Nobody Says it Better

Following Barack's accurate and constructive comment that if all Americans would simply inflate their tires to the appropriate levels we could save more fuel than we expect to find in John McCain's offshore drilling plan, the McCain campaign and other Republicans mocked this idea. ("Conservation? Practical steps? Saving fuel and money? HAHAHA")

Well, Barack stands amazed (and amused) this this is the best they can come up with:



"It's like these guys take pride in being ignorant!... They need to do their homework. Because this is serious business."

Just The Facts

Just The Facts

By Diana - Aug 7th, 2008 at 9:19 am EDT

Found: another impartial source comparing the voting records and publicly-stated positions of each candidate: http://www.2008electionprocon.org/ It’s a useful tool, particularly with regard to women’s and environmental issues where the records are so distinct.

Here’s the trick to navigating this site. When you search by issue, you may get the result “Neither pro nor con.” When this happens, don’t assume our candidate is wishy-washy. Click under the highlighted text,( i.e. “neither pro nor con”)and you will see what the candidate has to say.

The Olympic games start tomorrow, and with them a barrage of negative ads from the McCain campaign. Please bookmark http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshome/ and be prepared to consult it often to help us set the record straight.
Don’t let malicious innuendo and mendacious accusations go unchallenged. Your word means more to your friends than the anonymous voice overs in the paid policital spots. http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshome/.

The Most You Can Do

With the Presidential race too close for comfort or complacency, it's becoming clear that success hinges on voter turn out. That's why we're heartened that so many of you have expressed interest in going back to the US in late October/early November to help get Barack Obama's supporters to the polls. You will be welcome, wherever you choose to go.

It's easy to make your own arrangements, via http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/statepages. Choose the state where you'd like to volunteer. Follow the prompts from there.

If you're not able to go to the States, you will be able to help mobilize US-based voters by participating in the phone banks that Obamalondon will coordinate with Obama for America in the weeks leading to November 4th. If you're on the Obamalondon mailing list you'll be notified when we're set to start. Please pass along our email address to friends and cohorts who might want to join this vital initiative. (obamalondon@gmail.com)
Meanwhile, there's much to be done to get out the overseas vote. Please scroll down for forthcoming GOTV events, and watch your inbox for updates.

Roll Up Your Sleeves

First the good news, then the better news.
The good news is that GOP voter registration is down nationwide, while Democratic and Independent registration is climbing.
The better news is what this means: with persistent outreach and effective networking, we can determine the outcome of the election. The more effort Barack Obama’s staff and supporters put into registering new voters and the more conscientious the efforts of all involved to make sure those voters cast their ballots at the polls or through the mail, the more likely it is we will win.
I’ve heard a number of people fret as they follow the opinion polls, that they’re getting that “Kerry-Edwards feeling” all over again.
This voter registration trend, and the power we command within the next few weeks to get out the vote, should allay that sensation.
If you would like to help get out the vote in the UK be sure you've subscribed to events updates with obamalondon@gmail.com.
AND if you would like to help get out the vote in any state in the US, go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/actioncenter, and follow the prompts. You can also go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/statepages, and choose the state where you’d like to volunteer. You will be welcome wherever you choose to go.
Poll nubers will rise and fall, but the need to enhance registration rolls and mobilize voters is constant, and critical to our success.
Help here; help at home. It's verifiable: you'll make a difference.

My Day Off....

So this weekend I took a little jaunt down to Brighton to visit some friends. This was after hours of nagging from my husband that the campaign can't possibly take up ALL my time and that after all it would be nice to have some friends left when all this is over.

And off to rainy Brighton we trecked, where the Brighton Pride festival was in full swing. You do have to admire the spirit of folks who will not allow mere rain and wind to put them off their determination to parade in little more than their bikinis and glittering body paint. Pride goers, I salute you!

But before making our way to the parade, we stopped for a sip of coffee and a bite of cake in a little cafe near the route. I was, as always, sporting my treasured Barack Obama badge and after a few minutes my friend gave me a little nudge and a point - sitting one table over was a group wearing Barack Obama badges of their own, augmented with anti-Bush t-shirts. Clearly a conversation was in order.

It turns out, these ladies - Americans all - were South London Social workers excited about Barack. No, they hadn't registered yet but yes they were absolutely planning on it, all the more so when I gave them a leaflet about Vote from Abroad and told them how easy it is to register using the online tool. E-mail addresses were exchanged and much good cheer ensued.

Later that day, at the home of our friends -a German couple recently moved to London - the subject of the election came up again. Our friend mentioned that she actually has an American friend in Germany, definitely a Democrat. Is she registered? We're not sure. Cue another leaflet - can you post this to her? Absolutely. You know, says Friend, there are lots of Americans at our old Church in Munich, perhaps someone should see about doing a voter registration there? Details are recorded for follow up.

And it occurred to me - THIS is how we are going to track down Americans all around the world. We'll do it on our days off. On the bus. In the office. Over lunch. By e-mail. With friends of friends and aquaintances of aquaintances and people we see on the street.

(Just keep some flyers handy at all times!)

Hand Sell

Here, according to the Rasmussen Reports Tracking Poll, is where we are two weeks after John McCain launched the most vicious and mendacious negative campaign in living memory.

Two weeks during which Barack Obama met with our troops and their commanders in the field, consulted with allies, and addressed a world hungry for hope, with words meant to motivate and inspire as much as to demonstrate a masterful understanding of and rational approach to the issues that matter.

Two weeks during which Barack Obama met with economists of diverse ideologies but similar determination to address the multiple crises confronting the majority of Americans.

Two weeks during which Senator Obama released a detailed Economic Emergency Plan informed by his meetings and in response to the news that joblessness has soared. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12237.html

Two weeks during which John McCain continued to sell the snake oil of offshore drilling as a panacea for high energy costs, and during which Barack Obama reiterated a call for a comprehensive alternative energy bill while insisting oil companies help offset the high cost of gas by paying a windfall profits tax that would benefit consumers.
Here, Rasmussen says, is where we are:

McCain is currently viewed favorably by 55% of the nation’s voters, Obama by 51%. That is the lowest rating for Obama since he wrapped up the nomination. Obama is viewed favorably by 83% of Democrats, 22% of Republicans, and 47% of unaffiliated voters. For McCain, the numbers are 87% favorable among Republicans, 26% among Democrats, and 61% among unaffiliated voters. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

Barack Obama wants to think well of people. He believes that if he is honorable and sticks to the issues, presents himself as a prudent diplomat, able statesman, trustworthy steward of our environment and guardian of our founding principles, Americans will vote for him.

We share that belief, or we wouldn’t be supporting his campaign.
It’s possible to infer from the poll numbers in the context of these past two weeks that we and Senator Obama have it all wrong about our fellow citizens.
But I believe the implications are merely that we have work to do.
We can’t counter with a similar smear campaign; we're the good guys.

We can run a retail operation. Each of us can hand-sell the candidate. As simple as it sounds, it's proven effective. Create opportunities to talk about Senator Obama. And send e-mails to everyone in your address book, from college classmates to former neighbors...the ones you promised to write when you moved away but hadn’t found time before now. Seal the deal by letting them know how to vote: http://www.votefromabroad.org (Democratic Party Sponsored voter registration site) or http://overseasvotefoundation.org (non partisan voter registration site)

The past two weeks have affirmed that facts don’t win elections: perceptions do. And the best perception that your friends and associates can get of Barack Obama will come, not from one of his paid political spots, but from you.

Gwyneth Paltrow Will Vote From Abroad - Will You?

American citizens have the right to vote, no matter where in the world they live. And millions of Americans will be casting their ballots this year from countries all over the world.

But unfortunately, not every American overseas KNOWS that they have the right to vote. Or that there is an easy online tool to complete their registration. Or that they need to request their absentee ballot every election, whether they are registered or not.



American expat voter Gwyneth Paltrow and a crew of other Americans of all ages and backgrounds are speaking up in this video to remind people that they can - should - must register to vote this year.

www.votefromabroad.org

The video was launched today in this post on the Huffington Post. Please share it with your friends - if you have a blog yourself, please post it, if you haven't registered yet yourself please do it.