Posts with the tag hq-voices-for-change

Voices For Change: Nicole in Georgia

Sarah Ramey — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:33:48 EST

If you're watching the electoral map, an amazing thing is happening. Some states that started off a deep red, have steadily gone in the last few weeks from red to pink to purple, and in the last few days, are even starting to look a little blue.

Georgia is one of them.

Meet Nicole -- mother of 2-year-old Gavin and eight-week-old Hayden, small business owner, and one of the extraordinary volunteers we can thank for Georgia's dramatic transformation.

Even with a newborn, Nicole knows how important this election is and has found the time to canvass, host a Call For Change party, donate -- and most importantly to her, she registered her husband.

Here's Nicole in her own words:

I’ve been an avid fan of Meet The Press for many years. I first became aware of Barack Obama when I saw him appear on Meet The Press. I was struck by how thoughtful, composed, and straightforward he seemed.
Our country is at a critical juncture. We have the opportunity to elect someone who is intelligent and thoughtful about the interests of our nation, and speaks to the dreams and aspirations of so many of us. Now is the time to get out and get involved. It’s time to return honor and admiration to the United States’ reputation in the world. It’s time to create a moment where we can all make our country a better and more prosperous place. It’s time to help elect Barack Obama.

Please pick up the phone, and give Nicole a hand.

You can redraw the electoral map.

Get out the vote:

Voices for Change: Eli in Fairway, Kansas

Molly Claflin — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:35:06 EST

After 10 years in the Air Force flying a C-130 Hurcules, Eli in Fairway, Kansas, got back from his fourth tour in Iraq and went right to work on the ground for Obama.

“When I got out of the Air Force, I was hungry get politically involved and to push ethics back into government. That’s a big thing Barack Obama was talking about.”

Eli, 33, and his new wife Erin had intended to take some time to travel after his Air Force service. But instead, they soon found themselves going full throttle organizing Kansas for Obama.

They first became precinct captains, then volunteer organizers, and eventually both were elected regional delegates. Eli was even elected as an alternate delegate to the National Convention. There goes his vacation time.

But for Eli, it’s all worth it.

It’s a lot of work, but I’ve gotten a lot out of it – the people I’ve met in my community and neighborhood have been amazing, and many have become good friends. It’s cool to get people out of their houses and off their front porches to actually go out and make a difference.

He first realized this election was different during the caucus:

The caucus here in February was during a blizzard. But in my location, we had more people show up in one caucus location than had showed up statewide in 2004. We re-registered over 1,000 Republicans to vote for Barack. There was a line a mile long to get in but no one complained. People don’t usually show up for Democratic functions in Kansas.

The enthusiasm he saw for Barack made Eli want to get even more involved.

I’ve never been politically involved in my life at all. I wanted to serve the military out of patriotism. But later I was disturbed that there was no justifiable reason for being in Iraq. I started questioning our politicians and I wanted answers. I think voters have a responsibility to demand that from our leaders.

The military decisions affect my family in a huge way. While dating my now-wife, I was deployed four times. The effect of the war on our military families is something we really need to consider. The role of the commander and chief is to set the tone and the mission for the military. I think Obama understands that and will provide strong leadership. There is no easy solution in Iraq, so good leadership is crucial. I like Obama’s stance on Iraq and the integrity he has shown on the issue.

Eli says that public service is something we should definitely look for in a commander and chief.

I respect McCain’s service, but Obama’s community service is important as well. One of the things I will try to teach my kids is to do some sort of service out of high school or college. It could be helping out in neighborhoods like Obama. The idea of giving two years of service to serve your community or that country is a great way to help people pay for college. I went right into the service out of college, and I really respect that Obama returned to serve his community.

Eli is also concerned about veterans benefits for those he served alongside.

We need to take care of the veterans and the families of wounded servicemen. It affects out county for generations. We need to learn from Vietnam and take care of the wounded veterans who need our help. Obama has some good ideas.

As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Obama has a strong record of working for veterans, including passing legislation to improving care and backing the 2008 G.I. Bill. Barack Obama and Joe Biden have a plan to take care of America's veterans. From expanding and strengthening VA care, to improving mental health and traumatic brian injury treatment, the Obama-Biden plan puts veterans first. Learn more about the Obama-Biden plan to help veterans.

If, like Eli, you’re hungry to get involved in the political process and bring strong leadership back to Washington, join our grassroots movement and volunteer to make a difference.

Voices for Change is a series featuring profiles of Barack Obama's grassroots supporters from across the nation. The people who make up this movement come from all different backgrounds, but they share a common goal of helping bring about fundamental change in Washington.

Voices For Change: Brian in Wisconsin

Sarah Ramey — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:07:11 EDT

Brian has lived all over the electoral map. Born in Minnesota, he moved with his dairy herdsman father and family to Wisconsin and then Illinois. From there, onto Nebraska, then Washington, Ohio, North Dakota, and finally back to Wisconsin. And now, having lived in so many states -- as many red states as blue -- Brian has a good sense of what this country really looks like: purple.

And there's a Senator who really agrees with him.

"I started early looking for the best candidate to get us moving to where we need to go. I found Barack's positions all very compatible with my own and his personality to be outstanding."

There are specific "purple" issues that Brian thinks the whole country could get behind, and energy independence is one of them. As a landscape construction worker employed by a Wisconsin forest preserve, he knows that an energy-independent United States would be good for the environment -- and not only that, it would increase our national security as well. By creating over 5 million new green collar jobs, it's also a much-needed boost to our economy. This bipartisan issue is at the center of Barack Obama's campaign, and that's one reason Brian got motivated to get out there and help.

I have worked on three walk lists in my local area -- and it's a little hard at first to go knock on a stranger's door. But, I've found that it's actually interesting to meet neighbors I would never have any other reason to meet. Most people I have talked with have been nice, and some are really enthusiastic about their support.
I have another walk list that I am anxious to start because I still see the polls put Wisconsin in the toss-up category. We can do much better to show our support of a sane and prosperous future by getting behind the only candidate that makes any sense.

With the clock ticking down, and so many states in the toss-up category, now is the time to join Brian by knocking on some doors in your own neighborhood -- or making calls to someone else's neighborhood!

As Brian put it, thinking about the future of this country:

I can barely wait to get started fixing this mess.

Let's get started now.

Make calls. Knock on doors.

Elect Barack Obama as the next President of the United States.

Voices for Change: Sashi in Virginia

Sarah Ramey — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:21:44 EDT

"Barack Obama is the first global citizen to run for President of the United States."

When Sashi first read Dreams From My Father, she couldn't believe how much she could relate. If you're Sashi, it's not every day you find a candidate running for President who has lived in Indonesia, like you, who was raised by a family that valued education and hard work above everything, like you, and who chose community organizing and social service over other jobs on Wall Street -- just like you.

Sashi recommended the book to everyone she knew.

"Growing up in the developing world gives you an understanding of poverty that is impossible to grasp otherwise. We live in an increasingly global community, and Barack Obama is exactly the right person to lead this country, and other countries, into the new interconnected age."

30-year-old Sashi was originally born in Sri Lanka and came to the United States when she was 6. Her family left their country because it was in a state of war. Once they got to South Florida, Sashi says she watched her family live the American Dream.

We didn't live in the best of neighborhoods, but my parents instilled in us strong values and an appreciation for education. They helped us improve ourselves simply through hard work and school. My sister and I went to public schools our entire lives until we both received scholarships to college. In college, I became involved in social change and mobilizing people to advocate for the betterment of their communities.
Reading Senator Obama's memoir, I understood why he stayed in Chicago and could appreciate some of the difficulties he faced in learning his own identity. I also know how hard it is to choose a career, such as his in community organizing, that is not lucrative and is outside the norm. He did these things because he felt he had to.

And Sashi herself went on to do work that needed to be done, leading a group of students on a HIV/AIDS peer education trip throughout South India after college, interning with the World Organization Against Torture, working in an NGO for 2 years in microfinance, and working on economic development issues in Sri Lanka. When she read Senator Obama's first book, she found someone as committed to the same principles she valued -- and so, what seems like ages ago, started recommending the memoir to anyone who might listen.

But she knew that wasn't enough.

During the primaries and over the summer, Sashi got seriously involved in the campaign and canvassed in Pennsylvania and also Northern Virginia, where she currently lives. She recruited lots of friends to join her in canvassing and phone banking and she also donated to the campaign.

I've been a pretty outspoken advocate of Senator Obama, because I want people to know that his supporters are not afraid to talk politics and not afraid to confront the major issues. If we can't talk about these things then are we really informed voters?

Now with only six days to go, Sashi and thousands of other Virginian and Floridian volunteers are making the final push to prove, as she says, "that grassroots movements and communities CAN have a voice in government."

Every door knocked is one step closer to electing the first President to inspire our nation to be global citizens and local community organizers; a President who knows that the American Dream is alive in red states and blue states; in public schools and private schools; and on the main streets of small towns everywhere, from South Florida to Northern Virginia.

Vote Hope.

And get out there:

Voices for Change: Mary in Iowa

Molly Claflin — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:23:15 EDT

Last Christmas, Mary, 43, from Lisbon, Iowa could only think of one thing she really wanted: “a new president, with new ideas.” So she sent out a pre-Christmas email asking her friends and family to give her Christmas “gift” to the campaign in the form of a donation. Her loved ones were happy to go along with it and Mary was excited by the results. So excited, in fact, that she did the same thing for her birthday a few months later.

Mary set a personal goal of $500, and has so far raised $587 from 26 individual donors. But she’s not going to stop there. Mary is keeping her fundraising page up through the election, and has been spending all the time she can spare canvassing and volunteering.

In fact, a registered nurse and SEIU member, Mary was on her way to knock on doors in a neighboring town when we called her.

I’ve always been an independent voter, but after I saw how far off we were going as a country, I felt like it was time for me to pick a side and get involved. I started looking into the candidates, and being an Iowa voter, we get to see these folks up close and personal a lot. Barack was also such a kind, genuine person. He was someone who understands and will work for the average person.

Though she had never donated to a campaign before, Mary started her own personal fundraising page back in December and has kept it up ever since, periodically asking friends and family to contribute. Most of them donated at first for her Christmas and birthday gifts, but Mary says many of them have continued to donate.

Though she’s a single mom with a special-needs son, Mary has almost maxed out herself on donations.

I’ve done most of my donating through other people’s personal fundraising pages. It’s a nice way to dedicate something to a person and help Barack. It’s the idea of realizing that it’s not about me, or you, or Barack Obama – it’s about where the country is going if we don’t do this.
To bring people into the movement and get them involved in the first place is my goal. I know that the campaign is not taking lobbyists’ money, so Barack is relying on us. And we’re relying on him to do for us what he can And that’s what it’s all about – teamwork. When he’s elected, we’ll work together to heal this country.

Join Mary and our team of millions of supporters by getting involved today.

Voices for Change: Helen in California

Molly Claflin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:52:35 EDT

“I have been donating to Obama's campaign since January,” says Helen in Toluca Lake, California. “However, I was hesitant to set up a personal fundraising page; it's just hard to ask friends for money – especially when times are tight."

"But, I believe so strongly in Obama-Biden and the change they will bring to this country that I had to do all I could for the campaign. So, I decided that I was asking my friends to make an investment in their future, and set a fundraising goal of $1,000.”

A short time later, Helen has raised $3,375.

I was blown away. I was in tears when I checked my page and saw the contributions.

Helen has been involved with the campaign since the primaries, phonebanking and even traveling to Pennsylvania and Colorado to knock on doors.

Helen decided volunteer for Obama because:

I just felt like I could do it. I felt like this was an investment and my future and the future of my country. I don’t live in a vacuum; I live in the United States of America. Everything that happens affects me.

Helen says she supports Barack because “I really believe that he can make a difference. I haven’t been involved in politics since I was in college in the 60s. I never worked on a campaign before, and never donated to a candidate – but I really believe in Obama.”

America needs to be going in a different direction, and I believe Barack can lead up to that change. But the only way he can do it is if he wins this election. And that’s up to us.

Join Helen and be part of bringing Barack’s change to Washington. We've only got eight days left to make a difference.

Voices for Change: Renee in Georgia

Sarah Ramey — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:04:07 EDT

Whether you're Joe the Plumber, Renee the Computer Technician, or Sarah the Blogger -- you're concerned about your taxes. With good reason.

That's why Barack Obama has a tax plan that lowers taxes for Joe, Renee, bloggers everywhere and another 95% of working Americans.

But as Renee knows well: a lot of people only know what they hear in the negative ads on television.

The McCain campaign has been relentless about repeating misinformation about Barack Obama's tax plan. But the good news is: what's going to happen to your tax rate is actually very clear. Senator Obama's plan is undeniably better for the average working class American. When I meet people who think Obama is going to raise their taxes, I don't just tell them it's not true -- I send them links to any number of non-partisan tax calculator sites that will do the math for them. All of the people I've done this for find they'll have lower taxes with Barack Obama as their President. I know I will.

By now Renee, a proud single mother of an adopted daughter, has done enough volunteer work for Barack Obama that she knows what voters want: facts, not attacks. So when she phonebanks to swing states all over the country -- states like Virginia, Pennsylvania and Colorado -- she's ready with the facts. She tells them about Barack's healthcare plan which will lower costs for working families and cover every child in America. She talks about Barack's plans to rejuvenate the middle class. And she sends Barack's pamphlet outlining all the issues, "Blueprint for Change" to anyone who's interested in learning more about the specific topics they care about most.

I'm 46 years old and I've always voted. But I've never done anything like this.

In addition to phonebanking, Renee has been hosting house parties for Barack since the primaries and here's how she says you do it:

1) Post your event online at My.BarackObama.com.

2) Sit back.

3) Watch as 10, 20, 30 people from all walks of life show up at your home to talk about Barack Obama.

In Renee's experience, she saw everyone from college students to senior citizens to neighbors she didn't even know she had.

What's so important about Obama is that he inspires regular people to get involved. That's the best thing about him. And not just volunteering -- I think people are really thinking about government differently. The dirty name of politics might not be so dirty when he's done -- people might even look at those types of office as honest again.

And in fact, the best evidence she has to back up that idea is right in her own living room:

If my ten-year-old daughter walks into a room and he's on TV speaking, she stops and listens to him. I like the fact that he is making public service honorable. I like the fact that my daughter can look at him and his family and see people that look like her and that have worked very hard and are doing what they believe to be best for this country. It encourages me to see in her eyes the possibility that she really can do anything no matter what her race or gender.

You still have time to make sure Barack Obama is elected President of the United States. Join Renee, her daughter, electricians, plumbers, shoe salesmen, secretaries, store clerks, teachers and hard working Americans all across this country who are volunteering for change.

Voices for Change: Shawn in Tempe, Arizona

Molly Claflin — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:27:21 EDT

Shawn in Tempe, Arizona knows firsthand the issues surrounding the Iraq War.

At age 25, Shawn has already completed five years as an active duty marine, some of that time spent fighting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Though he left the Marines, Shawn has remained connected to the military, now serving in the National Guard.

I think we need to withdraw as soon and as much as possible from Iraq. I’ve seen that it’s not a militarily winnable situation. I have not been to Afghanistan, but it’s obvious we need more troops there, and it should be the central front of the war on terror.

Shawn is very concerned with foreign policy in this election.

We need to get out of this unilateral, go-it-alone attitude.

He’s also concerned about domestic issues as well.

We should be concerned about the justices on the Supreme Court and fiscal policy. I think Barack has the right ideas on both those fronts. I’m not an economics major, but it’s pretty clear John McCain isn’t either.

Since returning from Iraq, Shawn has enrolled as a pre-med student at Arizona State University (ASU). He says the new GI Bill proposed by the Democrats was a huge reason to support Obama.

It’s pretty impossible to go to school full time and pay bills on the $1,250 per month the current GI Bill gives veterans.

Barack Obama has a plan to help every American student afford to go to college. For veterans like Shawn, Barack supported the 2008 GI Bill, which increases education benefits for our veterans. For other students, Obama’s plan will give a $4000 annual refundable tax credit to every American student, which will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. In exchange, students would be required to perform 100 hours of community service – ensuring that students are not only learning in the classroom, but are learning valuable lessons through serving their communities at the same time. Learn more: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/education/.

Shawn says he’s encouraged by the Obama support he sees on the ASU campus.

There’s a lot of Obama support. We’re not all awash in a sea of red.

Despite trying to make ends meet and pay for school on his veteran’s benefits, Shawn still found it in his budget to contribute to the campaign.

If the candidate I support needs by help, I feel like I need to do my part.

Join Shawn and do your part to support bringing change to Washington.

Voices for Change: Phillip in McGregor, Iowa

Molly Claflin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:06:37 EDT

Philip is a 59-year-old dairy farmer in McGregor, Iowa. He’s also a fervent Obama supporter.

“I support him because of the way he carries himself,” Philip says. “Obama has the perfect temperament and judgment for the job of president. He’s the kind of person that if things get tense, you know he’s the one everyone else in the room would look to. He’s a natural leader.”

Philip has not only donated to the campaign, but volunteered by walking neighborhoods in McGregor and registering everyone he can to vote.

I try to be part of the team. I set a personal goal of getting 100 new votes for the Democrats. It sounds simple – but that’s a lot! I plan to knock on about 1500 doors to do it. And when I’m at the gas pump or at the grocery store or in line at the post office, I always ask people if they’re registered to vote, and talk to them about Obama. I carry voter registration forms with me wherever I go.

Philip lives with his wife of 34 years on a 495-acre farm that’s also home to 170 dairy cows. Philip, who likes to hunt and fish in his spare time, is especially proud of his son who is a senior at Louisiana State University.

He says the recent flooding in the Midwest is still one of the biggest problems in his home town.

There’s lots of flood damage in our county. Whole neighborhoods were wiped out and there’s no rebuilding yet. The floods made me really concerned about global warming. I want my government working on that! But I know Obama’s concerned about global warming as well.

Philip says that energy is another major concern in his part of Iowa.

Our economy is terrible right now. But at lot of farmers see renewable energy – like ethanol -- as a way to revitalize our rural economy. McCain opposes ethanol, but Barack has said he wants to renew the rural economy through renewable energy. I think he can make a big difference for a lot of people out here by investing in renewable energy.

Barack has a plan to end America's dependence on foreign oil by investing in renewable alternatives like wind, solar, clean coal andd ethanol. The Obama-Biden plan will not only help build the ecconomy in rural communities, but these alternative energy sources will provide more than 5 million well-paying American jobs. Read more about Barack's energy plan.

Join Philip and make a difference in your community by contributing to the Obama movement for change.

Voices for Change: Veronica in Florida

Molly Claflin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:27:34 EDT

Veronica in Palm Beach, Florida, just made a donation to Barack Obama.

“This is my third,” she says. “Though I wish it could be more. I am one of those people caught up in this housing debacle, and am a single mom struggling to take care of my 95-year-old grandmother. I also cared for my mother, who just passed away in May.”

Veronica has trouble paying the bills on her teacher salary.

I cannot make ends meet, and that is a fact. I wouldn't be in this mess right now, had I not needed money for medical bills for my mother. The way it stands now, my family home will go into foreclosure.

The health care system is a major issue for Veronica in this election.

My mother, who just passed away from the many complications from diabetes and kidney failure, wanted Barack Obama to be President more than anything in this world. She so wanted to cast that vote before she passed away. But the health care system definitely let her down, and I could write volumes on how we need to do so much more for the seniors who cared for us.

Veronica says that just about every issue in the election affects her. As a mother and teacher, she’s concerned about education. As a woman, women’s issues concern her. And with a cousin serving in Afghanistan, she’s concerned about the war and our soldier’s abroad.

I accept responsibility for my life, but I realize that we are in need of change more than ever. I have so much hope for Senator Obama, and this is one time where I place all of my support toward Senators Obama and Biden.

Veronica has a message for undecided voters:

I have seen the dedication and passion that Senator Obama exhibits for working for the American people. I wish there was one thing I could say about Senator Obama to cause undecided voters to cast a vote on his behalf: We have had 8 years of failure after failure. Step up and make a stand to make a difference in the current situation. Be bold enough to trust someone who passionately promises to help us!

Now, Veronica’s volunteering for change.

You too can step up and make a stand. Contact your local campaign office or sign on to Neighbor to Neighbor to contact voters in your community. It’s time to get out the vote, and you can make all the difference.

And join Veronica, and make a contribution today to make a difference for four more years.

Voices for Change: Amos in Minnesota

Molly Claflin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:48:35 EDT

When Amos became a United States citizen a little over a year ago, he didn’t wait long to get involved in politics; as soon as his nearby Obama office opened, Amos was there and ready to do what he could.

Amos started volunteering for Obama, knocking on doors and hosting campaign events at his home. And this November, he is excited to cast his first presidential vote for Barack Obama.

Amos, 35, came to the United States from Kenya in 1997. With a wife, two young daughters, and a small business, Amos is living the American dream he dreamed of growing up in Kenya.

When I was growing up, everyone saw America as the land of opportunity. And it is. To vote means a lot to me. It means this country really is the land of opportunity. If you come here with the right mindset and work hard, opportunities are wide open for everyone. As someone who has been here for 10 years, I see how good and unselfish the American people are, and am proud to be a part of it.

For an immigrant, to have a man running for president who is the son of an African immigrant is inspiring. I see my children in him; he is an inspiration to us all. It is amazing that in this country my children have the same opportunity as everyone else. If they work for it, anything is possible here.

In this election, Amos is most concerned about healthcare. He owns his own small business and was proud that his wife was able to stay home and care for their toddler children.

But at one point my wife fell sick, and my children fell sick, and I couldn’t make enough to cover the medical expenses. Healthcare has almost taken my family down.

Amos took a second job just to help pay for health insurance, and his wife had to go back to work.

He is also concerned about American’s image in the world.

I would like to see someone in that office who will restore the image of the country back to what it was when I was young and everyone looked up to America – not because of its military might, but as a country that would always go the extra mile to help on many levels, like human rights and medicine.

Amos hopes Barack will restore America to that place of opportunity, and is doing all he can to help Barack win in November.

I’ve donated what I can to the campaign every month, and I volunteer. I can’t understand why anyone could sit on the sidelines. Politics affects the future of my children. Being an American is not just about going to work and putting food on the table – working on the campaign and voting is part of my civil duty. This is one of the privileges of being a citizen of this country.

There are so many people across the world who would love to participate in the democratic process and they don’t have the opportunity. For me to be here where I can freely express my political opinion is amazing, and a privilege.

Join Amos and don’t sit on the sidelines – volunteer, donate, vote, and help Amos restore America to the land of opportunity admired around the world.

Voices for Change: John in Sterling, Ohio

Molly Claflin — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:03:12 EDT

John, 61, of Mt. Sterling, Ohio (population 1,600) used to be a heavy equipment operator until an old, leaking gas tank on his land changed his life. The large underground tank had been leaking gas into the groundwater for years, poisoning John’s family until John developed Multiple Sclerosis and the culprit was found. Since then, John has become an activist for getting harmful toxins out of family farms.

I used not to care about stuff like the environment. But when you get bitten by it, you really start to care.

He says many of his neighbors in the community have gotten sick because of the same problem on their lands.

John lives on a 650 acre farm that grows soybeans, corn, and green crops. With two grown children and two young grandchildren, John says his new hobby is “spoiling my grandkids.”

He’s a registered Republican, but John joined the Obama campaign early on, and has made donations to the campaign.

Obama is different – he’s genuinely compassionate for the individual. We need someone in government at the top who has new ideas and new ways of treating people. We need someone who realized who he works for – us! Obama understands that.

John says the economy and healthcare concerns are ravaging rural voters.

People around here can’t afford healthcare. My sister is 57 years old, has a neurological disease and just lost her job. She’s fought for seven years to get on Social Security Disability. She paid into it her whole life, and now she doesn’t have enough to pay her bills. There’s no safety net for these people anymore. Our government should be there to protect us and help us. People need to start caring about each other again.

He says the economy is also hurting rural families.

The economy here is devastated. It’s painful to look in the newspaper every day and see 20 homes in the county that foreclosed. It’s the homes these families have lived in for years, and the kids grew up in. What does that do to our kids? It just breaks my heart.

Barack has a plan to help American families in the struggling economy. Barack's tax plan will cut taxes for 95 percent of workers and families and give them the relief they need. Seniors making less than $50,000 per year won't pay any income taxes at all.

And you can learn more about Barack's specific plan for rural America here.

People here are just hoping for change.

I want a government that cares about people, and I think that’s what we’ll get with Obama. This could be a new day in American government, and I feel good about that.

Join John and our grassroots movement of people trying to create a government that cares about real Americans.

Voices For Change: Helaine in South Carolina

Sarah Ramey — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:40:23 EDT

After months of phonebanking for Obama, Helaine had an epiphany.

A phone solicitor selling something or other called, and he asked if he could have a moment of my time.
I said sure. If I could have a moment of his.

She's been educating phone solicitors ever since. "That's our thing, right? One voter at a time!" she says, laughing.

Helaine is "a 63-year-old Jewish Independent, retired and on Social Security," living in South Carolina. She volunteers regularly at the Obama headquarters in her small, southern town -- and since South Carolina is a pretty red state, she spends much of her time phonebanking to the critical swing states.

"Our motto is: work like you're 20 points behind," she says. And talking to Helaine about all the extraordinary work she and her fellow South Carolinian volunteers are doing -- they must have that motto taped to the wall.

There is no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama is the one unique person we need at this time to change the direction of our country. He is intelligent, honest and instills hope at a time our country is desperate for it. He has the judgment and temperament to become one of the best presidents ever. I haven’t felt this way since JFK. Barack has inspired the younger generation to get involved in a politics the older generation regards as cynical and one that cannot be changed. He represents and brings out the best in all of us. It’s so obvious that he is the future and his opponent is the past.

Exactly.

So let's work like we're 20 points behind, and put everything we can into helping out in these crucial swing states: Ohio, Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Nevada, Minnesota, Iowa -- even Indiana and North Carolina.

Let's redraw the political map.

Do you live near any of these states?

Road trip!

Do you have a phone?

Here's one:

Before you get going, here's a few more inspiring words from Helaine:

The world is watching and has a vested interest in the outcome of this race. The stakes couldn't be higher. Barack Obama has forward vision -- he does not have the "if you're not for us, you're against us" war mentality of the past as does his opponent. I feel he would be a great Commander-in-Chief because he would use diplomacy as well as force only when absolutely necessary. He would once again make America great in the eyes of the countries of the world.
This is our time. I feel we’ve come to an important crossroads in our lives, in the direction of this country and the world. I am glad to be living in a time when my decision can make such a difference in the path our country will be taking. We cannot allow four more years of the same disastrous policies. I truly want to thank Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama for their great sacrifice for our country to finally put the American people first. We will not let them down.

Right?

Voices For Change: Marla in Florida

Sarah Ramey — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:43:12 EDT

Marla is a home health therapist in Florida -- when elderly patients come home from the hospital, she's there to help them get around the house, get dressed, navigate the shower, and balance their checkbook.

This part of Florida is like the deep South -- most of my patients think they should be Republicans. Hey, I thought I was a Republican.

That was before she really started looking into the issues. Once Marla found out about Barack's plan to initiate a new era of affordable healthcare that would put the interests of patients first, she started to lean towards Obama. When she learned that Barack has been against this war from the beginning, (and Marla has a cousin of her own who will be deployed to iraq this winter) she really started to take Obama seriously. Then, looking at Barack's plan to jumpstart the economy, and his plan to protect Social Security, and it all made a lot of sense to Marla. In fact the more she learned, the more impressed she became.

At the beginning, it was a question of getting informed. Now it's a question of making the effort to get that information out there.

And if those are the questions, Marla is making sure that she is part of the answer. Using the Neighbor to Neighbor tool, Marla has canvassed an impressive 250 neighbors in her tiny community, all by herself.

I remember what my questions were about Barack Obama, my reservations -- and so that's what I talk about when people open the door. One issue in particular that resonates with many of the older Florida folks is of course Social Security. I talk about it with my clients all the time. The problem is: people don't really know what privatizing Social Security means.
First things first: John McCain wants to privatize Social Security, Barack Obama does not. McCain makes no bones about it. But people still don't really know what that entails. They look at stocks going up and down on Wall Street, and they think that's just about the fat cats who can afford to play the market. So I tell people -- you know how you keep waking up every day and the stock market keeps dropping 200, 500, 700 points? Privatizing Social Security means that your money, your Social Security gets put into the stock market -- and your money, your Social Security could drop 200, 500, 700 points.
That's a good way to convert a Florida McCain supporter.

Marla is full of good ways to convert McCain supporters -- often pointing out that Barack Obama recently paid off his student loans. That he was raised by single mom and his grandparents, sometimes on food stamps. And that John McCain, on the other hand, has seven houses.

If you have too much money, you can't possibly begin to understand people like my mom who won't be able to pay her electric bill at the end of the month.

Which is why Marla's whole family, who she describes, "very, very Catholic," are all voting for Barack Obama.

Of course there are a lot of Catholics who vote Republican because of one or two issues. But we're talking about the future of this country -- and we have to look at the broader picture: healthcare, the economy, education, Social Security, the way we're respected around the world. Barack is the clear choice when it comes to any of these issues.

Please help Marla continue to keep up the good work educating residents in Florida -- a critical swing state -- one voter at a time. You can even call Florida residents right now, using this handy calling tool.

And wherever you are, check out Neighbor to Neighbor like Marla did -- which gives you the names and addresses of people right in your neighborhood -- and start talking to some people on your own block:

This election is too important to sit on the sidelines -- so get out there, and get started!

Voices for Change: Ginger and Todd in South Carolina

Molly Claflin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:06:34 EDT

Ginger and Todd of Columbia, South Carolina, have never donated to a political campaign before. But they’ve already written two checks to the Obama campaign, and plan on writing a few more before the election is over.

Todd and Ginger often vote Republican – and voted twice for President Bush – but are now solidly behind Barack Obama.

Ginger says:

I just love Obama’s message and the way he appeals to ordinary people to contribute. I haven’t given much, but it’s just nice to feel like you’re really a part of something.

I admire Barack -- the way he personally came from a disadvantaged background and made something of himself. He seems like a real person. He has a kinder, gentler, philosophy of dealing with people.

Ginger and Todd, both 6th grade teachers, are especially concerned about healthcare, as the see the impact it has on the students in their classrooms every day.

Ginger says:

A lot of my students don’t have healthcare, and it’s just not fair. Insurance companies get rich off people who can’t afford it, and then when you need their help it’s hard to get it. I have a lot of students from low-income families. They have enough money for food, but not enough to get regular checkups and dental care. Their parents don’t have health insurance, so they wait too long to go to the doctor, often ending up in the emergency room.
Sometimes those kids come to school every day – even when they’re sick – because school is the brightest part of their lives.

Todd, who also volunteers as a youth minister, is especially concerned about helping some of his lower-income students succeed.

Todd says:

Obama’s policies on healthcare and tax cuts for lower income people are very good. We need to help people who have low income be able to get ahead. Obama’s idea of giving a tax credit for tuition and requiring students to pay it back to the community is also great. Kids should be able to go to college if they want to and are willing to work for it.

Todd has done some phonebanking for the campaign and plans to do more before November. Todd says, “It’s important to me to get Obama elected. For years I’ve been tired of politicians running negative campaigns, and for once I heard someone telling us what we can do, instead of what we can’t.”

Ginger notes:

I hope people in South Carolina turn out the way they did in the primary. If they do, I think we’ve got South Carolina won.

Barack has already shown us what we can accomplish together. But we still need your help. Join our nationwide network of grassroots supporters. Please make a contribution today.

Voices For Change: Sophia and Miles in Virginia

Sarah Ramey — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:09:43 EDT

I'm a fourth grader at Cool Spring Elementary School. My teacher is Mrs. Kusterer, and I've been a political junkie for all my life.

9-year-old Sophia is not just an armchair analyst. She and her dad, Miles, have knocked on over 1,500 doors campaigning for Barack Obama in the critical swing state of Virginia.

"We've probably had 150 meaningful conversations from the 1,500 doors we've knocked on," says Miles.

If those 150 people vote for Obama, and there are 10,000 more people like us out there knocking on doors, that's a potential 1,500,000 votes.

Sophia and Miles have been using the Neighbor to Neighbor tool to easily find the names and addresses of people in their area that they can go canvass for Barack Obama. To put things in perspective, 250 doors is a lot of doors to knock. 1,500 is plain old inspiring.

And so are Sophia and Miles. Here's an excerpt from our interview with this awesome father-daughter volunteer team:

Q: So, what do you like about Obama?
Miles: I like the way he thinks. I like his temperament. I like how calm he is. I trust him and his judgment.
Sophia: I also like how he's very calm in situations and he can get things done. He's not a drama queen. In the beginning my main issue is the war in Iraq, because I'm the next generation. But as we got more involved in the campaign, I heard his other issues and realized he wasn't just any old democratic nominee. I was very inspired by all of his stands on issues like energy and health care and the war.
Q: What kind of work have you done/hope to do for the campaign?
Miles: We use the Neighbor to Neighbor tool and our field organizer sends us out on weekends and Thursday night canvasses. When we meet undecided voters who tell us an issue they're interested in, we copy material from Barack's website and bring it back to them with a personal note within 48 hours. We follow up with others in the neighborhood. Canvassing is a blast!
Sophia: We have canvassed to the ends of Hanover County. When we get an undecided voter, I pipe in with "What are your issues?" What I love about canvassing is when you get an undecided voter that starts to think, you walk down the steps with this feeling of satisfaction like you're changing the world, and you are.
Q: What would you want to say to the world to inspire them to get involved?

Miles: If you live in a battleground state like Virginia, if you're not dropping everything to spend every spare moment working on this campaign, you're missing the opportunity of a lifetime. If you live in a blue state or a red state and you're an Obama supporter, if you're not arranging to sleep on the floor of a friend in a battleground state the weekend before the election, you're missing the opportunity of a lifetime.

If you have kids of any age, take them canvassing. It's the most important and meaningful way I've ever spent time with my daughter. She is learning so much from the experience. She listens in on and participates in real, adult conversations that will teach her life lessons. Once we canvassed a 90-year-old man who was just happy to have a visitor. He was a McCain supporter but we wrote in the notes, "a very nice old man..." Many a person has taken Sophia's hands in theirs, regardless of their politics, and said, "Thank you for doing this..."

Sophia: It's important that people know that we can turn Virginia purple, if not blue. You can't give up while canvassing. Every single thing you do, even if it's just a few houses on Neighbor to Neighbor, is giving a little bit of hope to middle-class families and people all over the earth. And the people you talk to -- to them, it's amazing that a campaign would come out to their door. Once, out in rural Hanover County, we talked to an old man and he said, "Nobody's ever come out here," and I realized we were going in places that hadn't had anybody ever come up to their door and ask who they were voting for. To them, nobody really cared that much. Even if they were a McCain supporter, you feel like you're making a difference.

You feel like you're making a difference, because...you are!

Check out Neighbor to Neighbor right now and see how easy it is to print up a list of people to canvass right in your own neighborhood.

This post-debate weekend is the perfect weekend to get out there and talk to your neighbors about the real differences between Barack Obama and John McCain. Getting a real live visit from a real live supporter makes a difference at this crucial time when voters are making up their minds.

And it's also a great time to get your kids involved!

A wise man once said: it's the opportunity of a lifetime.

Voices for Change: Lisa Nicolle in Georgia

Sarah Ramey — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:38:35 EDT

This election is a truly defining moment in our country’s history. I really see it as a referendum on the soul of America: the person we elect as President is a reflection of how we see ourselves.

Meet Lisa Nicolle, a young filmmaker and substitute teacher in the Atlanta Public School system.

Lisa Nicolle says what we're facing is really a clear choice between progress and the status quo, between inclusion and exclusion. Ultimately, she says, it's a choice between the future and the past.

Recently, as someone who has worked tirelessly on voter registration efforts in Georgia, she was asked to come in and give a presentation about the importance of the upcoming election to a small group of high school seniors.

It's essential to impress a few things on the kids I'm talking to. First of all: vote. We have to vote. This is a real opportunity for these kids to make a statement -- to participate, and create the kind of world they would like to live in.
And Barack Obama's own life story is a huge inspiration when it comes to getting involved: even if life has been challenging for you, you can turn things around. That resonates with kids everywhere. That and being a skinny kid with big ears and a funny name.

Thanks to her pep talk at that tiny event, Lisa Nicolle registered three new high school-aged voters. And had even more sign up to help with a follow-up voter registration drive last weekend. And that, plain and simple, is the story of the greatest grassroots campaign in Presidential history.

I have stood next to so many different kinds of people who are doing the same work for this campaign -- from an older white man who was a self-described recovering Republican, to a young biracial boy whose mom wanted to show him how big he could dream and brought him to see Barack speak, to these kids I work with in the inner city, to a woman I met at a rally who had really believed in Bobby Kennedy, and said to me, "This, this is what we have been waiting for."

We are at a defining moment in history.

And volunteers like Lisa Nicole are proving that when Barack Obama is elected President, it will be just as she says: a reflection of this country. That is, a country that pulled itself together at a critical juncture, and in an enormous community effort worked hard and put America on the right track.

You can turn things around.

The time to join this movement has never been more important:

Voices for Change: Tim in Indiana

Molly Claflin — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:44:35 EDT

Tim from Noblesville, Indiana is excited to be casting his first vote ever for Barack Obama.

The 20-year-old junior political science major at Purdue University is excited that his vote is going to count in this election.

It means a lot to be casting my first presidential vote for Obama. And I’m excited that Indiana is a swing state. My vote’s going to make a difference. I want to say that I voted for him. He’s a historic candidate and the right candidate.

I support Obama because the politics of the past eight years – the politics I few up with -- have been a nightmare, but he restored my hope in American politics. He believes that we can rise above and accomplish something bigger and better than ourselves.

As a college student, tuition is a big issue for Tim.

College tuition is out of control. I want to go to law school, but there’s no way my family can afford that. My sister has $70,000 in loans, and she just wanted to be a teacher. Now she’s teaching and making $35,000 per year. How is she supposed to pay that off?

Barack Obama has a plan to help every American student afford college. Obama’s plan will give a $4,000 refundable tax credit to every American student, which will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. Read more about the Obama-Biden education plan.

The economy also concerns Tim, since he and his classmates will be joining the workforce soon.

My classmates are terrified about going out into the economy. That’s a clear indicator that something is very wrong.

Tim says his whole family is voting for Obama.

My sister is voting for Obama, my mom is voting for Obama… even my dad, who used to be a Republican. I can guarantee seven votes in my family for Obama. And now I’m trying to convince my Republican roommates. I think I can do it!

Though he’s struggling on a student budget, Tim donated to the campaign a few weeks ago, and says he plan to donate again.

I don’t know how much I can afford, but I believe in his campaign and believe he will do great things, so I’ll do what I can. This is important.

Make sure you’re registered to vote by visiting VoteForChange.com.

And if you can find a little to spare in your budget this month, join Tim and contribute to our movement for change. Because Tim’s right – this is important.

Voices for Change: Donna in Columbia, South Carolina

Molly Claflin — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:08:58 EDT

Donna, 61, from Columbia, South Carolina, is proud that she could have an impact on this election.

She stared out slow, making some calls in the spring and getting more involved right before the South Carolina primary.

Since then she’s become a dedicated volunteer – volunteering as precinct captain, canvassing, phonebanking, and even hosting out-of-state volunteers at her home.

Hosting volunteers is really neat because even times when I didn’t have time to volunteer, I still felt connected and felt like I was doing something for the movement.

“At this point, I’m pretty much caught up in Obama fever,” she says.

A registered nurse with two sons in their 30s, Donna had never volunteered on a presidential campaign before, and had only donated once to a gubernatorial candidate.

Until the Obama campaign, I didn’t know that people really gave small amounts to campaigns. I thought you had to give thousands. I didn’t realize people like me could just give a little. But in the Obama campaign, every little bit helps!
To ask people to give what they can, when they can, is so reasonable. I contribute because, to me, it’s almost like a vote. It demonstrates to other people just how much your little part of the effort makes a difference. That’s why I’ve continued to donate when I could – I can see how much a difference my effort is making.

Donna contributes because she sees how much the economy and the healthcare crisis are affecting her community. “Being a nurse, I see a lot of patients who don’t have insurance or are underinsured. I’ve seen a lot of the issues that come up with Medicaid and the problems people face getting the help they need.”

It’s even affecting her own family.

One of my sons owns a small construction business and he has to pay for his own insurance with a huge deductible. I see his family not going to the doctor when they should. And my other son bought his first home a few years ago and had a sub-prime loan. He lost his job recently and has been struggling to keep his head above water and keep his home. But I think this is all something we can fix with President Obama in office.

Donna’s sons weren’t going to vote, but on primary day they called her to tell her they went to the polls for Obama. “I was so proud,” she says. Her two Republican siblings are voting to Obama too.

Donna is excited to bring more people into the Obama movement.

Obama tells people they need to have hope, faith, in America. He asks us to have faith in ourselves and that we have the power to work together and make things happen. With him, it’s not about him – it’s all about us.

Join the movement. Team up with other supporters and help make things happen in Washington.

Voices for Change: Lisa in Nevada

Sarah Ramey — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:48:12 EDT

We just spoke to another Republican voting for Barack Obama.

Guess you'd call me a Reagan Republican, but at this point, you have to vote for whoever has the best ideas about the issues that affect you.

First and foremost, the economy is the issue that affects Lisa and her family in Las Vegas, Nevada the most. For two decades she worked in the food industry for one of the country's largest food companies -- only to be laid off with thousands of other employees when the company was in trouble. While she tried to figure out what to do next, she watched her old company's CEOs go out with multi-million dollar golden parachutes.

You just can't reward that kind of behavior. That philosophy is what's gotten us into this mess economically.

Lisa is right. And she thinks it's critical that Obama has been clear about opposing corporate greed from the beginning -- unlike John McCain, who only seems to have come around to that conclusion in the last week. She says this country is due for a very serious change, and the only candidate whose policies actually reflect genuine change from the failed policies of the Bush Administration, is Barack Obama.

The biggest thing on my mind -- on everyone's mind -- is the economy. We bought a house two years ago, and now that house isn't worth what we paid for it. We're being responsible and making our mortgage payments, but the government needs to do its part and get control.
It's pretty simple: we have to have real leadership, here and around the world. I think that's what Barack Obama provides as a candidate -- he can change how people look at us by changing the way we do things here at home.

You can read more about Barack Obama's plans for the economy, including substantial tax cut proposals for working class families like Lisa's, by clicking here. There you'll read about Barack Obama and Joe Biden's plan to enact a windfall profits tax on excessive oil company profits to give American families an immediate $1,000 emergency energy rebate to help families pay rising bills. This relief would be a down payment on the Obama-Biden long-term plan to provide middle-class families with at least $1,000 per year in permanent tax relief.

You can also read Barack's speech about the economy that he gave in Reno.

Before we got off the phone with Lisa, we just double checked to see if she was registered to vote.

Of course! Did it outside the grocery store.

And now we have great news: you don't even have to go to the grocery store to make sure you can vote. Just go to our extra-easy one-stop voter registration site, www.VoteForChange.com, and you can get it done in just a few minutes.

November 4th, 2008: Democrats, Independents, and Republicans -- voting for change.

You can help us bring that change as we work to keep registering voters and spreading Barack's message to people like Lisa by making a small donation today.

Voices for Change: Lisa in Monticello, Iowa

Molly Claflin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:10:55 EDT

Lisa in Monticello, Iowa recently joined out campaign for change.

The 46-year-old mom and jewelry designer says she’s “not a political person” and has never donated to a campaign before. “But I’m a political junkie now,” she says. Though she always voted, she had never been inspired to get involved.

But that changed with Barack.

That’s one of the great things about him – that he mobilized so many people to want to be involved in our political process. Even if nothing else comes of his campaign, he made a difference. He changed the way millions of us think about politics.

Lisa supports Barack because:

He’s smart and he has great leadership skills. He inspires people to affect change, and that’s the most powerful thing a person can do. He leads by example and inspires others to go out and work for change. I’ve never seen that before in a political candidate.

Lisa says the economy is the biggest concern to her in this election, but many other issues are important as well.

It’s important to me to have a pro-choice candidate and pro-environment too. I also have a gay brother, so Barack’s stance on equal rights is important.

Barack’s support of community service also matters to Lisa.

My son spent two years in Americorps after college, helping kids in Texas learn to read. I think Barack’s plan of getting college kids to give back in community service is terrific.

Barack Obama has a plan to help every American student afford college. Obama’s plan will give a $4000 refundable tax credit to every American student, which will cover two-thirds the cost of tuition at the average public college or university and make community college tuition completely free for most students. In exchange, students would be required to perform 100 hours of community service – ensuring that students are not only learning in the classroom, but are learning valuable lessons through serving their communities at the same time.

Lisa says she donated to the campaign because:

We have to change! Too many people are out of luck with no one to help them. That’s not America; that’s not who we are. Barack understand that and will do something about it.

Barack is working hard to help ordinary Americans, but we can’t do it without you. Join Lisa and be a part of our movement for change.

Voices For Change: John in Florida

Sarah Ramey — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:46:53 EDT

A native Floridian, John was in his thirties when he first registered to vote. Finally, a candidate had caught his attention as someone he could really get behind. The candidate was Bill Clinton.

That was the first and last time I voted. I just haven't felt engaged by anyone since then -- until this year. I followed the primary very closely, and I liked Hillary and Obama both. But more than anything, I know that we just can't go down the path we're on for another 4 or 8 years.
You know, people complain a lot about the way things are now -- but if you don't get up, get out there, and go vote to change things, you're kind of a part of the problem. I figured it was time to put my name to something -- to be counted, really.

So, even though John's been registered before, he thought it would be worth going to www.VoteForChange.com, to check and see if he was still in Florida's system.

He wasn't.

He is now.

There's a lesson in here.

Everyone, even if you think you're registered...make sure!

Please go to www.VoteForChange.com -- it's quick, easy, and does most of the work for you. While you're at it, you can send a quick email to friends and family to make sure they're squared away too.

That's what John did, and now he's going to be able to vote for Barack Obama, whom he thinks, "represents the best interests of the majority of Americans. He listens to all sides before making any decisions, and as a country, we're in need of a leader like that." As John says,

We've had 8 years of a guy who had his mind made up before he even took office. He's the guy who everyone said made decisions from his gut, and that was supposed to be a good thing. Now they're saying the same thing about McCain -- that he works straight from his gut.
Well, we've had 8 years of gut.
I want someone who uses their brain.

All in favor, go to:

www.VoteForChange.com

Voices for Change: Debbie in New Jersey

Molly Claflin — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:49:20 EDT

Debbie in Marlton, New Jersey is a proud military mom. With a 33-year-old son in the military, Debbie understands the implications of the upcoming election.

“I’m not a one-issue voter,” she says, “but because we’re in two wars right now and my son is in his third deployment, the resolution of the war in Iraq and the care of our military are very important to me.”

Barack Obama has an outstanding record of caring for our servicemen and for military families. The other candidate doesn’t have a good record when it comes to the care and treatment of out troops.

Whether you’re a pacifist or believe we should be in Iraq for 100 more years, the care of our military families and veterans should matter to all of us. And it matters to Barack Obama.

Debbie and her daughter are members of Blue Star Families for Obama – a "Pro-Military, Pro-Obama" group made up of active-duty military wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, and sisters and brothers of members of the armed services.

Veterans and military families have been making 9-11 calls to Bush and McCain regarding veterans returning from war, and they have ignored those calls. Blue Star families are not going to ignore those calls. Barack Obama is not going to ignore those calls. He has a care package for veterans and their families.

Debbie thinks many military members see Barack as the candidate who can best address their needs, citing a recent report that active military members gave six times as much to the Obama campaign as to the McCain campaign, and citing recent reports by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

Barack has a plan to help our veterans. The Obama-Biden plan will strengthen VA care by fully funding the VA and improving care for polytrauma vision impairment, prosthetics, spinal cord injury, aging, and women's health. Barack and Joe Biden will also improve care for mental health and traumatic brain injuries. Learn more about the Obama-Biden plan for veterans here.

Debbie is frustrated that “the republicans often claim the military issue. But our troops support Barack Obama because he is supporting them.”

Though she’s never been involved before, Debbie is excited to volunteer this year.

The war is important. Taking care of our troops is important. However you feel about the war, we can all agree that taking care of our military families is important. And Barack is going to do that.

Join Debbie and volunteer for the campaign in your area to help Barack support our troops. And if you’re part of a military family, join Blue Star Families for Obama and find out how you can get more involved.

Voices For Change: Justin in New Mexico

Sarah Ramey — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:05:26 EDT

We just spoke with Justin, a member of the United States Air Force, and like a lot of people in the armed forces he's always on the move. Originally from Maryland, his family now lives in Florida and he's currently stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"Such is military life," he says.

But neither moving nor military life have stopped Justin from voting. In fact:

I just voted for Barack through absentee ballot and would encourage everyone to vote early if they can.

Great advice!

Millions of people across the country have been waiting for the day they can finally cast their ballot for Barack Obama -- and the wait is over. You can exercise your civic duty and get the ball rolling today by requesting your own absentee ballot right now. Just go to VoteForChange.com to get started.

Justin did, and now he's working on his friends in the Air Force to do the same.

When I talk to people about Senator Obama and Senator McCain I like to point out the differences between the two candidates and let them decide for themselves. I have found that if you let people choose on policy differences rather then personal attacks they find it easier to choose.
For example, I let people know that if they're make less than $250,000 a year, they're going to get a bigger tax break from Barack Obama's plan than from John McCain's. Those are just the facts.
...I also point out that many of the arguments John McCain seems to have with Obama, well Senator McCain seems to have those same arguments with himself. He's changed his positions so many times, it doesn't inspire a lot of trust.

Finally, there's another big reason Justin supports Barack Obama: he and Senator Obama both opposed this war from the beginning.

I'd like to see an end to the war in Iraq, and a redeployment of troops to Afghanistan. The key is Afghanistan. It always was. Barack is one of the only politicians who's been standing up and saying so all along.

So, take a few minutes and take a page out of Justin's book: register to vote or request an absentee ballot today.

Deadlines for voter registration and ballot requests are less than two weeks away -- and we need every single vote we can get to win this election. That involves our supporters making sure that everyone they know is registered.

The good news is that it's easy. Very easy. Just go to our one-stop voter registration website to register or get answers to your questions.

Now's your chance to make your voice heard.

Voices For Change: Valerie in Pennsylvania

Sarah Ramey — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:24:59 EDT

We're the typical American family. Not too far to the left, not too far to the right. We just like common sense.

Which is why they like Barack Obama.

He has a good, strong voice for the majority of the American people, rather than the two extremes.

Valerie's family has been in Pittsburgh for over 100 years -- her children will be fourth generation Pennsylvanians, and their grandparents on both sides worked in the steel mills. Valerie herself is a packager at a major shipping company, and her husband is a mechanic.

The biggest misconception about Barack Obama is that he's "elite" and doesn't represent families like mine. For goodness sake -- he was raised by a single mother. Just go read about his mother -- that explains everything. She was wonderful. She gave him good, well-rounded values, and those values are the same as ours.
We value family stability and working hard. When I look at what Barack and the Democrats are offering -- taking care of working families with better health care, better opportunities to go to college, and tax relief for the middle class -- that tells me Barack Obama actually values working families. As opposed to talk about "family values," with no follow up.

To Valerie, that's one of the most important differences when it comes to comparing Barack Obama and John McCain: every time she turns on the television she sees Barack Obama laying out plans, policies, and proposals to help families like hers. She's not seeing any plans or policy proposals from John McCain.

With the economy the way it is, we don't need promises that change from day to day -- we need concrete proposals. We need the how. That's what impresses me about Barack Obama. He not only gets the how -- he can also communicate that to regular people and inspire them to get involved.

So what are we waiting for? You can read more about Barack Obama's plans for fixing the economy, tax relief for the middle class, affordable healthcare, and college tuition credits by clicking here.

But most important of all, you can take the next step:

This is the movement for change: informed, inspired Americans working to put the country back on the right track -- one phone call, one doorstep, one $5 bill at a time.

Get out there!

Voices for Change: Marian in Pennsylvania

Sarah Ramey — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:15:45 EDT

You know, it was my kids who first got me to pay attention to Barack Obama.

And wouldn't you know: now it's Marian, 53 years old and a school nurse in Pennsylvania, who volunteers at her local Obama office, calling up young voters to talk to them about Barack Obama -- even getting their cell numbers so she can forward them text messages from the campaign.

I live in a very 'red' part of the state, and this isn't the kind of election where we can just wait for things to happen -- we have to make them happen.

And from the sound of it, the Obama movement in York County is powered by all types of people.

Just recently, Marian's been volunteering right alongside two grandmothers -- lifelong Republicans -- who are just as fired up as the next text messager.

These ladies are just so disappointed with the Bush Administration -- with the lies they've been told about the war and the economy -- and they decided they couldn't just sit at home and read about it in the newspaper and do nothing. So they came down to the office.

They're facing their fears, talking to people they don't know, talking about being Republicans for Obama -- and they're doing it because you can't work as hard as they did all their lives just to leave their loved ones with this kind of burden. War, debt -- none of us want to leave behind that kind of legacy.

This is what's happening everywhere -- from Republican grandmothers to college students to school nurses in rural Pennsylvania: people of all ages and all backgrounds are coming out to do the work it takes to get Barack Obama elected President of the United States of America so we can turn this country around.

He's the smartest guy in the room. That's the guy I want. He understands the economy, and he can keep calm and strong in times like these, which is what a real leader does. And he surrounds himself with the smartest people. That's the guy I want.

Well said. That just inspired this blogger to donate again! You can do the same:

"This time," Marian says as we're getting off the phone, "it's just too important to stay at home."

Please join Marian, college students everywhere and Grandmothers for Obama -- and get volunteering at your local office today.

Voices For Change: Kerri in Arizona

Sarah Ramey — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:58:06 EDT

Kerri is a small business owner in Tempe, Arizona.

When you own your own business, no matter how small it is, you know you've got to reinvest in your company to make sure it continues to grow. The same thing is true with the infrastructure of this country -- we've got to reinvest in ourselves to make sure we continue to grow. That's what is so important about Barack's healthcare plans, his plans for small business owners, and his plans to give working class families some tax relief.
We've got to invest in ourselves. That just makes sense.

She laughs when she thinks about working class families being convinced they're supposed to vote Republican.

Look at us -- we're as working class as they come! We're both the kids of blue collar workers -- my father was a machinist, and my husband's father laid railroad ties. Furthermore, my husband Phil is a Vietnam veteran.
But what's important is that we both know this country is going in the wrong direction, specifically because of policies that John McCain endorses. Things have gotten too much about big corporations and special interests, and not enough about salt-of-the-earth-people.

Kerri (who is also a nurse, a flight attendant and very active in the airline union) first heard Barack Obama speak at the 2004 convention, and liked that he had such an eloquent vision of the kind of country she wanted to live in. And when she looked into him some more, she found that he was a real advocate for the working class, as a state senator and a U.S. Senator -- but first as a community organizer.

You know, as a nurse, I really respect the work Senator Obama has done for his country even before he got involved in politics. Community organizing is so important. Community is really what America is all about -- trying to make a living, trying to take good care of our families, and making sure we take good care of our communities.
That's the American Dream, plain and simple.

So, with just 46 days left before this historic election, what does Kerri think needs to happen?

Shake everyone you know, and tell them to go vote. If they're on the fence, educate them. This election is too important to sit on the sidelines.

OK. We can do that.

Click here to register you and your friends to vote.

Click here to get involved, knock on doors and make phone calls to the people in your community.

And click here to invite someone new to the process, and help us reach our goal of 50,000 new donors by this Friday.

Finally, Kerri wanted to say one last thing that she likes about Barack Obama:

He takes the high road.

We can do that too. Call, register, donate, and spread the word. That's the kind of campaign this has always been, and that's how we're going to win this election.

Voices for Change: Edna in Owensboro, Kentucky

Molly Claflin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:50:55 EDT

Edna in Owensboro, Kentucky doesn’t have to go far to drum up votes for Barack. She’s already registered ten new voters for Obama in her own family – spanning three generations!

A retired librarian, Edna, 65, is married with three children and six grandchildren – all part of one happy Obama family.

One of my sons started talking to me about Barack Obama. I read more about him, read his book, and realized maybe he was the candidate for me. I grew up with the idealism of the Kennedys and the changes they stood for, and those are the things I admired most about Obama too.

Edna was also inspired by her grandchildren’s interest in Obama.

I had previously noticed an apathy in my grandchildren for political issues. But then Barack Obama reached the hearts and minds of three generations in my family.

She’s thrilled that all the generations in her family are supporting the same candidate.

I love it! And it’s never happened before.

Last Thanksgiving, after dinner I took all my kids and the grandkids and we went to the movies to see Bobby. The kids had tears in their eyes afterward and asked me, ‘Do you ever wonder how different things would be if he hadn’t died?’ I said yes. And I felt so much pride that we were all united in that feeling. And now we’re all united behind Obama and a similar message of hope.

Edna’s grandson Scott, 21, said...

It feels great knowing we can have everyone in our family -- regardless of age -- working together to better the world for generations to come.

Edna has always voted, but this is the first campaign she has ever volunteered for. She’s done phone banking, neighborhood canvassing, and a number of events with her local Obama office.

This is the first campaign I’ve worked on. This campaign is different because I actually think one person can make a change. People are given hope that change is possible. I believe Barack Obama truly believes that, and he is only candidate who not only says that he can change things, but he will. We need someone who has been raised in a less than middle class upbringing – that’s what the Democratic Party stands for -- helping people who have less than we do.

Edna is most concerned about the economy and the cost of college.

I have three grandkids in college – and more that will be going -- I’m worried about how they’re going to pay for it. Plus, I realize these kids are going to need to get jobs after college, and with the economy in this state, getting jobs is going to be tough for them.

Barack Obama has a plan to make college more affordable. Obama has proposed a $4,000 tax credit to help families offset the cost of tuition. In exchange, students would be required to do 100 hours of community service -- both furthering their education, and helping their communities at the same time.

Whatever volunteer work Edna gets done before the election, she knows she’s already bringing ten voters to the polls with her as her kids and grandkids have committed to voting for Obama. And that’s certainly something to be proud of.

Join Edna’s family and our grassroots network of small donors across America by making your own contribution.

Voices for Change: Anne in Scottsdale, Arizona

Molly Claflin — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:44:40 EDT

When we asked Anne, 58, why she chose to support Barack, she exclaimed back, “How could I not?”

"From the very beginning, he said no to Iraq. He’s offering a different perspective and change, and I really like that. It’s been a long time since we saw such a positive, upbeat message in politics."

Anne, a homemaker and avid doll collector, has been thrilled to find other Obama supporters in her area. Living in Scottsdale, Arizona, Democrats can sometimes be hard to come by. “My husband ran for city council a few years ago. As Democrats in this area, we often get ballots with absolutely no Democratic candidates on them at all. He ran so at least Democrats in Scottsdale would have a name they can check on the ballot. This year, we’ve found we can finally speak up a bit more, and we’ve found other Obama supporters, which is really nice.”

Anne is especially concerned about the economy and jobs.

I worked for a local store until a month ago, and I saw sales dropping. Small mom-and-pop stores are closing all around town.” Anne says even her own family is impacted by the job loss. “My son had a good job in computers in San Diego that packed up and went to India. So now he’s back in college at age 38. I’m really seeing a lot of people struggling.

But that’s all the better reason to get involved in this election. “Voting is the key,” Anne says. “When I was a child, my mom took us to the voting booth with her. When my son was small, I did the same thing. We have to get people to the polls.”

This is the first time Anne has ever donated to a political campaign.

This year, it’s too important not to. I love Barack’s concept of building a campaign of many small donors. It brings us to be involved. If we’re willing to speak with our dollars, we’re invested. This is our chance to take control of the political process.

Join Anne and be a part of the movement for change by contributing today.

Voices for Change: Jamie Sue in Paradise Valley, Arizona

Molly Claflin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:31:10 EDT

Jamie Sue, a 23-year-old music teacher in Paradise Valley, Arizona, was excited to make her first political donation for Barack Obama.

Jamie Sue went into teaching because she truly cares about education, and is concerned about how our schools have been fairing under the current government. "Our current educational policies are not working. I worked in an inner city school last year where kids could barely read. No Child Left Behind is a huge problem, because it makes funding based entirely on test scores and it devalues things I teach like music and choir. These kids need a well-rounded education.”

I was reading this amazing book about teachers and education and then soon after I read Obama’s book (The Audacity of Hope) and it said the same things. Obama’s goals and plans line up with what I want to see.

Education isn’t the only issue that touches Jamie Sue’s middle school classroom. “The foreclosures affect a lot of my kids. “The kids are losing their homes and have to move and switch schools – it’s really hard on them.”

Jamie Sue had never made a donation to a political campaign before, but this time she wanted to be a part of the movement.

I love that he was not taking any money from lobbyists and that the campaign was funded entirely by average Americans, like me!

Join Jamie Sue and become one of the grassroots contributors to our movement for change.

Voices for Change: Scott in Holly Springs, North Carolina

Molly Claflin — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:11:45 EDT

Scott of Holly Springs, NC knows more than a little about wartime voting. A Navy veteran, Scott did three tours in the Middle East in Operation Desert Storm. Scott has voted Republican for most of his life.

"When I was commissioned as a military officer in 1986, I thought that it would be in my best interest to register as a Republican because my Commander-in-Chief was a Republican," Scott says.

I didn't want to be singled out as someone who was not supportive of President Reagan. And in 2004 I voted for Bush because I felt like since we were in the middle of a wartime situation, the candidate who was most involved in it should be the person to finish it. … But I didn’t realize Bush was just going to make it worse.
I decided it was time for a change. We needed someone different who could give us hope.

Even though he had never voted for a Democrat before, Scott became an enthusiastic Obama supporter. “He had me at ‘Yes We Can.’”

Whenever Obama addresses an issue, I can tell that it’s coming from intellect and compassion, not empty rhetoric.

Scott quickly got busy volunteering for the campaign, going door to door in his community and contributing to the campaign.

Scott, 44, is married with three young daughters, ages seven, four, and one. Concerned about his family, Scott sees healthcare as one of the biggest issues of the campaign.

The healthcare issue is not going away. People are always going to get sick. Unless we can tackle this issue, we’re going to have big problems.

Scott was injured earlier this year when he picked up a tablesaw and ruptured a disk in his lower back.

I had to have surgery, and the cost involved was staggering. The cost of that one surgery really set back my family for the rest of the year.

A former Navy man, Scott is also concerned about the war.

I’ve been there, and I want to see our guys come home. Our being there is holding Iraq in an unstable situation. Our presence there endangers our own people and doesn’t solve the major problems.

He thinks Barack’s plan to exit Iraq is a smart strategy.

Obama is the right person for America right now. We need someone who is smart, compassionate, and will improve our standing in the world.

It’s enough to get Scott to switch parties. “I don’t know if I’ll switch back, either,” he says.

Voices for Change: Al in Fountain Inn, South Carolina

Molly Claflin — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:15:10 EDT

At 47 years old, Al had never voted before. But this time, he’ll be one of the first to the polls on Election Day.

"Other years, I just never felt like I needed to vote or wanted to. This is the first time I’ve ever got excited. This time, I see a difference. I see a person who cares about people… who cares about people like me," Al said.

Al’s making sure others are going to get to the voting booth as well. A licensed barber, Al keeps a stack of voter registration forms in his barbershop that he gives to his customers.

We make sure everyone who walks in has an opportunity to register to vote. I try to make it easier for folks. We even provide them with the stamps to send them in. I’ve already registered a few people and I’m counting on more.

As a first-time voter, Al is excited about getting others involved for the first time as well.

You’d be surprised how many people aren’t registered to vote! I let them know that they need to register early – at least 30 days before the election. It’s important.

He says he hears about a lot of issues affecting people in South Carolina from his customers. “Fifty times a day I hear different stories about what’s affecting people or how they feel about Barack.” He says most of his customers are concerned about oil prices, and jobs are also a big concern. “We need to make sure jobs don’t leave this country. A lot of people I know are losing their jobs as the factories are moved overseas.”

With four kids, Al is also concerned about education.

I want my kids to get a god education. I have a son going to college in two years, and I’m concerned about paying for that. And I don’t want him to have to go fight a war. We need to make sure our children don’t have to fight this war.

Al’s already donated once to the campaign, and plans to make another donation when he can.

I believe in him. I want to do all I can to help him win. It’s not a big donation, but it’s the least I can do.

Voices for Change: Ann in Muscatine, Iowa

Molly Claflin — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:15:24 EDT

Ann of Muscatine, Iowa, is 77 years young. But she doesn’t let age get in the way of her campaign volunteer work. She’s phonebanked, held house meetings, and even was a precinct captain for Obama. “There’s a lot of young people on the campaign,” she says, “but I like working with young people!”

She’s also donated multiple times. “It’s just so easy to do on the website!” she says.

She lives in what she describes as a “very Republican town,” but assures us that the Obama presence is strong there. “The Democrats have won some local elections recently, and we’re hoping to get more Republicans and Independents on board with Obama.”

“We’re quite active here,” she says. Ann’s three grown daughters and three granddaughters have all been working with her on the campaign.

It was wonderful to work together with my granddaughters. They were nervous about volunteering at first, but pretty soon they got really into it and went right after people!

Ann, who owns a small preschool, supports Obama because “he seems to have a lot of integrity, and that’s important right now. We need new, fresh ideas.”

The issue that concerns Ann the most in the upcoming election is getting out of Iraq. “We’re all concerned about the war,” she says. “Here in Muscatine, we’ve lost some young people in Iraq, as every community has. I want our soldiers to come home.”

If we can get out of Iraq, we’ll have more money to spend on other things to help our country. And that’s something Barack Obama will help do for us.

Today is National Grandparents Day, created to honor proud grandparents like Ann. To mark the occasion, we’ve created special Obama e-cards that you can send to your grandparents to let them know just how much they mean to you, why you are involved with the Obama campaign and why their support is important to you.

Voices for Change: Mary Pat in Boise, Idaho

Molly Claflin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:02:26 EDT

Gas prices are going through the roof in Idaho these days. “But maybe that’s just a good way to get us all to ride our bikes to work more,” says Mary Pat, 52, of Boise, Idaho, as she got off her bike to answer a phone call from the campaign.

But the gas prices aren’t the only sign that the economy in Boise is having trouble. Mary Pat says the whole economy in Boise is sinking. “It’s all going downhill. Downtown just tanked. A nice restaurant down the street just closed. Stores are closing and people are hurting; it’s hard everywhere.”

Mary Pat and her husband have felt the impact of the economic downturn first-hand. They owned a retail business for 20 years and recently lost it to the receding economy. "It was just taking every dime that we had, so last year we closed our doors. It was such a sad thing because we had put so much energy into it. It was like a child."

It was pretty devastating. We both worked in the store, so it was our only income. When it closed, we had no retirement, no nest egg. So I went out and got a job, and my husband is looking for a job as well. But at least it made me get involved in other things. I’ve never been involve in politics before, but now I am.

I’ve done calls – I called Oregon before their primary. And I give Obama my $5 whenever I can to keep him going.

The economy is Mary Pat’s “number one issue,” but she’s also concerned about healthcare.

My husband and I are in good health, but we spend over $700 a month on healthcare for the two of us. We have health insurance, but we need to make it more affordable.

At 52 years old, Mary Pat, who has three grown children and six grandchildren, is glad to finally be involved in the political process.

I always avoided politics before, but I started getting interested in Barack early on. When he came to Boise, I was just won over by him. I’ve been proud of him in the campaign. He gives us hope.

If you can spare $5 this month, join Mary Pat and our millions of supporters across the United States and help bring hope to your community.

Women for Obama: Teresa in Pennsylvania

Molly Claflin — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:40:03 EDT

Teresa in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania describes herself as a “50-year-old-Caucasian-grandmother-registered-Republican-nurse.” But most importantly, she’s also one of the millions of individuals who has joined this grassroots movement.

I support Barack because I think he’s honest. I believe he wants to do a good job and really wants to change things. I like what he believes in.

As a registered nurse, Teresa is especially concerned about healthcare.

I see a lot of problems with healthcare – patients who can’t afford medicines or healthcare. You see people not taking their medicines because they can’t afford them and then facing repercussions because they don’t take their medicines. And people just get sicker. I’ve met elderly people who come in and say that it’s either groceries or medicine. Something has to be done about this. I hope there’s affordable healthcare in our future, and that’s one of the first things that he does.

Teresa also sees how healthcare impacts women in her community. “There are a lot of single women trying to raise children and pay for healthcare and make a decent living, and we need to help them out.” Teresa says fair pay for women is another issue she hopes the next president will address.

Teresa is excited to be supporting Obama. “I’m just so impressed by what Obama wanted to do – reform healthcare and create a better living for the middle class.”

Though she’s always voted on the Republican ticket before, Teresa was surprised at the way her friends and family have supported her choice to vote for Obama.

My father was a staunch Republican. He passed away the night of the Pennsylvania Primary. But before he passed, he asked me if I went to vote, and if I voted for Obama. And he was really happy for me when I told him I did.

Get more involved with the campaign in your community by joining Women for Obama and visit the Women for Obama homepage to learn how you can meet other women in your area.

You also have the unique opportunity to join the Obama Torchbearers, a group for young women leaders who are actively engaged in their communities and want to help bring change from a grassroots level.

Voices for Change: Chelsie in Texas

Molly Claflin — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:37:26 EDT

A single mom with a three-year-old son, convention delegate Chelsie from Rosenberg, Texas considers herself a very blessed person.

Two years ago, Chelsie, now 22, was in an abusive relationship. When she broke up with her abusive ex-boyfriend, he continued to follow her. She got a protective order from a judge, but that didn’t stop him. One day he followed her home and shot her in the head with a gun he stole from a neighbor’s house.

If it wasn’t for the grace of God I wouldn’t be here today. But also thanks to Joe Biden and his Violence Against Women Act, my ex is in prison and can’t hurt me again.

Chelsie’s ex-boyfriend was convicted and will spend the next 25 years in prison. And Chelsie came out of the experience a strong advocate for smarter gun control.

There are too many instances of people committing crimes with guns they’re not supposed to have. We need to control that better. In my home state of Texas, it’s very easy to get a gun. All you have to do is go to a pawnshop. They will hold it for three days ad if you pass a simple background check, they’ll give you a gun.

Chelsie hopes Barack will help create a smart gun control policy to help protect others from becoming victims of violence.

Since her ordeal, she’s become an advocate for the Violence Against Women Act.

So many people don’t realize what a problem domestic violence is. I know many women who have experienced violence at home and didn’t do anything about it. Joe Biden has brought some much-needed attention to this issue. I was thrilled to see him selected as the nominee for Vice President. We need to let people know that violence is not right, and there is help out there.

Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden drafted and sponsored the Violence Against Women Act in the 1990s. This act put violence against women on the national agenda and held batterers accountable.

Joe said, "I consider the Violence Against Women Act the single most significant legislation that I’ve crafted during my 35-year tenure in the Senate. [S]ince we passed the Act in 1994 over a million women have found justice in our courtrooms and obtained domestic violence protective orders."

Read more about the Obama-Biden plan to strengthen the lives of American women.

Chelsie was excited to attend the convention to share her story and bring attention to two important issues. She raised money to get to the convention by holding bake sales, yard sales, and passing around pledge forms to her friends and neighbors. She raised nearly $2,000 to pay for her flight and hotel.

I very much enjoyed the convention. This was my first convention, but it definitely won’t be my last. It’s been so great to be involved. I was deputized to register voters and have been doing that every day in a local minority neighborhood. If I’m not at work, I’m usually out registering new voters.

Chelsie says she supports Barack because he will work for ordinary Americans.

Barack represents all Americans. He ... understands we need important Democratic social programs to succeed. My son is on the SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) program in Texas, and I was on Medicaid when I first had my son. I used it as a stepping-stone until I got a better job that provided health insurance. I think I represent ... the kind of person Barack is working for.

Barack wants to do something to help everybody – no matter what color they are of what walk of life they come from. He’s lived the American dream, and it’s so beautiful to see someone actually make it.

Chelsie says she will do everything she can between now and November to get Barack elected.

I got a second chance in life. Now I want to be involved in politics so that my son will have a better future.

Join Chelsie and find out how you can get more involved in the Obama-Biden campaign and create a better future for all Americans.

Grassroots Finance Committee: Amy in Las Vegas

Molly Claflin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:58:06 EDT

Before the Obama campaign, Amy had never had any interest in being involved in politics. “I never really had anything to believe in," she explained.

"When I heard Barack Obama, and then read his books, I thought, 'here’s somebody who honestly believes in change and believes the way we have been doing things doesn't have to be the way we keep doing them.' I was excited that finally someone in a leadership position believes things can be different in a way that matters to me. So I made my first contribution in May of 2007."

Since then, Amy, 39, a mom with two kids, 17 and 3, has volunteered countless hours, canvassing, phonebanking, and even being a precinct captain for Obama.

Amy had never donated to a political campaign before, but she felt this time she had to get involved.

I thought, if the right candidate comes along and I don’t do anything, I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror. I wanted to be a part of it.

Amy created a My.BarackObama.com page and set up a personal fundraising page to raise funds for the campaign. She sent emails to anyone she knew who supported Obama – mostly friends, family, and coworkers.

Most of them wanted to donate, but didn’t know how or didn’t get around to it. So often they were really appreciative that I asked. I had people who gave me $10, and others who gave $250. Most of them were pretty grateful to get a reminder from me to donate. I’ve actually had people call and ask if they can still donate to me. I think people like helping me reach my goals.

She set small personal deadlines to help fundraise. “One time I set a goal to have a certain amount by midnight before one of the primaries. I sent out a fundraising email and met my goal.”

After that, Amy set a new goal and then had to raise it after she quickly met her goal again. So far, she’s raised over $2,000 from 29 contributors.

Amy thinks people appreciate donating to her page as an easy way to get involved.

People are often afraid to get involved in politics or volunteer, so they can just give a little bit. All you have to do is give $10 or $20 – but it all adds up! It’s one way to get involved and feel like you’re a part of the movement.

It’s also a great way to get new people involved in the campaign. One of Amy’s coworkers donated a little to her page and was driven to volunteer. She says, “We didn’t really know each other before, but then he donated a bit, and we started to talk more, and he got more excited and involved and even became an Obama delegate to the county convention!”

Amy has a core donor base but also adds new people every time she meets new Obama supporters. “It all adds up,” she says.

Setting up a personal donor page is a great way to get more involved in the campaign and bring others into our movement. You can join Amy and supporters like her as a member of the Grassroots Finance Committee. We've set a challenging $1,000 goal for GFC members, but our team of fundraising experts will be available to give you personal advice and the support you need.

Voices for Change: Max from Colorado

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:48:04 EDT

Three years ago, Max and her husband dropped their previous life and moved to Colorado to start a new life in Western Colorado. Fed up with their previous professions, they decided to get back in touch with the land and start farming.

They're now in their third growing season, and things are luckily going well for them. The reason, she says, is because of hte community that's there to support them.

It wasn't difficult to get started in this community. This county has more organic farmers than any in Colorado, so there's a lot of community support. It's been really helpful to talk to farmers in the community; they're very open about their practices.

Community is a big part of Max's life - not only has she received support from her neighbors in starting the farm, but she's done grassroots organizing on her own as well. One of the things she likes best about Barack is his focus on bringing communities together.

I really like the fact that he's positive, he's smart, and he was a community organizer. He's really in touch with the people and I respond to that. Plus he doesn't take any lobbyist money! His heart is in the right place.

Living out in Western Colorado, you wouldn't think that there would be many Democrats around. But Max is sensing that the people are ready for a change.

There's a bit of a paradigm shift going on out here. There's a lot of Republicans and Libertarians our here, but people are realizing that we're not being served well by the government that we have. The economy, bad government, and we've got the oil and gas guys coming in to look to drill so there are concerns about the environment. There's a lot of people concerned with local stuff. It's about what's going on with our pocketbooks.

It's the need to bring her community together to solve America's problems that inspired Max to give to our campaign for change. Join her and nearly two million other donors today, and help us all come together to make America stronger.

Voices for Change: Jeanie in Spokane, Washington

Molly Claflin — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:34:23 EDT

Jeanie in Spokane has not just crossed political lines to vote for a candidate -- she’s changed her whole political philosophy.

"I have always voted in the past," she explained. "Always Republican. I believed that what was wrong with America was too much dependence on government. I believed our taxes were too high and that social programs had raised generation after generation of people who were destined to be dependent and not to stand up for themselves. I thought just voting Republican would be enough to ‘empower people.’"

But then I grew up. I realized I was more progressive all along. As the Right became more radical, I took a step back. And the Democratic Party has stepped up to the plate and become something of great stature.

Jeanie encountered Barack a few months before the primaries and was excited by his message of hope and his approach to the war in Iraq.

We as a people are in a somewhat dysfunctional society right now. And it holds us back. Barack’s message of “Hope! Change! Choice!” – those are real words to me. They mean something, You can change it all with one election.

As an emergency room nurse, Jeanie is most concerned about healthcare in this election.

Working in the ER… there is nowhere else the healthcare crisis is so apparent. The system is a mess. People can’t afford their prescriptions, so they stay sick and keep coming back to the ER. And they don’t have emergencies. They just can’t go anywhere else without insurance. The bottom line is that we have to fix it.

At 52 years old with four grown children and seven grandchildren, Jeanie has thrown herself full-force into the campaign. She’s volunteered, donated, and is currently organizing a massive grassroots event in Washington, DC.

I met a lot of supporters in Spokane, and we wanted to get even more people together, so I planned an event. And it’s so easy to do! And then I decided I wanted to do something different, something big. We’re planning this huge grassroots event now. We’ve reached out to people in North Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida… all coming together in DC. It’s going to be so exciting! When I first planned the event, I posted it on MyBo and went to work. That evening I had 14 pages of email about it!

A watercolor painter in her spare time, Jeanie even painted a watercolor of Barack that she hopes to auction to help support the event. Jeanie is excited about her upcoming event and for the future volunteer efforts she plans to do for Obama.

I am voting for Barack Obama because he seems to understand all of the issues we face, and yet he is able to rise up above the pettiness that plagues American politics. He seems to bring out the best in us.

Voices for Change: Patricia in Kentucky

Molly Claflin — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:59:55 EDT

Born and raised in Newport, Kentucky (where she still lives today), Patricia, 64, first registered to vote when she was eighteen. She was inspired by the words of John F. Kennedy and rushed to register to vote so she could place a vote for him in the 1960 election. “His words inspired me to vote, and I’ve been voting ever since,” she said.

Forty-eight years later, Patricia’s 18-year-old granddaughter felt the same way about Barack Obama.

Patricia raised her granddaughter Janeesha from the time Janeesha was 3-years-old and recently took her to register to vote.

It’s something special about Obama. I was 18, and now she is 18. There was Kennedy, and now there’s Obama! There’s a special connection for us.

Patricia explains what inspires her about Obama:

He’s got that "go get ‘em,” He does! He is determined to make this work and make this world a better place. I started reading about him and hearing things about him long ago. He’s got what it takes. He’s got that charisma that says, "Come on, you’re going to help me!" I talk about him to everybody.

The issues most important to Patricia right now are gas prices and the price of food. “I’m not a particularly thrifty person, but they’ve got me watching pennies right now,” she says.

She’s also concerned about the environment. She says:

I buy bottled water, and I noticed one day that I had all these bottles in my trash cans. And I thought – where do all these bottles go? The answer is into the earth. So I’m thinking I will stop drinking bottled water.

A mother of four – including one son who has had a 23-year Navy career – Patricia has always made time for her community. Even while working full time, she belongs to Eastern Star and the American Legion Auxiliary and currently spends her free time teaching a local woman learn to read.

But now she’s taking some extra time to volunteer for Obama too. She and Janeesha hope to put in some time together to get Obama elected.

Obama inspires me – just like Kennedy did. And that tickles me.

Join Patricia and our millions of volunteers across the country and learn what you can do to get more involved in the campaign.

Voices for Change: John in St. Louis, Missouri

Molly Claflin — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:29:52 EDT

John in St. Louis, Missouri didn’t just normally vote for Republicans – he used to work for them. "The last Democrat I voted for was John F. Kennedy in 1960," he says.

Since then, John served three Republican presidents in the White House – Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and the first George Bush.

But John went to an Obama rally in St. Louis a few months ago and realized it was time for change.

When I heard and saw Obama in person, I was sold. He inspired feelings in me that I have not had since college. I have read his positions on issues, his calls for a change in Washington. I like his message of bipartisanship, and he is right on the need for more transparency in government.

John also appreciates Barack’s approach to foreign policy. “I’m convinced that he understands what it is to be a citizen of the world, and that matters right now.”

Since his Obama conversion, John has made multiple donations to the campaign, and his wife is an avid phonebanker.

He says:

We’re ready for a new direction and new leadership, and we have an able, bright, person who can communicate well. I believe that Barack Obama does trust the American people and despite the temptation to pander to media, he actually thinks about and answers hard questions with thoughtful answers.

Voices for Change: Reba in Hickory, North Carolina

Molly Claflin — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:25:26 EDT

Reba, 60, of Hickory, North Carolina, considered herself a lifetime Republican. But that all changed when Barack Obama came along.

I liked his idea of change. In the last eight years we have seen the White House do whatever they want to do -- it doesn’t matter what the people want. So I decided to switch to Democrat and vote for Obama. Obama makes a whole lot more sense than the Republicans have. I can’t believe I voted for Bush a second time! I’m embarrassed.

As a realtor, Reba has been hit hard by the housing crisis. “It’s hard to help people buy a house right now. Being in so much debt is hard; it’s harder than ever to pay off a house.” The economy has impacted her in a big way. Reba used to own a small real estate brokerage company, but had to sell it when the housing market went bad. “It’s tough,” she says. “I’ve been in the real estate market for 24 years, and this is the worse I’ve ever seen it.”

She’s hoping Obama will bring much-needed change.

Everything Obama says makes so much sense. Like his tax plan – it’s hard for most of us to pay our taxes right now, but Obama’s going to help those of us who don’t have a lot of money. The Republicans ask a lot from us, but give little in return.

Before the Obama campaign came along, Reba had never been politically involved. “I’d never volunteered, and never donated before.” But this time she’s given both time and money to the movement.

He’s something special, and I don’t want him to lose the election because he doesn’t have enough money to compete.

She says she got involved this time because she was inspired by Barack’s understanding of the issues.

What’s different is the desire to have someone in the White House who has a grasp of what’s going on and what real people need.

“And I think Obama will take North Carolina,” she says. “Just about everyone I talk to is going to vote for him!”

Voices for Change: Carey in Richmond, Kentucky

Molly Claflin — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:48:40 EDT

As a single mom with two kids, Carey, from Richmond, Kentucky, is feeling the economic downturn in a big way. A university accounting clerk, Carey, 35, is busy taking care of her daughter Kennedy and five-year-old son Gimel, who has autism.

My work takes a huge toll on my family life. Gimel can’t speak, so he goes to speech therapy, and he goes to occupational therapy to learn how to focus. He was getting a lot of therapy in school, but in the summer that responsibility falls on me. Without my family I don’t know what I would do. You’re only allowed so much occupational and speech therapy under Medicaid. I made less than $30,000 a year and have to pay for the rest of his therapy out of pocket.

That’s one of the reasons I do everything I can in my community to let everybody know how Obama stands on healthcare. He represents change, but change begins at home, so we each have to do our part.

Healthcare is an important issue to Carey, who also helps care for her mother who had a stroke a few years ago.

I hope that every single American – if they choose – should be able to afford health insurance despite what illness they might have. If someone comes to a hospital, they need to be able to get help; you need to be able to take a kid to the emergency room and not have to choose between a sick kid and rent.

Carey is also concerned about education. She’s had to struggle to get the resources Gimel needs in school.

Trying to get special needs kids the tools they need to achieve is very hard. The school system is so short funded and short on teachers, and getting the teachers the training they need to work with these kids is even more difficult. We need to invest better in our schools.

And my daughter will be attending college in four years, and I can’t afford that. We need to make college more affordable for low-income children who aim towards college.

She hopes Barack will help bring much needed change to the education system.

Despite caring for her kids and working full time, Carey has found time to do what she can for the campaign.

I canvassed, I donated, I made phone calls. I held a Unite for Change meeting, and a Platform Meeting too. I’m trying to do all I can. I’ve never been politically involved before.

I’m involved in this election because I can see that Barack can identify with my life. He’s had debt, he’s struggled just like the rest of us. He’s gone through it and succeeded. So I see him as a great role model for my children.

Join Carey and millions of Obama supporters across the nation by contributing to the campaign -- and bring change to your community.

Voices for Change: Griffin, Eva, and Michelle in Minnesota

Molly Claflin — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:33:12 EDT

Some of Barack’s most enthusiastic supporters are not even able to vote – yet. Eleven-year-old Griffin and his little sister Eva, who is eight, of Minneapolis, have been following Barack since the primaries.

Griffin and Eva are some of the youngest donors to the campaign. The kids get a weekly allowance, and they chose to set aside 25 percent of that allowance -- $1 – each week to donate to the Obama campaign. (Of course, they are too young to actually make their own campaign donation, so their mom Michelle takes their intended donations into account when she writes her own $25 check to the campaign each month.)

Michelle says:

Griffin started talking about Barack before I did. The kids came home from school one day after Obama won the Iowa Caucus and they were all excited about Barack. They brought their enthusiasm home. That inspired me to get more involved.

Michelle, 39, who directs a local organization focused on ending local violence and alleviating poverty, is inspired by her kids’ interest in the democratic system.

During the primaries, Michelle says, Griffin kept track of when all the primaries and caucuses were. “In fact, on election night, he is glued to the computer surfing news sites for up-to-the-minute results. He wouldn’t go to bed until we found out who won.”

She notes:

Thanks to Barack Obama, my 11-year-old actually knows the difference between delegates and super-delegates, caucuses and primaries.

Michelle says that now that the general election is in full swing, she will help the kids to be more involved. Griffin and Eva want to join Michelle to knock on doors and canvass their neighborhood for Barack, and they hope to attend a rally if Barack visits Minnesota again.

I will definitely bring them along with the work I do for the campaign. This is the most I’ve seen them interested in anything. Now they want new Obama t-shirts!

Michelle says she supports Barack because “he has the leadership skills to move the country in the right direction.” But more than anything, she’s inspired by the way he has brought her kids into the political process and motivated them learn more about American government and the democratic system.

Griffin and Eva won’t get to cast a vote in November. But we’re excited that Barack’s message has created two future voters who are excited about politics. That’s what the campaign for change is all about.

Join Griffin and Eva and make your own contribution to change the face of government.

Voices for Change: Larry in Montana

Molly Claflin — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:48:03 EDT

Larry used to call himself a Republican. He grew up in a strong Republican family where the GOP brand “passed from father to son,” he said. “But I’m a reformed Republican now. George W. Bush changed my views on whether the Republican Party is the way we need to go now.”

Larry, 65, is a retired lawyer who lives in Columbia Falls, Montana. He’s married with three grown children and spends his time hiking, fishing, hunting, and playing golf.

Despite his Republican roots, Larry said the decision to support Obama was not difficult.

I take a lot of offense at the things Bush and Cheney have done in their administration with respect to ignoring the law and the Constitution. And then there was Abu Ghraib.

I’m also very concerned about the appointment of Supreme Court justices. This Supreme Court is really important in this election. I think it’s important to have a balanced Supreme Court, and I think Obama will appoint more middle-of-the-road and left-leaning justices.

Larry started supporting Barack after he read The Audacity of Hope.

If Barack sticks to his ideas and the way he has outlined his thoughts broadly in that book, I think he’ll make a great president,” he says. “We need to get back to compromise, negotiation, respect for people. People in government need to respect each other to get results. And I know these things won’t happen over night, but we need to work towards those goals. Barack can lead by example.

Beyond switching parties to vote for a Democrat, Larry is doing all he can to get Barack elected.

In late October, I just knew that if he was going to get anywhere, he had to win Iowa. So I decided I was going to go to Iowa and see what I could do to help. You have to put your efforts where your mouth is. I went to Sioux City, Iowa. I knocked on doors, made phone calls, talked to voters, and did what I could to get people to go caucus. I knew he had to win. And he did! It’s because of what the volunteers did. And I felt like I did something worthwhile.

Despite never having volunteered on a campaign before, Larry has kept up his volunteer efforts back in his home state. “Now, I’ve done some volunteering here in Montana – rang doorbells and got involved locally and have been attending organizational meetings to learn what else I can do. I like going out and talking to people, so I’ll keep doing that.”

He says:

I’m going to try to help in my own small way. I’ll just keep talking to people in my neighborhood and see what I can do.

Voices for Change: Jonathan from Pennsylvania

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:31:43 EDT

Jonathan is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His unit was one of the very first to deploy, and they were tasked with running Camp Bucca, one of the two major U.S. detention centers.

We did training in Fort Dix in New Jersey. We were one of the first waves to go in - they do more training now - but we got a crash course in like three weeks. It was frustrating for me because as tragic as the events on 9/11 were, I just didn't understand the connection between Iraq and the War on Terrorism at the time. If we had been sent to Afghanistan, I would have understood. We were doing good things. We worked with kids and provided them with food and shelter. But it just didn't sit well with me. Even though there were good things, there were bad things too.

The longer that he served in Iraq, watching the situation deteriorate, the more that Jonathan grew frustrated with American politics.

I sent in my absentee ballot in and was hoping to help change the direction of the country. But I found out that with the way they counted the votes, a winner had already been declared, and they weren't even going to count our absentee ballots. I was over in the Middle East serving my country, and my vote wasn't even going to count. When I got home I messed with some ideas like moving to Canada because I felt disenfranchised and disconnected and didn’t believe the government cared. Then I learned about Barack Obama and his candidacy for president. I believe he will be different. And I believe he will bring our troops home. Every day I try to get as much support for him as I can.

Jonathan lives in Clarion, Pennsylvania, where he's finishing the degree he started before his deployment.

Despite having lived on a soldier's small salary and now attending school full time, Jonathan managed to find the extra cash to join our nearly two million-strong grassroots network of small dollar donors. He knows that every extra cent will go to good use -- building our movement to bring real change to Washington.

Voices for Change is a series featuring profiles of Barack Obama's grassroots supporters from across the nation. The people who make up this movement come from all walks of life, but they share a common goal: to help bring about fundamental change in Washington.

Voices for Change: Linda from Springfield, OH

George Krebs — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:47:21 EDT

As a junior in high school the fall of 1960, Linda was President of the Springfield, OH Youth for Kennedy chapter. When John and Bobby Kennedy came to speak in the town, 50 miles west of Columbus, Linda got to sit on a little platform on stage. “John Kennedy first inspired me to vote,” Linda said. “JFK’s campaign, like Barack Obama’s, was also about hope and optimism.”

Now, Linda works at Wittenberg College, also in Springfield, as an events coordinator in the Alumni Office. She is years removed from her days supporting Kennedy’s presidential campaign, but sees the same promise in Barack. “The history I’ve lived through has allowed me to recognize his fabulous leadership when I saw him,” she said. Through this campaign she has volunteered her home to be used to house visiting supporters, contributed to the campaign and made clear her willingness to do whatever is needed. “I’m going to get involved through campus if necessary and do things there. One way or another we’ve got to get him elected.”

Obama says that we’re not going to be governed by fear. He’s very intelligent and he does not talk down to us. He doesn’t tell us things are going to be easy. He says that we’re Americans and if we come together, if we can have hope and optimism, we can solve our problems. He respects his fellow Americans and talks above the petty politics. I really admire that.

As Linda explains, much of the Wittenberg motto echoes Barack’s approach to politics and his life story.

At Wittenberg our motto is ‘Having light, we pass it onto others.’ We want the students to take that education and go out into the world, make a difference. This is a lot of what Barack Obama has said and has done in his life. It’s not enough to be a citizen; you have to be active in the life of our country.

The circumstances this country is facing and Barack’s message of greater political participation has persuaded Linda that her ideas and her effort are needed. “I’m working on a committee to elect a female democrat in our district to congress. It’s the first time I’ve ever done this,” she said. “This time we’re at a point where people have to stand up and be counted. You can’t just give lip service – the times require this.” Like Barack, Linda believes deeply in a commitment to public service.

Barack’s Christian faith has formed a lot of his values. At Wittenberg we have a strong service component. I see that in Barack Obama. He says that we’re in this together. Our country needs us to be active, whether it be in politics, government, the school board or state government. Right now, I’m very pessimistic about the direction our country is going in. Obama says that we can be better than we are, we can do more than we’ve done.

Linda has made the decision to take part in this campaign. For her, even without a huge salary, she can’t sit on the sidelines because the stakes are too high.

I work in education, so I don't make a whole heap of money. But you have to prioritize. I’ve given a few times and will give more. If not me, then who else? This is important. This is our future. Republicans have spent millions of dollars – we have to counter that. We’re not going to roll over, but it takes money to hit back.

The response to Barack’s campaign throughout Ohio and the country has amazed Linda. Even in her community, which is traditionally republican, her neighbors are standing up for change. “I’m seeing people my age, in their 60s, who have never been involved in politics, never been politically active in their lives, say that now is the time, and Barack Obama is the person who can lead us out of the mess that we’re in,” she said. “We’ve had it with the way things are. For our children and for our grandchildren we need to win this election.”

Voices for Change is a series featuring profiles of Barack Obama's grassroots supporters from across the nation. The people who make up this movement come from all different backgrounds, but they share a common goal – to help bring about fundamental change in Washington.

Voices for Change: Tiffany in Minnesota

Molly Claflin — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:07:21 EDT

Tiffany has never voted before. But November 4, 2008 is going to be her big day. “I never even registered before,” the 29-year-old said. “But after being emotionally touched by Barack Obama’s speeches and decision to run for president, I am proud to say that I am now a registered voter.”

Tiffany, who lives in Shakopee Minnesota, is self-employed and divorced with four children – a 9-year-old, twin 7-year-olds, and a 15-month-old baby.

She said she first began to take an interest in Barack when she heard his personal story of growing up with a single mother and working on Chicago’s South Side. She says:

He’s a real American. He’s been a middle class American, and he’s achieved the American dream. But he’s been through the struggles and understands where I’m coming from as a working American.

She also appreciates that Barack and Michelle have young children to care for.

It’s exciting to see someone with young children running for president. Barack and Michelle know what we ordinary Americans go through as parents. They understand the cost of raising kids – keeping gas in the car, a roof over their heads, and food on the table.

In this election, Tiffany is most concerned about the cost of living, the price of gas, and the minimum wage. “I have many friends and family working for minimum wage and have trouble making ends meet right now. When gas is $4 a gallon, how are you supposed to pay for it on only $6 an hour?”

She believes that with his background growing up, Barack understands that struggle.

Seeing an “average American like her” running for president inspired Tiffany to finally register to vote. "I decided every vote helps,” she says. And what’s more, she’s putting in her time as well. She and her sister have been going door-to-door together finding new voters.

Every chance I get, I ask people if they’re voting. ‘Do you believe in something? Then vote!’ I tell the college-aged kids I work with – ‘history is being made, do you want to be a part of it or let it pass you by? Get involved!’ I want to let them know that something important is happening.

Find some time to volunteer in your community and join Tiffany and other Obama supporters in your state to make a difference in November.

Voices for Change: LaVita from Pembroke Pines, Florida

Bradley Portnoy — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:18:06 EDT

LaVita is a second grade teacher in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Her students mean the world to her, and she wants to make sure that they have all the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. Every year, though, she finds the her budget doesn't fund essential supplies. "Things you know the kids can benefit from, but the budget just isn't there. The administrators say, 'If you need it, you buy it.' And you're willing to do that for the kids in your classroom."

With the economy the way it is, that's not an easy sacrifice for her to make. Sometimes all the costs of living can put LaVita and her family under a lot of stress.

I live in South Florida, and it's already an expensive state to live in. When you're talking in excess of $1,800 a month for rent, and again with my reaching into my pocket to provide necessary supplies for my kids at school, it's difficult. My husband is in law enforcement and doesn't get paid nearly enough. We're paying for child care for our 9 year old girl. Today I filled up my car at $4.40 a gallon. It's a struggle for us monthly. We're living paycheck to paycheck and then some.

With all those expenses to manage, LaVita worries about how she'll send her daughter to college and still be able to enjoy her retirement.

As parents, we worry...it's a little disheartening becuase you know you'd like to save more for a college education. My daughter's a very bright child and although we try to pick little pieces here and there to pay for her education, we just pray that she does well in high school and gets a scholarship. When you look at all the things in the cost of living, you realize that we just might not be able to save that money. We have to retire at some point, and I'm saving money for retirement and college.

With the economic downturn, LaVita is looking to Senator Obama to bring about real change in Washington. "I feel like this is the first time that I'm honestly excited about voting, and that there's actually a possibility to make a change in our nation." What's most inspiring to her, though, is the reaction that her parents have had to Barack's message.

My parents are actually diehard Republicans, and they've voted Republian since I can ever remember. Now they're on the Obama bandwagon. They've been to every rally they can get to in North Carolina, travelling all over to see Barack and Michelle. And that inspires me becuase they're the type to vote Republican just becuase it's the way they've always voted. For them to step out of that box just sepeaks so highly of Senator Obama.

Even with all her financial worries, LaVita has found the extra cash to join our 2 million strong donor network. Barack's campaign is built on a grassroots network of everyday Americans who have contributed what they can. Join her and two million others by making a donation today - every cent counts.

Voices for Change: Linda from Chesterland, OH

George Krebs — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:47:34 EDT

Whenever Linda finds an interesting article in the newspaper about Barack, she immediately cuts it out to send to her son Luke, who is in college. If she sees it online, she e-mails it to him. As a Chesterland, OH native (a suburb east of Cleveland) she recently sent her son, a basketball enthusiast, an article about LeBron James’ official endorsement of Barack and another great piece from the Cleveland Plain-Dealer about Michelle Obama. She sends more unusual Barack articles to close friends.

Linda, a psychotherapist in private practice, is a registered independent. “I don’t like to be tied in to a particular party and have never been actively involved in politics,” she says. “I always vote and usually stay informed, but I’ve never kept up with an election like I’ve followed this one.”

From the very beginning I was drawn most to Obama very clearly. I like his message and his sense of the larger picture. Beyond his oratory skills, he has the ability to listen. He obviously has a lot of charisma, but is also grounded. Sometimes people get carried away with themselves. He sees the larger vision, but is also inclusionary with people and personal. He speaks the truth of experience which makes him accessible. And he’s a bridge builder. With all of the bridges that got burned these last years, especially on the world scene, he wants to understand the different positions of people and heal the vision of the U.S. in the world.

Linda is inspired by Barack’s unconventional background and his by-the-bootstraps rise from modest beginnings.

I love his background and the world he grew up in. Instead of having everything laid out for him, he worked his way up on his own. It’s a departure from the old politics we’ve come to know. He’s a fresh, new face and has fresh ideas. Also, the fact that he is a black man gets me excited because we are so close to having a black person in the highest office in the country.

Linda is optimistic about having a president who is able to change political discourse and bring a range of voices into the process. The way Barack has approached this campaign and handled the issues that have come up has amazed her.

I’ve gone on the internet to listen to most of the speeches. I don’t like getting sound bites from the media, so I like to listen to the whole thing. I particularly liked the race speech he gave in Philadelphia. When he speaks to address a controversy, at the same time he holds true to himself and sees both perspectives. When I hear him I get a sense of hope I’ve never gotten before in politics.

This sense of hope is particularly welcome in a time when so many people are struggling throughout the country.

The economy is of course an issue. We’re all feeling the pinch of the economy. Food, gas, and nearly everything is getting more expensive. When I’ve bought plane tickets recently they’re much more expensive than usual.

Linda is taking a part in this campaign because she wants to see change in this country. She doesn’t want to imagine the alternative. “What if he didn’t win?” she says. “That whole prospect scares me. It would be an enormous loss for the potential of this level of change.” As November approaches, she has committed to continue to follow the election, be involved, and, of course, send her son clips about Barack from the newspaper. “I’m excited about this election in a new way that I’ve never felt.”

Voices for Change is a series featuring profiles of Barack Obama's grassroots supporters from across the nation. The people who make up this movement come from all different backgrounds, but they share a common goal – to help bring about fundamental change in Washington.

Voices for Change: Bob from Portsmouth, Virginia

George Krebs — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:04:57 EDT

Bob of Portsmouth, Virginia knows what it means to serve our country. He served in the Army for 24 years and has worked in the government for a total of 45 years. For 17 of his years in the Army he was a broadcaster. “I’ve talked to a lot of interesting people,” he said, “President Reagan in Korea and Bush Sr. in Japan.”

At 65 years old, he also has “long been a registered Republican. The only time I was going to vote Democratic was for JFK if he had run in 1964,” he said. After years of irritation with the current administration, Bob began to look for other candidates in this election and became inspired by Barack.

I’m from Iowa originally and was born in Des Moines. When Barack won Iowa I said, ‘Let me listen to this guy.’ I did some research online and followed him through the primaries. I was impressed. This is a man who has a lot of common sense and a hope for changing things. Without hope, there is no goal in life.

This last Wednesday, Bob and his girlfriend Silvia saw Michelle Obama and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine speak at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk. “She was a fantastic, dynamic speaker and reflects what Barack is all about,” he said. Governor Kaine spoke of taking care of our veterans and making our country safe. As a veteran and in his current role on staff at the Norfolk Naval Base (“The largest naval base in the world,” he notes), these issues hit home with Bob.

Barack Obama cares about veterans. We need to help our soldiers who come back from overseas with no job, disabilities, and no healthcare. Barack will make this national policy. Homeland security is very important to me. I was a cop for 8 years with the Department of Defense. Some of the security even within our defense system isn’t good enough. We need to protect our sailors, soldiers and airmen.

Having a president who listens to the nation’s citizens and values their ideas is significant for Bob. Barack’s commitment to involving ordinary people is proof of this.

I like the way he cares a lot about the grassroots. He said, ‘I want you to plan the political platform for the Democratic Party.’ At the meeting I went to we talked for six hours about five different issues. One of the biggest issues was education. The students of tomorrow will run this country; we need to provide them with top notch education. We need to have a curriculum that teaches cultural differences from an early age and teaches a second language.

Bob is not a political regular. “I’ve never been involved in politics before and never donated money,” he said. In his first campaign he is fully immersed.

I give to this campaign because I believe in it. My girlfriend Silvia and I also went to two campaign office grand openings. For the office in Portsmouth, we bought banners, streamers and posters to decorate the office. We brought refreshments for all of the supporters who came. We wanted the office to look professional and to make a good impression. Then, that same Saturday afternoon, we went to the opening in Chesapeake.

Bob has surprised himself by his involvement in this campaign, but has no doubts. “I want to see this man be our president,” he said. “He’s the man for the job. With the ideas he’s got and our help, he’s going to be great.” Having inspired people around him, Bob is ready for the sprint to the general election. He wants to bring as many people into the campaign as possible. With his eye toward November, Bob said, “I’m fired up.”

Voices for Change is a series featuring profiles of Barack Obama's grassroots supporters from across the nation. The people who make up this movement come from all different backgrounds, but they share a common goal – to help bring about fundamental change in Washington.

Voices for Change: Joyce from Hollywood, Florida

Bradley Portnoy — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:14:27 EDT

Life was different for Joyce when she was growing up in the South. Then, she lived in a segregated community and attended segregated schools. Now living in Hollywood, Florida, she's one half of an interracial marriage, and her involvement with the campaign has given her a renewed sense of pride in her husband and her relationship.

It's the first time that she's ever made calls, registered voters, or networked with other supporters in her community, and it's paying off in the way she thinks about herself.

I've always felt a little...not uncomfortable, but maybe out of step. It's hard to put words around it. But Senator Obama makes me so proud of him and of my husband. It's changed the dynamics of the way I feel about it.

Despite the positive change that she sees Barack bringing, the current state of the economy has been tough on her and her family.

We're much more careful with the way we spend money because we still have to fill our gas tanks. And groceries - you spend $60 and you don't have anything in the bag. And about every fourth house in my neighborhood has a "for sale" sign. Our neighbors are really suffering. They have one of those upside down mortgage situations, and they never turn on the air condiditoning and it's 100 degrees or more outside.

Joyce has still found room in her strained budget to make regular contributions to the campaign.

This is the first time that I've given on a regular basis. I have it in my budget...usually I have instant regret when I buy something online, but I'm never sorry when I send money to the Obama campaign.

Joyce is part of our incredible grassroots network of small dollar donors. It's people like her who make our campaign possible at all. Join her and over 1.7 million others today.

Voices for Change: Cathie from Pennsylvania

George Krebs — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:07:20 EDT

Less than a hundred miles from Cathie’s home in southern Pennsylvania, Barack Obama gave a compelling speech in mid March addressing the role of race in America entitled “A More Perfect Union.” The speech, given at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, amazed her and inspired her to follow the campaign intently.

"His approach to the issues of race and diversity is so incredibly real, honest and compassionate," she said. "I too have family and friends whose perspectives I disagree with, but that doesn't mean I don't care about them. It was an incredibly powerful speech that gave serious insight into Senator Obama's character. Wow."

After following the campaign for several months, it became clear to Cathie that the most powerful means of change would come through listening to a broad range of voices. She has grown tired of a government that is exclusive and shuts out those who do not agree with them.

He’s interested in listening to people. He brings us into decisions and no other politician has done that. He speaks an important message that focuses on what we can do, not what he can do. When Barack Obama is president his culture of inclusion will filter down. Instead of closed doors, people will demand a different kind of government that is transparent and open to the common man. He can’t change the world, but he can inspire people to make a difference. He is open to compromise and looks at all options.

The idea of citizens taking a greater role in the political process resonates with Cathie. She studied mass communications in graduate school and knows broadly supported movements are wholly effective. Through our involvement, and Barack’s leadership, we can create this change.

I am not new to the voting process. I voted for the first time in 1970. But this year, for the first time ever, I see the potential for real change. Not just in Washington, but in us, the citizens of the United States. We are being offered the opportunity to change our country. As president, Barack Obama will bring all of us to the table. I believe he will help us heal the rift that divides us.

Cathie and her husband, like many Americans, are feeling the stresses of a strained economy. “The cost of everything is going up,” she says. “I can’t even afford to put my husband on my medical insurance plan.” Their daily lives are also affected by rising costs. “We’re staying in when we would go out and drive. We go out to dinner a whole lot less. We’re actually moving to get closer to where I work because I’m spending $300 a month on fuel.”

Still, Cathie gets paid once a month and contributes once a month. It is important to her that she is doing what she can to win in November.

I’m donating because it’s one thing I can do right now to make a difference. I can’t imagine losing this election…I’ve been very impressed by the campaign he is running. He doesn’t take money from lobbyists or PACs. It’s clear too many politicians take directions from the lobbyists who are talking to them, rather than everyday people telling their side of the story.

Cathie is clear about the role of individual supporters in this broad campaign. She knows that she is a part of a powerful movement, and whatever she is able to give will make an impact. She explained that Barack “seeks all of our voices, but each and every one of us has to carry our small piece of this victory. It takes many drops of water to make an ocean. Your voice matters more than you know. Your voice could be the one that turns the tide.”

Voices for Change is a series featuring profiles of Barack Obama's grassroots supporters from across the nation. The people who make up this movement come from all different backgrounds, but they share a common goal – to help bring about fundamental change in Washington.

Voices for Change: Michael from Houston, Texas

Bradley Portnoy — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:42:34 EDT

Michael is a former pastor living in Houston, Texas who's recently fallen on hard times. He worked his whole life to help reduce poverty and hunger, volunteering in soup kitchens and teaching special needs children. Now he's been laid off and is currently looking for a new job where he can continue to serve the community.

With two young boys to support, Michael is concerned about how he'll manage to pay for gas, put food on the table and still make sure that they can afford to go to college.

I do want my boys to make a full contribution to our society. And they’re very creative, very intelligent, and they should have the opportunity to do anything that they want. I’m worried about colleges because finding money for college is going to be difficult. And the more money that is available for their education, the further they can go. Most of us in our income bracket are going to need help with college expenses. I like that Barack is saying that there will be expanded opportunities for college.

He's also worried about his boys' health. Living outside Houston, the air quality isn't up to the standards Michael thinks they should be.

Pollution is a big issue. I’m real interested in seeing us move on the environmental side. And I’d like to see us work to reduce the amount of smog in the air. We have some neighborhoods where health is affected, with increased incidences of asthma and so forth. With two boys, you want them to have the best air possible to breathe.

As a pastor, Michael is also interested in matters of faith and has been pleased to see Barack reaching out to those who share in his Christian faith. He thinks that Barack can restore civility to our public discourse and bring Americans together, regardless of religion, race, creed, etc.

I like his emphasis on a new kind of politics...I’m ready for us to have a new tone in Washington. That as much as anything is what attracted me to him. I think it’s so important that everybody in the US work together to solve our problems. And if we’re going to keep calling each other names, we’re never going to tackle our problems. We have to try to talk about what are reasonable solutions.

A first step toward restoring civility in politics was, for Michael, a small grassroots donation to Barack's candidacy. Despite his worries about finding a new job and paying for college for his two boys, Michael gave what he could to help get Barack elected.

Voices for Change: Amanda in Kentucky

Bradley Portnoy — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:01:13 EDT

Many of Barack's supporters come from various places on the political spectrum. Democrats, Independents, and even Republicans are declaring their support for Barack and working hard to get him elected.

Amanda is a 30-year-old real estate agent and mother from Kentucky. Growing up, her family always supported Republicans.

I'm a registered Republican, but I really liked [Barack] after the Democratic Convention the last time around. I really appreciated his viewpoint.

For Amanda, the handling of Hurricane Katrina left her looking to vote for change in 2008.

...The final straw came during Hurricane Katrina. I felt that the response was lacking. If it had been anyone else in the world or anywhere else in the world...then the response would have been a little bit quicker. We can do better.

Amanda has been working as hard as she can to get Barack elected. She's been talking to friends and family about Barack and the positive change that he'll bring to America.

I hope that by having an Obama sticker on my car and talking to everyone I know about what a different kind of politician Senator Obama is and why I believe in him, I can make sure that he's elected this fall.

Amanda is one of millions of supporters from across the country. Join her and others in supporting our campaign for change by making a grassroots donation today!

Voices for Change: Channa in Fort Worth, Texas

Molly Claflin — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:58:26 EDT

When Channa, 27, a teacher in Fort Worth, Texas, donated to the Obama campaign, she made sure we knew what a big step this was for her. “I’m the most frugal person you will ever meet. The fact that I would consider donating to a campaign – you better know I must be inspired,” she said.

Paying back her college loans and living on a teaching salary, Channa doesn’t have a lot of extra money. But she found enough to donate not once – but multiple times.

I’ve never donated to anything before, and this is the first election I’ve ever been involved in. Obama came to town in the spring, and I decided to go to the rally. I’ve never seen anything like it! There were people from every culture you could ever imagine. This is the one event I’ve ever seen in this country that brought so many different people together.

Channa currently teaches high school chemistry, but she is hoping to go back to school in the next few years to be a doctor. Because of her students and her own studies, Channa says education is one of the most important issues for her in this election.

When we go into classrooms, we are teaching for tests – not helping the kids prepare for college and careers. We need to be educating the next generation. As a teacher, I feel responsible. I want to make sure the kids are prepared for the SAT and to go to college.

Channa says:

My kids are very concerned that they won’t be able to afford college. One of the things Obama wants to do is create more scholarships and funds for education but require that kids give back and volunteer. I think that’s awesome because people seem to appreciate things more when they have to earn them.

Her own educational costs are also on her mind. “I’m paying for college out of my own pockets, and teaching is one of those professions where if you are trying to do it on your own, you need a second job.” Student loans only add to the burden.

As she struggles under her teaching salary, Channa is also concerned about the economy.

With all the recessions and foreclosures, it makes it really hard for young people like me who are looking to buy a home in the future.

But Channa has hope that an Obama administration can bring much needed change and make the American dream more affordable and possible to young Americans just starting out.

Even with her self-described frugality, Channa felt inspired to give what she could to the Obama for America campaign. Join Channa and be a part of the movement.

Voices for Change: Elizabeth from Kentucky

Bradley Portnoy — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:26:40 EDT

Elizabeth, who has just moved to Kentucky from South Florida, has faced challenges recently. After the death of her husband, she broke her back in a car accident, which caused her to lose her job and health insurance. She was turned down for Social Security disability payments and, as a consequence, lost her house. She moved in with her mother, only to see that house destroyed by Hurricane Wilma. With two college degrees, Elizabeth found herself waiting tables to survive. Through sheer determination, she's managed to overcome these challenges, now working both a full and part time job in addition to going to graduate school.

I didn't do anything wrong, and yet life happened. It doesn't matter what happens to you. It's how you choose to deal with it. I'm still a little bitter in that I was legitimately injured in an auto accident that was not my fault, and I lost my job, lost my healthcare, and started going through my retirement savings while I was waiting for disability payments. They said they reject everyone the first three times... I lost my home and my retirement savings, and then Hurricane Wilma hit 30 days after Katrina on Halloween. Parts of Broward County, Florida were destroyed just like New Orleans. ... I was in a home filled with water and with no roof for 21 days, and no one came to help. ... I feel like the government has let me down.

Elizabeth's two brothers and her boyfriend served in the military, and she currently lives near Fort Campbell.

I've gone to all these farewell dinners for the boys at Fort Campbell. They come home, they do a semester of college, and they go right back to Iraq. They go back three times. My boyfriend just came back from Iraq. He went over there so gung ho, and he didn't come back the same way. He's been in the military since he was 18 and has always been a staunch Republican. He came back and said, 'We need to elect Barack Obama. We can't continue like this.'

Having grown up in a middle class town, Elizabeth is concerned that there really is no middle class in America anymore.

I grew up with a real belief in America, and I feel like in the last 8 years it has been eroded with this horrible corruption at the highest levels. 90% of us are really hurting today...I honestly believe that Barack can change things. I know he can't change it overnight, but I have hope for America again.

Even working the equivalent of two and a half jobs and having to get by on less than $30,000 a year, she's contributed time and money to the campaign.

I feel like that money's going to go to the right place instead of just lining some lobbyist's pocket.

You can join Elizabeth and our 1.7 million American strong network of donors - make a contribution today. Every cent counts.

Voices for Change: Ryan in Pennsylvania

Amanda Scott — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:12:45 EDT

The election this November provides the opportunity for change. It provides Americans with a choice. We can continue on our current path, which offers little hope for change. Or, we can choose a new direction, and come together as Americans -- as we have in the past -- to turn moments of great challenge into moments of opportunity.

As Ryan in Pennsylvania tells us, Barack will be a president who brings about change we can believe in.

My name is Ryan and I am from Philadelphia, PA.

With the current administration running the country, I have truly learned what it feels like to be on the bottom and unable to escape. I have taken on enormous amounts of debt recently that is constantly being compounded by spurts of bad luck.

I am a full-time student majoring in history. However, I also work full-time to be able to survive. My work weeks have, for the past two years, been between 50-70 hours per week. I can basically sum up my life over the past several years by saying that to rid myself of debt, I have to go to school, but to go to school I have to incur more debt.

I have recently gotten engaged and am looking to buy a house and get married in the next few years. With the housing market being low, currently it would be a great opportunity to buy, but even when my huge hours of work, I do not make enough money to be able to even consider renting an apartment.

This is my second donation to the Obama campaign. It is not a large amount that I donated, but it was all that I can afford. I have never donated to any politician before. I believe in Obama more than any other politician that I have seen in my life, and I am willing to sacrifice my money for groceries for a week to help support his cause.

Voices for Change: Kiko In Colorado

Amanda Scott — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:11:51 EDT

Barack tells his story most everywhere he goes. And after telling his story, he encourages others to listen to one another and share their personal stories. Because our personal stories connect us with other supporters.

Kiko in Colorado shared his story with the campaign and how he relates to Barack on many levels...

When Barack Obama speaks of his story not being possible in any other country in the world, it strikes a deep chord with me.

I, too, was raised outside of the United States as a DOD (Department of Defense) brat in Saudi Arabia and England. I didn't live in the United States until I was seventeen years old and a student in college.

I have voted in every election since I was of voting age, but never have I been so inspired and moved by a politician as I have been by Barack Obama and his campaign.

I am a new father and husband. Having a family of my own has caused me to view America and the world in different ways than I did before. I worry about the kind of world that my son will grow up in and the kind of country America will be by the time he can vote.

Things being as they are, I am making less money, and everything is costing more. I wonder how much longer I can tread the murky waters of middle-class America and keep my own hopes and dreams afloat as well as those to come for my son.

I worry about what kind of education will be available to him as our public schools continue to spiral down the drain. I worry that I won't be able to afford to put food on the table and provide health insurance for my wife and him. I worry about a lot of things that in better times we as Americans perhaps took for granted.

The vision that Barack Obama has shared in his campaign is one I can only hope will be realized through his election to President of the United States of America. I intend to donate as much time and money as I can afford to this cause.

I believe that Barack can lead us to fulfill our potential as a nation. We have not been a beacon of freedom to the world. We have not been that great and glorious personification of democracy and liberty that our forefathers envisioned. We are having a hard time living up to the promises of our potential.

I believe that Barack Obama could be just the man we need. I want to say to my son one day that I voted for him and that it was the best thing I've ever done for my country because of all that he did for it.

I hope ... and I dream.

Voices for Change: Carolyn in Giddings, Texas

Molly Claflin — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:05:46 EDT

Before the 2008 election cycle, 69-year-old Carolyn of Giddings, Texas had never voted Democratic before. She had also never caucused in her state or been elected delegate. She had never volunteered for a campaign before or donated money or registered voters. But even at age 69, there’s a first time for everything.

Carolyn, now retired, has nine grown children, 17 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren with three more on the way. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, sewing, and mentoring teenagers in her community.

"All my kids are registered, and they’re all voting Obama,” she says. “Every month we all chip in a little bit, and we send the campaign a donation together. We’re an Obama clan! My mother is 93, and you better not say anything bad about Obama to her!"

Before this election, Carolyn always voted Republican. However, Barack’s message of change changed her mind.

I changed because I didn’t like the way things were going – on the economy, education, immigration, and Iraq. The citizens are losing.
The economy is so bad. I really have to budget myself these days. I used to give what I could to my community, but I can’t help people as much as I used to these days.
So I thought to myself, let’s see what these young people can do! The older people in government have their minds set in the old ways. It’s time to move in a different direction. You don’t have to be 60 or 70 years old to be a leader today. We need younger leaders. So I’m praying that Obama can bring this change. He’s going to need the prayers and the support of the whole nation. He must win. It’s just time.

Despite never having been interested in politics before, Carolyn is giving lots of her time to the Obama campaign.

I’ve never been interested in volunteering or donating before, but this time, I see a young man who really is trying hard to do something different.

Carolyn began by caucusing in her home precinct. “I chose to caucus because it’s important for Obama to win,” she says. “I didn’t know anything about caucusing, but I know if you don’t go out and make the change, it’s not going to happen.”

She has also been busy registering voters in her community.

I’ve been asking everybody to register. I just know that when you register people, you give them a voice. When I talk to young people, I tell them that this is their time.

The effect Obama had on young people moved Carolyn to volunteer in her community. “Obama began to speak, and young people began to listen, and he pulled them out of the slump of fear. He put the spirit back in them,” she says. “I began to see how alive and involved the young people were to go out in the hot sun and knock on doors for him. This is the generation that’s going to bring it around. And this is what inspired me.”

We’re excited that Barack Obama helped bring Carolyn into the political process and proud that her first-ever campaign contribution will go to support our efforts to bring change to Washington. You can join Carolyn and our millions of grassroots supporters across the country and be a part of our campaign for change.