Road Blog: Day in Pictures

post from Obama HQ on 20 August 2008 11:58:29 PM. © Obama HQ

"Someone pointed out how much gray hair I have now compared to when I started this race." - Barack Obama

And no wonder. Today Barack continued to campaign tirelessly in the South, speaking to folks about the economy in a string of town hall meetings and local stops.

The news is that times are tough.

"It's not just happening here. It's happening everywhere," Barack said at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg. "When you see plants closing in southern Virginia, it is also happening in southern Ohio and Pennsylvania."

It's important to hear it first hand.

"My story is all too familiar in Martinsville," says Brian McGhee. Brian was laid off by the Smurfit Stone Corporation when they moved jobs overseas. He was a mainframe systems operator before that, but those jobs left as well.

"I just want our government to stop hurting us," he laments. "I want it to work again."

Or Kelly Kirkwood, mother of two and a nursing teacher at Randolph College. As a part time worker, she has been denied basic health care coverage. And now, with the price of food and gas rising, she finds herself at a loss to make ends meet. "We don't want a hand out," she says. "We want help up."

The message is clear. People are hurting, and this country needs change.

Enjoy the day in pictures:

Arun Chaudhary
August 20, 2008
En route to Richmond, VA

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http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamaroadblog/gG5Ygk

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Road Blog: Barack in Martinville, Virginia

post from Obama HQ on 20 August 2008 10:51:49 PM. © Obama HQ

“I’m going to take my coat off here, I don’t want to look too stiff!” - Barack Obama

A crowd of 350 crunched together in the large machine shop room at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, VA to attend a town hall meeting with Barack Obama. Today’s theme was about how we can keep good jobs in America. Steel car frames, both classic and NASCAR-themed, stood in the background. It was a particularly fitting setting for former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, who introduced Barack. Warner was an enthusiastic supporter of the Virginia Motorsports Initiative, which tapped into the local passion for automobiles to become a successful program at Patrick Henry. This program worked by putting old machines to work for new ideas. Warner asked, “Can we take what we do best -- this love of industry and racing -- and make it work for Virginians?”

Barack passionately agreed with this concept and said, “Let’s not let somebody else make the cars of the future, let’s make them right here in the United States of America.” He delved further into this theme, pointing out that our old factories can be retooled to make windmill turbines and solar panels, and that abandoned tobacco fields can be replanted with switchgrass to make the fuels of the tomorrow.

Here are Barack’s full remarks from this afternoon’s town hall:

video details and more

Arun Chaudhary
August 20, 2008
En route to Lynchburg, Virginia

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamaroadblog/gG59cP

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Road Blog: Barack in Martinsville, Virginia

post from Obama HQ on 20 August 2008 10:51:49 PM. © Obama HQ

“I’m going to take my coat off here, I don’t want to look too stiff!” - Barack Obama

A crowd of 350 crunched together in the large machine shop room at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, VA to attend a town hall meeting with Barack Obama. Today’s theme was about how we can keep good jobs in America. Steel car frames, both classic and NASCAR-themed, stood in the background. It was a particularly fitting setting for former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, who introduced Barack. Warner was an enthusiastic supporter of the Virginia Motorsports Initiative, which tapped into the local passion for automobiles to become a successful program at Patrick Henry. This program worked by putting old machines to work for new ideas. Warner asked, “Can we take what we do best -- this love of industry and racing -- and make it work for Virginians?”

Barack passionately agreed with this concept and said, “Let’s not let somebody else make the cars of the future, let’s make them right here in the United States of America.” He delved further into this theme, pointing out that our old factories can be retooled to make windmill turbines and solar panels, and that abandoned tobacco fields can be replanted with switchgrass to make the fuels of the tomorrow.

Here are Barack’s full remarks from this afternoon’s town hall:

video details and more

Arun Chaudhary
August 20, 2008
En route to Lynchburg, Virginia

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamaroadblog/gG59cP

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Grassroots Finance Committee: Amy in Las Vegas

post from Obama HQ on 20 August 2008 09:58:06 PM. © Obama HQ

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.

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/mollyclaflinblog/gG5FBc

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LIVE: Minnesota Women For Obama Launch

post from Obama HQ on 20 August 2008 09:29:48 PM. © Obama HQ

Currently, the Minnesota Campaign for Change is celebrating the launch of their Women for Obama program with a series of statewide events including tonight's kick-off. Key leaders -- including Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congresswoman Betty McCollum -- are talking about the important roles women can have in this campaign as we prepare for Election Day. Watch the launch below...

[UPDATE] This event is now over. If you live in Minnesota, visit the Minnesota Women for Obama page to join the community. If you don't live in Minnesota, join the National Women for Obama community today.

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/amandascott/gG5YCL

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Organize for Change: Last Night for Convention
Watch Party Packets

post from Obama HQ on 20 August 2008 08:38:35 PM. © Obama HQ

For the third day in a row, our volunteer crew here at the Chicago HQ is hard at work assembling and mailing packets to all of the Organize for Change Convention Watch Party hosts. Thousands of supporters have already signed up to host or attend a watch party on August 28, the night Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination. Earlier today, members of our graphic design team took time out of their day to help out as well, as we ramp up our efforts to meet the demand.

The last batch of packets will be shipping soon, and tonight is the final night to register your event if you want to receive an official watch party packet. Each packet includes a free DVD and "Change" sign, Democratic National Convention stickers, a voter registration guide, a meeting agenda and sign-in forms.

Thursday, August 28th will be the biggest night of the campaign so far, and we're inviting our supporters from all across the country to participate in this historic moment. Sign up to host or attend a Convention Watch Party in your community:

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gG5YNX

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Sen. Obama's statement on the passing of
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones

CHICAGO - In response to the statement issued by the Cleveland Clinic this evening confirming the passing of Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Senator Barack Obama made the following statement:

"Michelle and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Stephanie was an extraordinary American and an outstanding public servant. It wasn't enough for her just to break barriers in her own life. She was also determined to bring opportunity to all those who had been overlooked and left behind - and in Stephanie, they had a fearless friend and unyielding advocate. It was an honor to serve with Stephanie in Congress, and I know her legacy will live on in all those who walk the trails she blazed and walk through the doors she opened. Our hearts and prayers are with all those who knew and loved her," said Senator Obama.

Read The Full Article:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/laurinmanning/gG5YRL

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Clinton Surrogate in Hospital

Clinton surrogate, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D-OH) while annoying because she was so d

Barack with Mark Warner in Virginia

Barack Obama appeared in Virginia today together with former Virginia Governor Mark Warner.

video details and more

On Saturday, Barack will hold a rally in Illinois at the same location that he announced his candidacy in 2007. It appears that reliable campaign sources have stated that Obama's vice president pick will also be present there with the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Still, no reliable leaks on when Obama's choice will be announced or who the lucky winner is.