Video: Barack Obama appears in Newton Iowa this morning

After Knoxville this morning, Barack's next stop was Newton, IA - former home of Maytag until the company was bought by Whirlpool and left in 2006. Senator Obama was greeted by a crowd of 500 at this stop.

Newton has been hit hard by recent job losses and stands to benefit from Senator Obama's plans to strengthen the economy:

See Obama's Plans

Here's some video from the event:

JOIN US - ACT LOCALLY! EVENTS AND WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Fellow Obama Supporters,

Time is really flying and the primaries will be upon us before we know it. We need your continued support and stepped up involvement. To find out how you can get further involved, attend an Obama volunteer meeting in your area or contact me directly.

Can't attend a meeting this week? Become an online phone banker. Its time to step up our voter contact and we need your help. Supporter identification is crucial to the success of our Get Out The Vote (GOTV) operation that we will have in January. The purpose of GOTV is to turn out all of our identified supporters. This process is made much more challenging if we don't make the necessary calls now to identify those voters. We have great online tools so you can phone bank from anywhere. Contact me for directions and a login. Already have a login? Calendar time this week to make calls!


The Obama campaign is unique in that it is allowing every one of us to own a small piece of this campaign. By forming district, city and neighborhood groups we can all become involved in a capacity that is right for us. If we each dedicate three hours this week to phone banking we can make significant progress in achieving our goal to identify every Barack Obama supporter in our district. If we devote a weekend to the Nevada campaign, the ripple effect on California will be tremendous. Separately we can make a difference, but collectively our time will make a huge impact!

Here are the details of the events we have this week. RSVPs are preferred, but drop ins are always welcome.

Please take a moment right now and calendar some time for Obama!

Thursday, November 29th - 7pm Simi Valley Volunteer Meeting
Karen's House
Contact: Deborah Dent 805 520 3118
659 Azure Hills Drive
Simi Valley, CA 93065
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4vz9y

Friday, November 30th - 6pm Oak Park Volunteer Meeting
Erin and Putnam Fairbanks Home
Contact: Erin Fairbanks 805 907 6928
507 Bath Court
Oak Park, CA 91377
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/meeting/4vkmz

Sunday, December 2nd - 10 to 4 Ventura
Tabling at the Holiday Street Festival
Contact: Craig Christensen 805 652 1494
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/organizing/4v58c

Sunday, December 2nd - 3pm Ventura Volunteer Meeting
Contact: Jim Mangis 805 207 4234
Rick and Katherine’s house
1522 Santa Barbara Street
Ventura, CA 93001
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4v3fh

Monday, December 3rd - 7pm Ojai Volunteer Meeting
Contact: Robert Salas 805 640 7101
300 N. La Luna Ave
Ojai, CA 93023
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/meeting/4v3g5

Weekend of December 14th, 15th, 16th
Ventura County to Vegas
4 volunteers (one carload) from CD24 are needed in Vegas to help with campaign activities there.
Contact me asap if you can go!
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/organizing/4vk5p


Deborah Dent
CD24 Coordinator
Obama for America Volunteer
obamaforamerica@deborahdent.com

IOWA: new ad

IN case you haven't heard the latest Newsweek poll shows Obama LEADING AMONG LIKELY CAUCUS GOERS in IOWA

Here's the latest Obama commercial running in Iowa:

GRASSROOTS TRAINING FOR OBAMA IN SANTA BARBARA

We are hosting a grass roots organizing training session on Saturday, September 27th in Santa Barbara -- apply and we will contact you with more information.

Obama To Petraeus: "At What Point Do We Say Enough"?

Oprah Hosts Obama in Star-Studded Event

MONTECITO, Calif. — Oprah Winfrey rolled out the red carpet Saturday for Barack Obama at a gala fundraiser attended by high-wattage stars that was expected to raise $3 million for the Democratic presidential candidate.

The most powerful woman in show business celebrated her favorite candidate with 1,500 guests at her palatial estate in this coastal enclave south of Santa Barbara. Tickets to the sold-out private event went for $2,300 apiece, keeping them within campaign finance limits.

Stevie Wonder performed for guests, who included Sidney Poitier, Forest Whitaker, Chris Rock, Cindy Crawford, Jimmy Connors, Linda Evans, Dennis Haysbert and many others. Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and Halle Berry also were expected, though it was unclear if they were in attendance. The media were barred from the fundraiser.

Visitors were bused to Winfrey's secluded home from an equestrian center about 10 miles away. A solid line of limousines, BMWs, Bentleys and a few hybrid Priuses disgorged well-dressed guests. Some sported stiletto heels despite official instructions to wear flat shoes for walking on Winfrey's meadow.

Visitors were subjected to strict security procedures and relieved of cameras and recording devices. Instructions sent to guests noted that Winfrey and Obama would not be accepting gifts.

Earlier in the day, Obama made a quick, lunchtime stop to speak to a crowd of about 1,000 eager supporters who gathered on a hillside overlooking the Pacific at Santa Barbara City College. It was his only public appearance of the day.

Obama, wearing his usual white shirt open at the collar and sleeves rolled up, shook his way down a line of outstretched hands as the song "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" blared from speakers.

He spoke for about 20 minutes, hitting his core themes of optimism and accountability.

"What's called for is a level of responsibility and seriousness that we haven't seen in a very long time," he told the cheering crowd, which included college students in short sundresses and big sunglasses and older couples in peace symbols.

A woman standing in front of the stage appeared to faint as Obama spoke about Iraq. The candidate paused and asked the crowd to make way for firefighters.

One supporter shouted, "You're a good man," leaving Obama momentarily at a loss for words.

"Well, I'm not the only one stopping to help her," he said, sounding almost embarrassed.

He talked briefly about his last trip to California in August, when he spent a morning helping a home health care worker clean a house, wringing out mops and making breakfast through a program sponsored by SEIU, the Service Employees International Union.

"Listening to her talk about the hardships of her life, talking about her struggles without a trace of self-pity ... I thought, there is the essence of what America is about, this generosity of spirit," Obama said.

Then it was off to a private luncheon and on to Winfrey's cocktail-hour shindig, where a different brand of very American generosity would be on display.

Obama already enjoys the support of Hollywood moguls like David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Winfrey's fundraiser is another chance for him to tap California, which was his top donor state from April through June with a total take of $4.2 million.

Obama has raised more than $58 million for his White House bid. Forbes magazine estimates that Winfrey, the Chicago-based talk-show host, is worth about $1.5 billion.

Winfrey is a well-known fan of Obama, calling him "my favorite guy" and "my choice" on CNN's "Larry King Live" last year before he announced he would run for president.

JOIN US IN SANTA BARBARA TO MEET BARACK!

Join Barack Obama for a Grassroots Rally in Santa Barbara this Saturday, September 8th.

Supporters, community members, and friends are coming together at Santa Barbara City College to support Barack Obama and our movement for change.

We encourage you to RSVP, but tickets are not required to gain entry to the event. Find out more about the Grassroots Rally in Santa Barbara and RSVP here:

http://my.barackobama.com/SantaBarbaraRally

Here are the details:

Grassroots Rally in Santa Barbara
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Gates open at 10:30 a.m.

Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
West Campus Lawn
Across from Luria Library

Sign up now to join Barack in Santa Barbara:

http://my.barackobama.com/SantaBarbaraRally

Hope to see you there!

New Orleans two years on

Never has a Federal Government failed a people so completely as the Bush Administration did in New Orleans. It's all about CORE VALUES people. The Republicans have made no secret of their hate for the Federal Government.

If you hate the government as a core value, you can't effectively run it.

Nowhere was this more evident than in New Orleans and the gulf coast.

Obama Dominates Debate

Dems answer YouTube questions at debate
Newsday | July 24, 2007

by Glenn Thrush

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- A feisty Barack Obama clashed sharply with Hillary Rodham Clinton on issues ranging from Iraq to international relations to taking PAC contributions during Monday night's freewheeling Democratic debate sponsored by YouTube, CNN and Google.

Speaking against a backdrop of the Citadel, a bastion of conservatism and support for the military, the candidates fielded questions from mostly left-of-center Web users that ranged from the somber to the absurd -- sometimes in the course of the same question. A serious discussion of global warming, for instance, was prompted by a question posed by a Claymation snowman, who asked if the world would be safe for his children.

"I was surprised that the format really opened it up and accentuated everyone's differences," said Joe Trippi, John Edwards' top adviser, known for his innovative use of the Web.

On balance the YouTube questions were blunt and less crafted. The anything-goes format coincided with a more aggressive and sure-footed performance from Obama, accused of being flat and long-winded in previous debates. Obama, who opposed the war from its start, said he was unimpressed by Clinton's recent push to get the Pentagon to release details of their strategy for withdrawing eventually from Iraq.

"One thing I have to say about Senator Clinton's comments," said Obama, who was serving in the Illinois state legislature when Clinton voted for the invasion in 2002. "The time for us to ask how are we going to get out of Iraq was before we went in."



Clinton shot back when Obama talked about the need for a president to talk directly with leaders of countries that clash with the U.S., including Iran, Venezuela and North Korea. "I think that it's a disgrace we have not spoken to them," said Obama, adding he would be willing to meet with those leaders "unconditionally" during his first year in the White House.

Clinton, her voice rising, replied, "I will not promise to meet with leaders of these countries during my first year ... I don't want to be used for propaganda purposes ... We're not going to just have our president meet with Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez and, you know, the president of North Korea, Iran and Syria until we know better what the way forward would be."

Obama, who is beating Clinton in fundraising but trailing by an average of 15 points in national polls, seemed much more at ease than in previous debates.

Obama aides said he romped in in focus groups of debate viewers. But Clinton's pollster Mark Penn said Obama's commitment to meeting hostile foreign leaders would haunt his campaign bypointing up his inexperience. "When you got the money question, he stumbled," said Penn, when asked if Obama appeared more relaxed Monday night. "This election is not about being relaxed and limber, it's about how are you going to deal with the most difficult questions that face a world leader."

Each candidate was asked to submit their own YouTube campaign videos. The most jarring video was John Edwards', which featured the song "Hair" -- a reference to the spate of stories about his $400 haircut -- played over images of soldiers in Iraq and starving children.

Clinton and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware clashed on how to deal with genocide in Darfur. Biden, who favors a U.S ground presence, said, "Twenty-five hundred American troops ... can stop the genocide now." Moderator Anderson Cooper pressed Clinton to see if she agreed. "American ground troops I don't think belong in Darfur at this time," she said.

Clinton demurred at the end when candidates were asked to say something positive -- and negative -- about the person standing to their left: in her case, Barack Obama.

Edwards happened to be standing next to Clinton. After praising her Senate record, he peered at her coral jacket and said, "I'm not sure about that coat."

Senator Harkin has a request for you

Republicans support failure. And they are willing to continue to obstruct the will of the vast majority of the American public. It is that simple. We need to make the cost of continuing to do so outweigh their need to kiss Presidential behind. One way to do that is to turn up the heat. Whatever it takes, however long it takes…the time for accountability is now.

Call your Senators toll free, and let them know what you think about the Grand Obstruction Party and the Republican commitment to more of the same failure:

1 (800) 828 - 0498
1 (800) 459 - 1887
1 (800) 614 - 2803
1 (866) 340 - 9281
1 (866) 338 - 1015
1 (877) 851 - 6437

Obama Campaign Events coming up

Come meet other Obama supporters! Together we are strong! Help us take the country back! Sign up at The national Obama website

Events for July:

ConejObama Meeting
Time: Thursday, July 19 at 6:00 PM - 1 hour
Host: Erin Fairbanks
Location: Coffee and Dreams (Thousand Oaks, CA )
265 N. Moorpark Road #A
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
(Janns Mall, across from Buca Di Beppo)

Booth at Warped Tour in Los Angeles, CA (Organizing)For any of you familiar with Warped Tour you know there are many political booths that get information out and recruit new volunteers. That's what we are going to try to do here, get Barack's name and vision out to this highly active community. It'll be an all day event, but up to four people get in for free to run the booth. Just a few people and one day and we can really make a difference in this state, which is so important in the primaries!

Feel free to e-mail me at ObamaWarpedTour@yahoo.com or IM me at ObamaWarpedTour with any questions or concerns.
Time: Saturday, August 25 at 10:00 AM
Duration:
Host: Erin Kelly
Contact Phone: 805 921-8095
Location: Home Depot Center (Carson, CA)
18400 Avalon Boulevard
Carson, CA 90746

National Events: Go to The national Obama website for more info...

Meet Barack Obama in Oelwein
July 14 | Oelwein, IA

House Party with Barack Obama in Elkader
July 14 | Elkader, IA

Meet Barack Obama in Manchester
July 14 | Manchester, IA

Camp Obama Training
July 18 | Chicago, IL

Bush thumbs his nose at America

Senator Obama said, "This decision to commute the sentence of a man who compromised our national security cements the legacy of an Administration characterized by a politics of cynicism and division, one that has consistently placed itself and its ideology above the law. This is exactly the kind of politics we must change so we can begin restoring the American people’s faith in a government that puts the country’s progress ahead of the bitter partisanship of recent years."

OUR CAMPAIGN SETS A CONTRIBUTION RECORD!!

Obama Campaign Raises $32.5 Million

By JEFF ZELENY

WASHINGTON, July 1 — Senator Barack Obama raised at least $32.5 million from April through June, he announced Sunday on his campaign Web site, attracting more than 258,000 contributors since entering the Democratic presidential race nearly six months ago.

As candidates tabulated how much money they raised in the year’s second quarter, Mr. Obama, of Illinois, appeared to be leading contenders from either party, raising at least $31 million for the primary campaign alone. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democrat of New York, raised about $21 million for the primary, a spokesman confirmed Sunday, and about $27 million over all.

“Together, we have built the largest grass-roots campaign in history for this stage of a presidential race,” Mr. Obama said, adding that 154,000 new donors had signed on in the last three months. “That’s the kind of movement that can change the special-interest-driven politics in Washington and transform our country. And it’s just the beginning.”

Mr. Obama waited barely 12 hours after the fund-raising period closed to trumpet his success, a quarterly record for a Democratic candidate, hoping to depict widespread support for his campaign and to rebut suggestions that his candidacy is falling behind Mrs. Clinton’s. If her estimate last week that she had raised “in the range of $27 million” proves true, Mr. Obama will have outpaced Mrs. Clinton for a second consecutive quarter in money that can be spent in primaries.

John Edwards’s campaign said Sunday that it had raised more than $9 million, while Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico reported raising $7 million and Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut reported raising $3.25 million.

Republican candidates did not provide fund-raising figures on Sunday, but are expected to do so well in advance of the July 15 deadline for filing reports with the Federal Election Commission.

While candidates are allowed to simultaneously raise money for the primary and the general election, Mr. Obama has focused almost exclusively on primary money. The Clinton campaign has solicited both, and a spokesman, Phil Singer, estimated Sunday evening that about $6 million of its second-quarter money was intended for the general election, meaning it could be spent only if Mrs. Clinton wins the nomination.

So far this year, the Obama campaign has raised $55.7 million to be spent on winning the party’s nominating fight. In the last three months, an average of 1,500 donors a day contributed to the Obama campaign, many through the Web site or in response to more unusual appeals, including a contest to have dinner with the candidate.

David Plouffe, the Obama campaign manager, said in an interview Sunday that more than 90 percent of the contributors to Mr. Obama could contribute again. In addition to courting major Democratic donors, the campaign has had fund-raisers across the country for donors making small contributions, focusing particularly on early voting states, and has built a database of supporters and volunteers from events that cost as little as $5 per person.

“This gives us a deep financial base that will continue to allow us to perform strongly throughout the course of the campaign,” Mr. Plouffe said. “It also gives us a huge foundation of volunteers and organizational support.”

After spending significant money on the opening contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, the campaign will rely on a grass-roots operation in the states where primaries or caucuses are scheduled Feb. 5, Mr. Plouffe said. While the campaign focused intently on raising money in those states, he said, almost no effort was directed toward raising money beyond the primary campaign.

“The general election money,” Mr. Plouffe said, “is funny money.”

For weeks, the Clinton campaign had been seeking to lower expectations for the second fund-raising period. A memorandum sent last week by Howard Wolfson, a top strategist for the senator, estimated that she would raise “in the range of $27 million.” The campaign on Sunday had no comment on Mr. Obama’s fund-raising numbers.

While a spokesman for the Clinton campaign said a more precise figure was not available yet on Sunday, advisers to Mr. Edwards held a conference call to discuss their second-quarter contributions of $9 million. After raising $14 million in the first quarter, campaign officials said they were on track to reach their goal of $40 million this year and said they were not troubled by falling behind two leading rivals.

Jonathan Prince, deputy manager of the Edwards campaign, said that slightly more than half of the $9 million — $4.7 million — came from small donations. In the first quarter, more than 80 percent of donations to the Edwards campaign were $100 and under; this quarter, more than 80 percent were $50 and under.

This reflects the campaign’s effort to expand its grass-roots base and to rely more heavily on Internet donations. Mr. Prince said the number of contributors had increased by 70,000 in this quarter to reach a total of 100,000 donors.

"The Momentum Took Off and the Energy is Building"

Barack's Faith Speech: "The Momentum Took Off and the Energy is Building"
By Alex MacCallum - Jun 23rd, 2007 at 5:45 pm EDT

Today, Barack gave a major speech on faith and politics to a national convention of the United Church of Christ in Hartford, Connecticut.

"The momentum took off and the energy is building," a UCC minister said before Barack's remarks.

Here's the AP story, and below are some excerpts from the speech. Barack focused on what brings us closer together -- not what tears us apart. As he said, "People are coming together around a simple truth – that we are all connected, that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper."

(Check back in for a link to the speech – we'll post it when it's available.)

Somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and started being used to drive us apart.

At every opportunity, [the Christian Right] has told evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values and dislike their church, while suggesting to the rest of the country that religious Americans care only about issues like abortion and gay marriage, school prayer and intelligent design…

…But I'm hopeful because I think there's an awakening taking place in America. People are coming together around a simple truth – that we are all connected, that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper. And that it's not enough to just believe this – we have to do our part to make it a reality.

…[W]e all have it within our power to make this a better world. Because we all have the capacity to... to rise above what divides us and come together to meet those challenges we can't meet alone.
...So let's rededicate ourselves to a new kind of politics – a politics of conscience... [I]f we can embrace a common destiny – then I believe we'll not just help bring about a more hopeful day in
America, we'll not just be caring for our own souls, we'll be doing God's work here on Earth.

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Obama generating unprecedented youthful enthusiasm

Barack Obama's charm and sincerity- his "it" factor which some call charisma, has one enthusiastic supporter head over heels.
check out her video

I have been involved in elections since 1964 and this is the first time I've seen a user generated crushie song come up from the grass roots.

It's pretty catchy and I'd LOVE to play it for our next meeting if I could download it ..stay tuned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

17th Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Oxnard

17th Annual Juneteenth Celebration (Community Service)
Visit the Obama Ventura booth at the 17th Annual Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom in Oxnard. This event is sponsored by the Ventura County Chapter of the Black American Political Association of California.

Time: Saturday, June 16 at 11:00 AM
Duration: 6 hours
Host: Craig Christensen
Location:
Performing Arts Park Grounds (Oxnard, CA)
800 Hobson Way
Oxnard, CA 93030

Directions to
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, CA 93030


Associated Groups: Obama Ventura, Ventura County for Obama

Thousands participate in Obama Events in Ventura and Nationwide

Thousands Nationwide , and hundreds locally, participated in the Obama Campaign's first "Walk for Change" events designed to spread the word about Barack Obama's campaign and what is means to all of us. On June 9, thousands of people went door-to-door to talk to their neighbors about Barack Obama and the movement for change. This was an unprecedented day in the history of campaigning, only made possible because of the outpouring of grassroots support.

“Yes! This is the first time I have volunteered for any political candidate and I strongly believe in Obama message of hope. The group I was with on Saturday was almost entirely made up of first time volunteers which I think speaks powerfully for Obama's message.” -- Kathleen, California

We're all looking forward to more events locally as the campaign heats up!

NEWSWEEK SURVEY: OBAMA STRONGEST CANDIDATE

Good news, and good news with a twist: Newsweek's latest survey shows ALL Democratic candidates leading all potential Republicans. GREAT NEWS for us shows Obama's message getting through! Obama is viewed as the strongest candidate. Not so good news-Hillary still leads among Dems..

While the poll has some high marks for Clinton, it's not all good news. Though the New York senator and former first lady aims to project an aura of inevitability that she will win the Democratic nomination, Obama beats the leading Republicans by larger margins than any other Democrat: besting Giuliani 50 to 43 percent, among registered voters; beating McCain 52 to 39 percent, and defeating Romney 58 percent to 29 percent.

Like Obama, Edwards defeats the Republicans by larger margins than Clinton does: the former Democratic vice-presidential nominee outdistances Giuliani by six points, McCain by 10 and Romney by 37, the largest lead in any of the head-to-head matchups. Meanwhile, Sen. Clinton wins 49 percent to 46 percent against Giuliani, well within the poll's margin of error; 50 to 44 against McCain; and 57 to 35 against Romney.

Where Clinton remains the undisputed champ is among Democrats. When matched against her main rivals for the Democratic nomination, Clinton is the choice of 51 percent of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters over Obama's 39 percent; and she defeats Edwards 57 percent to 38 percent. Obama has not substantially narrowed Clinton's lead since the early March Newsweek poll, where he trailed Clinton by 14 points. Edwards has narrowed Clinton's lead over him though. Back in March Edwards trailed Clinton by 31 points; now her lead is down to 19 points.

Survey USA says Obama won debate

Althought the punditry tried hard to paint it another way the people who saw it spoke- Barrack Obama won this round, but it was certainly close.

The agenda of mainstream media talking heads is certainly clear though. They like status quo, and clearly, that is Hillary.

Obama Rips Rudy: "Has Taken Politics Of Fear To New Low"

Obama Rips Rudy: "Has Taken Politics Of Fear To New Low
By Greg Sargent Talking Points Memo

Barack Obama has just unleashed a hard-hitting statement hammering Rudy for his assertion yesterday that Americans would be safer under a Republican President:

“Rudy Giuliani today has taken the politics of fear to a new low and I believe Americans are ready to reject those kind of politics. America’s mayor should know that when it comes to 9/11 and fighting terrorists, America is united. We know we can win this war based on shared purpose, not the same divisive politics that question your patriotism if you dare to question failed policies that have made us less secure. I think we should focus on strengthening our intelligence, working with local authorities and doing all the things we haven't yet done to keep Americans safe. The threat we face is real, and deserves better than to be the punchline of another political attack.”

That's pretty good -- really, it sounds like an adult speaking to a child. It's about time someone knocked that 9/11 halo off Rudy's head. Let's hope we hear much more of this.

Obama: Bush falls short as world leader

Obama: Bush falls short as world leader

By DEANNA BELLANDI

Associated Press Writer

AP PHOTO/JERRY LAI

Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. addresses the Chicago Council of Global Affairs on Monday, April 23, 2007, at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago.

CHICAGO — Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama said Monday that President Bush has fallen short in his role as leader of the free world, and the 2008 election is a chance to change that.

"This president may occupy the White House, but for the last six years the position of leader of the free world has remained open. And it is time to fill that role once more," Obama said in a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

The Illinois senator was in his hometown to deliver a foreign policy address that was rescheduled last week after the shootings at Virginia Tech.

In his remarks, Obama said the world is disappointed in the United States, but it would be a mistake to "cede our claim of leadership in world affairs" because Americans might be tempted to turn inward in the face of negative world opinion.

"America cannot meet the threats of this century alone, but the world cannot meet them without America. We must neither retreat from the world nor try to bully it into submission - we must lead the world by deed and by example," he said.

Monday's speech is the third time in recent months that Obama has come home to deliver a foreign policy address.

In a March speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a bipartisan pro-Israel lobby, Obama blamed Bush administration failings in Iraq for strengthening the strategic position of Iran. He called for a reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq, during a November address before the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

On Monday, Obama reiterated his call for a phased withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and said bringing a responsible end to the war was one of the ways the country could begin to lead again if he is elected president.

Another would be to increase the overall size of the military by adding 65,000 soldiers to the Army and 27,000 Marines, forces stretched thin fighting wars abroad and protecting the homeland.

Obama also pledged to lead a global effort to secure nuclear weapons and materiel at vulnerable sites around the globe within four years. He said the United States must work with Russia - which he called "neither our enemy nor our close ally right now" - to make sure its weapons and nuclear materiel are secured.

Also, he said the world must stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and work to eliminate North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

"If America does not lead, these two nations could trigger regional arms races that could accelerate nuclear proliferation on a global scale and create dangerous nuclear flash points," he said.

Republican National Committee spokesman Chris Taylor dismissed Obama's criticism.

"It obviously takes alot more than empty rhetoric to lead this country and that is what Barack Obama continues to give us," Taylor said.

Great coverage of Obama Rally

I just discovered this San Jose Mercury-News vid of a This San Jose Rally It really captures the spirit of things.

Join MoveOn for a virtual town hall with all the candidates

Iraq Virtual Town Hall Meeting Tuesday Night

We're organizing three “Virtual Town Halls” to hear from 2008 Presidential candidates on the issues MoveOn members say are most important: Iraq, health care, and energy. On April 10th, we're focusing on Iraq.

MoveOn members are asking candidates the tough questions about their Iraq plans, and we're gathering in living rooms from coast to coast to hear the answers directly. Then we’ll talk together, and the next day, all MoveOn members will vote on who we think will do the best job in Iraq.

It's a personal audience with the people who want our support, our time, our money, and eventually our votes.

Host your own, or join a Virtual Town Hall house party near you!

YOU Did it! Obama's Fundraising rivals Hillary's!!

By NEDRA PICKLER

Associated Press Writer

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) - Democrat Barack Obama raked in $25 million for his presidential bid in the first three months of 2007, placing him on a par with front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton and dashing her image as the party's inevitable nominee.

The donations came from an eye-popping 100,000 donors, the campaign said in a statement Wednesday.

The figure was the latest evidence that Obama, a political newcomer who has served just two years in the Senate, has emerged as the most powerful new force in presidential politics this year. It also reinforced his status as a significant threat to Clinton, who'd hoped her own $26 million first quarter fundraising total would begin to squeeze her rivals out of contention.

The campaign reported that the figure included at least $23.5 million that he can spend on the highly competitive primary race. The Clinton campaign has yet to disclose how much they can use for the primary verses money that is designated for the general election.

While Clinton has honed a vast national fundraising network through two Senate campaigns and her husband's eight years as president, Obama launched his bid for the White House with a relatively small donor base concentrated largely in Illinois, his home state. But his early opposition to the Iraq war and voter excitement over his quest to be the first black president quickly fueled a powerful fundraising machine.

Since he formally declared his presidential campaign in February, Obama has been traveling the country with a focus on urban areas where he could build his momentum and bring in new donors. He attracted big-money Hollywood and Wall St. executives along with families who came out to his stops in places like Oklahoma that sometimes are neglected by other candidates.

More than half the donors contributed via the Internet for a total of $6.9 million, the campaign said.

``This overwhelming response, in only a few short weeks, shows the hunger for a different kind of politics in this country and a belief at the grassroots level that Barack Obama can bring out the best in America to solve our problems,'' said Obama finance chairwoman Penny Pritzker.

Donors are limited by law to contributions of $2,300 for the primary election, but Clinton, Obama and some other candidates also have been raising money for the general election. That allows them to take another $2,300 from each donor, but the money has to be returned if they don't win the nomination.

Clinton's campaign often solicited the $4,600 donations, while Obama's campaign focused on recruiting small dollar donors. In the coming months, he can return to those donors and ask those who haven't maxed out to give more.

``We are thrilled with our historic fundraising success and congratulate Senator Obama and the entire Democratic field on their fundraising, which demonstrates the overwhelming desire for change in our country,'' Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle said.

Obama was visiting Iowa Wednesday, holding an evening rally at a community college in Mason City.

Among the other Democratic candidates, aides to former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards said his $14 million in new contributions included $1 million for the general election.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said he had raised $6 million and had more than $5 million cash on hand.

Aides to Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd said he raised more than $4 million and transferred nearly $5 million from his Senate campaign, for a total of $9 million in receipts and $7.5 million cash on hand. Delaware Sen. Joe Biden lagged behind, with his staff reporting that he had total receipts of nearly $4 million, nearly half of which was transferred from his Senate campaign account.

Among the Republican candidates, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was the top money-raiser with $23 million, another eye-catching sum that place him in the same league with Clinton and Obama and left his GOP rivals in the dust.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani raised $15 million for the quarter, while Arizona Sen. John McCain posted $12.5 million. Giuliani leads the GOP field in national popularity polls, followed by McCain.

Obama articulates what we all sense about Iraq

Obama: War Hindering Domestic Policy

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Saturday it will be difficult to make progress on important domestic issues until the Iraq war has ended.

The Illinois senator cited health care, education and other concerns and said most Democratic candidates have similar goals, with differences only in the details.

''None of these things we are going to be able to do effectively until we bring this war in Iraq to a close,'' Obama told about 2,000 people in a town hall-style meeting.

The appearance marked the beginning of a two-day trip to heavily Republican western Iowa. Obama drew the loudest applause when he emphasized his opposition to the war.

Most polls have shown Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton atop the Democratic party's 2008 field, and the campaigns have squabbled at a distance over the war.

Clinton's allies say Obama has voted for spending bills to finance the war, and that can be equated to support. Obama rejected that charge.

''Even if I'm against the war, we need to make sure the troops have the armor they need,'' Obama said.

Obama said he would have voted against the initial $87 billion to pay for the war because it included $20 billion in reconstruction money that was certain to be wasted because of the chaos in Iraq.

''This is a recipe for disaster,'' said Obama. ''How do you send $20 billion to a government that isn't a government?''

Clinton voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq in 2002 but has said she would not have done so if she had known then what she knows now. Obama, who was not in Congress in 2002, said he opposed the war from the beginning.

''We've got a war that should never have been authorized and should never have been waged,'' Obama said. ''It's a war that's left us less safe and damaged our standing in the world and it's a war we need to end.''

Obama said he is pushing legislation for a gradual troop withdrawal.

''There is no military solution to the problems in Iraq,'' he said. ''There are political problems between the warring factions there.''

On immigration, Obama said he favors a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the United States, though he would require them to pay a penalty and ''get to the back of the line.''

''After all, they have broken the law,'' he said.

Though Obama is in his first term in the Senate, he rejected suggestions that he needs more experience before running for president.

''I've only been in Washington for a few years, but I've been there long enough to know that Washington needs to change,'' Obama said.

Obama's next appearance, in Onawa, was streamed on the campaign's Web site. Aides said the event was seen at 5,000 house parties in all 50 states, including gatherings in all 99 Iowa counties.

Obama's wife, Michelle, watched from a house party in Des Moines. On her first solo campaign trip on behalf of her husband, she only briefly discussed politics with a crowd of largely black supporters who had gathered for the rally in the home of Willie Glanton, Iowa's first black legislator.

During a 15-minute speech, she focused on her upbringing in a working-class family on Chicago's south side and her subsequent marriage to Barack Obama.

She said voters should elect him as their next president for his integrity, his guts and the fact that ''this brother is smart.''

''Politics turns away good people. If you got sense, don't do this,'' Michelle Obama said. ''But I'm not just here as the wife of a candidate, but I'm here as woman, a mother, a professional, a citizen desperate for something to change.''

THIS MARCH 31, "HOPE ACTION,CHANGE"

On March 31st, this grassroots campaign is going to get even bigger. Thousands of people from across this country will host community gatherings for Barack Obama around the theme of “Hope. Action. Change.” You’ll have an opportunity to join Barack in a candid discussion, streamed live on our website BarackObama.com, about how we can reinvigorate our democratic process and change America.
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HERE'S A LIST OF EVENTS ( Thousand Oaks is the start point)

Barack - Promises Kept (March 31 Kickoff Event)

Saturday, March 31 at 10:00 AM

TBD (Camarillo, CA) - 8.7 miles away

Will host lunch. Listen to the Iowa really. Discussion. Have each attendee provide a list of family and friends whom they may solicit contributions.

Saturday, March 31 at 10:00 AM
Duration:
Host:	Randy Poders
Location:	TBD (Camarillo, CA)

Wood Ranch for Obama (March 31 Kickoff Event)

Saturday, March 31 at 12:30 PM

Village on the Green (Simi Valley, CA) - 9.0 miles away

Hosting an event to view Barack's web conferencing taking place acsoss the country at the same time. 1:00 pm Event will be in Event will be in the home of Tony and Julie Pierce. Space is limited so rsvp and we will give you directions

Time:	Saturday, March 31 at 12:30 PM
Duration:	1 hour
Host:	Anthony Pierce

Obama March kickoff (March 31 Kickoff Event)

Saturday, March 31 at 12:00 PM

Peggy Platner's Home (Malibu, CA) - 10.9 miles away

Local Community gathering

Duration:	1 hour
Host:	Peggy Platner

Watch Obama's Speech Together (March 31 Kickoff Event)

Saturday, March 31 at 12:30 PM

My House (Santa Barbara, CA) - 51 miles away

Just bringing a small group together to watch Obama's speech and bring awareness to young people in the area. Any one who is interested ..please attend!

Duration:	1 hour
Host:	Josh Shadid

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Palisades Friends of Barack Obama (March 31 Kickoff Event)

Saturday, March 31 at 12:30 PM

Available upon RSVP (Pacific Palisades, CA) - 25 miles away

Gather to watch the web streaming and to decide on next steps we can take in furthering support for Barack Obama

Duration:	2 hours
Host:	Jane Krantz

March 31 Kickoff Event (March 31 Kickoff Event)

Saturday, March 31 at 2:00 PM

Home of Stacia Wells (Pacific Palisades, CA) - 25 miles away

come learn more about Barack

Duration:	2 hours
Host:	Stacia Wells

North San Fernando Valley Obama '08 Kickoff (March 31 Kickoff Event)

Saturday, March 31 at 12:00 PM

The Home of Mark Smith (Granada Hills, CA) - 27 miles away

This is a local organizing meeting being held in conjunction with the campaign's national kickoff event. The main component of the agenda for every local group...

Duration:	3 hours
Host:	Mark Smith

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