Posts with the tag Students

Mayor to Officially Open Thrift Store Assisting College Students

Iduka Microloans — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:06:24 EDT

PORT ST. LUCIE – The Iduka Corporation Board of Directors invites the public to come out to meet the mayor and enjoy a cup of coffee at the Grand Opening of Iduka’s Thrift Store on Thursday, September 24. Mayor Patricia Christensen is scheduled to cut the ribbon to officially open the store at 10:00 a.m. Several Chamber of Commerce representatives will also attend the event. The Iduka Thrift Store is located in the Town Centre Plaza, 10073 S. Federal Highway (US 1) in Port St. Lucie. Proceeds from thrift store sales will help provide microloans for needy students.

Iduka, a non-profit organization headquartered on the Treasure Coast, is dedicated to helping college students attain higher education through micro-lending. The Iduka Thrift Store will help bridge the financial gap of needed money sources to fund the organization’s microloan program.

Shoppers are encouraged to check out the affordable, gently used clothing, furniture, appliances, and electronics and more available at the Iduka Thrift Store, 10073 Federal Highway, in the Town Centre Plaza where Aegis Workforce, Bealls, Staples, China Garden Buffet, and Liberty Medical are located.

The store provides an important retail service to the Port St. Lucie Community and other outlying neighborhoods on the Treasure Coast. Donors and volunteers are actively being recruited. Anyone interested in donating items or volunteering at the Iduka Thrift Store should call 772-335-9030 or send an email to iduka.thriftstore@gmail.com. Visit Iduka’s Web site atwww.iduka.org to learn more about the organization and how to get involved with their mission.

Iduka Corporation is a non-profit organization with a 501©(3) tax-exempt status. Its mission is to promote college affordability by connecting students with lenders, schools, and community service organizations through an Internet based micro loan program. The goal is to provide students and their family one more financial tool to help them in their pursuit of higher education. Iduka makes this possible by offering an innovative plan secured in a Web-based micro-lending system that connects students with lenders, and incorporates, whenever possible, student volunteerism as a mean for students to pay back their loans.

iduka.info@gmail.com

www.iduka.org

www.facebook.com/iduka.microloans

772-335-9030

Little Black Dress Party for College Affordability

Saint Lucie County Group — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:18:49 EDT

Port St. Lucie, August 12, 2009 – Press Release

Port St. Lucie, FL - On Saturday, August 29, Iduka Corporation will hold its inaugural “Little Black Dress Party for College Affordability” event in Port St. Lucie to bring members of the community together to show support for college students with varying financial needs. The event will take place in Saint Lucie West at Elements Martini Bar, 2096 NW Courtyard Circle, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986.

Online registration is available at http://www.iduka.citymax.com/events1.html. Pre-registered participants will pay $5 at the door, all other attendees without RSVP will pay $10 donation for entry. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. Drink specials and finger food will be served until 10:00 p.m. Ladies in black dresses are eligible to win prizes! Ladies get one free drink. Please register early, as space is limited!

Iduka Corporation is a non-profit organization that has a pending application for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Our mission is to promote college affordability by connecting students with lenders, schools, and community service organizations through an Internet based micro-loan program.

Our goal is to provide students and their families one more financial tool to help them in their pursuit of higher education. We make this possible by offering an innovative plan based in a Web-based micro-lending system that connects students with lenders, and incorporates, whenever possible, student volunteerism as a mean for students to pay back their loans.

Media contact:

Darlene Craddock

darlene.craddock@iduka.org

772-284-6455

www.iduka.org

www.iduka.citymax.com

www.facebook.com/iduka.microloans

Upcoming OFA Leadership Training in Coral Gables

Fran Swanson — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:34:37 EDT

Last night, I attended an organizational meeting for OFA Miami-Dade. I, along with about 50 other people, learned about OFA's structure and mission and the ways in which volunteers can make a difference. I left the meeting once again "fired-up" and ready to help mobilize for change locally with the confidence that our success in Miami will lead to success nationally for President Obama's policies, particularly health insurance reform. We learned about the importance of data as well as the new technologies being employed (yes, votebuilder is still being used, those of us who volunteered during the campaing know it is a love-hate relationship). Because I hope to begin a Young Democrats club at my high school and become a volunteer for OFA, I will be attending the Leadership Training at the American Legion in Coral Gables this Saturday (August 8th) from 9:30-5:30. From what I understood, the OFA staff will educate potential team leaders and community organizers on OFA structure and the means and technologies OFA will be using to earn/show support for the President's agenda. Hope to see you there!

-Fran

Opportunities for Young Black Folks from Obama & HBCUs

Leslye J Allen of Atlanta, GA — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:21:24 EDT

Page in Obama Administration - If you know anyone who is 16 years old, has a 3.0 GPA and may be interested in serving in the Obama Administration as a page, please visit House Page Program

Florida A&M Scholarship for Black Women - FAMU is providing an outstanding opportunity for Black women entering college in the fall of 2009. It is designed to address their absence in the field of computer technology. Dr. Jason Black is the Principal Investigator of a recently awarded $552,000 NSF Grant entitled African-American Women in Computer Science. The grant provides scholarships from $4000 to $10,000 per year for female African American students .

We need your help to get the word out about this great opportunity to build back up the enrollment of women in the CIS Department. More detailed information
http://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?a=headlines&p=display&news=602&archive.

You can also contact Dr. Black by email at jblack@cis.famu.edu

Peace, Leslye J Allen

Change is in Our Future Not Our Past

Tom Awtry — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:30:55 EDT

Every good past President has looked to the future, while every failed administration has suffered with the past, in part by their own misunderstandings of the failure(s) and to fully concentrate on moving their own agenda’s forward! Consequently, we the American public are as much to blame, for their failures as they are.

Today in office we have elected a forward looking Chief Executive, tasked with the mission of tackling the previous administrations failures and deceptions; while moving onwards his own vision of how America should be.

To me, this means let the president delegate responsible, for corrective action on the issues concerning Gitmo, torture, Rove, FOIA and FISA to his appropriate cabinet members and select committees within congress.

We as diligent citizens and supposed caretakers of our country should and must be focused on issues such as health care, getting out of Iraq, the economy and perhaps an over looked issued by many, an improved, affordable plan to enhance our current educational system of higher learning.

We have seen hundreds of thousands of jobs disappear over the past several months, will these jobs ever come back? The answer is “No”!

Soon we will have thousands of veterans returning from overseas, will they remain in the military service? Again, the answer is possibly “No”!

So what are the solutions to the aforementioned issues within the Obama Administration? I feel the president has chosen the most correct choice by relying on what made our nation what it was in the “past” – “Education”.

But, as we all know, including the president, both the cost and quality are the downsides for most of us, even the slightly “upper middle class”.

As quoted by President Obama (President Obama on Higher Education and Reforming Student Loans):

Over the past few decades, the cost of tuition at private colleges has more than doubled, while costs at public institutions have nearly tripled. Tuition has grown ten times faster than a typical family’s income, while inefficiencies in the student loan system provide lenders billions of dollars in wasteful subsidies instead of making college more affordable for all Americans.

When we review the 60’s, the days of placing a man on the moon and the golden times of NASA; education was at our country’s forefront, even while the Vietnam War was in progress, education was considered a must for survival in the Cold War overall and personal success in life as an individual(s).

We must not accept taking a backseat within the international community, as we have and again noted by the President in his Remarks by the President at the National Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting:

Our schools continue to trail other developed countries and, in some cases, developing countries. Our students are outperformed in math and science by their peers in Singapore, Japan, England, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Korea, among others. Another assessment shows American 15-year-olds ranked 25th in math and 21st in science when compared to nations around the world. And we have watched as scientific integrity has been undermined and scientific research politicized in an effort to advance predetermined ideological agendas.
Complementing while confirming the aforementioned is the following from Gallup Polls with an article entitled: “Public Discontent With Quality of U.S. Education, where we can see the American public over the past eight years have been frustrated with the Bush Administration’s progress on education:
A three-year aggregate of Gallup data (2002-2004)* on attitudes toward the public schools indicates that 44% of Americans are very (11%) or somewhat (33%) satisfied with public education, but a slight majority, 55%, are either very (25%) or somewhat (30%) dissatisfied. Despite these negative perceptions about the quality of the U.S. education system, past surveys have demonstrated that most Americans are happy with their own educations and the educations their children receive.

So, should you subscribe to the fact our nation’s higher learning institutions are to expensive and our primary education system(s) of public schools are not performing as they should; how is the president and perhaps more selfishly “us the American public” going to resolve the educational systems and turn their services into “jobs” and an increased standard of living for all of us?

The President has prepared congress for needed changes, staring with his Fiscal Budget for 2010 with major investments in broadband networks, clean energy technologies, and health information technology, as I’ve quoted him here (Fact Sheet A Historic Commitment To Research And Education):

President Obama has already made science and technology a top priority: The Recovery Act includes $21.5 billion for research and development, the largest increase in our Nation’s history, and well as major investments in broadband networks, clean energy technologies, and health information technology. The President’s FY10 budget includes sustained increases in basic research, $75 billion to make the research and experimentation tax credit permanent, and funding to triple the number of the National Science Foundation’s graduate research fellowships. The President is committed to restoring integrity to science policy, and making decisions on the basis of evidence, rather than ideology.

Also, the President has enacted steps within his own Executive Branch (President Obama Meets with Family Struggling with College Costs, Underscores Need to Eliminate Wasteful Spending in Federal Student Loan Program, Reinvest Savings in Making College More Affordable):

Today, President Barack Obama met with a family struggling to afford the cost of college and underscored his commitment to cutting wasteful spending on federal student loans by ending taxpayer subsidies to banks. President Obama discussed the strain that rising tuition costs are placing on middle class families and his proposal to end the private Federal Family Education Loans program that lines the pockets of the banks who serve as middlemen while costing the American people $5 billion a year.

As I elated to earlier, since this is a failure of past administrations to attend address the president has wisely delegated this national concern to Vice President Joe Biden, who in my own opinion as been doing an outstanding job for the president in seeing all measurers are brought to the forefront on getting legislation authored and past in a bipartisan manner.

Vice President Biden has implemented “Middle Class Task Force” to find solutions and assist him in seeing colleges become more affordable through a series of town hall meetings. Here in an excerpt from such a meeting in St. Louis, the excerpt is entitled: “Middle Class Task Force Report: College Affordability”

Middle Class Task Force Report: College Affordability

An obstacle to federal student aid is the unnecessarily complicated application process that is often intimidating to families and students seeking loans. In order to qualify for aid, students or their parents must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which contains well over 100 questions on income, assets, family characteristics, personal characteristics, and other items. Completing the FAFSA requires families to sift through paperwork and transfer numbers from tax forms that they may or may not have readily available.

The following is a downloadable pdf report, which bears reading, regarding steps being taken by the Obama administration to lower college cost to the middle class desiring to enter college and making the application procedure more simplified and friendly:

Middle Class Task Force Staff Report (pdf)

So, what’s the Point:

Much “to do” recently has been made in the media over the release of torture memos and the president’s first 100 days in office, which are all constructive concerns and self-servicing pats on our own backs for electing the “right person for the right job”, but lets not get hung-up on the issues of witch hunts and arrogance that got us into the trouble we’re in today.

Lets keep pressing forward in correcting mistakes and apathy of the past with “new ideas” and approaches that will insure we’re never in the fix we are in today.

After all wasn’t it President Bush who said “Fool me once and you’re a fool, fool me twice and I’m a fool”.

The following selections of videos cement President Obama’s commitment to the middle class and his devotion to insuring every American is entitled to higher learning:

Opening the Doors of Higher Education

Taking a defiant stance towards those banks defending the status quo, the President proposes cutting out the middle man in student loans for a savings of almost $50 billion over ten years.

Additional Videos:

Real Tax Cuts Making a Real Difference

Flanked by Americans who have benefited from his Making Work Pay tax credit, President Obama speaks about his tax policy and how it is helping people across the nation.

Taking on Education

The President explains the urgency of changing the way we educate our children, and offers four pillars of reform.

Meet Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan talks about the source of his passion for education reform — and why he thinks it’s about more than education, it’s about social justice.

Additional postings regarding this topic and others may be found here:

Michelle's full speech to students in London

debbier — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:19:35 EDT

It took me a while but here is a link to Michelle Obama's full speech to the students in London. It is 16 minutes in length.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7982563.stm

The Most Oppressive Debt- The Banking Scam You Never Hear About

silversunstop — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:57:00 EDT

The Most Oppressive Debt- The Banking Scam You Never Hear About

As a former student organizer and staff of the US Student Association, I always have an eye out for stories about access to higher education, and the affordability crisis. Not only are there few stories, but they usually focus on the impact of rising tuition. The analysis (if there is any) is it is caused by more cut backs in state funding. There's little to no analysis of the declining value of the Pell Grant.

This segment on Democracy Now is astonishing. Like I said, I know more than the average person about student loans, the impact on students, and on access to higher education for communities of color; and I am amazed at the analysis and the evidence here of a student loan racket and wholesale ripoff. You have to watch it for yourself starts 13 minutes in (scroll down for audio or the written transcript).

They show clips of Defualt: The Student Loan Documentary, from the website,

"While the media has focused on the disaster that sub-prime mortgages have turned out to be, only superficial attention has been given to financial giants which have been profiting by approving loans to low-income students with variable interest rates up to 25%."

Another guest, Alan Michael Collinge, author of The Student Loan Scam: the Most Oppressive Debt in US History--and How We Can Fight Back, talks about his personal experience with the student loan industry and reveals how private banks have created a perfect monopoly and racket in student loans that even the mob would envy. His website www.StudentLoanJustice.org is fantastic- it names names.

In addition to extraordinary and arbitrary fees, student loans have been stripped of consumer protections, not just bankruptcy protection, but truth in lending laws. Under the banking protection laws, it is in their financial interest for students to default- you owe them WAY more, AND they still collect. This graph will help illustrate that profit motive.

Initial post

Unknown user — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:10:57 EST

Hi everyone!

This is my initial blog post. I'm from Germany and track Barack Obamas presidency with European eyes and yes I support the change by Obama as good as it gets. I'm 26 y.o. and student of "Economic and Organizational Science" in Munich. Yes, the same Munich vice president Biden visited :-) and also the same Munich known from the Oktoberfest.

Okay here we go! In my blog http://obama-videos.blogspot.com (opens in a new window) I collect videos by and about Barack Obama and his politics. For me it is very interesting and exciting to experience the change that just has begun. Take part on my journey through U.S. politics and write me comments on my videos and even write video/transcript requests or advocacies for new or old videos.

I try to offer the European and esp. the German reactions on the new kind of politics in the United States.

Thanks so far and support my "political journey" by visiting my blog Click here to open the blog in a new window

5th-Grade "Chosen for Change" Inaugural Ball

Dawn Neely-Randall — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:59:02 EST

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2009/01/22/news/doc49780465d10157268679171.tnv

To share in the joy of history in the making, on the day after President Barack Obama's official Inauguration, our fifth-grade students hosted our own "Chosen for Change" Inaugural Ball. Parents designed the invitations, a legally blind mom made the corsages, a grandma made a homemade flag cake to serve 150 people, the prisoners from Grafton Correctional Institute used their calligraphy skills to make the place setting cards, a local dance instructor and community leader taught our students the waltz to perform at the ball, a Cleveland Clinic physician donated funds towards the ball, local photographers eagerly captured the event on film, our music teacher taught our young men to tie ties, citizens sent ballrooom gowns, shoes, and suit coats from across the city, and DeLuca's Place in the Park donated their elegant ballroom to house our festivities. Many "dignitaries" came to our event including our own Rep. Lundy and Superintendent Paul Rigda. And that's just the beginning! There were lots of "surprises" in store for our students (such as pics with a Barack Obama cardboard stand-up!) and a real red carpet spread before them as they made their grand entrance (along with media and news stations swarming around everywhere!) with their heads held high. This project was public education at its finest with Language Arts and Social Studies standards truly coming to life for our students. At the close of the day, our students truly felt that THEY have indeed been "Chosen for Change."

P.S. Channel 3 news came to watch our students watch the Inauguration as well. What a phenomenal experience to watch our students' reactions to their new President as he took his Oath of Office!

McKinley Elementary School

Elyria, Ohio

Support the SERVE AMERICA ACT

Kristin from West New York, NJ — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:41:35 EST

January 23rd, 2009

Did you see the article, “Volunteer to Save the Economy,” in the New York Times today?

As a consultant for social networking and non-profit outreach, this article hits close to my heart. With unemployment soaring near 6%, and almost double that for women in the NYC vicinity, we need to support alternative employment opportunities for working moms and students at both the undergraduate and graduate level. If our communities expand telecommuting options and better care for infants and young children, they will allow more women to enter the workforce and provide better financial support for their families. The commercial goods and services industry already knows that moms are their most important consumer base, the government needs to remember these women in its Economic Stimulus Plan. Please read the article below, which explains the importance of the SERVE AMERICA ACT.

NYT Article: Volunteer to Save the Economy
By BRUCE REED and JOHN BRIDGELAND
Published: January 22, 2009, Washington
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/opinion/23reed.html?emc=eta1

Read more commentary on my blog at http://www.kristinreign.com

President-Elect Obama's Science Team Rollout Radio Address

Jill 4 Obama — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:15:40 EST

Remarks of the President-Elect Barack Obama
Science Team Rollout Radio Address
Friday, December 17, 2008
Chicago, Illinois

Over the past few weeks, Vice President-Elect Biden and I have announced some of the leaders who will advise us as we seek to meet America’s twenty-first century challenges, from strengthening our security, to rebuilding our economy, to preserving our planet for our children and grandchildren. Today, I am pleased to announce members of my science and technology team whose work will be critical to these efforts.

Whether it’s the science to slow global warming; the technology to protect our troops and confront bioterror and weapons of mass destruction; the research to find life-saving cures; or the innovations to remake our industries and create twenty-first century jobs—today, more than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation. It is time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and worked to restore America’s place as the world leader in science and technology.

Right now, in labs, classrooms and companies across America, our leading minds are hard at work chasing the next big idea, on the cusp of breakthroughs that could revolutionize our lives. But history tells us that they cannot do it alone. From landing on the moon, to sequencing the human genome, to inventing the Internet, America has been the first to cross that new frontier because we had leaders who paved the way: leaders like President Kennedy, who inspired us to push the boundaries of the known world and achieve the impossible; leaders who not only invested in our scientists, but who respected the integrity of the scientific process.

Because the truth is that promoting science isn’t just about providing resources—it’s about protecting free and open inquiry. It’s about ensuring that facts and evidence are never twisted or obscured by politics or ideology. It’s about listening to what our scientists have to say, even when it’s inconvenient—especially when it’s inconvenient. Because the highest purpose of science is the search for knowledge, truth and a greater understanding of the world around us. That will be my goal as President of the United States—and I could not have a better team to guide me in this work.

Dr. John Holdren has agreed to serve as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. John is a professor and Director of the Program on Science, Technology, and Public Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, as well as President and Director of the Woods Hole Research Center. A physicist renowned for his work on climate and energy, he’s received numerous honors and awards for his contributions and has been one of the most passionate and persistent voices of our time about the growing threat of climate change. I look forward to his wise counsel in the years ahead.

John will also serve as a Co-Chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology—or PCAST—as will Dr. Harold Varmus and Dr. Eric Lander. Together, they will work to remake PCAST into a vigorous external advisory council that will shape my thinking on the scientific aspects of my policy priorities.

Dr. Varmus is no stranger to this work. He is not just a path-breaking scientist, having won a Nobel Prize for his research on the causes of cancer—he also served as Director of the National Institutes of Health during the Clinton Administration. I am grateful he has answered the call to serve once again.

Dr. Eric Lander is the Founding Director of the Broad Institute at MIT and Harvard and was one of the driving forces behind mapping the human genome—one of the greatest scientific achievements in history. I know he will be a powerful voice in my Administration as we seek to find the causes and cures of our most devastating diseases.

Finally, Dr. Jane Lubchenco has accepted my nomination as the Administrator of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is devoted to conserving our marine and coastal resources and monitoring our weather. An internationally known environmental scientist and ecologist and former President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Jane has advised the President and Congress on scientific matters, and I am confident she will provide passionate and dedicated leadership at NOAA.

Working with these leaders, we will seek to draw on the power of science to both meet our challenges across the globe and revitalize our economy here at home. And I’ll be speaking more after the New Year about how my Administration will engage leaders in the technology community and harness technology and innovation to create jobs, enhance America’s competitiveness and advance our national priorities.

I am confident that if we recommit ourselves to discovery; if we support science education to create the next generation of scientists and engineers right here in America; if we have the vision to believe and invest in things unseen, then we can lead the world into a new future of peace and prosperity.

Thank you.

Upcoming Events The Agenda

21st Century STD and HIV/AIDS Cure

Humanitarian R&D Specialist — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:17:04 EST

There's a movement of citizens inspired by the presidential campaign who are now submitting ideas for how they think the Obama Administration should change America. It's called "Ideas for Change in America." See the latest idea for a 21st Century STD and HIV/AIDS Intervention Cure called, S.A.V.I.O.R.

GENERATION O

WEBMASTER — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:59:08 EST

The continuous expansion of HOPE THROUGH GENERATION O rest on the continuous support of active participants. Obama 'Generation O' members include –

AFRICAN AMERICANS for Justice
AMERICANS OVERSEAS
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES
ARAB AMERICANS for Freedom
ASIAN AMERICANS for Human Rights
COLLEGE STUDENTS for Education
CONSERVATION Groups
FAITH, FAMILY AND FELLOWSHIP Assemblies
GENERATION O for Opportunity
JEWISH AMERICANS for Civil Rights
GOP For Obama
LABOR UNIONS for Better Pay
LATINOS for Fairness
NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES
OBAMA KIDS for a Better World
OBAMA FARMERS for a Better System
OBAMA SENIORS for Social Security
OBAMA VETERANS for Peace
OBAMA WOMEN for Women
WORLD STUDY BIBLE
and the ANGELS MESSAGE

GENERATION OBAMANATION SEARCH QUERIES
Altavista | Google | Lycos | MSN | Yahoo

donate towards education

MIKE from Brooklyn, NY — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:00:17 EST

3 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD DONATE

IT GOES TOWARD EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL,HIGH SCHOOL,AND COLLEGE.
IT HELPS THEM GET A GREAT CAREER.
THEY WILL BE SO HAPPY THEY MIGHT BECOME A LAWYER AND WORK FOR YOU

NEW IDEAS TO HELP AMERICA NOW

Ed from Fort Lauderdale, FL — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:43:41 EST

Congrats, even my 80 year old mother in Indiana voted for you which was no small feat.
I am a college professor in Fort Lauderdale and I made sure all my students went out and voted but I want to tell you, I admire your managerial skills, more than anything. One of the main things is getting people involved, when a person believes what they are doing is their idea or benefit to them, they always perform much better. Never before have I seen this applied enmasse as you did with our volunteers and donaters, which brings me to my point.

As a professor, I have noted that you already have a majority of the young people in college with you and now feeling part of our success. They are involved in your presidency and a year ago they did not even know who the vice president was. It is a entire new attitude from the young people, I love it. I have never seen this in 25 years of teaching.

My suggestion.. .offer a scholarship competition for the best energy efficient vehicle design,energy use in building and interior design, new energy sources and so on and so forth. Allow it developed at the university level in team effort so cross over skills in various programs can be utilized. Whenever ideas are exchanged between different majors thats when innovative new ideas occur Have a top 3-5 winner range,reward all members of the TEAM , faculty involved and school and do it annually.

You have a fired up base, students as well as educators. The minds are here to help America solve our energy crisis, competition always leads to perfection,drive and purpose. The reward increases all of these.

I am working in holographic technology we have already took 200 dollars worth of equipment and a couple months ago made a HD TV display the objects as holographs in front of you. This technology would decrease the need to travel by virtually putting someone in a conference room with complete interactivity without being there. If you watched CNN on election night they did this with an alternative method of broadcasting a live person.

This is here and it is available now.

Anyway, all America needs is a push in the educational system to develop it cheaply and enmasse.

If new jobs and new energy is what we need, we need new inovations and lets put our young minds in this manhanttan project and become the technology leaders of the world.

Get out the vote on your campus

Josh In Michigan — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:01:31 EST

John McCain's campaign has as recently as yesterday said that they believe that students won't turn out to vote. Today is our day to prove them wrong and show America that young voters do matter. Our opponent and the media believe that young voters won’t show up - that we don’t care about the election, and are too lazy, too unwilling, or too unmotivated to actually get out and vote.

But today, we’ll prove them wrong.

 Today is the day to turn the page on eight years of failed Bush policies that have seen our middle class shrink, economy worsen, and college move out of reach for more and more people. Today is the day to make your voice heard!

What happens today will determine the direction we want our country to move in. Decades from now, your children will ask you what you did today. Do you want to be part of the moment that changed America - or do you want to stay home, and just hope for the best?  

Our moment is now. Get out and vote - bring your roommate, your friends, anyone you can think of. After you vote, help us get out the vote on this critical day - sign up to help get out the vote on your campus today!

STUDENTS: Volunteer on Election Day

Shayne Adamski — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:53:38 EST

Are you off from school on Election Day?

Some High Schools around the state have Election Day off, TUES, NOV 4TH.

This is an amazing opportunity for you to participate and volunteer in this historic Presidential Election.

DON'T WAIT. SIGNUP TODAY and help us win this election.

http://my.barackobama.com/NMhseday

Change is Coming

WM — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:35:48 EDT

This blog will be about my experience as a student teacher in a rural town in Ohio. I am trying to teach the kids the importance of voting through the use of a mock election and other assignments. My students have very little concern with what is going on in the world today and these the future voters of America. I am trying to make them understand that although some of them aren't old enough to vote yet, that the next president will be presiding over their 18th birthday and that these changes may soon affect them more than they realize.

THURSDAY: GOV. HOWARD DEAN TO ENERGIZE AND ENCOURAGE GRANITE STATE STUDENTS TO GET OUT THE VOTE

Anne Marie @ NH HQ — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:36:54 EDT

MANCHESTER-- Former Vermont governor and current chairman of the Democratic National Committee Howard Dean will be in New Hampshire this Thursday, October 30th for a Rally for Change. With just over a week until New Hampshire voters head to the polls, Gov. Dean will stress the incredibly high stakes of the election for young voters and encourage them to vote. Dean will also discuss Sen. Obama's plan to create jobs and improve the state of our economy so that young Granite Staters can successfully enter the workforce upon graduation.

Earlier today, the Obama campaign in New Hampshire released a list of 50 New Hampshire student leaders who are not only supporting Sen. Obama's Campaign for Change, but are working on campuses to elect former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, and Congressman Paul Hodes. These student leaders have been and will continue to play an active role in the last days of the campaign energizing students to vote and have dedicated their time to engaging classmates in the electoral process. New Hampshire students can visit NH.BarackObama.com for more information on voting and how to get involved in these final days of the campaign.

Thursday, October 30th

11:45 a.m. Rally for Change with Gov. Howard Dean

UNH Durham- Granite State Room-- MUB

83 Main Street, Durham

BARACK OBAMA in Pennsylvania, Mon. & Tues., Oct. 27, 28

Jill 4 Obama — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:10:09 EDT

Exciting News!

Barack is going to make two stops in Pennsylvania Monday and Tuesday.

Here are the details:

Monday, October 27th
Doors Open: 3:00 p.m.

Mellon Arena
66 Mario Lemieux Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
RSVP

Tuesday, October 28th
Doors Open: 8:00 a.m.
Program Begins: 10:00 a.m.

Widener University
Main Quad
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013

Public Entrance off of E 17th St.
RSVP

BARACK OBAMA in Pennsylvania, Mon. & Tues., Oct. 27, 28

Jill 4 Obama — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 06:49:31 EDT

Exciting News!

Barack is going to make two stops in Pennsylvania early this week.

Here are the details:

Monday, October 27th
Doors Open: 3:00 p.m.

Mellon Arena
66 Mario Lemieux Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
RSVP

Tuesday, October 28th
Doors Open: 8:00 a.m.
Program Begins: 10:00 a.m.

Widener University
Main Quad
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013

Public Entrance off of E 17th St.
RSVP

Students and the Home Stretch

Mikaela — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:03:07 EDT

Okay, guys. Only a matter of days left until November 4th. It's time to do your part and really rally all those around you to vote for the Obama-Biden campaign. Do anything you can to elect the right person to the White House. I myself am not old enough to vote, but I am telling every adult in my life to vote for Obama, and I am not afraid to show my support for him frequently. PLEASE do the right thing and spread the word NOW. We don't have any time to waste.

Barack Rocks!

VObamaTE NOW!

Greek Politics

Ari V — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:30:28 EDT

Two weeks ago the ABC Family show Greek made some very important points to keep in mind concerning politics and polticians and reminded me again why I support Obama. For those who don't know Greek is show about life in a greek sorority and fraternity. In the episode the main character (Casey Cartwright) is forced to re-run for president of her sorority house (after being elected president after a scandal involving the former president) aganist the old house president (who is also her mentor). In the show the girls run negative campaigns aganist each other by spreading rumors about each other and trying to bribe the girls' votes. Neither girl ends up winning the election, the winner is a write-in who didn't even want to be president. Anyway, later on Casey asks one of the girls in the house why she didn't win because she "had some great ideas for the house." The girl (Rebecca) calmly explains (and I'm paraphrasing here) that "we didn't hear any of those ideas. We only heard negativity. the girls are tired of the fighting." This remark made me think about the Obama and McCain campaigns. You can tell a lot about a candidate by how they run their campaign. Obama has run his campaign drama-free, calmy and postively. Never raisng questions about McCain's character, only responding to McCain's attacks. Obama talks about his ideas and plans for America to better and help our country. We hear these ideas. Americans are tired of politicians engaging in partisian bickering and lying to us. Obama represents a change to all that. Another quote from the show's character Rebecca is "great polticians aren't just better than the alternative. Great politicans inspire." Obama is not only better than the alternative, but he inspires. We've seen this clearly at rallies in Oregon, St. Louis, Chicago, and all over the U.S. In Europe, Africa, and all over the world people feel hopful. They wear Obama gear, have Obama signs and people who don't live in America express their wish that they could vote in this one election, for Obama. With only 10 days to go it's time to make those final trips, one last phone call, knock on one more door, write that one last email or letter to an undecided (or McCain supporting) relative. Like the title of the song "How FAr We've Come" by Matchbox Twenty (a song I highly recommend people listen to) "let's see how far we've come." Yes We Can!

A Call To Student Voters!

Robin Z — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:39:56 EDT

For months and months you have participated in rallies, attended Obama events, blogged, texted, and gotten involved in politics for maybe the first time ever.

And the movement for CHANGE and HOPE hasn't just been on your campus, but on campuses all over the country. PRETTY AMAZING STUFF.

Now that you've registered to vote, it's SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT that you actually place your ONE SINGLE VOTE --- your voice --- for Barack Obama on Election Day. If you can vote early, get in there and do it! Bring your friends! Celebrate with a pizza afterward, or raise a cup at the local coffee house.

Do you remember hearing how people marched and protested against the war in Viet Nam, how they showed up for three days of music at Woodstock, how the civil rights movement, full of regular people wanting change, was led by Dr. King?

These were all life-altering events in our nation's recent history, and have you ever met anyone who told you, I remember that day.... I was part of that.... I WAS THERE.

Well, this election is one of those I WAS THERE moments. Perhaps this is the first time you've voted for a President of the United States, or maybe it's the second. Any way you slice it, voting for president is right up there with some of the biggest things you'll do in your life.

THIS IS ***YOUR TIME*** and ***YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN***. Don't assume Barack is going to win because of the huge numbers of people shown on the news.

YOUR ONE VOTE MATTERS. IT'S A HUGE DEAL.

MAKE SURE YOU PLACE YOUR VOTE ON ELECTION DAY, AND IF YOUR STATE OFFERS IT, VOTE EARLY!!

15 Days From Change: An Update From the National Student Co-Director

Tobin Van Ostern — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:59:52 EDT

Things have been pretty busy lately (needless to say) but I wanted to take a quick moment to give you an update about some interesting facts and stories from the past week or so.

Voter Registration:

The Obama-Biden campaign is committed to enabling as many people as possible to exercise their fundamental right to vote. But you have to registered in order to vote, and the campaign has been very successful in ensuring that every eligible voter is on the rolls.

Taking Virginia as an example, just a week ago a group of committed HS students travelled down to Virginia from Maryland where they knocked on an astounding 12,000 doors in a single weekend.

It's this kind of hard work that has resulted in the numbers described below.

Virginia now has more than five million registered voters, a new record, as of the deadline for registration for the fall election closed on Oct. 6th, according to the Virginia State Board of Elections.
The total number of registered voters in Virginia is now 5,021,933.
Since January, Virginia, a swing state this cycle, has experienced a net gain of 436,000 new voters, including what they call an "onslaught" of new voters in the last week of registration.
Nearly 40 percent of the newly registered voters across the state are under the age of 25. Trends show that, regardless of age, females represent the majority of new registered voters.
Source: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/15/1549807.aspx

VoteforChange.com

One of the key components of our voter registration efforts has been www.voteforchange.com

This website is a one-stop shop for voter registration.

This website also will allow you to request an absentee ballot, check your registration status, and even find your polling location for election day.

You can check it out on Facebook as well at http://apps.facebook.com/obama/

Debate

Near the very end of the final presidential debate last Wednesday night, Obama stated:

"I also have to disagree on Sen. McCain's record when it comes to college accessibility and affordability.
"Recently his key economic adviser was asked about why he didn't seem to have some specific programs to help young people go to college and the response was, well, you know, we can't give money to every interest group that comes along.
"I don't think America's youth are interest groups, I think they're our future."

From Day 1 through the present, Senator Obama has understood that investing in young people is an investment in our future. As President, he will follow through on his promises to make college accessible and affordable to all Americans.

Campaign Is Putting Their Money Where Their Mouths Are

In addition to our strong field outreach, our campaign has been doing a variety of innovative advertising designed to reach out to younger voters and make sure we don't leave anyone out. We're continuing this commitment through the end, and are excited to see the initial result of our efforts both on the ground and on the air on Election Day. You may have read recently that the Obama-Biden campaign is the first presidential campaign to take out virtual advertisements in video games.

The Talk

The campaign recently unveiled this website about having "The Talk" with your parents and grandparents. This may not be "The Talk" you're thinking about though...instead it's about talking to your parents and grandparents about supporting Senator Obama. While intimidating for many young people to initiate, I think we've already seen the impact of these cross-generational conversations. You can check out the whole website here at: my.barackobama.com/thetalk

Blog

Finally, I'm very proud of the blog we have up and running at students.barackobama.com, it's being constantly updated with stories and anecdotes relevant to youth on the campaign trail, I hope all of you continue to regularly check it out.

My first rant and Obama visiting St. Louis

Dave — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:19:37 EDT

I'll start off with my rant to get the bad things out of the way first. I am getting tired of the smear tactics of the McCain Campaign during these final days leading up to the presidential election. I would love their campaign to wake up one day and actually talk the truth to their "friends". Instead we get to hear the same things about Bill Ayers, about how Obama is unpatriotic, and how he is going to raise everyone's taxes.

Bill Ayers has done bad things in the past, and now he is cleaned up. Obama doesn't associate with him on a day to day basis, end of story.
Republicans try to paint Obama as a terrorist among many other unpatriotic things. If you seen the three debates, Obama wore an American pin on his suit in each debate, while McSame..I mean McCain hasn't. Does that mean McCain isn't patriotic? NO, he just didn't wear a pin.
No matter how many times Obama tells the American people that he isn't raising their taxes, somehow McCain can say that he is raising taxes. Obama does raise taxes, just not on 95% of the working Americans. He taxes everyone making over 250,000 dollars a year, instead of giving corporate tax breaks to everyone living with a silver spoon in hand. Seriously, why should the greatest nation in the world have so many poor, homeless people. It doesn't make any sense.

/End of my rant

In much happier news, in less than 12 hours I will be seeing our future president Barack Obama speaking near the Arch Downtown. I get chills just listening to his speeches on T.V., so I can only imagine what it will be like in person. I hope anyone in the St. Louis area will come down to hear Barack's message of change. Everyone have a great night and make sure you go vote on NOVEMBER 4th.

Taking Action!

Ryan Kamphuis — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:24:00 EDT

I'm Fired Up! I'm ready to go! I've always been volunteering for the DFL, but now that the election is this close, and the polls are so strong in Obama's favor, I'm putting off my homework (and my grades are slipping with it :( But my teachers understand and said they would give me a ton of extra credit for my "political activism" as long as I get all my work done quickly once the election is over!) and getting out and working even more! I'm not gonna let these polls bring me into complacency! I'm not gonna stop working until November 5. I won't settle for anything less than victory!

Really, all this campaigning has made me really see the divide that exists. So many people don't believe in politics. They see a broken system that isn't doing anything for them, it's only doing things for the rich and the well-connected. I've really begun to champion this whenever I doorknock. I tell people that Obama will put the people first. I tell them that he has accepted no donations from special interests, and that his economic plan will help all of us, not just Wall Street. Despite what I say, people are usually still really cynical about Obama, but I think that they see that I truly believe in Obama, and that helps them begin to support him.

What I have also seen while campaigning is an increasingly hostile support base for Mr. McCain. The closer we get to the eletion, the more I have had McCain supporters be openly hostile to me. I have encountered supporters telling me to "F@#K Off" or that "You are just a teenager and have no idea about either candidates. You are just swallowing up bulls*&t propaganda that the Obama campaign is feeding to you." This really makes me angry. what ever happened to respecting one another? What happened to believeing in your candidate, not bashing the other one! It makes me angry how these McCain supporters treat us Obama supporters! In my neighborhood, somebody stole all of the Obama yard signs.

How childish is all of this? We are in the most important election of our time, and here these people are screwing around and distracting us rom the issues! Seeing this increasingly hostile support base is just making me more fired up to win! I want them all to know that Obama represents change from the game that they are playing, change from the politics of the present. He represents a change to the politics of hope, the politics of love, the politics of average Americans. That is why I'm taking action. That is why I hope you take action with me.

VIDEO: Kal Penn in Iowa

Zachary Scott Edwards — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:41:32 EDT

About a month ago, Kal Penn, the actor, visited Iowa to talk with students at several campuses about the importance of early voting. Don't forget to visit www.voteforchange.com to find the early voting location near you, and then go out and cast your ballot for change right now! It's easy and the best way to support Barack and Joe.

In the video, Kal asks everyone to visit their local office. We have over 40 offices across the state, and we're working in them everyday-- so come on down and join us!

College Students Getting Involved

Holls — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:09:07 EDT

Vote or Die was the slogan four years ago and if it had had any merit, the youth would not be breathing. Democrats were disappointed that the younger vote did not increase in 2004. The hype was there, but the voters weren't.

I was excited to see the college students at Lake Land College support their candidate openly and politely. A simple thumbs up and a "Vote for Obama" was refreshing from the Republican jabber I hear every day while people walk by my office.

I even was happy to see Republican youngsters sport their McCain pins on campus. I don't agree with their choice, but it's refreshing to actually see these students get involved in the election.

Obama doesn't need any slogans or celebrity endorsements. He just might be the Real thing.

The Last Best Hope

Allyssa — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:55:39 EDT

I’ve often heard less than exemplary critiques of my generation, the baby-boomer’s babies. “They don’t care, they’re apathetic, they take everything for granted, they’re lazy, they have no work-ethic, no drive, no inspiration”. Did it ever occur to them that we were waiting for someone to inspire us? Tonight, I’m here to say that we do care. That we care perhaps more than any generation before us. I am sick of politics the way Washington, D.C. plays it. Whatever happened to working together, to recognizing the problems and trying to find solutions, instead just arguing over who’s to blame?

I want to be part of an America that is respected around the world as a moral leader, as a beacon of freedom and hope and innovation. An America that fights for her citizens. For their healthcare and education and their civil liberties. I want to be part of an America who upholds her promises of religious freedom, of freedom of speech, of freedom of the press, of freedom that brings us together in the cause for justice, instead of tearing us apart. And when America calls her military into service – our brothers and sisters and best friends – I want her to be honest about what they’re fighting and dying for. Considering how many countries around the world that are steeped in bloodshed and chaos and decades of injustice, I want an America that fights because it’s the best and last resort. Not because of oil or policy or to pay-off weapons contracts or please fundraisers and special interest lobbyists.

I want to be part of an America that remembers her dream. The dream where success is not dependent on how much money you have, but how willing you are to work for it. The dream of sending our children to college, of not worrying whether or not you’ll be able to buy the groceries your family needs, of turning down chemo because you’re insurance doesn’t cover the treatment or medication. I want to be part of an America that takes back our role as an environmental leader. This is it. There isn’t going to be a second or third or fourth chance. Now is the time for change. Now is the time to make the difference. It won’t be easy. But it’s never been easy.

Yes We Can!

GO at The Melting Pot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The First 2008 Presidential Debate at UNH!

Colin@NH HQ — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:38:34 EDT

The UNH Students for Barack Obama group organized a fantastic get together in the Hubbard Hall Rec Lounge to debate, discuss and most importantly, watch the first debate between Obama and McCain. The night started off with some quick blasts of U2's "Beautiful Day" and Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" and the students began to get themselves good seats near the TV. The UNH Students for Barack Obama group were handing out stickers and posters as well as literature to inform the independent and maybe even the Republican voter who might be moving through the lounge.

Once the pizza arrived, everyone became more and more excited and Morgan, the SFBO President, officially started the event by briefly introducing herself and discussing the importance of the debate. After a great debate from Senator Obama we closed up with a few words on how to register to vote.

After the next debate party was announced at MUB Food Court at 8:30 on Thursday, October 2nd, everyone dispersed thinking our man Barack had done enough to win. After the pizza disappeared, everybody made their way home in the torrential rain. Sign up for New Hampshire Students for Barack Obama.

Thanks to our guest blogger Marek, who attends UNH and is a big Obama supporter!

Hawai`i Voter Registration Deadline is 10/6!

Ms_CongenialityHI — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:22:58 EDT

We have had a wonderful response from greatful new voters for making it convenient for them to register. I'm on Oahu, and we still need volunteers who have time to work with our Deputized Registrars at college campuses and community events. Details are on our Hawaii Events page on this website: Link

If you know of a venue where we could hold a Voter Registration and have a willing contact person to work with (property manager, business owner, administrator, etc.,) please message me, and I will forward the information to our Coordinator. If you have unregistered family and friends in Hawai`i, please remind them of the October 6th deadline, and encourage them to register.

Wherever you are, please check your Events list and volunteer, even if you can only spare an hour, to give another volunteer a break in a long day. The more, the merrier!

Mahalo (thank you)!

Information for First Time Voters (and Student Voters)

AuDayShus — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:57:28 EDT

State-by-State Absentee Voter Guide

http://www.iop.harvard.edu/Voter-Information-Center/Absentee-Voter-Guide

Special rules exist for First Time Voters voting by absentee ballot in MI, IL, NV, FL

If you are a first-time voter who intends to use an absentee ballot, you must register to vote in person. If you do not register in person but instead by mail or at a registration drive, then you must vote in person the first time you vote. If you vote in person for any election, you may vote by mail in all following elections.

Absentee voting in Ohio

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/08/15/copy/EARLY_VOTE.ART_ART_08-15-08_B1_I4B1IBC.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

The law allows absentee voting, for any reason, to begin 35 days before an election. Another law on the books for several years closes voter registration 30 days before Election Day.

That leaves a five-day period (Sept 30 – Oct 4) during which people can register and immediately vote absentee.

Chchchchhhheck it: KU4BO's Calender of Events

Erika Reinhard — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:02:19 EDT

http://www.google.com/calendar/render?tab=mc

COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS: You hold the key!

Mark from Fountain Hills, AZ — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:55:46 EDT

This blog/community belongs to all COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS across the U.S.

POINT #1: Who will win the election comes down to one simple demographic. If the younger generations vote, Obama wins. If they don't, Obama loses. It really IS that simple.

POINT #2: Showing students how to vote by EARLY BALLOT is the key to victory! You can cast your vote by mail from the comfort of your own home. Older adults and seniors already know this. It's time this secret was shared with YOU!

The plan to make this happen is simple (see below), and we can make this happen very quickly with a minimum of effort. What we need to get this rolling is one energetic college student from each of the U.S. time zones (i.e. Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Hawaiian, and Alaskan) to form an initial "Launch Team". If you are interested, contact me right away at cc4ob@cox.net, and be ready to move quickly.

Thoughtfully,
Mark Hanna
Fountain Hills, Arizona
cc4ob@cox.net

The Fourth is Coming...

Marra — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:59:18 EDT

I look at these ads, and I watch speeches given by the candidates, and I realize that I have never been as passionate and involved in the political realm as I am right now. So much in fact that I have a doomsday-esque dread in my gut when I think of the fate of this country if McCain wins, or worse, if he wins and then has a heart attack. And yet I have done very little to personally contribute to the cause and spread the good word other than give high ratings to pro-Obama YouTube videos.

I examine this, and think why. Well, mainly because of where I am in life right now. I simply don't have the time to knock on doors or make phone calls. I'm a full time student with a full time job and a part time job. My hours of availability are between 8 and 11 pm. This doesn't offer me much of a chance to further the cause.

Then I think, a lot of people in my position are Obama supporters. Which worries me. If I can't find time, and they can't find time, is there enough going on to convince voters to make the right decision? Am I impeding this process in any way with my lack of involvement? Or are the Obama window signs and donations to the campaign enough to ease my guilt and worry?

For now the answer is no. I can only hope that others in my position make sure to get out to the polls and vote as I will. If not...

Valley High Students for Change

Zachary Scott Edwards — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:23:17 EDT

Yesterday in Des Moines, Valley High students kicked off their weekly canvass to local neighborhoods to encourage more young people to vote—and encourage all of our supporters to vote early. For the first 15 minutes before the kickoff, the student leaders talked with a few of the first-timers about what to expect at the doors and shared some of fun things they have seen over the last few weeks. Everyone was laughing, having a good time, and totally fired up to get out and start knocking on doors--- then the canvass officially kicked off with a chant of “4 on 3”—and if you aren’t familiar, that’s “1,2,3… 4!”

As they were leaving, I got a chance to talk to a few of the students about why they were getting involved in this election.

“This is my first canvass, and my first election to get involved. And even though I won’t be able to vote, I feel like everyone should be doing their part. I’m also here because I’m pro choice, and I was encouraged because my sister in law really likes Joe Biden”
Stacy

“My parents are really political and I’ve been to the Harkin Steak Fry several times—and that has always been lots of fun… This is the first election that I’ll be able to vote in, but I was able to caucus for Barack—which really meant a lot to me…I feel like the world needs a new impression of America, and I know that Barack can do that, and he can also show the world our values and morals more so than any other candidate.”
Helen

“Barack is compelling new people to get involved, and he is really the product of the way that we see the world. We want to see more involvement, more diplomacy… He changes the rhetoric coming out of Washington, but it’s so much more than that because it’s getting more and more of us involved. We want more discussion-- more voices in the discussion.”
Joe

“I’ve been making phone calls and canvassing for awhile now, because I really want to see this happen. Barack has changed the paradigm of campaigning by getting more people involved—young people too. He supports civil rights and he understands how America is viewed across the world, which is the first step to bringing real change.
Abhishek

Students across Iowa are becoming leaders at their school. Click here to join us.

Students are Answering the Call to Action

Edward Stierli — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:04:52 EDT

As a generation, college students should be proud of the influence we are wielding in this year's election. Never in recent history has a candidate energized college campuses across this nation as much as Barack Obama. Students are organizing, following grass-roots tactics, and registering each other in record numbers.

In Tallahassee, Florida- Seminole Students for Obama at the Florida State University has created an unprecented movement on campus. In four weeks, Seminole Students for Obama has registered over 3,000 fellow students on campus to vote. But not only are they educating their friends on their civic duty of voting, they're letting them know just how important their vote is right now. At a meeting we discussed how our campus and individual effort could impact the national election. Florida is a swing state that normally ends in a photo finish, but imagine the influence of tens of thousands of newly registered students across all of the Florida university campuses.

It's important for students everywhere, not only in Florida, to continue their voter registration efforts until the October 6th deadline. We are the voice that could determine this election, and we need to educate everyone of the power they have as a voter this Novemeber. Never before has an election meant so much to us as a student, for the direction of our future is at stake.

To learn more about Students for Barack Obama visit: students.barackobama.com

To become involved on the FSU campus: FACEBOOK Seminole Students for Obama

Ed Stierli

Seminole Students for Obama

Obama's Youth Movement - the Nation

Christopher Martin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:36:59 EDT

By Peter Dreier

September 15, 2008

Peter Dreier's 11-year-old twin daughters, Amelia and Sarah, are volunteering for the Obama Campaign.

Twenty-year-old Tobin Van Ostern finished his sophomore year last spring at George Washington University, but this fall he's enrolled in the Barack Obama campaign as a full-time organizer. The Richmond, Virginia, native started Students for Obama on his campus last year as a Facebook group. It now has chapters on 800 campuses, Van Ostern said, and the campaign has recruited thousands of college students and recent graduates to work as both paid staffers and unpaid volunteers through the November election.

Democratic Party strategists believe that in key swing states, a dramatic increase in turnout among young voters--and African-Americans--can be the key to victory for both Obama and the party's candidates for Congress. Campus activists, meanwhile, view the Obama campaign as a means to catalyze a new progressive youth movement among the Millennial (18- to 29-year-old) generation that they hope, unlike the political crusades of the 1960s youth rebellion, will be part of a broader, multigenerational coalition.

Ever since 18-year-olds won the right to vote in 1971, their elders have been disappointed by their level of voter turnout, which has typically been about half the rate of other voters. But after steady declines in turnout since 1972, young voters reversed the trend in the 2004 presidential and 2006 mid-term elections. This year, however, is likely to see a particularly significant increase in voting among Millennials.

Education to Action Forum on Responsible Energy Policy at SUNY-New Paltz Thursday September 18th

Beth — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:49:12 EDT

Education to Action Forum on Responsible Energy Policy at SUNY-New Paltz 7-8:30pm, Thu., Sep. 18, Muddy Cup in New Paltz, 59 Main St., New Paltz, NY 12561 Join with fellow Barack supporters in an interactive forum on responsible energy policy and what Sen. Obama can do as president on this critical issue. Prof. Brian Obach of SUNY-New Paltz will lead our discussion of initiatives to reverse the environmental crisis and chart a path toward green technology, sustainability, and economic vitality. We'll break out into a brief training afterward for Voter Registration & Outreach Team Leaders as we launch the SUNY-New Paltz campaign for Barack into these last critical weeks before the election. This event is sponsored by Hudson Valley for Obama. For more information contact Kathy Weiss at 845-255-6502 or kaweiss@earthlink.net

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs7qlp

Intern for Barack in Ohio!

Michael in Ohio — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:39:17 EDT

Chances are if you're reading this page, you know that Ohio is crucial to this election. If we defeat John McCain in Ohio, it is almost totally impossible for him to become president.

The Campaign for Change is looking for interns--young, educated people dedicated to committing much of their time and energy for the next two months to making sure Ohio turns blue for Barack. Click HERE to become part of the army of change-makers.

Watch this inspirational video about the difference young people can make in this election, and then see the details about the opportunities available below:

INTERN FOR BARACK OBAMA IN OHIO.

Internships available in:

Field Organizing

New Media

Voter Protection (JUST ADDED!)

Data

Click here to apply as an intern right now.

G.F.C. Grassroots Finance Committe: Your Moment

Omar Dyer — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:34:13 EDT

Your Moment!
When the times are too great, and the paradox are set for equality, this moment is that time.
When the world is at its lift and the constellation meets the mitts; this moment is that time.
When those that mock, and mark the leadership qualities in a candidate that has been opposed, this moment is that time.
When the opposing incumbent party is cynical of the ideas that the opposition presides, and says that's not leadership and then rephrases those ideas, to make a claim on them; is a true lack of leadership. That's when you know this is the time.
This time the political gamesmanship on pandering politics -- where the bureaucrats only seek gaming the political system, to have power and control; where they spend hours looking at their profits and not the harm to the economy -- this is the moment in time that change has come. That's when you know this is the time.
Change is not about: A Man with pigment in his skin, change is not about a women on a ticket; Change is not about an elder being begged to change their stubborn ways. Have you ever tried to get an elder to change their old habits -- It's hard work but it takes a spirited leader: Like Barack Obama and a nobody like Omar Dyer: two community Organizers to organize change.
Change is not about; saying this person is a better American, and the other is fraud.
Change is when noticeable theories are not correct and a new course is needed; a true leader will say, "I made this move because that's the change we need."
Change is when a person makes the ultimate sacrifice in good of the people they represent. If you follow your candidate: Follow, if you believe your candidate: Believe. You don't need to be little others because they don't have the same views as you. That's when you know it's time to change. That's the type of politics we need to change!
We are in a moment where the bitterness of someone's' pigment in their skin has no barring on the character on the content of their minds -- in a new direction to lead.
We can't afford to demonize an American child because they don't come from my hood.
We can't afford to demonize an American child because they don't have the same ideological thinking as you do!
This campaign is not about being a celebrity in politics, making one before the other: this campaign is about all Americans, coming together and forming: One Nation. One America, a speech John Edwards wrote; a vision Abraham Lincoln saw, a dream Martin Luther King Jr. spoke -- a Hope, Barack Obama preached, and a grassroots campaign achievement by a local community organizer; in which help bring in more community organizers to unite this country from the bottom up. As one of the leaders in Barack Obama's New Jersey's Grassroots Finance Committee in campaigning and organizing; a local community organizer, and other locals like: "Omar Dyer: TheFanNJ," has helped transformed the internet as a reliable source of organizing marching and bringing people to Barack Obama's campaign. TheFanNJ has been strictly better than Karl Rove; and it was done on clean politics.

" McPain " and media's insulting assumptions

EMC — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:05:14 EDT

If you believe the McPain Campaign's premise, and the right-wing media:

women are going to vote for McPain b/c Sarah is a woman;

environmentalists will vote for them b/c she's from Alaska - previously, a wildlife haven;

students will choose McPain b/c Sarah is young and "fresh".

THESE NOTIONS ARE AS INSULTING TO EACH OF THESE GROUPS AS IS THE BELIEF THAT NON-WHITE ETHNIC VOTERS WILL CHOOSE BARACK B/C HE'S BI-RACIAL.

Apparently, they do not realize that we have BRAINS, we vote on the ISSUES and GOOD JUDGEMENT, and we are not blind lemmings that can be manipulated so easily...

Thank goodness Obama and Biden know us better!!

Art Institutes of Fort Lauderdale - Student Group

Jarrett in Florida — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 22:16:39 EDT

The Next meeting of SFD (Students For Democracy) at AIFL will be on Wednesday at 5:00 PM.

Location: Main Building, Room 407

See you there!

Picture Post: Eight is Enough Campaign for Change Fundraiser

Xavier Lopez-Ayala — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:22:43 EDT

Last night, around 500 people showed up for a concert benefitting the Minnesota Campaign for Change headlined by indie rock group Low, percussionist Dosh, and rapper P.O.S. at the Turf Club in St. Paul.

Folks were also treated to performances from Tapes N' Tapes, Kill the Vultures, STNNNG, Skoal Kodiak, TRL, Plain Ole Bill, Nikoless, winsihp, Hymies, Mike 2600, Norton Fortune, and Clint Simonson.

Regional Field Director Maggie Thompson told the crowd how they could get involved--from doorknocking during the RNC to texting MN to 62262 to learn about upcoming events and rallies.

Here are some photos from the event:

If you were at the show, drop us a line and let us know what you though.

Let Your Voices Be Heard...

Nicholas Short — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:18:48 EDT

Hello, group members and Obama supporters.

I'm doing an article for Urban Influence Magazine about Obama and his attempts to reach young COLLEGE STUDENTS. I would love to do a brief online interview with you (or any of your friends). I just want to talk to you about why you chose Obama, what have you done to help his campaign so far, and/or what will you do for him in the future.

Here are the questions:

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself. (Your name, where you are from, what year of college are you in, etc.)

2. What is your major, what is your goal, and how can Obama help you achieve that goal?

3. Why did you choose Obama? (What does he offer that other candidates don't?)

4. What have you done to support Obama so far? (Have you attended any events, participated in any activities, etc.?) Tell me about it.

5. What do you plan to do for the Obama campaign in the future?

6. What do you say to people who believe that college students are uninformed, immature, and should not be allowed to vote or state opinions about political issues?

7. Why should a college student vote for Obama?

Give me as much detail as you can. And please send me your answers by Sunday evening (before midnight). I have to turn in the article on Monday. Also, I would like your permission to correct any spelling or any other errors in grammar that may be found in the answers you give me. My e-mail address is short_nicholas@yahoo.com. You can also call me at 773-310-6280 if you have any questions. Or we can communicate through this website if you want. And for more info on Urban Influence Magazine go to www.urbaninfluencemagazine.com.

Get back to me as soon as you can.

Sincerely,
Nicholas Short

College Students, Let Your Voices Be Heard...

Nicholas Short — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:05:00 EDT

Picture Post: Women for Obama Kick-Off in Duluth

Xavier Lopez-Ayala — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:29:13 EDT

Last night, the Minnesota Campaign for Change officially launched Minnesota Women for Obama with events in Duluth, Rochester, and Minneapolis.

Over 1000 people participated in the kick-off, either in person or by watching a live webcast of the event on MN.BarackObama.com!

Chelsa Nelson, a student at the University of Minnesota in Duluth shared her story about the Dultuh event:

The Women for Obama event was incredibly inspiring. I felt it brought a sense of community to women across the state of Minnesota. Women are the majority and are yet often overlooked and it was very empowering for the Obama campaign to pay special attention to our issues, passions, and concerns.

I am looking forward to continuing to contribute my time and resources to this well run and inclusive campaign. We need as many volunteers as possible to get Barack Obama elected and I feel this event did a wonderful job of exciting women and encouraging women’s involvement.

Here are some photos from the kickoff event in Duluth:

You can see the rest of the pictures from the Duluth event by clicking here.

Were you at one of the events last night? Did you stream it live? Share your story!

Join us in Making History in SF - 8/28 "I Accept" Convention Watch Party

eric mar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:55:19 EDT

"I Accept": Obama Nomination Speech Watching Party (Convention Watch Party)

http://donate.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4wczf

The event team that brought you the Obama events featuring Kelly Hu in January and Maya Soetoro-Ng in June invites you to another special gathering on Thursday, August 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Roe Restaurant, 651 Howard Street, in San Francisco to watch Senator Barack Obama's historic speech as he accepts the Democratic Party's nomination for President of the United States of America. It's been widely noted that Sen. Obama will accept the nomination on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. Let's also not forget that the date is also the eve of the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall on the Gulf Coast. These three milestones together gives us both an opportunity to rejoice and to acknowledge that our country and our communities still have a long way to go in order to achieve a society where equal opportunity is more reality than promise. So as we work together to help Barack Obama become our President, let's join together to support our friends at the local level who creating the Change We Can Believe In. To that end, this fundraiser will also support Eric Mar, a longtime Obama supporter, in his bid for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and Jenn Pae and Brian Wang, two convention delegates pledged to Sen. Obama. Eric will be at the event and Jenn and Brian will call in from Denver shortly before Sen. Obama delivers his speech.

We're asking for a $20 donation. Please RSVP on this event listing or email speech@apaforobama.com.

More info - http://www.ericmar.com
Join our FACEBOOK PAGE -http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eric-Mar/12068760165?ref=ts

Biggest Problem in Public Schools PERIOD

margoose3 — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:58:01 EDT

I have just recently graduated from a public high school and have been very observant over the years through problems that arise daily in school. The worst part of it is that most of the problems that happen in school have a dramatic effect on the kids once they are out of school, if they make it that far. The biggest problem in public schools and in society in general really are LABELS (aka CLIQUES).

Fired up at OSU!

Matt C — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:02:49 EDT

I wanted to take a moment to update all of you about what is going on this summer and through to the election at OSU.

Students for Barack Obama has transformed in to a campus based campaign to elect Barack and other Democrats up and down the tickets. We are knocking on doors, clip-boarding around campus, and going to events to register voters.

In the coming months we will be bringing in major surrogates. We will soon be opening an office, and we'll be making a major push to get students registered.

There will only be two weeks after school starts to register these voters. Then we will be working to make sure all 50,000 students get a chance to vote, and guarantee that vote is counted.

We will need an unprecedented number of volunteers to do this.

We need your help to achieve these goals, and many others. And not only once classes starts, but also now.

The first step in getting involved is going to OSUDems.com.

This campaign is built on the effort, the passion and the talent of ordinary people like you and me. Join us in this historic effort to bring change to this country.

Please go to OSUDems.com now and sign up.

HOPE to see you all soon,

Matt Caffrey

Campaign Communications Director

Team Obama - College Democrats at Ohio State

Caffrey@OSUDems.com

OSUDems.com - Your OSU Campaign Headquarters

Join us Saturday at The Boulder Farmers Market

Mark Carlson — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:13:09 EDT

This Saturday, August 23rd, a few of us will be registering new voters. Come join us and get out the vote for Obama.

Plase RSVP at the official event page:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44lm4

Please read the following guidlines for participation:

http://www.boulderfarmers.org/boulder/boulder-becoming-political.htm

Hope to see you there. I will post pictures here later.

Obtain Absentee Ballots Now: Return by October

suecdsmls — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:42:35 EDT

http://www.ct.gov/sots/site/default.asp

This is the link for the Connecticut Secretary of State, and outlines how to get your absentee ballot in Connecticut . If you are heading back to college elsewhere, you need to know that your absentee ballot is due back where you're registered to vote IN OCTOBER, so don't forget!

For other states' procedures, just Google "absentee ballot" and the name of your state.

Obama in Fargo! :)

Matt from Moorhead, MN — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:55:03 EDT

Ok i am so new at this so bear with me. :) I am a fourteen year old boy and is just in love with politics. I first got excited about this campaign during the Iowa caucuses and i really noticed something differnt about Barack Obama. So i did some research and just messed around not really getting in to it untill i heard he was coming to fargo. Now i live close to Fargo...but i am not going to say were cause there are some perverts on the world wide web. :) Not to say that you are its just a prcaution.

So anyways i really wanted to voullenteer at this event and really get involved. So i went to the headqurters at downtown fargo and said "I would like to voullnteer for the event in Fargo." And they were so thrilled to sign me up and even my dad to. Now a lot of people think i am older hten i appear and so the staff thought i was a jr. in high school but in reality i was only a freshmen.

Ok so now you may be wondering why would a freshmen want to voulnteer he cant vote. Well I really love to watch how politics get played and i do plan too go into politics in the future. But enough about that i will now finish my story. So the staff thought i was older and i did not tell them other whys because i wanted to acctually have a fun job not like cleanning the garbage or something. So me and my dad were said to usher the people in to there seats. I really liked the job and i was excited to see the senator speak. When it came time when he finnaly came and spoke it was so incrdible io was so stunned. The things he was saying was so right. You found your self acctually nodding your head to him and i found myself saying this is the guy i want to run my country.

Well i hope to write more when the days come...i plan to write about the VP when he picks one and i hope you guys who have actually read this found it fun and enjoyable if not screw you! JK lol :)

Thanks,

Matt

Obama'08

Support Obama at "Students For Democracy Right Now" August 21st

Thomas from Aurora, CO — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 14:32:40 EDT

The University of Colorado Denver’s Hip Hop Congress & fellow students will host its Students for Democracy Right Now event on Thursday, August 21st from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the Auraria Campus’ Tivoli Student Union’s Turnhalle

Students for Democracy Right Now is a student organized event that allows students, political grassroots organizations, and elected officials to network, share ideas, and to discuss issues affecting the lives of Americans. The event will provide an opportunity for young voters to actively engage in the political process and to learn how it impacts their lives and their communities.

Scheduled keynote speakers are Colorado State Representative Debbie Benefield, Terrance Carroll, and candidate for U.S. Senate, Mark Udall. The event will also feature Hakim Green of the Stop the Violence Movement and Morgan Wells on behalf of Hip Hop, representatives from student organizations, community development organizations and advocates, and a host of vendors and supporters. A wide range of topics will be discussed, including education, community service, and the importance of political participation

Students for Democracy Right Now is open to the public and is open to all ages.There will be opportunities to register to vote and opportunities to learn about various organizations around Colorado

The Tivoli Student Union is located at 900 Auraria Parkway in downtown Denver, CO on the Auraria Campus.

For additional information and to find out how you or your organization can get involved, contact Thomas Evans at 720-341-7499

A CALL TO CENTRAL FLORIDA

danielanthony — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:16:28 EDT

August 9, 2008

Folks, I reside in Orlando, Florida and have been volunteering with a great group of stout supporters called Orlando4Obama. They have a website: http://www.orlando4obama.com/ and it does a great job of broadcasting local events, goings-on and other happenings in the Central Florida region. We have less than 100 days until the General and the national campaign is on the ground organizing at full throttle.

THIS IS A CALL TO CENTRAL FLORIDIANS

If you reside in Central Florida, please contact the Obama For America Headquarters today:

1011 East Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32803
(Google Map)

PH: 813-857-1760

1. ask them to identify your "Obama Neighborhood Organizer"
2. contact your Obama Neighborhood Organizer
3. ask him/her how you can...

GET ORGANIZED
GET ACTIVE
GET OUT THE VOTE

Why I am voting AGAINST JOHN MCCAIN

lemonkid — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:13:12 EDT

Why I am voting AGAINST JOHN MCCAIN

Volume I: EDUCATION

Despite past statements supporting educational quality, teacher accountability, and school accessibility for our nation's children...

Q: How can we attract the best and the brightest teachers, given the current salaries? A: I don’t see why a good teacher should be paid less money than a bad senator. It’s important that we have merit pay for teachers, that we have teacher testing, that we do everything we can to motivate young men and women to enter this profession. There’s a whole generation that’s retiring. It is unconscionable that the average salary of a lawyer is $79,000 a year and the average salary of a teacher is $39,000 a year.
[Source: Republican Debate at Dartmouth College Oct 29, 1999]

...John McCain's RECORD shows he JUST DOESN'T CARE.

THE FACTS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

--McCain Repeatedly Voted Against Funding No Child Left Behind...

2006: McCain Voted Against A Bipartisan Measure Restoring Bush's Cuts To Education. McCain voted against a bipartisan provision sponsored by Sens. Specter and Harkin that would advance $7 billion from FY2008 funding for health, education and labor appropriations into FY2007 in order to restore many of Bush's budget cuts to health care, education and job training programs. [ 2006 Senate Vote #58, 3/16/2006 ]

2006: McCain Voted Against Funding For Provision In No Child Left Behind Aimed At Increasing Achievement Among Disadvantages Students In Favor Of A Tax Break. McCain voted against an amendment to increase funding for No Child Left Behind by providing an additional $1 billion in Title I funding. The provision would have been fully offset by eliminating certain corporate tax breaks. [ 2006 Senate Vote #64, 3/16/2006 ]

--McCain Preferred Supporting Billion-Dollar Corporations Instead of America's Future...

2005: McCain Voted Against adopting an amendment to the Senate's 2006 Fiscal Year Budget Resolution that would adjust education funding while still reducing the deficit by $5.4 billion. A YES vote would:
a. Restore education program cuts slated for vocational education, adult education, GEAR UP, and TRIO.
b. Increase the maximum Pell Grant scholarship to $4,500 immediately.
c. Increases future math and science teacher student loan forgiveness to $23,000.
d. Pay for the education funding by closing $10.8 billion in corporate tax loopholes.
[Bill S AMDT 177 to S Con Res 18 ; vote number 2005-68 on Mar 17, 2005]

--McCain Voted Against Funding Local Education Programs...

2005: McCain voted Against providing an additional $5 billion for title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Voting YES would provide:
$2.5 billion for targeting grants to local educational agencies
$2.5 billion for education finance incentive grants
[Elementary and Secondary Education Amendment; Bill S Amdt 2275 to HR 3010 ; vote number 2005-269 on Oct 26, 2005]

--McCain Opposed More Funding For Teacher Training Programs...

2001: McCain Voted Against Funding For 100,000 New Teachers. McCain voted against an amendment authorizing $2.4 billion for FY 2002 for a Federal program to assist States and local educational agencies to recruit, hire, and train 100,000 new teachers in order to reduce class sizes in the early grades to a national average of 18 students per classroom; and authorizes such sums as necessary for each of FYs 2003-2008 for the program. [ 2001 Senate Vote #103, 5/15/2001 ]

2000: McCain Voted Against $2.2 Billion For Recruitment And Mentoring For Teachers. McCain voted against an amendment that would replace the language of the bill with the text of the Democratic substitute amendment, which would increase the general estate tax exemption for a couple to $4 million, as well as the family-owned business exemption to $8 million per couple by 2010 and uses projected savings to fund various education programs, including $1.3 billion in grants and loans for repairs for schools in high-needs areas, and $2.2 billion for the recruitment, mentoring and professional development of qualified teachers. (CQ) [ 2000 Senate Vote #184, 7/13/2000 ]

2000: McCain Voted Against Increasing Funding To Enable Colleges To Train More New Teachers By Over $200 Million. McCain voted against an amendment to increase funding for Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants from $98 million to $300 million in order to enable colleges to train more new teachers. [ 2000 Senate Vote #153, 6/28/2000 ]

2000: McCain Voted Against $2 Billion To Recruit And Train Teachers. McCain voted against an amendment that would provide $2 billion to help schools recruit and train teachers. It would provide $1.75 billion to fund President Clinton's proposal to hire 100,000 new teachers to reduce class size and authorize $1.3 billion in grants and loans for emergency school repairs and renovations. (CQ) The underlying bill used block grants. [ 2000 Senate Vote #90, 5/3/2000 ]

--McCain Voted Against Students From Working-Class Families...

1995, 1996, 1997: McCain Repeatedly Voted Against Breakfast And Lunch Programs For Low Income Students. McCain voted against several amendments authorizing as much as $5 million for outreach efforts and start-up grants for state school breakfast and lunch programs for low-income children. [ 1997 Senate Vote #200, 7/24/1997; 1997 Senate Vote #162, 7/9/1997; 1997 Senate Vote #8, 2/11/1997; 1996 Senate Vote #213, 7/23/1996; 1995 Senate Vote #613, 12/22/1995 ]

2003: McCain Voted Against $20 Million For Dropout Prevention. McCain voted against an amendment increasing funding for various education programs by $210 million including $20 million for dropout prevention.[ 2003 Senate Vote #322, 9/3/2003 ]

2001: McCain Voted Against 1,000 Technology Centers In Disadvantaged Communities. McCain voted against an amendment to the 2001 Elementary and Secondary Education Act Reauthorization bill authorizing the Office of Education Technology to award competitive grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements in order to create 1,000 community technology centers for disadvantaged residents of distressed urban or rural communities, and authorizing $100.0 million for FY 2002 and such sums as necessary for each of following six FYs. [ 2001 Senate Vote #96, 5/9/2001 ]

1983: McCain Voted Against Funding For School Desegregation. In 1983, McCain voted against the Emergency School Aid Act, which authorized grants to local school districts to help them offset the costs of school desegregation. [ 1983 House Vote #162, 6/7/1983 ]

During the 105th Congress, McCain opposed forgiving student loans up to $8,000 for public-school teachers who work in underserved communities for a specified period and opposed expanding after-school programs.

--And McCain Repeatedly Denied Students Crucial Access To Federal College Aid...

McCain Repeatedly Voted Against Additional Funding For Pell Grants. [2005 Senate Vote #268, 10/25/2005; 2001 Senate Vote #153, 5/22/2001; 2001 Senate Vote #155, 5/22/2001]

2005: McCain Voted For The Final 2005 Budget Reconciliation With Largest Student Loan Cuts in History. Senate Republicans voted for the final version of the 2005 budget reconciliation bill, which passed 50-50 with the Vice President casting the tie-breaking vote. The package cut $12.7 million from college loans, the largest cuts to the student loan program in its history. [ 2005 Senate Vote #363, 12/21/2005; 12/21/2005; AP, 12/19/05; Washington Post, 12/19/05; Minnesota Budget Project, 1/17/06 ]

2000: McCain Voted Against A $12,000 Annual College Tuition Tax Credit. McCain voted against an amendment that would increase the general estate tax exemption for a couple to $4 million, as well as the family-owned business exemption to $8 million per couple by 2010, and provide that up to $12,000 per year for college tuition may be tax deductible for taxpayers with a top marginal rate of 28 percent. The college tuition provision would fully phase in by 2002. It also included a tax credit for teachers seeking board certification. [ 2000 Senate Vote #182, 7/13/2000 ]

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John McCain: Won't let students get the education they need to compete.
John McCain: Holding back America.
John McCain: Will tell you one thing, and do another.
John McCain: Wrong for our children, wrong for our future.

Destination Florida

Jacob Packert — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 10:36:06 EDT

Along with 24 other students and youth politicians, I am taking the trip from the nordic regions of Denmark to the Sunshine State of Florida. Here's why...

Obama. Obama. Obama.

Ever since I heard of the senator from Illinois, I've been amazed. Amazed at the story behind the man, his visions and dreams for America, his powerful speeches and his message of hope.

It all started in 2006. I was 18 and had just graduated high school in Denmark. I went to Washington D.C. as an intern at U.S. Congress. During midterm election I went to Pennsylvania to campaign for the Democratic party. This was my first experience with canvassing and phone-banking and, best of all, Barack Obama.

Two Get-Out-The-Vote rallies were held the saturday before Election Day. One had Vice President Al Gore as main speaker, another had sen. Obama. His speech was amazing. And the crowd went crazy. I remember my brother leaning towards me during the speech saying: "If he runs for President - he's going to win. I can feel it."

I've been a fan ever since.

TXT for Change

Xavier Lopez-Ayala — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:23:37 EDT

Barack has inspired millions of young Americans to believe in their power to make America great again. Many of these young people have joined Students for Obama chapters on their campus.

Andrew Zucker, the Minnesota Youth Vote Director:

Text messaging is an important part of our campaign to make sure every school in Minnesota goes blue for Barack! If you wanna stay connected, join our text message program and hear breaking news straight from the campaign itself. Just text your college's code to 62262 and you'll stay in the loop. Together, let's Barack the vote!

The Minnesota Campaign for Change has set up text codes for several campuses across the state. See the list of supported campuses below. To sign up for campus updates, text your campus code to 62262.

School Code Unniversity of Minnesota GOPHERS University of Minnesota - Duluth UMDULUTH Augsburg College AUGSBURG Carleton College CARLETONC Hamline University HAMLINE St. Cloud State University STCLOUDST Winona State University WINSU University of St. Thomas UST

If you don't see your campus on the list, you can still text MN to 62262 to get campaign updates and event announcements.

By signing up, you can expect periodic updates from the campaign as well as advance notice about on-campus Obama events and important updates about Barack's public appearances

*Standard message rates apply.

Every Vote Counts! Students, please take note....

suecdsmls — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:30:56 EDT

July 26, 2007

Students who are at home for the summer right now, please obtain from your local voting center your absentee ballot for the Presidential election!

The absentee ballots are available in most states now, and are due back in the mail during OCTOBER 2008.... so unless you go to a local community college and/or are living near where you're registered to vote, then you won't be able to have your important voice heard in this historic election.

Letters to the Editor: What We Find In Obama

Josh In Michigan — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:44:07 EDT

In today’s Detroit Free Press you will find a slew of letters to the editor in response to the paper’s editorial piece last week, which questioned if young people would actually vote come November. Young people across the state wrote in to describe their excitement as well as the enthusiasm that they have seen grow in their peers. Senator Obama has energized the younger generations in unprecedented ways that will only grow and spread across Michigan as the election approaches.

One of the letters was written by Maureen M in Brighton Michigan -- she describes why she believes her generation will continue to fight to ensure Senator Obama is our next President.

What we find in Obama -- what inspires us to work, volunteer and wait in hour-long lines to hear him for 20 minutes -- are issues that affect each of us. We realize that we are the ones, that now is the time to fix the student loan crisis, to make jobs available, to make health care affordable, and to bring our brothers and friends home who have been away fighting an unjust war.
We relate to these issues and their urgency for action. We have helped register one another, and come Nov. 4, 2008, things will be different.

Alex M in Grosse Point wrote about why he believed the youth and student movements have already shown that they are serious about volunteering and voting in 2008.

Unprecedented turnout in primaries and caucuses throughout the country earlier this year foreshadow the fact. Students support Obama because he knows that young Americans play a critical role in changing politics. Obama has engaged young people as no other candidate and has inspired countless young people to organize, get out the vote, and build a better America. For the first time, other students are not asking me why I am wasting my time with politics, but, rather, how they can be involved in the process. This is not a standard election. Together, Americans of all ages will converge at the polls Nov. 4 and send Obama to the White House.

Voter Registration

Ayalah — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 10:35:44 EDT

Our young people can help make a difference in this election. Ellie, my 16 year old daughter going to the Inauguration, has bee helping with voter registration. Her feelings are that since she can't vote in November, she can at least help in getting others to vote. Please share your student's efforts in helping with this election!

More information:

http://ellie.paradiseforalowprice.com/ or http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/PYICFamiliesforObama

Lots of new registrations at the "Dark Knight" premiere!

Jen G. In St. Louis — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:22:32 EDT

My girlfriend & I just got home from registering voters who were standing in line for the premiere showing of "The Dark Knight." (Thanks to fellow volunteer, Melanie Shouse, for suggesting this great idea!)

What a great opportunity for reaching out to brand new voters!! About a third of the voter registration cards we collected tonight were from people born in 1990 -- young adults new to the democratic process, but FIRED UP and ready to vote for change! Other cards were from college students who are registered where their parents live, but wanted to make sure they could vote here -- in person -- this November. They usually don't bother to vote, some said, but this time they know it counts.

Above all, people seemed grateful that we were there. Getting registered was on their minds, but they weren't sure where to go. Over and over people thanked us for being there, or said simply, "Yep -- already registered. Go Obama!"

I know the theaters are going to be packed all weekend, and it works really well to catch movie-goers while they wait in line for seats (some of our new voters had been in line for 4 hours or more). I definitely plan to go back out there tomorrow evening, and I invite others to join me. We need all the voters we can get here in St. Louis to help turn Missouri BLUE in November!!

(If you'd like to join me at the Moolah Theatre & Lounge on Lindell Blvd. tomorrow night, I'll be there from 5 to 6 pm, in advance of the 6:05 pm showing. There is also a 9:05 showing that will surely attract a big crowd -- I hope someone can take that shift as well! I'll create an event where you can RSVP on this website.)

Fired up in St. Louis,

Jen G.

PYIC Information and Introducing a Local Young Leader

Ayalah — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:15:15 EDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Media Relations Staff (703) 584-9392
mediarelations@cylc.org

LOCAL YOUNG LEADER READIES FOR HISTORIC INAUGURATION
Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference Inspires Tomorrow's Leaders

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In January 2009, outstanding high school students from across the United States will take part in a truly American Celebration - the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. During the five-day program, the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference (PYIC) will provide scholars with a deeper understanding of the history behind the electoral process and the rich traditions surrounding the presidential inauguration.

"The Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference will provide students with an opportunity to take part in historic events that coincide with the Inauguration of the President of the United States," said Mike Lasday, executive director of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors PYIC. "Something that is really wonderful about so many young people gathering in Washington, D.C. for this event is that it will provide them a chance to become more familiar with and attuned to the president who will govern our country over the next four years. We certainly hope this will inspire the next generation of U.S. leaders."

Inaugural Scholars will have the opportunity to interact with a major presidential candidate, White House officials, congressional staff members, political experts and other VIPs, such as Lance Armstrong. After witnessing the inauguration, scholars will experience the grandeur of the inaugural parade, as the president, vice president and their families make their way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol Building to the White House. To further honor and celebrate Inauguration Day, scholars will attend a Black Tie Gala Inaugural Ball.

In addition to participating in inaugural events and festivities, scholars will have the opportunity to explore the numerous historic sites and monuments in our nation's capital, as well as participate in roundtable discussions, debates, and other activities that will help to expand their knowledge of democratic principles and presidential election process.

CYLC is a nonpartisan, independent, educational organization. Since 1985, the Council has inspired more than 200,000 young people to achieve their full leadership potential. Members of the U.S. Congress have joined our commitment by serving on the CYLC honorary Congressional Board of Advisors. In addition, more than 50 embassies participate in the Council's Honorary Board of Embassies.

For additional information, visit us at www.cylc.org/pyic.

###

To learn more about Ellie and her experiences preparing for this historic moment, visit http://ellie.paradiseforalowprice.com/ or http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/PYICFamiliesforObama

Action Speaks

Crystal Harris Blount — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:32:34 EDT

Today I was motivated to write because I signed up to attend a platform planning meeting. Truth is... I was thinking I am too busy for this. Then it occurred to me that I am too busy NOT to do this. I care very deeply for both education and health care because having the former and not having (at times) the latter have been defining momemnts for me. While I am grateful for the privilege of being and becoming an academic, I am even more grateful that I live in a country where I can express myself freely. I have the opportunty to act and to make a difference. These privileges are not to be taken lightly and they can be taken away. I remember very clearly the stories my relatives in Montogomery, AL would tell about the sacrifices they make to end the rule of Jim Crow in the south. Now its our time and our turn to speak up for change in our America.

Summer Internships in Iowa!

Zachary Scott Edwards — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:40:43 EDT

Calling all Iowa Students for Barack Obama! Our campaign for change has hit the ground running and we are now offering summer internships.

Barack has called young people the “backbone” of his campaign, and we are going to need everyone’s help in these upcoming weeks and months.

Join us and sign up for more information on an internship in Iowa!

During the caucuses, we had thousands of students for Barack Obama members, and we want to make sure everyone knows about this amazing opportunity as we move into the summer.

This is our moment and it’s an amazing opportunity to get involved in a presidential campaign. Check out these pictures from some of our SFBO members just a few months ago...

Students for Barack Obama was founded in the summer of 2006 and began with a few students using Facebook to petition Senator Obama to run for President in 2008. The passion and dedication of thousands of students has transformed that movement into the official student organization of Obama for America — and one of the largest grassroots student organizations in history. We need your help here in Iowa, and this is an opportunity of a lifetime to join our campaign for change.

Click here for more information and to join us for a summer Internship.

Let's unite for Obama

Eileen — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:40:42 EDT

We celebrated July 4th at home and abroad. What fun!
Lots of independent voters were celebrating too, especially ones from California.

Independent voters have their individual reasons for not joining the Democratic Party, but whatever the reasons, a large number of us are supporting Barack Obama because we want a brilliant person in the White House who we can be proud of at home and around the world. He says he's reaching out to everyone, and I believe him.

Louisiana Students for Barack Obama!

Candice Dixon — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:53:07 EDT

Hello Louisiana Obama Supporters!

Students for Barack Obama (SFBO) in Louisiana has a new State Leadership Team.

State Coordinator: Candice M. Dixon, cdixon@studentsforbarackobama.com, (225) 341-1580
Deputy State Coordinator: Shaawn Ali, sfshaawnsf@yahoo.com
Field Coordinator: Gerren Sias, gsias1@lsu.edu
Deputy Field Coordinators:
Adnan Suleman, amsuleman@gmail.com
Lauren Jeanene Anderson, landers1@tulane.edu

We have currently been charged with and will be working hard to establish Students for Barack Obama Chapters at Colleges & Universities throughout the State. High Schools are also welcomed to form a SFBO Chapter. For instructions on how to formally establish a SFBO Chapter, please e-mail cdixon@studentsforbarackobama.com. Additionally, if you would like to join an existing chapter please visit http://students.barackobama.com/ and click on the find a chapter link on the right.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do to ensure that Barack Obama is elected as the next President of the United States.

Candice M. Dixon
Obama Organizing Fellow
Louisiana State Coordinator
Students for Barack Obama
cdixon@studentsforbarackobama.com
(225) 341-1580

I love-a de Obama.

Carly Casper — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:56:23 EDT

Maybe I've been a bit misleading. At times I seem to hint that I might not exactly be an Obama supporter to the maximum. In truth, I do support Senator Obama. Anyone who I've met along my journey of supporting him knows that I do. However, an inquisitive mind is always the best to have.

With every issue that I've had, every problem I've found, I've found a large amount of support from other Obamanites, and a satiating answer from Mr. Obama's politics. He has found a way to answer the most pressing questions in America in a reasonable (Sorry, Mr. McCain, but I will not pay a dime of tax money to some nerd who can make a cool battery) and pleasing way that gives me and my peers hope.

Keywords in this campaign have been "change" and "hope". Mr. McCain claims he is a "change", but I ask you to question that stance. He has vowed to continue some of the current administration's policies, the policies that are failing, the policies that make no progress, the policies that are wasting tax dollars and plunging us further and further into a valley of debt that seems more and more like a hole each day. We, America, need the fleeting hope that possibly, someone out there has a smart mind, a clear mind that can see through political smokescreens and attack America's problems where they lay: the domestic policies.

As a high school senior, the most important issue to me is education. Everything in America is expensive, and college is becoming less and less attainable. I am one of the classic cases of the smart underachiever who dreams bigger than her GPA. I'm slightly ashamed, but not afraid, to claim a lowly 2.1 GPA, but a 31 ACT. I know I will not get any scholarships. I know I have to pay fully by myself. I am in the middle class (the few, the proud), and paying for college all by myself is out of the question. Senator Obama's plans for higher education delight me, and my checkbook. My parents can afford some college for me, but I don't want them to empty their bank accounts for me. I want to earn it. I'm hoping that with the Senator's plans, prices will go down, and college can become more attainable for me.

What about after college? We are going to have families, and we will have to work in the real world. I, personally, am grateful to have a candidate like Senator Obama running in this campaign, because when he is elected, I can feel proud again. I can feel proud to live in a country that does not discriminate against race; to live in a country run by a smart man that is truly a person. With Obama in office, he will return the government to it's rightful owners: "for the people, by the people". Senator Obama is one of us: a person. A real, flawed person who is not above his supporters.

I have no fear to grow old, to go out into the real world. With Obama as our leader, we will march out of an economic downturn, and we will not fight any more. I have the utmost confidence that if Obama is elected to be the president of these beautiful United States, we will move. We will move up, and we will prosper.

Now, a call to all my fellow students out there (holler!). As students, we need to be the biggest supporters of Senator Obama. This is our future that the government is taking away. They are taking away social security, and they are taking away our money. I've lost my optimistic hopes of living in a middle-class suburb with a decent home. I either need to be rich, or settle for struggling with finances for the rest of my life. I refuse. I refuse to let Senator McCain focus only on the adults. For too long, the future of our country has been shorthanded by rising college costs, by the failure of the No Child Left Behind Act, and by the cost of living. I was told in 2005, my freshman year of high school, that my children would be born into a lower standard of living than I was.

We must refuse. We must prove this statement, this fact to be incorrect. As students, we need to assemble and support the person who seems to be making the best effort to help us, the person who seems to recognize the best that we are the future, and that us "kids" are just as important as adults: Barack Obama (let's face it: Ron Paul isn't going to win). We have all heard about the activism of the 1960's, and how students rallied behind Bobby Kennedy and Gene McCarthy. We need to get off of our obese behinds, and reclaim our status as the future. We need to move. We need to be active. If we don't make an attempt for change, who will?

Thank you, I'll be here all week.

Changing the voting age (kinda)?

Superdork — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:17:01 EDT

Ok i know the voting age is set at a pretty reasonable age and all for the general population and lowering it could cause chaos because of all the inexperienced, naive, and politcally ignorant people that would be voting for people not for what they believe in or what they plan to do in office, but on superficial things like how old they are and what they look like. Of course i'm not ignorant enough to suggest lowering the voting age, but for those of us who do pay attention to politics, platforms and beliefs, experience, and leading potential and are not able to vote i would like to try and open a doorway or at least a window so that we are not left in the dark. Sure there would have to be some sort of test of knowing your government and your political understanding of this country and the world, but i wanted to know what everybody's opinion was on this. So far i've only got opinions from my closest friends who are just as old as i am but i would like to add more diversity to the overall opinion so no matter what you think post it on my blog and if you agree with me any ideas on how to put this plan into action. I would truly appreciate hearing from the general public.

wanna brainstorm a game plan for swing states?

Anna — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:47:34 EDT

1) Since California is pretty much in the bag for Obama the actions i feel are nessesary here are to: join groups, conduct voter registration, fundraising and let friends/family know that I am voting for Obama.

2) That said, it is the swing states that will need our help (PA, OH, FL, MI) and perhaps some red states that might turn blue (CO, VA, ?).

3a) I want to plan ahead. My idea is to support activists who are already active in one or more of these states...

Change We Can Believe In

Masomn — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:40:06 EDT

When voters across the state go to the polls next November they will have an opportunity to put their stamp on the direction and future of this great country. The future I envision is one where the United States plays a key role in helping the world pull away from a history of armed conflict. The direction being a path where understanding and compassion are the norm. The person that I strongly believe can have the greatest influence for this peaceful future is Barack Obama.

Barack Obama is indeed a powerful voice for the kind of change that would bring about a more peaceful world. He works to empower hope, not hopelessness. He understands the need and value for all to work together. He does not dwell on those things that separate us, but instead focuses on those inherent things that bind us all. He is a listener, and a doer. His remarkable background allows him to view the world, and the needs of all with greater clarity than any other candidate. He is a person of strong character, faith, moral direction and vision.

Welcome to the table

Crystal Harris Blount — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:51:07 EDT

While I have always been a political junkie, the product of two civil rights activists born in Montgomery, AL, this year I have stepped up my game. No longer a CNN spectator, I have risen (or descended... depending on your perspective) to level of active participant.

First, I gave a small amount of money which is a huge feat for anybody who has even seen the stipend of a graduate student. Then I wrote to the lady who matched my donation. Next, I volunteered to call some people. After voting in the primary, I was clearly addicted (in the healthy sense, of course). I gave again. I called some people who really had money or who at least had jobs! They gave too! WOW!! A few minutes ago I signed up to attend an event, and I am also planning to host an event. So what happened? Why do people, like me, move from sideline to center line of a cause like this?

For me, it's complicated. This cause moved both my mind and my spirit. My mother and many of my family members dreamed about a time in America when children of color could do anything they dreamed of. While they are not here to witness this, I am, and my children are. I am here for them, and for myself, because hope has been recsued in the hearts and minds of young people all over this world!

YES WE CAN!

In my jammies at noon

Arizona Charlie — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:11:27 EDT

It's coming up on noon and I'm still sitting at my home computer, in my jammies, sipping coffee. I didn't have to go to work today. That would sound good, except I don't have to go to work tomorrow, either.

Some info about my situation - I'm a full time student in my last semester. This has been a long and challenging road, because I'm also a single parent. While attending classes over the last six years, I've also worked anywhere from half-time to full-time, depending on the needs of my family. Most of this has been temp work, and that's been okay. I'm listed with a good agency that keeps me as busy as I want to be. I'm fortunate that, before returning to school, I worked for 25 years and collected a number of skills valuable in a modern work force. Unlike a lot of Americans, I'm not overly worried about paying the bills this month, because I'm pretty confident my agency is going to find me something else to do. I've already had two calls this morning on possible assignments.

Wanted: State Coordinator of Students for Obama

Stacy — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:00:28 EDT

Hello!

My name is Stacy Falkner. I am a Student Leadership Mentor with the national organization of Students for Barack Obama. Last year I served as the State Coordinator of students in Idaho. Like many of you, we saw a record turnout of new voters, especially young people.

We are currently looking to create statewide leadership teams in several key states, with regard to Senator Obama's 50 state strategy. These include Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

The first order of business is to find ONE student per state willing to serve in the capacity of State Coordinator. In this role, you will be responsible for building your statewide leadership team and creating chapters of Students for Barack Obama (SFBO) at every college and university in your state. After Labor Day, we will be focusing on high-school outreach as well. This is an amazing opportunity to participate in a historic campaign, and many schools will offer internship credit for your participation. It will also look great on a resume!

You will need to commit at least 20 hours per week to this effort (unpaid), although hours are completely flexible. As your student mentor, I will provide you with the guidance necessary to get started, and will be available to answer questions along the way.

If you are interested in this opportunity and are passionate about Senator Obama, please send a copy of your (brief) resume to sfalkner@studentsforbarackobama.com and a paragraph about why you support Barack. We are looking to fill these positions by the end of June, so the deadline for submission will be June 20, 2008.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Stacy Falkner

Student Leadership Mentor

SFBO

Registration/Absentee Ballots of Study Abroad Students

Dan O'Maley — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:20:28 EDT

I studied abroad in Quito, so I know there are hordes of US students who come to study abroad in Ecuador. I think we can really help the campaign by 1) making sure they're registered, and 2) helping them navigate the absentee ballot process. It's different for each state, so busy students need all the help they can get to make it easy. There are easy ways to register to vote online (http://www.registrationbyworkingassets.com/register/?source=homedropdown&api_key=gQKGZ9xr0iTIct4XGnRHB1ALGT4), but I can't find a clearning house on learning how to vote absentee in each state. How about we get a list together and help them work it out. If you're interested or if you're already doing this, let me know.

Seeking show guests

Andrea from Boston, MA — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:33:11 EDT

My name is Andrea and I am the host of a Boston based talk show entitled Wake Up. Wake Up covers local and national special interests and the impact these events have on the poeple of Greater Boston. I am looking for people who can speak to the specifics of Obama's campaign and the impact it will have on the residents of Boston.

I am seeking healthcare professionals who can breakdown the vital points of his healthcare bill so as to give the viewres a clear understanding of the intended positive changes.

A professional who can speak to his war in Iraq efforts

Students and young adults who can speak to his impact on this demeographic and what his campaign menas to you.

Wake Up airs Mon & Weds at 7am and Fri's at 4pm (which we do our live taping) on Comacst channel 9 in the Boston area.

If you are interested in being a guest and/or would like more info, please conatct me at smileydrea@msn.com. Thank you in advance for your reply

Andrea baptiste

Look No Further If You Need Any Further Inspiration--Senator Obama's Wesleyan University Commencement Address

Nevada County For Obama-Curtis Walker — Sun, 25 May 2008 19:01:48 EDT

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama

Wesleyan University Commencement

Sunday, May 25th, 2008

Middletown, CT

As Prepared for Delivery

Thank you, President Roth, for that generous introduction, and congratulations on your first year at the helm of Wesleyan. Congratulations also to the class of 2008, and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your graduation.

I have the distinct honor today of pinch-hitting for one of my personal heroes and a hero to this country, Senator Edward Kennedy. Teddy wanted to be here very much, but as you know, he’s had a very long week and is taking some much-needed rest. He called me up a few days ago and I said that I’d be happy to be his stand-in, even if there was no way I could fill his shoes.

I did, however, get the chance to glance at the speech he planned on delivering today, and I’d like to start by passing along a message from him: “To all those praying for my return to good health, I offer my heartfelt thanks. And to any who’d rather have a different result, I say, don’t get your hopes up just yet!”

So we know that Ted Kennedy’s legendary sense of humor is as strong as ever, and I have no doubt that his equally legendary fighting spirit will carry him through this latest challenge. He is our friend, he is our champion, and we hope and pray for his return to good health.

The topic of his speech today was common for a commencement, but one that nobody could discuss with more authority or inspiration than Ted Kennedy. And that is the topic of service to one’s country – a cause that is synonymous with his family’s name and their legacy.

I was born the year that his brother John called a generation of Americans to ask their country what they could do. And I came of age at a time when they did it. They were the Peace Corps volunteers who won a generation of goodwill toward America at a time when America’s ideals were challenged. They were the teenagers and college students, not much older than you, who watched the Civil Rights Movement unfold on their television sets; who saw the dogs and the fire hoses and the footage of marchers beaten within an inch or their lives; who knew it was probably smarter and safer to stay at home, but still decided to take those Freedom Rides down south – who still decided to march. And because they did, they changed the world.

I bring this up because today, you are about to enter a world that makes it easy to get caught up in the notion that there are actually two different stories at work in our lives.

The first is the story of our everyday cares and concerns – the responsibilities we have to our jobs and our families – the bustle and busyness of what happens in our own life. And the second is the story of what happens in the life of our country – of what happens in the wider world. It’s the story you see when you catch a glimpse of the day’s headlines or turn on the news at night – a story of big challenges like war and recession; hunger and climate change; injustice and inequality. It’s a story that can sometimes seem distant and separate from our own – a destiny to be shaped by forces beyond our control.

And yet, the history of this nation tells us this isn’t so. It tells us that we are a people whose destiny has never been written for us, but by us – by generations of men and women, young and old, who have always believed that their story and the American story are not separate, but shared. And for more than two centuries, they have served this country in ways that have forever enriched both.

I say this to you as someone who couldn’t be standing here today if not for the service of others, and wouldn’t be standing here today if not for the purpose that service gave my own life.

You see, I spent much of my childhood adrift. My father left my mother and I when I was two. When my mother remarried, I lived in Indonesia for a time, but was mostly raised in Hawaii by her and my grandparents from Kansas. My teenage years were filled with more than the usual dose of adolescent rebellion, and I’ll admit that I didn’t always take myself or my studies very seriously. I realize that none of you can probably relate to this, but there were many times when I wasn’t sure where I was going, or what I would do.

But during my first two years of college, perhaps because the values my mother had taught me –hard work, honesty, empathy – had resurfaced after a long hibernation; or perhaps because of the example of wonderful teachers and lasting friends, I began to notice a world beyond myself. I became active in the movement to oppose the apartheid regime of South Africa. I began following the debates in this country about poverty and health care. So that by the time I graduated from college, I was possessed with a crazy idea – that I would work at a grassroots level to bring about change.

I wrote letters to every organization in the country I could think of. And one day, a small group of churches on the South Side of Chicago offered me a job to come work as a community organizer in neighborhoods that had been devastated by steel plant closings. My mother and grandparents wanted me to go to law school. My friends were applying to jobs on Wall Street. Meanwhile, this organization offered me $12,000 a year plus $2,000 for an old, beat-up car.

And I said yes.

Now, I didn’t know a soul in Chicago, and I wasn’t sure what this community organizing business was all about. I had always been inspired by stories of the Civil Rights Movement and JFK’s call to service, but when I got to the South Side, there were no marches, and no soaring speeches. In the shadow of an empty steel plant, there were just a lot of folks who were struggling. And we didn’t get very far at first.

I still remember one of the very first meetings we put together to discuss gang violence with a group of community leaders. We waited and waited for people to show up, and finally, a group of older people walked into the hall. And they sat down. And a little old lady raised her hand and asked, “Is this where the bingo game is?”

It wasn’t easy, but eventually, we made progress. Day by day, block by block, we brought the community together, and registered new voters, and set up after school programs, and fought for new jobs, and helped people live lives with some measure of dignity.

But I also began to realize that I wasn’t just helping other people. Through service, I found a community that embraced me; citizenship that was meaningful; the direction I’d been seeking. Through service, I discovered how my own improbable story fit into the larger story of America.

Each of you will have the chance to make your own discovery in the years to come. And I say “chance” because you won’t have to take it. There’s no community service requirement in the real world; no one forcing you to care. You can take your diploma, walk off this stage, and chase only after the big house and the nice suits and all the other things that our money culture says you should by. You can choose to narrow your concerns and live your life in a way that tries to keep your story separate from America’s.

But I hope you don’t. Not because you have an obligation to those who are less fortunate, though you do have that obligation. Not because you have a debt to all those who helped you get here, though you do have that debt.

It’s because you have an obligation to yourself. Because our individual salvation depends on collective salvation. Because thinking only about yourself, fulfilling your immediate wants and needs, betrays a poverty of ambition. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential and discover the role you’ll play in writing the next great chapter in America’s story

There are so many ways to serve and so much need at this defining moment in our history. You don’t have to be a community organizer or do something crazy like run for President. Right here at Wesleyan, many of you have already volunteered at local schools, contributed to United Way, and even started a program that brings fresh produce to needy families in the area. One hundred and sixty-four graduates of this school have joined the Peace Corps since 2001, and I’m especially proud that two of you are about to leave for my father’s homeland of Kenya to bring alternative sources of energy to impoverished areas.

I ask you to seek these opportunities when you leave here, because the future of this country – your future – depends on it. At a time when our security and moral standing depend on winning hearts and minds in the forgotten corners of this world, we need more of you to serve abroad. As President, I intend to grow the Foreign Service, double the Peace Corps over the next few years, and engage the young people of other nations in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity.

At a time when our ice caps are melting and our oceans are rising, we need you to help lead a green revolution. We still have time to avoid the catastrophic consequences of climate change if we get serious about investing in renewable sources of energy, and if we get a generation of volunteers to work on renewable energy projects, and teach folks about conservation, and help clean up polluted areas; if we send talented engineers and scientists abroad to help developing countries promote clean energy.

At a time when a child in Boston must compete with children in Beijing and Bangalore, we need an army of you to become teachers and principals in schools that this nation cannot afford to give up on. I will pay our educators what they deserve, and give them more support, but I will also ask more of them to be mentors to other teachers, and serve in high-need schools and high-need subject areas like math and science.

At a time when there are children in the city of New Orleans who still spend each night in a lonely trailer, we need more of you to take a weekend or a week off from work, and head down South, and help rebuild. If you can’t get the time, volunteer at the local homeless shelter or soup kitchen in your own community. Find an organization that’s fighting poverty, or a candidate who promotes policies you believe in, and find a way to help them.

At a time of war, we need you to work for peace. At a time of inequality, we need you to work for opportunity. At a time of so much cynicism and so much doubt, we need you to make us believe again.

Now understand this - believing that change is possible is not the same as being naïve. Go into service with your eyes wide open, for change will not come easily. On the big issues that our nation faces, difficult choices await. We’ll have to face some hard truths, and some sacrifice will be required – not only from you individually, but from the nation as a whole.

There is no magic bullet to our energy problems, for example; no perfect energy source - so all of us will have to use the energy sources we have more wisely. Deep-rooted poverty will not be reversed overnight, and will require both money and reform at a time when our federal and state budgets are strapped and Washington is skeptical that reform is possible. Transforming our education system will require not only bold government action, but a change in attitudes among parents and students. Bringing an end to the slaughter in Darfur will involve navigating extremely difficult realities on the ground, even for those with the best of intentions.

And so, should you take the path of service, should you choose to take up one of these causes as your own, know that you’ll experience frustrations and failures. Even your successes will be marked by imperfections and unintended consequences. I guarantee you, there will certainly be times when friends or family urge you to pursue more sensible endeavors with more tangible rewards. And there will be times when you are tempted to take their advice.

But I hope you’ll remember, during those times of doubt and frustration, that there is nothing naïve about your impulse to change this world. Because all it takes is one act of service – one blow against injustice – to send forth that tiny ripple of hope that Robert Kennedy spoke of.

You know, Ted Kennedy often tells a story about the fifth anniversary celebration of the Peace Corps. He was there, and he asked one of the young Americans why he had chosen to volunteer. And the man replied, “Because it was the first time someone asked me to do something for my country.”

I don’t know how many of you have been asked that question, but after today, you have no excuses. I am asking you, and if I should have the honor of serving this nation as President, I will be asking again in the coming years. We may disagree on certain issues and positions, but I believe we can be unified in service to a greater good. I intend to make it a cause of my presidency, and I believe with all my heart that this generation is ready, and eager, and up to the challenge.

We will face our share of cynics and doubters. But we always have. I can still remember a conversation I had with an older man all those years ago just before I left for Chicago. He said, “Barack, I’ll give you a bit of advice. Forget this community organizing business and do something that’s gonna make you some money. You can’t change the world, and people won’t appreciate you trying. But you’ve got a nice voice, so you should think about going into television broadcasting. I’m telling you, you’ve got a future.”

Now, he may have been right about the TV thing, but he was wrong about everything else. For that old man has not seen what I have seen. He has not seen the faces of ordinary people the first time they clear a vacant lot or build a new playground or force an unresponsive leader to provide services to their community. He has not seen the face of a child brighten because of an inspiring teacher or mentor. He has not seen scores of young people educate their parents on issues like Darfur, or mobilize the conscience of a nation around the challenge of climate change. He has not seen lines of men and women that wrap around schools and churches, that stretch block after block just so they could make their voices heard, many for the very first time.

And that old man who didn’t believe the world could change – who didn’t think one person could make a difference – well he certainly didn’t know much about the life of Joseph Kennedy’s youngest son.

It is rare in this country of ours that a person exists who has touched the lives of nearly every single American without many of us even realizing it. And yet, because of Ted Kennedy, millions of children can see a doctor when they get sick. Mothers and fathers can leave work to spend time with their newborns. Working Americans are paid higher wages, and compensated for overtime, and can keep their health insurance when they change jobs. They are protected from discrimination in the workplace, and those who are born with disabilities can still get an education, and health care, and fair treatment on the job. Our schools are stronger and our colleges are filled with more Americans who can afford it. And I have a feeling that Ted Kennedy is not done just yet.

But surely, if one man can achieve so much and make such a difference in the lives of so many, then each of us can do our part. Surely, if his service and his story can forever shape America’s story, then our collective service can shape the destiny of this generation. At the very least, his living example calls each of us to try. That is all I ask of you on this joyous day of new beginnings; that is what Senator Kennedy asks of you as well, and that is how we will keep so much needed work going, and the cause of justice everlasting, and the dream alive for generations to come. Thank you so much to the class of 2008, and congratulations on your graduation.

RE: Education: Innovative, Multi-media, Hands-on

Ms_CongenialityHI — Sat, 17 May 2008 15:49:31 EDT

Aloha! This is not an endorsement of our candidate by the Vogel family or their sponsors, but I wanted to share this with everyone I can, as an example of what ordinary people can do to make learning relevant and exciting--and how our social networking can be an instrument in the process!

My family has been the owner/operators of an internet center for the past five years. Through the course of business, I have been in contact with a diverse social network throughout the world. One of these persons is Nancy Vogel, a school teacher whose family has embarked on some amazing adventures on bicycles. This year, they are leveraging the latest in technology and have received non-profit funding to provide school teachers, home-schoolers and families with geography lessons, and more, all along their route--from the northern most tip of Alaska to the southern most tip of Argentina! I hope you will distribute to colleagues, pass on to classroom teachers and share with your families: http://familyonbikes.org/

As I've said in previous posts here, Education has always been my issue, so I hope this helps the cause!

Carpooling (Ann Arbor, MI) to Indiana May 5th and/or 6th

saleemhuepenny — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:13:45 EDT

I have been trying to find an Official Obama canvassing event within 150 - 175 mi of Ann Arbor. I have not been successful in my search so far.

If 2-3 people are interested in traveling to Indiana this weekend, I am willing to drive (leaving from Ann Arbor, MI).

If you can locate an Official Obama event and are interested in carpooling please let me know. I stress "official" because in the event that we decide to stay overnight (May 5th), the Obama organizers can assist with housing search.

My email address is: saleemhuepenny@gmail.com

As we all know, this is a very important primary. Let's get on our feet and knock on some doors!

I hope to hear from some fellow Michiganders soon!

Wow, new awesome Obama music video!

Adam from New York, NY — Sat, 03 May 2008 18:32:48 EDT

http://www.superdeluxe.com/sd/contentDetail.do?id=D81F2344BF5AC7BB246AF3C6704C61F05588208BF172FBC2

The big hole in Clinton’s “electability” argument.

Steven — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:00:29 EDT

Hillary Clinton’s one remaining argument for why superdelegates should hand her the nomination over the insuperable lead that Barack Obama has in pledged delegates (earned after months of hard campaigning in actual contests) is that she can win and he cannot.

She bases this argument on the “fact” that she has won the primaries in the “big” states—New York, California etc.--and the “battleground” states—Ohio, Pennsylvania—that will be necessary for a Democrat to win the White House. She has also argued that Obama’s inability to attract the support of white, blue-collar workers (Reagan Democrats) means he will be a weak candidate when facing McCain. Both of these arguments are completely disingenuous, for much the same reason—Obama lost those states and so far has not won over a majority of those working-class voters (nor of women or the elderly) not because of his inability to attract them so much as her continuing to have the strong support and loyalty of enough of those voters (to win in Ohio and Pennsylvania). But in a general election Obama will not be facing Hillary Clinton but rather John McCain.

Assuming Hillary Clinton has the deep loyalty to the Democratic Party that she professes, the first thing she will do when conceding to Obama will be, or at least should be, graciously to urge her supporters and all those people who voted for her to rally behind Obama now. At that point Obama’s own “electability” strengths as concerns the key African-American constituency, those with college education, the young and independents (i.e. the reason why Clinton has lost), will be complemented by Clinton’s own--not quite as strong-- “electability” strengths among women, the elderly and blue-collar workers. That is a winning combination for November (with the deciding margin provided by Obama’s cross-party appeal).

As far as winning “big” states goes, it is already crystal clear that many of the “big” states that Clinton won, such as California, New York and Massachusetts are going to vote Democratic whoever the nominee is, so there the “electability” argument is a complete non-starter. Even in the “battleground” states, it depends which states you are talking about. Obama won Wisconsin, handily, and Missouri and Colorado, and he also has the advantage that he has put in play certain states, such as Virginia, that simply would not be on the table if Clinton were running.

There is an apparently stronger argument for Clinton in other, more traditional “battleground” states that she has won, but even there the context in which polling is being conducted at present makes any such argument a stretch, and a bit fatuous. Some current polls, for instance, showing Clinton stronger against McCain in states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania are simply a reflection of relative strengths in those states of the two candidates, including elements, I am sure, of gaming the system (so that, for instance, an Obama supporter might hypothetically claim to be for McCain when asked for a preference between Clinton and McCain, just to depress the numbers for Clinton—not that an Obama supporter would ever actually do such a thing, of course). Once the candidate is decided, one can expect the vast bulk of support for the losing candidate to shift over to the actual nominee. At that point Obama, who is in any case running fairly even with McCain also in the states that Clinton won recently (Ohio and Pennsylvania) should be able to take up much of Clinton’s advantage and pull ahead.

It could be, as they are currently claiming, that many Clinton supporters will not vote for Obama, but I think that is just resentment at having lost. Once the nominating campaign is over, most of Clinton’s supporters will come over to supporting Obama, because he is so much closer to Clinton’s positions on virtually every score than McCain is. Clinton, not surprisingly, has enjoyed a huge advantage among middle-aged and older women. Many if not most of this constituency will be on the women’s rights side of most social issues, including abortion and gender equality. Are such women going to vote for McCain, a candidate who has promised to continue to appoint conservative judges to the Supreme Court, to hack away at Roe v. Wade, or are they going to vote in droves for Obama, who is virtually identical with Clinton on such issues? Similarly, blue-collar workers and union members should want to vote for the one remaining candidate who backs extending union and workers’ rights; the elderly might want an old man like McCain in the presidential office, but if they care for their health benefits and preserving Social Security, then again, if they voted for Clinton, they would be somewhat irrational in not voting for Obama.

How much can disappointment at one’s candidate’s loss, assuming it is fair and square, go against one’s own interests and values when it comes to casting a vote?

One might add here that the operative words are “fair and square”, because I do not have the same confidence that the same rallying around would happen were the reverse to happen, and the superdelegates went against the pledged delegate tally and make Clinton the nominee. There would, in any case, be loud shouts of betrayal of the democratic (and Democratic) process, justifiably so in my opinion, and this would already cause a greater falling away of support for Clinton—possibly splitting the party. Even were this not the case, the fact is that the extra strengths that Obama brings are precisely the add-ons of a potentially dominant Democratic coalition. There is the African-American constituency, who will vote in large numbers, holding their noses, also for Clinton, but not in anywhere near the numbers that they would for Obama, and this could already be a crucial weakness for a Clinton campaign. Even more significant, though, is the fact that much of Obama’s success has come from energizing the young, at universities and in many other walks of life, as well as independents. The youth vote is notoriously fickle, and, with no Obama “movement” to keep them motivated, might well simply disappear from the electoral process come November; similarly Clinton is very weak among the sort of independent-minded voter for whom Obama’s “come together” theme has been so attractive. They also will not turn up in November in big numbers if Clinton is the candidate, or might well vote for the “straight talker” Mc Cain.

At the end of the day, the “electability” argument is a disingenuous argument, reeking of opportunistic exploitation of such distractions as the Wright spat. It distracts from the real question, the real choice, in this primary campaign: who is the best candidate, with the best policies, and with the best chance of uniting the country, enacting effective legislation, and becoming a president about whom all Americans can be proud? Clinton’s effort to muddy the waters about how superdelegates should vote does not change the fact that Obama will get the nomination because he has an insuperable lead among pledged delegates, and the superdelegates will, in a majority, realize they cannot buck the result of the actual primary campaigns. Once Obama is the nominee, support will coalesce around him, as it usually does in such contests. If he is given enough time to heal the rifts within the Party, and smooth the feathers of his opponent and her camp, he will then go on to the general election with a united party behind him, and most probably, given the parlous and perilous state of the country, go on to a landslide victory. It is not the “electability” at this point of the candidate that matters, but of the Democratic Party. In that sense, the earlier the Party can come together, end the drama of the polls and primaries, and reunite its forces on Obama and a platform for reform and change to benefit the People as opposed to the special interests and corporations who have for too long been running the show under Bush, the better off we all shall be. In a sentence: “End the drama; vote Obama!”

Humorus HuffPost Article: Not even Obama could save them from suspenstion!

EMK — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:39:39 EDT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/22/pennsylvania-students-ski_n_97954.htm

EMK

Michelle at Haverford College, PA

Madama Ambi — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:00:23 EDT

Taylor Barcroft is on the road and having technical difficulties posting to BO groups. So, I'm posting this for Taylor. Check out audio of Michelle podcast by Taylor.

From Taylor: I belong to a lot of groups but can't post from the road. Any you belong to will be helpful. I am Info@FutureMedia.org if that rings a bell. But unfortunately my Mac OS X mail client is stuck iin receive only mode while in PA, IN and KY for the next 5 weeks. Michelle Obama at Haverford College yesterday audio is already up and the video is currently uploading to be complete in about 45 minutes. I am sure anyone one any of the lists would love to see Michelle uncut. The flash video won't be up there for another several hours as that is a transcode done after the upload at Blip.tv. But for anyone with a fast connection and iTunes or an iPod the 388 MB 54.5 minute video is truly awesome and worth it.

Video of kids in a South Bronx high school

Rebecca from Pittsburgh, PA — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 23:07:42 EDT

I was really impressed with the kids who talked in this video. (If you haven't seen it, go the the home page of the Barack Obama website. It's on the first page on the right side.) They live in a part of our country where there are many poor, underpriveledged kids from troubled homes. Kids who think you have to belong to a gang or you are nobody, and many who have no hope for the future. They see in Barack Obama that there is hope for their future. They are feeling encouraged to reach for their dreams. for themselves and for our country. They feel empowered. To see Obama giving this kind of strength to these kids just makes me see how amazing this man really is.

Do You Care?

Asher Heimermann — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:24:49 EDT

I know you're busy, but I just wanted to check in with a quick reminder about a note I sent you earlier in the week. As I said before, I am an 8th Grade Student in Middle School.

I'm working hard to change not only our country but the political process itself by pursuing a personal fundraising goal for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

http://my.barackobama.com/asherheimermann

Will you take a moment to check out my personal page and consider making a donation? I want to show America that no matter if you are young or old, you can change the world.

By making a donation on my personal fundrasing page, you are showing me and others that you care about young people getting involved in politics. Senator Obama and I really need your help!

http://my.barackobama.com/asherheimermann

You are also welcome to check out my website. You are able to learn more about me and my weekly radio show that I host. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me at asher@asherheimermann.com.

Sign Up - Apr 19 Rally For Change

Disabled Vet 2000 — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:13:54 EDT

On April 19 Obama supporters all over the country (and even some expats and foreign supporters) will be holding Rallies for Change! Please sign up to the group on BarackObama.com - Nation For Change: Nationwide Rally Sat April 19.

We will be showing the voters of PA and other upcoming primaries that we support them. We are also showing America the incredible amount of support for the next President of the United States this movement has built.

This comes at a very important time. Pledged Delegates are being pressured to switch their support to Clinton even in states that he won by a landslide. We need to let them know that we expect them to support the candidate their voters chose - whether it's Obama or HRC. This will also get the attention of Super Delegates at a time when we need their support to show the party that we need to get together behind the nominee and stop party in-fighting.

Then head over to NationForChange.com to sign up for rallies in your state. We still need help organizing so you can be a leader in your community and let your voice be heard! Another site helping to organize these rallies and connect with other Obama supporters is ObamaBrigade.com.

If we get a good enough showing on April 19, I think we will be able to affect change in PA primaries, and possibly end this primary more quickly. We will show undecided voters how committed we are.

Be the change you want to see in the world! Yes We Can!

Bronx High School Students Write 'Yes We Can' Speeches

Anca — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:01:31 EDT

I have been very moved by this video from Bronx High School of Performance and Stagecraft. The teacher, Jackson Shafer, introduces the school as a really tough area of the South Bronx, and his students as facing the economic challenges and emotional traumas that result from growing up in a disadvantaged environment. But, fortunately, we can see the impact of Barack's inspirational message at all levels of our society. Watching these inner city kids articulate their feelings and unfold their thoughts in the light of Barack's transcending message has profoundly touched me.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1185304443?bctid=1478199102

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9IldaegAB0

Here is the address of the high school. I think the teacher, Jackson Shafer, deserves our kudos.

http://www.nycboe.net/SchoolPortals/12/X262/default.htm

FLY OUT TO SUPPORT OBAMA

Zach Crawford — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:19:41 EDT

Your support is needed! I have 18 students from Stanford, CA that are experienced and willing to travel for the last week of the Pennsylvania Primary. We are looking for donations of airline miles or the purchase of tickets for these super stars! Please join this event: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rd8y And message me with anything you can do to help. Any amount of money can help.

What should Obama do for Working Mothers?

Obama for President — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:50:26 EDT

Today look like a way better day, for our campaign than ever. The numbers look good, all the people are energized, infants, teenagers, adults are all interested and exited about the Obama’s movement. I am a graduate student, a homeowner and a new mother. I have embraced all the plans that Obama is putting forward for the whole nation’s benefit. But there is a population I am concern about the working mothers, because, for instance when you are a non working family in California, there is a Calwork programs that help you with baby sitting your kids for free, you have housing programs and so fourth, which I thought is great, but when you are a working struggling mother with little income, the state offer no programs to help with baby sitting though it is the most expensive expense in families.

Ok, does anyone know what obama plans for working mothers are? Does anyone have a proposal?

Video: Bronx students say "Yes we can"

Kate Albright-Hanna — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:51:48 EDT

At the beginning of the school year, Bronx high school teacher Jackson Shafer says his students were beyond apathetic about politics - many couldn't even name the Vice President.

But something happened around the time of the Iowa caucuses - a realization that they were living in the middle of history, that change was possible and they had a role to play in making it happen.

Shafer says his students started coming to school early - and even suggested an extra homework assignment inspired by Barack Obama's "Yes We Can" speech after the New Hampshire primary.

Freshman Anna Boateng performed her speech for the class, beginning: "People say that South Bronx kids will never amount to anything, but I say, 'Yes We Can.'"

On the same day I filmed their speeches, Barack was delivering his speech about racial reconciliation in Philadelphia. The Bronx students took up the challenge to talk about race and how their generation is already breaking down old barriers.

Here's their story:

Defending my Candidate's Role

Vivian — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:34:43 EDT

While I had lunch today at the school I teach in Florida, I ran accross this email sent to me by a colleague who was concerned about an inapropriate email circulating our private, educational email system. I was shocked! Read his email and then my response.

Philadelphia-area students hold a mock election

Soldierette!! (CENSORED) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:24:12 EDT

Philadelphia-area students hold a mock election

By Jeff Gammage
Inquirer Staff Writer

High school senior Meghan Devonshire has set up the voting area between two competing bake sales in the cafeteria - smart politics, as the sugary aroma of cupcakes and chocolate-chip cookies draws students her way.

"Shana, vote!" Devonshire calls to a friend, who ambles over.

On a table are slips of paper, blank but for the names of candidates who are running or have run for president this year - Clinton, Obama, McCain, Huckabee, Paul.

The mock election is a precursor to April 22, when many students from Garnet Valley High School will cast their first real votes in a Pennsylvania primary that, for once, may decide the Democratic nominee.

"Where's Ralph Nader?" a student asks, looking over the ballot.

"He dropped out," somebody answers.

Actually, somebody else corrects, Nader just dropped in.

"Can we vote?" asks Leah Coan, 17, tugging on the arm of her boyfriend, Tom Winter.

"Absolutely," Devonshire answers.

Whom do they favor?

"John McCain," they answer simultaneously.

At 18, Devonshire, "Viv" to her friends, is no stranger to activism. Last year, she was among four young women who won a settlement stemming from a 2005 incident at a Barnes & Noble store - they were tossed out of the store where Sen. Rick Santorum was promoting his book.

She organized the mock election because she wants students to get involved. And she wonders how the voting will turn out.

Garnet Valley is a 1,400-student school in Glen Mills, a Delaware County community of old farmhouses, rolling hills and impressive wealth. Nearly everyone graduates, nearly everyone goes to college, nearly everyone is white.

An hour before the voting is to start, two dozen students gather in a classroom for a meeting of their group, Speak Up. The discussion moves from censorship to sex education before turning to politics.

"Everyone seems to pick their favorite candidate, but they don't really know what the person stands for," says 16-year-old Isabella Fehlandt.

"It's like a high school popularity contest," agrees Joseph Morris, 15.

Most of the students were 8 or 9 when George W. Bush was elected president. He's all they know. That, and endless, to-the-death war between Democrats and Republicans.

Wajeeha Choudhary, an 18-year-old senior poised to vote for the first time, is excited about Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

"It's almost unfair," she says, "because I want both."

One woman says that even though she's liberal, she respects John McCain enough to vote for a Republican.

"Don't do it!" someone calls out, provoking laughter.

"I was talking to my mom," Morris resumes, "and she was really scared, because she thought I was a Republican. But of the three, I like him the best. He seems the most grounded."

The first of three lunch periods is ending, and with it the first third of the voting. A few stragglers head out into the hallway, books in hand.

"I voted 'undecided,' " says Barathi Chinnappan, 16.

About 50 students have cast ballots. Over the next two periods, 140 more will follow.

The results?

Arnold Schwarzenegger gets a write-in vote. So does Nader. And Mitt Romney and Bob Dole. One student voted for Darth Vader.

Obama wins easily with 81 votes. McCain is second with 56, Clinton a distant third with 20. Paul gets 16 and Huckabee 8.

"I was a little bit disappointed by our turnout," Devonshire says. "I was also surprised that Barack Obama came out on top of John McCain. We live in a fairly conservative area, a fairly Republican area. I guess it shows how well he sits with teenagers."

To Geraldine Ferraro - Why I Support Barack Obama

Stageplay — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:39:38 EDT

Geraldine Ferraro has said that Barack Obama is lucky to be where he is, and that if he were white or were a woman he more than likely would not be where he is. I must disagree with this.

I would not care if Obama were white, brown, yellow, red, female or gay. I have not decided to support him based on any of these parameters. I read of women who support Hillary because she is a woman...that is not a good reason to support a candidate. I read of blacks who support Obama because he is black...that is not a good reason to support a candidate. I am a Republican who recently changed my registration to Unaffiliated because finally, after all these years, I have grown disgusted with the policies of the Republican Party. Lately, I have also seen little to like about the Democratic Party. I have decided to support Barack Obama, and I have contributed to his campaign, for several reasons, some of which I list here:

International Support for Obama- A Finnish Perspective

Nicolet — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:53:22 EDT

I have always loved travelling and learning about other cultures. When I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, last year, I was able to meet many of people from all around the world. It was truly eye-opening getting to see an outside perspective of Americans, the U.S. government, and our society. Sadly, there were far more people who expressed their bitterness than there were supporters, or allies. It was at that point that I truly realized how important that it is that as Americans we need to consider other opinions, and we need to consider there is a world outside of our borders. It's amazing how much people from other places pay attention to global issues, and sometimes, it's disheartening to have to admit that we have become almost too "stuck up" to consider the world outside our borders. One person I became good friends with was a 25 year old from Oulu, Finland. His name is Ilkka Jussila, and he was studying abroad in Madrid at the same time I was. As a worldly student of International Relations and Political Science, he has paid particular attention to American politics, especially after recent controversies in the past few General Elections. Having studied abroad at Clarion College in Clarion, Pennsylvania, he has been able to gain somewhat of an insider's perspective of our country and culture, our attitudes, convictions, and passions.

In February, he messaged me on Facebook, asking me how proud I've been that Obama has been doing so well in the primary season. Of course, I conveyed my satisfaction and duh-he-rocks-attitude. I asked him if he'd been following the race at all so far, and the following was what he wrote back to me. I found it to be truly inspirational that someone nearly half-way around the world found it so important that Obama succeed and win his spot in Office. And not just for Americans, but for the world. Enjoy this international perspective on the race and it's importance, by Ilkka Jussila of Oulu, Finland:

"Well, I've been following US politics since what happened in Florida in 2000, you know that. The last 2 elections were basically just general elections for me so this is the first time I've been watching news of the primaries daily. I must say that your country's politics, it's so far (different) from ours... it's strange for me how things like God and Populism are so important there. I fully understand it though, I've [lived there for a year]. That's how it goes so I have to adjust.

Last year I thought about what needs to be done there for me to be able to like the U.S.(not Americans, but the country) again, to be able to respect your government’s decisions, and to fully understand the mindset behind it. I thought about Iraq and oil, Iran, and controlling the world with armies all around the globe. I also thought about ending the corruption, corporationalism, media and all that stuff. I basically concluded that money runs your country and decisions are made in order to gain it, instead of to make it a better place. (And this is coming from a guy whose country has been the least corrupted country in the world in past years!)

At that time, I thought Ron Paul was making some very good points but at the same time I knew his chances were really really slim. Even though he's Republican and your left is righter than our right, he was the man for my taste. The second best option for me was Obama --or maybe he really was the best then already-- my main concern was your foreign policy. Obama has, for my view, better solutions to your problems than Paul, but the foreign policy mattered most for me then.

Now, I've been following Obama's race and I'm hoping he can convert Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio at least a bit so that Cinton doesn't win by too large of a margin. I really want Obama to win the elections. Then my "hope" would return; Clinton is for money, Obama...he's for me. Not just you and your country, but the rest of the world also. She is not as bad as people believe she is (voting record amongst other things), but she doesn't have as good of a chance to beat McCain as Obama does.

I just watched Obama's victory speech from Wisconsin, and although it was pretty much the same as before, his popularity rises the further the race goes...so I'm hoping those 9 victories in a row would help him catch Clinton so that McCain could be beaten. That guy doesn't even know what he stands for! “I'm sure I have take a position on it before, let me get back to you about what it was.” How idiotic can a guy be if he's so into the image-building that he can't even think for himself? Forget that...you have a chance to become a decent part of the world if your guy wins, I'll tell you that much!"

Printable "Students for Obama" Signs

Dan — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:45:56 EST

Here is a ready-to-print 8½ by 11 inch "Students for Obama" sign I put together. Print some out and tape them up in your car, in your house or dorm, give them to other supporters or use them as signs! Email your friends and family asking them to do the same!

Also, be sure to check out our growing collection of signs, wallpapers, etc. at obamamedia.wordpress.com.

Veterans Are Asking for Your Help

Michael Kotyk — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:34:43 EST

My name is Mike Kotyk. I am a recently retired veteran of the US Navy. I was deployed in support of the Iraq War twice; during the initial invasion of 2003 and again over the winter of 2004-2005. In regards to the Iraq War, the Bush Administration has lied not only to the people of this country but to the very soldiers, the young men and women, he sent overseas to topple the Iraqi government. I am a member of the IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America) and the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). There are few veterans who support the War in Iraq. Those of us who are returning are speaking out against it. The history between college students and those who serve the military has always been a tenuous one. We've fought on opposite ends and rarely have seen things eye to eye. Yet, in a ironic twist of fate, we find ourselves on the same side fighting for the same reasons.

I am not alone in my assessment that the Iraq War is, as Senator Obama calls it, "a stupid war". It has already cost the lives of over 4,000 of my fellow comrades in arms. 4,000 people who will never go to college or see their children grow up to adulthood. We do our duty because we promise, we give an oath, to do so. For our loyalty, we have found zero evidence of weapons of mass destruction, no ties to Al-Qaeda and we are now embroiled squarely in the middle of a civil war. We've been betrayed.

Alum Waiting to Help in PA

Cliff Sharples — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:33:42 EST

Pittsburgh will be a key battleground in the upcoming primary in April. Is there a way for you guys to grow a movement and virally get hundreds of students and faculty to join the cause, organize using this group, and serve as a central hub for activity in the Pittsburgh area? Also, can you align with a similar group at Pitt down the road?

I am a 1986 grad willing to help, though I am tucked away in Washington State.

Let's get PUMPED UP to spread Obama's message of hope, common sense, sound judgment, compassion and inspiration to Pittsburgh and beyond so we can end this nominating contest!

Yes We Can - a cappella version

Leah from Lynnwood, WA — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:53:32 EST

This version of Yes We Can was arranged by students. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l07COcgwmXU