McCain’s month long surge of aggressively negative campaign advertising against Obama has translated into a surge of polling advantage over Obama in the latest Zogby/Reuters telephone survey. In this poll McCain leads Obama among likely U.S. voters by 46 percent to 41 percent, reversing Obama's 7-point lead in July and for first time taking the lead over Obama in the monthly Zogby/Reuters poll. McCain further has a 9-point edge, 49 percent to 40 percent, over Obama on the issue of who would be the best manager of the U.S. economy, an issue nearly half of voters sat is their top concern in this election year.
This latest live operator telephone survey was conducted Aug. 14-16, 2008 from Zogby’s call center in Upstate New York. It included 1,089 likely voters nationwide, and carries a margin of error of +/- 3.0 percentage points.
The poll shows Obama losing voters to McCain in groups where Obama had bigger leads a month ago. This table shows Obama’s loss of support between the July and August Reuters/Zogby polls among some significant sub-groups (the margin of error is greater for sub-groups than the sample as a whole)
Obama Support
July
August
Difference
Democrats
83%
74%
-9
Women
50%
42%
-8
Catholics
47%
36%
-11
Ages <35>
59%
47%
-12
College Grads
51%
40%
-11
Live in Cities
54%
43%
-11
Income <$50,000
53%
46%
-7
Southerners
46%
35%
-11
Obama's support among voters between the ages of 18 and 29, which had been one of his strengths, slipped 12 percentage points to 52 percent.
Wanted: New Voters - The Atlanta Car and Bike Show lasts for one day only, and on a recent hot summer afternoon, the line to get in snaked for hundreds of yards through the carpeted interior of the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. . . Before attendees got to the cars and music, volunteers from the Obama campaign were doing their best to make sure they spent a moment on civics. Serena Bland and her husband, Adrian, paced up and down the entrance to the hall with Register to Vote signs, urging people toward the voter-registration booth a dozen feet away. There, Anderia Bishop chatted and joked and generally poured every ounce of her considerable enthusiasm into persuading even the skeptical or indifferent that registering would be the best five minutes they ever spent. "We're chasing people through the park," Bishop said of her local volunteer group's activities. Read the rest of the article
Before you go read the rest of the article here is something to think about:
With 10 more votes/precinct in 2004, John Kerry would have won the states of NM, IA, & OH
With 50 more votes/precinct in 2004, John Kerry would have also won the states of NV, CO, MO, AR, WV, FL
With 100 more votes/precinct in 2004, John Kerry would have additionally won the states of AR, KS, SD, LA, IN, KY, SC
Registering new voters and helping to get out the vote this election can truly make the difference for Democratic candidates, even here in Collin County, Texas.
Many Democratic groups and organizations are already ramping up voter registration drives and Get Out The Vote activities today. All of these campaign groups and political organizations need volunteers. We need to form a large army of Democratic volunteers in Collin County this year to help Get Out The Vote! Call one of these groups today to volunteer:
and more (look in the left hand sidebar of this blog page to find all of the Democratic candidates that will appear on Collin County ballots this fall.)
The Democratic Party of Collin County in cooperation with the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County will make available yard signs for Senator Barack Obama and many other candidates, whose name will appear on Collin County ballots this fall, at a gala Democratic Convention Watch Party being planned for Thursday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Prince Bistro Eatery in Plano to watch Senator Barack Obama give his Acceptance Speech as the Democratic Presidential Nominee! The event will be at Prince Bistro Eatery, 1201 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano -Map (across from Sam’s Club east of Hwy 75)
Place your food and drink orders and pay as you go. Then, chat with your neighbors until Obama speaks.
YARD SIGNS and BUMPER STICKERS for Obama and many other candidates will be available!
Have you registered to vote yet? The October 6th deadline to register to vote in the fall election is fast approaching! Check whether you are already registered to vote here and if you are not yet registered to vote, get your Voter's Registration application here.
General Election First day to apply for ballot by mail Last day to register to vote (for this election) First day of early voting Last day to apply for ballot by mail Last day of early voting
November 4, 2008 September 5, 2008 October 6, 2008 October 20, 2008 October 28, 2008* October 31, 2008
* - Ballot by mail application must be received in the Elections Office by this date.
Senator Barack Obama met Sunday with Texas oil baron and longtime Republican T. Boone Pickens to discuss strategies for developing alternative energy. Obama said, "One of the things I think we have to unify the country around is having an intelligent energy policy."
Pickens has become critic of U.S. dependence on imported oil and is now promoting wind farms and other alternative energy programs. Pickens has vowed to spend $58 million to promote the "Pickens Plan," which calls for the U.S. to generate 22 percent of its electricity through wind and other alternative energy sources.
T. Boone Pickens may be an old Republican, he is sounding awfully like a younger generation Democrat these days. Watch T. Boone's TV ad:
Should the technology awarenens of today's Presidential, Senatorial and Congressional candidates have any bearing at all on the candidate's credentials as voters decide which candidate they should elect on November 4, 2008? Here are a few considerations given in an article that discusses John McCain's lack knowledge on the 21st century technology issues. Excerpts from a New York Times article titled, "McCain, the Analog Candidate."
"“We’re not asking for a president to answer his own e-mail,” said Paul Saffo, a Silicon Valley futurist who teaches at Stanford. “We’re asking for a president who understands the context of what e-mail [and blog] means.”
The [candidate's] “user experience,” Mr. Saffo said, brings with it an implicit understanding of how the country lives, and where it might be heading. As Mr. McCain would lack this, he would also be deficient in this broader appreciation for how technology affects lives [and the American economy.]
Computers have become something of a cultural marker — in politics and in the real world. Proficiency with them suggests a basic familiarity with the day-to-day experience of most Americans [and American businesses] — just as ignorance to them can suggest someone is “out of touch,” or “old.”
“There’s a certain tempo to the thinking of someone who [understands and] uses all kinds of new [technology] media,” said Mr. Saffo, who said he would anoint Mr. Obama, if elected, “the first cybergenic president,” just as John F. Kennedy was considered the first telegenic president."
Republican incumbent for the U.S. 3rd Texas Congressional District, Sam Johnson, age 78, Republican incumbent for the U.S. 4th Texas Congressional District, Ralph Hall, age 85, Republican incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain, age 72, all downplay the impact that 21st century alternative energy technologies can bring to American and Texas.
Do the Republicans advocate drilling more oil well holes as their exclusive U.S. energy policy because drilling holes in the ground is the most advanced technology they understand? Or, is it something else?Multiple oil company executives did give huge contributions to Senator McCain's campaign just days after his offshore drilling change of heart. (Until very recently Senator McCain was against offshore drilling.)
The Wall Street Journal reported on August 1st 2008 that Wal-Mart is mobilizing its store managers and department supervisors around the country to warn them about a possible sweep of Democrats into office this November. Wal-Mart management is concerned that if Democrats win even more seats in the U.S. of Representatives and gain more seats in the U.S. Senate, perhaps up to the 60 Senator threshold required to nullify threats of Republican filibusters, the party will pass the "Employee Free Choice Act," which would make it easier for workers to unionize by signing a card rather than holding a vote. Read more the Wall Street Journal.
Several labor organizations today petitioned the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by letter to investigate Wal-Mart's alleged illegal political activism following reports the company has a program to urge employees to vote against Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. The labor organizations petitioning the FEC by letter includes American Rights At Work, the AFL-CIO, Change to Win and WakeUpWalmart.com. A petition signed by 60,000 people was also concurrently delivered to the FEC.
The letter and petition charge that Wal-Mart made "FEC prohibited corporate expenditures by expressly advocating against Senator Obama's election" to hourly employees.
On the 73rd anniversary of President Roosevelt's signing of the Social Security act, the grandson of the president in cooperation with DNC released a video to remind Americans about the importance of that watershed act.
"It's hard to remember now, but before Social Security, nearly half of America's seniors lived in poverty," James Roosevelt Jr., whose grandfather was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, says in a video released by the Democratic National Committee. "After a lifetime of playing by the rules and working hard, there was no guarantee of a secure retirement. My grandfather, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and a majority of Americans thought that was wrong. They believed that lifting our seniors out of poverty is a reflection of our nation's core values."
Denver officials weren't planning to reveal details about where activists would be detained in the event of mass arrests during the Democratic National Convention until after the event had started, but those plans were quickly dashed this week when CBS 4News reporter Rick Sallinger not only revealed that protesters would be locked up in a city-owned warehouse, but he also obtained clear video footage inside the facility, a building that includes barbed wire-topped cages and signs warning of stun-gun use. Read the full article
CBS4 News has learned if mass arrests happen at the Democratic Convention, those taken into custody will be jailed in a warehouse owned by the City of Denver. Investigator Rick Sallinger discovered the location and managed to get inside for a look.
The newly created lockup is on the northeast side of Denver. Protesters have already given this place a name: "Gitmo on the Platte." Inside are dozens are metal cages. They are made out of chain link fence material and topped by rolls of barbed wire.
"This is a secured environment," Capt. Frank Gale of the Denver Sheriff's Department told CBS4. "We're concerned about how that's going to be utilized by people who will be potentially disruptive." In past conventions, mass arrests have taken place. With Denver's jails already overflowing, new space had to be created and officers trained.
Each of the fenced areas is about 5 yards by 5 yards and there is a lock on the door. A sign on the wall reads "Warning! Electric stun devices used in this facility."
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s name will be placed into nomination for the traditional state-by-state delegate roll call at the Democratic National Convention. The decision to put Senator Clinton's name up for the roll call tally was announced on Thursday afternoon in a joint statement from the senators.
“I am convinced that honoring Senator Clinton’s historic campaign in this way will help us celebrate this defining moment in our history and bring the party together in a strong united fashion,” Senator Barack Obama said in a statement.
“With every voice heard and the Party strongly united, we will elect Senator Obama President of the United States and put our nation on the path to peace and prosperity once again,” Mrs. Clinton said in a statement.
Senator John McCain constantly claims that he speaks for the interests of U.S. troops and is the only candidate that represents the beliefs held by all U.S. military personnel.
The facts actually show that U.S. military personnel are increasingly rejecting McCain as their spokesman, in direct opposition the claims made by McCain and his presidential campaign spokespersons. U.S. military personnel are increasingly supporting Senator Obama and his positions on U.S. security and military issues through their campaign contributions. Obama has received nearly six times as much money from soldiers deployed overseas according a new report by Open Secrets:
Despite McCain's status as a decorated veteran and a historically Republican bent among the military, members of the armed services overall -- whether stationed overseas or at home -- are also favoring Obama with their campaign contributions in 2008, by a $55,000 margin. Although 59 percent of federal contributions by military personnel has gone to Republicans this cycle, of money from the military to the presumed presidential nominees, 57 percent has gone to Obama.
"That's shocking. The academic debate is between some who say that junior enlisted ranks lean slightly Republican and some who say it's about equal, but no one would point to six-to-one" in Democrats' favor, said Aaron Belkin, a professor of political science at the University of California who studies the military. "That represents a tremendous shift from 2000, when the military vote almost certainly was decisive in Florida and elsewhere, and leaned heavily towards the Republicans."
In 2000, Republican George W. Bush outraised Democrat Al Gore among military personnel almost 2 to 1. In 2004, with the Iraq war underway, John Kerry closed the gap with President Bush, but Bush still raised $1.50 from the military for every $1 his Democratic opponent collected.
The Obama campaign today announced that Mark Warner, Virginia's former governor and its Democratic candidate for the Senate, will deliver the convention keynote address on Tuesday, Aug. 26th. Original Blog Post
CHICAGO - The Obama for America campaign announced today that former Virginia Governor Mark Warner will deliver the keynote address at the 2008 Democratic Convention on Tuesday, August 26th, the second night of the Convention.
An innovative businessman known for his ability to work with Republicans, Democrats and Independents, campaign officials said that Warner's vision for Virginia and his leadership style echoed the Convention's theme of Americans coming together for change.
"Barack Obama believes you can't have a strong economy when you have a weak middle class," said Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe. "Millions of Americans are struggling to get by, forced to make impossible choices about their future and the future of their families. Tuesday's Convention program will feature the voices of Americans who share Obama's concerns and strongly support his detailed economic plan to grow the economy, create jobs, restore fairness, and expand opportunity. As Governor of Virginia, Warner used his experience in business to help deliver jobs and hope to the citizens of Virginia. His work creating jobs in Southwest and Southside Virginia is a model for the rest of the Country. Like Barack Obama, Mark Warner is not afraid to challenge the status quo to bring people together and get things moving. It's that kind of spirit and innovation that resulted in his selection as keynote speaker on a night when we will be discussing how to renew America's promise."
Warner, a candidate for the United States Senate in Virginia, will speak on Tuesday night of the Democratic Convention. The theme of Tuesday's night program at the Convention is Renewing America's Promise.
A crucial election day is only months away. At stake are vital political, economic and moral issues of concern to Texans and all Americans.
During the next four years important decisions will be made about the direction and responsibilities of our government. Legislation on significant issues such as the economy, health care, energy, and the environment are just a few of the critical issue that are likely to be considered by the next Congress and Administration. Other top issues will likely include education, national security, foreign policy, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition, possibly up to three Supreme Court Justices, who will make crucial decisions affecting our lives, will be appointed to the bench during the terms of the next President and Senate. With the stakes so high, we all must work hard to extend the trend toward increasing Democratic voter turnout in Collin County during the early voting period of 10/20-10/31 and on election day November 4th.
As citizens of Texas and America we have an obligation to not just cast our ballot on election day, but to also fully participate in the election process. We must ensure that our country's policies at the local, state and national levels protect the genuine security needs of American families as well as ensure America's continued tradition of justice and equal protection under the rule of law for every American.
Every vote will count this fall toward setting our government's agenda for the benefit of ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. It is our civic duty to promptly register to vote, educate ourselves about the critical issues and each candidate's position on the issues and then vote! More than that- it is our civic responsibility to help inform our fellow citizens on the issues and candidates and to urge our fellow citizens to also go vote!
From now until election day November 4th your Democratic friends and neighbors will be in your neighborhood to Get Out The Vote. This activity is commonly referred to as GOTV. It is through this GOTV effort that your Democratic friends and neighbors are volunteering their time to register new voters and to educate their fellow citizens on the issues and candidates. During Early Voting and again on Election Day these civic volunteers will also help the elderly, handicapped or anyone without transportation travel to their respective polling place to cast their ballot.
As described on the GOTV page of the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County's website, there are three types GOTV activities that volunteers can help accomplish between now and election day:
Voter Registration
Voter registration volunteers meet at a location such as a grocery store or community event and register people to vote. It is helpful if you are a Deputy Voter Registrar, but not mandatory. To find out more information about the quick and easy process of becoming a Deputy Voter Registrar in Collin County, please call the Collin County Elections Department at 972-547-1990.
Block Walking
Volunteers meet at a designated location. After a brief training, volunteers are sent out in groups of two or more to block walk (knock on pre-designated doors) in a neighborhood. Depending on where we are in the election cycle, block walkers speak to residents about our party/candidates, hand out literature, provide yard signs, remind people to vote, and/or ask voter ID questions. You do not need to be a veteran block walker to volunteer, just a passionate Democrat. We will provide you with the scripts, literature, information and training you need.
Phone Banking
Volunteers meet at a designated location to call voters. Depending on where we are in the election cycle, callers will remind people to vote and/or ask voter ID questions. Callers will not be asking for money. You do not need to be a veteran phone banker to volunteer, just a passionate Democrat. We will provide you with the scripts and training you need.
Many Democratic groups and organizations are already ramping up each of these GOTV activities today. Prominent among the Collin County neighborhood groups ramping up all of these GOTV activities are:
and more (look in the left hand sidebar of this blog page to find the box titled Democratic Groups and Information)
All of these campaign groups and political organizations need volunteers. We need to form a large army of Democratic volunteers in Collin County this year to help Get Out The Vote! Every Democrat in Collin County knows that in this election year we do not stand alone!!
We witnessed nearly 80,000 people cast a Democratic ballot in the March 4th primary election and more than 20,000 of our fellow Democrats returned for the Democratic Precinct Conventions all across Collin County after the polls closed on election day. Pick your favorite Democratic candidate or one of the political organizations and call to volunteer today -- I promise, you will not be standing alone this year!!
But, remember, Democratic Senate and House candidates Rick Noriega, Tom Daley and Glenn Melançon need your support! Please contribute your much needed dollars as well as your volunteer time to these candidates. President Barack Obama will need all the help he can get in congress when he takes office January 20, 2009!! PLEASE, please help send Rick Noriega, Tom Daley and Glenn Melançon to Washington to help President Obama quickly turn our country onto the right road to a 21st century America!! (I have embeded videos of many of these Democratic Candidates around this blog, so please explore and watch all the videos.)
And, don't forget -- Other local Democratic Candidates will appear on Collin County Ballots for the 2008 General Election and they musthave your support too!!! These local Democratic Candidates include:
Please go to their websites and contribute what money you can spare to help them get elected. Even a dollar or two will help, if that is all you can spare!
About a dozen people showed up for the house of Obama's precinct captain for precinct 89 on Saturday July 26th as part of Obama's nationwide Democratic Platform "Listening to America" campaign. Thousands of Obama supporters across the U.S. sent out an open invitation for people to join together to talk about the Democratic Party's 2008 Platform.
On Sunday August 10th the Obama Campaign sent out the following email to participants of those "Listening to America" discussions:
Thank you for participating in a Platform for Change Meeting in your community and for submitting your report.
The Platform Drafting Committee met last weekend in Cleveland, Ohio.
We closely reviewed all 1,200 reports and the message was clear -- Americans are hungry for change on the economy, health care, energy, and the environment.
Other top issues include education, national security, foreign policy, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. . .
We also met with a number of platform meeting attendees to hear their personal stories about the need for a Platform for Change.
Your ideas and your language are being directly incorporated into the platform. And when the final draft is posted online after the convention, your Platform Meeting will be listed as a contributor.
Thanks to the commitment, passion, and energy of ordinary Americans like you, the Listening to America open platform was a resounding success.
Together, we are rewriting how priorities in Washington are set.
Thank you for everything you are doing,
Jeff
Jeff Berman National Delegate Director Obama for America
Gracefully Floating Across The Texas Sky September 19, 20, 21, 2008.
The Democratic Party of Collin County needs volunteers to staff work shifts in the Party's information booth during the entire run of the Balloon Fest. To volunteer - phone the Democratic Party Of Collin County Office at 972-578-1483.
