Barack & Michelle Obama Newsbriefs

Courtesy of The McClatchy Company, the third-largest newspaper company in the United States and a leading newspaper and internet publisher, are a couple of bio's of Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama presented side by side. These graphic bio's below were printed in 2007 and 2008 with and inserted in articles, "For Obama, a tale of 2 speeches" and "Michelle Obama launches her husband's new narrative". They provide an interesting summary of both person's lives along the way to becoming the next First Family of the United States.

Obama Campaign Workers Celebrate in Ybor City

Friday night, November 7, Obama for America and Florida Campaign for Change staff and officers from all over Florida came together at Gaspar's Grotto in Ybor City to celebrate the Obama's successes in winning the state of Florida and the 2008 Presidential election. This was the last get together of the 2008 campaign season for campaign staff who not only lived in various parts of Florida but who also came from different parts of the country in paid or volunteer roles to build Get-Out-the-Vote efforts in a bottom up, grass roots manner. Many of them were to return to their homes on the weekend.

Due to the leading Democratic Presidential candidates pledging not to campaign in Florida this year during the Democratic primaries, Obama didn't have any active staff in Florida until after he had clinched the nomination in June. Following that, he moved quickly to get staff in Florida under the umbrella of the DNC's Campaign for Change. I remember at the time that a number of political pundits were talking about how Obama had made a huge mistake in not having a presence in Florida to that point and how his Florida efforts would suffer from having a late start in the nation's fifth largest state which went Republican in the last two elections. Needless to say, as he has all throughout this campaign, after winning the DNC nomination for President Obama continued to defy expectations by quickly moving staff into Florida, sending two of his top national officers Paul Tewes & Steve Hildebrand toTampa and Miami, signing up thousands of attorneys and law students in voter protection efforts, running a record number of TV ads, and fielding over 300 paid staffers managing over 200,000 volunteers from 60 offices in the largest get-out-the-vote effort in Florida's history.

It was an awesome time getting to meet different people whom I didn't already know, folks from Miami, Tampa, Hialeah, Tallahassee, Los Angeles, Chicago, and more. Field organizers and officers from all over Florida (from Tally to Miami) were in attendance and there were about 300 of us hanging out. There was a welcome open bar from 8-10pm for which you only had to have an armband, and hors d'ouvres all night. Quite a fun time and photographers were there to capture the evening. I will share those pictures later this week once they are posted online. Meanwhile, I've included a couple of my camera phone pictures as I couldn't find my Digital Elph before the event.

Ralph Nader Calls Obama Uncle Tom after Historic Win

Poor stupid, irrelevant Ralph Nader. He just can't stop himself from exposing his ugly racist insides. One slip-up or foot-in-mouth episode might be forgiveable. But this is the second time in this year that Nader has gone on the national media and made very obvious racist statements about Obama. Back in June, Nader said that Obama was "acting white" apparently for not running around asking how he could help the poor whites of Appalachia. Now following a historic occasion when Obama became the first African-American to win the Presidency of the U.S., Nader wondered on Fox News whether Obama would be an Uncle Sam or an Uncle Tom. Here's a news flash, when even Fox News talking heads shake their head at you then you've done a really bad thing. But Ralph didn't take the chance to correct himself. He persisted in his foolishness.

Tom Molloy of TV Guide sets the scene best for us:

Dubious congratulations are in order: Ralph Nader became the first public figure to make an inflammatory public remark about our first African-American president, telling a Fox News affiliate that Barack Obama has to choose between being “Uncle Sam for the people of this country, or Uncle Tom for the giant corporations.”

Grilled by Fox’s Shepard Smith early Wednesday morning, after the election was decided, Nader declined to back down from the remark, which he made in an earlier interview on Election Day.

“Really,” Smith said after playing a clip of Nader’s remarks. “Ralph Nader, what was that?”

Nader continued to press his point - Obama is too beholden to corporate interests - without acknowledging that many find the term Uncle Tom offensive. (Taken from Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the 1852 anti-slavery novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe, the term is used to accuse a black person of behaving subserviently.)

Smith soon cut Nader off: “You had a number of supporters out there, you were running a percentage, this year you were reduced to irrelevant and I just wonder if that’s what you want your legacy to be: the man who on the night that the first African-American president in the history of this nation was elected, you ask if he’s going to be Uncle Sam or Uncle Tom. Stunning.”

Nader’s answer: “Yeah, of course, he’s turned his back on a 100 million poor people in this country, African-Americans and Latinos and poor whites. And we’re gonna hold him to a higher standard.”

Later in the interview, Nader told Smith: “Look, I don’t like bullies like you. I can’t see you. You can pull the plug on me, I’m looking in a dark camera.”

Nader later used the word “toady” the same way he had previously used the phrase “Uncle Tom,” but said he had no regrets about the latter phrase.

Nader, a consumer advocate, has run in every election since 1996 but had a significant impact only in the 2000 race, in which many Democrats blame him for siphoning off enough votes from Al Gore in Florida to allow George Bush to win the election.

Shame on you, and [you can] go to hell, Ralph. You were once an internationally respected advocate for consumer rights and a trumpet against the excesses of corporate greed and big business manipulation of government. Since 2000, when you helped usher in the wretched Bush II era by drawing away Florida voters from Al Gore, though you haven't really been relevant in national elections. Even Democrats don't care enough to talk about you any more--especially not after earning a whopping 1% of the 2008 national vote (513,000 out of 133 million votes cast).

Ralph Nader: Barack Obama wants to 'talk white', 6/25/08


Ralph Nader calls Obama an "Uncle Tom" on Fox News, 11/5/08

John McCain's Concession Speech & George Bush Congratulates Obama (Video)

Senator John McCain on Barack Obama's Historic Win:
In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his [Barack Obama's] success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.

This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.

I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too.

Video of John McCain's Concession Speech:


President Bush Congratulates President-Elect Barack Obama:

President George W. Bush speaks with President-elect Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) during a congratulatory phone call from the Treaty Room at the White House November 4, 2008. [Agencies]

A Day in the Life of an Obama Campaign Volunteer, 11-4-08

Like the countless thousands of Obama for America and Campaign for Change staff and volunteers, I am excited that our efforts helped get out the vote in which fellow Americans elected Barack Obama 44th President of the U.S. by a landslide. Tuesday morning when I woke up, I had a feeling of expectation, knowing that today was the day. I had already requested a half-day off from work, and two different Lakeland captains, Ravi and Jane as well as Max, the local Field Organizer had contacted me about canvassing and phone banking for Election Tuesday.

I've only been living in Lakeland for 6 months, so I'm only familiar with my immediate North Lakeland community. Jan took my address and sent me to the nearest Lakeland Obama office, the UFCW Union Hall off I-4 East, Exit 38. Most volunteers were already out that morning as of 10:00am canvassing Lakeland neighborhoods encouraging voters identified as Democratic or Obama-leaning voters to get out and vote. For those voters who hadn't already early voted and needed a ride, volunteers were to check off the names of those persons and inform the Obama staff which voters would need transportation to the polls. So while there were more McCain sign wavers--at least at the 3 precincts closest to my house--the Obama volunteers were doing something more practical, which was making sure our voters actually arrived at the polls. This was something that was being done, not just in Tampa Bay, but all over the country, and was certainly effective in geting out the vote. I'm happy to report that though we did not win Polk County, we made Polk County very competitive and beat the 2000 and 2004 election totals (Gore 45%, Kerry 41%, Obama 46%). The campaign however, won neighboring Hillsborough County (Tampa), Pinellas (St. Petersburg), as well Osceola and Orange Counties (Orlando) to the north east, Alachua (Gainesville), Gadsden, Leon (Tallahassee) & Jefferson counties in the north, Flagler & Volusia counties (Daytona Beach), Palm Beach (W. Palm Beach), Broward (Ft. Lauderdale) & Miami-Dade (Miami), Monroe (Key West) & St. Lucie counties in South Florida by 51% to 67%. Max had already told 200 of us in our October 2 Polk County organizing meeting that if we won along I-4, we would win the state of Florida.

To facilitate getting out the vote, neighborhood captains had access to voter registration databases which had already identified where all Polk County registered Democrats and Democrat-leaning Independents and Republicans lived. Each voter contact page had fields for address, voter first & last name, party affiliation, Vote by Mail status, and check boxes for whether or not the voter had already voted, and if so whether they voted for Obama or needed a ride to the polls. This was all the result of Howard Dean and the DNC creating the first truly unified voter file which allowed the Obama Campaign and each state organization to pinpoint accurately every Democratic or Democratic-leaning voter by neighborhood, city, county and state. Finally the top of each page identified the voting precinct for the particular neighborhood in question. Canvassers were also given door hangers to distribute if no one was home with the voter's precinct information and voter protection phone numbers to call if they had trouble voting. The Obama for America Campaign certainly was not going to allow a repeat of 2000, when there were innumerable election "irregularities" in Florida, but no one to address those problems in a timely manner.

Upon arriving athe UFCW, I was given a folder of voter addresses in a middle-class subdivision very close to my own in North Lakeland as well as door hangers for those that I couldn't contact. Once I arrived at my destination courtesy of Google Maps directions, I was amazed to see how open voters were. I certainly expected to have a few doors closed in my face, but almost everyone who was at home, Black, White, or Latino acted like they were glad to see me, and let me know that they or their relatives had already voted for Obama earlier in the day or had early voted in the previous two weeks. A couple folks were not sure of their voter status so I gave them relevant phone numbers so they could check. Overall, it was a good canvass, and I was glad to see that very close to my neighborhood there was nearly an entire subdivision where the majority of home owners are Obama supporters. Because I had to go return to work at 1:30pm, I couldn't quite finish my voter sheet. However, I met my captain, Jane who took the list off my hands at my precinct, and said everything was fine because the plan was to canvass each neighborhood at least twice on Tuesday if time and events allowed.

About 4:30pm, I had to return home due to a family emergency. Once that was taken care of, I called Jane and Max to find out what was going on. The polls closed at 7pm, so everyone was moving from neighborhood to neighborhood. By 5:30pm, word came that residents of one particular area of town were not voting at their precinct as expected, so we all went to the St. Mark's Church, the Obama office in that area to canvass and phonebank. Inside the church we were provided with complimentary cubanettes, donuts, fruit, and drink. There was a rumor that due to the record voting, Governor Charlie Crist would extend the voting past 7pm, which would have slightly changed our phone scripts, but about 6:30pm, we confirmed that this was not accurate, and then wrapped up a few minutes later. Our phone script was simply, "Hello, this is ___ calling from the Obama campaign. I'm checking to see if you had the opportunity to vote early or to vote today. If not, do you need a ride to the polls? If you voted, may I ask if you voted for Obama? If you are in line when the polls close at 7pm, you have the right to vote. Please call this number if you have any questions. Thank you." Following our wrap-up for the evening, Obama staff headed to the Lakeland Center on Lime Street for an Election night celebration for Polk County. I figured I had done enough and wanted to get back to my family in time for dinner, since I rarely miss that time with them, so I went home happy that I had contributed in some small way to what I was sure was going to be an Obama win in Florida.

To sum it all up, I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to get in a national grass roots campaign for the first time in my adult life. I've been a registered Democrat and voter since 1999, and have previously campaigned for local races including judgeships since my college days, but never have I seen a campaign as well organized and professional as that run by our next President, Barack Obama. This campaign was successful in several ways. The Obama Campaign for Change proved that not only does bottom-up political organizing work when provided leadership, motivation, and sufficient money and resources from the top, but also that America identified with Change. Not just any kind of Change (as ANY new President would represent change), but Change which truly allowed the individual voter to have a voice in electing his/her leaders. The campaign also proved that utilizing social networking, a relatively new Web 2.0 phenomenon, and the Internet, a campaign could rewrite the political game in terms of providing organizing tools, ad hoc communication with supporters, and tapping unlimited small donors like myself who gave $5, $25, $100 at a time for an average of $86 for September, Obama's $150 million month, and proved more powerful than any big special interest lobbyists. This is the ultimate form of campaign finance reform. Many have talked about it and have attempted to pass legilslation to limit big money contributions, but until Obama, no one was able to successfully use it to affect the outcome of an election, not even Howard Dean whose online campaigning and 50-state strategy were both perfected by Obama's team.

St. Petersburg Time Election Cover Page, 11-5-08

Video & Text of Obama's Presidential Victory Speech

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

Its the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and hes fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nations promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nations next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what youve sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generations apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how theyll make the mortgage, or pay their doctors bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who wont agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government cant solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way its been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, its that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if Americas beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. Shes a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that shes seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we cant, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when womens' voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome. Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we cant, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

The 2008 Election: Yes We Did! (By a Landslide)

Yes We Can! has given way to Yes We Did! Barack Obama has become the 44th President of the United States of America, and the first Black President after 400 years of waiting since slaves were first brought to the New World after 1607. History was going to be made tonight, regardless of which candidate won. Either Obama would become the first Black President of a majority white country and Delaware would have the highest ranking politician in its history or a female would be elected to the Vice Presidency for the first time along with the oldest Presidential candidate.

Obama gives Presidential acceptance speech before 150,000 at Chicago's Grant Park Tuesday night

ELECTORAL COLLEGE BREAKDOWN:
Obama won the crucial states of Ohio (20), Florida (27), Pennsylvania (21), Virginia (13), which accounted for exactly 30% of the required 270 out of the total 538 electoral votes needed to claim the Presidency. Obama also added crucial states of New York (31), Michigan (17), Illinois (21), Indiana (11), Minnesota (10), Iowa (7), Nevada (5) which Gore and Kerry lost, Colorado (9), Wisconsin (10), New Mexico (5), Oregon (7), the entire New England region (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut), Maryland (10), and District of Columbia (3). On the other side, John McCain won crucial states of Texas (34), Georgia (15), most of the South, Northwestern--including Montana (3)--and Southwestern states. At 11:00pm, NBC called the race for Barack Obama leading 284-146 electoral votes following the closing of polls in California (55), Hawaii (4) and Washington (11) in the far West. Fox News, CBS News, and other networks followed soon after. The AP reported at 11:11pm, that John McCain called Barack Obama to concede the election and congratulate him on finishing the race. Google Maps 2008 Electoral Vote Map represents the most recent information below.


Obama's convincing win gave him the mandate to govern in a way that breaks all traditional political paradigms. Whether he is now successful depends on whether the goodwill engendered by the scope of Obama's win, and the people he surrounds himself with lend themselves to implementing his policies and solving the problems which have escaped Washington insiders for generations. In that regard, ranking House member, Rahm Emmanuel as DCCC Chair and Democratic Caucus Chair enjoys respect and a good reputation in Washington, and seems to be a natural at helping build the Obama White House as Obama's proposed Chief of Staff, a position he was offered today. In the final analysis, Obama won the electoral vote by landslide (349-163) with 26 electoral votes outstanding as of Wednesday. The states of Missouri (11) and North Carolina (15) were too close to call as of Wednesday morning, so we'll probably have to wait a day or two for the final electoral college tally.

First Family-to-Be: Barack Obama, Sasha, Malia & Michelle

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Yes, this election of 2008 was truly historic for it's social, political, and global significance. Forty years after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech made in Washington, DC in 1963, the first President with African blood was elected by a landslide in the electoral college. There have been certain inventions and events which throughout history which have changed the world forever. These include the invention of the wheel (3500 BC) as a means of transportation, the printing press (1440 BC) which allowed the poor access to good books and the Bible, the invention of the light bulb by Thomas A. Edison & Lewis H. Latimer (1879), the automobile (1885), the airplane (1903), television (TV-1930's), Jesse Owens' Olympic gold medals at Munich in 1936 which proved to Hitler that Blacks were not inferior humans as he believed, the dropping of the atomic bomb to end World War II in 1945, Dr. King winning the Nobel Peace Prize (1964), man landing on the moon during the JFK years (1969), the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, certainly the cell phone/PDA (1978/1993), and the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994 with the resulting presidency of Nelson Mandela.

Obama's historic triumph is no less significant because Africans were once considered three-fifths (3/5) of a man and denied citizenship by the framers of the Constitution who were mostly slave owners, were once considered "separate but equal" without enjoying said equality, and now Obama has now become "The Man". Even after another famous Illinoisian, Abraham Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 which freed all African slaves, many Americans never dreamed that we would ever see a Black President in our lifetimes, not even after Jesse Jackson's historic but unsuccessful Presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, though Obama could not have been successful without Jesse Jackson's example.

The new First Team: Barack & Michelle Obama with Joe & Jill Biden

GROUNDBREAKING GRASS-ROOTS CAMPAIGN:
I'm so proud to have played a small part in one of the most successful grass-roots campaigns in U.S. history supported from the bottom-up by community organizers and activists. While McCain volunteers were out at the polling stations waving banners and yard signs, the Obama campaign was busy knocking on doors of supporters to make sure they voted and picking up the elderly and those who did not have transportation to vote. I could not possibly do justice to the telling of how the Obama for America campaign's field operations was simply brilliant as could Rolling Stone magazine in "The Machinery of Hope". However, you can read my recent blog post recounting my Election Day volunteer efforts at "A Day in the Life of an Obama Campaign Volunteer".

Obama phonebanking Tuesday in Indianapolis, IN

THE BIG PICTURE:
So as I asked in a previous blog post, "Are We Ready for a Black President (Or Just Another Rich White One?)" what does a historic Obama win mean for Blacks as well as the rest of us? Does this mean racism is over? Does it mean that affirmative action is no longer needed? Is this election the magic pill that erases the cycle of poverty in the ghettos, inner city, and rural America? Does it reverse pay discrimination for women? Does his win reverse the institutionalized racism in the criminal justice system which incarcerates a higher percentage of Black males than any other cultural segment of our population? The answer of course is, "NO." However, having a Black President is certainly a good way to start the national dialogue on the importance of diversity in our society.

New York Times Cover, Wednesday, 11/5/08

OUTTAKES FROM THE 2008 ELECTION:
Barack Obama not only won a convincing landslide victory in the electoral college as a reflection of the popular vote, but he also made several other achievements along the way:

Obama won majorities among African Americans (96%), Jews (77%), gays and lesbians (71%), first-time voters (68%), Latinos (67%), Asians (63%), voters under 30 (66%), union members (59%) and women (55%), along with independent voters, all numbers which are the largest since Lyndon Johnson, thus consolidating the various bases of the Democratic party into a potent electoral coalition. Further, Obama won key battleground states by taking 10% of Republicans, 20% of conservatives, and 33% of evangelical Christians.
Perfected Howard Dean's 50-state grass roots and online fundraising strategies to turn out African-American, youth, Latino, and women voters in record numbers and flush his campaign with millions of small donations.
As a result of the above, Obama was able to break the grip of lobbyists and independent special interest groups on the DNC by barring the DNC from accepting lobbyist and PAC funds.
Realized record fundraising in the most expensive election cycle in history by breaking modern campaign finance records, rendering the public financing system obsolete.
Saw the largest crowds to ever attend political events.
Obama's electoral coat tails were powerful, moving the Democratic Party to 57 U.S. Senate seats versus 40 seats for the Republican Party as of Wednesday evening. There are still 3 Senate races outstanding which may be recounted or run-off. As well, Democrats in the House of Representatives held on to all their seats and swept the 6-state New England region.
Finally Democrats won 7 of 11 gubernatorial races this election cycle.
Remember when George W. Bush won the 2004 election, then claimed "I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it."? Obama claimed a higher percentage of the popular vote and a higher number of electoral votes than did George Bush.
Over 71 million people watched the 2008 Election live TV coverage with ABC leading with 13.1 million viewers and NBC next closest with 12 million viewers.
Even Fox News had to admit, this was the best and most disciplined campaign in history.
Over 133 million people voted marking the largest turnout in history with 62% of eligible voters participating in the process.
Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, not known for public displays of emotion was reportedly moved by the historical significance of this election as was General Colin Powell.
Like Senator Hillary Clinton before him, Senator John McCain showed exceptional gracefulness in his concession speech and thoughtfulness, which if these qualities had been more apparent in his campaign, he may have fared better.
From Obama's Presidential Acceptance speech at Chicago's Grant Park: "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

Obama supporters celebrate victory in Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois

CHALLENGES FOR THE NEW PRESIDENT:
On January 20, 2009, Obama will assume leadership of a domestic situation that would prove daunting to many. The U.S. economy is in a recession, we have seen record unemployment in 2008, a military stretched thin by unnecessary wars in multiple theatres and longer consecutive tours of duty, and a country weary of the partisan name calling (leftist, socialist, communist or unpatriotic, "real American") and "politics of division" that has been largely the way that both sides have fought especially over the last 16 years since the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

American Soldiers in Afghanistan watch the election

OUR DUTY AS AMERICANS & CITIZENS OF THE WORLD:
At no time in our history is it more crucial to restore our standing in the world. We have been led astray by the hawks and neo-conservative (neo-con) wing of the Republican Party who ascribe to the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive war and democracy spread by the bullet rather than by diplomacy. Symptoms of this attitude include our leaders' refusal to prohibit torture, support of tyrants who oppress their people merely because they support our foreign policy, and a movement for immigration reform which seeks to deny asylum to those seeking a better life in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We must show the world the same compassion expressed by the Statue of Liberty on whose base is inscribed the following words from The New Colossus: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

Citizens of Obama, Japan have been following Senator Obama's Presidential campaign

Obama Campaign for Change Election Day Advice

Received this morning from the Barack Obama campaign. Let's go out and make history today! The Great Blog of Kéto

	VOLUNTEER: Help get out the vote. Sign up for a volunteer shift near you. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Learn about your voting rights and some common rumors: http://fl.barackobama.com/FLvoterprotection Here are some tips to help you make sure Election Day in Florida goes smoothly: Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Even if you're in line at 7:00 p.m., you still have the right to vote. You will be asked to show an approved form of ID when you arrive at the polls. Bring your Florida driver's license or other acceptable ID with your photo and signature. The address on your ID does NOT need to match your present address. To find your polling location, call 1-877-2FLOBAMA (1-877-235-6226) or go to FL.VoteForChange.com.

Undecided Voters...the New Class Dunce of American Politics

In this election as in most, there has been so much talk about the so-called "undecided voter." As late as the eve of the election, CNN published an article, "1 day left and still undecided". Frankly, I think that undecided voters are a figment of the political punditry who are intent on hogging the limelight in the media. Let's face it, the media (TV, radio, print, online, etc.) loved the protracted Democratic primary battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton because there is nothing to boost TV ratings like indecision and uncertainty. They know that there is nothing more intriguing than whether the Presidential race comes down to a few voters who make up their mind at the last minute thus potentially swinging the election to one candidate or the other, especially in states where candidates are only separated by a few hundred or a few thousand votes as were Nevada (Gore lost Nevada by 2%) or Florida in 2000 (537 votes). But I honestly think that many of those undecideds polled are ashamed or embarrassed to state who they are voting for or so guardedly private that they think that it's no one's business.

Now let's deal with those few actual voters. For those of you who are actually undecided at this point... Do you mean to tell me that after nearly 2 years of non-stop political campaigning, over 20 Presidential Debates, and after each candidate has long ago put their major policy positions on their website AND distributed them through the various media, that you still can't make up your mind? Do you mean to tell me that after witnessing 8 years of a President who lied us into a war with Iraq on the pretext that Iraq was harboring WMD, then later we found out that Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11, that you still can't make up your mind? Do you mean to tell me that after witnessing ontinuous war(s), an increasing $500B federal debt and counting, an economic climate resulting in some of the largest corporate layoffs in history, taxes that take more and more out of the little guy's pockets, conspiring with big insurance, health management and big oil to severely limit our choices for competitive alternatives, deregulation the financial industry to such a point that it's players feel no shame about a record number of home foreclosures, under-performing schools, supporting our troops in the form of giving them 3-5 consecutive tours of duty without adequate R&R with family, and on and on that you STILL can't make up your mind?

Jesus Christ! No wonder George Bush "won" the 2000 and 2004 elections. A good number of those who voted for him in 2000 did so because Bush was the candidate they would rather have a beer with. What stupidity.

Apologetics with No Apology from a Progressive, Part 2

There are times in my life when I HAVE voted for a candidate outside the Democratic Party because either I knew the candidate personally (my mother and I have done a bit of community organizing locally and have had a chance to meet a number of mayors, Congresspersons & elected officials from the Tampa Bay and Florida area). Just the other day I voted for a County Commission candidate from my community who has been a foreign missionary and a church leader--he happens to be a Reform Party candidate, though I voted for him at the last minute because I met him and was struck by his personal story and how he came off as a real person with specific policiy points who would actually represent me, a young entrepreneur and family man on the West coast of Florida.

By the way, if you're looking for a candidate who believes in what you believe in... I have looked at Obama's personal life. He has been married over 15 years to Michelle with two children, and a Christian for more than 20 years. There has NEVER been a hint of scandal or sexual impropriety in Obama's married life. Contrast that with McCain who after his wife waited for him for 5 long years while he was POW, he came home found that she was a somewhat bigger woman because of a car accident that had impaired her ability to move around, and subsequently started an affair with another beauty queen, Cindy, WHILE he was still married to the first Mrs McCain. He has admitted this in the past. Tell me, how would you feel if that was your husband?? Does this sound like the behavior of a Godly, Christian man? It's nice that McCain was a POW and all, but I have news for you, being a POW is not a magic benchmark that somehow makes you more qualified for President. I know a number of other former WITH COMMAND EXPERIENCE such as General Wesley Clark, General Colin Powell, etc who actually have overseen thousands to hundreds of thousands of troops AND multi-million and multi-billion dollar defense budgets. Does that automatically qualify them for the Presidency too? You should check the history books and note that former military officers do not always make the best Presidents (think of Ulysses S. Grant whose administration was a joke, Jimmy Carter (who is a Christian by the way), etc. McCain loves to talk about how he knows how to capture Osama bin Laden and win wars...really???? Well since he says this, the common sense question is why hasn't he revealed his secrets to us in the 7 years since 9-11? I guess we'll have to elect him, then he an Sarah Palin with go over and show our professional soldiers at CENTCOM how to do a better job of those things. No thanks.

Did you know that when Democrats are President, ABORTIONS RATES FALL NATIONALLY? Did you ever wonder why with Republicans having been President for 20 of the last 28 years and being in the majority from 1996-2006, they haven't made more of an effort to outlaw or curb abortion? The only time we hear about the GOP bringing up abortion, gay marriage, affirmative action, and guns is just before an election because it is sad that these issues are used as a sort of baseball which is batted around b/c the GOP knows that it is these are effective Get Out the Vote tools. "Read more at Abortion & The One-Issue Party". And yes, I am a proud pro-life Democrat.

As far as Obama's supposedly adding to the welfare rolls, cite me some facts or some bills that Obama voted for that demonstrate that he would give away our money to people on welfare. Frankly we're providing billions of dollars in welfare to Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, etc, and I don't see anyone complaining about that. I'm afraid this is just another GOP talking point with no facts to back it up. As far as his tax plan, go to www.BarackObama.com, look up Obama's tax plan. He has consistently written and stated in all 3 presidential debates that his tax plan actually provides tax relief for over 95% of taxpayers and that only those individuals and businesses that make over $250,000 will see any tax increases. For the record, the majority of small businesses in the US do NOT make more than $250,000 in sales, much less profits, so this is kinda a moot point to me. (I own a small business by the way, while my wife will be starting a non-profit in the next couple years). And speaking of small businesses, there are 27 million small businesses in America and the SBA is tasked with supporting and advising those businesses. Over 56% of all Americans work in small businesses and those firms are responsible for over 90% of all new jobs in this country. Since taking office George Bush has cut the budget and staff of the SBA more than 50%. No other federal agency has seen their budget cut as much as the SBA. Bush even closed the SBA office that assists veteran-owned firms. Country first? Hardly.

I seriously doubt that I will regret my decision to vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Bill Clinton may have been hated by some (all charismatic candidates experience this, even Lincoln) but under him (immoral as he was--he slept around with women) but gas was $1, we were relatively at peace in the world, (unemployment was 4-5%--remember that? I do.; contrast that with over 150,000 jobs lost in September under Bush), we had a record federal surplus under Bill Clinton and 22 million new jobs in his 8 years. Meanwhile welfare for the poor was forever changed because Bill Clinton provided incentives for the working poor to get out and work in his Welfare to Work initiatives. Remember that? I do. Now I ask you which is more moral in the eyes of God and poses more of a risk to our national security (sleeping with someone--which is yes, despicable) or sending 4,000 of our boys and girls, mothers and fathers, cousins, brothers, and sisters to their deaths on a quest to find non-existent weapons of mass destruction based on lies concocted by Paul Wolfowitz, Dick Cheney, and the neocon wing of the Republican party in order to further enrich their Haliburton buddies who are raking in the cash in no-bid contracts in Iraq. What a coincidence. As far as earmarks which you mentioned...John McCain hasn't requested any for his administration because Ted Stevens, one of the most famous money grubbers in the US Senate and Sarah Palin, already got a good amount of earmarks for the Bridge to Nowhere which Palin supported before she didn't support it in the spirit of Maverickism. They have already spread the wealth around plenty. And also, do you recall (if we're still on the welfare thing), that Palin gave away, $1,200 of oil company profits to each Alaska resident? Now, should we call that "redistribution of wealth"? socialism? or what? I mean, labels should be applied evenly I think. In either case, it's a great way to make sure your job approval ratings stay real high.

Again, I'm more than excited to debate. It is only when we bring TWO SIDES of a story together that we can come to an mutual understanding. That's what Ronald Reagan did to the point that there were "Reagan Democrats", so we should do this too. If you want to read some insightful analysis on why one of the greatest US Generals (in the eyes of Democrats AND Republicans) Gen. Colin Powell endorsed Obama, then please read my blog at "Gen. Colin Powell Endorses Obama in October Surprise". Read about the endorsements of Obama by prominent Republicans such as Ronald Reagan's son (Ron Reagan), Christoper Buckley (son of National Review Online founder, Bill Buckley), George Will, and many other prominent Republican's, and see what they are saying about why they are endorsing Obama over McCain. Then maybe you will understand why I feel the way I do about Obama who has built a political coalition of do gooders and community organizers, Christians & heathens :), Republicans for Obama, suburban mothers and urban professionals, inner city poor and financial billionaires, Black, White, Jewish, Hispanic & women voters, etc.


My goal is not to change your mind--that aim would be arrogant--but rather to let you know that there IS another side to the political story which you may not have heard correctly articulated to this point.