The story behind Fired Up! Ready To Go! The Obama Campaign.

I've kinda been worn out of late. This campaign is so long. Showed up at the training day on Harvard campus. And I heard the "Fired Up" chant for the first time. I'm not going to pass judgment but I tjhink this probably resonates better with a southern twang to it. Never the less I almost forgot about it until a Mass Action campaigner relayed the story. I have to admit I was inspired. Think next time I go to a Pats game I'll see if I get any response. It's a great idea for a campaign to have a distinct slogan that can catch on. Just when you do it... do it with emotion!

FIRED UP! READY TO GO!

Labor Day with Barack in NH

Labor Day's Obama rally in Manchester, NH and parade in Milford, NH were both great fun.

In the morning, Senator Obama gave a great speech in Manchester, NH. After very nice introductions by U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes and Michelle Obama, people were very ready for Barack. I thought his speech, which I think was a new version of his stump speech, was very sharp and effective. He hit all of the key points well, both on domestic issues and foreign policy, and it definitely has some inspirational parts that reminded me of his tremendous 2004 DNC speech. He has definitely hit his stride on the campaign trail. Many members of the public and the press turned out for the event, so that was great to see.

The staff did a great job getting people and signs ready for the parade, including rounding up people who formed a mini marching band and played patriotic songs while we marched, which was a fantastic idea and made things much more fun. I think we definitely had the biggest and most vocal group of supporters, and I know we had the most fun.

The other bigger groups were Romney (who was there), Clinton, McCain, and Dodd (also there). Clinton had a silly looking float with race cars on it with her race car in the lead, obviously trying to get the bandwagon effect going and remind everyone that she is the supposed frontrunner, as if that's a good reason to support a candidate. The mood in those groups seemed positively dour, especially Romney. When we were getting ready for the parade to start and getting in line, one of them told our group to "go to the back of the line, where you belong." Classy.

Romney also has a sign up in NH that says, "A surge of support for our troops" with for underlined. Obviously, he's trying to play the "Dems don't support the troops" card. I sure hope NH can see through that tactic at this point. Romney hasn't said a word about his Iraq policy. He also violated the rules by getting out of his car and running up and down the parade route, presumably to promote his "I'm the most energetic candidate" meme. He also has an ad showing him (faking) running. Anyway, politicians are not allowed to walk in this parade. Obama and Dodd both followed the rules.

The Obama chant during the parade, "Obama, '08, be a part of something great" really seemed to resonate with the crowd, and many people, both young and old, were bouncing along to it as we marched along the parade route.

It was pretty hot, and we were all tired and sunburned at the end, but it felt great to get out there and be a part of something positive. We heard coverage of it on NPR on our way home, and my parents told me they saw the parade on the evening news. I can't wait for the next event!

Vets Stand for Obama, as Obama Stands Tall for Vets

Well, August 21, 2007 was a big day for Senator Obama and NH Veterans. On the heels of a very significant endorsement by US Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-Pa), the Senator spoke to a large audience at the Veterans for Foreign Wars National Convention. The convention is held annually, with this years meeting being attended by a select group of presidential contenders and President Bush.

We were off to a great start when it was announced that Rep. Murphy had decided to stand beside the Obama campaign. Currently, Congressman Murphy is the only member of Congress to have served in Iraq. His military credentials include teaching constitutional law at West Point and having served in Iraq in 2003 and 2004, as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. During his time in Iraq, then Captain Murphy earned a Bronze Star. According to Rep. Murphy, he has endorsed Sen. Obama because he believes “Barack Obama is our best chance to change the direction of our country”.

In his endorsement announcement, Congressman Murphy said, “I take my role as an Iraq war veteran very seriously. Four years ago, in August 2003, I was in the middle of Baghdad. As a Captain with the 82nd Airborne Division, I was a witness to our foreign policy. As a Congressman, I believe that we need to change the direction in Iraq, start bringing our troops home, and refocus on the real War on Terror. And I believe that Senator Obama is best suited to lead in this effort.”

Not long after, Senator Barack Obama stood tall before hundreds of combat veterans, members of the VFW and the ever watchful C-SPAN. After he thanked his hosts, the Senator spoke clearly and concisely, stating “To America’s veterans, our country must speak with one voice: we honor your service, and we enter into a sacred trust with you from the moment you put on that uniform. That trust is simple: America will be there for you just as you have been there for America.... Keeping faith with those who serve must always be a core American value and a cornerstone of American patriotism. Because America’s commitment to its servicemen and women begins at enlistment, and it must never end. “

He continued by defining his vision of the challenges set before America, pledging to face those challenges by using a comprehensive strategy that integrated diplomatic efforts and military action. On the diplomatic front, Obama would push to “dry up support for extremism” and would “restore our values” within the ranks of the civilian and military leadership. Learning from previous mistakes made by the current beltway “mindset”, Obama promised to “protect our homeland by setting common sense priorities”. He then acknowledged his accountability as Commander-in-Chief to America by saying, “a President can choose to go to war, but the country must be prepared to sustain it.”

Before the VFW, Senator Obama laid out the most balanced, detailed and pragmatic of plans to handle matters on the home front, ensuring that he will uphold our promise to service members. In a bold voice, Obama made it plain that he would not tolerate neglect of America’s veterans. He committed to a policy that would assure “zero tolerance” for veterans sleeping on the street. He said, “I’ve fought for this in the Senate, and as President I’ll expand housing vouchers, and I’ll launch a new supportive services housing program to prevent at-risk veterans and their families from sliding into homelessness.”This confirmed my hopes that he fully understands that service extends beyond those who actually wear our nation’s uniform.

As Obama closed his remarks, he affirmed his commitment to America and American veterans. He, again, pledged that he will uphold the Sacred Trust and that he would work to build a consensus amongst differing perspectives. He said, “we know that the sacred trust cannot expire when the uniform comes off. He further stated,” I will be clear that whatever disagreements we have on policy, there will be no daylight between us when it comes to honoring these men and women who serve, and keeping faith with our veterans. This is not a partisan issue. This is a moral obligation. This must be a beachhead for bringing our country together”.

It is clear to me that Senator Obama and Congressman Murphy know, as I do, that we must keep our promise to care for service members and their families, as they have kept their promise to keep us from harm. The men and women that make up our volunteer military, in times of peace or conflict, vigorously execute all their appointed duties. They will rarely, if ever, ask for anything in return. Their sense of honor and service is founded upon a simple truth, that we are obligated to honor their commitment to us, America’s people. This simple truth springs eternally from the highest ideals of our nation and so, is sacred.

If you agree, please join us at the MyBO Group: Obama for NH Veterans. For deeper insight, please follow the embedded links.

Ne Desit Virtus - Let Valor Not Fail

MAO-C Urgent - Major Endorsement

PA Rep. Patrick Murphy has endorsed Barack. This is HUGE as Barack had delivered a speech earlier today at the Veterans for Foreign Wars (VFW) National Convention. Rep. Murphy is the only current member of Congress that has served in combat in Iraq. He enjoys great popularity among this generation of veterans. Rep. Murphy's endorsement reinforces the position that one can oppose the war and yet, fully support the troops.

Please do what you can to build the buzz around this endorsement, especially on the internet.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/21/iraq-vetcongressman-endorses-obama/

(I wrote this on the freezing cold day Obama announced his run)

Today is a warm beautiful day
Today a tropical breeze has swept across Boston
As it has the breadth of our nation
It has graced us with elements of Lake Michigan
Cirrocumulus clouds of Manoa
Salt air of the Mombasa Coast

This breeze has stilled an old-pendulum
For to long it has swayed mechanically left to right;
And too far right.
Today the wind spoke to us
And a diversity of hearts rejoiced
As the soul of our land rejoiced

Our heart; our true heart
Is one of out stretched arms,
which long to reach across our nation
and to the rest of mankind
Perhaps some other winds erred
With the misunderstanding of “arms”
Perhaps, while we stand in the warmth
Those winds still and always were; numb.

But

Today we are warm and happy
Today we have hope
Today we can once again dream
Today we can stand together and be heard
We can smile because we are at an advent
But not simply of change; this is not the wind of change
No; this wind has been here since a defiant declaration
This has been here since liberty ignited the torch
This is a wind, some might try to allocate, classify
Or take its elements and codify it
But they are wrong as they are right;
This fair-wind has all the elements of us.
This wind has always been there
Since the beginning
Small yet resolute
Accumulating its strength
Its Audacity
It is not change, a metamorphosis, an alteration or a new direction
No; this breeze; this wind is comfortable, familiar and warm
It is all our fathers and great-grandfathers struggles
This wind represents our heart, which although perhaps lost for a moment,
is the heart of many lands, the heart many backgrounds
and the heart of all those who love G-d by any name
This wind my friends, is nothing new
It is not the result of; although we hope the answer to
Global Warming
Nor is it something we are NOT ready for.
No the cold winds wish to leave us in the cold
They wish to tell us we are not ready;
Or perhaps the wind is not yet strong enough;
Worn, experienced or traveled enough.

This wind is the aggregate of all the winds that have
Taken us through the blustery seas of:
the North Atlantic, the South Pacific, the Persian Gulf.
This wind has begun to encircle us
And in Chicago today it has been declared
A tropical depression
And in New Hampshire it will be tropical storm
And as it finds its way from place to place
It will grow swift and strong
And when it lands in Washington
It will be a monsoon
It will be a typhoon
When it lands in Washington
And it will land in Washington
It will be a Hurricane!
It will exstinguish the fire under the melting pot
Tip it over
And set us all free
For this wind is nothing new
It has always been here
This wind is, and has always been; our Destiny.


I support Barack Obama above and beyond other candidates because he stands resolute.
He came to Washington and stood with the voice of his people
And not against the people for “their own good.”
And not with the haphazard-demands of the President.
He came to Washington and made certain that the President
felt our exhausted vocalizations; even through closed-ears
He came to Washington open, like a book
For all the world to see
And to throw their first stones; till they realized
They had no legs to stand on.
As Washington has turned itself into a mockery there is one individual
Who has not wavered or eviscerated his own-constitution
For political gain
There is one man who stands for fare wages, equal opportunity, real jobs, real homes, real healthcare, a real winter temperatures.
That man is Barack Obama and he has my vote.

Cambridge Carnival

What are the hours for the booth to be staffed on August 26, and at what location?