Posts with the tag Maine

Join our Rapid Response Team

Kevin Agnese — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:36:23 EST

As we prepare for the Senate to vote on health insurance reform OFA is looking for team members to join our Rapid Response initiative, a program that will focus on making phone calls to our senator's offices and to fellow Mainers across the state in the 72 hours leading up to the vote.

We have team leaders who will assist those interested in participating. Once the timeline of the vote is announced, we'll mobilize our volunteers and start calling.

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer Rapid Response team member and live in Maine's First Congressional District please e-mail Kevin at kevin@ofamaine.com. If you live in the Second Congressional District please e-mail Shelby at shelby@ofamaine.com.

Thank you very much.

Mainers Welcome Congresswoman Pingree Home

Kevin Agnese — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:07:35 EST

Dozens of enthusiastic supporters of health insurance reform greeted Representative Chellie Pingree as she returned to Maine this morning.

A boisterous crowd of sign-waving Mainers welcomed the congresswoman minutes after her flight landed at Portland International Jetport.

The crowd had gathered to thank Pingree for her support of health insurance reform. The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a reform bill on Saturday night.

Speaking on the floor of the House Saturday, Pingree said, “I’m here in the memory of my brother. He had no public option to choose. He did what so many young families did. They spent down their savings, they sold everything they had…so they could qualify for Medicaid because no doctor would see him without insurance.”

“I have often wondered,” Pingree added, “if he would have survived if he had the medical care he needed.”

Referening the importance of the legislation, Pingree said, “This bill moves us much closer to a time when no one can be denied health care coverage because of a pre-existing condition, no one can be told you can’t have health care coverage, no one will have to go into personal bankruptcy.”

“I am so proud to be here casting the vote that so many of my constituents have waited too long for,” the congresswoman said. “There can be no more delay.”

Thank you to everyone who joined us this morning!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/4086731042/

Welcome Home Representative Pingree

Kevin Agnese — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:54:52 EST

Representative Chellie Pingree will arrive back in Maine Sunday morning.

We're asking our volunteers to help us greet the congresswoman at the Portland International Jetport at 9:45 am to express our gratitude for her support of health insurance reform.

All those interested in attending are welcome to bring friends, family, and homemade signs to express appreciation.

Senator Snowe Votes to Move Health Care Reform Forward

Kevin Agnese — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:43:57 EDT

The Senate Finance Committee voted today to move the process of health care reform forward. Republican Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine was among those to vote in favor of legislation. President Obama thanked the senator for “both the political courage and the seriousness of
purpose that she's demonstrated throughout this process," while reminding us that now "is not the time to offer ourselves congratulations. Now is the time to dig in and work even harder to get this done."

Today is a significant victory in our ultimate quest to see real health insurance reform legislation on the president's desk in 2009, but it is far from the end of this process. Five committees have now passed a portion of reform, which makes our next step perhaps the most important. We thank our volunteers for helping us reach this important milestone, and we call on them to heed the president's call to service.

Together, we as a nation will get this done and bring quality and affordable coverage to millions of Americans who go without insurance and millions who struggle to obtain the coverage they have.

YES WE CAN!

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

Maine Election Blog

WEBMASTER — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:22:10 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 Maine to post a message on the Maine Election Blog.

Maine Election Blog
maine-election.blogspot.com

BARACK OBAMA FIRST 100 DAYS

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

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

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

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

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

Barack Obama First 100 Days posted by David Apperson

PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL SPEECH

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

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

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

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

source: David Apperson, webmaster

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alternative Energy
Source: David Apperson

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

PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM

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

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

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

WEBMASTER - DESIGNERS AND DEVELOPERS

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

President Barack Obama

Internet Webmasters, Designers and Developers

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

Mail your contact and other pertinent information to:

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

or email contact information to yofast@gmail.com

OBAMA FOR MAINE

WEBMASTER — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:37:52 EST

Abbot Village * Acton * Addison * Albion * Alfred * Alna * Andover * Anson * Appleton * Ashland * Athens * Atkinson * Auburn * Augusta * Aurora * Bailey Island * Bangor * Bar Harbor * Bar Mills * Bass Harbor * Bath * Bayville * Beals * Belfast * Belgrade * Belgrade Lakes * Benedicta * Benton * Bernard * Berwick * Bethel * Biddeford * Bingham * Birch Harbor * Birch Island * Blaine * Blue Hill * Blue Hill Falls * Boothbay * Boothbay Harbor * Bowdoinham * Bradford * Bradley * Bremen * Brewer * Bridgewater * Bridgton * Bristol * Brooklin * Brooks * Brooksville * Brookton * Brownfield * Brownville * Brunswick * Bryant Pond * Buckfield * Bucksport * Burlington * Burnham * Bustins Island * Buxton * Byron * Calais * Cambridge * Camden * Canaan * Canton * Cape Cottage * Cape Elizabeth * Cape Neddick * Cape Porpoise * Capitol Island * Caratunk * Cardville * Caribou * Carmel * Carrabassett Valley * Casco * Castine * Center Lovell * Chamberlain * Charleston * Charlotte * Chebeague Island * Chelsea * Cherryfield * China * Clayton Lake * Cliff Island * Clinton * Columbia Falls * Coopers Mills * Corea * Corinna * Cornish * Cornville * Costigan * Cranberry Isles * Crouseville * Cumberland * Cundys Harbor * Cushing * Cutler * Damariscotta * Danforth * Danville * Dayton * Deer Isle * Denmark * Dennysville * Detroit * Dexter * Dixfield * Dixmont * Dover Foxcroft * Dresden * Dryden * Durham * Eagle Lake * East Andover * East Baldwin * East Blue Hill * East Boothbay * East Corinth * East Dixfield * East Livermore * East Machias * East Millinocket * East Newport * East Orland * East Parsonfield * East Poland * East Sebago * East Stoneham * East Sullivan * East Vassalboro * East Waterboro * East Wilton * East Winthrop * Easton * Eastport * Eddington * Edgecomb * Eliot * Ellsworth * Embden * Estcourt * Station * Etna

Maine Goes to Obama!

Bern — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:45:33 EST

With 3 votes, (not 3 percent, 3 ballots) I feel comfortable calling the election in Maine for Obama. The 2 to 1 advantage Obama is currently holding will prove to be too much for McCain to overcome.

If Fox news doesn't look stupid scrolling the Maine election results with 3 votes cast, I couldn't possibly look stupid.

"I BARK FOR OBAMA" campaign in Camden Maine

ESquared — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:12:58 EDT

Here in Camde Maine dogs are barking for Obama and letting their voices be heard ~ loud and long!

It all started when the phone banking group who have gathered in Mary and George Forrestall's home to work long and hard to get people in our congressional district on the Obama train. The house dog, Amos got a special neck scarf proclaiming his Obama support as he went out and about this mid coast Maine town on daily outings. Other volunteers wanted one for their dogs ..... a few days later ESquared produced 25 of her original design scarves and now they can be seen all over town and even as far south as Rockport Mass.

These dogs don't let the fact that they don't speak english stop the from speaking out. Their message comes through loud and clear as they get people to stop in their tracks to chuckle but then have some serious thoughts about the upcoming election and how they can help Obama

Let's hear from other dogs across the country...... what are they thinking and doing about this great guy who has stepped forward to turn the page and make a dog part of the family moving into the White House come January.

Ruby has an "I Bark for Obama" put aside for Malia and Sasha ..... just trying to figure out how to get it to them. She pretty smart and will figure it out once the election is over and she has time to dedicate to the problem.

OK, let's hear from other dogs

Background -- where I'm coming from

Scott F. — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:17:36 EDT

To help put any future thoughts in context, here are some pertinent facts:

Grew up in rural New England
- One great sister (6 years older)
- Excellent parental role models
  - Very environmentally conscious parents and grandparents
  - Strong emphasis on education, self reliance, concern for others
Lived in Maine, Upstate New York, Central Texas, Central Illinois & Western Washington (state).
- Rural & suburban

Married
3 children currently in our house
- Mix of biological and foster (to adopt hopefully)
- Fostering, rather than having more biological children, because I think the world is already overpopulated, and there are too many kids that need help and aren't getting enough

Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering & minor in Economics
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) & University of Texas
Worked developing construction equipment, hybrid vehicles & commercial aircraft -- all specializing in hydraulics

Protecting American Voting Rights!

Omar Dyer — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:40:11 EDT

In America, your right to vote makes you an American. In America, your right to vote makes you a tax-payer. In AMerica, your right to vote gets you one step closer at being a citizen. All around the country, voter registration drives, have re-boasted the vibe of voting. Organizations like A.C.O.R.N. which means: Association of Community Organization for Reform Now, have been working too hard in order to get people registered. Yet, the House Republican Base, who's seats are endangered see this organization or any organization like A.C.O.R.N. as a problem. This problem is the same problem that helps people get registered to vote: more like Rock the Vote. In fact both of these two organizations fuel off the same information and ideas set down by the federal government.

What I can't understand is why two programs that do idnentical things, in terms of functioning and voter's rights -- are at the opposite side of the House/ Republican's table: here's an idea! A.C.O.R.N. brings in 90% of their voter drives to the Democratic Party, While Rock the vote brings in 45% of their drives to the Democratic Party. Rock the Vote turns in 55% for the Republican Party, and A.C.O.R.N. turns in 10% to the Republican party -- so this means the Republicans can't inspire their base so they want to pick which program works and what doesn't to favor them. Fact are: 55% of newly registered voters are Democrat, with 25% are independent -- with 20% Republican. Now they want to take away your rights.

The Repubs base wants to say this: These people are criminals, these people are illegally here; these people are not competent enough to vote. Listen, they ARE WRONG: During the primaries, you voted on the voter act initiative; which protects your rights unless you are mentally challenged -- and even then you still have the right to vote with assistance.
Here's you voting rights for 11/4/2008

1: To be registered by 10/4

2: U.S. Citizen that has a residence in the states county for more than 30 days on Election Day: Including a P.O. Box from the stats post office.

3: 18 years of age before Election Day.

4: If you are not in prison or on parole for a felony convicition on or two weeks before election day.

5: College students have a right to use the dormitory as a primary residence -- home or school: and they can oly vote ONCE.

6: Only a person with a misdemeanor conviction can still vote, and they have the right to vote from the jails: MISDEANORS ONLY.

7: A felony conviction can only register: after they have been cleared from: parole, probation, and their current charge.

8: A homeless person can vote if were they usually stay: they can use that place like: a park, a shelter, or a citizen sibling in good standing -- in which they reside in the county of the state they are registering in to vote.

These are the rights you have to vote and these are the rights that A.C.O.R.N. and Rock the Vote is using. One problem: Rock The Vote is an online company, and A.C.O.R.N. is a minority based community program: running under the cleanest rules in America, and just like Coaches! 101 they are under federal investiagtion. I get it when you are clean: you must be evil if you're not a Republican. When you are dirty, and create scandels -- like the financial crisis: you are good with the Republican base. Please be aware of your rights:

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/intro/intro_b.htm

Help In Other/Swing States by Phone

MJ from Los Angeles, CA — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:27:35 EDT

I am trying to initiate the option for out of state callers in states like mine, CA, that are solid, to help in the swing states through calls.
Here's a suggestion!

Perhaps we can get involved by making calls in on behalf of/ in connection with swing states' local events, like phone banks, and have access to the call lists from elsewhere? (Outside of our own state.)

I would suggest promoting this feature if it can be allowed. I would be more motivated to call Virginians, for instance, than Californians.

It seems like a way to get an army of loyalists to work remotely to the zones that need work. You could even link it to Skype so it's cheaper than normal calls.

We're computer saavy! Let's use the net to join forces and hit the swing states!

Thoughts? Other ideas?

Meredith Offen
mjoffen@yahoo.com

Local TV Reporter in Maine Finally Asks McCain Tough Questions

jgabriel — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:03:38 EDT

It's about time! A local TV reporter in Maine had McCain on and finally asked him some tough questions about the issues. Needless to say, John McCain looked VERY uncomfortable. We need to spread this around!

Reporter: "Well, you say you're sure she has the experience but again I'm just asking for an example - what experience does she have in the field of national security?"
McCain: "Sure. Energy. She knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States of America. She is the Governor of a state where 20% of our energy supply comes from there and we all know that energy is a critical and vital national security issue. We've got to stop sending 700 billion dollars of American money to countries that don't like us very much. She's very well versed on that issue and she, uh, also represents is a Governor of a state that is right next to Russia and ah, ah, she really understands Russia and their newly aggressive behavior in the world which is also something that we have to be very concerned about."

US Senator Charles Schumer's Letter: Obama and Details on the 2008 Races in Battleground States, from Democrat Perspective

Stephen Fox, Contributing Editor New Mexico Sun News — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:22:51 EDT

Here is something I am absolutely certain of: The only reason we're poised to achieve once-in-a-lifetime change in the Senate is because our grassroots - people just like you - have done everything we've asked to give the DSCC all the campaign resources we need to execute our proven campaign plan.

For that, you have my deep, sincere thanks. And if we elect that filibuster-proof majority in November, you'll have the gratitude of an entire nation.

Let me tell you where we stand.

There are 11 battleground states. [OREGON, ALASKA, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, MINNESOTA, KENTUCKY, NORTH CAROLINA, VIRIGNIA, MISSISSIPPI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND MAINE]

And that doesn't even count the five other states just on the horizon that we'll all be talking about on Election Day. Here are just a few examples of the success we're seeing this cycle.

Democrat Tom Udall holds a commanding lead in New Mexico. In fact, just a few days ago we learned that the NRSC canceled its entire $2.3 million television buy here, essentially conceding the race.

The nation's most vulnerable Republican incumbent, John Sununu, trails Democratic ex-Governor Jeanne Shaheen by 11 points.

Even in a Republican stronghold like North Carolina, two recent polls show Democratic State Senator Kay Hagan pulling even with incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole.

I know that we can make the most of our opportunity this year because we're using the same proven strategy that took back the Senate in 2006. You're helping us frame the terms of each race, respond to every attack, and directly connect with millions of voters to drive them to the polls.

Thanks to your overwhelming support, the DSCC was able to launch TV ads in North Carolina that exposed Dole as the 93rd most effective senator, undercutting her hollow message of experience and results.

In Colorado, Democrat Mark Udall was under siege by $6 million worth of attack ads paid for by shadowy third-party Republican groups. The DSCC rushed to his defense with ads of our own and now Mark has an impressive lead.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, your contributions support a bigger and better version of the sophisticated voter contact strategy that took back the Senate two years ago. Already this year, we've made more 2.5 million phone calls and knocked on 650,000 doors in our battleground states nationwide.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. All told, the DSCC has already spent $28 million of your money to put us in position for a monster November.

Like I've said before: there is no doubt we are in such a strong position to deliver a filibuster-proof Senate majority entirely because we have you on our side.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Chuck Schumer

P.S. We're ahead in 5 races for current Republican seats. But that's only halfway to a truly filibuster-proof majority. We can't get there without your continued support.

-----------

2008 Senate Battlegrounds

Alaska
Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) vs. Sen. Ted Stevens (R)

The corruption scandal sweeping through the Alaska Republican Party has put Ted Stevens - a 7-term incumbent - on the brink of losing his seat in November.

Democrat Mark Begich has opened up a lead in the latest polling, but nobody is under any illusion that this race is over. Alaska has always been a Republican stronghold, and with Governor Sarah Palin on the presidential ticket, the party is sure to be energized to turn out in November.

Begich is doing everything necessary to hold on to his lead. He's raising money and reaching out to voters. Just this week he launched a new ad to drive home his commitment to repeal the disastrous No Child Left Behind law.

Stevens won't let a 40-year career end without a fight, so we won't let up for a second before Election Day. With your help, the DSCC will do everything possible to ensure that Mark Begich wins in November.

Colorado
Rep. Mark Udall (D) vs. Rep. Bob Schaffer (R)

Six months ago, this race was neck and neck. Now, Mark Udall leads by 10 points in the latest Denver Post poll.

What happened? First, Bob Schaffer was discovered to have been the recipient of an all-expense paid tropical vacation from a front group for convicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Then, it was revealed that when he was vice-president of Aspect Energy, he negotiated an oil deal in Iraq that the State Department officials specifically identified as detrimental to stability in Iraq.

Then there were two different DSCC TV ads paid for by grassroots supporters like you. Our investment here is another key reason Udall enjoys a strong position heading into the stretch run.

Colorado will be a battleground state in November, so we're not taking anything for granted in this race. In fact, Udall has already seen more third-party attack ads than any other Democratic candidate this cycle. It's our job to help him fight back.

Kentucky
Bruce Lunsford (D) vs. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R)

No matter how much money Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell spends, he can't shake the tough challenge posed by Democratic business leader Bruce Lunsford. McConnell is even getting hundreds of thousands of dollars in help from corporate Republican third-party organizations.

None of it is slowing Lunsford, who is on the air with a devastating straight-to-camera indictment of Republican failures in Washington.

Let's be blunt. It's always tough to beat an entrenched incumbent, but Mitch McConnell has been the man responsible for all of those Republican filibusters blocking progress on health care, energy costs, and the housing crisis. It's critical that he is held accountable in November.

Maine
Rep. Tom Allen (D) vs. Sen. Susan Collins (R)

Republican incumbent Susan Collins likes to portray herself as a voice of Republican moderation, but the truth is that she's been a reliable cheerleader for even the worst of George Bush's policies.

Democrat Tom Allen is ready to hold Collins accountable for her record. He has built a formidable campaign organization and has more than $3 million in the bank for the stretch run. He will have the resources to bring his message of change to Mainers.

Allen and the DSCC have both taken to the airwaves to push Allen's proven record of results. This race is poised for a strong finish.

Minnesota
Al Franken (D) vs. Sen. Norm Coleman (R)

The race between Al Franken and Norm Coleman is a dead heat, and the massive TV blitz has begun. Coleman has launched attack ads against Franken, and corporate special interests are blanketing the state against Franken.

That's why the DSCC has unleashed a striking new ad this week that apes a blockbuster movie trailer to make sure that every Minnesota voter knows Norm Coleman is a classic Bush Republican. We think it's pretty terrific and will break through the noise in this race to get a lot of attention from voters. Take a look and see for yourself.

Mississippi
Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D) vs. Sen. Roger Wicker (R)

The polls in the race for Trent Lott's old seat are just about as close as they can get. Democrat Ronnie Musgrove and interim Senator Roger Wicker have been trading the lead for months.

Make no mistake. Mississippi is top territory for Democrats. But Republicans always do well in the Deep South, so Musgrove is working hard to persuade independent and even Republican voters. Both sides are blitzing the state with TV ads.

What's going to make the difference in this race? You are. Thanks to your support, the DSCC is already running ads in Mississippi to expose Wicker's sordid record. As long as we can count on you along the way, the DSCC will be able to make the investments necessary to win on Election Day.

This is going to be one of those races - like Montana and Virginia in 2006 - where we win by just a few thousand votes. You helped the DSCC make all the difference before and I know we will do it again.

New Hampshire
Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) vs. Sen. John Sununu (R)

Jeanne Shaheen is another big target for third-party attacks ads. By our count, seven different groups have spent more than $2.5 million trying to drag Shaheen through the mud.

These groups don't have to disclose their donors, so they can't be held accountable. Instead, the DSCC just has to fight back. With our new ad this week targeting John Sununu's dismal record on supporting funding for Medicare, that's exactly what we're doing.

The DSCC's job is to level the playing field when our candidates are under attack, and it's working in New Hampshire. Shaheen has sustained a strong lead in this race, and John Sununu remains the most vulnerable Republican incumbent in the country.

Still, New Hampshire is another presidential battleground state, and John Sununu has a history of taking advantage of dirty political tricks to win. We can't take a moment off if we're going to elect Jeanne Shaheen.

New Mexico
Rep. Tom Udall vs. Rep. Steve Pearce (R)

Democrat Tom Udall holds a solid lead in the latest polling and has more than five times as much campaign cash on-hand as Steve Pearce.

While Udall continues to connect with voters and run TV ads focused on the middle class squeeze, the NRSC has all but given up in this state. They cancelled a $2.3 million planned ad buy and have essentially told Pearce that he's on his own now.

The Washington Post has called a Udall victory a "done deal" and the venerable political handicapper Charlie Cook has declared that Pearce doesn't have a "fighting chance" in November. Very good news for Democrats.

However, the United States Chamber of Commerce - one of the most reliable Republican attack organizations - didn't get the memo and is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads against Udall. We haven't seen much movement in the polls as a result, but the DSCC watches this race every day. You know we'll be ready to support Udall whenever he needs it.

North Carolina
State Sen. Kay Hagan (D) vs. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R)

Senator Dole is scared. We used to call this the sleeper race of the cycle. Now, it's just another terrific opportunity to pick-up a Republican held seat in one of the most closely-watched races in the country.

After trailing by as many as 12 points in recent months, two new polls give Democrat Kay Hagan a slim lead in this race.

The Republicans are launching a major counter-offensive. Dole fired back with her first negative attack against Hagan this cycle. Even the NRSC is spending some of their meager budget attacking our candidate. They will not go down without a fight.

At the DSCC, we always say we can level the playing field for our challengers facing well-financed incumbents. The race in North Carolina is a perfect example. We'll need your help along the way, but you better believe that we'll do everything in our power to defeat Elizabeth Dole in November.

Oregon
Speaker of the State House Jeff Merkley (D) vs. Sen. Gordon Smith (R)

Oregon remains one of the hottest Senate races in the country. Republican incumbent Gordon Smith is clinging to a single-digit lead despite outspending Democrat Jeff Merkley by a wide margin. In fact, in numbers released Wednesday, Smith scored the highest disapproval rating of his career in the Senate.

It really makes for a strong pick-up opportunity, which is why we've already seen the Republicans' third-party friends taking aim at Merkley. Remember, these organizations don't have to disclose their donors and therefore can't be held accountable for the mud they sling.

Again, one of the keys to Democratic victory in this state will be a strong and vibrant investment by the DSCC. We've known Oregon would be a strong pick-up opportunity months ago and we have been airing TV ads statewide week after week since May.

In our latest spot, we are directly responding to Smith's claims last week that he's a strong opponent of the war in Iraq. The DSCC immediately launched a new ad reminding Oregonians that no matter what he says now, Smith supported George Bush's failed Iraq policy for 1,518 days.

In 58 days, we can show Gordon Smith just what we think about that and send him packing. When you make a contribution, winning states like Oregon is exactly where your money goes.

Virginia
Gov. Mark Warner (D) vs. Gov. Jim Gilmore (R)

Mark Warner has maintained a strong, double-digit lead in the polling in this race, and it's easy to see why.

Warner has more than $5 million in campaign cash on hand. Gilmore is nearly broke. Warner has been running TV ads emphasizing his bipartisan record of accomplishment. Gilmore has been reduced to sleazy personal attacks.

McCain's Co-Chair in Maine shouldn't be speculating about Edwards

Daniel from Cumberland Center, ME — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:25:13 EDT

Many Mainers were shocked when Sen. Susan Collins speculated on a radio show about John Edwards's adultery since it opens the door to the discussion of Sen. McCain's admitted adultery.

If you don't know about McCain's first marriage and why he left his sick wife and children, you should do a bit of research. We can't afford to have a man like that be the leader of the free world.

This issue is important for a couple of reasons: to begin, it establishes clearly that McCain's moral fiber is hardly the stuff of Presidents. But it also illustrates that Susan Collins is a catty and inappropriate person for Mainers to have in the Senate.

To find out about this, I suggest you read not only the article in the Portland Press Herald, but that you read the public forum posts as well.

If a few people post their thoughts and make this a "popular" forum subject, then it will appear with a direct link on the front page of the online.

Here is a link to that forum:http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/comments.php?id=205032&com_sent=1

The Strength of Barack Obama

My Friend Bob — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:37:01 EDT

Yesterday, while I was waiting for my plane to leave O'Hare Airport, I was wasting time reading CNN news on my phone. While searching my mini-browser, I came across this article about an Oregon Senator who is using Obama's name to try to earn votes.

Recently, this had also happened in my local town of Omaha, Nebraska.

Nebraska just happens to be one of two states that can split its electoral votes (the other being Maine). The county that Omaha lies in is basically the entire 2nd District, which is one of the states five electoral votes. Even though the city normally leans Republican - the city has a very large population that could easily swing Democratic. Judging by the Caucus back in March, Obama has the power to bring these voters out -and may likely get at least one of Nebraska's five electoral votes.

In 2006, Jim Esch (the Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd district) came very close to unseating Lee Terry, who has held his seat since 1998. This has caused Lee Terry to rethink his strategy, and he has actually started talking about courting voters who he calls the "Obama-Terry" voter.

These Republicans incumbents can feel the change that is about to come. I hope with the power of Obama, we can also take some of these seats that are currently being held by Republicans.

What local people should consider doing

Milli Knudsen, ObamaMama#39657289115 — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:06:57 EDT

The wrongs of our society can not all be righted by getting Barack into the White House, though that will be the biggest boost of all, but what needs changing is going to take a lot longer than 8 years in Washington, DC. What I think we should all do is pledge to work together locally to make the changes we need to. We should promise ourselves to be just as relentless as the spin doctors who have whipped public opinion into a negative spiral. I lived in the 1950's and I remember hard economic times in Maine where I was born and raised, and it wasn't just the children who believed in fairy tales. Adults believed that anything was possible, too. As a tribute to my father who used to write to his Congressman Ed Muskie on a regular basis, and as a tribute to my mother who reached out to people she barely knew, offering food, clothes, and encouragement, I am throwing my hat into the ring to run as a first time candidate for public office in NH.

You can only ask "Why doesn't someone do something?" only so long before you ask yourself "Why not me?"

Another Delegate for Obama

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:12:41 EDT

Maine Congressman Tom Allen pledged to support Barack Obama today. Allen said both Obama and Clinton are "supremely qualified to be president."

Obama is the embodiment of change for Maine, and for America, Allen said.

"It is time to bring a graceful end to the primary campaign. We now need to unify the Democratic Party," he added.

Obama won Maine’s Democratic caucuses in February. His candidacy helped drive record turnout of some 45,000 participants.

Carole

What's Happening in Maine?

Carole@www.Americans-Away-From-Home.com — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:06:59 EDT

Here's an update from Maine, for Americans in, and out, of the U.S.

Captain Denis O'Brien signed our Guestbook. What he wrote is so interesting it belongs here.

Please take a look at our Guestbook, in the left column under the welcome message. Please sign if you're comfortable doing that. What's new with the election where you live?

Carole
_________________________________________________

Captain Denis O'Brien, Maine, US
Mon, 04/28/2008 - 02:13

Hello from the country of Maine, well it might be a part of the USA, but until Obama is elected, I'll be claiming otherwise. Well the message from my neck of the woods, is how our caucus went in my town. Four years ago we had a record Democratic turnout of 127 people. At this years caucus there were 127 for Hillary alone, and 535 for Obama!!! The encouraging news is that there were 27 Republicans who switched parties to vote for Barack and none for Hillary. At the Republican caucus the week before, there was a total turnout of 15, yes that's 15 people, that is 44 times the turnout for our side, WHAT FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well keep up the good work overseas and make those calls to North Carolina and Indiana.

Popular Vote Count & Addressing Clinton Supporters

Obamanizer — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:17:04 EDT

As Senator Clinton is now claiming to have the lead in the popular vote (including Florida and even Michigan), it's surprising that Senator Obama is not trying to shift the conversation to the Caucuses that didn't release popular vote counts.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/24270562#24270562

Maine Based Obama Website: Check it out!!

Cyndy D. — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:52:43 EDT

A Maine based website has been created as a communication/information hub for Maine Obama supporters and can be accessed at:

http://teammaineforobama.googlepages.com

Team Maine for Obama is a group that was started by a small number of individuals from Knox and Lincoln county who are:

"working to secure Barack Obama's nomination and election

as President of the United States through activities in Maine and elsewhere supporting his candidacy."

Please check out the site! There are great resource pages for writing letters to the editor and op-eds, countdowns for upcoming primaries, links to Obama for America home pages, much of the latest online news, blogs, articles, etc. Suggestions, comments, and contributions are welcomed! Just click the "Email Team" link and let's continue to strengthen our sense of the community and unity in the great state of Maine!!!

I will be more than happy to add pages to help provide central locations for meeting minutes, activity planning, etc. for other local groups.

As Margaret Mead said,"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Join us and Barack the Vote in '08!

General Election Preparations!

Lloyd Roberts, Maine — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:13:44 EDT

My current effort is to go through all the Groups that have high probability of containing Mainers. This will give me a chance to invite them to be "Friends". In order to do this effectively, I am starting now. Sort of "jump-starting" or leap frogging ahead. If Hillary gets the nomination this won't be a loss. It is certain that I won't be working for Senator McCain to have Bushs' third term. As a Country, we couldn't survive that. So, My point, if you would like to "friend-up" for this purpose and are a Mainer (voting in Maine this November or a younger person or just want to be involved) please invite me to be a friend. I will accept and we will be on each others' lists. Thank you, Lloyd Roberts, Precinct Captain, Dexter.

Real Clear Politics updates Popular Vote totals to include Estimates from 4 Caucus states

Thatcher — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:50:55 EDT

As of today, Real Clear Politics (RCP) is reporting the popular vote estimates in the four caucus states that have not released the actual voter breakdowns from the original caucuses.

Iowa, Nevada, Washington and Maine release total voter counts for their caucuses (or close estimates), but do not release what each candidate receives, just percentages of delegates chosen and/or hard caucus delegate counts.

I've been in email contact for about 1 week with the folks at RCP about trying to show a more accurate computation of the popular votes for Obama and Clinton (since Clinton is thinking about using an argument for Popular Vote to sway Super Delegates if she can get a win in PA and if she would win in a revote in Michigan and Florida primaries).

And now, today, RCP has published on their site their estimates!

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/democratic_vote_count.html

Including these estimates - it now givs Obama an 813,747 lead over Clinton in the popular vote.

YES WE CAN!

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

Thoughts from March 3rd

Erick — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:21:15 EST

1.) Evan Handler (known by many for his current role on the TV show 'Californication') explains candidly why he is for Obama, after voting for HRC in February. Handler attacks her 3AM ad, and does something he didn't see coming . . .stand up for Obama.

Here is an excerpt :

". . . Senators Clinton and Obama were asked during their most recent debate whether they'd come to regret any votes they've cast while holding public office. I have a regret to confess to. When I voted in the California primary less than four weeks ago, I pulled the lever for Senator Clinton. I now believe I was wrong. If Senator Obama had carried California the contest might be over by now. I hope the people of Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont will make better choices than I did last month, and settle the race decisively -- before Senator Clinton has the chance to do more damage in her quest to protect us while we sleep. I've come to trust the candidate who's encouraging us to wake up, and to protect ourselves - even, if need be, from our own government. . . ."

READ it ALL at - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/evan-handler/i-cant-believe-im-stand_b_89448.html

Brought To You By The Grassroots

Sarah Ramey — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:32:13 EST

Barack Obama won sweeping victories this weekend on the Pacific Coast, the Atlantic Coast, the Gulf Coast and in the heartland. And people aren't just talking about the sheer numbers of people who are turning out for Barack Obama -- what really defines these crowds of Obama supporters across the country is an unprecedented enthusiasm.

That's because this is a movement powered by the grassroots. Inspired by Barack Obama, volunteers have been organizing, talking to neighbors, hosting house parties, phonebanking and knocking on doors for exactly a year now -- and as a result, a new coalition of Americans is turning out to vote.

This weekend's victories were brought to you by Republicans and Democrats:

Teachers:

And Retirees:

And they all turned out with a simple message:

Yes.

We.

Can.

Please send us your grassroots photos of Hope at Blog@barackobama.com!

Keep the momentum going, donate here:

Getting involved in the excitement...

Spencer NY — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:31:17 EST

Until this weekend the extent of my active campaigning for Obama had been personal donation and emailing/speaking with friends and family about Obama (I gave my mother his book "Audacity for Hope").

I finally decided it was time to go a step further -both Friday and Saturday I made calls to people in Nebraska and Maine to remind them about their primary and urge them to vote Obama. I was skeptical at first, since it reminded me of a job I used to have where I'd cold-call people - usually resulting in hangups or "not interested" responses. My first few calls to Nebraska yielded much the same, but I kept telling myself what my boss used to say: "some people are just not going to give you the time of day. The key is in the numbers. The more people you call the more you will find those that are receptive". Sure enough, I kept going and ended up speaking a few that considered what I had to say. Even had a few thanks for reminding them about the caucus.

Calls to Maine were even more productive, and I even spent a few minutes on the phone with a man who was curious what Obama's ideas were for Immigration reform. I quickly clicked over to the section on Obama's website and was able to outline the plan in a clear and concise way. By the end he was saying "I really like what I hear". I had another woman that didn't plan to vote at all because she was so fed up with politics as usual - I told her I understand and felt the same way until I learned more about Obama. Even though I couldn't get her to say she was going to vote tomorrow, she did sound interested in looking into Obama.

Overall, it took about 40 calls to get about 5 or 6 people to listen and take an interest. At first glance those odds seem a bit disheartening. But when you consider if the more than 300,000 donors to Obama's campaign made 40 phone calls that would result in possibly 1.8 million more voters at the polls and maybe a good portion of them for Obama.

Now I see the power in numbers. Now I see the embodiment of our credo "Yes We Can!"

Edwards to Endorse Obama?

Alexander — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 03:59:32 EST

Edwards and Obama are very similar in statue. Edwards moves crowds as well as Obama. These two gentlemen deserve to be on the same ticket together. Bringing about the change this country really needs.

Edwards as well as Obama have sincerity
about their campaigns, thus making them the better choices for President and Vice President.

There is no doubt that the person who becomes vice president will later go on to be president. Therefore, for the democrats we need a nominee who will win against McCain in the election of 08.

Sen. Obama Gets His Grammy and Maine Too !

RE Ausetkmt — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:11:06 EST

Obama wins Maine caucuses, CNN projects - CNN.com

(CNN) -- Illinois Sen. Barack Obama will win Sunday's Democratic caucuses in Maine, sweeping the weekend's presidential contests, CNN projects.

YouTube - Barack Obama wins the Grammys Click to visit YouTube - Barack Obama wins the Grammys

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, speaks during a rally Saturday, in Bangor, Maine.

With 95 percent of precincts reporting, Obama was leading Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York 59 percent to 40 percent. At stake are 24 delegates to August's Democratic national convention in Denver.

Obama's projected victory follows wins in Saturday's Louisiana primary and Democratic caucuses in Nebraska, Washington and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Those contests gave him a lead over Clinton in pledged delegates to the convention, but Clinton still held a narrow edge over Obama when "superdelegates" -- elected officials and party leaders -- are included in the tally. Watch Obama talk about how he can beat McCain »

The last caucuses were expected to wrap up by 8 p.m. in Maine, most of which was under winter storm warnings or snow advisories Sunday afternoon.

After Saturday's results and a split decision in last week's "Super Tuesday" contests, Clinton shook up her campaign Sunday by replacing campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle with a longtime adviser Maggie Williams, her campaign announced Sunday.

Don't Miss

Advisers also sought to lower expectations for this month's remaining Democratic contests, which are expected to favor Obama, to focus on a larger cache of delegates up for grabs in March.

"Although the next several states that hold nominating contests this month are more favorable to the Obama campaign, we will continue to compete in them and hope to secure as many delegates as we can before the race turns to Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania," read a statement from Clinton's campaign.

Those states have high concentrations of voters who have been strong Clinton supporters -- Latinos in Texas, and blue-collar workers in Ohio and Pennsylvania. But Joe Trippi, an adviser to former Democratic contender John Edwards, said Sunday Obama had "a full head of steam" after Saturday's wins and was poised to win this week's "Potomac Primaries" in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia.

"It's hard to see a win for Sen. Clinton into March, into Ohio and Texas, which I think was what they're counting on," Trippi told CBS' "Face the Nation." "But even that's in jeopardy, I think, as Obama builds some momentum here.

As Maine Goes...

Matthew G — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:56:41 EST

As Maine Goes…

John Nichols, The Nation

Barack Obama won the Maine caucuses by a wide margin Sunday night, securing 59 percent of the vote to just 40 percent for Hillary Clinton.

That’s 15 more delegates for Obama, nine more for Clinton.

And it caps a weekend that saw Obama win everywhere people had a chance to vote for him — from the Virgin Islands, where he got 89.9 percent of the vote, to Louisiana (57 percent of the vote; 33 delegates to 22 for Clinton) to Nebraska (68 percent; 16 delegates to 8 for Clinton) to Washington (68 percent; 35 delegates to 15 for Clinton).

But Maine was particularly sweet. It neighbors New Hampshire, which denied Obama an expected win in last month’s primary, and Massachusetts. which backed Clinton on Super Tuesday.

Both Obama and Clinton campaigned in Maine — bringing a rare level of attention to a state that usually caucuses without much attention. The Clinton camp also brought in former President Bill and former First Daughter Chelsea, and it had the backing of Maine Governor John Baldacci.

But Obama swept just about everywhere.

After this weekend of wins, Obama backers will be excused for renewing the old saying, “As Maine goes, so goes the nation.” They’ve got to feel that the momentum in on their side.

And if the Illinois senator wins Tuesday’s “Potomac primary” voting in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, the Obama camp won’t just be feeling it has momentum. The surge will have been confirmed.

New Delagates

Brad — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:56:41 EST

I was so happy to go to CNN and see that Obama swept Nebraska, Louisiana, Washington, and Maine. The gap is closing and Obama will overcome any gap that has been put in between him and Clinton. He is our change.

Obama ripping across the south AND wins Maine...sweet!

Benjamin in Singapore — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:25:26 EST

On a personal note it was sweet to open up google news and read about how obama did in the weekend elections.

I am reminded that the prospect of Obama rolling through the south was one of the first things that got me excited about the campaign and Obama's chances of winning the nomination. Some earlier blog posts about the southern vote:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/benjaminbrown/CWhq

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/benjaminbrown/CJdk

I for one am looking for a repeat of this turnout and this vote in the general election, Obama carrying the south..wow. Particularly sweet is the devastation wrought by team obama in lousiana on the HRC campaign:

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/US/Politics/President_Race_2008/Barack_Obama_Slams_Hillary_Clinton_In_Louisiana_Democratic_Primary__5796.asp

This weeks harper's index says less than 5% of the money spent on reconstruction actually reached the pockets of the poorest 10% in that state. This pisses me off and I am an outsider looking in, glad to see this discontent motivating people to get to the polls!

As far as Maine is concerned, I did not expect this victory and I have never met a Mainer I didn't like so Obama's victory "down north" is awesome.

Cheers

benjamin

The Light At the End of the Tunnel

Michael Kotyk — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:22:18 EST

I've been pretty busy all day but was presently surprised when I logged into MSNBC and saw, what I think, is the light at the end of the tunnel; the beginning of the end.

On Heels of Obama's Maine Win, Clinton Replaces Campaign Manager

DoctorTodd — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:05:31 EST

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton has replaced her campaign manager with a longtime adviser, Maggie Williams, the campaign announced Sunday.

Patti Solis Doyle has been reassigned to a senior adviser's job, the Clinton campaign announced in a memo to its staff.

The move came a day after Sen. Barack Obama swept three Democratic contests, giving him considerable momentum heading into Sunday's Maine caucuses and three primaries Tuesday.

Obama took an early lead Sunday in Maine. With 59 percent of the precincts reporting, Obama was leading Clinton 57 percent to 42 percent. At stake are 24 delegates.

With Obama's wins Saturday in Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington and the Virgin Islands, the Illinois senator took the pledged-delegate lead over Clinton -- 971-915, according to CNN calculations.

But Clinton has a 224-135 edge among superdelegates, which leaves her leading the Democratic race 1,139-1,106, according to CNN's calculations.

Tuesday, Clinton and Obama will compete for 15 pledged delegates in the District of Columbia, 70 in Maryland and 83 in Virginia.

Clinton's new campaign manager, Maggie Williams, served as her chief of staff when the New York senator was first lady.

Williams joined Clinton's campaign after her third-place showing in the Iowa caucuses Jan. 3. At the time, Solis Doyle was urged to remain on board as campaign manager.

Clinton loaned her presidential campaign $5 million in January, she said Wednesday.

"I loaned it because I believe in this campaign and I think the results last night proved the wisdom of my investment," she said on February 6.

Barack wins Maine; Hillary's shakeup

Gordon — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:57:41 EST

On top of yesterday's victories, Barack Obama has now won Maine, despite poor weather for the caucus voting; story here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080211/ap_on_el_pr/maine_caucuses_10;_ylt=AjTb2yljugS.ON5Dfn8QpJwE1vAI

I saw elsewhere on the general www.barackobama.com site that the win also comes despite the fact that Barack was recently polling poorly in Maine.

Barack hits my hometown of Madison, WI on Tuesday.

In opposition news: Last week, it was revealed that Hillary Clinton loaned herself $5 million of her own money; now comes word that she's shaking up her top staff -- story here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080210/pl_nm/usa_politics_dc_84;_ylt=AiweBkkJeBbLuNb8QJaN268E1vAI

And they said we couldn't do it...

tgslampwork — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:10:45 EST

I just saw the nes that Obama won Maine. How satisfying. Are you a part of the movement yet? Calling is easy - you can even do it while watching tv, on the commercials.

Click on Make Some Calls NOW so you can say you were a part of this. It really feels great!

Go Maine Go!

Lacy — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 18:56:13 EST

Will Obama take Maine?

I think YES!

Will Obama take every state left?

I think YES!

YES WE CAN!

Fired up! Ready to go!

NBC Calls Maine For Obama!

Jason — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 18:39:48 EST

They just announced, with 59% of precincts reporting they've called Maine for Obama by a margin of 57% for Obama and 42% for Clinton. You can read more on <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23098411/" title="Barack Wins Maine">MSNBC</a>.

What a great weekend!

TIME Magazine: "Inspiration vs. Substance"

Reality Check — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:41:09 EST

A must-read for all Obama supporters. Really read this article and think about it before making a decision based on emotion over intellect.

Thursday, Feb. 07, 2008
Inspiration vs. Substance
By Joe Klein

Correction Appended: February 7, 2008.

"We are the ones we've been waiting for," Barack Obama said in yet another memorable election-night speech on Super-Confusing Tuesday. "We are the change that we seek." Waiting to hear what Obama has to say — win, lose or tie — has become the most anticipated event of any given primary night. The man's use of pronouns (never I), of inspirational language and of poetic meter — "WE are the CHANGE that we SEEK" — is unprecedented in recent memory. Yes, Ronald Reagan could give great set-piece speeches on grand occasions, and so could John F. Kennedy, but Obama's ability to toss one off, different each week, is simply breathtaking. His New Hampshire concession speech, with the refrain "Yes, We Can," was turned into a brilliant music video featuring an array of young, hip, talented and beautiful celebrities. The video, stark in black-and-white, raised an existential question for Democrats: How can you not be moved by this? How can you vote against the future?

And yet there was something just a wee bit creepy about the mass messianism — "We are the ones we've been waiting for" — of the Super Tuesday speech and the recent turn of the Obama campaign. "This time can be different because this campaign for the presidency of the United States of America is different. It's different not because of me. It's different because of you." That is not just maddeningly vague but also disingenuous: the campaign is entirely about Obama and his ability to inspire. Rather than focusing on any specific issue or cause — other than an amorphous desire for change — the message is becoming dangerously self-referential. The Obama campaign all too often is about how wonderful the Obama campaign is.

That is not unprecedented. It has echoes of Howard Dean's 2004 primary effort, although in Dean's case the propellant was substance, not rhetoric — the candidate's early courageous voice against the war. But Dean soon found that wasn't enough. In June 2003 he told me he needed to broaden his movement, reach out past the young and the academic and find a greater array of issues that could inspire working people. He never quite found that second act, and his campaign became about process, not substance: the hundreds of thousands of supporters signing up on the Internet, the millions of dollars raised. He lost track of the rest of the world; his campaign was about ... his campaign.

Obama would never be so tone-deaf, but he is facing a similar ceiling, a similar inability to speak to the working people of the Democratic Party (at least, those who are not African American) or find an issue, a specific issue, that distinguishes him from his opponent. And his opponent, Hillary Clinton, has proved herself tough, specific and reliable — qualities that become increasingly important as the economy teeters and as worries about the future gather in the land.

This has become an odd campaign for Democrats. There is good news ... and fear. The good news is that this time the people seem far more interested in their party than in the Republicans. On Super Tuesday, at least 15,417,521 voted Democratic, and 9,181,297 voted Republican. And more good news: both Obama and Clinton are very good candidates who hold similar positions on most issues, moderates who intend to reach out to Republicans after they are elected — although, given Clinton's undeserved reputation as a partisan operative, that may be a tougher sell for her than for Obama. But this is not a struggle for the ideological soul of the party. It may, however, be a struggle for the party's demographic soul — older voters vs. younger, information-age workers vs. industrial and service workers, wine vs. beer. There is also — and I will try to tread lightly here — the classic high school girl/boy differential: the note-taking, front-row girl grind vs. the charismatic, last-minute-cramming, preening male finesse artist. Both Clinton and Obama have difficulties reaching across those divides, and that is where the fear resides: neither candidate may prove strong or broad enough. As this campaign progresses, their weaknesses — the reasons for their inability to put away this nomination — are going to become more apparent than their strengths.

Clinton's strengths are most apparent in debates, which is why she is pressing to have one each week. She simply knows more than Obama does. In recent weeks, she has been far more likely to take questions from the press and public than Obama is. That appeals to voters more interested in results than in inspiration; it especially appeals to the middle-class women, juggling job and family, who are the demographic heart of the Democratic Party. Clinton's weaknesses are intractable. They are wrapped up in her husband, who nearly ruined her campaign in the two weeks after Iowa but seems to have been relegated to the back of the bus in recent days. And they are wrapped up in her age. She is a baby boomer, of a generation that has been notably obnoxious and unsuccessful in the public arena. Perhaps the most dreadful baby-boom political legacy has been the overconsulted, fanatically tactical, poll-driven campaign — and Clinton has suffered whenever she has emphasized tactics over substance. Her lame attempts to "go negative" on Obama have been almost entirely counterproductive. Her husband's attempts to paint Obama as a "race" candidate — his resort to the most toxic sort of old-fashioned politics — only reinforced the strangely desperate nature of their campaign. It was the very opposite of "Yes, We Can" politics.

Obama's strength is inspiration, and it's also his weakness. In the recent past, Democrats have favored candidates who offer meaty, detailed policy prescriptions — usually to the party's detriment — and that is not Obama's game. After his Iowa victory, his stump speech had become a soufflé untroubled by much substance of any sort. He has rectified that, to some extent. He now spends some time talking about the laments of average Americans he has met along the way; then he dives into a litany of solutions he has proposed to address the laments. But those are not nearly so convincing as Clinton's versions of the same; of course, Clinton has a tragic deficit when it comes to inspiration.

There is an odd, anachronistic formality to Obama's stump speech: it is always the same. It sets his audiences afire, but it does not reach very far beyond them. It is no accident that Obama is nearly invincible in caucus states, where the ability to mobilize a hard core of activists is key — but not so strong in primaries, where more diverse masses of people are involved. He should be very worried that this nomination is likely to be decided in the big working-class primary states of Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania.

Then again, one of Obama's most effective lines is about the "craziness" of trying the same old thing in Washington "over and over and over again, and somehow expecting a different result." The first politician I ever heard use that line — weirdly attributed to everyone from Benjamin Franklin to Albert Einstein — was Bill Clinton. It is a sad but inescapable fact of this election that Bill and Hillary Clinton have now become "the same old thing" they once railed against. In a country where freshness is fetishized — and where a staggering 70% of the public is upset with the way things are today — the "same old thing" is not the place to be. Unless, of course, the next new thing turns out to be a mirage.

Because of an editing error, the original version of this story distorted Joe Klein's characterization of Howard Dean's 2004 primary effort. A sentence in the third paragraph has been changed accordingly.

Find this article at:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1710721,00.html

Another day of calling.

tgslampwork — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:40:52 EST

Today I made close to 100 combined calls to Maine (79) and Maryland (20). Another day that I blew off my other resposibilities until tomorrow - for what I felt I needed to do today.

In Maine, it was interesting. I spoke with several people who were Independents who wished to support Barack, and were not even aware that they, in fact, could causus for Barack. I also spoke with a few people who were not aware their caucus was today - who were grateful for my call and the information regarding the time and place of their caucuses. Of course there were the people who were irritated with the influx of calls, who were plain and simple not interested in caucusing. I explained to these folks that I was very sorry for the repeated calls, but explained the other scenarios where people who needed and wanted and were grateful for the calls were mixed in with the duplicate calls. I used a friendly, apologetic tone -- and not a single person was nasty with me. While it's certainly frustrating to get four calls in a day, I explained it was equally frustrating for me as a caller -- but that I thought the positive out-weighed the negative each time I reached one of those grateful for the call.

Stay positive - make a positive impression. I'm hoping we'll need these folks in November!

Maine caucus results

Virginia S. — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:30:06 EST

This guy is collecting Maine caucus results!! Looking good for Obama!

Obama '08!

Good news from Maine!

Virginia S. — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:01:09 EST

So far things are looking good for Obama in Maine! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Ken and Mary Pat: Phonebanking in Maine

Sarah Ramey — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 11:49:37 EST

Just spoke to Ken and Mary Pat, a high school English teacher and a college dean in Maine, who have been phonebanking for Obama non-stop over the weekend. And they're in very good company -- yesterday, so many volunteers turned out to help make calls, there weren't enough phones for everyone all at once!

This incredible grassroots enthusiasm is totally unique to this movement -- and it's making a huge difference.

Please, right now, pick up the phone and give Mainers a call. People need to know how important it is that they turn out to caucus.

Here are some inspiring thoughts from Ken, who's also a precinct captain, to get you fired up and ready to call:

I believe in Barack because he believes in us and our ability to make real change. This election, really, isn't about him or her - it's about getting the American people back in the driver's seat.
It makes me think of James Baldwin's The Fire Next Time, about the civil rights movement. At the end of that book, he writes:
"If we dare everything, we may be able, handful that we are, to achieve our country and change the history of the world."
That moment is upon us again. I hope we are courageous enough to meet it.

This is our moment.

Our goal is 10,000 calls to Maine today -- pick up the phone!

Yes we can.

Mainers Rally for Obama! Record Audience

Connie — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 11:34:04 EST

It was great to be part of the historical scene. People drove hours from all corners of Maine. Thousands lined up outside Bangor Auditorium hours before the rally--lots of frozen ears and toes:> Nearly 6000 got in and about 1000 were turned away.

Go to Bangor Daily News for full reports and pictures.

As of now, the Bangor Daily News readers have voted 2:1 for Obama online!

Sunday Is "Call Maine" Day-Goal 10,000!

Denise from Medford — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:43:26 EST

Good Morning Everyone!

WOW!!! I'm still smiling after Obama's sweep yesterday! Now, on to Maine! A recent poll indicated that Clinton had a "slight" edge in that state. Therefore, the goal is for Obama supporters to get busy and make 10,000 calls to Maine TODAY!!! We're shooting for 40,000 overall. So, get FIRED UP and let's get busy!!! Denise

Lets Go Maine!

Eric Jacky — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:11:02 EST

Ok Maine! Here is your chance to be a part of the change that is sweeping the nation! Today is your day and Now Is Our Time!

Difference: Obama leads in new directions, Clinton follows political winds

Karen from Hope, ME — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 09:12:50 EST

Yesterday Obama told a story about going against the grain. When announcing that cars we build should meet a 40-mile-per-gallon standard for the sake of our environment, he chose to say this not in front of a friendly audience such as the Sierra Club, but in Detroit. The room was silent, he said; nobody clapped. Obviously, he had said something his audience did not want to hear, and his point was that this is how change happens. New ideas and priorities emerge and new directions for our country are set when you dare to dream, even when the dreams are not easy to achieve and even when nobody claps.

To me, this is the mark of a leader. If we're looking for a difference between Hillary and Obama, it's exactly this point. Obama is a creative thinker, willing to not just talk but to step outside the box so that others will follow. He dares to go against the grain, and even in the tightest of tight political races, even in Detroit, he dares to tell people what they don't want to hear. This is the difference that we can bank on: the Clintons are so political that they will bend in the wind toward opinions of others, like a slender tree in a forest during a storm.

It's clear to me, watching my teenage daughter become engaged with her whole generation, that going with the grain doesn't really work anymore. The kids know that. They are wise, and their insight is instinctive and in my opinion wholly admirable. Dreaming has become essential to moving our society forward. We're forced to imagine new ways of doing things because the old formulas just don't work anymore. My daughter's generation thinks for themselves because, frankly, they have to. In an age of over-stimulation, where a boundless source of information exists literally at one's fingertips, differentiation directly leads to survival of the individual and continuity of the soul. Dreaming has now become the only way we can breathe and the only path to new directions.

Barack Obama looks to the future and speaks his own interpretation of this phenomenon. Daring to dream is what the young people of our country are instinctively being called to do in this election, and they are leading the cause, as they should. We can't be afraid now to strike off in a new direction. In their own way, it's what all my grandparents would have wanted. They understood despair and prosperity, and if they were alive today they might see how essential dreaming is to the transformation of our society and indeed, the world.

Obama's next steps: ME, VA, DC, MD

EMK — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:54:11 EST

OMG, that was great that Obama got all those states! Maine is next, and as far as that state is concerned, if he can visit that state for a little while fine, but I would understand if he cannot since they vote today. In the later case, shout out some prayers for Obama so he can continue his momentum in ME.

Now the "Potomac Primaries." The good news is that MD and DC aren't very large in area, even though VA is large, so he can see all the large cities as well as the small towns. And if I were him, now is a good time for him campaign in the rural areas of the states/districts so he can cast a wider net on the voters. Even though he has two days, these primaries are litterally next door to each other, so he needs to take the time and canvas those more rurual areas.

So, if anyone from the Obama campaign is reading this post, please heed my advice. If you can start getting those rurual votes, you can close the demographic gap even further.

You can do it Obama!

EMK

No matter what the weather

Interior Alaskans for Obama — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 01:27:24 EST

Our Alaska caucus minus -37, Louisiana 60's, Virgin Islands 80's and tomorrow Maine you'll be in the mid 20's when you let your voices be heard.

No matter what the weather we're all of one voice "YES WE CAN" so tomorrow remember we're with you in spirit..... Call everyone, Walk ,Run , Carpool whatever it takes its time to Caucus for "Change We Can Beleive In"

Let's chat -- with voters in LA, NE, WA and ME

Jonathan from Acton, MA — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 08:40:18 EST

If you've got a few minutes and a phone, you can call voters in Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington, and Maine who are making last minute decisions about voting in Democratic caucuses and primaries to be held this weekend.

Today's the day to make a big difference in just a few minutes. To phone bank from your home (don't worry, scripts are provided!), just click here:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/phonebankmap And thanks for all you're doing to elect Barack Obama. Yes. We. Can.

Caucuses in medical marijuana states

Bruce Mirken — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:31:12 EST

Two upcoming caucuses are in states that allow medical use of marijuana: Washington and Maine. Bush's DEA has attacked patients and others in medical marijuana states, a ridiculous waste of federal law enforcement resources that Barack has said should come to an end. Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, on the other hand, likes current federal policies just fine. One more reason we need President Obama.

Tracie in Maine: "We Can Change Washington Politics"

Sarah Ramey — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:04:37 EST

Tracie, a native of Maine, has been with the Obama campaign for President since the beginning.

On February 10th, 2007, Tracie co-hosted an "Obama Announcement Watching Party," and starting right then and there she began to organize for Maine's Democratic caucus that's happening this Sunday, February 10th, exactly one year to the day from their original kickoff celebration.

After watching the speech she decided to start the Portland Barack Obama Supporters group on the Barack Obama website. It was a total success and they've been meeting monthly to plan for the Feb. 10th, 2008 caucuses and have traveled to New Hampshire to volunteer, canvassed in the state, held debate watching parties, and run phone banks for Obama.

As Tracie says:

I am inspired by Barack and Michelle's commitment to changing our country. Barack challenges us to "hitch our wagon to something bigger than ourselves." Many have said Barack could have done anything he wanted after school. Barack could have gone on to be a trial lawyer and make tens of millions, but instead, Barack has dedicated his life to serving others. From his days as a community organizer, constitutional law professor, and politician campaigning for change in Washington and the Illinois Senate, he has been fighting for us. Barack represents the best in us and the best in America. That a skinny kid with a funny name can grow up to achieve his dreams. I think we've seen (this past year) America rise up again from their apathetic, cynical state to believe, to hope again that we can change Washington politics, our country, and the world.

And Mainers, Tracie says, are fired up and ready for real change.

"Maine's a rural state full of independent down to earth people. We've seen the effects of the Bush administration's cuts to state funding of Medicare and the so-called "No Child Left Behind" act, and felt the sacrifice of our national guard's continuous redeployment overseas. In a state where residents are independent in nature, a candidate who can heal our country's political divide is very welcome."

Volunteers like Tracie have been laying the groundwork for a year now in all the states with primaries and caucuses this weekend-- and we can all help out and build on that foundation in the last two days by getting on the phones, and calling voters in Maine, Washington, Louisiana, and Nebraska right now.

Click here to lend a hand in the call center.

And to find out how to get involved before this Sunday's caucus in Maine, visit ME.BarackObama.com.

Oh, one more state...

jgabriel — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:12:07 EST

I forgot to mention Maine on Sunday! Maine votes on Sunday.

Clinton twists Obama's words

Sierra Hussein Cajun — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:56:37 EST

In election mailers going out to residents in upcoming primary states, Clinton says that Sen. Obama wants to raise taxes by $1 trillion. What she doesn't say is that Obama hasn't officially proposed that, and the tax hike would only affect the top 6% of the population.

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/youve_got_mailers.html

If you know anyone voting in NE, LA, ME, or WA, let them know that the mailer is a gross misrepresentation of what Obama wants to do as president.

Grassroots in the Bellwether State

Sarah Ramey — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:22:41 EST

Tuesday we saw Barack Obama succeeding in Red states and Blue states, in the East and in the West, in the North and the South. And as Senator Obama said, it's not just because of him. It's because of this movement.

Please meet Sarah, her husband Kelvin and their son Kel, an incredible family of grassroots volunteers whose essential work on the phones, knocking on doors, and getting the word out to every last neighbor helped pull out this critical victory for Barack in the bellwether state of Missouri. Here's a letter from Sarah about why she and her family are so passionate about Barack Obama:

I grew up in Wichita, Kansas. My dad ran a rock quarry in Augusta, KS (where Barack's grandmother is from!) and my mom was a high school English teacher who didn't go to work until we were in junior high school and our family needed two incomes to support us 4 kids. My dad was a navigator-bombardier during WWII and he was a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force Reserves. I remember when Dad was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis, during which a 45-year-old John F. Kennedy negotiated with Nikita Khrushchev to avert a nuclear war. I was proud of my father and I was inspired by JFK.

My husband, Kelvin, is one of 10 kids. His father, Hal Walls, was a sharecropper and then a tenant farmer in Mississippi as a boy and young man, until he moved to the Bootheel of Missouri in the '40s and was able to purchase his own farm. Hal Walls only attended school through the 3rd grade, because he had to support his family. He is now 89 years old, and quit farming a few years ago.

I attended the University of Kansas via National Defense Student Loans and Work Study jobs, [and] received Masters Degrees in Social Work and Public Administration from KU's campus in Kansas City.
I have experienced the power of HOPE to transform people's lives…youth from low income families have been the first in their families to attend college, juvenile offenders have experienced the pride of obtaining money through legitimate work, people with severe and disabling mental illness have lived in the community rather than institutions, and Veterans who have risked their lives for our country have earned and benefited from the best health care system (yes, a government "program") in the nation and world.

We are saddened by the lost opportunity costs of spending billions of dollars on a war we never should have started. We look forward to a time when we don't have to be ashamed that the United States engages in torture, a time when people in other countries can once again see Americans as generous and compassionate people and, when appropriate, true liberators.

We are concerned that, unless we have the kind of leadership that Obama can provide, politics as usual will continue on the downward spiral of focusing energy and resources on things that don't really matter; of self-righteous, vicious attacks on those who disagree…at the expense of forming coalitions to actually get things done; of policy being determined by those whose credentials are that they have the financial resources to "buy" the politicians. Barack Obama's candidacy is not about stepping right in and playing by the rules of the old order; rather, it's about changing the rules of the game, to benefit the American people. It is about ENGAGING the American people in taking an active role in governing and in contributing their time, talents, and resources to improve life for us all. It's about giving up fear and embracing hope. YES WE CAN!

I read Dreams from My Father prior to Barack's campaign for president. In the course of reading the book, I found that Barack was so genuine, so smart, so compassionate, so sophisticated in his understanding of the complexities of life, such a global citizen, such a loving family member, such a good listener, such a great motivator and organizer who could actually move people to get real results, such a wise and inspired leader, that I had to find out more about him.

...[Then,] after the first organizing meeting for Kansas City Volunteers in April, 2007, at which people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, religions, socio-economic positions, and sexual orientations shared their passion for this movement of change led by Barack, Kelvin started catching "hope." He saw that this was really a MOVEMENT, something completely novel in American politics and history. That Barack could bring out the best in us, could bring people of different positions and political parties together to accomplish real results. That, under Barack's leadership, our nation's standing, in the eyes of people of other parts of the world, would take a tremendous leap forward.

Thereafter, we found a wide variety of ways in which to help with the campaign, for example—videotaping at the Obama-Rama at the Uptown Theater in April, hosting a "Walk for Change" canvass in our neighborhood in May, handing out water at the National VFW Convention in August, signing up volunteers at the Tom Joyner morning show in September, organizing a "happy hour" at Baja 600 restaurant, canvassing in Iowa three Saturdays in November, and helping in Des Moines on caucus day. Sarah is a Precinct Captain for our neighborhood and we have been canvassing and will be on the phones!

We believe that this is the time in our history when we can rise above the old divides and actually support someone based on his or her abilities to lead this country and the world into the light of a very much improved future.

The grassroots are the backbone of this movement -- every day, making calls, knocking on doors, block by block, town by town. It's the model of organization inspired by Barack Obama himself, our Community-Organizer-in-Chief, and it is what is making the difference in states like Missouri.

And it's going to be what makes the difference in all the states to come.

So please click here, find your state, and see what you can do in your area to help. Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington and Maine are next -- and everyone can help from all over the country by making phone calls starting right now.

We need the whole movement, calling, emailing, canvassing -- doing the work that has gotten where so many said we would never be.

Yes we can.

Andrea in Maine: "We can have a voice"

Sarah Ramey — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:38:02 EDT

"People like me -- we're solidly middle class."

Andrea is the organist for her local church in Maine.

"I understand that if you kiss up to the big money and the Washington lobbyists, it works. But if the little guy -- or I should say, if the little girl wants to be represented, she can. If we each give what we're able, even if we each give $25, we can have a voice."

Above everything else, Andrea admires Barack Obama's integrity. "It's incredible that he's going to do this without the lobbyists. I really appreciate that kind of courage."

Furthermore, Andrea sees Barack Obama as the candidate with the unique potential to heal America. As a Christian, she's been dismayed to see politicians exploit religion. "Barack has understanding. Even if I don't share his views on every single issue, I feel he'll be able to give my ideas -- particularly faith -- some credibility."

The ability to bridge so many divides: between republicans and democrats, between people of different faiths and across disparate economic groups -- sets Barack Obama apart for Andrea. When she heard him say that he would bring the dignity back to diplomacy by meeting with leaders around the world, allies or not, Andrea recalls:

"My heart sang."

Andrea is right about the little guy, and yesterday, the little guy spoke up. In just one day we raised almost $1 million dollars to close the gap between our grassroots contributions and the big money in Washington.

Keep it up.

Your donations are sending the message loud and clear: we can do this. One donation at a time, we can maintain our integrity as the greatest grassroots campaign in history and show the country what politics can be.

So don't wait to speak up: donate now.

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

I can't WAIT for 2008!

Hol — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 21:04:46 EDT

Hi Everyone, this is my first blog! and it saves all my friends from getting political emails from me all the time! Soooo, todays topic: Fox news is a joke... they are racist and superficial. This is part of a campaign to keep the presidential debates away from Fox news. There are 2 debates scheduled... one with Fox and one with CNN. After all that Fox has done to put down the black community and Senator Obama, we are encouraging the candidates to block out the Fox debate and only attend the CNN debate. Obama as blocked out Fox news all together, not allowing them interviews or campaign information after they slandered him with everything from being a "Muslim extremist" to a "black racist" - What are they even talking about? So please join in the campaign to convince politicians to boycott the Fox debate. Watch the videos on there web page and see for yourself.

www.foxattacks.com and http://colorofchange.org

if you are interested in anything else like:

~How to help push for resolutions and humanitarian aid in Darfur. (International Day for Darfur in coming up - if anyone interested in joining me April 29th in Boston)

~Civil Rights violations and how to combat them as a regular citizen, aka: getting involved and voicing your opinion

~How to balance out American Aid to both Israel and Palestine... and what is going on over there in general.

~Crimes against our environment... What the world is doing wrong! And how you can help a little everyday!

~What still needs to be done post-Katrina

~17th of April is the International Day of Peasant's Struggle, The Landless Workers Movement in Brazil is the largest social movement in the World! Never heard of it? Want to ? Email me!

And a bunch of other stuff... let me know. This is what I do with my spare time. So email me if you want to get involved!

Love hol

ps, I am a geologist - i have been trained in the art of rock identification... i'm not a lawyer, just a political junkie! and I am sure if you are reading this - you understand.

pps - this is the best web page i have ever seen for a candidate! amazing!