When I first met him, he was this hotshot Harvard law student...And I thought, this guy can't be all that. And I made assumptions, like a lot of people do. I made assumptions like we do in America about people...As his advisor I had to take him out to lunch on that first day---which was good because I had to talk to him, I had to actually get to know him, and I learned that we actually had a lot in common...that integrity matters in this world, that there's nothing more important in life than your family and your community...
When people tell you Barack Obama is not experienced enough to be in the race, that's the political game speaking. Are we ready to move beyond convention? It's a leap of faith that we can move away from the things that haven't worked but have felt secure to us.
Question: What brought Senator Tom Daschle, the former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, to Mason City bright and early on a picturesque summer morning?Answer: He has several reasons for endorsing Barack Obama for President – the only major candidate running that he never worked with – and he knows Iowans are very eager to hear why. Over the weekend, Senator Daschle (or Tom, as he’s much more comfortable being called) spoke at the Elks Lodge in Mason City for about 45 minutes and then answered questions from the audience. He included some of his reasons for supporting Barack:
1. Barack has a "great capacity to unify our country and inspire a new generation of young Americans, just as I was inspired by the Kennedys and Martin Luther King when I was young."
2. Senator Obama has a universal healthcare plan that ensures every American has the option of affordable health care and he has the unique ability to make it happen by the end of his first term in office.
3. Senator Obama opposed the Iraq war from the beginning and now he has a plan that will enable us to bring our troops home, while being just as careful getting out as we were careless getting in.In response to criticisms that Senator Obama might not have enough experience to be president, Senator Daschle pointed out that President Lincoln had even less experience. Lincoln served four terms in the Illinois House of Representatives and only one term in the U.S. House of Representatives prior to being elected President. By contrast, Senator Obama has spent years as a community organizer, was a constitutional law professor, and will have served more than a decade in elected politics by January 2008.The audience carefully listened to Senator Daschle’s every point and then in return asked thoughtful questions. Senator Daschle’s enthusiasm and concern for American politics is infectious and his belief that Senator Obama is the right person to be president in this important time in history is obvious. Everyone left the forum grateful to have heard from the former Majority Leader and ready for the next step – signing up to volunteer!It is the volunteers that make it possible to do just about everything we’ve done in Iowa so far. There is a variety of opportunities to help out. Click here to sign up!
The skies were clear in Mason City on Saturday for Senator Obama's first national canvass, the “Walk for Change.” Many volunteers helped out in this unprecedented effort to promote the Barack’s new comprehensive health care plan, which will reduce costs by about $2,500 for the average family and provide universal coverage to every American. Eager volunteers from 18 to 65 years old arrived at the office this morning with one common goal: connecting with fellow Iowans to unite for change.
KIMT News came and spoke with volunteers to find out what would make them give upa beautiful Saturday afternoon. One person talked about how important it is for community members to reach out and inform one another of the issues and, more specifically, about Senator Obama's campaign to change America for the better.
Volunteers returned to the office a bit sunburned, but reported that residents were both grateful and receptive to hearing firsthand about Barack’s health care plan. Together, we knocked on many doors and spoke to nearly 150 residents in Mason City about advancing the change this country so desperately needs.
One hour before the meeting was set to begin, folks already started showing up, including Shimika Dillard and Lois Dencklau (the superstar volunteers pictured below). They're standing in front of the wall you see upon entering our Fort Dodge headquarters. The painting is courtesy of some fantastic Fort Dodge Senior High School students.
Local Democrats, Independents and even a few Republicans engaged in friendly discussion over some snacks before the meeting was called to order. Below is more painting courtesy of Fort Dodge Senior High School students. Great job guys!!
Nice work, Meg!
By the time John Norris began speaking, the room was filled to capacity. It was raining cats and dogs, but nearly 50 people braved the conditions to christen the Fort Dodge HQ.
John Norris (that's him below, on the left) started his political career in Fort Dodge. Standing next to him is local activist Charles Clayton. Mr. Norris answered questions about why he supports Senator Obama, the campaign ahead and how folks in Webster County can get involved. Some important issues were discussed as well, such as veterans’ benefits and the war in Iraq.
Obama HQ12 N. 11th StreetFort Dodge515-573-1703
