Rural Iowans for Change

Across Party Lines: Monica, a Republican for Obama

Jaime Mulligan — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:07:01 EST

This past weekend, a few Democrats from so-called red states, including Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle from South Dakota, former Mississippi Governor Ray Mabus, and former Oklahoma Congressman Brad Carson, came to Iowa and spoke to crowds here about Barack’s appeal to all Americans in every corner of this country, and about his experience bringing Republicans, independents, and Democrats together to accomplish great things.

Today, 268 Iowa Republicans demonstrated this appeal by publicly announcing their intention to cross party lines to support Barack Obama, believing that Barack is the only candidate of either party who can break the gridlock in Washington.

One of these individuals is Monica. She has been a registered Republican her whole adult life, but is now an active volunteer for a Democratic presidential campaign, seeing something new and inspiring in Barack's candidacy. Check out this short video about her:

Are you a Republican for Obama, or do you know someone who is? Talk about it in the comments.

Katrina Two Years Later

Caitlin Harvey — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:10:21 EDT

Today marks the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. This natural disaster, coupled with a staggering failure of the federal emergency management system, cost thousands their lives and many more people to lose everything.

Over the weekend, Barack walked through New Orleans and delivered a major speech to address the rebuilding of this great American city and the entire Gulf Region. Barack’s commitment to rebuilding is rooted in a principle that he speaks of often – I am my brother's keeper, and I am my sister's keeper.

Here is some video that chronicles Barack's trip to New Orleans over the weekend:

Rebuilding this area “is a symbol of what kind of country we are. If we don't get this right, then it tells me that we, as a nation, have forgotten to look out for one another,” Barack said.

Our government failed the people of this region once – Barack believes that it can’t happen again. It’s time to rebuild the schools, hospitals, and water and sewer systems and let the Gulf Coast residents return to their normal lives.

The Road to Change [Day 3]: Iowa Rural Summit

Caitlin Harvey — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:04:35 EDT

On Friday, August 17, Senator Barack Obama held a Rural Summit in Tama, Iowa. Attendees participated in one of three breakout sessions: agriculture, energy, and rural economic development and quality of life. When addressing the participants, Senator Obama answered questions on the Farm Bill, caps on farm subsidies, and other issues. After the event, Barack met with Norma "Duffy" Lyon, who presented Barack with the "Butter O."

Here is part of Barack's speech:

When I say that the rural agenda should be America's agenda, part of it is because rural values should be and are America's values. The values of hard work, and self reliance, and individual initiative, and honesty, and fair dealing, but also the value of mutual responsibility - that we're not in this thing alone, we're in it together.

You can read the full blog entry about the summit here.

Here's some video of Barack's speech at the event.

Here is another blog entry featuring video of Barack speaking at the event.

To read the full blog entry about Barack's visit with creator of the "Butter O," Norma "Duffy" Lyons and her husband, Joe, click here.

Check out the slideshow of pictures from the event below.

Visiting the Iowa State Fair

Jaime Mulligan — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:56:00 EDT

Yesterday, a bunch of Obama volunteers, interns, and staffers headed over to the Iowa State Fair. Some were looking for deep fried candy bars, some wanted to see the world's largest swine, some were on a mission to see the butter cow. Here we are, right after arriving at the fairgrounds:

No surprise, but it was pretty hot out, so there was a lot of lemonade and water purchased to go along with our sampling of fried pickles, fried Oreos, fried cheese curds, pork chops on a stick, and corndogs. I personally made a beeline for the chocolate-covered cheesecake on a stick.

Of course, we went by and casted our kernels for Barack in the corn straw poll:

And we made it to the butter cow:

The butter cow is made out of over 500 pounds of butter. And yes, the cow is wearing glasses, perhaps in homage to its next door neighbor, the butter Harry Potter.

Barack is heading to the Fair with his family later this week. Have recommendations for what they shouldn’t miss? Leave ideas in the comments!

For more pictures of the fair, including the butter Harry Potter, check out the slideshow:

(Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR).

Announcing the Iowa for Obama MySpace Page

Jaime Mulligan — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:26:38 EDT

Every day is another opportunity to spread the word and get involved in the campaign. And because this campaign is of, for, and by the people, we want to make sure everyone has every chance possible to connect and be a part of Barack's efforts to change the country.

That's why we've developed My.BarackObama.com, where you can find friends, write your own blog, post and promote events, and have your own fundraising page. And here in Iowa we've got offices all over the state where our organizers are always eager to talk to people who have new ideas or opinions about what's going on and the campaign.

Today we're announcing another medium: the Iowa for Obama MySpace page. Are you on MySpace? Click on the picture below to visit our profile, and be our friend!