Posts from — May 2008

Gary, a staffing coordinator at a hospital in Southern California, just made his first contribution to this campaign. Even though Gary is feeling the squeeze of escalating gas prices and a mortgage to pay, he decided to contribute now because he felt we need someone in the White House who cares about, and can inspire, our country like Barack. 

Born in Paris, raised in Ireland and living his adult life here in the United States, this was his time to stand up and, moving forward, he has pledged to donate $25 per week. 

Gary’s enthusiasm is even rubbing off on some his Republican friends, one of which is a Bush supporter. As their conversations about this primary season and the problems facing our country have progressed, his friend has been listening closely.

Obama has the ability to make people talk again.  I’m not a Democrat or a Republican, I’m an American…I’m sick of the bickering.

This movement is about rallying around a common purpose.  For Gary, this isn’t just about changing our country but it’s about restoring America’s standing on the world stage.  His family in Ireland is even pulling for Barack too!

Our coalition is built on the support of millions of voices just like Gary’s.  Make your voice heard, join our movement and contribute today. 

The May fundraising deadline is tonight, at 11:59 EDT - just minutes away . . .

This evening during the Town Hall meeting in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Barack was asked about what he would do for small businesses. Watch his response below.

Click here if you would like to read more about Barack’s plan to help small businesses by cutting health care costs, improving access to capital and investing in innovation and development.

And don’t forget– the May fundraising deadline is tonight at 11:59 EDT; if you act now, you will be helping to bring us one step closer towards taking back Washington.

The question now is whether Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign will continue fighting until then. See also: Wexler’s excellent adventure

Obama for America attracts supporters from every walk of life, and we are proud that individuals from California to Maine have donated to the campaign not once but repeatedly. Time and again we hear stories of supporters who have never been engaged in the political process but are now committing themselves to this movement in ways they never thought possible.

Here are a few more comments from supporters who had their donations matched:

Marylyn from Indiana wrote:

Mari Lou, Hope is the key word here! I am 76 years young, and I worry about my kids and my grandkids. I lived in such a different time. I am a Obama grandmomma all the way!

Helen and Tim from North Carolina said:

Tim and I appreciate your willingness to match our donation. We are avid supporters and volunteers for this wonderful and exciting man of "HOPE." We have housed volunteers, set up GOTV events and knocked on many doors in the last year. It is an exciting time, and we’re hoping for victory in November. Let’s keep the FAITH and HOPE for a better America with OBAMA!

Sandra from Wisconsin wrote this to her Obama match:

Erika,
Welcome to the campaign! My husband and I have been involved for well over a year (sometimes it seems like three!) We have never before been engaged in politics… (and we are old!), but Barack has changed my cynicism to hope. Hope that things can be different, hope that things can change, hope that we the people can have input, and be a part of that change, and make things better in the U.S.! 

It has been an exciting journey. We have worked in the offices, phonebanked from home, and were deputized last night at a training to register new voters for the upcoming election! So, thank you for contributing…please consider becoming involved!

The May fundraising deadline is tonight, at 11:59 EDT; if you act now you can double your donation:

Camera-loving congressman steals the show at DNC meeting.

Campaign Manager David Plouffe on the RBC…

We’re extremely gratified that the commission agreed on a fair solution that will allow Michigan and Florida to participate in the Convention. We appreciate their efforts, and those of the party leadership of both states, to bring this resolution about.

Members of RBC discuss enormously complicated process through which Dems pick a nominee.

When John McCain met with President Bush earlier this week for a big donor fundraiser, he was hoping to raise millions of dollars from just a few people. We asked our contributors to do the same, but from thousands of people, doubling their contribution by matching another supporter.

For the last three days, responses have been pouring in to show that America is sick of old Washington politics and that people are ready for change. Their messages, while different, each conveyed the same essense of hope and change. Here is just a sampling of some of those messages: 

Tanisha in Michigan…

I contributed to Obama because I believe he is the true American Dream personified. He gives our future HOPE again. He lets out children see that everyone’s dreams can be achieved… It is time to restore our nation’s reputation and lift our people up again. I truly believe that Senator Obama was meant to be the person to make that happen. I wish I had more to contribute, but unfortunately I have become a victim of today’s economy too. 

Betsy in California…

I grew up in a similar situation as Senator Obama—the child of a struggling single parent, attended public schools, and I was able to get a college education and become a homeowner.  It is shameful that young people today do not have the opportunities to improve their lives as I did. It really is time to get our country back on track!  

Jennifer in Missouri…

Thank you for matching my contribution. Actually, my contribution comes from both my 8-year-old daughter and me…having explained to her why I believe this election to be so important and after she’s heard Mr. Obama speak, she’s been motivated to contribute in what limited way that she can. So, pooling a few of her saved dollars from her piggy bank, she and I are joining to contribute towards taking back our country.

Thank you for being another person who has not lost hope in America or the true American dream… America can truly be great again, and not only in her own mind, but it will take the continued efforts of people like you and me to regain control of our rights, our country and our future. And I truly believe that Barack will help us fight that fight.

Renee in Florida…

I am truly done with politics as usual and dare to dream bigger and bolder for this country. Barack Obama has the kind of integrity and intellect that we all need. I trust him and am excited that his enthusiasm and strong belief in this country are contagious. I am dusting off my dreams and pursuing them with a renewed vigor because I know that I can.

We can continue to fight the way politics in Washington has worked, but only with your support. The May fundraising deadline is tonight, at 11:59 EDT. Double your impact and donate today!

Obama has left his controversial congregation, Trinity United Church of Christ, in Chicago, campaign spokesman Bill Burton said Saturday.

In Rapid City, South Dakota today, Barack stopped by the Prairie Edge Trading Co. and checked out jewelry and crafts made by the Northern Plains Indians. Here are some photos…

Check out First Americans for Obama for more on Obama’s support among the First American community.

And make calls today to South Dakotans — June 3 is right around the corner and your voice can make a difference in this final primary day!

Finally, if you can, make a matching donation — it’s the last day of the month and thus, the final day of the reporting period, and we need as many supporters to step up today as possible! 

When Marilyn of Redding, California heard that George W. Bush helped John McCain raise $3.5 million from the same big donors that Bush always counts on, she was motivated to do something she hadn’t done in forty-seven years: she got involved. Marilyn made a small but important donation to our campaign, which was matched by another supporter just like her.

Marilyn hasn’t given money to a political candidate since 1960, when she gave to support John F. Kennedy. That’s also the last time this Republican of thirty years supported a Democrat ("Though I didn’t vote for Nixon," she says). This time around she knows how great the stakes are, and she sees that it is people just like her that are driving this movement:

What I admire most is the way the money is coming in… Bush helping McCain is standard operating procedure. Barack is getting his funds from the general public. People, even with a small donation, can make a real difference. I think it’s fabulous.

That is how we’re showing John McCain and George W. Bush that the same old politics and the same old money won’t cut it this time. The May fundraising deadline is tonight, at 11:59 EDT. If you join Marilyn by giving today, another supporter will match your donation, doubling your impact. 

Deputy Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand sent out this email today… 

Friend –

You’ll like this.

This morning someone forwarded me an email sent by the arm of the Republican Party that raises money for their Senate candidates.

The subject of the message was "Democrats Win Landslide Victory," and the writer, Republican former Senator Bill Frist, admits: "I have a real fear of waking up to this headline after the elections this fall."

He goes on to explain fears among Washington power brokers about Barack Obama’s grassroots support and voter registration efforts.

He’s right to be worried — we’re bringing new people into the process, and Obama supporters are organizing in communities across the country like never before.

You’ve gotten their attention by being one of the 1.5 million donors who have gotten us this far. But Frist was raising money ahead of tonight’s financial reporting deadline — the same deadline we face.

This is the last opportunity to have your donation counted for May, and the last chance to have a meaningful impact on the final three primary contests.

Will you step up again and make your donation of $25 count right now?

https://donate.barackobama.com/maydeadline

Here’s a little bit more from Frist’s email:

From: Senator Bill Frist, M.D.
Date: Thu, May 29, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Subject: "Democrats Win Landslide Victory"

Dear Republican Supporter,

I have a real fear of waking up to this headline after the elections this fall. [...]

In key states, news accounts indicate Democrats are outpacing Republicans registering voters. We also know Barack Obama’s campaign is utilizing the Internet to raise record amounts of money to support his campaign and Democrats nationally … all in the hope that new voters and record resources will produce a Democrat landslide victory this fall.

There’s so much at risk, and conservatives I talk with from all across the country are feeling the rumblings of "what could be." [...]

[...] I ask for your immediate help in supporting Republican candidates running for U.S. Senate by making a contribution of $10, $25, $50 or even $100 to the NRSC [...]

What’s amazing about this message referencing Barack Obama is that it’s not from the McCain campaign. It’s not even about the presidential race.

It’s about the forces of the status quo, who don’t want to change the way Washington works, worried about the prospect of ordinary people taking their rightful place in a political process that is too often dominated by lobbyists and special interests.

They’ve seen the writing on the wall, and they know that when Barack is the nominee, we’re going to continue building a movement for change to elect Barack Obama and bring about change from the bottom up at every level of office.

There are only a few hours left before tonight’s reporting deadline, so please give whatever you can now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/maydeadline

Thank you,

Steve

Steve Hildebrand
Deputy Campaign Manager
Obama for America

This morning in Rapid City, South Dakota, Barack held a Town Hall meeting and talked with local residents about the need to turn the page on the spin coming out of Washington and offer a new direction for our foreign policy.

Video from this morning’s town hall in Rapid City:

Today is the last day to make a matching donation and make the statement that we are ready for change in Washington, and ready to create an open dialogue with the American people.  We need your help to make our voice loud and clear.

The final two primaries will be held this Tuesday, and we need to be reaching out to as many people as possible.  Make calls today and stand up for the change we need in Washington.

What makes a movement? People from across the country getting together and giving what they can to say no to politics controlled by big money and special interests. While Bush and McCain are raising millions of dollars from a handful of donors at a private fundraiser, ordinary people are making matching donations—the average amount of less than $100—to move towards a different kind of politics.

The May fundraising deadline is tonight, at 11:59 EDT. If you make a contribution now, your donation will be matched by another supporter and you’ll have a chance to share your story or message with them. Here is what some of our supporters have had to say: 

Kenton in New Mexico: 

Seven dollars isn’t much, is it? Well, I’m poor but I figure $7 is a token of my support.  Maybe it will buy some campaign-team donuts for their early meeting one morning. Or 10 seconds worth of fuel while flying between campaign stops. Or a few pencils…

Darlene in Arkansas:

I do not have a lot of money but I donate what I can. This is the first time in my life I have ever contributed to a presidential candidate. I am a retired white woman… I feel this country has had enough of going back to the past instead of moving forward to the future of our children and grand children. Please match or double my contribution and help our country take a path for the people in our country… 

Lorrinda in North Carolina:

I have always been a registered Republican, but I truly believe that change not only can happen, it must happen to ensure my two little daughters have a better future… I would rather have them look up to a president who actually changed their lives for the better.

Valerie in Florida:

I want to be a part of history and this may be my last chance.  Thank you for matching my contribution and I hope with the efforts of everyone that wants change, receive the change we all are hoping for.

Richard in Kansas:

Yes he is the real deal and Yes We Can!! I am a Registered Republican/Obamican and I will be voting Democrat for the first time in 20 Years. Obama gives my children the best chance for a brighter future than I had. Thank you for supporting the next President of the United States!!!

These supporters and the people who matched their donations know they are a part of something bigger than themselves—something bigger than those few donors in a closed-door fundraiser where the politics of old are practised. Join them and make a matching donation today. 

Late last night, when a group of reporters from the traveling press went to visit Mount Rushmore, Barack decided to come along too. Check out the slideshow…

MSNBC First Read has details… 

When asked if he would like to see himself on the monument someday with Presidents George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, he joked: "I don’t think my ears would fit. There’s only so much rock up there."

Let’s build the movement in South Dakota — Make a matching donation today and double your impact…

The sun came up this morning on the very last Get Out The Vote weekend of the 2008 presidential primary. Tomorrow is the Puerto Rico primary, and on Tuesday Montana and South Dakota will draw to a close an historic race that has lasted over a year and spanned the entire country, as well as places like the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam. 

Over the past fifteen months, countless supporters have organized, knocked doors, and made phone calls not just in their communities, but across the country. Using our online tools, individual grassroots phonebankers have made calls to voters in dozens of states to share their stories, to answer questions, and to build support for Barack.   

Earlier in the week, in the Phonebanking for Barack group blog, Stephanie wrote: 

I just wanted to write and share what a positive experience I’ve had making calls for the campaign. I’m a mom with two small kids so it can be hard to get out to many events, but the on-line phonebanking has allowed me an outlet to get involved and make me feel like I’m making a real difference. While I’ve encountered a few grumpy folks, the many people who have been so happy to talk to me has more than made up for it.

I find that the vast majority are at least polite and willing to listen, and many have warmly thanked me for my efforts. It has been interesting and rewarding to connect with people from all over the country and share a renewed enthusiasm and hope. I’ve also enjoyed the concrete results of being able to sway peoples votes, get them to volunteer themselves, or help them get a ride or needed info to vote.  

I wanted to encourage everyone to keep up the calls, or to give it a try if you haven’t already. You can try making just a few calls, but you might find that it’s hard to stop.

This weekend is our last chance to make phone calls to voters in the three final primaries.

If you speak Spanish fluently, you can make calls to Puerto Rico and encourage them to vote for Barack in tomorrow’s primary.

In addition, this is our last weekend to:

• Encourage supporters in South Dakota to early vote in advance of Tuesday’s primary
• Encourage supporters in Montana to vote for Barack on Tuesday, and help them find their election day polling location

There is no doubt now that the millions of calls that have been made by thousands of supporters have made a difference in every contest, and have resulted in dozens and dozens of delegates that we would otherwise not have won. Today, we are just four days and 41 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination for President. This weekend is our chance to finish the job.

The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting could put an end to the looming controversy that has been a central focus in ‘08 — what to do about Michigan and Florida.

National security is one of the top reasons why it’s crucial for John McCain to become the nation’s next president, U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the featured speaker at the Iowa Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day dinner, said Friday.

The presumptive GOP nominee attributes his maturation to Mo Udall.

The Puerto Rico primary is just one more day away. For all our Spanish speaking supporters, the Puerto Rico online phonebanking campaign starts up again Saturday morning at 9:00 AM EDT. For now though, this is our Friday Night Open Thread . . .

On Saturday, the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee will meet in Washington D.C. to determine whether Florida and Michigan delegates should be allowed to participate at the Democratic convention in August. We look forward to the meeting proceeding smoothly—and we’re asking that our supporters not demonstrate or disrupt the proceedings in any way. 

Instead, we’re urging supporters from across the region to make a positive impact this weekend by helping out with voter registration and organizational events taking place on Saturday.

Here are just a few of the many going on in Virginia this weekend:

• In Arlington, supporters will meet at the Court House Metro Stop at 10:00 AM on Saturday morning before heading out to register voters throughout the area
• Also in Arlington, Spanish speaking volunteers will be manning a nonpartisan voter registration table at the Arlington Mill Community Center, before heading out to register voters at shopping centers, grocery stores, and other high traffic areas in the neighborhood
• In Clifton, volunteers will be going door-to-door to talk to unregistered voters
• In Alexandria, Gloria will be hosting an "Obama Mamas" Women For Obama House Party
• In Norfolk, supporters will be canvassing to register new voters and to recruit new volunteers
• In Manassass, supporters will be registering new voters throughout Prince William County
• In Petersburg, volunteers will be meeting at the public library before heading out to register voters

And in Richmond, Kristen is organizing a series of voter registration events as part of an ambitious, ongoing effort to register 4,000 new voters, with staging locations at:

• Chimborazo Park
• Broad Rock Sports Complex
• Battery Park Pool
• Randolf Pool

There are dozens of grassroots events like these taking place across the country this weekend, and there will be many more in the weeks and months to come. You can search for an event in your own community, or sign up and create your own.

As the attention begins to turn towards the general election, there is no better way to make an impact than by registering new voters and bringing more people into this movement. No matter where you are this weekend, you can connect with people in your own community and continue the work of building a true grassroots political machine, one new voter at a time. 

UPDATED: Here are a few more of the many Vote For Change events taking place across the country tomorrow:   

• In Pittsburgh, PA, Barack supporters will meet up at the Trinity Greek Church at noon to register voters at the Greek Food Festival.
• In West Palm Beach, FL, supporters will be registering voters downtown at CityPlace as part of an ongoing series of voter registration drives.
• Down in Marietta, GA, supporters will be throwing strikes and registering voters at Brunswick Zone Bowling.
• An Atlanta voter registration drive is scheduled to start tomorrow at 10:30am in Midtown.
• In Virginia, supporters will be registering voters around Centreville. Shifts will begin tomorrow at 10am and Sunday at noon.
• In St. Louis, MO, supporters are meeting outside of Vintage Vinyl at 11am, before spreading out around Delmar to register voters.
• Supporters will be registering new voters at the Market Pavilion in Little Rock, AR starting at 1pm.
• Out west in Prescott, AZ, supporters have planned four hours of fun in the mile-high sun. They’ll be meeting up tomorrow at 10am outside of Wal-Mart.
• And in Orange, CA, supporters are meeting at 9am at Orange Circle at Glassell & Chapman before heading out to register voters.

If you’re free and near one of these areas tomorrow, come join in! No matter where you are, you can search for events in your own community or even hold your own voter registration drive by signing up online.