2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

Barack Obama Iowa State College Tour Photos, Ames, Iowa, August 28, 2012 Part 1 of 2

Obama Campaign to Kick Off “Road to Charlotte” Tours Next Week

Obama Campaign to Kick Off “Road to Charlotte” Tours Next Week

President and Vice President to Celebrate “American Heroes”

CHICAGO -- Obama for America announced today that President Obama and Vice President Biden will hold campaign events across the country next week as part of their “Road to Charlotte” tours leading up to the Democratic National Convention. On the tours, the President and Vice President will be joined by different “American Heroes” – people who have shown grit and determination in overcoming obstacles, highlight the progress we’ve made together in rebuilding our economy, and demonstrate the American values of hard work and responsibility that make our country great. In addition to sharing their stories with the President and Vice President in their home states, some will also share their stories at the Democratic National Convention.

On the “Road to Charlotte” tours, the President and Vice President will continue to lay out what’s at stake for the middle class in this election – the choice between continuing to move forward to an economy built to last that’s grounded in a strong middle class, or going back to the same top-down economic policies of the last decade that crashed our economy and punished the middle class. The “American Heroes” that will join the President and Vice President exemplify the importance of this choice and they understand why our economy needs to be built from the middle out, not the top down.

On Saturday, September 1, the President will kick off his “Road to Charlotte” tour in Des Moines, Iowa before traveling across the state to Sioux City.

On Sunday, September 2, the President will then campaign in Boulder, Colorado. On the following day, Monday, September 3, the President will travel to Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio for campaign events. And on Tuesday, September 4, the President will campaign in Norfolk, Virginia.

On Sunday, September 2, Vice President Biden will campaign in the York, Pennsylvania region in addition to Green Bay, Wisconsin. From there, the Vice President will travel to Detroit, Michigan on Monday, September 3.

Additional details on President Obama and Vice President Biden’s campaign events are forthcoming.

Barack Obama, The Road To Charlotte Begins in Des Moines, Iowa at Living History Farms on Saturday, September 1, 2012

The Road To Charlotte Begins in Des Moines, Iowa at Living History Farms on Saturday, September 1, 2012

On Saturday, September 1, the President will kick off his “Road to Charlotte” tour in Des Moines, Iowa before traveling across the state to Sioux City.

Estimated Event Time:  1:20 PM CDT
 
Where: 

Living History Farms
11121 Hickman Road
Urbandale, IA 50322

Obama for America Releases New Television Ad: “Promises”

Obama for America Releases New Television Ad: “Promises”

CHICAGO—Today, Obama for America released the new television advertisement “Promise,” detailing how President Obama knows that Medicare is a sacred trust with our seniors: if you work hard and pay in, your Medicare benefits are guaranteed. It explains how Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan would break this promise, turning Medicare into a voucher system, and eliminating Medicare’s guarantee. Instead of that guarantee, seniors could pay $6,400 more a year out of their own pockets – which is why AARP has declared that such a voucher plan “would undermine the market power of Medicare.”

“Promises” will air in Iowa, Colorado, Nevada, Ohio, and Virginia on Saturday.

Voiceover:

"It's a promise that was made long ago. You work hard, pay in. Your Medicare benefits are guaranteed. But Mitt Romney would break that promise...replace your benefits with a voucher."

"Insurance companies could just keep raising rates. .Instead of a guarantee, seniors could pay sixty four hundred dollars more a year. AARP says the plan Mitt Romney supports undermines Medicare. Mitt Romney. An end to the Medicare Promise."

Obama for America Activities at the Minnesota State Fair

Forward, On a Stick: OFA-Minnesota at the State Fair

Fairgoers can watch panel discussions, calculate their taxes for the Obama vs. Romney plans, and share why they are a fan of the President

St. Paul, Minn -- Tomorrow, Thursday, August 23rd, President Obama’s grassroots campaign will kick-off its programming at the Minnesota State Fair, launching a series of interactive activities each day including discussions with elected officials, community leaders and supporters at the DFL Pavilion on the corner of Dan Patch and Cooper.

This year’s theme is Forward, On a Stick. Fairgoers from around the state can stop by the OFA table to pick up a handheld fan and share why they are a fan of the President. They will be able to take their picture with a life-size cut-out and use their social networks to discuss why they stand with the Obama-Biden team. And they will be able to use the online Tax Calculator to compare the impact to their families under the respective tax plans and see who is really fighting for the middle class.

The full schedule of speakers is below:

Friday, August 24th

11am – State Fair kick-off

Mayor RT Rybak will join OFA staff, neighborhood team leaders and volunteers from around Minnesota to energize supporters for a day at the Fair.

Saturday, August 25th

2pm- Minnesota’s Rural Economy

Sunday, August 26th

11am – Students for Obamacare

Monday, August 27th

12pm – Health Care Reform and You

Tuesday, August 28th

1pm— Standing with our Veterans

Wednesday, August 29th

1pm - Out-Educating the World

Thursday, August 30th

2pm- Spotlight on Seniors

Friday, August 31st

2pm- Young Minnesotans for Obama

Saturday, September 1st

1pm- Top-down & Backwards

Obama for America Announces that it will be the First Political Campaign in History to Accept Text Message Donations

OFA First Political Campaign in History to Accept Text Message Donations

CHICAGO -- As part of its ongoing effort to build the largest grassroots campaign in history, Obama for America announced today that it will be the first political campaign in history to accept small-dollar donations via text message.

Following FEC advisory opinions issued in June and August, supporters with mobile phones on supported carriers will now be able to text “GIVE” to 62262, OFA's text short code, to quickly make small contributions, not exceeding $50 during any billing cycle for most carriers.

“Grassroots giving is powering this campaign,” said OFA Campaign Manager Jim Messina. “Since April 2011, more than 2.7 million people have pitched in to own a piece of the President’s campaign, and last month 98 percent of donors gave less than $250. Accepting small donations by text message will help us engage even more grassroots supporters who want to play a role by donating whatever they can afford to the campaign – and get the President re-elected in November.”

The service will begin for Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular customers starting this week, and with other carriers, including AT&T, anticipated to approve in the near future. Text message contributors will see their donations charged to a given month’s wireless bill.

OFA intends to promote this convenient new avenue of small-dollar donations when supporters are most likely to take out their mobile phones to contribute. For instance, a video screen at a grassroots event with President Obama could flash a message such as, “To contribute $10 to Obama for America, text GIVE to 62262.” A similar message could appear in a web video or on a piece of campaign literature.

This campaign’s strength has always come from the millions of grassroots supporters nationwide who are organizing their communities every day, and this function is another easy, low-barrier way for supporters to help build OFA’s unprecedented grassroots organization across the country. As we push through the last 100 days of this election, we remain focused on making this campaign as accessible as possible to the small-dollar donors that are the heart and soul of our organization.

Contributions or gifts to Obama for America are not tax deductible. Contribution charged to your cell phone bill. Must be 18 or older. Standard message and data rates may apply. Up to 6 msgs/mth from Obama for America. Additional information at http://ofa.bo/t. For help, text HELP. To cancel messages, text STOP.

Former President Bill Clinton Advocates for President Obama in New Obama For America Television Ad

Former President Bill Clinton Advocates for President Obama in New OFA Television Ad

CHICAGO -- Obama for America released a new television advertisement today featuring former President Bill Clinton discussing the clear choice Americans face in this election. As President Clinton notes, President Obama is fighting for an economy built to last by investing in the resources we need to rebuild America from the ground up – like innovation, education and job training – to keep our country moving forward. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, on the other hand, want to go back to the same-top down economics that cuts taxes for millionaires and billionaires paid for by raising taxes on middle-class families and lets Wall Street write its own rules. The choice for the middle class, as President Clinton notes, couldn’t be clearer.

“Clear Choice” will air in New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Colorado, Nevada.

President Bill Clinton:
"This election to me is about which candidate is more likely to return us to full employment."

"This is a clear choice. The Republican plan is to cut more taxes on upper income people and go back to deregulation. That's what got us in trouble in the first place."

"President Obama has a plan to rebuild America from the ground up, investing in innovation, education, and job training. It only works if there is a strong middle class."

"That's what happened when I was President. We need to keep going with his plan."

President Obama Will Take a Two-Day Tour of Iowa, Colorado and Virginia on August 28-29, 2012

PRESIDENT OBAMA TO TRAVEL TO IOWA, COLORADO AND VIRGINIA

CHICAGO – Obama for America announced today that President Obama will take a two-day tour of Iowa, Colorado and Virginia next week. On Tuesday, August 28, President Obama will attend campaign events in Ames, IA, and Fort Collins, CO, and on Wednesday, August 29, the President will attend campaign events in Charlottesville, VA.

PRESIDENT OBAMA TO HOLD EVENTS WITH STUDENTS ON HIS COLLEGE TOUR THROUGH IOWA, COLORADO AND VIRGINIA
Additional details on the President’s Grassroots Event at Charlottesville nTelos Wireless Pavilion are forthcoming

CHICAGO –Next week, President Obama will host grassroots events in college towns across the country.  The President will deliver remarks in Ames, Iowa home of Iowa State University and Fort Collins, Colorado home of Colorado State University on Tuesday, August 28, and on Wednesday, August 29, President Obama will deliver remarks in Charlottesville, Virginia home of the University of Virginia.  During his college tour, President Obama will discuss the choice for young voters in this election between two fundamentally different visions of how to grow the economy, in part by ensuring that our future workers can afford to get a college degree.  The President will also highlight the importance of registering to vote, especially amongst young people, and will encourage Americans to understand their voting rights and know how to exercise them in their state.

Investing in quality, affordable education is a top priority for President Obama – it’s critical to building the skilled workforce needed to drive America’s economy, restoring the foundation that will help the middle class succeed and keeping our country competitive for generations to come. To help give college students and their families much-needed relief, President Obama established a college tax credit worth up to $10,000 over four years of college, which has helped an estimated 78,000 Iowa students, 152,000 Colorado students and 231,000 Virginia students in 2011. He has also doubled our investment in Pell Grant scholarships, which has helped boost aid for over 221,000 Iowa students, 158,000 Colorado students and 192,000 Virginia students in 2010.  Now, he is working with states and colleges to hold down college costs.

While President Obama has doubled-down on investing in America’s students and middle class, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan support gutting these investments to help finance tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28:

Grassroots Event with President Obama in Ames, Iowa

Estimated Event Time: 1:10 PM CDT

Where:          

Iowa State University
Central Campus
Ames, Iowa

Grassroots Event with President Obama in Fort Collins, Colorado

Estimated Event Time: 5:20 PM MDT

Where:          

Monfort Quad
Colorado State University
411 University Drive
Fort Collins, CO

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29:

Grassroots Event with President Obama in Charlottesville, VA

Estimated Event Time: 3:30 PM EDT

Where:          

Charlottesville nTelos Wireless Pavilion
700 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902

Obama for America Releases New Television Ad: “Children”

Obama for America Releases New Television Ad: “Children”

CHICAGO—Obama for America today released a new television advertisement titled “Children” that highlights the clear choice for voters between Mitt Romney and President Obama’s vision for public education. The President believes a strong education system is critical to creating an economy built to last,keeping America competitive, and growing our economy from the middle class out. The Romney-Ryan plan could gut investments in education by 20 percent and risk as many as 65,000 educators’ jobs to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires, the Romney-Ryan plan denies what every parent knows: class size matters, education funding matters, and, most of all, teachers matter.

 The President has provided temporary support for more than 400,000 educator jobs in the face of state budget cuts caused by the recession, and he is calling on Congress to provide support to 325,000 more – a step that would help the recovery and strengthen state schools for years to come. This is part of a wave of education reform spurred by President Obama – including encouraging nearly every state to raise academic standards with a modest investment through the Race to the Top initiative, offering states committed to reform flexibility from the most unworkable parts of No Child Left Behind, and reforming the student loan system by ending billions of dollars in wasteful taxpayer subsidies to banks and instead using that money to directly help more Americans pay for college.

“Children” will air in Virginia and Ohio on Thursday.

Kevin:
"Some of our children's greatest experiences have been in the smaller classrooms."

Voiceover:
"But Mitt Romney says classroom sizes don't matter and he supports Paul Ryan's budget which could cut education by 20%."

Kevin:
"You can't do this by shoving thirty, thirty-five people in a class and just teaching to some test."

Caroline:
"These are all issues that really he personally cannot relate to. To be able to afford an education to want the very best public education system for your children."

Vice President Joe Biden to Travel to Florida for Campaign Events on August 27-28, 2012 *Trip To Florida Postponed

Vice President Joe Biden to Travel to Florida for Campaign Events

CHICAGO, IL – On Monday, August 27, Vice President Joe Biden will travel to the Tampa area for campaign events. On Tuesday, August 28, he will travel to Orlando and St. Augustine for campaign events.  In Orlando, the Vice President will be joined by campaign co-chair Eva Longoria.

Additional details and media logistics for the Vice President’s trip are forthcoming and subject to change due to weather-related precautions.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Event Start Time: 1:00 PM EDT

All People's Life Center
6105 East Sligh Avenue
Tampa, FL 33617

Update on Vice President Joe Biden’s Travel to Florida

CHICAGO, IL –  Due to disaster preparedness and local security concerns, Vice President Biden’s trip to Tampa, Florida on Monday, August 27 for campaign events has been postponed. This change in schedule is being taken out of an abundance of caution to ensure that all local law enforcement and emergency management resources can stay focused on ensuring the safety of people who might be impacted by the storm, as well as those attending the activities in Tampa.

Additional details and media logistics for the Vice President’s stops in Orlando and St. Augustine, Florida on August 28 are forthcoming and subject to change due to weather-related precautions.

Update on Vice President Biden’s Schedule

CHICAGO, IL – Due to the statewide state of emergency declared in Florida, Vice President Biden’s travel to Orlando and St. Augustine, Florida on Tuesday, August 28 for campaign events has been postponed.

This change in schedule is being taken to ensure that all law enforcement and emergency management resources across the state can continue their focus on ensuring the safety of those who might be impacted by the storm.