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.
We need to be a party that offers not just changes in policy but changes in leadership. That doesn't just try to win an election, but says why we should win. A party that doesn't just use change as an election slogan.
Don't just settle for the way everybody says it has to be. Reach for what we know is possible. A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes again.
Here's the bottom line. If I were designing a system from scratch I would probably set up a single-payer system...But we're not designing a system from scratch...And when we had a healthcare forum before I set up my healthcare plan here in Iowa there was a lot of resistance to a single-payer system. So what I believe is we should set up a series of choices....Over time it may be that we end up transitioning to such a system. For now, I just want to make sure every American is covered...I don't want to wait for that perfect system...The one thing you should ask about the candidates though is who's gonna have the capacity to actually deliver on the change?...I believe I've got a better capacity to break the gridlock and attract both Independents and Republicans to work together.
You have to be involved...the cynics in Washington are counting on you not paying attention...If you believe in yourselves, in your own ability to bring about change...we will transform a nation.
Michelle Obama spoke to an audience of over 150 people today at the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames, Iowa today, declaring that American voters are being presented with a brief window for change this election. Watch the video:
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.
The day reaped more than good cheer for the Obama campaign. All along the parade routes potential caucus-goers committed to Senator Obama by signing supporter cards, far more than anyone at the events expected. The ever growing groundswell of grassroots support for Barack was readily apparent on the Main Streets of Ames and Iowa Falls.
In Ames, a college town, students intending to caucus for the first time showed their excitement for Barack. One student from Iowa State University said, "Obama! Yeah, I'll sign a card! What can I do to help!?" The enthusiasm surrounding the day’s events was energizing.As Americans in Iowa celebrated our independence, a time when colonists stood up to injustice and decided it was time for monumental change, the urgency for a new direction was evident once again. In a true Fourth of July spirit, yesterday showed that Iowans are prepared to take action. Looking through the crowds, at the throngs of Obama supporters signing up to volunteer, committing to caucus, and showing off their support, it was clear that people across the state feel inspired by Barack’s message of hope. What better day to talk about hope for change than the Fourth of July?
I was with my husband and 11 year old daughter at the Barack Obama rally in Ames, IA, on Sunday. She wanted to go - and when we asked her why, she said it was to see possibly the first black president... that was great.
The rally was amazing - with all the excitement and energy. I got on board some time ago, but I can imagine the rally inspired many more. There were so many people. I have seen a few posts where people have suggested that if everybody that signed up at BarackObama.com donated even $10 - the campaign would be off and running - I think this is a great idea.
As far as the critics - it seems the primary criticism that I have heard in the media about Barack has been he is not as experienced as some politicians. I have appreciated his response to this - as he has stated that Rumsfeld and Cheney have lengthy political resumes. Most of us can agree that even the most experienced politicians have failed this country on various levels. I am fairly sure that the years of experience do not mean as much as the quality of experience... And Barack's greatest asset may be his experience as a community organizer. He knows what it means to work at the community level for change. Perhaps this is why he is so clear about the real similarities that exist between many democrats and republicans. I was most inspired by Barack when I heard him speak about how this country often likes to imagine some huge crevice separating democrats and republicans, when the truth is we probably agree about more things than we disagree about.
There are often times that I do not agree with my husband, who I have been with for 17 years... so the idea that I would agree with everything a political candidate puts forth is silly. But to believe in what a candidate stands for and represents, and to understand their primary values and the agenda that they support - what they desire for this country.... I can do that with Barack. I feel strongly that he IS the best person to lead this country. And I believe he will surround himself with others that share his vision for the direction this country needs to take.
The decision to support Barack Obama was not entered into lightly. I have three children that will soon be in college and high school; they will be making and finding their own way, determining their values, and seeking new opportunties. And I want them to be inspired by the leadership in this country, not ashamed.
