businesses. Fired Up! Ready to go!

Dan Balz's Take

Democrats Gearing Up For Delegate Fight

Obama working the crowd in New Hampshire on Labor Day. (Getty).

Barack Obama sent out an e-mail to supporters on Tuesday announcing plans for a big rally in New York's Washington Square Park on Sept. 27. The invitation was evidence of a campaign planning for a potentially extended battle against Hillary Clinton.

The idea of a protracted contest runs contrary to widespread assumptions about how the 2008 Democratic race may play out. But some analysts, who have studied the new calendar, the rules for allocating convention delegates and the financial resources of the leading candidates, believe that a lengthy contest extending into the megaprimary day of Feb. 5 and beyond may be just as likely.

EVERY City and State for Barack Obama!!

Homeboy — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:12:13 EDT

It's been a crazy month for me. I've spent countless all nighters trying to improve my grassroots Barack Obama website that I hope will make a difference in the younger voters out there. There are still a few glitches to fix, but for the most part, the new site is online and ready to help promote Obama as best as it can.

Probably the biggest difference is that there is now a page for every US city and state where people can leave comments and quickly interact. I chose the simple comment system because I know that many younger voters won't take the time to sign up for Barackobama.com but still want their voices to be heard, so this is their chance to be heard.

The most time consuming part of the whole website redesign was the creation and upload of over 30,000 images people can get on t-shirts. Like I mentioned earlier, there are a few problems with a few cities and states, but basically, EVERY CITY has its own Barack Obama t-shirt.

Let me say that again... EVERY US CITY has it's own t-shirt design!

I'm an artist and web designer, and this is how I'm supporting Obama. It doesn't matter what you're good at.. there's definitely something you can do to help him get noticed.

Goodluck!

-Homeboy

PS... here's links to the state pages...

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Camp Obama Training in Atlanta, Georgia

Trista, Southern Field Director — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:46:03 EDT

"In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it."
~Senator Barack Obama~

Are you tired of politics as usual in Washington DC today?

Are you ready to make a change to bring back America's great reputation in the world?

Then become a part of the national grassroots movement that's changing our politics and transforming our country--Join CAMP OBAMA!

Attendees will learn more about the campaign's vision for America and how best to get organized. After the training you will be asked to support campaign efforts in South Carolina, as well as build up grassroots efforts in your home state.

Camp Obama Training in Atlanta, Georgia

Trista, Southern Field Director — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:38:54 EDT

"In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it."
~Senator Barack Obama~

Are you tired of politics as usual in Washington DC today?

Are you ready to make a change to bring back America's great reputation in the world?

Then become a part of the national grassroots movement that's changing our politics and transforming our country--Join CAMP OBAMA!

Camp Obama Training in Atlanta, Georgia

Trista, Southern Field Director — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:16:16 EDT

"In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it."
~Senator Barack Obama~

Are you tired of politics as usual in Washington DC today?

Are you ready to make a change to bring back America's great reputation in the world?

Then become a part of the national grassroots movement that's changing our politics and transforming our country--Join CAMP OBAMA!

Camp Obama Training in Atlanta, Georgia

Trista, Southern Field Director — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:03:28 EDT

"In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it."
~Senator Barack Obama~

Are you tired of politics as usual in Washington DC today?

Are you ready to make a change to bring back America's great reputation in the world?

Then become a part of the national grassroots movement that's changing our politics and transforming our country--Join CAMP OBAMA!

Camp Obama Training in Atlanta, Georgia

Trista, Southern Field Director — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 12:50:31 EDT

"In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it."
~Senator Barack Obama~

Are you tired of politics as usual in Washington DC today?

Are you ready to make a change to bring back America's great reputation in the world?

Then become a part of the national grassroots movement that's changing our politics and transforming our country--Join CAMP OBAMA!

Camp Obama Training in Atlanta, Georgia

Trista, Southern Field Director — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 12:39:04 EDT

"In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it."
~Senator Barack Obama~

Are you tired of politics as usual in Washington DC today?

Are you ready to make a change to bring back America's great reputation in the world?

Then become a part of the national grassroots movement that's changing our politics and transforming our country--Join CAMP OBAMA!

Camp Obama Training in Atlanta, Georgia

Trista, Southern Field Director — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 12:27:09 EDT

"In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it."
~Senator Barack Obama~

Are you tired of politics as usual in Washington DC today?

Are you ready to make a change to bring back America's great reputation in the world?

Then become a part of the national grassroots movement that's changing our politics and transforming our country--Join CAMP OBAMA!

Camp Obama Training in Atlanta, Georgia

Trista, Southern Field Director — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 12:15:55 EDT

"In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it."
~Senator Barack Obama~

Are you tired of politics as usual in Washington DC today?

Are you ready to make a change to bring back America's great reputation in the world?

Then become a part of the national grassroots movement that's changing our politics and transforming our country--Join CAMP OBAMA!

Camp Obama Training in Atlanta, Georgia

Trista, Southern Field Director — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:57:14 EDT

"In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it."
~Senator Barack Obama~

Are you tired of politics as usual in Washington DC today?

Are you ready to make a change to bring back America's great reputation in the world?

Then become a part of the national grassroots movement that's changing our politics and transforming our country--Join CAMP OBAMA!

Inspiring College Students

Dr. Mark Elrod — Sat, 19 May 2007 22:08:24 EDT

This story from the WaPo reminded me about one of the reasons why I think Barack Obama will be the next president: he inspires young people to get engaged and work for change in America.

More than any candidate that I've seen in decades.

Our "Bisons for Obama" Facebook group at Harding now has 218 members. Granted, a few of them are just hanging around to throw in a forgettable comment every now and then, but 200 members is a considerable group considering the generally apathy of most college students.

In my college political science courses, I often hear student say that "all politicians are alike". I think if GWB's were the only presidential administration I could remember, I would probably say the same thing.

The comments I hear about Obama are different and they are coming from smart, energetic people. Obama's positive message seems to be contagious.

On Tuesday, a group of us are traveling down to Little Rock to meet with the Trista Allen, the National Field Director for Obama '08. Hopefully, he's going to give us some ideas on how to get our campus organized for the primary and beyond.

I just noticed that there are 63 people signed up for this meeting at Philander Smith -- that's about double the number who were at the first meeting for Arkansans for Obama back in April.