Posts with the tag Idaho

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

Idaho Election Blog

WEBMASTER — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:32:47 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 Idaho to post a message on the Idaho Election Blog.

Idaho Election Blog
idaho-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

How Loyal is the Loyal Opposition?

Eric from Covina, CA — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:32:40 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

How Loyal is the Loyal Opposition?

From this point on I pledge to stop using the terms "conservative" and "Republican" interchangeably. I'm beginning to realize there's a big difference between the two. Conservatives are loyal and well-meaning Americans of good faith who just happen not to share my opinion of what's in the best interest of America. On the other hand, it has become clear that the Republican Party has crossed the line between the loyal opposition, and subversion.

Write for Public Transportation in Idaho

Amylouise in idaho — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:24:35 EDT

Hi!
I wrote the same basic note to my 2 Representatives and 1 Senator in Boise using this link: http://legislature.idaho.gov/citizenlegislators.htm
I'm hoping that you will do the same (but with your own opinions, of course) because they have stimulus money down there and are bickering about what to do with it. Creating a light rail system would mean a LOT of jobs for constructing it and future jobs for maintenance and all the businesses that would follow it's path. Here is a link from a good senator in Boise about it: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=5352&post=56796&uid=13527917055#post56796
My note, using the quick fill in form provided by the top link when I clicked on my person's name:

Dear Representative Henderson,

When do you think we will get a light rail system or decent bus system here in Idaho? I live in north Idaho and it would be so easy up here because we only need 2 routes for a light rail system and it would ease the burden on our roads and make us more energy efficient. One route would go alone I-90 to connect us to Spokane, WA and Montana and the other route would go along Highway 95 to reach the fast growing communities north and help with all the wrecks on the very busy commute route. Please put in a good word for getting Idaho smart, community focused and energy efficient.

Thank you,

Amylouise Adira

MISSING CHILDREN - IMMEDIATE WEB CIRCULATION NEEDED - PLEASE HELP

Please Help Missing Children — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:21:03 EDT

Daniel Zamlen - Endangered Missing - Minnesota

Nathaly Alonzo 12 - Abducted - Delaware

Joshua David Avara 11 - Abducted - Texas

Sandra Cantu 8 - FOUND DECEASED

JACK CONNOLLY 7 - FOUND DECEASED - KILLED BY NON-CUSTODIAL FATHER WITH VIOLENT HISTORY - NO SUPERVISED VISITATION

DUNCAN CONNOLLY 9 - FOUND DECEASED - KILLED BY NON-CUSTODIAL FATHER WITH VIOLENT HISTORY - NO SUPERVISED VISITATION

BRITTANY WELLS 17 - SUSPECTED RUNAWAY - NORTH DAKOTA

Rochelle Denise Battle 16 - MISSING - MARYLAND

ALLYSON CORRALES 4 - ENDANGERED MISSING - MISSOURI

Mariah Sparks - MISSING CHILD - ALABAMA

Amber Leeanne Dubois - Endangered Missing - California

Haleigh Cummings - Endangered Missing - Florida

Tierny Perry 16 - Endangered Runaway - Florida

Adji "Ji Ji" Desir - Endangered Missing - Florida

SAMANTHA CHER HOWELL 15 - ENDANGERED RUNAWAY - NEW MEXICO

Jeff Renaud - Missing - Ontario

Crystal Ann Fox - Missing - California

Mystic Dawn Salazar - Missing - Colorado

Omar Qutaiba Mahoud - Abducted - New Mexico

Nadia Mahmoud - Abducted - New Mexico

Pebbles Jace - Missing Endangered - California

Max-Gian (Max-Jon) Alcalde 7 - Missing - Idaho

Ashley Nicole Lopez 18 - Endangered Runaway - New Mexico

Wendy Rameriz-Beristain - Endangered Missing - Florida

Marlene Torales - Endangered Missing - California

Claudia Vanessa Yat - Endangered Missing - California

Tangena Hussain 2 - Endangered Missing - Michigan

Jaliek "Jay" Rainwalker 12 - Endangered Missing - New York

Elian Amilcar Majano 2 - Endangered - Texas

Benjamin “Ben” Melvin Roseland - Missing - Iowa

Yasmin Acree - Missing - Illinois

Amy Fitzapatrick - Missing - Spain

Adrian Gonzalez 7 - Endangered Missing - Florida

Neida Rodriguez-Gonzalez 3 - Endangered Missing - Florida

Thor Danielsson Wang 1 - Endangered Missing - California

AMBER ADELIA BITTINGER 15 - ENDANGERED RUNAWAY - NEW MEXICO

Latoya Fleming 6 - Endangered Missing - New York

JOANNA CANO 15 & ANGEL 6 mo. - "PERSON OF INTEREST" WANTED FOR 1ST DEGREE MURDER - NORTH CAROLINA

XYLONIA BEGAY - MISSING - NEW MEXICO

MADELEINE MCCANN 4 - MISSING - INTERNATIONAL

Tabitha Tudor 18 - Endangered Missing - Tennessee

Kyle Fleischmann - Missing - North Carolina

Justin Gaines - Missing - Georgia

Donna Jou - Missing - California

Jason Michael Rourk - Missing - Georgia

Jennifer Keese - Missing - Florida

Mark Degner - Missing - Florida

Brian Hayes - Missing - Florida

Maura Murray - Missing - New Hampshire

Tabitha Tudors - Missing - Tennessee

Branson Perry - Missing - Missouri

Suzanne "Suzy" Gloria Lyall - Missing - New York

Karen Wilson - Missing - New York

Michael Mayfield - Endangered Missing - Texas

Pamela Mayfield - Endangered Missing - Texas

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

Obama for America- community house meetings

LucentShadows — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:30:49 EST

It's really cool to see that this website is on going and continuing to be a place for connecting the people to activities and events... continuing support for the vision of change as proposed by President-elect Barack Obama.

Sunday, December 14th- I attended a community house meeting whereby we discussed issues that concern us, and planning of things we can do within our community to make a difference for the better. We came up with some things that we can take action on immediately, such as helping out at a shelter/safe house for battered women and children. We'll be participating in expanding the facility so that a few more families can get off the waiting list and into a safe environment.

Some of the members of the group are acquaintances of senators and other congressional reps. These group members have now written to these acquaintances regarding such issues as

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

OBAMA FOR IDAHO

WEBMASTER — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:12:53 EST

Aberdeen * Acequia * Albion * American Falls * Ammon * Ashton * Bancroft * Bellevue * Blackfoot * Boise * Bonners Ferry * Burley * Caldwell * Carey * Cascade * Challis * Chubbuck * Coeur d Alene * Cottonwood * Council * Dietrich * Dover * Downey * Driggs * Eagle * Elk City * Emmett * Fairfield * Franklin * Fruitland * Garden City * Garden Valley * Genesee * Glenns Ferry * Gooding * Grandjean * Grace * Grangeville * Hagerman * Hailey * Harrison * Hauser * Hayden * Heyburn * Hidden Springs * Horseshoe * Idaho City * Idaho Falls * Jerome * Juliaetta * Kamiah * Kellogg * Ketchum * Kimberly * Kooskia * Kuna * Lava Hot Springs * Lewiston * Mackay * Malad * Malta * Marsing * McCall * McCammon * Melba * Meridian * Middleton * Montpelier * Moscow * Mountain Home * Murray * Nampa * New Meadows * New Plymouth * Nezperce * Orofino * Payette * Pierce * Pocatello * Post Falls * Potlatch * Preston * Priest River * Rathdrum * Rexburg * Richfield * Rigby * Riggins * Rupert * Salmon * Sandpoint * Shelley * Shoshone * Soda Springs * St Anthony * St Maries * Stanley * Star * Stites * Sugar City * Sun Valley * Twin Falls * Wallace * Wardner * Weippe * Weiser * Wendell * Whitebird * Wilder

Idaho * Idaho Bible Study * Obama for Idaho * State of Idaho

Hey Idaho, Join the Northwest

Clint — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 12:11:09 EDT

Hey Idaho, why don't you join the rest of the Northwest? Both Oregon and Washington are looking for real change in Washington DC. Both states are strongly leaning toward Barack Obama as the candidate that can fix the messy situation the country is in right now. I know it's a hard choice given most of you are republican but please consider taking a step outside of the box this election.

Thoughts on Obama Signs Being Vandalized in Whitman/Latah County

Stan Smith — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 04:15:26 EDT

It seems as if everyday when I open the paper, another call has come in to a local police entity about an Obama campaign sign being defaced, set on fire, or just plain stolen. I am curious what has happened in the rest of the state and across this country. I doubt that this is only happening on the Palouse. It makes me sad though, or I should really say dissapointed, about the folks that I like to call neighbors. Therefore, I am going to commit myself. For every blurp that is in the Moscow/Pullman Daily News about this (which is a crime), I will make 5 calls and send 5 emails to help bridge the divide of knowledge that is evident by the messages sometimes painted or burned onto the damaged signs! I would challenge, no charge everyone to match me on this. Don't let this go unpunished. Report vandalism. Don't tolerate ignorance.

GO at The Melting Pot

Tom Lloyd — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:27:00 EDT

On Wednesday, September 24th, GO-IDAHO hosted a meet ‘n’ greet mixer for students and young adults, and we had a great time. Due to the excellent hospitality afforded to us by the owners of the Melting Pot, we took over the patio for a warm, fall evening full of wine, cheese fondue, and politicking! We always know an event like that is a success when people are walking in off the street just because they saw our signs and wanted to become a part of the movement.

Some local supporters voiced their diverse opinions on why it matters so much to them that we elect Barack Obama:

- “As a student, it’s very important to me that we have a president who understands how hard it is to pay for college these days. I think more than any other candidate in my lifetime, Barack Obama knows what it’s like to be fresh out of college looking at a painful student loan debt.” – Justine, Student at Boise State University

- “The thing that drew me the most to Obama is his stance on immigration. When I listen to him, I can tell that he has lived outside the country and understands how hard it can be for families to be torn apart by a broken system.” – Chryssa, Advertising Professional

- “I support Barack Obama because we all need a breath of fresh air!” – Jenny, Student at Boise State University

- “I support Barack Obama because no candidate in my voting life has ever made me think he or she is really for the American people until now. He doesn’t take money from corporate fat cats who want to own his administration. He really will lead this country in a direction that favors its citizens - and he actually will do it, and he will CHANGE this country.” Lisa, Community Organizer

- “The reason I support Barack Obama is because he's inspirational at a time when people need a leader, not someone to fix their problems, but someone to inspire them to work harder, do more, use less, and come together to make a greater America.” Ahmad, IT Specialist

Sound like fun? We’d love to see you plan some other events in your own area of Idaho. Planning and hosting an event is easier than you’d think! Through the use of various new media tools (including my.barackobama.com, facebook, and myspace), we spread the word effectively and had a strong group of supporters. These supporters met other, like-minded young people and learned of some great upcoming canvasses and other campaign events in which they could get involved. If you’d like to get involved with GO-IDAHO, or would just like information on how to start your own group, you can find us through any of the following means:

1. Check my.barackobama.com to find, post, and host local events to support Obama;

2. Check our grassroots site, which has been active for longer than most of our volunteers and continues to keep timely updates: www.idahoforobama.org;

3. Join the GO-IDAHO myspace page at www.myspace.com/idahogo; and

4. Find our facebook page by searching Groups for “Generation Obama Idaho.”

GO-IDAHO's Mission Statement: As the next generation of civic, political, and social leaders in Idaho, we between the ages of 18 and 35 have the unique responsibility of framing the future of our remarkable state. The mission of the Idaho chapter of Generation Obama (GO-IDAHO) is to harness the enthusiasm and awareness that Barack Obama has brought to the young people of Idaho, and to translate that passion into active engagement of our peers, service to our community, and new voter turnout in November. Although we are often dismissed by our predecessors as being uninvolved, apathetic, and inexperienced idealists, the truth is that we wield an awe-inspiring power to effect real change throughout Idaho. GO-IDAHO intends to impact the 2008 election with a youth and new voter turnout that has not been seen before during our lifetimes, and to do so by demonstrating that our generation will no longer acquiesce to the negative politics of the past several decades. We will work positively and with all of the vigor and energy of our youth to ensure that Barack Obama is elected the next President of the United States of America.

A Call to Action

Tom Lloyd — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:33:51 EDT

It is a very busy time right now in the political arena, and it is about to get a lot busier. Accordingly, I feel it an appropriate time to reach out and jot down a few thoughts on the status of GO-IDAHO, the hopes we have for November, and, most importantly, why it is imperative that we all start working harder than ever to elect Barack Obama. Some of you will be reading this in an email, others on myspace, and still others on facebook. No matter how you have found us, connected with us, and/or kept up with us, I want to again welcome you to our movement. We've got a unique opportunity this election, and I am confident in Idaho's youth to turn some heads on November 4th.

We are less than two months from the day that our country will decide who will be the next president of these United States. I doubt that I am preaching to anyone but the choir here, but I feel it necessary to reiterate the importance of this election. The position of the Obama campaign from the very beginning (I've been with the movement for over a year now) has been to stay "above the fray" of the negative campaigning of the past. Doing so has often been very hard, as we've made our way through a very trying primary cycle into an even nastier general race. And when you consider how the past eight years have brought out the worst in our country, the challenge of remaining positive becomes even harder to master.

But what we have to remember is that all of that cynicism, negativity, and partisan bickering CAN be defeated in 2008. We, as the youngest people to go to the polls this year and as the future leaders of the state of Idaho and the United States of America, have a duty to each other, to our own kids, to our brothers and sisters, and to our elders, to make the statement that we demand CHANGE in the way politics and government are run in this country.

Many of you may be curious as to who I am, as the director of our GO-IDAHO group. As I said above, I have now been involved with the Obama campaign for a little over a year. I was initially approached by some old friends back in D.C. who asked if I'd head up an Idaho chapter of a group called Young Lawyers for Obama. After some careful thought and some heavy research into the candidate, I found myself being called by that same idea that Barack frequently attributes to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The fierce urgency of now." I accepted the invitation, and soon integrated my efforts into the overall grassroots movement to elect Sen. Obama.

I remained an active volunteer throughout the primary season, and proudly shared some truly awe-inspiring moments on the journey. When we got news that Barack Obama would ACTUALLY be visiting Boise, the excitement was almost uncontrollable. Because of my consistent volunteer efforts, I had the distinct honor of being selected to drive in the motorcade that brought Obama and his staff from the airport to the Grove Hotel the night before his speech. While I did not drive the Senator, I did have three of his top advisors. I remember driving down Broadway (we took an interesting route) and being asked by one of the three gentlemen how many people I expected to show up. Having grown up in eastern Idaho and, therefore, having a healthy skepticism about the willingness of Democrats to show their faces in public, I answered, "I think we'll have a good four or five thousand." Without needing to go into much more detail, I'll only say that I shared in the profound disbelief when over 14,000 showed up the next morning. All I can remember thinking is, "We've done something here... we have changed Idaho politics forever."

Just a few days later we made history with (1) record attendance (2) at a caucus in every county in Idaho for the first time in history, (3) resulting in a larger percentage win for Barack Obama here than in any other state. Needless to say, this has been a very exciting time to be involved in politics in Idaho and to be involved in the Idaho Democratic Party. (Kudos must go to Kassie Cerami, TJ Thomson, Katie Whittier, Shelly Landry, Randy Johnson, and all other Idahoans that made caucuses appear in every county.)

When the general election began to heat up again, I knew that I had to reprise my role in the campaign, because I believe too strongly in the opportunity placed before us. I believe too strongly in the need for CHANGE in the direction of our country on so many fronts - from the economy, to our place in the international arena, to the irresponsible use of our brave men and women in the armed forces, to the future of energy production and use, to the risks confronting our beautiful environment in the next several years... need I continue? So when we all started to get underway, the campaign staff asked me to expand the Young Lawyers group to become a chapter of the GO movement. Again, after careful consideration about various factors in my own life, I accepted the challenge.

What a lot of people don't know, however, is that this isn't my job. I do what I can during my lunch hours, my evenings, and my weekends. I still have a 40+ hour/week job as a practicing attorney at a firm in downtown Boise. For something this important, it isn't about having time; it is about MAKING time.

And the success of our campaign is entirely dependent upon volunteer contributions of time, energy, and ideas. Not that this message isn't long enough already, I want to share two brief stories. Just the other day, we were doing voter registration drives at the Saturday Market and at Art in the Park in Boise. During the morning Market session, I had a new volunteer show up, Anna, who had been convinced to come along by another volunteer, Kelsey. Doing what we do can be intimidating, so I let the two of them pair up to add a bit of comfort for Anna in the new experience. By the end of the drive, Anna was completely into it and loving it. It's things like Anna's smile after two and a half hours of voter registration that reassure me we're doing the right thing here.

Just a couple of hours later, we'd moved our drive to the outskirts of the Art in the Park festival, and we were seeing some more great success. After about an hour or two, I had a gentleman come up to me because he'd been told by some other volunteers that I was the one in charge. He introduced himself as Jim and asked what he could do to help out. I interpreted that as a general question about volunteering overall, and began to give him my standard answer about coming into the office, joining our myspace pages, etc. Recognizing that I'd misunderstood his question, Jim cut me off saying, "No no no... I mean NOW. How can I help you right now?" Shocked, and inspired, I handed him a clipboard with voter registration cards and he went to work. Jim stayed that day for over two hours, having just happened to have been passing us on the street.

I tell these stories to emphasize that volunteering for this campaign is not something you should be afraid of doing; everyone... EVERYONE... has skills that we can utilize, but we need you to step up. We can't find the volunteer power on our own to turn this state and country around, but together WE CAN.

So I've asked before, but I want to encourage you to reach out to me to let me know how you think you can help in your community. Since this isn't a real job for me, I am somewhat bound to the Boise area. I can't travel around the state organizing younger volunteers because I like my paycheck! But if you're in Pocatello, or Moscow, or Idaho Falls, or Twin Falls, or Couer D'Alene, or Salmon, or McCall, or Lewiston, or Rigby, or Challis, or Rexburg... OR ANYWHERE and you think you can host some events (debate watching parties, etc.), organize some voter registration drives (at your local tailgate party for example), or just get a few volunteers to dawn some Obama gear and head out to do some community service, please let me know! And if you don't know where to start, but want to be involved, I will always be here as your resource. We have some really good ideas, we just need people who are willing to step up to make them happen. (Oh, and we also have a lot of fun, even though I haven't made that a real emphasis of this call to action. I should still say it!)

I've now made this message a bit longer than perhaps originally intended, but I want you to recognize that we want, need, and deeply appreciate your involvement. To conclude, in case you haven't seen or really considered it, I'm including the GO-IDAHO Mission Statement:

As the next generation of civic, political, and social leaders in Idaho, we between the ages of 18 and 35 have the unique responsibility of framing the future of our remarkable state. The mission of the Idaho chapter of Generation Obama (GO-IDAHO) is to harness the enthusiasm and awareness that Barack Obama has brought to the young people of Idaho, and to translate that passion into active engagement of our peers, service to our community, and new voter turnout in November. Although we are often dismissed by our predecessors as being uninvolved, apathetic, and inexperienced idealists, the truth is that we wield an awe-inspiring power to effect real change throughout Idaho. GO-IDAHO intends to impact the 2008 election with a youth and new voter turnout that has not been seen before during our lifetimes, and to do so by demonstrating that our generation will no longer acquiesce to the negative politics of the past several decades. We will work positively and with all of the vigor and energy of our youth to ensure that Barack Obama is elected the next President of the United States of America.

Take care everyone, and I hope to hear from you very soon! In the meantime, I've got a few upcoming events I'll be posting in the next day or so.

Best,

Tom

Kootenai County Democrats Voter Registration Drive: Calendar

Amylouise in idaho — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:25:20 EDT

We are registering voters here in Kootenai County, Idaho and we need your help! If you would like to get started, just send an email to ywc08@mac.com and I will reply with a Voter Registration Kit. It has everything you need to get started: training info, forms to print off from home, even signage to wear and display. Plus, I am available to answer questions and more than happy to help. We have been volunteering in 2 hour shifts so we don't get too tired and in pairs so we don't get lonely. :) To when and where we are registering voters, go to here: http://ical.me.com/amylouise/Voter%20Registration%20Drive%20Kootenai%20County
OR to Google.com ( http://www.google.com/calendar/render ), find "Calendars" and do a search for "Kootenai County Democrats Voter Registration Drive." Several calendars come up, one for each different regular location where we have been registering voters, so just browse and then let me know when you are available. Here are some of those links: http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=aqge8ej5rg79vl8st50cv3dcfk%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Los_Angeles , http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=v1ocqs6mqp3a7ous56f2lb3sno%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Los_Angeles ,

Invited to Speak

Nickie — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:59:00 EDT

Hi all,

I've been invited to speak at an Obama fundraiser in Idaho. Not a state expected to go blue, but with a lot of excited Democrats wanting to do their part to help Obama. I'm an Obama Fellow from Washington, but live in Idaho, and have been trying to encourage my Idaho Democrat brothers and sisters to help in Washington. A state that we feel we can and will take but will require a massive get out the vote effort.

I am excited about sharing my story and Obama's story and the American hopes and vision for our future with this group of dedicated people. What an amazing honor this is for me. I have some important issues I'd like to discuss with these wonderful people, and I am looking for specific ideas and talking points that I should touch on with this group of Obama supporters. Any ideas? We are located in Moscow, Idaho. That is 8 miles from Pullman, WA. The University of Idaho, and Washington State University are located in these towns. Talking to university students from both campuses I realize that whatever we do wiill have to include the youth vote and how to harness their amaizing enthusiasm and energy for Obama.

Happy birthday, Barack Obama

Julie in Boise — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:30:21 EDT

Today is Barack Obama's 47th birthday. He shares the same birthdate as Louis Armstrong, Helen Thomas, Billy Bob Thornton, Roger Clemens, and Percy Shelley.

Much has been made about Obama's youth, and I've joked about how much I love to hear that, being just nine days older than he is. In 1908, an American man could expect to live just 49.5 years. Had they lived a century ago, Barack Obama would likely have been nearing the end of his life and John McCain would've been dead for decades. It's only now, as average life expectancy nears 80, that Obama is considered to be barely middle aged. But as he closes in on the half-century mark, Obama has had plenty of time to gain wisdom and perspective.

Idaho Veterans for Obama hold kickoff

Julie in Boise — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:15:35 EDT

Dozens of veterans and their families - perhaps 150 people total - turned out Thursday night for the Idaho Veterans for Obama kickoff at Boise's Veterans Memorial Park.

The evening was emceed by Obama organizer T.J. Thomson - who is now chair of the Idaho Veterans for Obama - and featured speeches by former Hillary Clinton state chairman and Vietnam veteran John Greenfield; former Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus, a Korean War veteran; and U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco, an Army captain in Germany during the Vietnam era.

All emphasized the idea that intellect, judgment, and character - not military service - is what Americans look for in a president, and that Barack Obama is a better choice than John McCain on all those counts. Greenfield said that while all Americans honor McCain and his service, he is "110 percent" behind Obama as the wisest, most competent candidate in the race.

Thomson added that Obama has a family history of military service (his grandfather served with Gen. George Patton in World War II), that he sought membership on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and that he introduced the Dignity for Wounded Warriors Act in the wake of the Walter Reed Hospital scandal.

Meanwhile, Back in the Heart of Red State America

Dr. Mark Elrod — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:35:02 EDT

My friend GKB sent this to ME today from Idaho.

It follows, therefore, that an Idahoan voting for Senator Larry "Wide Stance" Craig is like _______________________.

150 Delegates Away: Idaho Democrat Chair Endorses Obama

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:40:27 EDT

Superdelegate Keith Roark endorsed Barack Obama for President today.

Roark, the Chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party, said Obama's candidacy will give a "once in a lifetime boost" to rebuild the Idaho Democratic Party.

"The unprecedented enthusiasm Senator Obama has generated here in Idaho is unlike anything I have seen in the past 31 years of active political participation in this State," Rorak explained.

Young voters' "mint fresh optimism" has been captured by Obama, Roark said.

281 Number of superdelegates endorsing Obama

150 Number of delegates needed to secure the nomination

Carole

Why I choose to back Obama

Andrea M. — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:21:47 EST

This is going to be a fairly standard post. I just wanted to let everyone know WHY I am going to be voting for Senator Obama.

First, he has NEVER changed his mind on important things. He has opposed the Iraq war from the start and he will definitely finish it. It won't be one excuse after another like I fear with the HRC camp.

Second, he talks of hope. Now, a lot of people may call for a reality check but when they do simply reply "have you done your's yet?" I say this because, well, without hope you would never have done anything. You wouldn't have gotten that first job to get the car or the cell phone or whatever you wanted to buy. Without hope, you wouldn't have gotten into a relationship that you thought would last forever. Without hope, you wouldn't be voting at all, you would be letting the government have all power and say. But, Obama brings us hope of a future that we can all look forward to.

Third, his health care plan is realistic. HRC believes that she needs to MAKE people pay for health insurance and that will make premiums go down. But, that is far from the truth. If we are all forced to pay for health insurance permiums may go down for a short time, until the insurance companies feel they need even more money to burn. I do not have health insurance simply because I cannot afford it. All three of my children are on medicaid because my family has such little funds. Obama's plan to make it affordable to all is very realisitic and it is the best way because of the fact that if people can't afford it right now as it is, how will they be able to afford it when they are FORCED to buy it?

Fourth, He wants to help educate and realizes that although families as a whole may have a decent amount coming in, they may also have a tremendous amount going out. His plan to have kids do community service in exchange for funds is a wonderful idea. I love volunteering and I will teach my children to do the same because we must give back to our communities and country. Only then will it truly be the great nation that it can be. I have been a volunteer CPR/AED/First Aid/Professional Rescue instructor for over a year and I don't regret a single moment. I am very proud that I have been able to teach others how to help in their communities.

And last but not least, he drives for the future. Yes, things were, "Ok" while Bill Clinton was in the white house. But, we don't need what we had back then. We are no longer living in the 90's and Hillary will only try to complete what she did back when Bill was in office. Those are plans of the past, not of the future. The past does NOT hold any answers to our future. The past didn't tell us that we would have an attack the magnitude of 9/11. The past didn't tell us that we would have to worry about everything we say and do because it may be taken wrongly due to the "patriot" act.

These are all things we must consider. Hillary Clinton said in an interview that "if the phone rings and there is an emergency then we cannot afford to do on the job training". Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news for her, but even her husband had "on the job training" and that's just a part of the presidency. I don't feel that bringing her into office will do anything but bring us troubles. I do admit that some (but far from all) of her ideas are decent, they just won't do in a time like this. Abraham Lincoln and JFK had very little experience with the White House but they are some of the most loved figures in human history and yet they made huge impacts.

Please, if you have anything to add or say please, feel free. I value the right to voice an opinion.

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

Phone Bank Party for Texas & Ohio

Asher Heimermann — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:12:17 EST

Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday from 12pm to 7pm.

Join us at the Idaho for Obama office March 1-2 to help Obama win Texas and Ohio. Bring a potluck dish, snacks or drinks to share.

Please bring your own cell phone and wireless laptop! Resources in the office are very limited now that the official campaign has left town.

The Idaho Caucus

Logan Stoodley — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:20:22 EST

Yeah, I know it's been a week since Super Tuesday and the Idaho Caucus, but I still feel like sharing my experiences there. In all actuality, I think that Obama's big win in Idaho has been overlooked, and what I saw and felt while I was at the Kootenai County caucus is proof of what Obama can do in our country. To understand why, I'm going to fill you in on a little joke we share around here during election season. You'll see a bunch of people holding up signs supporting whoever the Democratic party supports in whatever election, and inevitably as you drive pass someone in the car will say 'Oh look, there's all the Kootenai County Democrats! All 12 of them!'

You see Democrats in Idaho are kinda like an endangered species, and also somewhat of a joke. It's almost easier to find Bigfoot. So when I walked towards the North Idaho College gym, expecting maybe a couple hundred people to show up, because of Obama-mania and all the phone calls. But the previous week we'd been hit by a terrible string of winter storms that had practically shut down the city of Coeur d'Alene, so I was expecting that even less people would show up. Imagine my surprise when I saw a line. People were out in full force. I waited a good 15 minutes in line, and that was because I arrived relatively early.

The 49th Parallel and Barack Obama

Jay of the Peace Garden State — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:32:43 EST

Barack Obama appeals to citizens who share their frontier with Canada. Barack has won the majority of delegates in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Idaho.

This is quite tremendous given that North Dakota and Idaho are "conservative" states. Idaho traditionally has been the most Republican state in the union. North Dakota is conservative although a Republican friend of mine claims that we are hypocritical. This stems from the fact that for every $1 we pay in taxes we get about $2 dollars back. We also have progressive or socialist institutions a state bank and state elevator (grain). Barack took about 66% of the ND vote at caucus. In Idaho, he received an astonishing 75% of the caucus vote. Some 12,000 people turned out for a Barack rally at Boise, Idaho. The ND caucus voting drew around 11,000 - 12,000 votes for Obama.

Things look good for Obama in Washington I understand he has the endorsement of that states governor.

May he have good luck in today's race. I hope he can take the 49th parallel.

Obama leads Clinton by only 2 delegates

ODEH ODEH — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:27:32 EST

Hello America, is not amazing that once more, the syndicated media corporation is trying relentlessly to miniaturized the gains of Obama and the American people? How many of us could have imagined that Obama will ever lead either by delegates or state wise in the Democratic Party, going by popular status quo opinion?

I do not care even if Obama lead by just a half delegate, as long as a lead is a lead.

Obama's win in Idaho and Colorado, among others prove beyond reasonable doubt that, he can carry American as a united people and move the country forward.

CONGRATULATION, AMERICANS. CONGRATULATION OBAMA!

God Bless USA

God bless Obama

Read on..............

Back to Story - HelpObama leads Clinton by only 2 delegates

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press Writer 19 minutes ago

Three days after the voting ended, the race for Democratic delegates in Super Tuesday's contests was still too close to call. With nearly 1,600 delegates from Tuesday contests awarded, Sen. Barack Obama led by two delegates Friday night, with 91 delegates still to be awarded. Obama won 796 delegates in Tuesday's contests, to 794 for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, according to an analysis of voting results by The Associated Press.

In the Republican contest, Sen. John McCain had a commanding lead in the race for delegates.

Nearly a third of the outstanding delegates are from Colorado, a state where Obama won the popular vote. California, a state that Clinton carried, had 20 Democratic delegates still to be awarded. Neither state expected to have complete results before next week.

Obama won the popular vote in 13 states Tuesday, while Clinton won in eight states and American Samoa.

In the overall race for the nomination, Clinton has 1,055 delegates, including separately chosen party and elected officials known as superdelegates. Obama has 998.

A total of 2,025 delegates are need to secure the Democratic nomination.

Many delegates were outstanding because some states have been unable to provide all the votes in some congressional districts. The problems arose in states with counties that are split into multiple congressional districts.

The states have provided results in each county. But in some cases, they are still working to assign the votes in the appropriate congressional district.

Those votes are important because both parties award delegates based on statewide votes and on results in individual congressional districts. Democrats award them proportionally, meaning precise counts can be necessary, even when the vote is overwhelmingly in favor of one candidate.

Victory in Idaho!

Asher Heimermann — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:06:13 EST

We did it! We achieved an enormous victory in the State of Idaho!

Volunteers put countless hours into the campaign and it was apparent to the entire world, as Idaho scored the largest victory in the country for Barack Obama.

We have done more than anyone could have imagined. So where do we go from here, Idaho?

There is much that we can still do to assist the efforts across the United States for Senator Barack Obama.

Amazed...

Ryan — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:34:39 EST

I am still truly amazed at the amount of support that is generated across the virtual spectra of race, creed and age. Wandering around this wiki site to witness people coming out of the woodwork and to find fellow Republicans that have finally had enough of standard old GOP politics and yearn for change for the better.

I see this as a moment of the true reflectivity of a disenfranchised nation who has finally been given a sip of refreshing water and you can almost hear the collective "Ahhh" of a grateful nation.

I am personally tired of the constant focus on corporate health and growth - to the point of recklessness that has been fostered by the GOP in the last seven years and I can't wait for it to be over. With Mitt Romney stepping down, McCain has been given the clear path to the party nomination and I can't wait for Senator Obama to whip it into him come the general election. It's almost eerily reminiscent of the 1960 election post Eisenhower where Nixon looked the baffoon to Kennedy's youthful exuberance and energy.

Blue Idaho?

heart4idaho — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:55:56 EST

Feb 5, 2008 was historic in Red State Idaho, generating enthusiasm to match the heat of 1300+ bodies crammed into the campus ballroom (capacity 900). Ours is the only Democratic county in the State. But we are used to being trounced by Republicans at the State level. Last night, we believed again that we have a voice rising above the overwhelming conservatism of this Rocky Mountain enclave.

The local joke is when Progressives get together in this State, we enjoy all 5 of us. Obama's spirited campaign has made that joke happily obsolete. Here's what happened: everyone was civil, patient, grinning with a joyful glow, and supportive of the process, reflecting Obama's genuinely decent message.

You have to understand there are progressive people in Idaho. But we have been seriously drowned by State legislators who do not 'believe in global warming', who pushed the 'Marriage Amendment', who refuse to add gays to a 'no discrimination in the workplace' amendment. Idaho has generally encouraged polluters to thrive at the expense of public health. Dissent has been overruled in favor of big money.

So last night, when in a heavily conservative culture, Obama supporters gathered on a cold, snowy night to caucus; it was inspirational. Almost miraculous.

This is the core phenomenon of the campaign: HOPE. In Idaho last night, around 850 Obama supporters cheered our way into the national chorus. People are committed. People who have suffered a pattern of defeatism have a chance to believe in themselves again.

The chills I got at this event will stay with me. I share with you momentum in what we yearn to do.

Dare we believe this campaign is the 'Real Deal'? Let's go to work.

Let's get him here

BarakaWolf the GREEN WOLF — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:03:57 EST

My friends —

I know Super Tuesday is on our minds right now. It is indeed on mine.

But let us think about AFTER. Yes, even after the Washington State Caucus that many of us are volunteering for.

Let us endeavour to getting Senator Barack Obama to Oregon, before May.

We will need a LARGE space for the event — one that will fit 20,000-plus people, because I know he'll draw that many. He pulled in 14,000 PEOPLE in firetruck-red Idaho, in the midst of a winter storm. They were expecting 8800.

He pulled in 20,000 in Delaware, and that is how I know we'll get at least that many to turn out here.

What sayest ye? Let us do this thing.

Believing Again

mscf — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:04:53 EST

I have been cynical about politics in America since before I was old enough to vote. By the time I'd turned 18 in 1995 I had already been thoroughly convinced of two things: politicians didn't really care what we wanted, and they didn't really want our help anyway.

I regularly performed my civic duty by voting all the way until the 2004 elections, and it always felt like a duty: It was had to choose the candidate I disliked less rather than the one I liked more. In the 2004 elections I couldn't even bring myself to choose which was worse. In hindsight, I wish I had voted against Bush, but things are always clearer once they are past and the consequences have been made clear.

Women For Obama Dinner

Asher Heimermann — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:01:55 EST

The Idaho Women For Obama group plans to gather at Obama headquarters to work on posters that will be a part of the caucus gathering on February 5th. In addition to the poster project, the group will also address postcards containing the caucus location, date and time. These postcards will be mailed to possible caucus attendees.

For Information, Contact Tawny Reckamp at 208-345-6210

Barack Obama Coming to Idaho

Asher Heimermann — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:34:11 EST

The Barack Obama Campaign announced that on Saturday, February 2nd, Senator Obama will visit the Boise area. Details on Senator Obama's trip will be forthcoming in the days ahead!

Be sure to check www.IdahoForObama.org and www.BarackObama.com regularly for all the details!

Breakfast for Obama at Ireland's Inn Cafe, Potlatch, ID--January 26, 2008

Michael Riley — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:54:25 EST

We had 18 people in attendance at the Breakfast for Obama at Ireland's Inn Cafe in Potlatch, ID. Matt Nappe from the Obama campaign joined us and provided a lot of information about Senator Obama. Participants talked about their reasons for supporting sentator Obama. Some cited the fact that he offers a different approach to the last 20 years of the Bush-Clinton-Bush loggerhead; others cited his strong stance against the war in Iraq; while others noted his compelling personal narrative.

Some participants also attended the breakfast to find out more about Senator Obama indicating their support of other candidates. This provided for compelling and interesting discussion.

We thank Wayne Krasselt, owner of Ireland's Inn Cafe, for providing the space for us to meet and for the delicious breakfasts!

See you at the Idaho Caucus on February 5th at the Latah County Fairgrounds! Let me know if you need a ride!

Help Obama and Fair Elections in Idaho

Calvin Leman Salmon ID Fair Elections — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:28:53 EST

Can you help with all your Idaho friends and groups? On my blog you can see that I am trying to get Idaho people to go to http://fp1.centurytel.net/democracy/ to send a letter to Senators Davis, Stegner, Jorgenson, Little, Geddes, Darrington, and McKenzie.

Congratulations to Keith Roark

David Butterfield — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:33:15 EST

Keith Roark is the new head of the IDP. I've seen him in action in the Wood River Valley communities for many years, and while I don't always agree with him, I think he's going to be a fair and courageous leader in the resurgence of the Democratic party in Idaho.

"I am a realist," he said. "The one-party system is firmly entrenched in this state and will not be overcome in a single election year. The road ahead is long and hard. We are going to be patient, persistent and tenacious.

"We are going to rebuild our party from the ground up. Seizing upon the winds of change that are clearly blowing across this nation, we will build momentum, not just over the coming months but over the coming years. We will build precinct by precinct, county by county, district by district, election by election."

Keith Roark (Idaho Mountain Express (1/9/08)

BIG win in Iowa echoes here at home

Katie W — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 13:35:03 EST

With caucus watching parties organized throughout the state on Thursday, momentum for Idaho’s Obama campaign grew immensely, both among volunteers and in the local media. Check out what some of the media outlets had to say.

Idaho papers apologize for false Obama statements

Katie W — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:34:51 EST

Brett Adler, an Ada County volunteer, posted the following on the Red State Rebels blog this week:

Recently two Idaho papers did what very few media outlets across the nation have been willing to do - they apologized for printing letters that spread falsehoods about Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

Leading Idaho Democrats back Barack

Sam Graham-Felsen — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:46:14 EST

AP:

Campaign officials for Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama are touting a new batch of endorsements from Idaho Democrats.
The endorsements announced Monday include Idaho's House Minority Leader Wendy Jacquet, of Kethchum, state senator Mike Burkett, of Boise and Ada County Commissioner Paul Woods.
Officials say they have also received the backing of Jerry Brady, the Democratic nominee in Idaho's gubernatorial race last year.
They are the latest batch of Idaho Democrats to swing their favor for Obama, a first-term Illinois Sen. who has closed the gap in the polls on front-runner Hillary Clinton in Iowa and other early primary states.
Last month, Obama opened a campaign office in Boise and he is the top fundraiser among Idaho Democrats.

For more on our growing grassroots movement in Idaho, check out Idaho.BarackObama.com.

Football canvass in Idaho

Sarah Ramey — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:25:17 EST

You never know where you're going to find a grassroots Barack Obama event. A few weeks ago, most students setting up grills and coolers on the tailgates of their trucks outside a big Boise State football game probably weren't expecting an Obama canvass to come through.

"You have to understand," says Ryan (center, below), an Idahoan senior at BSU and Obama volunteer, "these things are a lot of Republicans. But we set up a tent anyways, laid out all our Obama gear, stickered everybody up -- and before you know it, a ton of people are coming up to us telling us how much they love Obama."

Idaho has not had a Democrat set up a campaign office since Ted Kennedy in 1980 -- before Ryan was born. The state is considered one of the "reddest" in the country, and often overlooked by Democratic Presidential candidates...but on November 1st, the Barack Obama campaign opened it's first Boise headquarters, and they've been buzzing with activity ever since.

"Obama is the candidate who could make us feel proud again," says Ryan, who volunteers virtually every day at the office. "I figured I better get involved, especially because we're a Feb 5th voting state. Which means: this time Idaho -- Democrats in Idaho -- might actually matter."

And Ryan is not alone -- as he reports, the student body at BSU is overwhelmingly pro-Obama. "We're the only political group that has any kind of anything going on. For most of us it's our first caucus, which is exciting -- and at least around here, it's going to be a landslide for Obama."

So it's no surprise that Ryan, TJ (right) and Joey (left) found a huge amount of support when they went out tailgating for Obama. They signed up a ton of new volunteers, sold a lot of Obama T-shirts, stickered up all the kids playing catch -- and in return got more free bratwurst than they could have hoped for.

To volunteer or check out more goings on in Idaho and all the other Feb 5th states, click here.

One at a Time, Obama Fever Spreads

Katie W — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:25:27 EST

Obama’s national campaign is daily becoming more ornamented with significant endorsements, and Idaho is no exception. It is with pride that we announce three of our most recent endorsements, in chronological order: House Minority Leader Wendy Jaquet (D-Ketchum); Senator Mike Burkett (D-Boise); and now, Ada County Commissioner Paul Woods.

An Inspirational Trip to Northern Idaho

Katie W — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:04:10 EST

A very diverse group of 26 in Lewiston.

An enthusiastic, engaged crowd of 35 in Coeur d'Alene.

A visit from a state legislator to an open house at the University of Idaho.

Floods of good organizing ideas around a table in Sandpoint.

Front page news in the Lewiston Tribune.

These are only a few of the successes which lined my route through the Idaho Panhandle last week as I met dozens of amazing Obama supporters who are working to make sure he is the next President. After five exhausting days on the road, I feel great about efforts in our northern counties and will draw upon their energy to drive us through the caucus on February 5th.

A special thanks goes out to all of those of you who took the time to come out to our meetings, and an extra thanks goes out to Tom Fellows (Nez Perce County Captain), Justin StormoGipson (Kootenai County Captain), Carrie Nicholson (Bonner County Captain), Edith Martinez (UI Obama Group Advisor), Jessica Samuels (UI Students For Obama Lead), and Aaron Odell (NIC Students For Obama Lead), for all of their continued work as top volunteers on the campaign.

THANK YOU NORTH IDAHO!

Chalking up Campus!

Joey Bristol — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:50:11 EST

Check out what our Boise State University (BSU) Students for Barack Obama coordinator Justine Cook wrote about last week's chalking on BSU campus:

"What a better way to spread the word of Obama to students then to chalk up campus! That’s what we did at Boise State. A group of students took some time away from studying hard to have some fun and make campus colorful. We covered the sidewalks with phrases like “Obama ’08,” “Want change?” and “Ready for hope?” We received a great response from people walking by while we were chalking.

The next day, however, there was a greater reaction. In the morning, our information booth received many questions about Obama, and if he was visiting campus. We also had a professor track down our booth in the Student Union Building sign up and then asked us to come to his class and talk about the importance of volunteering on campaigns!"

Nice work to Justine and the other Broncos who helped out! This is just one more example of how organized the campaign is in Idaho.

Idaho Women For Obama Delivers Diapers to Women's Shelter

Katie W — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:03:23 EST

Rising above the call of duty to be just a hard-hitting, well-organized campaign, the Idaho Chapter of Women For Obama (WFO) decided to contribute to the health of our community by partnering with the City Light women's shelter in Boise to help meet their needs this campaign season. We kicked off our partnership by collecting diapers at the WFO launch party on November 28, and this Monday, December 3, it was my honor to deliver this gift to the shelter with Kassie Ceramie and Stacy Falkner. What we discovered there rekindled our faith in the goodness of humanity and inspired us.

The City Lights shelter helps women get back on their feet after traumas which leave them helpless, such as a tragic end to a relationship or substance abuse problems. It also houses women who just need temporary overnight housing. And of course, it cares for their children as well. The program offers them step-by-step guidance in getting back into the world, including educational opportunities (many GEDs are earned every year, and some even get college degrees through scholarships offered by Apollo College and Steven Henneger). Tutors are available to assist these women, and counselors help them to put their lives back together.

The people who run the shelter are by far some of the most amazing individuals I have met on the campaign trail. They genuinely care for these women, and their passion to change lives spills over to others, like us, through their smiles and gratitude. They treat their residents with the utmost respect; they run the shelter efficiently and personably; and they truly save lives.

As Idaho Women For Obama, we can help them in many ways, donating everything from diapers to make-up to food items. If you would like to make a donation, drop your goods by the Obama For America Office and we will gladly deliver more to this effective shelter. If we are ready to change the world, why not start here in our own community? As we reach out, we share the vision of Barack Obama to unite our country, and our world, in the great cause of unity and brother- (or sister-) -hood.

www.boiserescuemission.org

Super Volunteers in Idaho!

Joey Bristol — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:16:13 EST

We have a several volunteers coming into the office regularly now. In fact, on Tuesday, we had twenty! Not everyone is as dedicated as Michael--who is profiled here--but we hope you'll be able to come give an hour or two for phone calling. Check out what Kassie Cerami wrote about one of her fellow volunteers:

"What would possess a person to take 3 buses, then walk several blocks just to volunteer on the Obama campaign every day?

In Michael's case, I could think of several reasons....

Passion for the candidate
Dedication to the success of the campaign
Belief in the dream
Willingness to contribute

Ever since we met him at one of our organizational meetings on October 24th, Michael has been a key local volunteer for the Idaho campaign!

He's always willing to do whatever it takes, from making phone calls to taking out the trash....from putting together literature packets to picking up ice for events....and always with a great attitude!
He has become a "key fixture" at our Idaho office and I can't imagine a more perfect example of the devotion and dedication to this campaign that our volunteers have given! I also know there are many volunteers just like Michael out there across the country that believe in the message and change that Barack Obama represents, and are willing to give of their time, talents, and heart to contribute to the success of his Presidency bid!

I just want to say THANK YOU to all of the volunteers, and especially to Michael here in Idaho! Without the help of you all, this campaign would just be a hopeful dream.

Kassie Cerami
Director of Operations (Volunteer)
Obama for America - Idaho"

Obama Idaho Headquarters Grand Opening a Huge Success!

Joey Bristol — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:28:10 EST

Our Idaho headquarters office opening happened on November 1, but seeing pictures and media accounts of the opening is probably still of interest to many people. Check out this post by Brett Adler, one of our core volunteers:

"The grand opening of the Idaho Headquarters of the Obama for America campaign was a huge success!

Nearly 100 supporters, community leaders, and elected officials gathered to support the opening of our Idaho Campaign Headquarters. They toured our office, met our staff, and signed up to get involved. Speakers included District 19 Rep. Nicole LeFavour, Obama For America Western Caucus States Director Ray Rivera, and Obama for America Idaho Field Director Joey Bristol. Ray flew in from Colorado just for this event and Joey, a native of eastern Washington, recently moved here to lead our efforts to win the caucus in February. We also heard from Boise locals TJ Thomson and "ObamaMama" Kassie Cerami, who both played a vital role in turning our local grassroots efforts into an official campaign headquarters.

Check out this other media coverage:

Idaho for Obama account - here
Daily Kos Blog - here

Red State Rebels Blog - here

Obama National Blog - here
Idaho Statesman - here
Boise Weekly - here

Channel 6 News - here

Channel 7 News - here
Idaho Business Review - here

Pride Depot - here

Some Event Photos - here and here

For more information or to see the local website, check out www.IdahoForObama.org

Brett Adler, Volunteer"

Why Idaho Matters

Katie W — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:31:58 EST

November 8, 2007

Guess what Idaho Democrats? IDAHO MATTERS!

On a national level, your vote counts more than ever in determining who will be chosen to WIN in 2008. Proof? Obama For America just set up an office in Boise. Our importance this year is not lost on Barack Obama’s team.

Why? What makes Idaho so critical this year?

Well, I am sure you've heard talk on the radio and television about the four "early states" -- states which are holding their primaries and caucusing in January to select their preferred democratic nominee. And, you've likely heard of "Super Tuesday" -- the magical day on February 5th when 21 other states will caucus and choose their candidate. Idaho is one of those Super Tuesday states, meaning ONLY TWO STATES caucus prior to Idaho. And for this reason, we matter this year!

Voters often wait until late in the election process to commit to a candidate, and public opinion weighs heavily upon their ultimate choice. For instance, many New Hampshire voters say they are waiting to see the results of the Iowa caucus before committing to a candidate—which is why Iowa caucus-goers hold so much influence over the process.

Idaho is in a similar position. After Super Tuesday, February 5th, the 21 states with later primaries (like our neighbors Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming) will consider OUR decision in making their own.

AND Obama is doing very well here! To date, he has raised almost twice as much money from Idaho donors as Clinton and three times as much as Edwards. He’s the only candidate with wide support, regular events and paid staff in the state.

So, please come get involved today. Drop by and visit our energetic office, hang up some yard signs, come to some fun events, and remember to CAUCUS FOR OBAMA ON FEBRUARY 5TH!!!

Katie Whittier
Obama for America
Field Organizer

Wanted: Idaho High School Students!

Stacy — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:33:25 EST

The national campaign has launched a new initiative to encourage high school students to take an active roll in the Senator's campaign, spreading the word at their own schools and in the community.

Students that were 17 by Nov. 4th of this year, are eligible to participate in the Feb. 5th caucuses. However, high school students of ALL ages are welcome to participate in a variety of ways...phone banking, data entry, canvassing, special events, sign making, etc. We need your energy, creativity, and support during this critical time!

If you are a high school student, or if you know one who would like to get involved, please contact me at sfalkner@studentsforbarackobama.com or 208-859-5739. I will pass along your name to our state high school coordinator, Audryana K. She can direct you on how to get a chapter started at your own school...it's fun, easy, and a great way to meet people. (It will also look terrific on a college app or resume!)

Welcome to Idaho's Blog!

Joey Bristol — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:45:08 EST

Welcome to the official Idaho Obama blog!

I’m Joey Bristol and I’m the Field Director for Obama for America in Idaho. In case you didn’t know, we are the only campaign to invest in an office, staff, and organizing in Idaho—and it will likely remain that way through the primary season. A lot of people ask me why the Obama campaign set up shop in a traditionally red state. Well, to kick off this blog, I offer a few reasons to consider.

First, Obama has lots of support here in Idaho. We already have over 2,200 people signed up to help the Senator win the nomination in Idaho. We have more online organizing groups than all the other Democratic campaigns put together. We have raised more money than any other Democratic campaign in the state. And, as a tribute to the energy here, we had 92 people show up to our official gala office opening. His appeal with the independently-minded Idaho voter is real.

Second, many local leaders, business people, and elected Democratic officials have endorsed Senator Obama. We have support among super delegates and Democratic party officials, and aim to keep the activity and momentum strong. Those local leaders know that Obama’s name on the ticket is good for local Democratic politics.

Third, since Idaho is a February 5th state this year—which means only four states hold their primaries or caucuses before it—it is an important state for Obama to win. Moreover, Idaho has a very open caucus (one need not be registered Democrat to participate), so with some old-fashioned education and organizing, we can easily win. We hope you’ll be there caucusing for Barack with us!

Please use this forum to discuss all things Obama—particularly about Obama events that are happening around Idaho. Let’s let the other 49 states know about Obama in Idaho!

Thanks,

Joey Bristol

Obama for America – Idaho
jbristol@barackobama.com

Idaho Dem candidates lose with Hillary nomination

TJ Thomson for Boise City Council — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:39:38 EST

In only a few months, we will cast our votes for President.

In deciding who you will select to be our Democratic Presidential nominee, what factors will you consider? Values? Issues? Electability? I would argue that all are extremely important, but let's think locally for a minute. What about the notion of selecting a candidate that will assist the Democratic Party score victories across the State of Idaho come November 2008?

Many people support Senator Hillary Clinton for President because they believe she is strong, smart, and capable. I agree. Would she make a good President? I believe she would. Can she win? Maybe. But is the 2008 election strictly about taking back the White House? I humbly decry that it is not. The 2008 election is also about restoring hope to our nation and scoring victories here at home, in Idaho. I have been approached by scores of Democratic Party leaders across our state for nearly 8 months with increasing concerns, who are not scared of a Hillary Presidency, but of a Hillary candidacy and what a successful nomination would mean for our local and state-wide candidates running for office.

Everything our Party has worked to achieve, all the sweat and tears our candidates have shed over the last 3 election cycles may be for not if we select Hillary Clinton as our nominee. I don't write these things in an attempt to discredit Senator Clinton as an individual, but because we are fighting for the political lives of every candidate presently in or running for office across the State of Idaho with the vote that will take place on Feb. 5th, 2007.

Personally, I support Senator Barack Obama because of his outstanding judgment and sound policies for America's future, but I can't help think about the consequences of nominating a candidate that will destroy our local efforts and stunt recent gains. A vote for Hillary Clinton will impose a major strike against our attempts to increase seats in the State Legislature and unseat the likes of Congressman Bill Sali and Senator Larry Craig. By no means should this be your only criteria for selecting the next President. I only ask that you consider it as one factor when making your decision. No candidate will bring out the Republican base in Idaho more than Hillary Clinton.

Obama's support is growing rapidly. At Friday's JFK Banquet in Boise, 4 tables were sponsored in honor of Senator Barack Obama. No other Presidential campaign had a table at the event. People showed up in droves to show their support for Obama. Join us. Join hope. Join a candidate that will assist local candidates achieve victory across the State of Idaho.

Protect Progress. Protect Idaho Democrats. Vote Obama.

Idaho Dem candidates lose with Hillary nomination

TJ Thomson for Boise City Council — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:37:50 EST

In only a few months, we will cast our votes for President.

Protect Progress. Protect Idaho Democrats. Vote Obama.

Idaho for Obama

Sam Graham-Felsen — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:46:33 EDT

Tomorrow, we celebrate the grand opening of our Idaho headquarters in Boise. In so many of the critical February 5th states like Idaho, there is tremendous grassroots energy on the ground, and we're harnessing it with campaign infrastructure and organization.

I just spoke with TJ, an Air Force veteran and community leader in Boise -- and one of our strongest grassroots organizers in Idaho -- who's helping with the big launch tomorrow.

"He has such a strong presence here compared to the other candidates," says TJ. "We’ve had three official mock caucuses in different parts of the state and he’s won all three of those. Several state repreprentatives have come out publicly for Obama. And the grassroots presence is huge. We started organizing back in March as an group of volunteers who met on My.BarackObama.com, and since that time, we've indepedently collected over 500 people on our list."

"It’s developed into something amazing here," says TJ.

Here's TJ with Tim, Joey, and Kassie (from left to right) at Idaho HQ.

During the recent Canvass for Change, TJ and other canvassers distributed 2000 Obama brouchures which unfold into signs. "When we made our way back home," TJ recounts, "we saw so many of the houses that we had visited with the Obama signs in their windows."

TJ says Obama is generating so much enthusiasm because people in Idaho genuinely connect with his message of hope. "Obama represents hope. Public officials use that word loosely and so few actually represent it. But with Obama, hope actually means something to people. People here respect him for standing up to an unncessary war."

He also says Obama appeals to folks in this traditionally Republican state because they believes his election will help local candidates.

"Individuals here have been disappointed with our national representatives, who are all Republicans. It's brought a lot of Independents and moderate Republicans to the Democratic Party," says TJ. "And people in Idaho realize that having Obama on the ticket is really going to help our local campaigns. He’s not divisive and he attracts Independents and Republicans, unlike some of the other candidates. I went to Idaho Falls recently -- it’s one of the reddest cities in all of Idaho -- and there alone we were able to get 30-35 people to attend an organizational meeting for Obama."

TJ believes that ordinary Idahoans can make a big impact in the election, especially since Idaho is a caucus state. "Once people understand what the caucus entails they’ll realize their vote counts a lot more. Also in Idaho all Independents, Republicans and Democrats can vote in the caucus. So people shouldn’t feel like they cant play a role just because they’re not Democrats. If you indentify with politics of hope, you can be a major stakeholder in the nomination process. This could be the state that puts him over the edge and sends the message that we’re not just a red state and that he crosses party lines."

For folks in the Boise area, head down to the office tomorrow

4346 W. Rose Hill
Boise, ID 83705
208-345-6210

And make sure to check out Idaho.BarackObama.com for events, news and to learn how you can make an impact in Idaho.

Barack Obama MEGA-Canvass in Boise Oct. 13!

TJ Thomson for Boise City Council — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 01:15:16 EDT

Barack Obama MEGA-Canvass in Boise Oct. 13!

Saturday, Oct. 13th, we will be reaching out to our Boise community to spread the word that it is time to Turn the Page on Iraq. Barack Obama has a plan to start bringing our troops home, but he needs your help to share that message with friends, family and neighbors. Join us for the Turn the Page on Iraq Canvass.

It will only take 2 hours of your time!

Time: Saturday, Oct. 13, 10am-NoonLocation: Camel's Back Park, 1200 W. Heron St., BoiseSign up here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4vml5

Barack Obama MEGA-Canvass in Boise Oct. 13!

TJ Thomson for Boise City Council — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 01:14:33 EDT

Barack Obama MEGA-Canvass in Boise Oct. 13!

It will only take 2 hours of your time!

Time: Saturday, Oct. 13, 10am-NoonLocation: Camel's Back Park, 1200 W. Heron St., BoiseSign up here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4vml5

Barack Obama MEGA-Canvass in Boise Oct. 13!

TJ Thomson for Boise City Council — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 01:13:39 EDT

Barack Obama MEGA-Canvass in Boise Oct. 13!

It will only take 2 hours of your time!

Time: Saturday, Oct. 13, 10am-NoonLocation: Camel's Back Park, 1200 W. Heron St., BoiseSign up here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4vml5

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

Idaho Student Interns and Volunteers Needed!

Stacy — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:19:54 EDT

Idaho Students for Barack Obama needs student volunteers on every college campus in Idaho. Since Idaho's caucus is one of the earliest (Feb 5th), Idahoans are in a unique position to make a significant impact on the 2008 Presidential election. We are looking for students who are willing to create or participate in local chapters, canvass neighborhoods, organize events in your community, and fill regional & statewide leadership positions. Whether you can volunteer for 2 hours or 200 hours, we need you! Whether this is your first campaign or your 15th, we need you! This is also a great opportunity to earn internship credits, build your resume, or just show your support for Senator Obama by demonstrating that the youth of America truly care about the future of our country. To find out how you can make a difference, please contact Stacy at 208-859-5739 or email herbgirl1012@msn.com

Stacy Falkner

State Coordinator

Students for Barack Obama

Idaho Falls - Barack Obama Official Campaign Organizing Meeting

TJ Thomson for Boise City Council — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:42:42 EDT

Barack Obama Official Campaign Organizing Meeting

Please join me at this Official Barack Obama Campaign meeting in Idaho Falls!

Many of us recently attended Camp Obama in Boise with Buffy Wicks, Barack Obama’s Western Regional Field Director. We mapped out a specific strategy to win the State of Idaho at the Idaho Caucus on Feb. 5th, 2008, and assure Barack Obama wins the Democratic Nomination! Senator Obama has declared Idaho as a top target to victory on Super Tuesday, and now that victory is in OUR HANDS.

I am making a special trip to Idaho Falls to meet with local supporters and organize efforts in Bonneville County. At this meeting I will provide you with specific county-level involvement opportunities so that YOU can take a leadership role in the Obama campaign and help Obama win Bonneville County during the Caucus on Feb. 5th, 2008. No matter what level of involvement you want to take (be it 1 hour a week or 20 hours), this meeting will specifically discuss what you need to do between now and Feb. 5th to assure a victory for Obama.

There are organized efforts in Ada, Canyon, Blain, Kootenai, Bannock, Nez Perce, and Twin Falls Counties. Now it's time to organize the efforts in Bonneville! The official Idahoans for Obama campaign office opens very soon in Boise, ID!

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE…THE TIME IS NOW…If you are passionate about Obama, this is YOUR chance to play a role in that victory! Come learn the strategy, come join the team, and come play a role in the success of this campaign for hope.

This is the only time I will be able to travel to Idaho Falls to provide this information and help organize your county in person. I hold a special place in my heart for Idaho Falls...where I was born-and-raised, and look forward to meeting you all. You have joined the effort; now join the campaign team to assure victory.

TJ Thomson
Boise, ID
208-559-6010 (c)
208-321-8563 (h)

Idahoans for Obama
Ada County Communications & Constituency Lead Coordinator
www.IdahoansforObama.org
EIN number: 26-0781848

Sign up for Event here:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4vcx9

Camp Obama comes to Boise, ID!

TJ Thomson for Boise City Council — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:39:15 EDT

The Official Barack Obama campaign is holding camp to train Idaho volunteers for Obama.

Sen. Barack Obama's Campaign is holding CAMP OBAMA in Boise, ID
BOISE, ID - Aug. 18-19, 2007, Location: IBEW LABOR HALL, 225 N 16th St., Suite 110, Boise, ID

Event Time:
8am-8pm, Saturday, Aug. 18
8am-6pm, Sunday, Aug. 19
* Volunteers must attend both days.

For Obama volunteers ready to take their commitment to Barack Obama's campaign to the next level, the successful Camp Obama program is going on the road, and will be in Boise, Idaho, August 18 - 19. They welcome all levels of experience. The only thing they ask is that you are committed to the Obama campaign and are ready to roll up your sleeves and work. No other Presidential candidates are investing this type of training into Idaho volunteers!

To become a part of the national grassroots movement that's changing our politics and transforming our country -- apply now to join Camp Obama:

http://my.barackobama.com/CampObamaWest

This FREE two-day session is designed for supporters who want a more in-depth volunteer role in the campaign. After completing the training, each participant will be required to make a commitment to volunteer in Nevada, the West's first primary state. Please plan to attend the full training and submit your application by 12:00 a.m.
(midnight) MST on Saturday, August 11th.

* Get the inside scoop on Obama's campaign strategy in the West
* Learn how to build grassroots support in your community
* Explore internship opportunities in the early primary and caucus states

Apply now:

http://my.barackobama.com/CampObamaWest

Once you complete the application, the campaign will call you for a brief phone interview to discuss your interest in the camp.

Camp Obama comes to Boise, ID!

TJ Thomson for Boise City Council — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:38:00 EDT

STOP SLAUGHTER OF WOLVES IN YELLOWSTONE AND IDAHO

Heart of the Wolf Organization — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 23:51:26 EDT

STOP SLAUGHTER OF WOLVES IN YELLOWSTONE AND IDAHO

A hideous proposal by the Bush Administration
may end the lives of 700 Wolves. This will be
through the same methods Alaska uses. Aerial
culling. This is by altering the 10j rule,
(which is illegally set so they can murder
Wolves in livestock issues....) will be expanded
so Wolves can be murdered in many more situations
than ever before. Murder is unethical, and that
is why this proposal must be stopped!

The new rule is for viewing at:
http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mamals/wolf/

The issue isn't new, but there is little time left
to act.

http://www.heartofthewolf.org/wolvesunderthegun.htm
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2007/2007-07-10-01.asp

There isn't much time. We have only three days
to act here.

The deadline to the comment period will be
ended by the USFWS on August 6th.

We need your help to stop this plan.

Write or submit a comment through this website
or contact Ed Bangs, Wolf Murderer of the USFWS
directly.

http://www.nrdconline.org/campaign/actionfund_wolfaerial
ed_bangs@fws.gov

We need you to contact your local newspapers and
officials about this issue.

Also submit letters to these addresses

WolfRuleChange@fws.gov.
Please include RIN number 1018-Av39 in the subject line of your emails.

Your comments can be submitted through the Federal e-Rulemaking
Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions at the
website for submitting comments.

Here is the address for the USFWS (National):

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
http://www.fws.gov/duspit/contactus.htm
(Address to Dale Hall)
dale_hall@fws.gov
1-800-344-WILD

We need you to contact your local newspapers and
officials about this issue.

Newslink

CNN

USA Today

New York Times

executive-editor@nytimes.com
managing-editor@nytimes.com

The Newsroom
news-tips@nytimes.com;
foreign@nytimes.com
hremetro@nytimes.com;
national@nytimes.com

MSNBC

letters@msnbc.com
viewerservices@msnbc.com
MSNBC Website

Time

letters@time.com

U.S. News and World Report

Dateline NBC

dateline@nbc.com

NBC Nightly News

nightly@nbc.com

International Herald Tribune

iht@iht.com
letters@iht.com

The Daily Yomiuri

dy@yomiuri.com

BerlinOnline

info@berlinonline.de

The American Online (Italian Newspaper)

cpwinner@theamericanmag.com
http://www.theamericanmag.com/html/cpw/cpwinner.html
Additional contacts

Progress for Poland

Andrzej Jarmakowski

Editor in Chief

The Korea Times

kwh@koreatimes.co.kr

The Herald
letters@theherald.co.uk

FOR OTHER ONLINE NEWSPAPERS AROUND THE WORLD GO HERE AND LOOK THEM UP BY COUNTRY AND REGION

Online Newspapers

And contact your government leaders, which if you don't you live in the U.S.,
just get the zip codes to major cities through
your search engine to do so. Please also contact Nancy Pelosi,
the new Speaker of the House, as well as Barack Obama.

AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
Congress
Barack Obama

Also contact the U.N. about this issue as well.

Contact the UN about all these issues:
inquiries@un.org

Contact the UN Environmental Program Staff about all these issues:
UNEP Staff

PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW ON THESE ALERTS!

Mike Wagner -- Director and Founder of Heart of the
Wolf Organization, Kei the Wolf Memorial, Kurt the Wolf
Memorial, Honor Fallen and Oppressed Wolves
-- and Co-Host of KWF Wolf Conservation, and Web of Life

http://www.heartofthewolf.org
http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/heartofthewolf
http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/Wolfconservationists
http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/weboflife
http://www.heartofthewolf.org/HFOW.htm
http://groups.myspace.com/HeartOfTheWolf
http://www.heartofthewolf.org/KeiTheWolfMemorial.htm
http://www.heartofthewolf.org/KurtTheWolfMemorial.htm

Barack Obama visit to Idaho!

TJ Thomson for Boise City Council — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:22:09 EDT

Barack Obama visit to Idaho!

Do you want to see Barack Obama live? Do you want him to pay a visit to Idaho?

Obama's Western Political Director is making a personal visit to Boise to see for himself just how many supporters Obama has here in Idaho. If we all attend and show our support is strong, we have a GREAT chance of bringing Obama to Idaho! This event carries the utmost significance and may be the only time we get a chance to show the Obama campaign how much we want Barack to visit Idaho.

Come show off your support for Obama to one of his top advisors! It's up to you now...an Obama visit to Idaho is in your hands.

Barack Obama visit to Idaho!

TJ Thomson for Boise City Council — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:20:09 EDT

Barack Obama visit to Idaho!

Do you want to see Barack Obama live? Do you want him to pay a visit to Idaho?

Come show off your support for Obama to one of his top advisors! It's up to you now...an Obama visit to Idaho is in your hands.

THE FUTURE OF WOLVES IN IDAHO..WHICH WILL NOT INCLUDE WOLVES

Heart of the Wolf Organization — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 13:30:41 EDT

THE FUTURE OF WOLVES IN IDAHO...WHICH WILL NOT INCLUDE WOLVES

It was just announced yesterday that a 'Working Group', has
been formed to decide how to slaughter Wolves in culling programs.

Link

Working Groups for those who don't know is a euphemism for
finding a way to appease many interest groups into supporting
something unethical and hideous.

In this case, it is a meeting that has ranchers, hunters,
Defenders of Wildlife, and 'State Wildlife Managers'.

673 Wolves, plus or minus depending on how many Wolves
are slaughtered in livestock issues every week's lives
are on the line as well here.

A plan is the State's goal by January. Which we must first
of all stop the delisting in the first place.

Most, not all ranchers, want 0 Wolves. The Governor Butch[er] Otter
wants them slaughtered down to a small number, 10 packs. Which
he recanted, but who can trust that?

Suzanne Stone of Defenders of Wildlife, wants hunting delayed
by 5 years, and wants to see an 'abundant' Wolf population.

Since Defenders flip-flops when it comes to protecting Wolves,
this is a bad sign. We cannot have hunting or culling of Wolves
in any way.

Plus Defenders supports a Wolf
Murderer in Idaho, by the name of Rick Williamson.

Link
Link
Link
Link
Link

This is a goal that Steve Nadeau, of the Idaho Department of Fish
and Game, wants to see. In fact he is involved in the slaughter
of Cougars and Black Bears every year. Culling, or regular slaughter
of animal species to keep their 'population' in check is as
he refers to the euphemism, 'harvest', to make sure it doesn't
sound as bad, and that it's beneficial for all.

The sick part is that if anyone has a problem with population
it should be with people.

Want to know how many people are in Idaho right now?

1,466,465

(Courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau)
Link

And how many Wolves are in Idaho?

Again, around 673. Big difference isn't there?

And the population of humans keeps getting bigger and bigger around the world.
Nature doesn't have the problem of overpopulation, it's humans.

Plus hunting isn't a business truly, nor is it a sport. It is
the slaughter of animals for sick gratification.

We must oppose all of this. Curt Mack of the Nez Perce wants
this to go ahead. He has already stated that this plan can only succeed
if it is a 'good' one.

THAT IS WHY WE MUST STOP IT. IT MUST END HERE.

Otherwise a future for the Wolves will be just like it was when
they were wiped out and from Idaho many, many, years ago.

Here is what it will look like. Pictures are louder than words.

PARENTAL DISCRETION IS ADVISED!

Link

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1) The USFWS must not be allowed first of all to delist Wolves.
If we can first halt it that way, we can prevent this plan
from continuing. Oppose the delisting, and sue the USFWS if
you can!

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Link
(Address to Dale Hall)
dale_hall@fws.gov
1-800-344-WILD

2) Be prepared when it's time to oppose the plan. We will
give you the most up to date info on that.

In the meantime, we should contact all parties that support
this manner of slaughter and oppose their plans.

A) Gov. Butch[er] Otter
Link
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720
208-334-2100

B) Steve Nadeau -- Idaho Department of Fish and Game Wolf 'Specialist'.
(208) 334-2920w/867-9855c
snadeau@idfg.idaho.gov

Creepy part is is that he was once a part of The Wildlife Society.
Link

C) Curt Mack -- Gray Wolf 'Recovery' Coordinator, Nez Perce Tribe
nptwolf@cyberhighway.org

D) Defenders of Wildlife

Contact them here:
defenders@mail.defenders.org
Link

Mon.-Fri.: 8am-9pm EST
Sat.-Sun.: 10am-7pm EST
1-800-385-9712 Defenders of Wildlife

Membership Services
1130 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Defenders at Myspace
Link (Go to 'send message')

Also, compensation for livestock losses doesn't protect Wolves. Ranchers still want them
dead. Until Non-Lethal Methods Only and PF Ranching, is promoted and supported by
EVERYONE, Wolves aren't safe.

Link

3) Also contact your local newspapers about this issue, in
addition to TV and Radio Stations:

Here is the url for that:

http://newslink.org

A) CNN:

Link

B) USA Today

Link

C) New York Times

executive-editor@nytimes.com
managing-editor@nytimes.com

D) The Newsroom
news-tips@nytimes.com;foreign@nytimes.com
metro@nytimes.com; national@nytimes.com

E) MSNBC

letters@msnbc.com
viewerservices@msnbc.com
Link

F) Time

letters@time.com

G) U.S. News and World Report

Link

H) Dateline NBC

dateline@nbc.com

I) NBC Nightly News

nightly@nbc.com

J) International Herald Tribune

iht@iht.com
letters@iht.com

K) The Daily Yomiuri

dy@yomiuri.com

L) Berlin Online

info@berlinonline.de

M) The American Online (Italian Newspaper)

cpwinner@theamericanmag.com
Link
Link

N) Progress for Poland

Andrzej Jarmakowski Editor in Chief
Link

O) The Korea Times

kwh@koreatimes.co.kr

P) The Herald
letters@theherald.co.uk

FOR OTHER ONLINE NEWSPAPERS AROUND THE WORLD GO HERE AND LOOK THEM UP BY COUNTRY AND REGION

Link

4) And contact your government leaders, which if you don't you live in the U.S.,
just get the zip codes to major cities through
your search engine to do so. Please also contact Nancy Pelosi,
the new Speaker of the House.

AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
http://congress.org

5) Also contact the U.N. about this issue as well.

Contact the UN about all these issues:
inquiries@un.org

F)Contact the UN Environmental Program Staff about all these issues:

The end of the Wolves in Idaho may very well happen. Judgement Day may
be upon them. We must stop it.

Mike Wagner -- Director and Founder of Heart of the
Wolf Organization, Kei the Wolf Memorial,
Honor Fallen and Oppressed Wolves
-- and Co-Host of KWF Wolf Conservation, and Web of Life

Link
Link
Link
Link
Link
Link

Students in Idaho Leading the Way

Mark Gaffney — Wed, 30 May 2007 15:24:05 EDT

"Obama inspired me with a sense of hope — that's the way I think,'' Reggie Holmquist told a reporter for IdahoStatesmen.com. "I think Obama can get the Idaho vote."

Idaho Statesmen picked up Reggie's story as the 22-year-old has quickly become a statewide leader for Idahoans for Obama. A student at Boise State University, Reggie had used everything from his account at my.barackobama.com to street fliers and t-shirts to spread Senator Obama's message in his home state. Continue reading the Idaho Statesmen article here.

Students like Reggie are coming together for this campaign all across the country. His story of financial sacrifice and burning motivation can be heard from the student union in Syracuse. Reggie's commitment to taking the initiative to organize his state and lead this campaign home to Idaho is not so different from what's happening in Tulsa and Honolulu.

Because Reggie believes in this campaign, he understands what it means to take Senator Obama's message into his own hands. This campaign is not about following, but it's about blazing the trail for a new way forward in America. And while Reggie believes with all his heart that Senator Obama will lead America to a better time, he knows these political woods are just to thick for one man to go alone into the wilderness.

We can all use the tools right in front of us to be like Reggie, to be trail blazers for a better America. Just in our web community, you can find tools to make friends, host events, and tell your story. You can join groups or start your own. Even the job of earning money has been left up to the people like Reggie and yourself.

See how far you can get today. Consider making the resource center your last stop-- it's the place to find printable fliers and shareable materials to take Sen. Obama's message directly to the voters... also known as your friends, your neighbors, and your family.

My first post!

CapitalSeth — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:46:10 EST

And so the campaign to have Obama for President in 2008 in Idaho has begun!

Let me say from the outset, that without a reform of the Electoral College, Obama is unfortunately unlikely to receive the 4 votes that Idaho an give him, and not repeat the events that got Bush elected in the first place. I hope that when elected to office Obama can push for the kind of reform that lets the many people of Idaho chose who they want for President, not some committee decided by people like Butch Otter.

However, I do think this is a critical year in Idaho history: I believe that we can overcome the Republican bias here by showing people what Obama can do for them, and tell them what his political platform is and not get into the mudslinging campaigns that have plagued elections in years past. Let the change begin here!

To begin that change, I have encouraged many people from around my high school to participate in the campaign to get Obama elected, as well as many family members who I believe would be willing to take part in events in Boise and perhaps around the state if we can. More on that as we become a little more organized around here.

Go Obama!

Seth