London Convention Watch

Here are a few pictures from our London Convention Watch party on Friday 29 August. Thanks to all of you who were able to attend!

You can find additional pictures from this event at:

http://barackobama.meetup.com/349/

Confessions of a fan girl....

It's after midnight, and I just got home from our Obama London Convention Watch party - dozens of us clustered on floors and perched on the arms of chairs in a central London basement to watch the tape of Barack last night accepting the nomination.

I've seen the speech twice now - and countless Obama speeches before that. And each one gets better. So, I need you all to do me a favor. I need you, first of all, to watch that speech. Seriously, click on the image above and watch it. I'll wait.

....


....

Done? OK. Now, give me one good reason why that man shouldn't be President of the United States. I mean that sincerely. What skill, what knowledge, what judgement, what temperment, what wisdom could a human being reasonably have to make them better suited to the Presidency than this man is at this time in history?

I don't pretend to be unbiased here - I've obviously been a huge Obama fan since way back when. But I don't consider my bias evidence that I have lost all rationality - the opposite in fact. I first decided to support Barack Obama precisely because he was consistently, surpassingly, excellent at everything he did. And because he struck a cord with me. I had no idea how fed up I was with the way we do politics in America, until I heard Barack say that it was broken.

McCain and his folks like to belittle Obama as a celebrity and his supporters as mere groupies or camp followers. It seems to me that their pathetic attempts to tie Barack to non-entities like Paris Hilton or Britney Spears masks precisely their fear that Obama is something special and his followers know it. That he is not a celebrity at all, but something rarer and more priceless - an artist.

An artist is someone who is able to express something in a way that the rest of us understand immediately, but never could have expressed ourselves. A musician who combines words and lyrics in a way that is more than the sum of the parts. A writer who can devastate or elevate with a single surgically implanted word. An athlete who combines grace and strength to the point where it surpasses what we thought humans could achieve.

People respond to that. It means something - something more than a good tune or a clever phrase or a world record time. Sometimes an artist speaks to some people in a way that they thought no one could. These people become fans. And that kind of fan - and that kind of artist - form more often than not when times are tough. When we struggle.

And this country has been struggling for the past 8 years. We're only now starting to come to terms with the traumas of 9/11, and Iraq. Katrina and Abu Graib. An economy on it's way down and prices heading up.

And at this crucial time in history, during our period of stormy adolescent funk, the nation is presented with a man of seriousness, purpose, passion, commitment, and extraordinary talent. Someone who practices the art of politics often with the dexterity and grace of an athlete, with a musician's ear for the right note and the writer's faith in the power of words. And a pragmatism that is unique only to politics. And he uses that talent in the service of naming our nation's problems - holding accountable those who have failed us and asking the country to live up to it's own vision of itself. He weaves together all his various talents with a vision of where this country needs to go and an unshakably clear vision of how far it has been left behind.

So yeah. I'm a fan. Aren't you?

You Go Girl!

Michelle Obama is five feet nine inches of unadulterated fabulousness.

Welcome Joe

I can't say enough good things about our new Vice Presidential candidate - he's a smart, accomplished, straight talking man who shares Barack's core belief that we need to cut through the Washington games to make a real change for the American people. As Barack said in his welcome speech, Joe Biden is a man who has changed Washington without allowing Washington to change him. He's the real deal, and together this is as exceptionally inspiring and talented political team.

My Life is So Much Easier Than John McCain's...

Poor John seems to be having trouble remembering how many houses he owns. Me, I've got it easy - just one. And fortunately for me, like many Americans back home, my house is worth a little less now than it used to be. And as an added bonus, I get to pay higher interests rates now than I used to, because it is harder to get credit.

Which means if anyone asks me how much my house cost, how much it's worth, what interest rates I'm paying, how long I had to save to earn the deposit to buy my house in the first place - it's really fresh in my mind. Which is nice for me.

Because I don't have to face the embarrassment of figuring out whether to count the six houses on one of my estates separately, or as one home. Like John McCain does. Nor do I need to consider whether the $700,000 condo I bought for my daughter counts as a family home or not. Or whether the 2 separate properties that I bought and combined into one big one should be valued separately or at their combined cost: $4.7 Million. Like John McCain does.

But what does Barack think?

Virtually Denver

As a special treat for those of you who are out working for us this weekend and throughout the campaign, I’d like to invite you to our convention watching party at a central London location on Friday the 29th at 7:00PM.

Invitations are open to anyone who commits to at least 3 hours of volunteer efforts either this weekend or during the month of September. Wine and nibbles will be on me, but numbers are very limited, so RSVP now if you want to join us - and indicate what volunteer work you will be doing to cover your “ticket price”.

robinsonkj@dnc.org

I’m also delighted to announce a convention watch party in Scotland as well. To RSVP for the Edinburgh get together, also on Friday the 29th, or to volunteer for our Scotland efforts just e-mail:

mikeheffron@yahoo.com

Can’t make it to either of these? Why not create your own convention watch house party:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/organizeforchangeguide

Carnival Anyone?

This weekend tens of thousands of people will convene in West London for the Notting Hill Carnival. Can you join us there to leaflet the teeming crowds? Have you got a carnival costume you could let us use for the day to get some extra attention for our efforts? Write to rmeyersd[at]yahoo.com to volunteer.

Phelps In Town! Get Out The Vote This Sunday!!

Michael Phelps is the Master of Ceremonies for the Olympic Handover ceremony at the Mall near Buckingham Palace on Sunday.
We can expect a massive number of Americans in attendance.
We need YOU and your friends to work the crowd, passing out http://votefromabroad.org leaflets, providing on-site voter registration and catching the attention of the press, so they will in turn promote http://votefromabroad.org
PLEASE
Email robinsonkj@dnc.org to come help out.

This election will hinge on turn out. Help us put a ballot in the hands of all eligible Americans.

Faith Based Hypocrisy

At Reverend Rick Warren's Saddleback Church on Saturday, Senator McCain delivered what might be the first altogether true statement of a campaign that has to date relied on distortion, double-talk and lies: Senator McCain boasted that he has a 100 percent pro-life record.

Yes; John McCain has voted against every measure that would give women the freedom to choose how, whether and when to have children. In other words, Senator McCain has done all he can to make our physical and emotional health subject to state control.

At another moment in the same forum, Senator McCain explained his opposition to government funded healthcare, saying that individuals ought to be able to choose the care they need, not have those decisions determined by "government bureaucrats." Consistent? You decide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGWxM6EHVIQ

I would hope that every pro-choice woman still harboring resentment against Barack Obama for winning the nomination will consider Senator Obama's contrasting positions on these issues. With regard to both abortion rights and healthcare, Barack Obama is reliably pro-choice and richly humane. Senator Obama's views don't lend themselves to the kind of glib one-liners that appeal to Senator McCain's audience and they require thought rather than reaction, a liability in recent US elections.

Here's what Barack Obama said at Saddleback about reproductive rights:

if you believe that life begins at conception, and you are consistent in that belief, then I can't argue with you on that, because that is a core issue of faith for you. What I can do is say, are there ways we can work together to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies so that we are actually reducing the sense that women are seeking out abortions? How do we provide the resources that allow women to make the choice to keep a child? Have we given them health care they need, the support services they need, the options of adoption that are necessary. That I believe can make a genuine difference."

Ground Game

As the polls tighten, it's clear that despite prior predictions of a landslide, we will have to work for this one. Let's.

Please remind your friends and colleagues to register to vote (in the US http://www.registrationbyworkingassets.com/register/?source=homedropdown&api_key=gQKGZ9xr0iTIct4XGnRHB1ALGT4. Abroad: http://www.votefromabroad.org.).

Also, watch this space for local activities to get out the vote.

And if you can spare the time and expense, please consider traveling to a swing state to lend a hand. Go to http://www.barackobama.com/index.php, choose the "State" menu, select the place you'd like to go and sign on as a volunteer. Someone will contact you.

If you live too far from Obamalondon's voter registration and mobilization events, and can't travel back to the States before November, you can organize phone banks at home. http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/actioncenter

Call it a party, make it festive; define our future.

Rally and Canvass and Phone Bank - Oh My!

In just 81 days Americans all around the country (and the world) will be electing our next President. Let's get ready!

RALLY AND MEETING THIS SATURDAY

Please join us on Saturday for our Obama East to West Rally and Meeting in celebration of our wonderful candidate and in planning for the vital campaign ahead. Join us outside the Barrow Boy and Banker pub at 1:30 PM for a quick rally on London Bridge followed by a meeting in the pub and some canvassing on the South Bank.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44grz

Check the above link for full details, and please do RSVP – either on the website or to me directly at robinsonkj@dnc.org

CANVASSERS NEEDED THIS WEEKEND

Last week we had the most amazing success, with canvass groups out and about across London and the UK in 10 locations. We estimate that we spoke with over 200 Americans on the day, and reached hundreds more through foreigners friends. It was an amazing success!

Now let's do it again - I'm looking for as many people as possible to canvass in their local areas on either Saturday morning before the rally, or on Sunday. Or both! Can you spare a few hours to talk to people on the streets of Wimbledon, Hampstead, St John’s Wood, Bloomsbury, Kensington – or even up at the Edinburgh festival? Please drop me a line so I can put you in touch with the other volunteers in your area and get you all the materials you will need.

robinsonkj@dnc.org

Do you live outside London, but would like to start canvassing near you? Great! Let me know and I’ll help you get organised.

PHONE BANKERS NEEDED

Democrats Abroad UK has an aggressive plan in place to contact each and every one of our members in September to confirm that they are registered to vote. We urgently need volunteers who can commit to giving one or more weekend days or weekday evenings during this time period to call our members. Volunteers will be asked to use their own mobile phones (which we will consider a very generous and much appreciated donation!) and will gather in a central London location for the calls where they will get full training and support throughout the session.

Please let me know ASAP which of the following sessions you can commit to:

Saturday Aug 30 (11-2 or 2-5), Sunday Aug 31 (11-2 or 2-5), Monday Sept 1 (6-9), Tuesday Sept 2 (6-9), Wednesday Sept 3 (6-9), Thursday Sept 4 (6-9), Friday Sept 5 (6-9), Saturday Sept 6 (11-2 or 2-5), Sunday Sept 7 (11-2 or 2-5), Monday Sept 8 (6-9), Tuesday Sept 9 (6-9), Wednesday Sept 10 (6-9) (there will be no session on the 11th due to the Council Meeting), Friday Sept 12 (6-9), Saturday Sept 13 (11-2 or 2-5), Sunday Sept 14 (11-2 or 2-5).

CAN YOU HELP US REGISTER VOTERS?

Stephanie Stewart has been running an outstanding voter registration program for us here in London - and she is always in need of new volunteers. Can you help out at any of the below events? If so, write to her on vicechair@democratsabroad.org.uk.

16 or 17 August- Any time before 3:00pm - Borough Market - Need two people to pass out leaflets
16 August - 6:30pm - Rock for Barack in London - The Harbour Club Chelsea - SW6 - Need one person to register voters
20 August - 12:00 - ACS Hillingdon Welcome Picnic for new families - Stephanie S to take leaflets
20 August - 9:00 - 3:00 or any part of this time - ACS Cobham Picnic - Surrey - Lenelle D, Need one more person to register voters
24 August - 12:00 - 3:00 - The American School in Surrey (TASIS) New Family Picnic - Lesley G, Need one more person to register voters
28 August - 7:30 - DAUK Young Democrats Cocktail - Grafton Arms, W1T - Need one person to register voters
29 Aug - 7:00pm - London American Meet-up - El Vino, Fleet St. - Need one person to leaflet outside the venue
30 August - ASL Scoop back to school event - Leslie G, Whitney B
8 September - 5:30pm - The Pilgrims and English Speaking Union panel on the US election - Dartmouth House, W1J - Nancy T
9 September - 11:30 - 12:30 - JPMorgan Voter Registration - EC2 - Need two people to register voters
10 September - 11:30 - 12:30 - JPMorgan Voter Registration - EC2 - Need two people to register voters
11 September - 9:00 - 11:00am - Kennsington & Chelsea Woman's Club - Royal Geographical Society - Sharon S, Nancy T
11 September - 6:00pm - DAUK Council Meeting - Need one person to register voters
12 September - 11:30 - 2:00 - Deutsche Bank voter registration - Eileen T, Carol B, Need two more people to register voters
15 - 18 September - 11:30 - 2:00 - Canary Wharf voter registration - Need 4 people each day to leaflet and register voters, Tasia K, Cathryn C (18th), Evelyn F (all days),
17 September - 9:00 - 11:00 - Hampstead Woman's Club - Margo M, Lesley G, Need one more person to register voters
18 September - 6:30pm - ASL HS Back-to-School Night - Lauren W
18 September - 11:00 - 2:00 - FOCUS Voter Registration - Evelyn F
September - Dartmouth pub night - Sarah C
26 September- 7:30 - DAUK Young Democrats Cocktail - Location TBD - Need one person to register voters
3 October - TBD - American Intercontinental University - Marylebone - Need one person to register voters*
7 October - American Society Autumn Cocktail at Wynchwood House - Lauren W*

As you can see - there are many ways to get involved, and so much to do! I’d like to thank each of you for the millions of different ways that you have already helped us to ensure a Democratic President this year – just 3 months to go.

This Week's Obama UK Events

This weekend we kicked off our Global Search Party, with volunteers fanning out all across the UK (and the world) to track down and registerAmerican voters wherever they may be. Already I am getting reports backfrom canvassers across the UK about our successful search parties todayin neighborhoods all over the country. Remember, there are hundreds ofthousands of American voters in this country who would like to vote for Barack Obama for President. But many of them may not be aware that theyare eligible to vote – or may not understand how to register. I spoke to one woman today who had been told that she was ineligible to votebecause she had not participated in the last two elections. She was overjoyed when I told her she DOES have the right to vote – she justneeds to register! If you couldn’t make it this weekend but want to get involved with the Campaign for Change overseas, just drop me a line letting me know whereyou’d like to canvass and what days work for you. Please note my new e-mail address: robinsonkj@dnc.org

MONDAY’S VOLUNTEER SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED – BUT PLEASE GO TO WEDNESDAY’S VOTER REGISTRATION TRAINING INSTEAD!

This week’s Monday Night Meeting will not take place because I am inIreland (see below) and also because Stephanie has already planned in avoter registration training session for this Wednesd, August 13th from6:30 PM at the Yorkshire Grey Pub on Langham Street. Would you like tolearn how to register voters overseas? Contact Stephanie for moreinformation about this meeting: vicechair@democratsabroad.org. Are youalready feeling confident of your ability to register voters, but would like to talk about more ways to get involved? Show up towards the end –from 8:00 Stephanie will be talking about future volunteer opportunitiesand leading a brainstorm about where to find those elusive Americans!

OBAMA EAST TO WEST RALLY AND MEETING ON SATURDAY AUGUST 16TH

Don’t forget our Obama rally and organising meeting on Saturday August16th – we’ll meet up on London Bridge for a quick rally and photosession (wear your t-shirts! Bring signs)!, followed by a meeting at theBarrow Boy and Banker Pub – and to wrap it all up we’ll do a late afternoon canvass up and down the South Bank. For more information check this page:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44grz

Please RSVP on the event page or directly to me on robinsonkj@dnc.org

ROCK FOR BARACK FUNDRAISER AND PARTY

After a hard day’s rallying and canvassing, why not celebrate with this amazing sounding rock and roll event for Barack at the glamorous HarbourClub in Chelsea? At only $50 for a ticket (that’s just 25 pounds) thisevent is not only for a great cause and great fun, but also is probablythe best value for money live music event you are going to find anywherein London on a Saturday night! I hope you can join us:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/443sj

OBAMA IRELAND MEETING AND TRAINING SESSION IN DUBLIN

And finally, I’ll be heading off to the Emerald Isle for a few days –and will be hosting an Obama training event there following theDemocrats Abroad Ireland meeting on Tuesday Night. If, by an astonishingcoincidence you should find yourself in the fair city of Dublin thiscoming Tuesday night, please do join us. Or if you have friends andfamily anywhere in Ireland, please pass the info along!

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44grc

I will be in Ireland for three days starting Monday and I’m hoping tomeet with as many Obama supporters there as I possibly can!

Barack is now enjoying a well earned week long vacation in Hawaii with his family – but for the rest of us the hard work goes on! I hope to seeyou at one of our many events very soon, and thanks again for all thehard work that you have already put into getting out the expat vote forBarack Obama!

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.