Here are a few more pictures from the rally today in Des Moines.
We've got a big weekend ahead of us, and Barack made it clear that we all need to pitch in to help Get Out the Vote. Click here to find a location near you, and join us to work for change.
The event has started with a performance by the Lincoln High school Marching Band. People are still lined up down the streets trying to get in, and their music is helping to keep everyone in high spirits.
Throughout this election, we’ve seen something special from young people getting involved—even if they are too young to vote. Just a few minutes ago, Secretary of State Michael A. Mauro released the results of the 2008 Iowa Student Mock Election. This year was a record breaking turnout with a total of 56,000 students taking part—and Barack Obama won the Election with 58% of the vote!
Now these Mock Election results won’t directly translate into turning Iowa blue, but we’ve seen thousands of Iowa students, in High school and College, put in tens of thousands of volunteer hours. It’s these efforts that are going to ensure our success on Election Day, and we need everyone out there signing up to get involved. Click here to help these students bring the change we need.
The event is heating up… more pictures coming soon.
A short line has already started to get into the Early Vote for Change Rally with Barack here in Des Moines! It’s a beautiful day, and if you don’t have plans yet, the doors open at 9:30 – so get on down here!
Here are the details:
Early Vote for Change Rally with Barack ObamaWestern Gateway Park Between 12th St. and 13th St., Grand Ave. and Locust St. Des Moines, IA 50309 Friday, October 31st Gates Open: 9:30 a.m. Program Begins: 11:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public; tickets are not required, but an RSVP is encouraged. Public Entrance: Walnut St. and 12th St. Parking is limited; car pooling and public transportation are recommended. The free Downtown Shuttle will be available from any of the Des Moines parking facilities.For security reasons, do not bring bags or umbrellas. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners allowed.
Early Vote for Change Rally with Barack Obama
Western Gateway Park Between 12th St. and 13th St., Grand Ave. and Locust St. Des Moines, IA 50309
Friday, October 31st Gates Open: 9:30 a.m. Program Begins: 11:30 a.m.
The event is free and open to the public; tickets are not required, but an RSVP is encouraged.
Public Entrance: Walnut St. and 12th St.
Parking is limited; car pooling and public transportation are recommended. The free Downtown Shuttle will be available from any of the Des Moines parking facilities.
For security reasons, do not bring bags or umbrellas. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners allowed.
Remember.. if you haven’t voted early yet, time is running out and today is another perfect day to go by your local county auditor’s office to vote early for the change we need. Click here to visit voteforchange.com and find where to early vote today!
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will leave the campaign trail to go to Hawaii this week to visit the ailing grandmother who helped raise him, an aide said on Monday.
"Recently his grandmother has become ill and in the last few weeks her health has deteriorated to the point where her situation is very serious," said Obama aide Robert Gibbs.
Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who will be 86 on Sunday, helped raise him along with his mother, Ann Dunham, and his grandfather, Stanley Dunham.
Gibbs would not discuss the nature of her illness.
McCain's interview described as...
* decidedly testy
* caustic and sarcastic
* decidedly sarcastic
* visibly irritated
* irritable and at times sarcastic
Links to Interview (2 out of 3):
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080930/NEWS09/80930049
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/?hpid=topnews
http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/People/grandpa_simpson_yelling_at_cloud_001.jpg
Joe Biden will be in Des Moines today! This is going to be an amazing event and you don’t want to miss it! Click here to RSVP—the details are below:
Rally with Joe BidenPaul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center Iowa State Fairgrounds East University Ave. and East 30th St. Des Moines, IA 50317 Monday, September 8th Doors Open: 2:30 p.m. Program Begins: 3:15 p.m.
Rally with Joe Biden
Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center Iowa State Fairgrounds East University Ave. and East 30th St. Des Moines, IA 50317
Monday, September 8th Doors Open: 2:30 p.m. Program Begins: 3:15 p.m.
All this week Joe has been traveling across the country, all fired up, and giving amazing speeches like the one below. If you are anywhere near Des Moines today, you won’t want to miss the event today!
Our campaign just sent out this amazing news--- Joe Biden will be coming to Des Moines on Monday! Don't miss this opportunity -- click here for more details.
Please join Joe Biden this Monday, September 8th, at a rally in Des Moines, where he'll talk about creating the kind of change we need. Rally with Joe Biden Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center Iowa State Fairgrounds East University Ave. and East 30th St. Des Moines, IA 50317 Monday, September 8th Doors Open: 1:30 p.m. Program Time: 3:15 p.m. The event is free and open to the public; tickets are not required but an RSVP is encouraged. Space is available on a first come, first served basis. For security reasons, do not bring bags. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners allowed.
Please join Joe Biden this Monday, September 8th, at a rally in Des Moines, where he'll talk about creating the kind of change we need.
Today at 5:30 PM CDT in Des Moines, the Obama Iowa Campaign for Change will hold a “Democrats Unite for Change” meeting with former Governor Tom Vilsack. Joining him will be Attorney General Tom Miller along with Des Moines activists, and supporters from across Polk County. Over the coming weeks, prominent supporters of Senator Clinton, Senator Edwards and other former Democratic presidential candidates will speak at meetings across the state about the importance of getting involved in Senator Obama’s campaign.
The details of this evening’s “Democrats Unite for Change” meeting are below. Information on other upcoming “Democrats Unite for Change” meetings will follow as details are made available. TUESDAY, JULY 15TH, 2008 5:30 PM CDT “Democrats Unite for Change” meeting featuring Governor Tom Vilsack Dos Rios Restaurant 316 Court Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
CLICK HERE TO RSVP
Over the Coming Weeks, the Obama Iowa Campaign for Change will Hold “Democrats Unite for Change” Meetings Across the State. To find out about an event near you, sign up for our email updates—we’ll also let you know about other ways you can get involved in our campaign.
Join us and find an office near you!
We hope that you to be talking to your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers about the importance of this upcoming election, and our need to get involved and make a difference in every single community across the state.
This is what a campaign looks like that isn’t paid for by lobbyists or special interest groups. Join us here in Iowa by either finding an office near you and stopping by, or sign up and we’ll let you know about local events and other ways you can get involved. In the upcoming weeks and months we’ll be doing the important work it will take to ensure that Democrats are being elected up and down the ballot, and Barack Obama is elected as our next president. Join us and make the difference in your neighborhood!
If you come into our Des Moines, Iowa office, something you are going to immediately notice is the beautiful artwork covering our walls and the stenciled drawings of work in progress. One of our best volunteers, Steve, has been working day after day, painting and making sure our office is ready to go-- but this isn’t the first we’ve seen of him. Steve was also one of the first volunteers into our Des Moines office when we hit the ground to prepare for the caucuses, and he has been a staple ever since.
I asked Steve about how he first got involved and about his support for Barack.
“My father was on the ground on D-day and lost his hearing. He was initially denied benefits, and continued to re-apply every 10 years, but without any success. He missed hearing my youth sermon, missed hearing my name read at graduation, and missed his grandson saying grandpa. One time I even overheard my 10 year-old son say, ‘don’t ask grandpa, he doesn’t listen.’ It was difficult, but everything changed when my dad got his benefits in 2006, and his hearing aid. That brings me to the crux of my story-- I first heard about Barack because he helped re-open my dad’s case-file and ended his struggle with the Veterans Administration. Barack made a big impact on our family, but he also helped thousands of disabled veterans across Illinois who were denied benefits. In short, I was already a supporter even before he announced he was running for president.”
“My father was on the ground on D-day and lost his hearing. He was initially denied benefits, and continued to re-apply every 10 years, but without any success. He missed hearing my youth sermon, missed hearing my name read at graduation, and missed his grandson saying grandpa. One time I even overheard my 10 year-old son say, ‘don’t ask grandpa, he doesn’t listen.’ It was difficult, but everything changed when my dad got his benefits in 2006, and his hearing aid.
That brings me to the crux of my story-- I first heard about Barack because he helped re-open my dad’s case-file and ended his struggle with the Veterans Administration. Barack made a big impact on our family, but he also helped thousands of disabled veterans across Illinois who were denied benefits. In short, I was already a supporter even before he announced he was running for president.”
Steve is a teacher here in Des Moines, and his personal story parallels Barack’s in so many ways. They are both passionate advocates for education and ensuring that we give our children every opportunity that was available to ourselves, and then some. They were both raised by World War II veterans and they both understand that veterans benefits are not about some policy made in Washington, but about the people who are struggling for the recognition and respect they deserve. By seeing firsthand how legislation affects neighborhoods, how it affects families, and how many of these people have been fighting for decades, it instills a sense of urgency for real change.
Following reports that veterans in Illinois were receiving less in disability benefits than those nearly anywhere else in the country, Barack led efforts to correct the problems that created these disparities. As a result of his efforts, the VA opened an investigation into the matter and agreed to re-examine the claims of veterans who felt they had been treated unfairly. Senator Obama worked with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to force the VA to notify traditionally underserved veterans in Illinois, Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey and Ohio, with a total of 326,000 letters, about their right to seek a review of their past claims.
After this effort, a significant numbers of veterans ended up getting the benefits they deserve, including Steve’s father.
Thousands of veterans and the family members of veterans have been supporting and volunteering for Barack, and we encourage you to read about Barack’s work on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. If you would like to join Veterans for Obama, click here.
Posted early Easter morning at State.com, Doug Kmiec not only speaks highly and intelligently about the breadth and depth of Sen. Obama's skill set, he speaks to the great challenge of the day -- how we as a nation must turn our face from the fear-mongering that would cloud our judgment as we take on those who would do our country harm in the organized, Islamic fundamentalist movements we know as "Jihads".
Take a look as one of the most elequently written endorsements I've read to date - here.
Professor Kmiec has stepped up and recognized how important it is for our nation to choose not only someone who is strong and patriotic, as both Senator Obama and John McCain would be, but someone who sees the world through a different lens than George W. Bush. I personally think John McCain is John McBush -- very seldom would we see dramatically differenct actions from John McCain than what GW Bush would take. He's not in lock step with GW, but Barack Obama has a whole different perspective on the world -- it's not someplace to be conquered and the populations sequestered and controlled such that all the hatred is suppressed through the power of our military.
Instead, the world is a place where people can unite around common causes, to stand up for what is right, and what is just. Mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren through tax cuts whose benefit was 52% to the richest 1% is not moral, or just.
It's time to turn the page. Thank you, Professor Doug Kmiec for your reasoned approach and comments regarding why you are standing for change with the Obama for America campaign.
Andrew Lietzow - Des Moines, IA - DSM #49 - Volunteer Precinct Co-Captain for Obama for America
So.. I decided around.. New Years Eve.. that I was really going to make the trip to Des Moines. I got my college roommate on board to drive. I got another friend to join us. And we hit the road from Racine, Wisconsin on Thursday morning.
We had some serious car trouble on the way (we probably did about $1000 worth of damage to my friend's car), and we got lost a couple times.. but we made it to Obama HQ at about 3:30 in the afternoon on Caucus day. I was amazed at the organization. The whole room was buzzing with activity, and I don't think anyone there was over age 30.
Well, we sat out on the street for a few hours, waving signs for Obama and passing out literature to Iowans. It was cold as hell, but it would all be worthwhile if Obama won the state. After the doors closed on the caucuses we grabbed some dinner at a very nice Des Moines steakhouse whose name escapes me at the moment.
We arrived at the HiVee Center (site of Obama's scheduled speech) around 7:45. We did not know that we would be some of the first non-journalists to arrive. As we watched the results come in, we were approached by several journalists, one I recall was from the Des Moines Register and another was from the Chicago Tribune. I later learned that our picture was put up on the DMR webpage, but that they got my friend's name wrong. My name was right though. Haha.
We held our position (front and center in front of Obama's podium) as others began filing in. The room filled rapidly. Around 8:45 or 9:00 (I think) they changed over to MSNBC, where Chris Mathews was ready to declare Obama the winner. The room erupted. Everyone watched to see how close the final count would be. Everyone was ecstatic knowing that we'd be witnessing a victory speech. Most likely one of the great turning points in this campaign. Possibly one of the great turning points in American history.
We got some great pictures. But more importantly. I got to shake Obama's hand! I missed my opportunity in Madison, a few months back. I got close but not close enough. In Des Moines I shook his hand and I spoke to him. It was one of the greatest moments of my life. He may not have heard me over the crowd noise. He may not remember me (wearing the gold Green Bay Packers hat). But that was amazing for me.
I'm confident Obama is going to take New Hampshire. And the White House. When I saw the results of the 2006 midterms and saw the field of candidates for 2008.. I had a feeling that it was going to be one of the greatest campaign seasons that we'd ever witness. I have not been disappointed.
Check out this awesome news story:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4057360
It was indeed a closing argument worth hearing. Here's the video:
http://iowa.barackobama.com/page/community/post/nickkimball/CgS5
Until next time,
Charles
Today, Iowa state Rep. Wayne Ford announced his support of Senator Obama. Rep. Ford's endorsement is Senator Obama's 20th from Iowa legislators - more than any other Democratic candidate for president. This also means that every member of Iowa's Legislative Black Caucus supports Senator Obama. Rep. Ford represents District 65 in Des Moines.
Here's what Rep. Ford said this morning in announcing his support:
Barack’s ability to win the support of independents and Republicans means he’ll both be our party’s strongest general election candidate and a President who can successfully expand economic opportunity and access to affordable housing for every American – including those who live in urban communities. I am glad that Sen. Obama has invited me to be a part of his team as he looks at implementing his national urban agenda. This endorsement isn’t just about my name. I intend to spend the next 11 days working to ensure that Barack Obama makes a strong showing on caucus night in Iowa and in the primaries that follow across the country.
Senator Obama was honored to receive Rep. Ford's endorsement and said this:
I am grateful to Representative Ford for signing on to our campaign and adding his support and his voice to our team in Iowa. Representative Ford has been leading the fight against rising incarceration and high school drop-out rates for years, and I'm glad he's agreed to be a leader for our campaign. We're building a statewide movement of Iowans from every corner of the state who are ready to put the divisive politics of the past behind us and bring to Washington the kind of change we can believe in.
Rep. Ford has received national acclaim for the Brown & Black Presidential Forum, the oldest Presidential debate focused on minority issues, which he co-founded and has co-chaired since 1984.
Including Rep. Ford, Senator Obama has received a total of 20 endorsements from Iowa state legislators. Here's the full list:
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald and former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Gordon Fischer have also endorsed Senator Obama's campaign for change.
We woke up this morning to see that a lovely winter ice storm had fallen on the Des Moines area. I had about an inch of ice covering the windows of my car.
Michelle Obama's events today have been postponed because of the weather. We'll be sure to keep you updated on her next trip - it'll be soon!
Here are a couple pictures from this morning.
Do you have any interesting pictures of the ice storm? Email them to iowa@barackobama.com!
When it became clear that the Red Sox were in the World Series (and by 'became clear' I mean, as soon as I got home from game 7 of the ALCS championship), I started watching Colorado news sources like a hawk, hoping to find a way to get tickets to game 4. That didn't end up happening, but it sure as hell wasn't from lack of trying. I spent SO much time trying to get those tickets.
But now I have a different obsession. I want Barack Obama to win the presidency. I mean, I'm shooting for the primary first, but anyway... I've been checking Google, CNN, BBC, MSNBC, any n umber of blogs, even FOX! (ugh) ...all in an attempt to figure out how my man is doing, what the latest news is, who said what.
So I'm not sure why I didn't start doing this sooner, but today I started reading the online versions of *Iowa* news sources rather than the big media news sources that all repost the same bits and opinions. Admittedly, I don't know who owns The Des Moines Register, The Source (which is what most people in Fairfield, IA read), and others... but at least they offer a more a more local perspective.
One of the things I love about Obama is his ability to attract supporters from across the aisle, and to unite. So when I read this article, I wondered... why isn't our man going after these people?
Unrelated, but still from the Register, many Dems and GOP candidates have accepted invitations to a December 12th debate. Wish this was going to be shown live, nationally.
NOW WHY DO YOU THINK THAT ANTI-WAR PROTESTORS WOULD BE ARRESTED AT GIULIANI AND HILLARY'S CAMPAIGN OFFICES IN DES MOINES--Why weren't they protesting in front of Obama's, or Edward's offices or any of the other Democratic candidates--any guesses? Could it be that they view the other candidates as peacemakers and not War Mongers? Could it be that they see that Hillary and Giuliani each are the leading war hawks for their respective parties? I see it that way so I am not surprised.
Neo-cons are finally beginning to become threatened by antiwar demonstrations as the arrests have stepped up. Their “let’s just ignore them and they will go away” strategy has failed them and now they are getting more serious by making arrests. I think this is good since it will call more attention to the antiwar effort and to the Democratic candidate who pretends that she is antiwar.
18 Peacemakers Busted at Giuliani and Hillary Offices Eighteen peace activists were arrested in Des Moines, Iowa Thursday for trespassing inside the campaign offices of presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton, according to the Associated Press. (Now why should antiwar protesters be protesting Hillary’s office since she claims to be against Bush's Iraq War policies?)Published on Friday, November 9, 2007 by DesMoines Register (Iowa)
I just watched the video on the home page of Barack at the JJ Dinner in Des Moines. The crowd was awesome.........way to go Iowa!!!! I wish I could have been there with you, but I'm with my Mom, who's recovering (very well, I's like to add) from surgery. However, I'll be coming to your fine state this coming Sat. and I can't wait to meet many neighboring Iowans!
Just to let you know, the dream is alive and well in the Heart of Illinois, too! Fellow Illinoisans and other supporters, please post a response to this blog and let Iowa know that we appreciate them!
See you soon Iowa!
Gail/freedom4u_n_me
I have just finished watching the JJ dinner on C-SPAN, and I must say, I am proud to be a Democrat these days. I mean our candidates were shining out there!!! Nothing like when I was working - through Working America (AFL-CIO) - for the party in Ohio in 2004. I am actually inspired by every candidate. But of course, my favorite is Obama, and he has proven to me once more today that I am right to prefer him to all the rest.
My main attraction to Obama does not come from the fact that we share a higher level of melanin, but from the fact that even to produce soundbites, he does not let himself be driven away from core issues, and he makes a point to keep the content of his addresses substantive, even when that means a less catchy performance, because he trusts the American people to understands that these elections are not just a horse-race, but a true battle for the soul of America. A leader that trusts in the intelligence and the "common" sense of his people... what is there no to like. And today, he kept his crowd going, but never without reminding them why he is running, and why it is important, and what the stakes were.
There was more than a passing jab at the "front-runner", but that is to be expected. What I did not expect, however, was the almost chilly interactions with the aforementionned "front-runner" in the post speech photo-op/smile-and-shine-on-the-podium event. THe two hugged briefly... barely. I mean, Michele Obama was in deep conversation with the "front-runner" at the time, and they kept going after the hug, so I guess maybe I am reading too much into this. But I believve our ndugu Barack needs to make a point to keep on being friendly with the "f-r" off the stage, because it will underline that the differences are on issues and policies, not on their personnalities. He should keep on hammering hard on the issues, and pointing out the flaws and inconsistencies (I am so happy he started doing that more). But we are all Democrats, and the end of the day, WHEN Barack wins this, we will all still welcome the (allegedly) powerful Clinton Machine to win back the White House for the American people. That is my opinion.
In the mean time, Barack rocks, he has been rocking, and if we can just keep on supporting him, he will keep on rocking for the next 9 years!!!
President Barack Obama of the United States of America... I can't wait!!
