Obama Campaign Launches "Vote For Change" Voter Registration Drive

Today, May 10, marks the first day of what the Obama campaign is calling its "Vote For Change" project. From barackobama.com:

On May 10th, Barack Obama is launching Vote for Change, an unprecedented 50-state voter registration and mobilization drive. More than 100 events will be held across the country that day. Obama volunteers will register new voters as the start of a six-month voter registration drive.

Marc Ambinder has more on just what this project entails and its potential impact:

The Vote For Change program will lay the foundation for Obama's general election get-out-the-vote efforts. Obama aides won't say much more, but I gather that the campaign is constructing an incredibly elaborate online interface to allow its more than a million donors and volunteers to directly persuade their neighbors through a variety of media. Names gathered from the voter registration effort will be merged with names gathered through Obama's primary efforts and the names off of the Democratic Party's integrated voter file as well as lists purchased from outside vendors.

On election day, Obama might have more than a million individuals volunteering on his behalf. That should scare the beejeesus out of the McCain campaign and the RNC.

Comments

[bobdevo]

Ah, we hear from a Republican buttmunch. And surprise . . . he's so HAPPY Obama will be the nominee, and so blissfully ignorant of the humiliating can of whup ass Obama will open all over the senesecent senior senator from Arizona aka John Sidney McCain III aka the Crazy Old Coot!!

McCain's Campaign Slogan: You goddam kids get the hell out of my pachysandra!!!!

November can't get here soon enough to get rid of the most corrupt and criminal administration in the history of the nation.

[swooge]

This is Rod Dreher's hit piece in the Dallas Morning News this morning. Please read it and then my response to it and see if you agree. The Dallas Morning News has not published one of my letters to the editor for several months now because I am so critical of their highly conservative op/ed columnists.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/columnists/rdreher/stories/DN-dreher_11edi.ART.State.Edition1.462aff3.html

Rod Dreher's piece on Barack Obama is another attempt at the guilt-by-association tack many conservatives have taken. Lacking any other means of painting Obama as unworthy of our highest office they stoop to this.
I myself have come in contact with many unsavory, radical or just plain wacky characters in my life. Am I defined by them? No. I'm still a family man with a career and life of my own. I make my own decisions and take responsibility for them.
What Mr. Dreher and those like him fail to realize is that those of us of Candidate Obama's generation are intelligent enough to listen to the previous generation and take their cries for justice and equality, strip them of their anger and pain and transform them into something all our own.
The 60's generation's idealism isn't lost on us, just the radicalism.
That is the message here.

[ThunderclapNewman]

Excellent comment.
The Dreher piece is risible.

[swooge]

Sure, anyone intelligent can laugh at it. I'm in Big D though. It's gospel here and those of us who are liberals try mightily to have our voices heard above the conservative din.

[iBgood]

Good one SI

[swooge]

Thanx.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

That article was weak.

Cindy Lou Hensley McCain, Married to the Mob:

http://samsedershow.com/node/2470

[swooge]

Wow! Eye-opening.

[Nochnoi]

I think I owe you a Happy Birthday, belated.... but best wishes to you!

[ThunderclapNewman]

You have the best source files!

Belated Happy B'day!

[Nyland8]

Regarding the guilt-by-association reference, one would have thought that it might have been significant when we all found out that the bin Laden family had been Bush's financiers early in his business career.

If having a bin Laden backer doesn't keep you from being reelected after 9/11, then I can't imagine what effect any association can have on anybody.

The mindless, neo-conned droids will simply shovel any shit they're told, no matter how ridiculous it may sound to any thinking person. Nothing we do or say can stop it.

We can only hope to contain it - not unlike a toxic waste spill.


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[timetorevolt]

The Republicans still embrace the southern confederate flag waving nuts who are still angry about the outcome of the Civil War. How much more radical can you get? Unfortunately, Democrats aren't good at using this issues to negatively paint the Rebublicans.

[marijam]

I was an early Obama donor. Then I decided that I wanted them both and gave to Clinton. Now, Obama has said to us, "Don't worry". I'm going to trust him, even though it gave me pause when the Canada NAFTA memo was exposed. To vote for the Republicans after their total and complete corruption and incompetence is clear for all to see, is simply unthinkable. Now, I do not want Clinton to have any part in an Obama administration. Obama is a breath of fresh air, it is a break with the past and an embrace of the future. He needs to choose as a running mate someone who will bring chemistry to the table, as well as someone with important experience. Three people stand out; Kathleen Sebelius from Kansas, Wesley Clark, Jim Webb. Of those three, I think the most important experience to bring to the table right now, is economic experience, not "war" experience as some would think. Kathleen Sebelius is one of the strongest persons I know in terms of her understanding of how to balance a budget and how to deal with insurance companies.She has been extremely successful in the state on Kansas in whatever position she has held there, not the least of which is being governor.

[Nyland8]

There are others, but she would be a fine choice for running mate.

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[CocteausTwin]

I promise I will have a good look at Sebelius. Any one that fights the insurance companies gets a big PLUS in my book.

[ethancorso]

Great post, but remember that the Canada NAFTA memo flap was the work of the Clinton camp. The Canadian government has clarified the details of the story since it first broke. It was a member of Team Hillary that contacted the Canadians to reassure them in regards to her position on NAFTA.

[ThunderclapNewman]

The only problem with Sibelius is that she is a walking sleeping pill when she gives a speech.

[swooge]

That can be improved upon.

[Midnightrain]

The problem with both Hillary and McCain is that both underestimate the power of underground organizing.

Rich wrote a great column about it today in the Nytimes. Here's the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/opinion/11rich.html?hp

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Rich is always on the ball and his latest article is another gem. I have said all along the party who is most passionate about their candidate always wins because it's all about getting out your supporters. Obama will have well over a million activists on the ground come election day and will bring young people out to vote like we have not seen since JFK.

[nomoredead]

Right KQ, and not just bring out young people to vote...I'm 55 and will be voting for the first time in my life.

[jpshotwheels]

Please Please people, calm down, your missing the whole point of the article. Vote for change, this is a great thing, getting people to vote. We have had people coming out by the masses just to vote, and after years of an average of 35% the American people voting, this is good.

You can bash whom ever you want here, or argue about Conspiracy Theories, but the fact remains, that Obama has started a Grass Roots movement in this Country for us to get involved, as we should.
That is the point, that is the good thing.

[CocteausTwin]

Hey and yet another voice of reason. It is appreciated.

[MRb1000]

You can say what you want! I think Obama won New York. Here is why!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/16/nyregion/16vote.html?ex=1361250000&en=f77e8a83729ad389&ei=5124&partner=digg&exprod=digg

[DSully]

Why bother talking about Hillary anymore. Do you believe she is still going to somehow wrestle the nomination away from Obama? Obama won, and he did it without having to run ads scaring people with 9/11, planting people in the audience to ask loaded questions (Clinton busted in Iowa), lying about NAFTA, lying about foreign policy experience (Bosnia, Northern Ireleand), or pandering to voters (with her gas tax sham).

She ran her campaign into the group financially. She wasn't prepared for how the internet would affect public comments and fundraising and she surrounded herself with poor leaders. This is a lady who doesn't know how to work the coffee machine at a gas station nor pump her own gas. She hasn't had to buy milk or do laundry or dishes in 30 years. How can anyone possibly argue that she is in touch with the American people? How can anyone support her lies and bad policy? Do you think, maybe, the reason Obama wins the support of "educated" voters is because they actually see someone who is clear, consistent, and has better policies than Clinton.

Oh, and if we get Clinton or McCain, say good bye to net neutrality and hello to corporate control over what websites we can access.

[RoseMerry]

"Why bother talking about Hillary anymore"[?]

I agree. Let's stop!

[superduperandy]

Hillary Duff? Oh, you mean Bill Clinton's wife, Hillary, the former first lady who later attempted to win the nomination on the Democratic ticket. That name is handy to know for when i'll play Trivial Pursuit.

The past is always good to learn from but there are some very important things to focus on right now that diserve our attention.

[1differentdrummer]

If everyone who will vote D in Nov. gets one 18 year old, who would not like to be drafted to go to war, to register and vote, all of the Rs will have electile dysfunction.

[CocteausTwin]

LOL -- electile dysfunction!

[FunkyP]

I agree, but seriously, do you think Obama pumps his own gas, or does his own grocery shopping?
Please!

[pacats]

He seems very family oriented to me. He would probably enjoy grocery shopping with the girls. He still comes across like a regular guy.

[DrDemon]

All I can say is for an individual who is "inexperienced", he has run one helluva campaign. And for him not to be derailed during the MSM's infactuation with the Rev. controversy, is even more impressive!

Now look at the status of the other two so called "EXPERIENCED" candidates,,, where are they? IN THE MESS ZONE!

So, in conclusion: I will take that inexperienced candidate ANYDAY over those other two.

Obama is simply BRILLIANT!

[CocteausTwin]

You are so right. I wonder if it comes from his grass roots efforts in Illinois. Where he actually conversed with people, both listened and shared his own beliefs. I know Hillary did the same, but I think she did it differently. I think she handled with the philosophy "How can I tell these people what they want to hear?"

[1differentdrummer]

What is McBush's vaunted experience? He went to USNA, a first class education on the 'taxpayers' dime, naval officer, POW, PR man for a beer distributor, US Senator. Tell me where his "experience" is. w had all kinds of experience, all of it failure. Rs tout their guys as if they were selling snake oil off a horse drawn wagon.

[doonie]

Carl Bernstein, recently wrote HRC is “trying to figure out how to land the plane w/out looking like surrender” or in other words, acquiese with dignity, grace, class, and respect, attributes she lacks though her “landing” could result in “destroying the democratic village”. A person close to her claims she’ll “press the hell outta this guy (Obama)…she’s Mrs. Blue Collar…he can’t win w/out me on the ticket”. Clinton associates sustain ray of hope that a “catastrophic” revelation about Obama will surface while her campaign fervently “searches for damaging information”. Clinton friends are trying to ”talk her down” like “family intervention”. Her electability as majority leader unlikely due to “tenor and tactics of her campaign which has alienated democratic colleagues”.
1. HRC campaign supporter, Harvey Weinstein, “threatens” Speaker if she doesn’t support use of MI/FL votes.
2. Bosnia sniper fire
3. “Hard working white people won’t vote for Obama”.
4. Concealment of 1st Lady documents
5. Peter vs. Paul
6. Chinagate
7. Travelgate
8. Philandering husband she chooses to remain with
9. Impeachment of husband
10. Voted for Iraq war w/out examining data
11. Willie Tan
12. Would “obliterate” Iran
13. Promised New Yorkers 200,000 jobs, secured zero!
14. Use of the race card
This is the “leader” the feminists have chosen who, like Gloria Steinem has made it more about gender than what’s best for every American citizen. For the love of God, make her go away!

[Nyland8]

Funny, isn't it. The candidates that have by far the most baggage are not even targeted by the MSM. The candidate with by far the least baggage is buried with a barrage of flag pins.

Why is that?

8

[WLA]

Deregulation and the systematic dilution of the Fourth Estate?

[DrDemon]

Answer: Too many anti realist/phonies in this country. And many of them are imbedded in the MSM.

There you go.

[DSully]

Everyone goes after the leader. That's what Jesus told me.

[CocteausTwin]

Well using the plane analogy. I think she is a terrorist who has hijacked a plane and is headed for the Democratic party. I think the plane should be shot out of the skies before it strikes.

[NoSpinTruthZone]

Is there anything of substance you'd like to report on, or is mud slinging the only thing you've got?

You're a disgrace to democrats.

[ethancorso]

Are you kidding? 14 valid objections to Hillary is not mud slinging, just facts.

[Trinidad707]

How could the DNC let him win the nomination, when in reality the bigger prize is McCain...and Hillary won all the big states...Barack couldn't, She also won all the swing states except MO, which he won...he mentions Iowa and Colorado, but those were victories in an inside political caucus, not by popular vote. He also seems to be unable to win the white blue collor vote or the Reagan democrats.....He couldn't beat McCain ...................he can't pull the big or swing states...only the teeny ones....Hillary is our Warrior Princess...like Xena...she will keep fighting on! for the greater good!

[MRb1000]

DO YOU KNOW THE RULES. WE ARE A NATION OF LAWS. HILLARY AND BARACK AGREED TO FOLLOW THE RULES. NOW SHE WANT TO HAVE MADE UP RULES. IF BARACK WAS GOING FOR THE MOST VOTES HE WOULD HAVE RUN A RACE BASE ON HOW TO WIN THE MOST VOTES. YEAH, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS ONE.

[GBecker]

do us a favor and hit that caps lock key just once, plz

[WLA]

LOL. "Like Xena." LOL. You're precious.

[Aleka4]

Yes...its the greater good for her to throw out -everyone's- votes because she knows better! It is the hardworking american way! If you can't win it fairly, then just take it!

[Nyland8]

LOL

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[YWC]

The only thing she is prooving is that its not about us, its not about our country, its all about HER!

[1differentdrummer]

Aw come on. If she wins she has my vote because the alternative is another term for Bush.

[Trinidad707]

How could the DNC let him win the nomination, when in reality the bigger prize is McCain...and Hillary won all the big states...Barack couldn't, She also won all the swing states except MO, which he won...he mentions Iowa and Colorado, but those were victories in an inside political caucus, not by popular vote. He also seems to be unable to win the white blue collor vote or the Reagan democrats.....He couldn't beat McCain ...................he can't pull the big or swing states...only the teeny ones....Hillary is our Warrior Princess...like Xena...she will keep fighting on!

[GBecker]

Yet, it will be President Barack Obama!

[MRb1000]

SORE LOSER, STOP BEING A CRY BABY!!

[DrDemon]

You say, "...and Hillary won all the big states...Barack couldn't".

You ever think that he didn't as opposed to couldn't? There were two democratic candidates running and its not like she really killed him by 85% to 15% or so... that was never the case.

Those elections were within the democratic party itself.

November election will not be the same scenario... and I think you realize that; but you would rather stay stuck on your talking points!

I say it once again.

McCain has No Solutions. No Ideas. No Strategy. No Newness. No Memory. No Thoughts. No Clue. It's All About The Hype!

So we'll see what "teeny" as well as the "not so teeny" states Obama wins from McDino in Nov. Until then, just get over yourself now so you won't be so disappointed in the General!

[WLA]

This is true, Dr. Demon.

I will bet a bajillion dollars that CA will remain blue for Obama, for example. By the same token, I can pretty much assure you that even if Rodham slays Obama in WV, it will still remain red in November even if McSame is replaced by a talking goat.

[Nyland8]

"McCain has No Solutions. No Ideas. No Strategy. No Newness. No Memory. No Thoughts. No Clue. It's All About The Hype!"

You left out - No balls.

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[DrDemon]

Hey Trin... Besides, The so called "Warrior Princess" won SOME big states but yet she STILL lost the nomination. (Realist will acknowledge)

Can you explain to me the reason for this loss?

How do you win "all the big states" but yet still lose the nomination?

[afgail]

Obama won in caucus states and states that have not voted for a Democratic nominee in 40 years! He's won in the solid Republican south and the western states where cows outnumber registered voters. The only Blue state he won was Illinois and we can't be sure that wasn't rigged just like they tried in Indiana.

[theJuanStar]

Xena has been cancelled for 7 years now.

[Nyland8]

One million donuts ...

... one million musketeers.

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[JadedAggie]

This is a pretty decent strategy, but he really needs to focus on John McCain's policy platforms. The media has been giving him a free ride for 8 years and it's time people called him out on reality.

Btw I just saw the opening skit to SNL and good grief that was the harshest skit I've ever seen. I mean I'm an Obama supporter and it was somewhat tough to watch.

[DrDemon]

McCain's policy platforms? What policy platforms?

[JadedAggie]

Oh he has them and they are awful. The guy must have gotten his economic policies from a cracker jack box.

[robodweeb]

His health care plan involves leeches and poltices.

[abby4ever]

Look at this post from a different thread, it gave me chills, it's posted by LAcarlito:
***I thought I heard one of Hillary's rudest comments yet on XM (POTUS 08) today. It seemed that Hillary was making her usual reference to how Bill didn't win the nomination until June 1992. But it wasn't just the fact that Bill won the nomination after California in 1992 (let's not remind Hillary that the primaries are much more front-end loaded now!), but she made a very weird reference also to Bobby Kennedy too and 1968 and his California primary victory and how things "changed after that."
So is Hillary's reference to Bobby Kennedy and his post-CA primary experience the fact that she is trying to hang around in the hope that something happens to Obama? I just about rear-ended the car in front of me when I heard this comment. Did anyone else hear this or am I imagining this? I found this to be the lowest of low points for Hillary and the things that come out of her mouth.***

[clintfatigue]

I've thought about this too and pray nothing happens to Obama

[GrainOSand]

If "something happens" to Mr. Obama that will truly be when we see just how transformative he really was as the society transforms all around us due to the mass unacceptability of such a reality.

[Jaxxon]

Nothing is going to happen to him. Please don't think about such things.

[abby4ever]

More people than me are worried about this. Including the security around Obama. Nobody thought anything would happen to MLK either. I don't worry about it all the time or even most of the time or even half of the time, but I do think that of most people in the country right now, he has the highest risk of being assassinated. And I agree with LAcarlito that Hillary's reference to Bobby Kennendy and how things changed for him, was in really poor taste. I'd go further than LAcarlito: I'd call it trashy, as statements go.

[CocteausTwin]

Am I bothered? Yes. Surprised? No. I think she needs to worry more about the reality of sniper fire.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Maureen Dowd is spot on with her column today. Clinton would be a pure emotional drag on Obama if she was the VP. People should understand this from their personal lives. I certainly have noticed this with interaction with people in my personal and professional life. I actually call these common denominator people. People who tend to have problems with everyone around them and it's always the other persons fault, but in reality it's their fault. There are just some people who suck the life out of you when interacting with them. Conversely there are people that make you feel more confident. Hillary and Bill are good vibe suckers. I know some of you will know what I mean.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/opinion/11dowd.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

BTW she stuck in a "Monte Python and the Holy Grail" reference which is always great because it's the second funniest movie ever IMHO.

[AMJordan]

What was #1?

[SCG]

you heard it here first....huh BG&E?

[BearsLeft]

After the destruction of the Trojan Rabbit, they considered building a large wooden Badjur.

[GBecker]

Bring outcher dead!

[SCG]

I never saw Hillary as the rabbit, but rather the black knight of "none shall pass" fame. Obama on the other hand I do see as the rabbit....sweet mild mannered, until he eats you're head off. You don't know what hit you.

[CocteausTwin]

Love the reference. Amazing how great comedy can be so appropriate to so many topics.