Barack in Cedar Rapids: "The time for game-playing is over"
July 31, 2008
In his opening remarks to today’s town hall meeting in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Barack directly addressed John McCain’s most recent misleading attacks:
Given the magnitude of our challenges, when it comes to energy, and healthcare, and jobs, and our foreign policy, you’d think that we’d be having a serious debate. But so far, all we’ve been hearing about is Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears.
I do have to ask my opponent — is that the best you can come up with?
Is that really what this election is about? Is that worthy of the American people?
Watch the video of Barack’s full response . . .
Message from Barack: 'The Low Road'
July 31, 2008
Barack just sent out this email . . .
Amanda —
A few hours ago John McCain, the same man who just months ago promised to run a "respectful campaign," said he is "proud" of his latest attack ad.
That’s the one attacking your enthusiasm, comparing me to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, and making false claims about my energy plan.
Now, we’re facing some serious challenges in this country — our economy is struggling, energy costs are skyrocketing, and families don’t have health care.
Given the seriousness of these issues, you’d think we’d be having a serious debate. But instead, John McCain is running an expensive, negative campaign against us. Each day brings a desperate new set of attacks.
And they’re not just attacking me. They’re attacking you.
They’re mocking the desire of millions of Americans to step up and take ownership of the political process.
They’re trying to convince you that your enthusiasm won’t amount to anything — that the people you persuade, the phone calls you make, the donations you give, the doors you knock on are all an illusion. They believe that in this election the same old smears and negative attacks will prevail again.
They’re wrong.
And right now, we have a few hours left to prove them wrong in a very concrete way.
Can you make a donation right now before the July fundraising deadline at midnight tonight?
Show the strength of our movement for change.
Thank you,
Barack
Gordon In Texas
July 31, 2008
With over 1.7 million donors, there are a variety of reasons why people donate to the campaign. And many supporters submitted their stories to tell us why they chose to give.
Gordon in Texas recently wrote us a letter explaining his story…
I wrote this on my first donation to the Obama campaign, and after multiple donations, it is still just as true.
To The Barack Obama Campaign,
I’ve been agonizing over the decision to donate to a political campaign for a while. I have never done it before, because I largely thought that politicians were the type of people that would "say anything to get elected." Unfortunately, I have been proven right time and again.
I was raised in a very Republican household and the joke around our table was that my father would likely disown my sisters if they ever dated a Democrat. I have all of the Christmas cards that my father received from the Reagan years in the White House.
Over the past ten years or so, however, I have become very disenchanted with the Republican party.
…Then I started reading about Barack Obama’s positions and how he runs his campaigns.
Then I started to investigate how he was setting up his campaign.
Then I started to get excited about the possibilities that we might really have an agent for change in the "way that things are done."
Then I started to truly believe that we might really be able to start talking about the real issues in a real way and make things happen in Washington that doesn’t pander to the lobbyists and political insiders.
My wife has told me that I am "obsessed" with this election. In a way, I am.
I not only voted for Mr. Obama in the Texas primary, I also attended the Caucus. I have never voted in a primary election before because I was so disenchanted with government in general. Mr. Obama has changed all that!
When I casually mentioned to my wife that I was considering donating to the campaign, she told me to "Go For It!" While I’m not able to help some of the grass roots efforts by calling, or any other ways supporting, I do want to support Mr. Obama’s campaign efforts with a contribution.
I want him to know that I believe in him and his message of change, and I hope that he will prevail in this contest. I want him to know how important I think his campaign is to all Americans, and how much he has touched my life just by running and being about change and living that message. I hope that he succeeds in bringing about change in politics.
So, I am very proud that my very first, EVER, political campaign donation is going to the best cause that I can imagine: to support Barack Obama’s bid for President of the United States.
Best Regards,
Gordon
"Hope For The Future"
July 31, 2008
The grassroots supporters of this campaign are a diverse group. Many of them are first time canvassers, have never been involved in politics, and are looking at this election as the first of its kind. No matter the city or state, our supporters are taking action and making their voice heard.
Bryan in Pennsylvania:
I never cared about a politician, donated to a campaign, or took more than a minor interest in politics before Barack Obama. I was struck by his energy, eloquence, and his honesty. He is unlike any politician I’ve ever seen. Barack is living proof of the American Dream, and I know as president he would do his best to make sure every American got their piece of that dream too.
Martin in Michigan:
I’ve always considered myself a moderate, but I’ve never been excited, though, in the way I am about Barack Obama. I always just voted because I believed it was a civic duty. I’ve also never donated to a political campaign before, and it still feels weird every time I do it for Obama. This year was also the first time I ever voted in a primary (or in my case, a caucus), and it felt good to be so involved with the process. I’m very proud of Barack Obama, and as long as he keeps giving this country hope, I’ll keep giving him donations
Laurel in Arizona:
My husband is a police officer, and I am a homemaker to two wonderful children. I am finishing my bachelor’s degree this year, and our funds are extremely limited in the meantime. However, the hope that we both feel when we hear Obama speak and the desperation we feel in the need for change have driven us to pinch pennies, stop eating out, and donate to Barack Obama’s campaign. We want this for our country more than we want dinner out or a new pair of shoes.
I will graduate from college in December, and that month will be the best month of my life because my degree will offer me hope for my future financially, and Obama as president will be offering hope for the future of Americans in every way possible.
Carolyn in Tennessee:
I am 54 and have not voted in years. It was always the same old rhetoric every election cycle but a different face. We, as a country, are at a crossroads, and Senator Obama has given me hope for the future. I have never donated to a campaign before Senator Obama inspired me with his message. I feel we are at a pivotal moment in history and as a country. Senator Obama is the man to turn things around. Both my daughters have become very active on the volunteer scene, doing voter registration, among other things. Both are inspired by Senator Obama.
Lori in California:
Likes thousands and thousands of others, Senator Obama has inspired me to action. Having never donated in the past to any political campaign, I have been inspired to submit several donations to the Senator and several other democratic campaigns and organizations. I attend local meetings and house parties. I have hope, faith and inspiration at a level I have never experienced. Thank you, Senator Obama!
This campaign is about change. It’s about coming together as Americans and moving toward the future in a new direction. It’s about real solutions to the long term challenges we face. But we can’t do it without you. Every grassroots supporters is an important part of this campaign.
"How Can I Afford Not To?"
July 31, 2008
People in this country are hungry for change and are getting involved in every level of this campaign. Here are a few individuals empowered by this movement for change…
Matthew in Louisiana:
My name is Matthew, and this presidential election will be the first I will be able to participate in, and I wish to do so in as many ways as possible. I have already done small campaigning at my university, and now I have donated money. I will do everything I can to draw support for Sen. Obama in central Louisiana. … I have already made a commitment to do this to the best of my ability.
Linda in Illinois:
I am retired and do not have a lot of money, but I donate because Obama must win. The question to my mind is not, “Can I afford to donate to his campaign?” The question is, “How can I afford not to?” The alternative is unacceptable to me and my friends. It will take the keen intellect and vision of an Obama presidency to make this country great again – for ALL of us.
Robert in Virginia:
I am a senior, so I have experienced the best and worst in governmental leadership. I rejoiced in my youth at the election of the most outstanding president of all time, John F. Kennedy, and I have now somehow endured the disgraceful and non-democratic leadership of the worst president in American history.
I eagerly anticipate witnessing the acceptance speech and the inauguration of the next great president of the United States of America, Barack Obama. I will rejoice on January 20, 2009 and gain the peace of mind that my three wonderful children will have their confidence in our government restored and will live in a world as good or better than I grew up in.
I proudly donate to the first campaign in my life because I want to once again believe in the future of our great country.
Melissa in California:
I am a 58-year-old woman and I have voted in every national election since I became eligible to vote at the age of 21. However, until now, I have never volunteered my time to help elect a candidate, have never donated to a campaign, and have never been enthusiastic about my choices when I went to the polls.
This time it’s different. This time I am enthusiastic, I am excited, and I am inspired. This time I absolutely know that if we elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States, our country will be on the way back to greatness. We can make that happen together. YES, WE CAN!!!
Are you ready for change? Take the next step and join Melissa, Robert and Matthew in making this campaign yours.
Host a McCain Nation Event
July 31, 2008
If you haven’t already signed up to host a McCain Nation event, now is your chance. Click here to sign up to host an event in your home or a local establishment. You can invite your friends and family using your personal address book – and keep track of their RSVPs through McCain Nation so you know who is coming.
You can also set up your event as a public event, so other McCain supporters in your area can ask to attend.
We’re counting on you to be an influential in your community by inviting people to your event and telling them why you support John McCain – and why they should too.
Our first national event day is on Thursday, August 14th. You can host an event whenever you’d like but if you choose this evening, you will receive a host packet in the mail and can participate on an exclusive conference call with Cindy McCain and others.
Barack in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
July 31, 2008
Senator Obama was in Cedar Rapids, Iowa earlier today for an Economic Security Town Hall. The trip marked Barack’s first return to Iowa since the end of the presidential primary. In his opening remarks, Barack explained:
After I announced my run for the presidency, our very first campaign stop was right here in Cedar Rapids. It was the dead of winter. The skeptics predicted we wouldn’t get very far. The cynics dismissed us as a lot of hype and a little too much hope. And by the fall, the pundits in Washington had all but counted us out.
But the people of Iowa believed that this moment could be different.
Barack spoke of the need to ease the economic burden on working families, to lower gas prices, and invest in alternative energy.
When all is said and done, my plan will create entire new industries and thousands of new businesses, while working to strengthen our national security and save our planet. These steps are not far-off, pie-in-the-sky solutions – the American people are ready to make this change. Today, there are waiting lists for fuel-efficient cars. I’ve seen a steel mill in Pennsylvania that has become the home of a new wind turbine factory, a small business in Nevada powered entirely by solar power, and farmers here in Iowa who are testing the new, efficient generation of biofuels that can drive our economy. Across the planet, countries like Germany and the United Kingdom have already implemented clean energy polices. Now it’s America’s turn to lead.
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