2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Obama Ad Airs Across Iowa on Eve of Iowa Caucus

Obama Ad Airs Across Iowa on Eve of Iowa Caucus 
“Leader” Highlights Obama's Lifelong Commitment To Change

DES MOINES, IA – On the eve of the Iowa Caucus, the Obama Campaign released a new two minute TV ad that aired throughout Iowa.   

In the ad, titled "Leader," Obama talks of how he has spent his life working for change that has made a difference in the lives of real people.   From fighting poverty as a community organizer to passing sweeping ethics reform to opposing the Iraq war from the start, Obama shows that he has the judgment and ability to unite people together to bring real change that America can believe in.

"Leader" Script:

"Tomorrow, we'll come to the end of a ten-month journey.   You've heard from all of us, and read our plans; you've been bombarded with mailings and phone calls, and you'll be glad to know this is one of the last times you'll hear me say, 'I'm Barack Obama, and I approve this message.'

"But the question you have to ask yourself when you walk into that caucus tomorrow is this – who can take us in a fundamentally new direction? I'm running to finally solve problems we talk about year after year after year. To end the division, the obscene influence of lobbyists, and the politics that values scoring points over making progress.   We can't afford more of that, not this year, not now.

"I've spent my life working for change that's made a real difference in the lives of real people.

"That's why I passed up a job on Wall Street to fight joblessness and poverty on the streets of Chicago when the local steel plant closed.   

"That's why I turned down the corporate law firms to work as a civil rights lawyer; to fight for those who had been denied opportunity.

"That's why I fought for tough new ethics laws in Illinois and Washington to cut the power of lobbyists.   And I won.

"That's why I brought Democrats and Republicans together to provide health care and tax relief to working families.   

"And that's why I opposed this war in Iraq from the start.   It wasn't popular, but it was right.

"This country's ready for a leader who will bring us together: that's the only way we're gonna win this election and that's actually how we'll actually fix health care and make college affordable, become energy independent and end this war.

"I'm reminded every day that I am not a perfect man.   And I won't be a perfect President.  But I can promise you this – I will always tell you where I stand and what I think.   I will listen to you when we disagree.   I will carry your voices to the White House and I will fight for you everyday I'm there.  So I ask you to caucus tomorrow, not just for me, but for your hopes; for your dreams; for the America you believe is possible."

Obama Thanks Kucinich For Encouraging His Backers To Make Obama Their Second Choice

Obama Thanks Kucinich for Encouraging His Backers to Make Obama Their Second Choice

DES MOINES – Senator Barack Obama today thanked Congressman Dennis Kucinich for encouraging his supporters to caucus for Obama as their second choice in the Iowa caucuses.  Obama noted that he and Kucinich both opposed the war in Iraq before it started and are committed to reclaiming the American Dream on behalf of families across the country.

“I have a lot of respect for Congressman Kucinich, and I’m honored that he has done this because we both believe deeply in the need for fundamental change,” said Senator Obama.  “He and I have been fighting for a number of the same priorities -- including an end to the war in Iraq that we both opposed from the start, reforming Washington and creating a better life for America's working families.  I encourage all Iowans to take part in the caucuses this Thursday – not because it will be good for any one candidate, but because it will be good for our party and the future of our country.”

Marshalltown Times-Republican Endorses Obama

Marshalltown Times-Republican Endorses Obama

DES MOINES – Citing his “openness” and “common sense approach” on issues such as health care and energy, the Marshalltown Times-Republican today endorsed U.S. Senator Barack Obama for President. 

Obama has also been endorsed by the Sioux City Journal, Iowa City Press Citizen, Ottumwa Courier, Woodbine Twiner/Logan Herald-Observer, Daily Iowan, Iowa State Daily, Des Moines’ El Latino, and Sioux City’s Mundo Latino.

Obama Campaign Releases New TV Ad: “Hope”

Obama Campaign Releases New TV Ad: “Hope”

DES MOINES – Today, the Obama Campaign began airing a new television ad titled, “Hope”.  Newspapers across Iowa have praised Obama’s politics of hope and commitment to unify our country to bring about change we can believe in.  The Sioux City Journal said Obama “can bring a fractured people together” and “take on special interests.”

The campaign’s new ad highlights praise from Iowa newspapers.

See below for the ad script:

"Hope"

["I’m Barack Obama, and I approve this message."]

“We want a politics that’s not based on fear but based on hope.”

Only Barack Obama can bring a fractured people together.

He’ll inspire and get things done and take on the special interests.

Obama will reset our foreign policy and global reputation, and he embodies the hopes of our nation.

Iowa’s newspapers have spoken –- now you can stand up for change.

“If you join me, we’re going to take our country back.”

New Barack Obama Website Design Preview

The Barack Obama website is down for maintenance and it looks like it will be back up with this new design soon.

The Web Site: A Little Refresh
By Joe Rospars - Dec 29th, 2007 at 7:54 am EST

It starts with Iowa and before you know it more than half the states in the country will have weighed in by February 5th. We're about to head into what will be the decisiive contests of this election, and this morning we gave our web site a bit of a refresh in order to prepare for it.

Things may look a little different, but the experience should be familiar for those of you who are regular visitors. My.BarackObama.com, for example, has been a work in progress from the very beginning thanks to your suggestions and feedback, and it will continue to evolve over the coming weeks.

Instead, we've focused this refresh on making sure those coming to the site for the first time are able to get all the information they need and find their way to what interests them the most.

The biggest changes are to the front page of the site, where we'll now be able to present a lot more information in a clear, concise format. You'll see more of the blog, more of the latest news, and more about events across the country on top of all the ways you can get involved. You'll also find a map and a list of states to help folks find ways to get involved wherever they live.

For those looking to learn more about Barack's positions, we also expanded the policy/issues section with more topic areas and more types of content for the various topics.

As with any changes, there are bound to be bugs and breakages, so please let us know in the comments of this post if you experience any problems.

We hope you and the thousands of new people who join over movement every day will find the site that much more useful as a result.

Obama Campaign Unveils TV Ads: “Interest” and “Listening”

Obama Campaign Unveils TV Ads: “Interest” and “Listening”
Obama: Lobbyists’ Days of Setting Agenda in Washington Are Over

DES MOINES – The Obama Campaign announced the airing of 2 new television ads in Iowa.  As more than $4 million in television ads and mailers from Washington, DC-based outside groups flood Iowa on behalf of Obama’s opponents, these ads show that Obama’s campaign is getting its support from ordinary Americans who have “lost their trust in their government.”

“Interest” highlights the millions of dollars spent by some of those Washington, DC-based groups to falsely attack Obama’s health care plan. 

“Listening” features footage of Obama’s speech before Iowa Democrats at this year’s Iowa Democratic Party Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner and endorsements from Iowa newspapers. 

The scripts are as follows:

"INTEREST"

Script

[I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message]

While Iowans struggle with health costs, outside groups are spending millions to stop change, including false attacks on Barack Obama's health plan. But experts say Obama's plan is "the best." It "guarantees coverage for all Americans."

Putting "pressure on insurance and drug companies," his plan cuts costs more than any other – saving twenty five hundred dollars for the typical family.

The same old Washington politics won't fix healthcare. But we can.

“LISTENING”

Script

[I’m Barack Obama, and I approve this message.]

America is listening. Not just Democrats, but Republicans and Independents who’ve lost trust in their government but want to believe again.

I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over.

I have done more than any other candidate in this race to take on the lobbyists, and I have won. They have not funded my campaign, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I am president.

I am in this race to take those tax breaks away from companies that are moving jobs overseas and put them in the pockets of hard-working Americans who deserve them.

I want to stop talking about the outrage of 47 million Americans without healthcare and start actually doing something about it.

That’s why I’m running, Iowa.

Your future is our future, and our moment is now.

Ottumwa Courier Endorses Barack Obama

Ottumwa Courier Endorses Barack Obama
Says Obama Will Create Change and Inspire Others to do the Same

DES MOINES – Today, citing his “consistent opposition” to the war in Iraq and his ability to “create change,” and “inspire others to do the same,” the Ottumwa Courier endorsed U.S. Senator Barack Obama for President. 

Obama has also been endorsed by the Sioux City Journal, Iowa City Press Citizen, Woodbine Twiner/Logan Herald-Observer, Daily Iowan, Iowa State Daily and Des Moines’ El Latino.

Below are excerpts from the editorial:

"Americans clamor for change. And every election cycle, a candidate or several candidates will offer his/her ideas on how they would change the course of American governance.  But Iowa Democrats have a real choice next month and there is one politician who we believe will not only create change, he’ll inspire others to do the same.  Barack Obama has earned our support in the Iowa caucuses..."

To read the entire editorial endorsement, go to: https://www.ottumwacourier.com/opinion/local_story_360221606.html?keyword=topstory

Iowa State Rep. Wayne Ford Endorses Obama for President

State Rep. Wayne Ford Endorses Obama for President
All Four Members of Iowa’s Legislative Black Caucus Now Back Obama

DES MOINES – State Representative Wayne Ford of Des Moines, the longest-tenured African-American in the history of the Iowa Legislature, announced today that he’s throwing his support behind Senator Barack Obama’s campaign for president.  Saying Obama would be the strongest Democratic candidate in the general election and would address the challenges facing Urban America, Ford became the 20th Iowa state representative to back Obama. Ford’s endorsement means that Obama now has more Iowa legislative endorsements than any other Democrat in the field – surpassing Clinton’s total of 19.

“Barack’s ability to win the support of Independents and Republicans means he’ll both be our party’s strongest general election candidate and a President who can successfully expand economic opportunity and access to affordable housing for every American – including those who live in urban communities,” said Rep. Ford.  “I am glad that Sen. Obama has invited me to be a part of his team as he looks at implementing his national urban agenda.  This endorsement isn’t just about my name.  I intend to spend the next 11 days working to ensure that Barack Obama makes a strong showing on caucus night in Iowa and in the primaries that follow across the country.”

Obama said he was honored to earn the endorsement of State Rep. Ford and said it would help his campaign continue to build momentum in Iowa. Obama previously secured the endorsement of the other three members of the Legislative Black Caucus: State Reps. Ako Abdul-Samad, Deborah Berry and Helen Miller.

“I am grateful to Rep. Ford for signing onto our campaign and adding his support and his voice to our team in Iowa,” said Obama. “Rep. Ford has been leading the fight against rising incarceration and high school drop-out rates for years, and I’m glad he’s agreed to be a leader for our campaign. We’re building a statewide movement of Iowans from every corner of the state who are ready to put the divisive politics of the past behind us and bring to Washington the kind of change we can believe in.”

Including Rep. Wayne Ford, Senator Obama has received 20 endorsements from Iowa state legislators including Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, Rep. Deborah Berry, Sen. Joe Bolkcom, Sen. Bob Dvorsky, Rep. Elesha Gayman, Sen. Bill Heckroth, Rep. David Jacoby, Rep. Pam Jochum, Rep. Helen Miller, Sen. Rich Olive, Rep. Donovan Olson, Rep. Tyler Olson, Rep. Janet Petersen, Rep. Brian Quirk, Sen. Tom Rielly, Rep. Paul Shomshor, Rep. Mark Smith, Sen. Steve Warnstadt, and Sen. Frank Wood.  Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald have also endorsed Senator Obama's campaign for change.

Sioux City Journal Endorses Barack Obama For President

Sioux City Journal Endorses Barack Obama
Says Obama is Candidate Who Will Find Bipartisan Solutions and Take on Special Interests

DES MOINES – Saying Obama is the best candidate to unite Americans around “a common good and higher interest,” the Sioux City Journal Sunday endorsed U.S. Senator Barack Obama for President.

Below are excerpts from the editorial:

Barack Obama is the Democratic candidate who best understands this critical moment in our nation’s history. He is equipped to bring a fractured people together and possesses the gifts to move us forward, united with a common mission, ready to answer that call.

That is why we are endorsing the U.S. senator from Illinois in the Jan. 3 Iowa Caucuses.

Obama is a gifted orator. Yet, his skills extend beyond the stage of political theater. He has demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges, home and abroad, our next president must confront. His record in Congress and the Illinois state senate indicates he has the ability to reach out to Republicans and Independents to identify sound, bipartisan solutions and take on special interests…

The great hope embodied by a candidate like Obama is the promise of a new path. He has little patience for the "that's-just-the-way-it-is" mentality of Washington, D.C. It's a culture that increasingly relies on polling and special interests to guide policy and measures success by political points scored. Instead, Obama speaks of a change harkening back to moments in our nation's history when we shared "a common good and a higher interest. That's the change I'm looking for." 

It's the kind of change America appears eager for.

A editorial is online at https://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2007/12/23/news_opinion/editorial/

New TV Ad “Enough” Highlights Obama’s Commitment To American Workers

Obama Vows to Protect Workers from Unfair Trade Deals
New TV Ad “Enough” Highlights Obama’s Commitment to American Workers

INDIANOLA – U.S. Senator Barack Obama today discussed his commitment to fight for fair trade for America’s workers, reject trade agreements that weren’t in American workers’ best interest, and enforce the agreements we do have.  The Obama Campaign also released a new television ad, Enough, in which Obama vows to end tax breaks for companies moving jobs overseas and reward companies that invest in America.  To view “Enough”, click HERE.

The Bush Administration has done little to protect Americans whose livelihoods are being threatened by globalization and changes in technology.  By failing to enforce U.S. trade agreements, overseas companies and workers have been given an unfair and sometimes illegal advantage over American workers. 

“American workers deserve better. When I’m President, we’ll make sure our trading partners live up to their agreements,” Obama said.   “We’ll have a trade representative who’s actually representing American workers. And we’ll do more to stop countries like China from acting unfairly when it comes to trade – because no country should get a free pass if they’re bending the rules.”

Obama will make enforcement the top priority of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Office, and he will increase resources for the USTR so it can carry out its responsibility to protect American interests.  As President, Obama will only negotiate trade agreements that benefit American workers and have strong and enforceable labor and environmental standards in the body of the agreement.  In addition, Obama will help workers hurt by the effects of globalization get back on their feet by strengthening training programs and providing assistance for health care costs.      

“When I’m President, we’ll give you training before you lose your job if there’s a good chance it will get shipped overseas,” Obama said.  “We’ll give you an education account that you can use to retrain. We’ll help ensure that losing your job doesn’t also mean losing your health care by giving you some extra money to pay for it. And we’ll make sure employers give you an additional month’s notice before letting you go – so you have 90 days’ notice, instead of just 60.  We’re not going to be able to stop globalization in its tracks, but what we can do is have a President who’s standing up for American farmers and workers. That’s why I’m running for President.”

Below is the script of “Enough”:

Visual
Audio

B&W still of BO
BO VO:

I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message.

BO speaking to town hall sized crowd
BO Synch: Ordinary people all across the country are struggling from paycheck to paycheck.

If the plant moves to China, and you’ve been working there for 20, 30 years and suddenly you have the rug pulled out from under ya…

And you don’t have healthcare, and you don’t have a pension, you’re on your own.

We gotta stop giving tax breaks to companies that are moving overseas and give those tax breaks to companies that are investing right here in IA

In the United States of America.

Barack Obama for President

Iowa.barackobama.com

Approved by Barack Obama.  Paid for by Obama for President.
Enough is enough.