Nick Kimball's Blog

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds Live in Bloomington, IN

Nick Kimball — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:05:42 EDT

Dave and Tim are playing right now at Indiana University's Assembly Hall in Bloomington. They just finished the 1995 hit Satellite. It's a great concert and the crowd is pumped. Dave reminded folks to get out and vote - no matter who you support. Then he added:

"Based on some of the signs around here, you certainly know who I support."

The crowd loved it.

Before Dave and Tim came out, the crowd was chanting "Ob-am-a" and "Yes We Can!" while waiting for things to get under way.

Here are some pictures.

And there was a surprise appearance on the arena floor by new Hoosier basketball coach Tom Crean. It's obvious students are pumped for the new coach!

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds in Bloomington!

Nick Kimball — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:30:03 EDT

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds are playing a voter registration concert today at Indiana University in Bloomington. Tickets were free and distributed across the state - we had huge lines at several of our offices! There were 13,500 tickets given out.

The concert starts at 7 pm, and already people are in line and are fired up for Dave and Tim! Here are some pictures - including one of the sound check.

Here's a picture of some volunteers signing people up - always working!

No matter where you are, there's still time help us in this final voter registration push by making calls to Indiana and encouraging supporters to register before tomorrow's deadline . . .

Stand for Change: Video of Barack and 1,600 in Coralville

Nick Kimball — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:50:29 EST

Barack is in Waterloo right now, then he heads to Des Moines for one last big rally before the caucuses. We are now less than 24 hours from the doors closing at 1,781 precincts across Iowa.

Here's some video from Barack's appearance in Coralville. It was a packed house!

"Leader"

Nick Kimball — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:14:43 EST

This ad is up across Iowa tonight. We are now 24 hours from Caucus Day. Find your caucus location here.

The time is near.

Are you ready?

"We are prepared"

Nick Kimball — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:01:02 EST

In the last few days, we’ve had comments pouring in to our Iowa email in box about people getting ready to caucus tomorrow evening at 6:30 PM.

We just got a message from Sharon in Boone. She told us that she plans to caucus for the first time in years tomorrow evening - and she's caucusing for Barack.

She also said three co-workers and two people she has lunch with plan to caucus for the first time!

Many of the people she talks to have only recently made a decision on who they intend to vote for at the caucus or to even attend.

Sharon is fired up and ready to go! She ended her email with a note of confidence:

We also downloaded how you figure the delegates during the caucus – we are prepared.

Stand for Change: Video of 500 in Davenport

Nick Kimball — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:57:00 EST

Barack started the day off with a great rally in Davenport. He's closing out the last day before Caucus Day with this stop in Davenport, then Coralville, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and finally one last rally in Des Moines.

Here's video from Davenport.

Stand for Change: Video of thousands of Iowans at yesterday's rallies

Nick Kimball — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:23:59 EST

Yesterday, Barack had huge rallies all over the state - with at least 1,000 people at each stop. More than any polls, these events showcase the energy our campaign is encountering all over Iowa.

Check out this video:

Stand for Change: Video of Barack at Des Moines Canvass Kick-Off

Nick Kimball — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:44:46 EST

Here's some video of Barack this morning at the canvass kick-off with 1,000 people in Des Moines. Jaime wrote about it here.

Barack had his whole family with him today!

Stand for Change: Video of 1,000-person New Year's Eve Rally in Ames

Nick Kimball — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 10:53:11 EST

Happy New Year! We are excited to ring in 2008 and look forward to a year that brings real change we can believe in.

Last night, Barack celebrated with 1,000 of his closest friends in Ames. Check out video from the rally.

Stand for Change: Video of Barack nailing down second-choice support

Nick Kimball — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:55:01 EST

Under Iowa Caucus rules, who Iowans choose as their second-choice candidate is vitally important. If a person's first-choice candidate doesn't meet a certain "viability" threshold at the caucus, they then have an opportunity to cast their support to their second choice.

Check out this video of Gene Blanshan, a farmer in Panora, Iowa. Gene is supporting Joe Biden.

Gene has caucused every year since 1972, was visiting some friends in Jefferson and decided at the last minute to head out, along with 400 other Iowans, to Barack's event there this afternoon.

This video also shows the importance of candidates continuing to answer questions in the last days and hours before the caucus. Some voters are still undecided - and they deserve to have their questions answered.

Gene asked Barack his question - and Barack is now his second choice.

Stand for Change: Clinton County Sheriff supports Obama

Nick Kimball — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:10:40 EST

In Clinton on Friday, Senator Obama was introduced by Sheriff Rick Lincoln. Sheriff Lincoln is concerned about the amount of money spent on the war in Iraq, and the effect on local law enforcement. Here's a video featuring the sheriff.

Stand for Change: Video of Barack and 1,000 South Siders

Nick Kimball — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:31:54 EST

Barack had an incredible event last night on the south side of Des Moines. Caitlin wrote about it here:

We were expecting only a few hundred people and ended up getting 1,000! People filled the aisles, stood in doorways and packed the bleachers to hear Barack speak. One person was Laura Abad, from West Des Moines. Laura said she came in 90% sure she'd support Senator Obama and left a full-fledged, signed supporter!

Here's some video.

Stand for Change: Video of Barack speaking to 500 in Newton

Nick Kimball — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:21:29 EST

After Knoxville this morning, Barack's next stop was Newton, IA - former home of Maytag until the company was bought by Whirlpool and left in 2006. Senator Obama was greeted by a crowd of 500 at this stop.

Newton has been hit hard by recent job losses and stands to benefit from Senator Obama's plans to strengthen the economy:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/

Here's some video from the event:

Stand for Change: Video of Barack in front of 400+ in Knoxville

Nick Kimball — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:30:35 EST

This morning Barack was greeted by more than 400 people in Knoxville. Again we are seeing many undecideds going into these events - and collecting several supporter cards on the way out.

Here's some video from the event:

Marshalltown Times-Republican endorses Barack

Nick Kimball — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 13:14:54 EST

Today, Barack was endorsed by the Marshalltown Times-Republican. Here's the full text of the endorsement.

Obama brings message of hope, change

Open the doors and let the American people in.

WIth a philosophy of openness - from education to the economy, government to military actions - Barack Obama has based his message of hope and change on the belief that Americans want to be involved in their government.

We couldn't agree more.

In an age where closed doors, secret military posts and middle-of-the-night pork barrel votes are all too common, Obama believes we can still come together as a country, we can work together to build a better America.

It's true, his experience in running a country may not be as lengthy as that of his opponents, but perhaps that is a good thing.

Too many of the candidates already have too much "experience" in our eyes - too much "experience" manipulating the system, too much "experience" bowing to special interests and too much "exp-erience" during a previous White House stint.

Obama has what we would call more "down to earth" experience: helping in his community working as a civil rights activist, and, of course, his time in the Illinois State Senate.

The argument has also been made that Obama lacks experience dealing with foreign policy and foreign leaders. Perhaps that "lack of experience" will translate into some bold, decisive actions that actually deal with foreign issues, rather than the typical "nod and smile" philosophy.

And while many Democratic candidates have called for an immediate troop withdrawal in Iraq, Obama understands that such action would be detrimental to foreign relations, the people of Iraq and our own troops. Instead, he proposes a controlled and responsible withdrawal from Iraq that would take a couple of years to properly complete. Obama also understands that a universal healthcare plan must be practical and achievable, not a pipe dream used only to gain momentum on the campaign trail. His plan doesn't ram a national health insurance program down our throats, rather it merely guarantees access to health insurance for all Americans.

His common sense approach carries through to other issues as well: a sensible energy plan that helps reduce environmental impacts without shutting off everyone's electricity and a teacher pay program that rewards those who work hard to teach our children and doesn't reward those who don't.

Obama offers a new path, one filled with hope and change. We think it's a path worth traveling down.

Stand for Change: Video of Davenport rally

Nick Kimball — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:51:18 EST

Good morning! We're just five days from Caucus Day here in Iowa. Barack has been drawing huge, enthusiastic crowds all over the state on his Stand for Change Tour. People are ready for real change.

Last night was no exception. Barack was in Davenport for a huge rally. Check out the video.

Stand for Change: Video of Barack in Clinton

Nick Kimball — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:26:16 EST

This afternoon Barack had more than 400 people in Clinton, Iowa. Here's a short video clip of part of his speech there.

Stand for Change: Full video of Barack's speech in Des Moines

Nick Kimball — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:42:09 EST

Here is video of Barack's full speech from this morning.

Stand for Change: Video of Barack in Carroll

Nick Kimball — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:15:45 EST

After a full day of standing-room-only crowds at events with both Barack and Michelle, Senator Obama finished up the day with an incredible rally in Carroll. It was another capacity crowd of more than 600. Here's some video:

Ottumwa Courier endorses Obama

Nick Kimball — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 10:28:54 EST

This morning, Senator Obama received the endorsement of the Ottumwa Courier - his seventh endorsement from Iowa newspapers. Here's the full text.

Americans clamor for change. And every election cycle, a candidate or several candidates will offer his/her ideas on how they would change the course of American governance.

But Iowa Democrats have a real choice next month and there is one politician who we believe will not only create change, he’ll inspire others to do the same.

Barack Obama has earned our support in the Iowa caucuses.

“I think this is a ‘change’ election,” he told the Courier editorial board. “Change is more than just changing political parties. The culture of politics in Washington has to change. And to change it, you’ve got to get the American people involved.”

On domestic issues, Obama insists that government has to be transparent, whether it’s environmental issues, the economy or education. Open the books, he said, and let the Americans see firsthand the steps that have to be taken in order to make life better for all its citizens.

He said Washington has a responsibility to create programs that have the necessary funding so that local and state governments are not swimming in a sea of red.

“When the federal government is not fulfilling its requirements … that is putting a burden on local governments and state governments to raise property taxes or sewer rates or what have you. That disproportionately impacts people on fixed incomes,” he said.

On the war in Iraq, Obama has been consistent about his opposition to the war and his desire to move troops out as soon as possible.

Iraq is just one issue, of course, that will be part of the next president’s foreign policy agenda.

Arguments, however, have been made that Obama is inexperienced and does not have the foreign policy credentials to sit in the Oval Office. But the senator is clear that experience need not be “Washington experience.”

He points to his work as a community and civil rights activist and his time in the Illinois State Senate.

Obama suggests that there is a tendency not to count state and local work as real-world experience. However, much of his time doing that work has meant working across the aisle and getting things done.

Obama knows he must surround himself with people who will help him move the country down a prosperous path.

“I trust my judgment but I don’t presume to know everything,” he said, adding he will surrounded himself with qualified people.

And he promises his cabinet members will always know that “your job is not to protect me. Your job is to protect the Constitution and to be an advocate for the American people.”

Six other Iowa newspapers have endorsed Senator Obama:

Sioux City Journal
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Ames Iowa State Daily
Iowa City Daily Iowan
El Latino
Woodbine Twiner

Change Rocks

Nick Kimball — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:18:42 EST

Merry Christmas Eve! We'll be closing down for Christmas a little later this afternoon, but we wanted to let you know about a rally coming up after the holidays.

India Arie, with special guests Kal Penn and Brandon Routh, will be performing at a free rally on December 29 at the Val Air Ballroom in Des Moines. Doors open at 8 PM.

It's free and open to the public so bring your friends!

http://iowa.barackobama.com/ChangeRocks

Iowa Rep. Wayne Ford endorses Barack

Nick Kimball — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:10:35 EST

Today, Iowa state Rep. Wayne Ford announced his support of Senator Obama. Rep. Ford's endorsement is Senator Obama's 20th from Iowa legislators - more than any other Democratic candidate for president. This also means that every member of Iowa's Legislative Black Caucus supports Senator Obama. Rep. Ford represents District 65 in Des Moines.

Here's what Rep. Ford said this morning in announcing his support:

Barack’s ability to win the support of independents and Republicans means he’ll both be our party’s strongest general election candidate and a President who can successfully expand economic opportunity and access to affordable housing for every American – including those who live in urban communities. I am glad that Sen. Obama has invited me to be a part of his team as he looks at implementing his national urban agenda. This endorsement isn’t just about my name. I intend to spend the next 11 days working to ensure that Barack Obama makes a strong showing on caucus night in Iowa and in the primaries that follow across the country.

Senator Obama was honored to receive Rep. Ford's endorsement and said this:

I am grateful to Representative Ford for signing on to our campaign and adding his support and his voice to our team in Iowa. Representative Ford has been leading the fight against rising incarceration and high school drop-out rates for years, and I'm glad he's agreed to be a leader for our campaign. We're building a statewide movement of Iowans from every corner of the state who are ready to put the divisive politics of the past behind us and bring to Washington the kind of change we can believe in.

Rep. Ford has received national acclaim for the Brown & Black Presidential Forum, the oldest Presidential debate focused on minority issues, which he co-founded and has co-chaired since 1984.

Including Rep. Ford, Senator Obama has received a total of 20 endorsements from Iowa state legislators. Here's the full list:

Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad
Rep. Deborah Berry
Sen. Joe Bolkcom
Sen. Bob Dvorsky
Rep. Wayne Ford
Rep. Elesha Gayman
Sen. Bill Heckroth
Rep. David Jacoby
Rep. Pam Jochum
Rep. Helen Miller
Sen. Rich Olive
Rep. Donovan Olson
Rep. Tyler Olson
Rep. Janet Petersen
Rep. Brian Quirk
Sen. Tom Rielly
Rep. Paul Shomshor
Rep. Mark Smith
Sen. Steve Warnstadt
Sen. Frank Wood

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald and former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Gordon Fischer have also endorsed Senator Obama's campaign for change.

Video: Iowa precinct party in Bettendorf

Nick Kimball — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:35:15 EST

From the beginning, our campaign has emphasized two things - respect and organization. These are two keys to success in the Iowa caucuses, and they're two things our campaign stresses from Barack to our staff to our volunteers.

Organization means that Barack has built a statewide effort to earn support in every corner of Iowa. And last Thursday, the strength of our organization was on full display.

Our precinct captains organized nearly 1,000 Caucus for Change Precinct Parties covering 1,710 of the 1,781 precincts in Iowa - that's over 96%! And more than 10,000 Iowans attended our parties. A turn out effort of this magnitude - three weeks before Caucus Day - has never been done before.

Supporters and undecideds alike were invited to attend. Our precinct captains used these parties to help people get ready for Caucus Day and answer any questions people had. Also, Barack talked to the parties via conference call.

Thank you to all our precinct captains and everyone else who helped make the parties a success! It was a huge first step toward getting ready for Caucus Day - Thursday, January 3.

Here's a video, featuring Helen Kwan, a precinct captain in Bettendorf, and her precinct party. More than 50 people came to Helen's house, including a 99-year-old lifelong Iowan who is caucusing this year for the very first time - for Barack Obama.

Iowa endorsement news

Nick Kimball — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:51:41 EST

Yesterday, Rekha Basu, who The Nation's Ari Berman calls "the [Des Moines] Register's most insightful political columnist" wrote a glowing endorsement of Senator Obama:

Basu: Obama can heal divisions, win hearts and minds

I remember wishing Hillary Clinton would run. Not last January, when she announced, but before the 2004 election, when someone with her intellectual heft and stature was needed to stand up to the Bush/Rove/ Rumsfeld cabal and dismantle its agenda.

But Clinton didn't run then, and when she jumped into this year's race, days after Barack Obama, it was a different field and a different moment.

This moment belongs to Obama.

The White House is virtually imploding after four more years of bungling the war, the economy and domestic crises such as Hurricane Katrina. With the president's poll numbers in the 20s and Rove, Rumsfeld and Ashcroft on the run, this is the moment for a fresh start.

This newspaper has endorsed Clinton on the Democratic side. I respect its decision. But after sitting through most of the same candidate meetings, watching, reading, listening and searching my conscience, I've concluded Obama is the one who can best pull off what needs to happen.

Clinton is smart, hard-working, gutsy and tough enough to absorb all the muck that's come her way. But Obama is simply a better candidate. He's that rarest of leaders, combining roots in white Midwestern America with black Africa, and experience both organizing in barrios and editing the Harvard Law Review. He's got idealism, compassion and intellect. And he lacks the baggage Clinton comes with, including all the controversies that swirled around her husband's White House. Nor is he compromised, as she has been, by the Senate vote that got us into this quagmire in Iraq...

Read the whole thing here.

Also yesterday, Senator Obama received the endorsement of the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Here's an excerpt from their endorsement:

Obama has what it takes to restore nation's integrity

The Iowa City Press Citizen | December 19, 2007

By Press Citizen Editorial Board

After seven years of being lost in the wilderness of oppositional presidential politics, Democrats now seem well positioned to do in 2008 what they failed to do in 2004: Replace a rogue cowboy president with a new president capable of uniting the country and resetting the nation's foreign policy and global reputation. The Press-Citizen Editorial Board thinks Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is the best candidate in a well qualified field of Democrats to make those long overdue changes. We endorse his candidacy enthusiastically.

...Obama has the right vision for a new national politics and a new global reputation. He now needs voters and supporters who will help him transform that vision into reality. It's a transformation that should have started three years ago. Neither the nation nor the world can wait any longer.

Read the whole thing here.

Barack leads a foreign policy forum in Des Moines

Nick Kimball — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:10:06 EST

Today in Des Moines, Senator Obama and three of his top foreign-policy advisors held a policy forum to discuss the kind of judgment necessary to bring about a change in our foreign policy that we can believe in.

Senator Obama was joined by Dr. Susan Rice (Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs), Tony Lake (National Security Advisor to President Clinton), and General Scott Gration (Ret. Major General in the Air Force).

Barack and his advisors took questions from potential caucus-goers and discussed Senator Obama’s specific plans to end the war in Iraq, renew American diplomacy, pursue aggressive diplomacy with Iran, fight terrorism and extremism, reduce the threat of nuclear weapons, and invest in a 21st century military.

This forum is another demonstration of Senator Obama’s commitment to being open with the American people, and making them a part of the dialogue about our foreign policy.

Here are some excerpts from Senator Obama's remarks:

There are moments in history when it is not enough to fall back on conventional ways of doing things, because the threats we face, the challenges we face, are unconventional. There are moments when we’re called to stand up for what is right even if it’s not popular, because that’s what makes us stronger and safer. There are moments when new challenges demand new American leadership. This is one of those moments; I am running for President to offer that leadership; and I welcome the support of all who will help me chart this course.

...

I am running to do more than end a war in Iraq – I know that that has been at the heart of our foreign policy debate for the last several years. But I am even more interested in ending the mindset that got us into war. It’s easy for us to lay all of the problems of the world at George Bush’s doorstep. His judgments will be subject to the harsh light of history, and the verdict will not be kind. But the question is what comes next. Because we also have to change a conventional way of thinking about foreign policy that values time in Washington over timely judgments; posturing over pragmatism; and fear of looking weak over the conviction to get things right. Here, I ask you to look no further than my record.

...

We need a President who is willing to talk to all nations – friend and foe. Not talking doesn’t make us look tough, it makes us look arrogant. It also makes it harder to get international support when we do need to pressure countries like Iran, and opens the door to China and Russia to fill the vacuum left by the absence of American leadership. We have to stop giving countries the excuse that America will not come to the table. We have to lead, and that’s what I intend to do as President.

Here's the full audio of Senator Obama's remarks.

Iowa Congressman Dave Loebsack endorses Senator Obama

Nick Kimball — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:20:23 EST

Congressman Dave Loebsack announced his support for Senator Obama this morning. Congressman Loebsack put together a strong grassroots campaign last year that vaulted him to an upset victory over the Republican incumbent.

Here's what Congressman Loebsack had to say in his endorsement this morning:

In a field of strong candidates, Barack is the strongest. What impresses me about Barack is his commitment to changing the way business is done in Washington. He understands that to pass universal health care, make energy independence a reality, and meet the other challenges we face, we need leadership that can bring all Americans together around a shared purpose.

Obama is energizing, organizing, and mobilizing ordinary Americans to get involved in their democracy in a way I haven’t seen in a long time. And he’s building the kind of grassroots movement that will not just make him the most electable Democrat in a general election, but will help him enter the White House with a mandate for change that Washington can’t ignore.

The only two Iowa statewide Democratic elected officials who have endorsed presidential candidates this year have endorsed Sentor Obama - Attorney General Tom Miller and Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald.

Senator Obama has also been endorsed by 19 Democratic legislators:

Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad
Rep. Deborah Berry
Sen. Bob Dvorsky
Rep. Elesha Gayman
Sen. Bill Heckroth
Rep. David Jacoby
Rep. Pam Jochum
Rep. Helen Miller
Sen. Rich Olive
Rep. Donovan Olson
Rep. Tyler Olson
Rep. Janet Petersen
Rep. Brian Quirk
Sen. Tom Rielly
Rep. Mark Smith
Sen. Bolkcom
Rep. Paul Shomshor
Sen. Steve Warnstadt
Sen. Frank Wood

Former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Gordon Fischer has also endorsed Senator Obama’s campaign for change.

Taking the plunge for a good cause

Nick Kimball — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:23:24 EST

Check it out - a dedicated Obama volunteer takes the plunge as part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation's charity dip in Clear Lake.

Nice work, Michael!

Ice Storm in Iowa

Nick Kimball — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:01:48 EST

We woke up this morning to see that a lovely winter ice storm had fallen on the Des Moines area. I had about an inch of ice covering the windows of my car.

Michelle Obama's events today have been postponed because of the weather. We'll be sure to keep you updated on her next trip - it'll be soon!

Here are a couple pictures from this morning.

Do you have any interesting pictures of the ice storm? Email them to iowa@barackobama.com!

Iowa State Senator Joe Bolkcom endorses Barack

Nick Kimball — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:59:05 EST

Barack received his 18th Iowa legislative endorsement today from state Senator Joe Bolkcom.

Here's what Senator Bolkcom had to say:

Barack Obama knows that real change happens from the bottom up, not the top down. He passed up lucrative job opportunities on Wall Street and prestigious clerkships in Washington to go back to the South Side of Chicago and become a civil rights lawyer. While there, he organized communities and registered voters in order to spark lasting change. Obama’s community organizing roots and commitment to working across party, class, and racial divides to get things done make me confident he’s the best candidate to bring our country together and change Washington, D.C.

To date, including Senator Bolkcom, Senator Obama has also been endorsed by:

Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad
Rep. Deborah Berry
Sen. Bob Dvorsky
Rep. Elesha Gayman
Sen. Bill Heckroth
Rep. David Jacoby
Rep. Pam Jochum
Rep. Helen Miller
Sen. Rich Olive
Rep. Donovan Olson
Rep. Tyler Olson
Rep. Janet Petersen
Rep. Brian Quirk
Sen. Tom Rielly
Rep. Mark Smith
Sen. Steve Warnstadt
Sen. Frank Wood

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald, and former Iowa Democratic Party Chair Gordon Fischer have also endorsed Senator Obama.

Des Moines Mayor endorses Barack

Nick Kimball — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 13:37:03 EST

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie endorsed Senator Obama for president today. Mayor Cownie was re-elected in 2007 with 80% of the vote.

Mayor Cownie has emerged as a national leader on environmental issues and Barack said he looks forward to working side-by-side with him in the months and years to come.

Here's some of what Mayor Cownie had to say this morning:

The real promise of Senator Obama’s presidency isn’t just the plans he’ll bring with him into the White House, it’s the visionary leadership he’ll demonstrate once he gets there. Barack Obama will put an end to the bitter partisanship that’s stopped us from making progress on the urgent challenge of global warming. He’ll tell the American people what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. As President, he’ll restore America’s standing in the world and lead a global effort to meet this challenge once and for all.

After the mayor's endorsement, Barack took some time to outline his comprehensive plan to combat global warming and achieve energy security. He said he will:

Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the level recommended by top scientists to avoid calamitous impacts.
Invest $150 billion over the next ten years to develop and deploy climate friendly energy supplies, protect our existing manufacturing base and create millions of new jobs.
Dramatically improve energy efficiency to reduce energy intensity of our economy by 50 percent by 2030.
Reduce our dependence on foreign oil and reduce oil consumption overall by at least 35 percent, or 10 million barrels of oil, by 2030.
Make the U.S. a leader in the global effort to combat climate change by leading a new international global warming partnership.

Video: Obama in Iowa retrospective

Nick Kimball — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 10:44:10 EST

As our campaign gears up for the final month-long push to make sure Iowans hear about Barack's vision to bring the kind of change Americans can believe in, we put together a video of clips from the first 9 months of Barack's campaign in Iowa. Check it out:

Video: Barack on teacher pay in Harlan, IA

Nick Kimball — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:17:44 EST

Here's some video from an event yesterday in Harlan, IA. Barack got asked a question about teacher pay, and here's his answer.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nick Kimball — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 12:18:01 EST

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone here at the Obama Iowa Headquarters.

We hope all of you have a wonderful and safe holiday with your friends and family.

Pastor Mary Beets on Senator Obama

Nick Kimball — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:21:21 EST

It wasn't just the pastries that filled the room of Gospel Tabernacle Church in Cedar Rapids last weekend. It was also the first stop in Senator Obama's latest visit to Iowa and both the crowd and the food were great.

One event attendee was at Gospel Tabernacle was Pastor Mary Beets. She was very impressed with Senator Obama's message and plan to help the youth of America stay in school and out of trouble.

Here's some video from Sunday morning.

A packed house in Grundy Center, Iowa

Nick Kimball — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:26:41 EST

Barack is continuing his Iowa trip with a stop in Grundy Center, population 2,531.

And it seems like the whole town showed up!

Barack was introduced by Carol Gordon, who is signed on as a supporter and precinct captain.

Carol said she went to the Jefferson Jackson Dinner last weekend as a supporter but left "an impassioned supporter."

It was incredible being a part of a march, with 4,000 other people, and Barack and Michelle leading us the whole way. I felt like a kid again. And his speech was powerful - it was presidential - and it set him apart from the rest."

Right now, Barack is going though his list of reasons for running for president. One big point he's making is that he's getting impatient.

I'm tired of talking about 47 million Americans uninsured - it is time to do something about it. I'm tired of hearing every year during the State of the Union speech, from presidents of both parties, that we need to end our dependence on foreign oil - it's time to do something about it.

Barack has specific plans for what he wants to accomplish as president, but the key is actually getting things done once he's elected. Barack has a track record of uniting Republicans, Democrats and independents and that's what it's going to take.

A new poll of Iowans released Friday shows that Barack's vision is inspiring Americans from all parties. If the general election were held today, Barack would be the strongest Democratic candidate against every major Republican candidate. Check out the full poll results here.

After this event in Grundy Center, Barack heads to Allison, Iowa.

Standing ovations in Marion, Iowa

Nick Kimball — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 12:15:43 EST

Barack is coming off two of the strongest weeks of this campaign - it started October 30 at the Democratic debate at Drexel University, and continued with a commanding performance at the Iowa Jefferson Jackson Dinner, winning the support of the UAW Region 4 workers and another strong performance at the debate Thursday night in Las Vegas.

Today, it continues with several events around Iowa. Right now he's speaking to a standing-room only crowd in a packed gym at Excelsior Middle School in Marion, IA.

He's not quite done speaking and he's been interrupted by standing ovations five times.

The loudest ovation came as he made his case against special interests. He does not take contributions from PACs or federal registered lobbyists. And in an Obama administration, there will be no revolving door between the White House and lobbying firms.

Earlier this morning he spoke at Gospel Tabernacle Church in Cedar Rapids.

Barack spent quite a bit of time talking about making sure our kids have adequate after school programs and things to do during the summer. But he also said it's important for parents to step up to the plate - turn off the tv and the video games and get kids active, both physically and mentally.

Here's a couple pictures from this morning. The first is Barack with the pastor at the church, Mary Beets.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine visits Iowa

Nick Kimball — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 14:50:18 EST

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine is traveling around Iowa today and tomorrow on behalf of Barack. His trip includes stops in Cedar Rapids, Vinton, Waverly, Charles City, Osage, Mason City, Algona, Fort Dodge and Webster City.

Virginians elected Governor Kaine in 2005. As a Democrat elected in a traditionally more Republican state, Governor Kaine knows what it takes to bring Republicans and Democrats together to get things done. Here's what he had to say about Senator Obama yesterday:

In Virginia and the rest of our great nation, people from across the political spectrum are excited by Senator Obama’s commitment to uniting our country to make progress on the on issues that matter to everyday Americans. Barack Obama is the best candidate to lead America because he has the experience we need to challenge the conventional thinking in Washington and bring us together to work towards common goals.

Here's the rest of today's schedule:

Uptown Cafe
223 N Main Street
Charles City
3:30 PM

Maple Inn
702 Main Street
Osage
5:00 PM

We'll update later with some pictures and info about the events, so check back!

"I'm running for president because I think we can"

Nick Kimball — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:17:17 EST

Here is one of the best moments from last night's debate - a moment that crystallizes why Barack Obama is the best person to be the next President of the United States.

Iowa Independent: Barack turned in 'strongest presidential debate performance'

Nick Kimball — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:50:14 EST

In last night's debate in Nevada, Barack gave clear, honest answers to tough questions on the major issues facing our country. And he boldly challenged the cynicism that says we can’t solve our nation’s problems.

Last night we saw that Barack is the one candidate who offers change we can believe in -- the ability to bring our country together, stand up to special interests, and tell the American people not just what he thinks they want to hear, but what they need to know about the challenges we face.

Here's how the Iowa Independent saw it:

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama tonight turned in his strongest presidential debate performance and exposed a clear regional difference with front-runner Hillary Clinton.

Is $97,000 a lot of money? In most of Obama's Illinois and just about all of Iowa the answer to that is "yes," which makes Obama's position on the question of whether to raise or lift the cap on Social Security taxes more reasonable to Hawkeye State voters than the New York shape-shifting of Clinton.

As it stands, the first $97,500 of a person's annual income is subject to the Social Security tax. Obama supports lifting that to shore up the future of the system while Clinton went with the nostalgia card, suggesting that the she could resurrect the macroeconomic picture that prevailed under her husband and cause the Social Security problem to disappear without hard choices. She suggested that popping the cap would hurt middle-class Americans and argued that in some parts of the nation (namely high-priced New York City which she represents) $97,500 isn't a lot of money. It would be interesting to hear her make that argument in Audubon County, Iowa, where the average home is worth half that much, $49,000.

And here's the New Republic:

This was a solid night for Obama. He was focused, energized, tough, charismatic.

CNN Debate Tonight

Nick Kimball — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:30:25 EST

This campaign has had a great couple of weeks. First, Barack won the Democratic debate at Drexel University on Oct. 30. Here's some video:

Then Barack dominated at the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson Dinner last weekend.

Iowa's premier political analyst, David Yepsen, said:

Obama was particularly impressive Saturday night. Should he win the Iowa caucuses, Saturday’s dinner will be remembered as one of the turning points in his campaign in here, a point where he laid down the marker and began closing on Clinton, the national frontrunner.

And today, the influential United Auto Workers Region 4 announced its support of Barack.

Tonight, Barack takes center stage again - along with the other Democratic candidates - in a debate in Nevada.

Be sure to tune in! The debate begins in a half hour on CNN.

UAW throws support to Barack

Nick Kimball — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:08:29 EST

The United Auto Workers Region 4 just announced its support of Barack. The influential group includes 30,000 members and retirees across Iowa.

Five of the major Democratic candidates including Hillary Clinton and John Edwards aggressively sought the UAW’s backing this week at their weeklong conference.

UAW Local 442's President Paul Erickson (Webster City, IA) said:

There are many talented Democrats in the presidential field this year, but Barack Obama is the leader who will bring the kind of change to Washington that America’s working men and women can believe in. For the last two decades, working families have been able to count on Barack Obama to stand up for us and our values. We are supporting him, because we know he’ll do the same thing in the White House.

Barack spoke to the group on Tuesday. And here's what he had to say today:

Politics didn’t lead me to working folks – working folks led me into politics. As President, I’ll stand up to the special interests and bridge the partisan divide, so that we can have universal health care in America, invest in our students and schools and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I thank the men and women of UAW Region 4 for their strong support for our campaign to change Washington.

Barack now has the support of a major group in Iowa that has proven its ability to organize in major elections.

Gen. McPeak: Obama was right on the war from the start

Nick Kimball — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:19:34 EST

Back in September, Gen. Tony McPeak, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, went on a 3-day tour across Iowa talking about why Barack is the best person to be our next Commander in Chief. Yesterday, he wrote a must-read piece for the Huffington Post.

Barack Obama put his political career on the line in 2002 to speak out against a "dumb war" and "a rash war" in Iraq. He warned of, "an occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined costs, with undetermined consequences." Read this speech - he got it right...
Hillary Clinton made a different choice. For starters, she refused to even read the National Intelligence Estimate that was made available to Senators before the vote for war - an NIE that was so thin that Bob Graham, the Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, decided to vote against the war when he read it...
Barack Obama, on the other hand, opposed the war in Iraq in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. Just this morning, the Washington Post feature "The Facts" found, "Of the major Democratic candidates, Barack Obama has been the most consistent on Iraq." Obama introduced comprehensive legislation to bring our troops home in January. He voted earlier this year to stop giving George Bush a blank check (Senator Clinton waited until after he voted, before casting her own vote). And he has proposed removing all of our combat brigades in sixteen months, and opposes using our troops in Iraq to counter Iran.
If the American people are looking for who has the strength and experience to end the war, they should look very carefully at who had the strength and experience to get Iraq right from the beginning. Because the Clinton campaign may be able to plant Senator Clinton's questions, but they can't change her record, or Senator Obama's answers.

Video: JJ Domination

Nick Kimball — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:01:58 EST

Everyone is talking about Barack's incredible speech that he delivered at Saturday's Jefferson Jackson Dinner. JJ is the premier Iowa political event of the year and all the campaigns tried to organize the strongest presence.

We live-blogged all night from Veterans Memorial Auditorium. It was clear that Barack delivered the best speech and our Iowa supporters and volunteers had the strongest presence.

Here is a video we put together that shows what a great event it was!

Barack's JJ Speech

Nick Kimball — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:46:18 EST

In case you missed it, here is the speech everyone is talking about from JJ on Saturday.

What did you think?

Video: Barack profile on ABC

Nick Kimball — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:00:41 EDT

Last night, ABC World News Tonight aired a profile about Barack. Here it is:

Video: Barack's visit to Ankeny

Nick Kimball — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:03:02 EDT

Last Saturday, Senator Obama came to the DMACC campus in Ankeny to meet with Iowans and answer their questions. The room was full of folks eager to ask questions on everything from federal spending to who Barack would select for his cabinet.

One of our precinct captains in Ankeny, Monica Green, introduced him. Monica has been a lifelong Republican but is changing parties this year to caucus for Barack because she sees in Senator Obama the ability to change the nation for the better.

Here's video of Monica and Senator Obama in Ankeny.

As long as you are at least 17 years old by November 4, 2007, you can caucus for Barack. If you're currently a Republican or an independent, you can re-register as a Democrat for the caucus. And don't worry, if you're not registered yet you can take care of it easily on Caucus Day at your caucus location!

Have you heard any good stories about Republicans or independents who like Barack's message of changing our politics and the way things are done in Washington? Share your story in the comments!

In the Iowa Spotlight: Roger

Nick Kimball — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:54:46 EDT

Yesterday when I was in Cedar Rapids for Barack's events, I stopped by the local field office. While I was there, I ran into a new volunteer who was in the office for the first time. His name is Roger and he's from Marion, IA.

Roger has followed politics since he served in Vietnam as part of the International Volunteer Service during the war, but he had never made the decision to go into an office to make phone calls and take that next step - until now.

Roger graduated from Iowa State and went to South Vietnam as an agriculture extension worker, advising the government on ag issues. He, along with many other International Volunteer Service workers were evacuated from the country after the Tet Offensive.

For Roger the biggest issue today is the war in Iraq. He admires the courage Barack showed in 2002 when he took a stand during his Senate race and opposed the war even though it wasn't the popular position.

And now, Roger believes that, among all the candidates, he trusts Barack to end the war - being as careful getting out as we were careless getting in.

Barack has inspired many people like Roger to volunteer for the first time. And as he found out yesterday, it's pretty straight forward and our staff gives you all the training you need!

The caucuses have been officially set for January 3. It's time for all of us to start working together to make sure Barack is successful on caucus night. Click here to find your local office and let us know you're ready:

http://iowa.barackobama.com/page/content/iowafindoffice

Barack advocates straight talk on Social Security

Nick Kimball — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:49:25 EDT

Yesterday, Barack was in Cedar Rapids for a town hall meeting. The focus was on Social Security and advocating for straight talk when it comes to discussing the issue.

He challenged the other Democratic candidates to be honest when talking about the state of Social Security.

Conventional thinking in Washington says Social Security is the third rail of American politics. It says you should hedge, dodge, and spin, but at all costs, don’t answer.

...

If we have failed to have a real, honest conversation about Social Security, it will not get fixed.

...

But I reject that notion. I think that on issues as fundamental as how to protect Social Security, a candidate for President owes it to the American people to tell us where they stand. Because I don’t think you’re ready to lead if you can’t tell us where you’re going.

...

So let me tell you what kind of leadership I will offer as President. First of all, and I’m just going to lay out some basic principles. Number one: I believe privatization is dangerous.
It tears at the fabric of Social Security – the idea of mutual responsibility – by subjecting a secure retirement to the whims of the market. Now people will tell you, “Well you can get a higher return if everyone had individual accounts and were investing in the stock market.” That sounds good unless you happened to buy Enron right before you’re about to retire. Then things don’t turn out so good. And the whole concept of Social Security is that there’s supposed to be a floor beneath which you can’t sink.
We want to encourage people to save and invest in the stock market, just not your social security dollars, because that’s what’s there set aside and is there for you. That’s why I fought President Bush when he tried to dismantle Social Security and divvy it up into private accounts. And that’s why I will fight efforts for privatization as President.

Now the second, we don’t need to cut benefits or raise the retirement age.
There are a number of ways we can make Social Security solvent that do not involve forcing seniors to bear a heavier burden. Their burden currently is heavy enough.
The best option, in my view, is to ask the highest income Americans to contribute a little more by raising the ceiling that’s currently put on the amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax.

To emphasize that last point, Barack talked about his friend from Omaha - Warren Buffet. He said Buffet made $46 million last year - an off year for him - but he paid into Social Security at the same level as middle-class families.

Barack also took several questions after his formal remarks.

Policies for Rural America

Nick Kimball — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:51:44 EDT

There's no place quite like Amana, Iowa. It was settled in 1855 by German immigrants seeking religious freedom.

Today, the buildings look much as they did 150 years ago. The enduring look and spirit of this town is a testament to the people who live and work there.

Senator Obama came to Amana last Tuesday after rolling out his his rural policy agenda in Fairfax.

The Festhalle Barn was packed, and the crowd receptive. In a town that has thrived for so long without changing its look, it sure seems like the citizens of Amana are ready for a change in the politics of the country that gave their ancestors the hope of a better life.

Here is some video from the event:

Rep. Mark Smith endorses Barack

Nick Kimball — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 22:45:37 EDT

Today Barack received the endorsement of state Representative Mark Smith of Marshalltown. This is Barack's 15th endorsement from Iowa legislators.

Representative Smith has served in the Iowa House of Representative since 2001. He chairs the House Human Resources Committee and serves on the Environmental Protection and Judiciary committees.

Yesterday, I posted about Gary Lamb, a 55-year Iowa farmer who is supporting Barack. He said Barack is "the only candidate who seems to understand the needs of rural Iowa and rural America" and is a "unique leader" who can "inspire the American people on both sides of the political aisle" to get things done. Representative Smith made similar points in announcing his support for Barack:

If we’re ever going to make progress on the tough challenges facing our nation, we will need to elect a bold leader who can face the special interests that have blocked our much needed reforms in Washington. He’ll be a President that will stand up for working families and eliminate taxes for seniors making less than $50,000 annually. Senator Obama is the candidate with the right experience and the right judgment to work across the aisle to get things done.

Here are the other state legislators that have endorsed Senator Obama:

Representative Elesha Gayman
Representative Tyler Olson
Senator Bob Dvorsky
Senator Bill Heckroth
Senator Tom Rielly
Senator Rich Olive
Representative Helen Miller
Senator Steve Warnstadt
Senator Frank Wood
Representative Janet Petersen
Representative Pam Jochum
Representative David Jacoby
Representative Donovan Olson
Representative Ako Abdul-Samad

Lifelong Iowa Farmer: Barack is a "unique leader"

Nick Kimball — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:03:05 EDT

Before Barack laid out his rural agenda in Fairfax today, he was introduced by Gary Lamb, an Iowan who has farmed in southeast Tama county for 55 years.

Gary is also a former president of the Iowa Farmers Union. I caught up with him after the event and he shared his thoughts on the state of agriculture today and a little about Barack's rural agenda.

As someone who spent the last 55 years of my life on the seat of a tractor and back of a horse, I’ve seen tremendous changes take place in agriculture – some of it was good and some of it wasn’t.
When the average age of America’s producers is approaching 60 years old, you don’t have to be the brightest bulb in the chandelier to understand you’ve got a serious internal structural problem.
Senator Obama’s economic and rural summit in Tama I think was the basis of his agriculture and rural platform but he’s obviously willing to listen to other suggestions and ideas of how we can strengthen and renew some of our small rural communities and attract business and industry so our sons and daughters can stay in the community where they were born, rather than be forced to leave.

As I mentioned in my previous post, over the summer Barack held a rural issues forum in Adel and a rural policy summit in Tama - in addition to 30 other roundtable discussions that his Rural Advisory Committee held - before he assembled his rural agenda.

Barack fundamentally believes that we must change the way Washington approaches the major issues facing us. And the only way to do that is by listening to real people, like those in Iowa, who are affected by these issues every single day.

Gary continued:

The key to this plan was the rural economic summit he had in Tama. He brought about 100 really knowledgeable people together. These people are the most knowledgeable people not just here in Iowa but they came from several other states as well.
And I think that listening to the needs and concerns of the people who understand it out here is much more beneficial than just listening to some lobbyist in Washington.
So I was really impressed with his ability to listen and learn from the real people who are going through this.

And just in case you think Barack has good ideas, but wonder if he'll be able to get it done, Gary has this to say:

I think Senator Obama is really the only candidate who seems to understand the needs of rural Iowa and rural America – he’s doing an excellent job.
I think we’ve been sent a unique leader who has the ability to lift and unite and really inspire the American people on both sides of the political aisle so we can really solve some of these major issues that confront our nation.

Barack unveils rural agenda in Fairfax, Iowa

Nick Kimball — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:19:08 EDT

After hosting a rural issues forum in Adel, IA, and a rural policy summit in Tama, IA, and directing his Rural Advisory Committee to hold more than 30 round table discussions across the state, Barack today unveiled his plan to bring real leadership for rural America.

Sen. Obama’s plan is focused on meeting the challenges facing rural communities and capitalizing on the economic opportunity that exists in rural America – particularly in the renewable energy sector.

Here is a sample of the specific proposals in Barack's rural agenda:

Strong Safety Net for Family Farmers: The lack of effective payment limitations has resulted in federal farm programs financing farm consolidation and the elimination of many mid-size family farms. Obama agrees with Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) that we should implement a $250,000 payment limitation. And Obama will ensure those payments go to farmers who need them – not millionaire farmers who rely on American taxpayers to protect their multi-million dollar profits.

Regulate CAFOs: In the Obama Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency will strictly monitor and regulate pollution from large CAFOs, with fines for those who violate tough air and water quality standards. Obama strongly supports efforts to ensure meaningful local control.

Limit EQIP Funding for CAFOs: Obama supports reinstating a strict cap on the size of the livestock operations that can receive EQIP funding so that the largest polluters have to pay for their own environmental clean up.

Encourage Organic and Sustainable Agriculture: Barack Obama will increase funding for the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program to help farmers afford the costs of compliance with national organic certification standards. He will also reform the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency’s crop insurance rates so that they do not penalize organic farmers.

Invest in Energy Efficiency: Improving energy efficiency is the fastest, cheapest, most cost-effective method to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and it results in significant savings for our government, economy and consumers. Cost effective energy efficiency should take priority over the construction of new generation facilities. Barack Obama will set a bold national goal of reducing the energy intensity of our economy 50% by 2030.

Develop the Next Generation of Biofuels: As we develop the next generation of biofuels we must be vigilant to ensure that we do in a sustainable fashion so that land and water resources are conserved. Obama will invest federal resources, including tax incentives, cash prizes and government contracts into developing the most promising technologies with the goal of getting the first two billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol into the system by 2013. Obama will also work to improve the national supply of advanced biodiesel. From here the Clean Technologies Deployment Venture Fund will speed the deployment of multiple facilities.

Help Small Businesses Afford Health Care: The rural economy is dependent upon small business, but small employers often struggle to offer health coverage to their employees because it is too expensive. Obama’s plan will help small employers unable to offer health coverage to their employees by allowing small employers to participate in the National Health Insurance Exchange and purchase either a new public plan or a private plan for their employees. Obama’s plan will also provide subsidies for those who need them. Very small businesses will be exempted from the plan’s requirement to pay into the system.

Promote Fairness in Medicare and Medicaid Reimbursement: Medicare and Medicaid funding systems have historically penalized rural areas. In fact, Iowa ranks last among the 50 states in Medicare reimbursement rates. These lower reimbursement rates make it difficult for rural areas to recruit and retain doctors. As president, Obama will work to ensure a more equitable Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement structure.

Bring Doctors, Nurses, and other Health Care Professionals to Rural America: Obama will attract providers to rural America by creating a loan forgiveness program for doctors and nurses who work in underserved rural areas. Additionally, he will encourage the expansion of state-of-the-art health professional online education courses to reach students across rural America.

Support Community Colleges in Fulfilling their Mission in Rural America: Obama will provide funding to community colleges to reevaluate the types of skills and education that are in demand from students and local businesses in support of health careers, renewable energy initiatives, and other ventures to revitalize rural economies. This will lead community colleges to implement new associate degree programs that reflect the increasingly dynamic and technical skills required for rural America to respond to a globalizing workforce.

Partner with Landowners to Conserve Private Lands: Because most rural land is privately-owned, farmers, ranchers, and private landowners are the principle stewards of rural land and water. As a U.S. Senator, Barack Obama has supported conservation programs, such as the Conservation Security Program (CSP), that serve as a resource to farmers and assist them with sustainable environmental planning and best land management practices. As president, Obama will put an unprecedented level of emphasis on the conservation of private lands. He will advance legislation that works with landowners and follows in the tradition of the Wilderness Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act to focus federal attention and increased resources for this key environmental issue. He will also increase funding for CSP and the Conservation Reserve Program and will create additional incentives for private landowners for sustainable agriculture to protect and restore wetlands, grasslands, forests and other wildlife habitat.

Eliminate Income Taxes for Seniors Making Less Than $50,000: Obama will eliminate all income taxation of seniors making less than $50,000 per year. This will provide immediate relief to 22 million American seniors who will not need to file an income tax return, and will eliminate all income taxes for nearly seven million seniors at a savings of roughly $1,400 each year.

Provide Cheaper Prescription Drugs: Iowa seniors on Medicare pay 71 percent more for their drugs than veterans who get their prescriptions through the VA, and 47 percent more than those who buy drugs at Canadian pharmacies. Obama believes that the federal government should negotiate for lower drug prices for seniors in the Medicare program, just as it negotiates to obtain lower prices for our veterans. He also supports efforts to allow seniors to import prescription drugs from Canada.

Click through to the whole post to read about the plan in Barack's own words.

Barack to unveil his rural policy agenda today

Nick Kimball — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 09:16:02 EDT

Today in Fairfax, IA, Barack will unveil his plan to provide real leadership for rural America. After Barack and his Rural Steering Committee held 32 roundtable discussions with rural Americans - two of the most prominent of which were in Adel and Tama - Barack crafted his rural agenda.

We'll have coverage of the roll out here a little later so check back. **Update: here's a link to the plan!**

This picture is from the Adel forum:

And this was Barack in Tama:

Canvass for Change: Barack takes to the Iowa streets

Nick Kimball — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:37:02 EDT

Today Obama supporters all over the country went door-to-door to talk to their neighbors about Barack's message of turning the page in Iraq. Here in Iowa, it was a little rainy but that didn't stop us! A few of our early-rising volunteers put together a makeshift phone bank to make sure everyone was going to brave the weather and still come out to canvass.

Sure enough, we had a great turnout. After a kickoff rally at East High School in Des Moines, Barack headed out to knock doors. Here's a slide show of pictures from the day.

Did you canvass for change today? Let us know about it in the comments!

Cavassing for Change in Iowa

Nick Kimball — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 09:15:49 EDT

Yesterday, Barack laid out some of the clear differences he has with the other candidates when it comes to foreign policy. To watch video of his speech, click here. Or check out Jaime's live-blog here.

Today, Barack is hitting the streets and taking his message to Iowans doors. We've organized 46 Cavasses for Change across the state (and many more around the country), and Barack is joining us in Des Moines. It's a little rainy, but that won't stop us. Check back later today to see how it goes!

You might remember that Barack canvassed in Dubuque on June 9 - another day that our campaign organized canvasses across the country. Here's some video from that beautiful summer day.

Barack Obama: Leadership on Foreign Policy

Nick Kimball — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 22:03:50 EDT

Jaime live-blogged Barack's speech today at Drake University where he laid out precisely why he is the person with the judgment to be our next Commander in Chief. Here are some video excerpts from the speech.

On offering a stark choice on foreign policy:

On the lessons that should be learned from Iraq:

On Iran:

On conventional thinking and foreign policy:

To read and watch the whole speech, click here.

Barack returns to Iowa

Nick Kimball — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:06:35 EDT

Barack is back in Iowa this weekend for a series of events in Des Moines and the surrounding area. Today, he will deliver a foreign-policy speech at Drake University at 10:30 AM. We'll have live-blog coverage, so check back.

Here's the rest of today's schedule:

12:20 PM: Warren County Town Hall
Warren County Fairgrounds
Show Ring
Hwy 92 West
Indianola
3:20 PM: Jasper County Town Hall
Newton YMCA Gym
1701 S. 8th Ave. E.
Newton
6:05 PM: An Evening with Barack Obama
UAW Local 893
411 Iowa Ave. W
Marshalltown

We'll have continuing coverage through the weekend - complete with video clips and pictures - so be sure to come back often!

Barack gets another Iowa legislative endorsement

Nick Kimball — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:28:09 EDT

Our Iowa campaign is continuing to gain momentum. Yesterday, Representative Donovan Olson announced his endorsement, today it’s Representative Dave Jacoby of Coralville.

Barack visited Coralville last week to mark the 5th anniversary of his speech opposing the Iraq war. Representative Jacoby is a three-term member of the Iowa House and is the 13th Iowa legislator to endorse Barack.

For Representative Jacoby it is Barack’s ability to bring people together to get things done that ultimately led him to support Barack:

People from all walks of life are drawn to Senator Obama because of his message of hope and unity. Barack’s ability to build consensus to tackle the tough challenges we face make him the best candidate to bring our country together and make the real progress we so desperately need.

In addition to the 13 legislators, Barack also has support from two statewide elected officials:

Attorney General Tom Miller
Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald

Former Iowa Democratic Party chair Gordon Fischer also recently endorsed Barack.

Here’s the full list of Iowa legislators who are supporting Senator Obama:

Rep. Elesha Gayman
Rep. Tyler Olson
Sen. Bob Dvorsky
Sen. Bill Heckroth
Sen. Tom Rielly
Sen. Rich Olive
Rep. Helen Miller
Sen. Steve Warnstadt
Sen. Frank Wood
Rep. Janet Petersen
Rep. Pam Jochum
Rep. Donovan Olson
Rep. Dave Jacoby

Another Iowa legislator endorses Barack

Nick Kimball — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:05:20 EDT

On the heels of Barack’s Judgment and Experience tour through Iowa last week, state Representative Donovan Olson of Boone announced that he supports Barack's candidacy.

Representative Olson had this to say about Barack:

"Senator Obama showed tremendous courage when he challenged the conventional wisdom in Washington D.C. and opposed the invasion of Iraq. But his greatest asset is his ability to bring people together, regardless of their differences, to solve problems. That is why I believe he is the best candidate to provide leadership on improving health care, strengthening our schools and creating energy independence."

This is Barack's 12th endorsement from Iowa legislators.

Barack on the National Guard

Nick Kimball — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 22:00:08 EDT

National Guard and Reserve troops comprise a significant portion of American forces in Iraq. They go to war alongside regular duty soldiers, but in many ways they are not treated the same.

All of our men and women in uniform have performed briliantly and heroically. And all of them face unique difficulties because of their service.

Our Guard forces are no different. Many are tragically ill-equipped, and their extended tours of duty keep them from necessary missions here at home - like attending to natural disasters. Overextending these units does not make our country more safe.

And we do not keep our promise to Guardsmen and women when our country does not adapt to the unconventional wounds of this war.

Threats in Iraq come from a pile by the side of the road, a seemingly friendly face in the crowd, or a mortar lobbed into a base - and the wounds from these threats often aren't seen until long after a service member returns home.

The signature wounds of this war usually first rear their ugly heads when it's least expected - a heated moment with a loved one or a sudden outburst with friends.

And yet too many of our men and women are returning from Iraq to a system unprepared to care for the effects of Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury. And for our service members who lack the support structure of active duty members, the shortfalls are even more pronounced.

None of this is in keeping our sacred trust with our service men and women.

Today, Barack Obama continued his Judgment and Experience tour through Iowa by laying out his vision for ensuring that we provide adequate screening, treatment, and benefits for these heroic men and women.

Barack held town meetings in Waterloo and Independence, and a rally of more than 3,000 people in Decorah.

Here's Barack in his own words on how he would improve services for our Guardsmen and women:

We cannot accept second-class care for the brave men and women of the Guard and Reserves. They fight in the same war as their active duty compatriots. They must not slip through holes in our safety net when they return to civilian life. So I will place a mental health coordinator in the office of every state’s Adjutant General, and give states the resources to enhance care for PTSD.
It’s also time to recognize the unique sacrifices that come with service in the Guard and Reserves. Those who bear the burden of battle must not face additional worry that their job won’t be there when they come back home, or that their spouse won’t be able to care for the kids. I will crack down on employers who don’t honor the rights of our servicemen and women to return to their jobs. I’ll extend the Family Medical Leave Act so that spouses have the time off they need to care for their children and to get their lives in order when a loved one is called up. And I’ll extend education benefits so that our Guard and Reservists the access to opportunity that they have earned.
It’s also time to use the Guard and Reserves responsibly. No more unpredictable deployments. No more extended tours. No more failures to plan, to communicate down the chain of command, or to reset the equipment that we’ve left in Iraq.
...
It’s time that we had an Administration that understands the Guard’s critical mission here at home. These citizen soldiers are on the front-line of our defense against domestic disasters, but we’re letting those defenses down. Right now, the Iowa National Guard has less than half of the equipment it needs on hand to respond to an emergency. Think about that – less than half. By putting so many resources into Iraq, George Bush is gambling with our security at home. And as we saw with Katrina, this is not a gamble we can afford to take.
I will not be a President who shortchanges Governors like Chet Culver who are working hard to keep their people safe. I will not be a President who sends our Guard off to fight in a misguided war, while telling Governor Culver and your state legislature to hope that a big snowstorm won’t hit next winter, or that a tornado won’t come through town. I will not be a President who extends tours for our Guard units overseas, while Americans are stranded on rooftops right here at home. We need to turn the page.
We need to reset the equipment that the Guard has left behind in Iraq. We need to reset our forces by requiring a period of rest and a standard or readiness before redeployment. And we need to give the Guard the voice it has earned within our armed services by giving the Guard a seat at the table. That is why I will elevate the Chief of the National Guard to the rank of a four-star, and make him or her a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I have cosponsored legislation to do just this in the Senate, and I will sign that legislation into law as President.

Obama "actually understands Iowa"

Nick Kimball — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:38:21 EDT

Every Iowa caucus veteran will tell you that one factor, above all others, is key to success here: organization. You can have a great candidate and all the money in the world, but none of it matters if you can't put together an organization that gets people out to caucus on a cold night in January.

Barack has attracted a lot of enthusiasm around his candidacy for president, but the question that remained was whether he could harness the enthusiasm and actually turn people out.

Well, I think that question has been answered.

In the comments section, Maria from Delmar, NY, pointed out this column from veteran political reporter Roger Simon about the organization that Barack has built in Iowa. The column speaks for itself:

Barack Obama acts like he understands Iowa
By: Roger Simon
DES MOINES, Iowa — Barack Obama began his speech in an odd and important way, a way that did not make a single news story.
Obama was delivering a major address, reminding voters of his early opposition to the Iraq war. It was big deal speech. There were prepared texts handed out to the press and everything.
But Obama’s first words were not in his text, even though they may have been the most important words he spoke all day.
“If you have not yet signed up as a Barack Obama supporter, hopefully after the speech you will,” he told the crowd at the Polk County Convention Complex.
“Fill out one of those cards. We’ll have volunteers all across the doors. You won’t be able to get out without seeing one of these cards.”
Pretty mundane stuff, right? Which is why most candidates don’t bother with it. Especially not in a speech being covered by the national press, with six TV cameras grinding away.
But that Obama did bother with it is the most important sign I have seen that he actually understands Iowa.
...
I traveled around Iowa with Fred Thompson one day this week and never heard him ask anyone to sign up for his campaign, fill out a card or even vote for him in the caucus.
And his staff didn’t hand out sign-up cards in a disciplined fashion.
Obama’s staff did. There were staffers at every entrance and exit. They collected names, home and e-mail addresses, and phone numbers.
These names will be added to other names to form huge lists. The campaign then will contact every person on the list (several times) to pitch them on the candidate, answer questions and judge the level of support.
This is the unglamorous, arduous drudge work that in Iowa is absolutely essential.
...
Having an inspiring, energetic, magnetic candidate is real nice, but without an organization to back him up, it doesn’t mean much.
While I was in Des Moines, I talked to Gordon and Monica Fischer. Gordon was the Democratic Party chairman here during the last presidential election. Monica worked in the administration of former Gov. Tom Vilsack.
Every Democratic presidential campaign called the Fischers this time to ask for their support. Last week, the couple announced they were going to work for Obama.
One reason, they told me, is they think Obama is the best candidate, with the greatest chance of winning.
But there was another reason.
“He is the best-organized in Iowa,” Gordon said. “He has the best ground game.”
“And his people,” Monica said, “are relentless.”
Relentless is good. Real good. Relentless works in Iowa.
After Obama’s speech, he worked the rope line, which just about every candidate does. But on the rope line, there was a staff person behind him, with sign-up cards in her hand.
And if you shook the candidate’s hand, or got an autograph from him or got him to pose for a picture with you, she handed you a card and asked you to sign up, to volunteer, to bring four friends with you next time.
...
“You know there is starting to get a little zip in the air,” Obama said. “It is time to make a decision. And I hope you make a decision on my behalf.”
Mundane stuff. The stuff that didn’t make a single story.
But the zip is in the air in Iowa. And soon the snow will fall. And caucus night will come.
And the race is not always to the swift here. It is often to the relentless.

Judgment and Experience: Barack on Contractor Accountability

Nick Kimball — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:20:48 EDT

Today, Barack continued his most recent trip through Iowa with foreign-policy town hall meetings on the University of Iowa campus and in Washington, Iowa, to talk about his plan to force contractors in Iraq to follow federal law and to compel the Bush administration to disclose the size and scope of their role in maintaining Iraq's security.

Barack has been a leader on this issue. Recently, the Des Moines Register praised him for the bill he introduced in February to increase contractor transparency. The components of his bill passed the U.S. Senate last week.

Here are some excerpts from today's speech:

But it's also time to learn the lessons of Iraq. We’re not going to defeat the threats of the 21st century on a conventional battlefield. We’re not going to counter terrorism or stop nuclear proliferation by invading and occupying other countries. We cannot win a fight for hearts and minds when we outsource critical missions to unaccountable contractors.
Earlier this month, we got a tragic reminder of this when contractors employed by Blackwater were involved in a firefight that left Iraqi civilians dead.
...
What has made this waste and abuse possible has been the absence of leadership and oversight by Washington. The Bush administration’s approach is inaction at best – and collusion to cover-up at worst. Rather than demand accountability, the Bush administration has ceded responsibility. There is no evidence they have raised any concerns about Blackwater’s behavior, or taken steps to rein in Blackwater or any other contractors.
...
And today, I’m announcing my Security Contractor Accountability Plan. This plan would require contractors to coordinate with the U.S. military to stop contractors from acting in ways that undermine our mission. Contractors would also have to follow rules of engagement when they use force. And, above all, they would have to comply with U.S. laws. Most contractors currently act as if the law doesn’t apply to them – because it doesn’t. That has to end. Under my plan, when contractors break the law, they will be prosecuted.

Here's a story from the Iowa City Press Citizen:

Obama proposes law to control security contractors
By Kathryn Fiegen
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Security contractors working in Iraq need to be held accountable to the law just as military forces are, Sen. Barack Obama said today at a town hall meeting in the Iowa Memorial Union.
Obama spent yesterday and today in Iowa City talking about his foreign policy platform in his quest to be the next president of the United States.
This morning, he announced to a group of about 900 that he had created a plan to force security contractors to follow the law overseas, which includes creating a special unit in the Federal Bureau of Investigation to enforce it.
Obama was responding to a Sept. 16 incident where a group of Blackwater USA contractors were involved in two separate shooting incidents. One involved a group of Iraqi police and at least 11 Iraqi civilians died in the other. Both occurred on and near Nisoor Square in Baghdad.
“We cannot win a fight for hearts and minds when we outsource critical missions to unaccountable contractors,” Obama said. “To add insult to injury, these contractors are charging taxpayers up to nine times more to do the same jobs as soldiers, a disparity that damages troop morale.”

Here's the full story.

Judgment and Experience: Barack in Iowa

Nick Kimball — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:52:02 EDT

Today, Barack spoke to packed houses in Des Moines and Coralville to highlight the judgment and vision that led him to oppose the war in Iraq from the very beginning.

Despite all the conventional thinking and "wisdom" Barack stood firm in his opposition to a "rash war." In the face of overwhelming conventional thinking he warned against a war "of undetetermined length, with undetermined cost and undetermined consequences."

And as he told Iowa today:

I’m not running for President to conform to Washington’s conventional thinking – I’m running for president to challenge it.

Here are a few more excerpts from the speech:

So there is a choice that has emerged in this campaign, one that the American people need to understand. They should ask themselves: who got the single most important foreign policy decision since the end of the Cold War right, and who got it wrong. This is not just a matter of debating the past. It’s about who has the best judgment to make the critical decisions of the future.
...
Make no mistake: we must always be prepared to use force to protect America. But the best way to keep America safe is not to threaten terrorists with nuclear weapons – it’s to keep nuclear weapons and nuclear materials away from terrorists.
...
Here’s what I’ll say as President: America seeks a world in which there are no nuclear weapons.
...
This will require a new era of American diplomacy. To signal the dawn of that era, we need a President who is willing to talk to all nations, friend and foe.
...
I wouldn’t be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation – to unite this country at home, to show a new face of this country to the world. I’m running for the presidency of the United States of America so that together we can do the hard work to seek a new dawn of peace and prosperity for our children, and for the children of the world.

At both events today, a true American hero - JFK adviser Ted Sorensen - introduced Barack.

Ted Sorensen speaks from an incredibly unique position, having counseled a young president through one of the "hottest" confrontations of the Cold War - the Cuban Missile Crisis.

This guy knows something about the kind of judgment it takes to be a great president, and he sees it in Barack.

Check out this video of Sorensen talking about why he supports Barack for president.

Barack back in Iowa

Nick Kimball — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:22:31 EDT

Barack is back in Iowa this week for another trip. He'll be traveling mostly through the eastern and northeastern parts of the state.

Today, he's in Des Moines and Coralville to highlight the judgment he showed by opposing the war in Iraq from the beginning - even when it wasn't popular.

Here's our local organizer, Adam Ukman, getting the crowd fired up!

We'll have more coverage of Barack's travels here in Iowa over the next few days - be sure to check back.

If you haven't seen the latest poll of traditional, likely caucus-goers, be sure to check it out. Our hard work, creating the strongest and most effective grassroots organization in Iowa history, is paying off. Barack leads all the other candidates!

Video: Barack on his tax plan

Nick Kimball — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 12:10:59 EDT

This weekend we told you about Senator Obama's visit to Osceola and his discussion with Iowans about his tax-reform plan that provides tax relief for low- and middle-income Americans. Here's a video of Senator Obama speaking with a couple of his guests.

Find four more

Nick Kimball — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:36:19 EDT

Yesterday we announced a new opportunity for Iowans to help us bring new people in to the campaign.

Two Iowans who recruit four new Iowa Obama supporters will be selected to represent Iowa and join Barack at one of our biggest and most historic rallies to date in New York City next Thursday.

Click here for more info on the contest:

http://iowa.barackobama.com/4more

Just follow these easy steps:

Recruit four new Iowa Obama supporters
Enter their info on a Four More supporter card or on this webpage
Return the info to a local field office or submit this form

We'll take care of all the travel arrangements, you just bring the energy for change that we see every day here in Iowa.

Believe again

Nick Kimball — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:27:24 EDT

Here is a new ad that started running yesterday across the state. It is a direct statement from Barack - no frills, no bells or whistles.

Barack is asking us not only to believe in his ability to bring real change, but also to believe in ours.

Steak Fry video!

Nick Kimball — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:52:21 EDT

Check out this great new video of our appearance at Sen. Harkin's Steak Fry. All of the enthusiasm of the 3,000 supporters who came out was truly inspiring!

Liveblog: Sen. Harkin's Steak Fry

Nick Kimball — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 10:57:14 EDT

***Update***

The last of the speakers is just finishing up. As expected, we had some internet connection issues today. Here are a few more pictures from during the event.

This event is a big test of the campaigns' organizational strength and as you can see in the pictures, and as you can read from some observers in the media, Obama supporters turned out in force.

Iowa field operatives make a big deal of "visibility' -- making sure their campaigns have high profiles at high-profile events.
On that note, you could mistake Tom Harkin's steak fry for an Obama rally. It was in fact preceded by an Obama rally, and the train of Obama supporters behind a marching band stretched for at least a hundred yards.

Thank you to all our volunteers and supporters for coming out! This was a great event.

We're all here in Indianola getting things set up for Sen. Harkin's 30th Annual Steak Fry and the many Obama supporters coming in from all over the state. Check out our hope arch:

Some of our team have been up and at it since about 4 am putting up signs.

Those are a few of our field organizers - Francis, Yohannes and Ali. They are fired up!

One of our supporters just told us: "It's so exciting to see so many Iowans coming out on a beautiful sunny day to support Barack Obama at an annual Iowa tradition. Clearly, from today, Barack Obama has a great group of energized and loyal supporters who are committed to changing the politics of Washington and uniting our country."

Our internet connection is a little spotty but we plan to have much more coverage throughout the day. Be sure to check back!

Video: Barack's comprehensive plan for Iraq

Nick Kimball — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:53:28 EDT

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported on Barack's Iraq speech and said he called "for immediate troop pullout" and that we don't have to wait for George Bush to leave office.

Check out video from the speech.

Later in the speech, Barack specifically addressed President Bush and Vice President Cheney on the topic of Iran. The bottom line - do not think about launching another war. You do not have the support and you do not have the authorization.

Barack Town Hall in Dubuque

Nick Kimball — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:37:44 EDT

Barack is currently speaking at a Town Hall meeting in Dubuque. We're at the Alliant Amphiteater right on the river. It's a beautiful setting and a beautiful evening.

Over the last two days, Barack has been holding these town hall's around the eastern part of the state to talk about the major speech he delivered yesterday where he outlined a bold new plan to turn the page on our failed Iraq policy.

We're not too late to come together as Americans. We're not too late to take care of our veterans. ... We're not too late to make sure that we're open and embracing something new and something bold. ... It's time to start leading this world once again.

He's now into questions. We'll have more pictures from the last two days a little later.

A bold new Iraq policy

Nick Kimball — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:09:44 EDT

Today, Senator Obama will lay out a bold new plan to turn the page on our failed Iraq policy. He'll deliver the major policy speech at Ashford University in Clinton.

President Carter's national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski will introduce Barack.

Be sure to check back here around 1:30 for full live-blog coverage of the speech.

Today

Nick Kimball — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 11:11:08 EDT

Barack returns to Iowa

Nick Kimball — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:10:51 EDT

As you can see in Greg's post below, Barack made another trip to Iowa this week. He stopped in Waukee, Guthrie Center, Carroll, Sac City, Storm Lake and Spencer.

That's Barack speaking on the Guthrie Center football team's practice field on Tuesday.

Throughout this entire trip Barack saw an incredible number of students at his events. We've heard a lot about how strongly young people are responding to Barack's candidacy, but it was amazing to see it first-hand at this week.

Check out some pictures.

It's great seeing all these students getting interested. One of the big issues important to them is making college more affordable. Check out Senator Obama's plan to bring down college costs here.

You can see all the pictures from this week's events in our Flickr account.

Labor Day events abound!

Nick Kimball — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:22:21 EDT

This Labor Day weekend a full slate of special guests will be traveling around Iowa to attend Labor Day celebrations and to talk about Barack's commitment to American workers.

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Neil Abercrombie, Illinois AFL-CIO President Emeritus Margaret Blackshere and Former Congressman Brad Carson will each be at a variety of events on Sunday and Monday.

Look below to see if they'll be in your area!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Congressman Carson Attends Clinton Labor Congress Labor Day Picnic
Eagle Point Park
Clinton, IA
Congressman Carson arrives: 12:00 PM

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Senator Durbin attends North West Iowa Labor Council Labor Day Picnic
Riverside Park
Sioux City, IA
Senator Durbin arrives: 1:00 PM

Margaret Blackshere Attends Dubuque Labor Day BBQ
Murphy Park
Dubuque, IA
Blackshere arrives: 9:00 AM (Parade followed by picnic)

Congressman Abercrombie Attends Quad Cities Fed Labor Day Picnic
Illiniwek Forest Park Preserve
East Moline, IL
Congressman Abercrombie arrives: 1:30 PM

Congressman Carson Attends Hawkeye Labor Council Labor Day Picnic
Hawkeye Downs
Cedar Rapids, IA
Congressman Carson arrives: 12:00 PM

Debate Review: Obama the clear winner

Nick Kimball — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 21:53:14 EDT

The reviews of yesterday's debate at Drake are coming in and the results are clear: Barack was the clear winner.

The Des Moines Register's David Yepsen writes:

Obama may be the biggest winner. He was in the cross hairs for much of the early part of the session and he stood up well to the scrutiny over his foreign policy positions and questions of whether he¹s qualified to be president …He came off as knowledgeable and temperate. He looked presidential[.]

And here's some video from one focus group in Des Moines:

And Iowa Independent:

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama showed this morning why he's in the presidential race with his best debate performance to date, one in which he commanded details, looked Oval Office ready and effectively made the case that he is indeed the candidate of true change -- and that instead of polarizing GOP voters in the fall of 2008 he may be able to pick off some of them.
Obama gained the most ground of any of the candidates in the debate...
Want a change? "I'm your guy," said Obama. "We're going to need someone to break out of the political pattern we've been in the last 20 years," Obama said.

This debate was a great way to finish off Barack's five-day swing through Iowa. He is showing that he is a complete candidate and the person best-suited to become the next president.

What did you think of the debate?

Road to Change: Keynote at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake

Nick Kimball — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 21:55:09 EDT

Barack is speaking now at the last event of the evening - the annual Wing-Ding Dinner hosted by the Hancock, Cerro Gordo, and Winnebago County Democrats at the famous Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.

Many of you will recall that Buddy Holly played the Surf Ballroom the night before he, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash shortly after taking off from a Mason City airport in 1959.

The ballroom was kind enough to put Barack's name up on the marquee!

Tom Miller, Iowa’s great attorney general, did the introduction. And Barack took the stage to a standing ovation.

A much-deserved shout-out goes to the Hancock, Cerro Gordo, and Winnebago County Democrats and the folks at the Surf Ballroom for this event. The decorations looked amazing!

For many of the Road to Change events Barack has kept his remarks to a minimum so he could respond to the specific issues raised by the audience. But this was a keynote speech so Barack injected a significant amount of policy into his remarks.

He hit three big issues:

Health Care

If we invest in prevention, make sure everyone has a primary-care physician and is getting regular checkups, we will save money.
...
Transitioning to electronic medical records will save us $100-$150 billion each year and we can take that money to ensure that every American has universal health care by the end of the next president's first term - by the end of my first term as president of the United States.

Education

And there is no reason we can’t fix our education system. Teachers tell me all the time that the kids who are behind are the ones who start out behind. If we want to fix that, we need to invest in early childhood education.
...
If we invest those resources early in life there is no reason these children can’t succeed.
...
And we must also invest in our teaching corps - the most important people at the head of the classroom. Why wouldn’t we pay them more money? Why wouldn't we give them more flexibility to tailor lessons to their specific classes? We should tell them don't just teach to the test, we’re not going to punish you, we’re going to reward you when you do good.

Foreign Policy

We must re-engage the world in ways we haven’t in a very long time. I imagine going before the United Nations in my first year as president and saying America is back. We’re going to lead - and not just with our military but with our values and ideals. We want to work with you to defeat terror and on nuclear proliferation.
We want to work with you on Darfur, and to build schools in the Middle East that teach math and science - not just hate of America.
...
And we're going to close Guantanamo and restore habeas corpus because that’s not who we are.

We have a small window of opportunity with this election and we need to seize it.

Barack is confident in his ability to lead our country - otherwise he wouldn't be running. But he can't do it alone. He is fond of saying that change in America never happens from the top down, it happens from the bottom up. It happens because ordinary people decide they want to make their voices heard.

You can take a look at Barack's specific policy ideas here:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues

But the fact is, nothing will happen unless everyone makes their voices heard.

If you're in Iowa, sign up as an Obama supporter here, and let us hear your voice!

Tomorrow is a big day, with several events in Waverly and Cedar Rapids. Then it's off to Des Moines for the big debate on Sunday!

Next stop on the Road to Change: Atlantic, IA

Nick Kimball — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:16:38 EDT

We're now in beautiful Atlantic, Iowa - otherwise known as the "Coca Cola Capital of Iowa" because of the local privately-owned bottling plant that is here in town.

Coca Cola Days are Sept. 21-23.

The local folks set up a potluck here at the Cass County Fairgrounds just outside the back show barn where Barack is speaking. And the spread wouldn't be complete without some Floats for Change!

Michelle introduced Barack again, as she did in Council Bluffs earlier today.

Barack spoke for only a short period of time before diving into questions. At some recent events, he's been spending less time on formal remarks and more time taking questions.

As he often says, Iowans like to lift the hood, kick the tires and take the candidates out for a test drive. So it's important that he spend more time on the issues they want to raise.

One question raised here was about the nursing shortage. Barack talked about the need that has arisen to bring in nurses from overseas because there so few people entering the field. And the shortage will only intensify as baby boomers retire and the need for health care increases.

To address the situation, Barack said a big thing that can happen is that nurses should unionize - it's a quality of life thing. Nurses are working long hours, and are able to spend less and less time with patients.

It's similar to the problem we're facing with teachers - an issue that was also raised today. We need to increase pay for teachers and provide incentives to enter the profession, like forgiving college debt.

Thanks for staying with us on the Road to Change! Now it's off to the Fair!

The Road to Change goes through Council Bluffs, IA

Nick Kimball — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:23:33 EDT

Good morning! Welcome to our second day on the Road to Change across Iowa. Barack has taken the stage here in Council Bluffs.

He was introduced by his wife Michelle, who got fired up in her introduction. She talked about being reluctant when she and Barack made the decision for him to run for president. But in the end, she said, she was tired of living in a world where our politics were led by fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of that which is different. It was time for something new.

And she knew that it was time for someone like Barack to lead this country back to a hopeful place.

Before Michelle took the stage, she was introduced by Chris Tinley, a Council Bluffs resident who lost his brother on 9/11.

Chris decided that Barack was the right person to be the next president when he learned that Barack opposed the Iraq war from the very beginning. It was the wrong war at the wrong time in the wrong place.

Now Barack is detailing his comprehensive vision for American foreign policy. It is a new vision that allows us to restore our standing in the world and take a leadership role once again. But it's going to take a significant change in the conventional foreign-policy thinking. And that's what Barack offers.

"The conventional thinking says we can't do these things and we shouldn't even talk about it. It says I don't have enough experience because I don't recite the typical foreign policy talking points...No one had as much as experience as Dick Cheney and Donal Rumsfeld. And look what conventional thinking got us."

Barack is in to questions now. Check back for more, including video, soon!

Iowans for Health Care salute Barack's plan for universal coverage

Nick Kimball — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:23:55 EDT

This morning SEIU's Iowans for Health Care came to our Des Moines office to salute Barack for his plan to bring universal health care to every American.

They used real-life stories to perform a skit portraying situations that many Americans face every day when they try to deal with big insurance companies.

In honor of Barack presenting a comprehensive plan to lower health-care costs and make sure that every American has coverage, they presented a symbolic clock that now hangs right behind the front desk in our office.

The clock is there to serve as a reminder: three Americans lose their health insurance every minute.

We are in the midst of a health-crisis and Barack not only has a plan to move forward but he also has the leadership capacity to get something done on it.

NOT paid for by PACs or federal lobbyists

Nick Kimball — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:53:00 EDT

This week we are holding 25 press conferences across the state to announce signs that will be in each office we have reminding folks that Barack does not take money from PACs or federal lobbyists.

People want change and Barack is the person who can bring it. An Obama presidency will be accountable to regular people all over Iowa and the country - not special interests.

***Update***

Along with these signs, we also unveiled a new TV ad yesterday. It underscores the same message as the signs - Barack's proven record on and lifelong commitment to ethics and lobbying reform. You can watch the new ad here:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/takeitback.

"The American people will raise you up when you do the right thing"

Nick Kimball — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:22:26 EDT

In the comments section to my post about Barack's government-reform speech in Cedar Rapids this morning, Phil from the Cuse made a good point about Barack's fundraising efforts:

What a fantastic speech - evoking the spirit of one of our greatest presidents, Theodore Roosevelt, whose words and actions would be as effective today as they were a century ago. This is an issue for which Barack does not get enough credit. True, he's raised a lot of money, but the fact that it ALL has come from individual citizens - some well-off, thousands more less so - displays that Barack is the candidate of the people, beholden to no one but us.

This is a great point that speaks to the heart of Barack's ability to bring real change to Washington. He touched on this point in Cedar Rapids today:

We don't take PAC money, we don't take money from federally registered lobbyists and you know what? It turns out the American people will lift you up when you do the right thing - we've been raising some money.

Barack's government reform town hall in Cedar Rapids

Nick Kimball — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 12:19:45 EDT

At Roosevelt Middle School in Cedar Rapids early this Monday morning, Barack delivered a speech uniquely relevant in a school named after Theodore Roosevelt, our nation’s 26th president.

President Roosevelt assumed the presidency at a time when wealth in the United States was becoming more and more concentrated in the hands of a few robber barons, railroad tycoons and oil magnates.

It was the Gilded Age and it was made possible by a government that was willing to play along. But then President Roosevelt came along and devoted his presidency to busting trusts, breaking up monopolies, and doing everything in his power to give the American people a shot at the American dream again.

During Barack's formal remarks today, he laid out a vision for serious reform in our government.

We're more than a century after President Roosevelt went to great lengths to put government back in the hands of regular people, and, after six years of the current administration, we again need a president who sees government not as a tool to enrich well-connected friends and high-priced lobbyists, but as the defender of fairness and opportunity for everybody.

Barack's speech was incredibly well-received by the standing room only crowd. You can read the speech's full text by clicking here.

Among the crowd today was Robin, a Cedar Rapids resident who is fully convinced that Barack is the person our country needs at this important time in history. For her, he is the candidate who can get elected and bring significant change to Washington.

And to show her support, she's designed some t-shirts on her own! Check it out.

Once again, we've got more pictures from the event in our Flickr account. Also, there's an Iowa section on Flickr that has all our pictures from across the state. It's updated frequently so check back often!

You can read today's government reform speech after the jump.

Barack stops by the Heritage Carousel in DSM

Nick Kimball — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:24:02 EDT

Yesterday, Barack finished up his most recent trip to Iowa with a stop by the Heritage Carousel at Union Park in Des Moines.

We had a lively crowd for so early in the morning. There was face-painting, Obama trivia and, of course, the carousel. That's our local organizer Aaron warming up the crowd.

Barack was introduced by Will Page, the president of the Union Park Neighborhood Association. Barack was interrupted by applause several times during his remarks that focused on his plan to lower health-care costs and make coverage universal, improve our schools and meet our energy needs.

But the strongest response came when Barack laid out his vision for a significant change in American foreign policy. The applause became a standing ovation as Barack enlisted the help of those in the audience - and Americans all over the country - to make their voices heard to help him bring real change.

Barack would have liked to stay a little longer than he did, but it was his mother-in-law's birthday and he had to get back home to celebrate!

Check out all the pictures from Union Park here.

Barack will be back in Iowa tomorrow morning. He'll be in Cedar Rapids at Roosevelt Middle School. Stop on by if you're in the area!

Barack and a bridge of Madison County

Nick Kimball — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 11:46:41 EDT

Barack is making another visit to Iowa this weekend. His second event yesterday was in Winterset, at Cedar Bridge County Park – right in the shadow of one of the famous Bridges of Madison County.

Barack was introduced by Bob Weeks, a Madison County supervisor.

At both the rural issues forum earlier today and here in Winterset, Barack was asked about public financing of elections and how we can blunt the influence of money in the political process.

There is too much money in politics and Iowans can see that. People are fed up at the influence of special interests, especially Big Oil and the pharmaceutical industry. They contribute huge amounts of money to campaigns, millions on lobbying and buy their way into controlling legislation.

So, the laws that get passed end up being skewed toward the special interests, and consumers and regular people get the short end of the stick.

That’s why Barack has long been a leader on ethics reform. In the Illinois state senate, Barack pushed through the first comprehensive ethics reform law in 25 years. Barack is also a champion for 100% public financing of elections. And he lead the way in the U.S. Senate for the historic ethics reforms passed by the Democratic Congress early this year.

What do you think about Barack's plan to clean up Washington? Do you think he's the person who can bring big change to the way things are done?

Rural issues forum in Adel

Nick Kimball — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:13:09 EDT

Today, Barack held an in-depth forum focused on rural issues at the Van Fossen farm in Adel. Beverly Van Fossen, the farm’s owner, introduced Barack. This farm has been in the Van Fossen family for 155 years and is an Iowa Heritage Farm – a special distinction for farms that have been in one family for at least 150 years.

One of the hallmarks of a good leader is the ability to listen. This forum was a great opportunity for Barack to listen to the ideas of people who live and breathe these issues every day of their lives.

Some of the issues that came up were Country of Origin Labeling, farm payment caps (specifically a bill championed by Senator Dorgan and Grassley, which Barack supports) and protections for farmers against things that are out of their control like droughts.

Senator Obama had some of his top rural issues advisors on hand at the forum. That group inclues several Iowans including Mike Dunn from Keokuk (a former undersecretary of agriculture), Gary Lamb of Chelsea (who has farmed for 55 years and served as the president of the Iowa Farmers Union) and Neil Hamilton of Waukee (director of the Agricultural Law Center at Drake University).

Do you have some ideas on rural policy? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

***Update***

Iowa Independent was at the forum, too. Check out their coverage here.

A fundamental foreign-policy change

Nick Kimball — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:20:06 EDT

For the past six years the Bush/Cheney Administration has employed a foreign-policy strategy of putting our head in the sand and refusing to engage the world, while our enemies continued getting stronger and stronger.

On Monday evening, at the CNN/YouTube Democratic debate, a question was asked about whether the candidates would continue the Bush/Cheney strategy or would they be willing to reengage the world and offer a new world view.

Only one candidate on the stage said he would offer a true break from Bush/Cheney: Barack Obama.

On that debate stage, Senator Obama articulated a fundamental change in U.S. foreign policy from the Bush/Cheney approach.

Under a President Obama, the United States will be engaged with the world. We will reach out to our enemies because refusing to talk to them doesn’t punish them. We will engage our enemies as President Kennedy and President Reagan did – eventually bringing the Soviet Union to its knees. We will have a foreign policy that exhausts all the tools of diplomacy, as Air Force General Scott Gration laid out last week, before resorting to the military hammer.

On January 21, 2009, if a President Obama has taken the oath of office, it will send a clear signal to the world that America is turning the page. We will be able to stand before the world and say, “The United States is back. We are here and we are ready to lead again.”

Today, the Quad-City Times ran an editorial laying out the clear change that Senator Obama articulated on Monday evening. The editorial also points out that other candidates favor an approach more closely aligned with the Bush/Cheney way of doing things. Here’s an excerpt:

In Monday’s Democrat presidential debate, Obama seemed clear. He favors reaching out to all nations, even those recklessly dubbed “axis of evil,” by President Bush. Obama neither said nor implied he would blindly accede to these nations or even negotiate with them. He simply suggested he would be open to new, constructive relationships, even with nations run by dictators who say nasty things about the United States.
Clinton had seemed to support such diplomatic openness, but now clarifies it by suggesting these nations would have to meet certain conditions before she would permit U.S. overtures toward them.

You can check out the whole editorial here: http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/07/26/opinion/opinion/doc46a7eec4cf681864772104.txt.

Video from Obama for Commander in Chief Tour

Nick Kimball — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:40:36 EDT

Last week, as you can read here, General Scott Gration (a retired Air Force fighter pilot with 32 years of service) and other veterans toured Iowa explaining why he believes that Senator Obama’s judgment, courage and leadership capacity make him uniquely qualified to be the next Commander in Chief.

General Gration has flown 274 combat and combat-support missions over Iraq – more than any other American.

Check out a short video we put together from the trip below. It tells a little about who the General is and why exactly he believes Senator Obama has the courage and judgment to be Commander in Chief.

Obama for Commander in Chief Tour, Day 4

Nick Kimball — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:38:56 EDT

This is the last day of our Obama for Commander in Chief Tour. We stopped in Washington this morning, and then we’re headed to Ottumwa and Knoxville.

The general and our veterans traveling with us have had great visits with people during our stops. And their intriguing stories and expertise has generated some strong local press coverage.

From the Charles City Press:

Veterans share support for Obama in Charles City visit
By Staci Schwickerath, Staff writer
A 32-year U.S. Air Force veteran told Charles City residents on Tuesday that he will vote for Barack Obama for president because of the Illinois senator’s vision for the future and his support for veterans.
Retired Major General Scott Gration, along with Iowa Veterans for Obama, made a campaign stop at the Charles City Public Library on Tuesday for the Democratic presidential candidate.
“He’s a man with a sense of history, a man with a vision for the future, a man who appreciates the veterans and the military young men and women and the people who are sacrificing for our country,”?said Gration. “Therefore, he is someone I?can endorse as our next commander in chief, the president of the United States of the America.”
Gration's military service includes serving as the commander of Task Force West during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was involved in 274 combat mission in Iraq.

From the Iowa City Press-Citizen:

Officer brings support for Obama to Iowa

Tour stop in Solon emphasizes senator's military qualifications

By Rachel Gallegos
Iowa City Press-Citizen
SOLON -- From his personal experiences traveling with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, retired Maj. Gen. Scott Gration said he believes Obama is the best person to be this country's next commander-in-chief.
At Obama's request, Gration traveled with the senator to countries in Africa, flying, visiting senior leaders and eating together.

From the LeMars Sentinel:

Retired general campaigns for Obama in Le Mars
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
By Earl Horlyk
"A man who's not afraid to stand up for his conviction and a leader who'll provide a message of hope."
That is how retired Air Force General Scott Gration described Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
"(Obama's) has the judgment and courage to be the next Commander in Chief," Gration told a crowd of political activists gathered at the Le Mars American Legion Wasmer Post #241 Monday morning. "He's demonstrated this courage when he spoke out against the ill-advised and ill-conceived war in Iraq. He did it before the war started when many others were unwilling to do the same."
"That's exactly the type of courage our next Commander in Chief will need to bring our troops home responsibly," the former Air Force pilot added. "That's exactly the type of courage we'll need to help restore our leadership throughout the world."

Also be sure to check out all the pictures from our tour here.

Obama for Commander in Chief Tour, Day 3

Nick Kimball — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:38:47 EDT

***Update 7:15 pm****

We just finished up our last event of the day at Solon Public Library.

We had Blake, an Army Reservist from Iowa, introduce General Gration.

Blake has been volunteering in our Iowa City office and it’s an honor to have him helping us out.

We had a bit of lively crowd to end the evening. The folks in Solon brought a good mix of passion for change and engaging conversation.

One of the people I met was Heidi, who lives in Solon.

Heidi’s husband served in the Navy during the first gulf war. Since coming home, he has dealt with some concerns related to post-traumatic stress. So Heidi definitely keyed in when General Gration started talking about Senator Obama’s work to make sure our members of the military have adequate care for dealing with PTSD.

In 2005, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced plans to contact veterans with severe PTSD and ask them to prove that they deserved their disability payments. This was incredibly disruptive to many veterans still suffering serious health effects from their military service. So Senator Obama worked with his colleague Senator Dick Durbin to pass legislation to limit the review and ultimately helped publicly pressure the agency to abandon the effort.

And the director of Veterans for America, Bobby Muller, has acknowledged Senator Obama for his work in this area:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) is fast becoming a major problem for many veterans. We urge the Senate to adopt an amendment sponsored by Senator Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to add TBI to the list of post-deployment physical and mental health screenings for soldiers returning home from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars."

Heidi had already pretty much decided to support Senator Obama, but she officially signed a supporter card tonight.

General Gration has one more day on his tour. Tomorrow we stop in Washington, Ottumwa and Knoxville.

Be sure to check back in here or stop by one of our final events. It’s a great opportunity to hear from a longtime military man on why Senator Obama is the person with the judgment, courage and leadership capability to be the next Commander in Chief.

***Update 2:15 pm***

We got a little behind schedule in Maquoketa because so many people wanted to talk individually with General Gration, B.J. and Seamus. They mostly just wanted to thank them for their service and tell them how much they appreciate them.

Now we’re in LeClaire at the fire department. It’s clear, as we’re moving across the state, that there are a whole lot of people – veterans and strong military folks – who are very much ready to bring our troops home. And that is evident here in LeClaire. We’ve got a nice group of about 30-40 people, about half are veterans. And their focus, as we go through questions, is Iraq and how will Senator Obama get us out of Iraq.

One person I met here is Steve from Davenport.

Steve served in the Navy from ’68-’72 and served in Vietnam. Like Senator Obama, he has been opposed to the war from the very beginning and is upset that we went in in the first place.

Steve says that listening to General Gration speak very candidly about the situation in Iraq made sense. Now that we’re in, we have to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in.

And like General Gration, Steve believes Senator Obama is the one candidate with the judgment and vision to get it done the right way.

We've got some time before our next event. We'll grab some lunch and then it's on to Solon!

***Update 11:38 am***

Last night, our tour ended off in Cedar Falls. We stopped in at the AMVETS Post #49. Here, our discussion was a much more policy-focused discussion. The group of folks listening was about half people who came out expecting to see General Gration and about half who had just come out for an evening at the post and got to hear the general’s insights on military issues.

The discussion varied from Iraq to how local vets can get better health care to ensuring mandatory funding for the VA. It was clear that the local vets were frustrated – to say the least – with the level of service they currently receive. They have long drives and long waits to get care. Senator Obama has several policy proposals that he plans to implement as the next Commander in Chief to make sure that our country delivers on the promise made to our service members.

Today, we’re starting off in Maquoketa. General Gration and B.J. Jackson are still with us on the tour. And today we’ve been joined by Seamus, a Marine from the Quad Cities who served in Iraq.

Seamus graduated from high school in 1999 and spent one year in college – on orders from his father. After that year, Seamus decided he wanted to follow in his brothers’ footsteps and serve the country. So he went down to the local recruiting office and joined up. His brother urged him to go into the reserves and continue college. Shortly after gradution, Seamus got a letter in the mail – it was a job offer from George Bush. He had been called up to deploy to Iraq.

About a month before Seamus went to Iraq, his brother dragged him to a VFW where a guy named Barack was speaking. At the meeting, Seamus’ brother pushed him to introduce himself to Barack. After being a little reluctant, Seamus did introduce himself and was immediately put at ease by the way Senator Obama related to him and seemed to genuinely take an interest. Seamus was impressed but didn’t expect much after that.

But then, a short time after being deployed, he got an email from Senator Obama. Again, he couldn’t believe that Senator Obama took the time and had the genuine interest to stay in touch, reach out and see how he was doing in Iraq.

And that’s what it means to be opposed to the war but have a deep appreciation and care for our men and women in uniform.

Obama for Commander in Chief Tour, Day 2

Nick Kimball — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:42:04 EDT

***Update 5:55 pm***

Welcome to everyone who is coming from our national campaign website. Please read through our blog to see the coverage of the statewide Obama for Commander in Chief Tour from earlier today and yesterday.

Also, be sure to read 32-year Air Force veteran General Scott Gration's blog post about why he believes Barack Obama is best qualified to be the next Commander in Chief.

After stopping for lunch on the drive from Charles City to Fredericksburg, we arrived at Upham Memorial Library and a room full of people here who came to listen to the general speak. We had more veterans and veterans' family members at this event than any other we've been to.

One thing I'm noticing at on this tour is that most of the people who come to out to hear General Gration speak are undecided voters. I think the uniqueness of having such a high-ranking military officer criss-crossing the state is really drawing out the folks who know in their hearts that something needs to change in Iraq but they just can't put their finger on how it should be done.

The general is able to answer some of their more detail-oriented questions. And it seems to carry a lot of weight when he says that, among all the candidates, he trusts Barack Obama to do best what the Commander in Chief is supposed to do - listen to experts, listen to commanders on the ground, make a clear decision and lead the country.

***Update 2:30 pm*** We started out today’s leg of the tour in Bondurant. It was an intimate affair early in the morning, with a group of about 20 mostly undecided Iowans at the Bondurant American Legion. Now we're in Charles City at the library.

The groups of folks that General Gration is speaking to are not big crowds – usually 20-40 people – but they’re a great cross-section of Iowa. We’ve seen seniors and young people. We’ve seen farmers and teachers. And we’ve seen many veterans.

It’s amazing to watch this diverse group of people respond to General Gration’s passion. He weaves together engaging stories from their trip to Africa that helped inform his assessment that Barack would make a strong Commander in Chief.

I’ve mentioned the stories about Kenya and South Africa that General Gration. Another story he tells is when they were in Djibouti, where we have many men and women stationed at Camp Lemonier. When Senator Obama got to the base, the general noticed how Senator Obama was able to relate to the troops.

As a 32-year veteran, General Gration has seen politicians come and go. They show up at these military bases and go through the motions but don’t really connect. Barack was different. He listened. He had engaging questions. He played basketball with them. And, in the time since their trip to Africa, General Gration has been struck by how that ability to connect with the troops has translated into real action that makes a difference.

As a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs committee Senator Obama has tried to make sure the country makes good on the promise we make to our veterans. And he has proposed specific policy that he will pursue as the next Commander in Chief to deliver on that promise.

We’ve got two more events this afternoon and evening in Fredericksburg and Cedar Falls. Check out the schedule for the rest of the week here.

And keep checking back in!

Obama for Commander in Chief Tour

Nick Kimball — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:23:18 EDT

***Update 8:10 pm***

Here in Des Moines, General Gration got a little more introspective in how he developed his support for Senator Obama.

When talking about his trip to Africa with Senator Obama, he went into more detail about their stop in South Africa. They went to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. As they stared out through the prison walls, General Gration was reminded of an anecdote his father taught him years ago:

“Two men looked out prison bars. One saw mud, the other saw stars.”

And that’s the optimism General Gration sees in Senator Obama. Despite all the negativity we see in the world, Senator Obama has a hopeful vision for the future. While he understands the reality of where we are, he knows where we need to go.

“Senator Obama wants to do something, he wants to bring our country to the future and give our children and grandchildren the country they deserve.”

And that’s why I, and a host of other general officers, and flag officers, who believe that Senator Obama is, among all the candidates, best qualified to be our next commander in chief.”

***Update 7:25 pm***

Well, we finished our long drive to Des Moines. And, after a little downtime, General Gration is ready for the last event of the evening – a BBQ in Des Moines!

That's Aaron, one of our local field organizers, on the grill. Nice work, Aaron!

We’re on a beautiful patio at the home of Ken Sovern. The general, B.J. and the guests are mingling during a little social hour. We should get started soon.

***Update 2:15 pm***

We’ve arrived at the Red Oak Fire Department and a group of about 40 local folks who are here to meet and listen to General Gration. One of our local organizers, Rory, introduced General Gration. Rory is a marine vet and is working in southwestern Iowa for Senator Obama.

General Gration has the audience capitvated. He’s talking about the trip to Africa he took with Barack and how it helped him gain an understanding for Barack’s core values.

“We’ve got to be able to match our policy with our heart. We need to use our influence to be partners for a better world. And that’s what Barack Obama believes.”

The general is now echoing a testament that Barack often talks about. The problems they saw in Africa are not just African problems. The fact that so many Africans – many of them women – suffer from HIV/AIDS is an American problem.

“Barack understands the full scope of our state power. He understands that our military is mighty, but it should only be used as a last resort. The decision to put our young men and women into harm’s way is the most important decision the Commander in Chief makes. It’s been awhile since we’ve had someone with the proper judgment to make that decision the right way. Senator Obama has it. He has both the judgment and the wisdom that gives me full confidence that he will make that decision the right way.”

Another veteran who is making the trip with us is B.J. Jackson. B.J. is an Iowan who was deployed to Iraq as one of the many National Guard soldiers who have served in Iraq.

He was at a Baghdad market buying supplies for his camp one afternoon when his vehicle ran over a land mine. He woke up in San Antonio several weeks later, with both legs amputated and his vocal cords severely damaged.

He is now dedicated to working with other injured veterans who are coming back and helping them get through the similar issues that he faced.

B.J. is moved by Barack’s dedication to caring for our veterans when they return from service. Senator Obama understands that our country makes a promise to our service members when they sign up – we will care for them when they leave the service.

B.J. has a very unassuming – yet confident – way about him. It’s the kind of attitude, demeanor and character that makes me so proud and comfortable that people like him are defending our country.

***11:20 am***

This week, I am traveling with General Scott Gration, a recently retired Air Force fighter pilot who commanded the operations overseeing the no-fly zones in Iraq, on a 13-stop Obama for Commander in Chief Tour across Iowa. We started off in LeMars this morning, where General Gration met with about 30 early risers at the American Legion.

General Gration has flown more combat missions over the Iraq no-fly zones than any other American. It is truly an honor to be traveling with such an esteemed military leader.

After spending 15 days with Barack in Africa last year, and getting to know him since then, General Gration has gained a deep understanding of the qualities that Senator Obama brings to the table as a leader. General Gration speaks of Barack’s “vision for the future, his clear understanding of the past and leadership that is unmatched by anyone.”

I’m trying to get General Gration to write a few thoughts for the blog later today. And I plan to update the blog from the road throughout our tour so be sure to check back this week as Iowans learn more about why Senator Obama makes the best next Commander in Chief.

Barack's 15th visit to Iowa

Nick Kimball — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 02:25:34 EDT

Barack ended today with a stop at the 1st Congressional District Democrats workshop at Northeast Community College in Peosta.

He spoke to a couple hundred of the most active activists in the 1st. It was the “rabble rousers, the organizers,” he said. And Barack was on his game, which shouldn’t be too surprising because his roots are in grassroots organizing.

Having passed up more lucrative gigs on Wall St. after college and law school, Barack moved to Chicago to work on the front lines, helping communities organize in the wake of devastating plant closings.

As Barack got to Northeast Community College today, there was a crowd waiting to greet him. And who was among the crowd? None other than the Obama Llama!

All four of today’s events were excellent. The crowds were fired up. The weather was beautiful. And Barack seemed to feed off the energy.

Be sure to check out our blog coverage from each of today’s events:

And be sure to take a look at all the pictures from today on our Flickr account. You can also see pictures there from previous events from all over the state. The account is updated frequently, so bookmark it and check back!

Thanks to everyone who commented throughout the day. It’s great to get feedback. Please feel free to leave your thoughts any time.

We’re going to try to keep doing this live-blogging thing as often as possible when Barack is in Iowa. Hopefully, it helps you get a feel for Barack even when you’re not at our events in person. If you have ideas on how to improve our coverage of these events, leave your advice in the comments!

Barack at West Delware Middle School in Manchester

Nick Kimball — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 15:50:06 EDT

After a few wrong turns on my way out of Elkader, and a pretty big detour on Hwy 13, I made it to West Delaware Middle School in Manchester. We’re right across the street from the Delaware County Fairgrounds, where they’ve got some festivities going on right now.

The lighting in the gym isn’t quite as good as it was outside so my pictures aren’t turning out as well.

Barack is tackling a question on the separation of church and state right now. His faith is deeply important to him. He’s saying faith can help shape our values but it shouldn’t be the sole basis for public policy. And, he says, we shouldn’t ignore science because of faith.

I just heard that the final count for attendance in Elkader was about 350 people. I’d say it’s a fairly similar number of folks here in Manchester.

Like I said earlier, this is Barack’s 15th stop in Iowa and he’s made it to 34 of Iowa’s 99 counties. That’s pretty impressive just five months in to the campaign!

The AP has posted a write up from today's Oelwein event already, check it out here:

Obama: Shift troops to fight al-Qaida
By MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writer
OELWEIN, Iowa - The U.S. should shift troops from Iraq to pursue al-Qaida along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Saturday.
He said President Bush's war-fighting policies have left the United States at greater risk from terrorists. The first-term Illinois senator said decisions by the Republican president had allowed Osama bin Laden and his deputies to elude capture.
"We cannot win a war against the terrorists if we're on the wrong battlefield," Obama said. "America must urgently begin deploying from Iraq and take the fight more effectively to the enemy's home by destroying al-Qaida's leadership along the Afghan-Pakistan border, eliminating their command and control networks and disrupting their funding."

Check back later today for more pictures from today’s events!

Barack on the Turkey River in Elkader

Nick Kimball — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 13:01:11 EDT

Barack is speaking at the lovely home of Tom and Michelle Gifford in Elkader now. He was introduced by Jean Marie Hall, who is the chair of the local Democrats.

One thing that struck me here in Elkader as I was listening to Barack is something he says often but that I'm not sure I've made note of before.

There is a lot to be against or upset with in our country today. We're stuck in a war that should never have been waged, the president stubbornly refuses to admit that he has made mistakes and is too proud to change course. The war is preventing us from adequately investing in jobs and opportunity here at home. And it's distracting us from the real terrorism battles that we do need to be fighting. There is certainly a lot to be against.

But, after noting all this, Barack strikes a hopeful note.

"The reason I'm hopeful is that I've met the American people and the core of the American people is good - it's hopeful," he said.

The American people want to be for something, not just against things.

And that's why the driving force of Barack's campaign is looking forward, not dwelling on the past. It's about learning from our mistakes, and laying out a vision for how to make this country better.

And Barack is the candidate who can bring opposing forces to the table and make the change that is necessary to get our country back on track and restore our moral standing in the world.

That's certainly why I've gotten behind Barack's candidacy.

Anyway, there's one way we know this event in Elkader is a good one - the Obama Llama made an appearance!

***Update 12:45 pm***

Barack is making his way through the crowd, delivering on his promise to "shake every hand and answer every question that people have."

It's getting pretty warm out here on the Turkey River in the backyard of the Gifford's home but that doesn't matter. This is an important part of the great tradition of the Iowa Caucuses and it's a big deal to Barack to be able to honor that tradition.

It's off to Manchester now for our next event. But first, here's another view of this incredible piece of property!

Barack at Oelwein City Park

Nick Kimball — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 10:07:16 EDT

Today, Senator Obama is back in Iowa for his 15th visit. He's up in the northeast part of the state, with stops in Oelwein, Elkader and Manchester. The first event is at Oelwein City Park, bright and early on a gorgeous Saturday morning.

We're still about 20 minutes from Senator Obama's arrival and we've already got an energized crowd of a few hundred folks. It's a beautiful setting right on Lake Oelwein, near the Lions Shelter.

Kyle Strosahl, our local organizer welcomed the crowd with a little Barack Obama Trivia. We just opened a new office in Oelwein, and have many of them all over the state. So be sure to find your local office and stop in!

Check back throughout the day for more updates on Barack's visits.

***Update***

Barack is finishing up in Oelwein by taking some questions from the crowd. When Congressman Bruce Braley introduced Barack, he said Iowans always ask the tough questions.

He said, "That's what Iowa does – we help mold the best candidates we can find."

And it's definitely happening now – tough questions on truly diverse issues. We've had questions about depleted uranium, children with special needs and about what a President Obama would do in his first hundred days in office.

Barack has a very specific agenda for his first 100 days:

start bringing out troops home
introduce legislation to ensure health care for every American by the end of his first term
introduce comprehensive energy legislation
Close Guantanamo and restore habeus corpus.

During his remarks, Barack hit on the major themes but none was more discussed than the war in Iraq.

Barack mentioned George Bush's recent proclamation about all the supposed progress in Iraq. And said:

"We have an administration that issued a series of benchmarks that any serious observer would say haven't been met. And now the Iraqi parliament is going on vacation."

"It's time to say to the president the time is up, enough is enough, our men and women have done what we asked of them, they got Saddam Hussein, they have shown that there are no weapons of mass destruction, now it's time to bring them home."

This was the first time Barack has stopped in Fayette since he announced his candidacy for president. These events are great opportunities for folks to come out and get a close up view of these candidates and really dig in to the details of their policy positions.

Here's some more pictures from the event in our Flickr account.

Now we're off to Elkader, so keep checking in!

Sir Charles

Nick Kimball — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:50:04 EDT

Check out this video of basketball great Charles Barkley adding his outspoken voice to those joining Barack’s campaign to change this country.

Are you ready to join? Sign a supporter card here.

Barack and family in the RV on July 4

Nick Kimball — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:45:12 EDT

Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha drove in an RV to each of the 4th of July events yesterday. It was good down time - time to get away from all the cameras and attention.

Here's some cute footage from a card game they played on the drive from Oskaloosa to Pella.

Barack delivers education address

Nick Kimball — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:33:13 EDT

Today, Barack delivered remarks to the National Education Association Annual Meeting in Philadelphia. While he was there, he stopped by the Iowa delegation to discuss education policy, answer their questions and address their concerns.

Here’s an excerpt from his speech:

But don’t come up with this law called No Child Left Behind and then leave the money behind. Don’t tell us that you’ll put high-quality teachers in every classroom and then leave the support and the pay for those teachers behind. Don’t label a school as failing one day and then throw your hands up and walk away from it the next. And don’t tell us that the only way to teach a child is to spend too much of the year preparing him to fill in a few bubbles on a standardized test. We know that’s not true. You didn’t devote your lives to testing, you devoted them to teaching, and teaching is what you should be allowed to do…
We know that we have more than one million teachers who are set to retire and more kids entering school than ever before, and so we know that it’s time to recruit a new generation of teachers and principals. Let’s do this by finally raising salaries across the board, and making it possible for professionals in other fields to become teachers, not through easy shortcuts, but through programs that allow new teachers to learn from veteran professionals. And if you’re willing to put yourself through college to make the sacrifice and commitment that teaching requires, we should be willing to help you pay off some of those college loans.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be laying out the specific details of my plan to invest billions of new dollars into the teaching profession and recruit an army of well-trained, well-qualified teachers who are willing to stand at the front of any classroom and give every student the chance to succeed…
One last point. There’s a lot of talk out there about accountability in education. I share that concern, and I’ve called for more accountability in our schools myself. But I also believe that before we can hold our teachers accountable for the results our schools need, we have to hold ourselves accountable for giving teachers the support that they need…
If we do all this – if we go into struggling schools and provide more pay and better support for our teachers; if we allow them to teach our children to their strengths instead of just a test – then the teachers I’ve met wouldn’t mind some accountability.”

Also, here’s a YouTube clip of part of the speech.

You can read the whole text of Barack’s remarks below the fold.

The Obamas at the ICubs game

Nick Kimball — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 20:17:06 EDT

7:04 pm - We're here at the ICubs game. It's a beautiful setting for a tailgate just outside the southeast corner of the stadium, behind right field.

The Obamas have arrived. They're grabbing a hot dog, talking to some folks and then they're headed into the game.

It's a great night for some ball. Let's play two!