Open Thread

It's never too early to think about election day volunteer shifts.

Polls open in 84 days . . .

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Voices for Change: Linda from Springfield, OH

As a student at Wittenberg College in the fall of 1960, Linda was President of the school’s Youth for Kennedy chapter. When John and Bobby Kennedy came to speak on the college’s Springfield, OH campus 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 in the Wittenberg Alumni Office as an events coordinator. 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 make $33,000 a year. It’s not 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.

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Voices for Change: Tiffany in Minnesota

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 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.

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Road to Denver: Democratic National Committee
Platform Meeting

Last Saturday, the 186-member Platform Committee met at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For the 2008 Democratic Party Platform, this was just the next step on a long road that began last month with over 1600 house meetings and will end at Denver and the Democratic National Convention. Over the course of the day-long meeting, committee members solidified a draft version of the platform that will be voted on later in the month. 

As Massachusetts Governor and platform committee co-chair Deval Patrick explained, "I think there's such a hunger for change and you saw that in how smoothly things went." In fact, the meeting adjourned two and a half hours early. 

Brett Brownell, the Pennsylvania Campaign for Change videographer, was on hand for the Democratic Nationional Committee Platform Meeeting and posted this report last Saturday:

Pennsylvania was honored today to host 186 Democratic party committee members at the Democratic National Committee Platform Meeting in Pittsburgh. Every state in the U.S., as well as American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands was represented.

Their mission was to reach consensus on the party platform that will be submitted to the full convention in Denver later this month, or in other words, agree upon the ideals, issues, beliefs which Democrats will unite around during the 2008 election.

This platform was not created in a typical, behind-closed-doors manner. Instead, the Democratic party opened its doors, and ears, by allowing Americans to speak their minds and help shape the platform directly.

During the last month, 1600 meetings were held all over the United States. During that time, a total of more than 20,000 people showed up to discuss the issues that mattered most to them and in their communities.

Among other needs they expressed were those for quality, affordable, health care; a stronger more competitive economy; and a Manhattan or Apollo Project level of commitment to achieve energy independence in the next ten years.

And the Democratic committee listened.

So, today, in the city of Pittsburgh, in the great state of Pennsylvania, Democratic party members united for change. Governor Janet Napolitano of John McCain's home state of Arizona proudly presided over the meeting. The committee members were also proud to note that the platform was adopted with the help of Barack Obama AND Hillary Clinton supporters.

From my point of view it was an inspiring day to see such a diverse group of representatives uniting around what is undeniably the voice of their country's people, and the voice of various leaders within the party.

Today seemed to be a clear indication of the unity between Democrats. There were honest smiles, hugs, hearty laughs, and even some Kodak moments all around, and the feeling that nothing can be accomplished without working together filled the room.

In an article for the Huffington Post, Edward Rotchford reflected on how closely the draft platform matched many of the issues discussed at his own Listening to America Platform Meeting, held in Algonquin, Illinois last month. 

Like every other member that has attended (or hosted) one of these meetings, I was eager to look into just how much of the results of my meeting was incorporated into the new platform. How would the Platform Drafting Committee plow through all of the documentation that was submitted and put together a document that pleases as many people as possible without going off-message?

... Upon a thorough reading, I am ultimately satisfied with how much impact our Platform Meeting had, as most subjects that my meeting's attendees focused upon were covered in some fashion. While the exact wording of our results was not necessarily used in most cases, I can only believe that our beliefs, put together cumulatively with the beliefs of others, had enough of an impact to convince the Platform Drafting Committee to cover such topics.

When the final party platform is ratified in Denver at the end of the month, it will represent the ideals, concerns and beliefs of ordinary Americans across the country. Thank you to all of the supporters who took the time to come together at one of over 1600 meetings last month, to help build the next Democratic Party Platform.

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Clinton Campaign Memos

paint a really ugly picture of the goings-on in that place; clearly her staff didn't serve her well.

read more

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A Vote for McCain is a Vote for War

It's just that simple. McCain's bellicose posturing on Iran and Russia make it clear that a vote for McCain is a vote for more war in Iraq, a new war in Iran and any manners of other violent conflicts around the world.

Here is a chilling new video that came out recently that paints this situation in high relief. Send it to anyone you know who thinks they're going to vote for McCain because they're "just not comfortable with that Obama guy". They will be knowingly and affirmatively voting to condemn more innocent people around the world to die in McCain's Wars. Period.


video details and more



Money quote (from Pat Buchanan): "[McCain] will make Cheney look like Gandhi."

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Obama statement on conflict in Georgia

Reprinted below is a new statement from Senator Obama today on the conflict in Georgia and four statements he has made on Georgia previously.

Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the Conflict in Georgia
August 11, 2008

Good morning. The situation in Georgia continues to deteriorate because of the escalation of Russia's use of military force. I have spoken to President Saakashvili, and conveyed my deep regret over the loss of life, and the suffering of the people of Georgia.

For many months, I have warned that there needs to be active international engagement to peacefully address the disputes over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, including a high-level and neutral international mediator, and a genuine international peacekeeping force - not simply Russian troops.

No matter how this conflict started, Russia has escalated it well beyond the dispute over South Ossetia and invaded another country. Russia has escalated its military campaign through strategic bombing and the movement of its ground forces into the heart of Georgia. There is no possible justification for these attacks.

I reiterate my call for Russia to stop its bombing campaign, to stop flights of Russian aircraft in Georgian airspace, and to withdraw its ground forces from Georgia. The Georgian government has proposed a cease-fire and the Russian government should accept it. There is also an urgent need for humanitarian assistance to reach the people of Georgia, and casualties on both sides.

The United States, Europe and all other concerned countries must stand united in condemning this aggression, and seeking a peaceful resolution to this crisis. We should continue to push for a United Nations Security Council Resolution calling for an immediate end to the violence. This is a clear violation of the sovereignty and internationally recognized borders of Georgia - the UN must stand up for the sovereignty of its members, and peace in the world.

I welcome the visit of the French and Finnish foreign ministers to Georgia as a first step toward mediation. There should also be a United Nations mediator to address this crisis, and the United States should fully support this effort. We should also convene other international forums to condemn this aggression, to call for an immediate halt to the violence, and to review multilateral and bilateral arrangements with Russia - including Russia's interest in joining the World Trade Organization.

The violence taking place along the Black Sea is just miles from Sochi, the site for the Winter Olympics in 2014. It only adds to the tragedy and outrage of the current situation that Russia has acted while the world has come together in peace and athletic competition in Beijing. This action is wholly inconsistent with the Olympic ideal.

While returning to a pre-August 8 military posture is a necessary first step to resolving this crisis, we cannot tolerate the unacceptable status quo that led to this escalation. That means Russian peacekeeping troops should be replaced by a genuine international peacekeeping force, Georgia should refrain from using force in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and a political settlement must be reached that addresses the status of these disputed regions.

Going forward, the United States and Europe must support the people of Georgia. Beyond immediate humanitarian assistance, we must provide economic assistance, and help rebuild what has been destroyed. I have consistently called for deepening relations between Georgia and transatlantic institutions, including a Membership Action Plan for NATO, and we must continue to press for that deeper relationship.

The relationship between Russia and the West is long and complicated. There have been many turning points, for good and ill. This is another turning point.
Let me be clear: we seek a future of cooperative engagement with the Russian government, and friendship with the Russian people. We want Russia to play its rightful role as a great nation - but with that role comes the responsibility to act as a force for progress in this new century, not regression to the conflicts of the past. That is why the United States and the international community must speak out strongly against this aggression, and for peace and security.

Previous statements of Senator Barack Obama on the situation in Georgia:

Statement 1
Statement 2
Statement 3
Statement 4

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Voices for Change: LaVita from Pembroke Pines,
Florida

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.

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Message from David Plouffe: "Two million people
like you"

Campaign Manager David Plouffe just sent out the following email...

John McCain and the Republican National Committee are trying to convince you that you've been swept up and tricked into wanting change.

They want you to believe that everything is just fine -- that we need to stay the course and elect someone who's voted with George Bush 95% of the time.

To sell this ridiculous idea, McCain and the RNC are using huge checks from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs to run negative ads attacking Barack Obama and the millions of volunteers and donors who have joined this campaign for change.

While supporters like you are out knocking on doors, registering new voters, and organizing in your local communities, our opponents are not even trying to match your efforts. Instead, they're spending millions to spread the smear that Barack is just a "celebrity" and that our grassroots movement is just a bunch of mindless fans.

So who is John McCain really attacking? Real people like Brandon, a carpenter from McCall, ID. Stephanie, a registered nurse from Phoenix, AZ. And Pamela, a retired teacher from Franklin, WV.

These are actual people who have made donations to our campaign this week.

Join supporters like Brandon, Stephanie, and Pamela in fighting back against McCain's negative attacks. Make a donation today.

Your donation will help this movement reach a goal that few believed was possible -- 2,000,000 individual supporters owning a piece of this campaign.

And if you make a donation right now, a previous donor -- a real person like Brandon, Stephanie, or Pamela -- is standing by to match your gift. They are prepared to give again if you take the next step and make your first donation today.

You can even choose to exchange a personal note with them about why you're supporting this movement.

Double your impact by making a matched donation now.

Two million donors is an incredible number -- a number that was previously unimaginable for presidential campaigns. And it's a number this campaign never dreamed we could reach before the convention.

But because so many supporters have stepped up to own a piece of this movement in the face of McCain's attacks, we are just days away from making history.

And with only 85 days until the election, we can't afford to do any less.

Make a matching donation today and help reach this historic goal.

McCain is trying to undermine your hope, and we can expect even more misleading attack ads in the weeks ahead. His friends in Big Oil and other special interests are more than happy to keep fueling his efforts with huge checks. They want to keep Washington just the way it is.

Today, you can show John McCain that his attacks won't slow us down. In fact, his attacks will make us even more determined to build and strengthen this movement.

Help reach this historic milestone of 2 million donors by matching another supporter's donation today.

Thank you for building this movement for change,

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

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Message from David Plouffe: "2 million people
like you"

Campaign Manager David Plouffe just sent out the following email...

John McCain and the Republican National Committee are trying to convince you that you've been swept up and tricked into wanting change.

They want you to believe that everything is just fine -- that we need to stay the course and elect someone who's voted with George Bush 95% of the time.

To sell this ridiculous idea, McCain and the RNC are using huge checks from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs to run negative ads attacking Barack Obama and the millions of volunteers and donors who have joined this campaign for change.

While supporters like you are out knocking on doors, registering new voters, and organizing in your local communities, our opponents are not even trying to match your efforts. Instead, they're spending millions to spread the smear that Barack is just a "celebrity" and that our grassroots movement is just a bunch of mindless fans.

So who is John McCain really attacking? Real people like Brandon, a carpenter from McCall, ID. Stephanie, a registered nurse from Phoenix, AZ. And Pamela, a retired teacher from Franklin, WV.

These are actual people who have made donations to our campaign this week.

Join supporters like Brandon, Stephanie, and Pamela in fighting back against McCain's negative attacks. Make a donation today.

Your donation will help this movement reach a goal that few believed was possible -- 2,000,000 individual supporters owning a piece of this campaign.

And if you make a donation right now, a previous donor -- a real person like Brandon, Stephanie, or Pamela -- is standing by to match your gift. They are prepared to give again if you take the next step and make your first donation today.

You can even choose to exchange a personal note with them about why you're supporting this movement.

Double your impact by making a matched donation now.

Two million donors is an incredible number -- a number that was previously unimaginable for presidential campaigns. And it's a number this campaign never dreamed we could reach before the convention.

But because so many supporters have stepped up to own a piece of this movement in the face of McCain's attacks, we are just days away from making history.

And with only 85 days until the election, we can't afford to do any less.

Make a matching donation today and help reach this historic goal.

McCain is trying to undermine your hope, and we can expect even more misleading attack ads in the weeks ahead. His friends in Big Oil and other special interests are more than happy to keep fueling his efforts with huge checks. They want to keep Washington just the way it is.

Today, you can show John McCain that his attacks won't slow us down. In fact, his attacks will make us even more determined to build and strengthen this movement.

Help reach this historic milestone of 2 million donors by matching another supporter's donation today.

Thank you for building this movement for change,

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

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