Quincy Jones, who gave the nomination speech for Senator Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention back in August, says when it comes to domestic violence prevention the only candidates in the race for President and Vice President that will make this issue a priority under their administration is Barack Obama and Joe Biden. As a family member of a victim of domestic violence, she should know. She lays out a compelling case in a blog post at BlogHer.com:
...Each year we set aside the month of October to reflect on Domestic Violence. During this month we bring into light the dark secret that plagues many of our communities: violence against women. Shockingly, one million women each year are victims of domestic abuse and 40-50% of all female murders are related to domestic violence. Approximately 300,000 pregnant women in this country are victims of domestic violence -- making domestic abuse more common to them than pre-gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. Children who witness domestic violence are often abused as well and are more likely to exhibit depression, anxiety and violence towards peers. These children often grow up to continue the violent cycle that they have observed.
Barack Obama and Joe Biden know these facts and hear our cries for real help and change. Domestic Violence isn’t a topic that they are willing to push to the side just because it’s not popular. Senator Obama introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate to provide $25 million a year to domestic violence prevention and victim support efforts. Senator Biden stood for women at a time that it was not popular to say enough is enough when he authored and passed the landmark Violence Against Women Act in 1994. In an appalling slap to victims of domestic violence everywhere, Senator McCain voted against this life saving bill. He even voted against funding that would help children who witnessed domestic abuse get the counseling they need. As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama also sponsored and passed a landmark law that provides economic protections to victims of domestic violence so they don’t lose their jobs or face financial penalties due to this abuse...
Click on this link to read the whole thing: http://www.blogher.com/help-end-domestic-violence-voting-barack-obama-and-joe-biden
Quincy Jones, who gave the nomination speech for Senator Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention back in August, says when it comes to domestic violence protection the only candidates in the race for President and Vice President that will make this issue a priority under their administration is Barack Obama and Joe Biden. As a family member of a victim of domestic violence, she should know. She lays out a compelling case in a blog post at BlogHer.com:
Dear Women for Obama,
We are able to stand here today – celebrating our primary victory – thanks to the tireless work and dedication of all of you. Women have everything to do this victory, and we are so grateful for everything you have done over the course of this long primary campaign.
Here’s a quick recap of your astounding commitment and efforts over these past 17 months: thousands of you have served as precinct captains in your communities, run local volunteer field operations, held more than 2,000 house parties and hundreds of “ladies’ nights” organizing events, hosted dozens of Obama books clubs, run more than 200 grassroots online MYBO groups, knocked on tens of thousands of doors and have made over 200,000 calls to undecided women in eight targeted states!
While we take a well-deserved pause to celebrate this historic moment, we must prepare to turn our sights on November – and understand that we will have our work cut out for us in the general election campaign against John McCain. We must, first and foremost, commit ourselves to building unity in the Democratic Party, understanding that this will be critical and central to our victory in November. In addition to Democrats, we must work to bring in women who are Independents and Republicans.
We’ll need to work to educate women across the board about what is at stake this fall. We already are familiar with the long list of reasons why John McCain is NOT a champion for women. Here are a few to keep in mind, particularly as you have opportunities to speak to women you know – friends, family, coworkers, leaders in your community, everyone! – about what exactly we stand to lose if we do not succeed in defeating John McCain:
· McCain has a 0% pro-choice rating from NARAL and Planned Parenthood.
· He has vowed to appoint pro-life justices to the Supreme Court.
· McCain voted against reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for five years.
· He voted against the restoration of the Equal Pay Act.
· McCain voted to suspend the Family and Medical Leave Act in 1993, unless the federal government certified that compliance wouldn't increase business expenses or gave employers financial assistance to cover any costs.
Again, thank you so much for all that you have done to make this day possible. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have you on our side as we move to the general election and work to elect Barack Obama as the next President of the United States!
Fired Up and Ready to Go!
NARAL Pro-Choice America today announced its endorsement of Senator Barack Obama in the race for President! Their political action committee board voted unanimously to endorse Senator Obama last Friday.
Here is the statement released today by NARAL:
NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC EndorsesSenator Barack Obama for President
Washington, D.C. – NARAL Pro-Choice America, the political leader of the pro-choice movement with more than one million member activists in all 50 states, today announced that its political action committee is endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president.
“There are few more tireless defenders of women’s rights in this country than NARAL Pro-Choice America and I’m proud to accept their support,” Sen. Obama said. “For decades, they have worked in the courthouse, in the legislature, and in the streets to make sure that women have the right to choose. This is a fundamental civil right that I've fought to protect in Illinois and in Washington, that’s being threatened by Senator McCain, and that I'll be fighting in the months ahead to make secure today, tomorrow, and always.”
Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, praised both Sen. Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton for their leadership in standing up for women’s reproductive rights throughout this campaign, but only one of these dynamic candidates can advance to the general election.
“Pro-choice Americans have been fortunate to have two strong pro-choice candidates in Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton, both of whom have inspired millions of new voters to participate in this historic presidential race,” Keenan said. “Today, we are proud to put our organization’s grassroots and political support behind the pro-choice candidate whom we believe will secure the Democratic nomination and advance to the general election. That candidate is Sen. Obama.”
Keenan said the stark contrast between Sen. Obama’s pro-choice record and John McCain’s 25 years of anti-choice votes in Washington will be a major reason many voters, especially pro-choice Independent and Republican women, will cross party lines to support Sen. Obama in the fall.
“While Sen. Obama has consistently and passionately stood up for and articulated his support for the values of freedom and privacy, John McCain has said that he wants Roe v. Wade to be overturned,” Keenan said. “Sen. Obama is the leader who can unify Americans on both sides of this issue behind commonsense, common-ground ways to prevent unintended pregnancy. In contrast, McCain wants to continue George W. Bush’s failed abstinence-only policy, eliminate funding for low-income women's access to birth control, and stack the Supreme Court with even more right-wing judges who don’t believe in the right to privacy. Without a doubt, the clear differences between these candidates on the critical issue of a woman’s right to choose will unify America’s pro-choice majority behind Sen. Obama’s campaign.”
NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC’s endorsement of Sen. Obama is part of the organization’s Protect & Elect program. NARAL Pro-Choice America is working to protect the net gain of 23 pro-choice seats in the U.S. House and three in the U.S. Senate from the 2006 midterm elections by electing even more pro-choice leaders in 2008, including a pro-choice president.
TELL NARAL “THANK YOU” FOR THEIR SUPPORT
It’s so important that NARAL hears from all of you about their endorsement of Senator Obama and what it means to you – their staff and members need to know that their endorsement matters! Please take the time to call or email NARAL to thank them for their support. NARAL can be reached at either:
(202) 973-3000
OR
can@prochoiceamerica.org
You can also post a blog about this endorsement at blogforchoice.com: Go to “blogforchoice.com” and voice your opinion of the endorsement! http://www.blogforchoice.com/archives/2008/05/naral-prochoice-6.html
Help Barack in West Virginia! The primary is this Tuesday, May 13th. Click here to sign up:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/cometowv
Stay tuned for link to WFO phone bank in WV!
West Virginia Women Announce Endorsements for Obama Leaders praise Obama’s ability to unite people for change
The West Virginia Women for Obama held a kick off reception this week in Charleston, where women gathered to talk about why Obama is the best candidate for women in West Virginia and throughout the country.
“Across the country, we’ve seen Barack Obama’s ability to bring all types of voters together,” said Sharon Rockefeller. “Come November, we will need a candidate who can and will unite this country, not divide it. Barack Obama has proven that he is the right leader for the voters in West Virginia and in America.”
Senator Obama has a long record of standing up for women. As a State Senator in Illinois, Obama co-sponsored and passed the Equal Pay Act, which provided that no employer may discriminate between employees on the basis of sex by paying ages solely on the basis of the employee’s gender. Addressing the needs of more than 19 million women who are uninsured in the country, Barack Obama is committed to ensuring that all Americans have health care coverage by the end of his first term in office as President. In addition, Barack Obama is an original co-sponsor and passed Johanna's Law, which educates women and increase awareness of ovarian cancer -- the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the United States.
West Virginia Women for Obama, consisting of elected officials, activists, local community leaders, teachers, attorneys, doctors, mothers and grandmothers, will continue to help organizing support for Senator Obama in the days leading up to the May 13 primary. The women will hold Women for Obama phone banks and will feature a “mother daughter” canvassing events on Mother’s Day.
The following list is more than 130 West Virginia women who today announced their support of Obama, joining thousands of other women across the country who proudly support Barack Obama:
Liz Accord, Bolt Evelyn Baker, RomneySusan Barse, KeyserKaren Bowers, BuckeyeCarolyn Boyce, Charles TownBonnie Brothers, Charleston Dianne Byrer, BelingtonSally Campbell, AthensBeth Carenbauer, CharlestonToni Chapman, WheelingEllen Chawailbog, HuntingtonWanda Childs, PrincetonNelle Chilton, CharlestonBetty Chilton, CharlestonJane Costanzo, DallasJessica Cox, JacksonJoyce Creel, CottagevilleBetty Damewood, CharlestonCathy Dattola, MorgantownLeora Davalos, CharlestonLaShawn Davis, BeckleyBarb Day, New MartinsvilleLia Deane, Statts MillsKatherine Dooley, South CharlestonCathy Downing, WheelingTegan Easterday, South CharlestonAnn Elliott, HurricaneCynthia English, EvansPamela Erb, CharlestonBetty Farmer, UnionCourtney Fint, CharlestonVivian Foyou, MorgantownAllison Fredette, MorgantownMarianne Gettman, CharlestonAlex Gibson, MorgantownVelda Glover, MartinsburgKim Gobel, ParkersburgCrystal Good, CharlestonKathryn Goodwin, RipleyCarrie Goodwin Fenwick, CharlestonJacquelyn Gordon, WheelingGhee Gossard, CharlestonVirginia Graf , CharlestonBibi Hahn, MorganKaren Harris, WeirtonHeather Hill-Nassif, CharlestonEloise Hollen, PhilippiJulie Holm, ClarksburgMary-Jacq Holroyd, PrincetonFreda Hostottle, ViennaCatherine Hoyer, South CharlestonTammy Hundley, ParkersburgJudy Hunter, MorgantownWhitney Inkster, WheelingDoris Irwin, PrincetonHelen Jackson-Gillison, WeirtonLucia James, CharlestonShida Jamie, CharlestonNancy Jamnick, Saint AlbansTracey Johnson, Berkley SpringsJorie Kennedy, RockportRebecca Kiger, WheelingSarah Kingston, South CharlestonAnn Landers New, MartinsvilleMary Lickert, CharlestonTanya Lindsey, MartinsburgMary Maley, GraftonCharlene Marshall, Morgantown (Delegate)Connie McCluskey, MorgantownRose McCluskey, MorgantownShelia McOwen, HuntingtonKit McGinnis, Charles TownJudy McJunkin, CharlestonCallen McJunkin, CharlestonMary McJunkin-Gray, CharlestonJulie McKeen, BristolCarolyn Meadows, CharlestonKay Michael, CharlestonFrances Morgan, Summit PointSandy Murphy, CharlestonNevzeta Nikocevic, CharlestonGabrielle Nimeh, CharlestonNahla Nimeh, CharlestonSarah Orrick , Harper's ValleyHazel Palmer, CharlestonKaren Pearson, HoldenMarisa Pellerito, Scott DepotHillary Phillips, MorgantownTerry Pickett, CharlestonMeshea Poore, CharlestonCassie Procter, RipleyCharlene Pryor, BeckleyGina Puzzuoli-Miller, CharlestonMelinda Rahall, BeckleyMaria Reidpath, MorgantownBecca Revercomb, CharlestonBlair Rice, RidgeleyElizabeth Riggall, CharlestonShaina Riggall, CharlestonLinda Riggs, ViennaCaprice Roberts, MorgantownSharon Rockefeller, CharlestonBarbara Rose, CharlestonJamie Russel, WheelingJune Sale, CharlestonMary Sanders, CharlestonBonnie Schnably, BridgeportRobin Seabury, CharlestonZoe Shavers, CharlestonRonni Sheets, DunbarDeb Shelton, Cross LanesLida Sheperd, CharlestonKaren Simon, CharlestonDanielle Snidow, RipleyCynthia Steffl, PhilippiWendy Sullivan, BeckleySally Swisher, CharlestonElinore Taylor, HuntingtonNancy Taylor, HuntingtonHelen Thalheimer, CharlestonSue Thorn, WheelingKay Thorsteinson, CharlestonCharlene Tincher, South CharlestonLisa Tuttle, Charleston Heather Vanscoy, MorgantownTricia Washington, DunbarArlene White, BoltLinda Whitesitt, MorganLyn Widmyer, Charles TownVictoria Wilburn, HuntingtonJill Wilson, CharlestonLaDonna Wilson, CharlestonKyle Wilson, WeirtonJo Ellen Yeary, South Charleston
--30--
In these last days leading up to the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, we need your help to get out the vote and recruit undecided women. We hope you will spend some part of the next few days volunteering in either state, but if you can’t travel, please participate in our Women for Obama phonebank to recruit undecided women in Indiana.
Making calls is very easy. All you need is a computer and a phone. Review the script before you make calls to get comfortable with it and then start plugging away. Our women phonebankers have already made more than 8,000 calls over the last few days, but we have a ways to. You should also consider inviting your friends over to phone bank together! Lots of supporters have found that to be a great way to motivate one another. You can also print out lists for those who don’t have computers.
Every door knocked and every call made is going to count in this election. Don’t let a day go by before this Tuesday the 6th without making calls to women in Indiana or getting to North Carolina or Indiana to help get out the vote for Barack.
Make calls into undecided women in Indiana: http://my.barackobama.com/page/contact/main/callinwomen
Travel to Indiana: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/inoosgotv
Travel to North Carolina: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/NCWFOcomehelp
We are so close to securing the nomination. Barack is less than 280 delegates short of doing so! He’s picked up close to 100 superdelegates since Super Tuesday on February 5th compared with 15 for Senator Clinton. With every contest, Senator Obama gets closer to becoming the Democratic nominee for president and with your help, he’ll get there. Thank you!
More than 400 North Carolina Women Publicly Endorse Obama Leaders praise Obama’s ability to unite people for change
Raleigh, NC—Joining thousands of women across the state, over 400 North Carolina women today publicly announced their support for Senator Barack Obama. Women from across the state cited Obama’s advocacy of women’s issues and his successful record of fighting for working families—and his unique ability to bring people together for change. From the mountains to the coast, in small towns and large cities, women are working hard to galvanize support for Senator Obama. Obama’s North Carolina campaign also announced today that Michelle Obama will return to the state Friday to organize support leading up to the May 6 primary and share Senator Obama’s vision for real change in America. “Women understand that Barack Obama represents a chance for the people of North Carolina to have our voices heard,” said Sarah Stevenson, the first African American woman elected in Charlotte and a long-time community leader. “This campaign is about finding solutions to our problems, and Senator Obama has a plan to create lasting change by standing up for the middle class.”The endorsements come on the heels of a two-day North Carolina visit from Senator Obama, during which he held a One-Stop Early Vote rally with over 18,000 people, answered questions from voters at four town hall meetings across the state, and discussed the challenges facing hardworking families in North Carolina. “From the day he took a job as a community organizer in Chicago, Barack Obama has always stood up for the working class and against corporations and special interests,” said State Senator Linda Garrou of Winston-Salem. “He’ll stop the departure of jobs overseas, and bring them back where they belong – to North Carolina.”Senator Obama knows that the interests of women are often overlooked in Washington, where lobbyists and special interests too often control the agenda. He believes it’s not enough to change the party in power; we have to change the system – opening up access to people who currently lack a voice. “Across the country, we’ve seen Barack Obama’s ability to bring all types of voters together,” said Anne S. Franklin of Raleigh. “Come November, we will need a candidate who can and will unite this country, not divide it – and that candidate is Barack Obama.” North Carolina Women for Obama, consisting of elected officials, activists, local community leaders, teachers, attorneys, doctors, mothers and grandmothers, will continue to help organizing support for Senator Obama in the days leading up to the May 6 primary. Over the last month, women across the state have hosted organizational events with prominent national supporters such as Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Emmy award winning-actress Alfre Woodard, held policy meetings, and worked hard to encourage voters to vote early for Senator Obama. The following North Carolina women publicly announced their support of Obama, joining thousands of other North Carolina women who proudly support Barack Obama: N.C. SenatorsKatie Dorsett, Guilford County Linda Garrou, Forsyth CountyEleanor Kinnaird, Orange CountyN.C. RepresentativesAlma Adams, Guilford CountyAngela Bryant, Nash CountyBecky Carney, Mecklenburg CountyJean Farmer-Butterfield, Wilson CountyPricey Harrison, Guilford CountySandra Hughes, New Hanover CountyAnnie Mobley, Bertie CountyEdith Doughtie Warren, Pitt CountyFormer N.C. RepresentativeBertha B. Holt, Alamance County MayorsTerry Bellamy, AshevilleLinda Blackburn, AhoskieEthel Clark, Spring LakeLoretta Clawson, BooneYvonne Johnson, GreensboroDelia Wood Perkins, PrincevilleEstelle Sanders, Roper Former MayorLeni Sinick, Asheville Mayor Pro Tems
Vivian Burke, Winston-SalemMildred A. Council, Greenville
The entire list can be found the NC website
Ben Smith Reports that California Superdelegate, Lois Capps, Endorses Obama
Lois Capps, a California congresswoman with a long history with the Clintons (and a son-in-law in Obamaland), comes out for Obama.
In her statement, she cites her late husband and predecessor, Walter Capps, who "once said that ‘we are strongest as people when we are directed by that which unites us, rather than giving into the fears, suspicions, innuendos and paranoias that divide.’ For years I have been waiting for a President that speaks to that vision. I believe Barack Obama may very well be that rare leader.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2008
More than 1,800 Women Join Indiana Women for Obama
INDIANAPOLIS – U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign announced today the kickoff of Indiana Women for Obama, with more than 1,800 women joining the group statewide.
Members of the organization will recruit and organize women across the state for Obama’s grassroots campaign to fundamentally change Washington. Women for Obama is a key part of the campaign’s commitment to engage women from all walks of life.
“Not only have an astounding number of women signed up to help take Barack Obama’s message directly to their friends, neighbors and colleagues in communities across the Hoosier State, we have representation in every region of Indiana,” Cordelia Lewis-Burks, vice chair of the Indiana Democratic Party, Democratic National Committee superdelegate and chairwoman of Indiana Women for Obama, said.
“We have found common ground in our belief that Barack Obama is better prepared to lead our nation out of recession, stand up to the special interests and ensure that every American has quality health care.” Barbara Boyd, Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame inductee, Melina Kennedy, former Indianapolis deputy mayor and former Indiana attorney general Karen Freeman Wilson are among the regional co-chairs of Indiana Women for Obama.
“Indiana women realize that the politics of polarization is not working,” Women for Obama national director Becky Carroll said. “They see it in the rising price of gas and food, the deterioration of the environment and public schools, the cost of health care and a war with no end in sight.
“Women understand that we need a change in Washington to put the country back on track. Barack Obama is committed to a new kind of politics that looks to reach across partisan lines and break the grip of special interests to make progress for Hoosier families.”
Indiana Women for Obama will be conducting a statewide Get-Out-The-Vote initiative May 3-4. Below find the names of the organization’s leadership committee.
Chairwoman
Cordelia Lewis-Burks, Vice Chair, Indiana Democratic Party
Regional Co-Chairs
Melina Kennedy, attorney and former Indianapolis Deputy Mayor
Barbara Boyd, Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame inductee
Karen Freeman Wilson, former Indiana Attorney General
State Senator Earline Rogers
State Representative Mara Reardon
State Representative Linda Lawson
State Representative Vanessa Summers
Superior Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt
Maye L. Johnson, Allen County Councilwoman
Mary Alice Gregg, Park County Treasurer
Cherrish Pryor, Indianapolis City Councilwoman
Karen Goldner, Ft. Wayne City Councilwoman
Constance Robinson, President, Evansville City Council
Priscilla Scalf, Columbus City Councilwoman
Karen White, South Bend City Councilwoman
Janie Young, Kokomo City Councilwoman
Cheryl Lee, Peru City Councilwoman and VP Miami County Democratic Women’s Caucus
Karen Celestino-Horseman, Former Indianapolis City Councilwoman
Joan M. Smith, Bunker Hill Town Council
Bev Zuber, Wayne Township Assessor
Rosalind Ellis, Asst Superintendent of South Bend Community Schools
Faye Allen, Secretary, Indiana Democratic Party
Mimi Berkshire, Miami County Democratic Party Chair
Carmen Darland, Noble County Democratic Party Chair
Patty Weybright, Whitley County Democratic Party Chair
Janie Jones, Grant County Democratic Party Co-Chair
Sherlonda Anderson, 7th CD Chairwoman
Patricia Avery, President, Vanderburgh County Democratic Women’s Caucus; wife of State Representative Dennis Avery
Heather Maddox, Vice Chair Tippecanoe Democratic Party
Mary Ray, President, Hamilton County Democratic Women’s Caucus
Billy Sue Smith, Former 3-term Chairwoman of the Clark County Democratic Women’s Caucus
Beth Vanet, President Harrison County Young Democrats
Tracy H. Souza, President, Cummins Foundation
Dr. Rae Pearson, President of Alpha Rae Personnel
Connie Thurman, Union Official
Nicole Yates Toran, Floyd County Chapter President, NAACP
Mary Downes, Former Chief of Staff to IN Governor Kernan
Mariama Carson, Marion County Activist and wife of Congressman Andre Carson
Ellen Quigley, Chief of Staff, Congressman Andre Carson
Patricia Weinzapfel, Journalist and wife of Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel
Karen Howe Fernandez, Monroe County Activist and wife of Bloomington Former Mayor John Fernandez
Tara Evans, Marion County Activist and wife of Indianapolis City Councilman Jose Evans
Jackie Nedell, former Clinton Administration official
Melina Fox, OFA National Rural Policy Committee
Kathryn A. Brogan, Attorney and Allen County Activist
Sofia Rodriguez Mirawaldt, Allen County Activist
Paula Jarrett, Bartholomew County Activist
Lenore Hollowell, Bartholomew County Activist
Mary Grabianowski, Boone County Educator
Kathe Ogle, Hendricks County Activist
Patricia Yount, Jennings County Activist
Linda O’Connor, Johnson County Activist
Emily Gutzwiller Vance, Johnson County Activist
Sheila Suess Kennedy, IUPUI Professor and Marion County Activist
Sharon Edwards, Retired School Psychologist and Miami County Activist
Pam Warren, Monroe County Activist
Kelsey Kauffman, Educator and Putnam County Activist
Peg Luecke, St. Joseph County Activist; wife of South Bend Mayor Stephen Luecke
Annette Dungey, St. Joseph County Activist
Gladys Mohammad, St. Joseph County Activist
Margaret B. King, St. Joseph County Activist
###
Dear friends,
First the good news…since Saturday night, you made more than 2,200 calls into Indiana women! Thank you! We’re on track to make 20,000 calls before the May 6th primary, but I’m hopeful we’ll be able to surpass that. With your track record of making more than 160,000 calls into seven targeted states during the primary, I’m sure that we will! I cannot underscore the importance of making these calls. Every door that’s knocked on and every call made to recruit and identify Obama supporters gets us closer to the finish line.
I’ve received several calls and emails from you regarding the phone calls you’ve been making into Indiana. It seems that many of you keep getting wrong or disconnected numbers. I know it’s terribly frustrating, but we come across that in every phone bank - it's just part of the process. So keep plugging away because every contact you make could mean another vote for Senator Obama! Thanks again and keep making those calls! And don’t forget that you can now print out lists for those who don’t have computers by clicking on “call contacts offline” on our phone bank page.
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER IN INDIANA*
Sign up to volunteer this weekend or through Election Day by clicking here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/inoosgotv
* If you plan to travel with more than two people to IN, please email us at women@barackobama.com and let us know which days you plan to travel, how many will be with your group and include your phone number. We need as many volunteers possible this weekend and through the primary on Tuesday the 6th.
MAKE CALLS TO UNDECIDED WOMEN IN INDIANA
Make calls to undecided women in IN by clicking here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/contact/main/callinwomen
For the three phonebankers who make the most calls before the May 6th primary, you will all receive a special thank you from the campaign!
I’ve received several calls and emails from you regarding the phone calls you’ve been making into Indiana. It seems that many of you keep getting wrong or disconnected numbers. I know it’s terribly frustrating, but we come across that in every phone bank - it's just part of the process. So keep plugging away because every contact you make could mean another vote for Senator Obama!
Thanks again and keep making those calls! And don’t forget that you can now print out lists for those who don’t have computers by clicking on “call contacts offline” on our phone bank page.
Sign up to volunteer this weekend or through Election Day by clikcing here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/inoosgotv
Thanks again to all of you who spent so much of your time in PA going door to door and making calls to undecided women. Your work helped close a 24% gap to just under 10% on election night. That prevented Senator Clinton from making any meaningful progress in closing her own gap among delegates. She needed a blowout and that didn’t happen.
Now, we need to focus our efforts on two key states with primaries on May 6th – Indiana and North Carolina. For those of you who live near either of these states, we need your help on the ground. We will also need all of your help to make calls to undecided women in these states. Please consider spending a day or two in either state. I cannot stress enough the importance of having volunteers on the ground in these states – it’s the most effective way to connect with voters and recruit them to support Senator Obama.
There is less than two weeks left and we need as many volunteers out in the field as possible, so please sign up to join us this weekend (April 26-27), the following weekend (May 3-4) or Election Day (May 6th). If you’d like to organize a group to travel to either state, please email us at women@barackobama.com and tell us your name, phone number, which dates you and your group would like to travel, which state you will travel to and how many you hope to have in your group.
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER IN INDIANA: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/inoosgotv
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER IN NC: http://nc.barackobama.com/page/s/NCWFO
Talking Points on the Pennsylvania Results - April 23, 2008
· Last night, Hillary Clinton used up her last, best chance to make significant inroads in our pledged delegate lead of 171 delegates—and she barely made a dent.
· The only surprising result from Pennsylvania is that Barack Obama was able to improve his standing among key voter groups since the Ohio primary.
· For example, among white voters, Obama narrowed the gap by six points. Among voters over 60, he nearly cut the gap in half, from 41 points to 24 points.
· Pennsylvania was considered a state tailor-made for Hillary Clinton, and all along she was expected to win. She has family roots in the state, which borders her own; she had the support of the Democratic establishment—including Governor Rendell’s extensive network—and former President Clinton remains very popular there. And Independent voters—the group that will decide the general election and a group Obama is particularly strong with—were not able to vote in the primary. Not surprisingly, Senator Clinton led by as much as 25 points in the weeks leading up to the election.
· How did Barack Obama substantially reduce that lead and gain support among key voters in the face of long odds and unrelenting negativity from Senator Clinton? By talking about his plans to stand up to the special interests and bring people together so that we can change Washington to turn our economy around, make sure that every American has quality health care, and bring this misguided war to an end.
· As he has done in every state, Barack Obama campaigned hard to pick up as much support and as many delegates as possible.
· As NBC’s Chuck Todd said last night, “The pledged delegate count is basically over…it now appears like it’s going to be impossible for Obama to lose his lead.”
· You’ll be hearing a lot from the Clinton campaign about “big states” and their bearing on the general election. The fact of the matter is that Barack Obama has won more key battlegrounds—states like Missouri, Colorado, Minnesota, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Clinton points to her wins in states like California, New Jersey, and New York (her home state)—but everyone agrees that those states will go Democratic in November no matter what.
· The bottom line is that the Pennsylvania outcome does not change dynamic of this lengthy primary. While there were 158 delegates at stake there, there are more—187 delegates—up for grabs in the North Carolina and Indiana primaries on May 6.
· This is a race for delegates, as the Clinton campaign has repeatedly acknowledged, and we have always structured our strategy around picking up as many delegates as possible. But even if we were to judge the race on the popular vote alone, we anticipate having a comfortable lead when the voting has ended on June 3rd.
· Senator Obama will continue to gain strength with Democratic superdelegates. He will maintain his position as the best candidate to take on John McCain. And he will be ready to unite the American people and begin a new chapter in our history.
· We are already organizing vigorously in the remaining contests, opening local offices, canvassing, and engaging voters in this unprecedented campaign. We will have the financial resources we need to compete and win.
Now, we need to focus our efforts on two key states with primaries on May 6th – Indiana and North Carolina. For those of you who live near either of these states, we need your help on the ground. We will also need all of your help to make calls to undecided women in these states.
Please consider spending a day or two in either state. I cannot stress enough the importance of having volunteers on the ground in these states – it’s the most effective way to connect with voters and recruit them to support Senator Obama. There is less than two weeks left and we need as many volunteers out in the field as possible, so please sign up to join us this weekend (April 26-27), the following weekend (May 3-4) or Election Day (May 6th).
If you’d like to organize a group to travel to either state, please email us at women@barackobama.com and tell us your name, phone number, which dates you and your group would like to travel, which state you will travel to and how many you hope to have in your group.
Thank you for all you are doing on behalf of Senator Obama!
Talking Points on the Pennsylvania ResultsApril 23, 2008
