I’m Doug O’Brien, Rural Vote Director for the Ohio Campaign for Change.
I wanted to share a video with you about an exciting new program we’re launching here in Ohio called Barns for Obama.
Barns for Obama combines Ohio’s history of painted barns — from the old Mail Pouch Barns to the Bicentennial Barns in every county — with the enthusiasm for Barack Obama and this Campaign for Change.
A few weeks ago in Trumbull County, we saw the completion of the first of what we know will be many Barns for Obama. A local farmer offered his barn, and painters volunteered their time to make it happen.
I wanted you to see this video because I think it captures just why Barack is the one candidate we can count on to stand up for the farmers, workers, and families of rural Ohio.
Watch the video of our first Barn Painting and learn about the Rural Vote Program in Ohio:
As Rural Vote Director, I’ve traveled all over the Buckeye State to listen to farmers, workers, and other folks interested in a better future for Ohio’s small cities, towns, and rural areas.
I’ve gone from Cadiz to Celina, from Gallipolis to Defiance, and the message I’ve gotten is clear: people are ready for a different kind of campaign that respects and includes all of Ohio’s communities.
That’s the campaign we are building here in Ohio — a campaign that reaches to every corner of our state and speaks to every Ohioan.
Just this month we were the first campaign in memory — Democratic or Republican — to open a campaign office in Perry County, in the Southeastern part of the state. And we’re getting a great response, because Barack Obama is the right person at the right time for folks all across Ohio who want change.
Barns for Obama is our latest outreach effort, but there are lots of other ways to get involved and grow our movement here.
Learn about our Barns for Obama program and sign up up to get involved:
Thanks for everything you are doing. I look forward to continuing to work with you for change in Ohio.
Doug
Doug O’Brien
Rural Vote Director
Ohio Campaign for Change
P.S. — Word of “Barns for Obama” is just beginning to spread, and we have already heard from many farmers — from Auglaize to Sandusky to Licking counties — who are interested in painting their barns to show their support for change in rural America.
If you are interested in having your barn painted, have experience with painting a barn, or would like to sponsor a barn with the purchase of supplies, you can get involved here:
People keep asking me if we’re really going to announce Barack’s VP directly to our supporters.
The answer is yes.
Let me be very clear. You are the ones who built this campaign, and Barack wants you to be the first to know who will join him in leading our movement for change.
So, if you haven’t signed up to receive an email or a text message, sign up now:
John McCain and the Republican National Committee are trying to convince you that you’ve been swept up and tricked into wanting change.
They want you to believe that everything is just fine — that we need to stay the course and elect someone who’s voted with George Bush 95% of the time.
To sell this ridiculous idea, McCain and the RNC are using huge checks from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs to run negative ads attacking Barack Obama and the millions of volunteers and donors who have joined this campaign for change.
While supporters like you are out knocking on doors, registering new voters, and organizing in your local communities, our opponents are not even trying to match your efforts. Instead, they’re spending millions to spread the smear that Barack is just a “celebrity” and that our grassroots movement is just a bunch of mindless fans.
So who is John McCain really attacking? Real people like Brandon, a carpenter from McCall, ID. Stephanie, a registered nurse from Phoenix, AZ. And Pamela, a retired teacher from Franklin, WV.
These are actual people who have made donations to our campaign this week.
Your donation will help this movement reach a goal that few believed was possible — 2,000,000 individual supporters owning a piece of this campaign.
And if you make a donation right now, a previous donor — a real person like Brandon, Stephanie, or Pamela — is standing by to match your gift. They are prepared to give again if you take the next step and make your first donation today.
You can even choose to exchange a personal note with them about why you’re supporting this movement.
Two million donors is an incredible number — a number that was previously unimaginable for presidential campaigns. And it’s a number this campaign never dreamed we could reach before the convention.
But because so many supporters have stepped up to own a piece of this movement in the face of McCain’s attacks, we are just days away from making history.
And with only 85 days until the election, we can’t afford to do any less.
McCain is trying to undermine your hope, and we can expect even more misleading attack ads in the weeks ahead. His friends in Big Oil and other special interests are more than happy to keep fueling his efforts with huge checks. They want to keep Washington just the way it is.
Today, you can show John McCain that his attacks won’t slow us down. In fact, his attacks will make us even more determined to build and strengthen this movement.
Yesterday, Barack was in Ohio talking about his New Energy for America plan.
His plan will provide immediate financial relief to families by bringing down spiraling gas prices while breaking our addiction to foreign oil.
Barack showed once again that he is the only candidate who will deliver the change we need — especially on energy and the economy.
That’s why it’s so important to tell your friends, family, and neighbors more about Barack — who he is and where he stands on the issues that matter most.
You can make a difference right now by writing a letter to the editor of your local paper and sharing with your community why Barack is right on the economy, right on energy, and right for Ohio.
John McCain is still talking about his tired gimmicks and failed ideas on energy — like giving even more billions in tax breaks to Big Oil while working Americans pay more and more at the pump.
We can’t afford four more years of the Bush-McCain policies that have been so devastating to our families and our towns in Ohio.
As president, here are just a few things Barack Obama’s New Energy for America plan would do:
Give American workers a “Making Work Pay” tax credit of $1,000 per family
Enact a windfall tax on oil companies’ record-breaking profits
Invest $150 billion in clean energy over 10 years
This plan would lay the foundation for our secure energy future, producing American energy and creating jobs — right here in Ohio. But we need your help to put that plan into action.
You can have an impact right now. Write a letter to your local paper and tell them why you think we need a real energy policy with real alternatives. Our online tool makes it easier than ever to make your voice heard.
We are celebrating two important birthdays this weekend in Ohio.
This Monday, August 4th, is Barack’s birthday. And believe it or not, it’s Governor Ted Strickland’s birthday too.
We have a unique opportunity to give both of them something that few other people across the nation can.
This weekend, the Campaign for Change is hosting Pot Luck Birthday and Phonebank Parties across Ohio — and you can give them your time, energy, and passion by attending and bringing a few friends.
The parties are a great place to meet fellow supporters in your community and reach out to Ohioans by making phone calls and introducing them to our movement for change.
Find a Campaign for Change Birthday Party near you this weekend:
Ted Strickland knows that Barack Obama will bring change to Ohio.
Give Barack and Ted the best birthday gift you can by making calls to Ohio voters to tell them about Barack — who he is, what he stands for, and how he plans to bring real change to Ohio.
Since it’s Barack’s 47th birthday, we’ve set a goal for the weekend of making 47,000 calls. It’s a tall order, but it’s only possible with your help.
It’s thanks to supporters like you that we’ve come as far as we have. Now, we have to step up for Barack. With less than 100 days until November 4th, we can’t afford to wait.
Get started this weekend by joining a birthday party near you:
As we face the fundraising deadline at midnight tonight, I want you to know what we are up against.
Less than 24 hours ago, the McCain campaign launched the latest and lowest in a series of misleading attack ads.
This Karl Rove-style ploy misleads people about Barack’s energy plan and even mocks his ability to inspire voters and bring Americans back into the political process.
Watchdogs in the media are calling McCain’s accusations “bogus,” “desperate,” “wrong,” “misleading,” “ugly,” “offensive,” “reckless,” and “a nasty turn into the gutter.”
Some of McCain’s own supporters agree. One senior Republican strategist quoted by the Washington Post called the latest ad a “wild swing at Obama” that reflects his campaign’s “increasing bitterness” and the lack of “any coherent strategy to elect McCain.”
Even John Weaver, a strategist who worked for McCain’s presidential campaign in 2000 and on his current campaign last year, called the ad “childish,” adding that this negative strategy “diminishes John McCain” and “needs to stop.”
But we will not let any attack stand. Barack himself responded quickly and forcefully, and within hours our campaign created a response ad to take their smear tactics head-on.
Make a donation of $5 or more now to get our response on the air and show the McCain campaign that there is a cost to this kind of negative politics:
With the election less than 100 days away, media pundits and Washington insiders will be watching our fundraising numbers more closely than ever.
In the face of these new attacks, you can help demonstrate that a movement funded by grassroots supporters giving only what they can afford is ready to take on the Republican fundraising machine and its onslaught of negativity.
Your support will also give this campaign a crucial boost in momentum as we build our organization to compete in all 50 states.
There are only hours left to make an impact in July.
Watch the new ad and make a donation of $5 or more before the midnight deadline:
A few hours ago John McCain, the same man who just months ago promised to run a “respectful campaign,” said he is “proud” of his latest attack ad.
That’s the one attacking your enthusiasm, comparing me to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, and making false claims about my energy plan.
Now, we’re facing some serious challenges in this country — our economy is struggling, energy costs are skyrocketing, and families don’t have health care.
Given the seriousness of these issues, you’d think we’d be having a serious debate. But instead, John McCain is running an expensive, negative campaign against us. Each day brings a desperate new set of attacks.
And they’re not just attacking me. They’re attacking you.
They’re mocking the desire of millions of Americans to step up and take ownership of the political process.
They’re trying to convince you that your enthusiasm won’t amount to anything — that the people you persuade, the phone calls you make, the donations you give, the doors you knock on are all an illusion. They believe that in this election the same old smears and negative attacks will prevail again.Â
They’re wrong.
And right now, we have a few hours left to prove them wrong in a very concrete way.
Make a donation of $5 or more before the July fundraising deadline at midnight tonight:
Tomorrow is the financial reporting deadline for July.
Once again, everyone will be sizing up this campaign to see if we can compete with John McCain and the Republican National Committee.
Your hard work and generosity have gotten us this far, but the fact remains, our opponents still have a big fundraising advantage. They are very good at raking in huge donations, especially from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs.
That’s why we need to show the strength of our grassroots movement before tomorrow’s deadline. Help prove that a campaign powered by people like you, giving only what they can afford, can go toe-to-toe with the Republican fundraising machine.
Make a donation of $5 or more to support this movement for change:
As you’ve probably heard, if you make a donation before tomorrow at midnight, you could join me at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
This year, we’re opening up the convention the way supporters like you have opened up the political process all across the country. On the last day, more than 75,000 people will come together to be a part of history — folks like you who have been building this movement from the bottom up.
It will be an incredible event, and if you make a donation in any amount before tomorrow’s deadline, you and a guest could travel to Denver, spend a couple of nights at a hotel, and join me backstage before I accept the nomination.
Please make a donation of $5 or more now. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon:
Barack likes to tell a story about the two of us standing backstage before his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention.
The way he tells it, he was too busy in the days before the convention to feel any pressure — but about an hour before the speech, I could tell he was getting a little nervous.
To break the tension, right before he went out on stage I leaned in close and said, “Just don’t screw it up, buddy.”
We laughed. And then Barack brought the house down.
This year, the house is going to be a lot bigger. More than 75,000 people will be in Denver to be part of this important moment, and I want to tell you about an opportunity to join Barack backstage before his acceptance speech.
Ten supporters who make a donation in any amount by midnight this Thursday, July 31st, will be selected to fly to Denver, spend a couple of nights in a hotel, participate in the convention, and go Backstage with Barack. Each supporter who is selected will also get to bring a guest along to share the experience.
Make a contribution of $5 or more today and you could have your own Backstage with Barack story to tell:
Barack’s speech at the convention will be a culmination of the unlikely journey that has brought all of us so far over the past 17 months.
He will call on us to come together and work for change — not just to win this election, but to make things better for all Americans.
Seeing it in person will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m excited about being there, and if you make a donation of $5 or more before the deadline, you could join Barack backstage:
Exactly one month from today, on the last night of the Democratic National Convention, more than 75,000 people will come together in the largest stadium in Denver to be part of history.
Barack is opening up the convention and his acceptance speech to as many people as possible. Supporters like you are responsible for building this movement and for bringing this campaign so far — and Barack wants you to be part of this important moment.
Free tickets will be available soon, but if you make a donation in any amount this month, you could be one of 10 supporters selected to meet Barack backstage before he delivers his speech.
If you make a donation by midnight this Thursday, July 31st, you and a guest could be flown to Denver, spend a couple of nights in a hotel, participate in the convention, and then go backstage with Barack before the big event.
Watch this short video and make a donation of $5 or more today to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity:
The Democratic National Convention is going to be an exciting and important event for this movement and for our country. I hope you will be there to join us.
Thanks,
David
David Plouffe Campaign Manager Obama for America
emailed by Obama for America
– – –
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:28:52 -0400
From: “David Plouffe, BarackObama.com” info@barackobama.com
Subject: Special invitation from Barack
As you may have heard, Barack has been in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia this week.
Today, he spoke in Berlin, Germany.
In a city where a wall once divided the free from the oppressed, he talked about tearing down the walls that divide all peoples so we can address our common problems — the threats of terrorism and nuclear weapons, global warming and genocide, AIDS and poverty.
Watch Barack’s historic speech and share it with your friends:
Last night in Butler County, nearly 200 people turned out to open the doors of our first official Campaign for Change office in Middletown, Ohio.
Four years ago, George W. Bush won that county by a huge 2-to-1 margin. But with the strength of our grassroots movement — active in every county, precinct, and block of the Buckeye State — we know this year will be different.
From Cincinnati to Cleveland, Williams County to Washington County, this campaign is working with all Ohioans as we build the movement that will help carry Barack to victory in November and win elections up and down the ballot.
Over the next week, we’re kicking off our general election efforts with at least 19 Campaign for Change Office Openings across Ohio.
Find an Office Opening near you and help grow our movement for change:
Your local office is the perfect place to get started in your community.
Campaign for Change staff and volunteers are working together across the state to grow our movement for change. The best way to get involved is to visit an office.
Together, we will continue building this movement.
We’ll be opening more offices in the weeks and months ahead, but this is our first big push of the general election.
No previous experience is necessary to get involved. All you need is a hunger for change and a willingness to turn your enthusiasm into action.
Since I first started working on Barack Obama’s campaign 17 months ago, I’ve seen how our supporters across the country have proven the power of grassroots organizing. I am honored to be here working with you as the campaign’s General Election Director in Ohio.
Thanks,
Jeremy
Jeremy Bird
Ohio General Election Director
Campaign for Change
P.S. — Here is a photo from last night’s office opening in Middletown. Check it out, and then sign up to visit an office near you:
emailed by Obama for America
– – –
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:40:11 -0400
From: “Jeremy Bird, OH.BarackObama.com” ohio@barackobama.com
Subject: On the ground in Ohio
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On this weekend in 1848 — 160 years ago — women and men gathered in Seneca Falls, New York, for the first American conference on women’s rights and suffrage.
Barack Obama has always fought for women’s rights. In his more than 20 years of public service as a civil rights lawyer, state senator, and U.S. Senator, Barack has been an advocate for all Americans’ economic and legal equality.
To commemorate the anniversary of the historic Conference and honor the right to vote, the Campaign for Change and the Ohio Democratic Party Women’s Caucus are organizing a Seneca Falls 160th Anniversary Women to Women Weekend.
Our Women to Women Weekend features more than 50 events across the state, where we will highlight Barack Obama’s support among Ohioans and reach out to voters to grow our movement in the Buckeye State.
These events are a great way to build our movement in Ohio with canvasses, voter registration, phone banks, and house meetings that will help candidates up and down the ballot.
On the issues that are most important to Ohioans, Barack will work for positive change in Washington, while John McCain will continue George Bush’s failed policies of the last 8 years.
With the general election upon us, your fellow Americans are relying on you to step up and work for the change we need.
Ohio will be a crucial part of our general election strategy, and our efforts here will be felt all across the country.
Join us this weekend to commemorate the historic events of the Seneca Falls conference, and help grow our grassroots movement for change:
In the month of June, supporters like you helped raise $52 million.Â
And together with the DNC, we now have nearly $72 million in the bank.
That’s a very strong financial position to be in. Â
But we remain at a massive disadvantage to our opponents.
As I mentioned in my video message earlier in the week, the McCain
Campaign and the Republican National Committee finished June with nearly
$100 million in the bank.
We can’t stop now. It’s going to take everything we’ve got to defeat
John McCain and his allies in November.
Can you make a donation of $5 now to strengthen our movement for
change?
I know this isn’t the first time we’ve asked you for financial
support, and it won’t be the last.
We have developed a strategy — a very aggressive strategy — that
will only work if our millions of supporters continue to contribute their
time and their money.
That strategy will work, and it has to. The stakes are too high
and the need for change too great.
But victory is only possible with your continued help.
We can’t do this without you.
Thanks,
David
David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America
Â
I’m out here in Denver, Colorado visiting the site of the Democratic National Convention, and there is excitement in the mountain air.
Folks are working hard on Barack’s plan for a truly open convention. It will be a historic event, and you can be a part of it.
If you make a donation in any amount before midnight on July 31st, you could be selected to travel to Denver for the last two days of the convention, including the final event — Barack’s acceptance of the Democratic nomination for President before 75,000 people.
Ten supporters will be selected from all over the country, and each will be able to bring one guest. We’ll provide airfare, accommodations, and two days of convention activities — including a private meeting with Barack before his historic speech.
Our team shot a short video of the stadium to give you a sense of the event. Watch the video and make a donation of $25 today, and you could go Backstage with Barack:
Supporters like you are the reason this campaign has been possible. We are thrilled that some of you will be able to celebrate what you accomplished with us in Denver.
But we have a long way to go, and Barack can’t do this without you.
Thanks,
Steve
Steve Hildebrand Deputy Campaign Manager Obama for America
The McCain campaign is bragging that they are out-raising and out-spending us.
By collecting huge checks from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs, they raised more money than ever before in June. Combined with the Republican National Committee, they now have more than $95 million in cash on hand.
I recorded a short video in my office about what we are up against. Now is the time to step up and make your first donation to help us close the gap.
Please watch the video and make a donation of $25 now:
Ohioans know about the false attacks and whisper campaigns that political insiders and shadowy groups spread about our candidates. And we know why they spread them — to keep people out of the political process and keep us from the change that we need.
This year, it’s already happening again. And we need your help to spread the truth.
Across the country, supporters like you have joined the Obama Action Wire to push back against these attacks with a positive message based on real facts.
Here in Ohio, we are proud to launch the Ohio Action Wire, which will allow us to respond to misinformation and take action on issues specifically affecting the Buckeye state.
Join the Ohio Action Wire group and help fight back:
The Ohio Action Wire is an official campaign group that will serve as our front line in combating negative and divisive comments from our opponents here in Ohio.
As a member of this group you will receive calls to action and breaking news to share with your personal network of contacts.
These efforts couldn’t be more important. In the 2004 presidential election, George Bush won Ohio by just 118,599 votes — about 9 votes per precinct. That’s why spreading the truth, neighbor-to-neighbor and voter-to-voter, will be vital to our success this time around.
Last week, I asked you to register new voters on 4th of July weekend, and you delivered. Together, we registered over 6,000 voters.
Now, we need your help to build the Ohio Action Wire so we can respond to false attacks in Ohio — quickly, accurately, and with the power of our grassroots movement.
Join the Ohio Action Wire now and help spread the truth:
With your help, and the help of thousands of supporters like you, we will stand up for the truth and make sure that these attacks don’t get in the way of the change we need.
Thanks,
Aaron
Aaron Pickrell
Ohio State Director
Obama for America
This event is free and open to the public. However, TICKETS ARE REQUIRED. To obtain a ticket, please visit one of the locations at the link above.
Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Only two tickets will be available per person. To get two tickets, each person must turn in two names along with contact information.
For security reasons, do not bring bags. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners allowed.
Thanks,
Obama for America
—
Tickets are available Thursday, July 9th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. or until tickets run out.
TICKETS MAY BE PICKED UP AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
Montgomery County Democratic Party
131 South Wilkinson St.
Dayton, OH 45402
Contact: 937-223-3729
Butler County Democratic Party
633 High St., Suite 105
Hamilton, OH 45011
Contact: 513-371-4756
Miami County Democratic Party
14 North Walnut St.
Troy, OH
Contact: 937-552-2626
Neuhardt for Congress Headquarters
43 South Fountain Ave.
Springfield, OH 45503
Contact: 513-371-4756
 —
If you cannot make it to this event but would still like to support Barack, you can make a donation here:
