Posts with the tag ames

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.

Barack at Iowa State University

Jaime Mulligan — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:34:35 EST

After being endorsed by Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie this morning, Barack held a rally at Iowa State University this afternoon in Howe Hall. People lined up on stairwells and in adjacent hallways to the atrium he was speaking in to listen.

Barack spoke about his vision for the Democratic Party:

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.

He also spoke about the need for us as a nation to believe in our own possibility and to embrace the potential for real change.

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.

Do you think real change is possible? Tell us about about the world as it should be in the comments.

Seniors Town Hall in Ames

Jaime Mulligan — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:40:06 EDT

A grandmother, Pat, and her grandson, Chris, introduced Barack today at the Senior Townhall in Ames. Chris is the president of the Ames High School BarackStar program.

BarackStars, if you aren't familiar, are the high schoolers involved in the Obama campaign here in Iowa. (You can find a chapter near you by clicking here.)

A big issue at this town hall today was health care. One person asked Barack why the insurance companies still need to be involved the system. An excerpt from Barack's response:

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.

He also discussed the Medicare doughnut hole. The doughnut hole is a provision in a bill written by special interests that was forced through Congress by Republicans literally in the dead of night. As a result of that provision, thousands of Americans now fall into the hole each year, and are faced with paying hundreds and hundreds of dollars for their prescription medication or halting their physician-proscribed treatment. When asked whether he would fix this, Barack responded with an unequivocal yes.

Barack was asked about transparency in government. "I do not believe in secrecy. I do not believe in the imperial presidency. I believe that the vice presidency is actually part of the executive branch...I taught constitutional law for ten years. I believe in the constitution. I know that's a big change. The next president is going to need that bias towards opening up our government again." He referred people to the website to learn more about his plan in this area.

The townhall ended with a standing ovation for Barack.

Cyclones Come Out for Barack

Jaime Mulligan — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:59:33 EDT

This afternoon, 4000+ students gathered in Central Campus to hear Barack's message of hope and change.

He discussed the need to end the game playing that has characterized the political process in this country for so long. But he also talked about how in order for that to happen, it isn't enough for him to even be elected---that true change comes from the bottom up, and it will require all of us, especially the younger generation, to come together and leave the cynicism about the political process at the door.

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.

Barack also asked any supporters in the crowd to participate in our "4 more" program. 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. You can click here for more info on the contest: http://iowa.barackobama.com/4more.

(One of the 4 more supporter cards.)

Were you at the rally? Click here to see more pictures. Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

Road to Change: Michelle in Ames, Iowa

Chris Northcross — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 22:11:50 EDT

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:

Road to Change: Michelle Obama in Ames--"Are we ready to move beyond convention?"

Jaime Mulligan — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:36:19 EDT

Ames field organizer Joe Cupka kicked things off by talking about a Women's Equality Day event coming up, our text messaging program, and a Students for Obama organizational meeting.

Michelle then spoke about getting to know Barack.

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...

Michelle stressed Barack's consistency in making decisions that put principle over power, pointing out that with his experiences and his blessings he could have done anything, gone anywhere, taken any high-paying job, but in every situation, his values dictated that he choose a different path.

For example, after serving as the president of the Harvard Law Review, a position that basically guarantees a Supreme Court clerkship, Barack chose to come back to Chicago and work on voter registration projects, work for a small civil rights firm, and teach constitutional law.

He made those decisions because he didn’t go to law school to gain power, prestige or influence; he went to learn how to use the law to help solve the problems he had seen during his community organizing days.

Michelle also spoke about Barack’s experience in the Ilinois state legislature in building bridges across the aisle to solve problems and about his U.S. Senate race – which was not a cakewalk when he decided to join the race. She said:

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.

What do you think about Barack’s ability to bring Republicans and Democrats together to actually start addressing some of the major issues we face? Tell us in the comments.

July 4th in Iowa Falls and Ames

David Kaiser — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:28:07 EDT

While Senator Obama toured southeast Iowa with his family on the Fourth of July, Iowans in Ames and Iowa Falls were also excited about his campaign for change. As hundreds of flag-clad people of all ages lined the streets for parades in both cities, spirits ran high on a beautiful day.

In rural Iowa Falls, a traditional Republican stronghold, both Democrats and Republicans showed their frustration with the status quo. One Republican said he liked Obama and that “others should keep an open mind.

In between cheerleaders throwing candy to kids and high school marching bands, politics was in action as well. State and local Democrats marched in force to the delight of cheering crowds. Senator Obama’s campaign made a particularly strong impression. Iowans young and old proudly showed off Obama buttons and stickers, eagerly shouting out as campaign workers walked by handing out souvenirs. Many would yell out “I’m for Obama! Come over here!” And the kids were very eager for Obama stickers. In the race for President, Senator Obama’s name was undoubtedly the most visible at the two parades.

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?

My Support for Obama

Sara K. — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:43:51 EST

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.