“I don’t know about turning the debate around, all I know is that a simple question has turned my life upside down and more people know about me than Obama,” claimed the ordinary-looking American, wearing sports pajamas and T-shirt.
Joe the Plumber thinks he’s more famous than Barack Obama. You know … the guy who just became the president-elect in a landslide.
And, this guy — who clearly has a good handle on reality — is launching two web sites, one of which he wants people to donate to.
Mr. Wurzelbacher said he planned to launch a Web site, www.secureourdream.com, with the goal of making it a political watchdog. “We will keep a check on both the Republicans and the Democrats for not only living up to their promises, but also not let them dictate to people how to live and spend their hard-earned fortunes,” he said.
He added that he also planned to launch www.secureourdream.org, which he said will be a charity branch of the watchdog site to raise money “for all sorts of charities and causes for fellow Americans.”
Praising his countrymen for being very generous to various charities, he said he hoped people would donate at this Web site. He said his Web site would be run in a very transparent way so everyone will know how much money is raised and distributed.
I just got done writing about how my faith was restored in Americans’ ability to make smart decisions. Please, please don’t take steps backwards by supporting this attention-craving, not-quite-truthful loon. Don’t give him money. If you’re doing to donate, there are lots of established charities that have demonstrated the ability to spend money wisely. Look into those and let Joe’s 15 minutes of fame finally run out.
I tend to like being involved in local political races more than statewide or national races. That’s mostly because I think the politicians have more of an opportunity to develop a relationship with their constituents — and are therefore held more accountable. If you’re city council representative is doing a bad job, in theory it’s not all that difficult to find a quality candidate, put a campaign together and get elected. It’s much more difficult to make those types of drastic changes on a national level — where money, special interests and just the grand scale can be overwhelming.
Last night, we learned last night that democracy does in fact work on a national level. I couldn’t comprehend what drove voters in 2004 to re-elect George W. Bush. But, maybe their votes were just as much a rejection of John Kerry as they were an embrace of an incompetant president. But, when push comes to shove, and the situation is dire, Americans showed last night that they can be motivated to force change. We are willing to pay attention to politics — presidential, Congressional and otherwise. Voters showed a willingness to go outside their comfort zone. By annointing Barack Obama as president-elect, Americans rejected the fear and hate embedded in the Republican party. People across all demographics, races, and religious beliefs united to make their collective voice heard over the voices of the powerful few.
There were lots of factors involved in this historic occassion (one candidate who ran a near-perfect campaign, the other candidate who made blunder after blunder … one candidate who embraced technology to communicate with voters “on their terms” … one candidate who relied on outdated methods to persuade voters, etc.). However we arrived at this point, this election restored my faith in the American electorate — our willingness to reject ultra-conservative, out-of-the-mainstream views … and our ability to “hire” the best candidate for the job.
Tonight was incredible. More coming tomorrow. For now, I hope everyone recognizes the historic nature of tonight’s developments.
We have a friend who wrote a paper when he was just a young black kid growing up in the South about how he never thought he’d see the day when an African American was elected president. America can surprise you sometimes.
I watched the results roll in with 3500 other people in a downtown Orlando park. It was amazing to see the reaction of people of all ages. Speechless, I watched the acceptance. There aren’t words to describe the coolness of tonight.
GOTV Tuesday like our country’s fate depends on it, because it does.
Just think of all those community organizers who dedicated months of their lives to getting Barack Obama elected, and volunteers who gave a couple hours of thier time … and all those donors who gave large sums of money and those who pinched pennies to just a few dollars … and everyone who tried to persuade a potential voter … and everyone who goes to vote today for Barack Obama. Whatever your political persuasion, isn’t is refreshing that there’s finally a leader in this country who can motivate millions and who just might make history tonight?
I got this video in a campaign email. It’s a great reminder of why today is so important. Please go vote.
I love Election Day. In Toledo, I developed a great love for Election Day. Every day should be Election Day in my book.
On this one day, everyone gets to contribute their voice — via their vote — without consequence … without fear of retribution. The only thing that matters is what you think. Who do you want to vote for? Who do you want to lead this country? When you’re voting by yourself, it doesn’t matter what your family thinks, what your employer wants you to do, or what your neighbors or friends say. You are the only thing that matters. Just you.
Happy Election Day! (I know I’m posting this a day early, but I’m in charge of planning the Election Night celebration party on Tuesday, so no time for blogging.) Drag people to the polls. And, hope that the best ticket wins.
If making your voice heard … or having a say in choosing the next president of the United States doesn’t quite motivate you to wait in line at the polls, Starbucks offers another reason to go vote: Free coffee!
In the last few days I have found myself heavily involved in the planning of the Election Night party in Orange County. The local Dems are co-hosting a party with the local Obama campaign. Great, sounds fun, right? Our party is going to be held at the History Center, this very cool venue that has indoor and outdoor space … enough to accommodate thousands of supporters, volunteers and other interested bystanders. Here’s the catch: Apparently, the local Dems traditionally have hotel parties. In hotel suites.
Being from Toledo (where we made fun of the Republicans for having closed-off hotel parties), it’s hard for me to comprehend the appeal of hotel parties. All these different candidates and groups get their own suites and invite people to their parties. How does that make any sense? Do they really want the media to lug all their gear from one location to the next? And, how do you think that looks to those not considered “party insiders”? I wouldn’t go to a hotel party … but I’d be very excited about a huge party at an open venue where everyone is welcome.
Hotel parties were something we did in college, getting ready for formals. And, it’s what Republicans do to reward party insiders. For Democrats, this election cycle has been all about inclusivity and openness. That mantra should continue on Election Night.
P.S. Now, I really miss Toledo’s parties at union halls. Those were so much simpler. Have a venue, get some food and call it a party! None of this insanity to rent lighting, staging, etc.
I have a secret: I think I have a little political crush on Rep. Rahm Emanual. He is the genius behind the 2006 Democratic majority and deserves a lot of credit for the party’s resurgence in parts of the country traditionally ignored or considered “red.” He’s brilliant.
So, when Rahm was in Orlando for a fundraiser for Suzanne Kosmos, I had to attend. So, $100 later, I got to be 10 feet away from him and hear him proclaim … and, boy of boy, was it worth it. He made the case that America is not as far right as some would like you to believe. In fact, he said that by the end of this election cycle, Democrats will hold every urban house seat and a majority of suburban and rural ones too. The Democrats are a national party.
Finally.
I’m thankful that I live in a country that believes in the power of the middle class and small businesses … in workers’ rights to organize. In a country where healthcare is a right, not a privilege … where sometimes people just need a little help. And, most importantly, in a country on the cusp of electing someone other than an old white guy to lead us into the future.
I realize I’m a day behind, but yesterday, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama made a joint appearance in Orlando to kick-start early voting in Florida. My husband and I were on the fence about whether we should go or not. Was it worth fighting traffic and thousands upon thousands of people? You betcha it was!
We hopped our bikes and rode to Amway Arena — arriving just in time to hear Sen. Clinton rally her supporters to get out there and help Obama get elected to the White House. According to media reports, there were 50,000 or 60,000 people on hand to hear what they had to say. And, it was totally worth it.
I’ve known for a very long time which candidate would get my vote, so I didn’t attend the rally to be persuaded. I went simply to experience the “hype” — to see what all the fuss is about. It’s not just hype. I’ve attended my fair share of political events — including presidential campaign events for Kerry, in Toledo of all places (a highly Democratic region) — but I’ve never experienced anything like this Obama/Clinton rally.
Let me first tackle the Clinton part. Whatever you’re feelings about her, there’s no denying that she helped the women’s movement jump ahead leaps and bounds. (In fact, she is the reason Palin is the VP nominee. McCain saw the attention Hillary got from women and he wanted to capture some of that same magic. A flawed decision, but that’s another matter.) Seeing Hillary yesterday imploring her Florida supporters to get behind Obama was moving. She said that if you knocked on doors for her, you needed to knock on doors for Obama. If you made calls for her, you needed to make calls for Obama. When asking her supporters to talk to undecideds, she said, “Tell them Hillary sent you to vote for Barack Obama.”
Up next was Obama. Words can’t describe what that was like. I’m not easily impressed by politicians — but even I had goosebumps during much of his speech and felt the need to stand on my very tippy, tippy toes so I could catch a glimpse. My favorite parts:
At a defining moment like this, we don’t have the luxury of relying on the same political games and the same political tactics that are used every election to divide us from one another and make us afraid of one another. With the challenges and crises we face right now, we cannot afford to divide this country by class or region; by who we are or what policies we support.
There are no real or fake parts of this country. We are not separated by the pro-America and anti-America parts of this nation - we all love this country, no matter where we live or where we come from. There are patriots who supported this war in Iraq and patriots who opposed it; patriots who believe in Democratic policies and those who believe in Republican policies. The men and women from Florida and all across America who serve on our battlefields — some may be Democrats and some may be Republicans and some may be Independents, but they all fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America - they have served the United States of America. That’s what this election is about.
And, what really struck me:
We can do this. Americans have done this before.Everybody here think about it. You’ve got a parent or a grandparent or a great-grandparent who said to themselves maybe I can’t go to college but if I work hard, maybe my child or grandchild can go to college. Everybody here, maybe they’ve got a parent or a grandparent who came from another country, said I may not have freedom, but if I take the risk and travel to America then I know I will have freendom in America. Everybody here had a parent or a grandparent who said I may not own business but if I work in this tough, dirty job, maybe someday my granddaughter or grandson, they’ll own a business of their own. Somebody here has a parent or a grandparent who said I may never be able to vote because I’m black or because I’m a woman, but you know what? Maybe someday I might have a granddaughter or a grandson who’s running for the presidency of the United States of America.
That’s the dreams that America is made of. That’s what we’re fighting for. In this election, if you’ll stand with me … if you’ll work with me … if you’ll organize with me … if you’ll go vote tomorrow and the next day for me — then I promise you, we won’t just win Florida, we’ll win this election. You and I together, we’re going to change the country and we’re going to change the world.
A woman, Hillary Clinton, paved roads for people like me. And, a black man, Barack Obama — on the shoulders of million and millions of community organizers and volunteers — is on the verge of getting elected and on the cusp of helping our great country re-discover its right course.
One more thing that struck me yesterday: There were all these kids — little kids, propped up on thier dad’s shoulders so they could see the state. Thankfully, they will never know a world where only old, white men have the opportunity to be president. They are fortuntate enough to be growing up in a world where a black man or a woman are *this close* to being president of the United States. November 4th cannot get here soon enough.
There are lots of things I miss about Ohio. And, one of them is campaign season. I loved being involved in Ohio politics. Now that I’ve left Toledo, I’ve come to appreciate it even more, especially the organization of the party leadership and thier ability to get Democrats elected. (For example, Orlando is not nearly as organized. There’s not even a coordinated campaign effort to help local candidates work with each other instead of duplicating efforts.)
Anyway, back to my point. Ohio provides a snapshot of the voting process — and the Wall Street Journal is chronicaling the decision process of undecided voters. If you’re at all interested in the political process and why people make certain decisions, you should check this out: http://blogs.wsj.com/undecided/
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