2012 Presidential Campaign Blog

President Obama Will Begin a Two-Day Tour of Florida on Thursday, July 19, 2012

PRESIDENT OBAMA TO VISIT FLORIDA
                                
CHICAGO – On Thursday, July 19, President Obama will begin a two-day tour of Florida to share his vision for moving America forward by cutting taxes for the middle class and reducing the country’s deficit. 

On Thursday, July 19, the President will travel to Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, Florida

CHICAGO- On Thursday, July 19, President Obama will kick off a two-day tour across Florida, where he will discuss the choice in this election between two fundamentally different visions of how to grow the economy, create middle-class jobs and pay down the debt.  The President believes the only way to build an economy meant to last is to build it from the middle out, not the top down.  He will discuss his plan to restore middle-class security by paying down our debt in a balanced way that ensures everyone pays their fair share and still invests in the things we need to create jobs and grow our economy over the long term, like education, energy, innovation, and infrastructure. 

The President will also repeat his call on Congress to act now to give middle-class families some certainty by preventing a scheduled tax increase on 98 percent of Americans, including families across Florida.  President Obama has already cut taxes for a typical Florida family by $3,400 over four years helping families afford to send their children to college, buy their first home, pay for health care and child care.

President Obama will also hold campaign events in Fort Myers and Orlando, Florida on Friday, July 20. Details on additional stops will be announced in the following days.


GRASSROOTS EVENT IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Estimated Event Time: 1:15 PM EDT

Where:          

Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center
1000 Water Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204

PRESIDENT OBAMA DELIVERS REMARKS AT A CAMPAIGN EVENT IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

Estimated Event Time: 6:20PM EDT

Where:          

Century Village at West Palm Beach
Main Clubhouse
5500 Century Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33417

State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa Named Wisconsin Chair of Latinos For Obama

State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa Named Wisconsin Chair of Latinos For Obama

MILWAUKEE – Obama For America has named State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa as the Wisconsin Chair of Latinos for Obama. In 2010 Rep. Zamarripa became the first Latina elected to the Wisconsin State Legislature. Prior to that she was an educator and community outreach coordinator at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

Below is Rep. Zamarripa’s statement on being named Wisconsin Chair of Latinos for Obama.

“I am honored to chair Wisconsin Latinos for Obama and work with the Latino Community to make sure President Obama gets re-elected. The upcoming presidential election is crucial for the Latino community - our vote could end up deciding this election, and the choice between the two candidates could not be clearer.”

“Mitt Romney is out of step with the Latino community on virtually every issue we face in our community. His extreme, unrealistic immigration policy and vow to get rid of Planned Parenthood, which provides essential medical care for thousands of Latina women in Wisconsin every year are just two examples of that. On the other hand, in his first term President Obama has done much for the Latino community, including cutting payroll taxes for 25 million Latinos, and helping grow Latino-owned small business. The Affordable Health Care Act will provide health coverage to 9 million currently uninsured Latinos in the next two years and the President’s support of the DREAM Act has moved us in the right direction towards immigration reform.”

“President Obama believes that everyone who works hard and plays by the rules, should have a fair shot at the American dream. I am proud to help mobilize the Latino community in Wisconsin and ensure a second term for President Obama.”

Democratic National Committee and Obama for America Announce 2012 Convention Platform Committee

Democratic National Committee and Obama for America Announce 2012 Convention Platform Committee

Washington D.C. — Today, the Democratic National Committee and Obama for America announced the 2012 Platform process.  In the weeks leading up to the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, Democrats from across the country will come together to draft a Platform that outlines Democratic priorities and highlights the President’s vision for the middle class and his efforts to create an economy that’s built to last.

A national hearing will take place July 27-29, 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The hearing will include an opportunity for the public to make presentations before the Platform Drafting Committee.  The Committee will then meet to draft the 2012 Democratic Platform which will ultimately be used as a working document by the full Platform Committee.

The Platform Drafting Committee will be chaired by former Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio.  Named to serve as members on the committee are former U.S. Representative Tony Coelho, Tino Cuellar, U.S. Representative Barney Frank, Donna Harris-Aikens, Colin Kahl, Nancy Keenan, Heather Kendall Miller, Thea Lee, U.S. Representative Barbara Lee, Susan Ness, Mayor Michael Nutter, Carlos Odio, former U.S. Representative Robert Wexler and Christen Young.  Serving as ex-officio members are Governor Deval Patrick, DNC Secretary Alice Germond, and Tom Wheeler.

The Committee is accepting requests to testify and written testimony via online portal at www.democrats.org/platform.  All submissions must be received prior to 5pm EST on Friday, July, 20, 2012 and will be provided to the Drafting Committee.

The full Platform Committee will meet August 10-12, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. At this meeting, members will discuss the draft Platform and will have the opportunity to submit new proposed amendments to the draft, which need to be approved by a majority of the Committee voting and present. The Platform will then be presented to Convention delegates in Charlotte. 

The full Platform Committee will be chaired by Mayor Cory Booker and Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy (Ret.). Andrew Grossman will serve as National Platform Director.

In addition to the Platform Committee, the Convention Rules and Credentials Committees will meet the weekend before the Convention in Charlotte.  All three committees consist of two co-Chairs, four Vice Chairs, 25 Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) members who were elected by the DNC Executive Committee, and an additional 161 members elected by each of the states and territories.

The Rules Committee is chaired by State Attorney General Kamala Harris and Governor Martin O’Malley.  The Credentials Committee is chaired by Mayor Julian Castro and Bishop Vashti McKenzie.

President Obama To Hold Town Hall In Cincinnati, Ohio on Monday, July 16, 2012

PRESIDENT OBAMA TO HOLD TOWN HALL IN CINCINNATI, OHIO

CHICAGO – On Monday, July 16, President Obama will travel to Cincinnati, Ohio to hold a campaign event. In Cincinnati, he will discuss the choice in this election between two fundamentally different visions of how to grow the economy, create middle-class jobs and pay down the debt.  The President believes the only way to build an economy meant to last is to build it from the middle out, not the top down.  He will discuss his plan to restore middle class security by paying down our debt in a balanced way that ensures everyone pays their fair share and still invests in the things we need to create jobs and grow our economy over the long term, like education, energy, innovation, and infrastructure.  

Event: Campaign Event with President Obama

When: Monday, July 16, 2012

Estimated Remarks Start Time:  2:20 PM EDT

Where:          

Cincinnati Music Hall Ballroom
1241 Elm Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Obama for America Releases New Television Advertisement: “Two Plans”

Obama for America Releases New Television Advertisement: “Two Plans”

DES MOINES -- Obama for America released a new television advertisement today titled “Two Plans” that highlights the clear difference between Mitt Romney and President Obama’s tax plans. The President believes the economy grows from the middle out, and that’s why his plan would extend tax cuts for the middle class and asks the wealthiest to pay their fair share. On the other hand, Mitt Romney believes in a top-down economy – that’s why his plan would cut taxes for millionaires by 25 percent and give tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, while increasing taxes on middle-class families.

“Two Plans” will air in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

The choice on taxes.

Mitt Romney's plan: A twenty five percent tax cut for millionaires, tax breaks for oil companies and corporations that ship jobs overseas, but a tax hike for 18 million working families.

President Obama's plan: ask the wealthy to pay a little more so the middle class pays less, eliminate oil subsidies and tax breaks for companies that outsource."

Two plans. Your choice.

Barack Obama Holding Grassroots Events In Centreville and Glen Allen, Virginia On Saturday, July 14, 2012

Barack Obama Holding Grassroots Events In Centreville and Glen Allen, Virginia On Saturday, July 14, 2012

Grassroots Event in Glen Allen, Virginia

Estimated Event Time: 1:20PM EDT
 
Where:         

Walkerton Tavern
2892 Mountain Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060

Grassroots Event in Centreville, Virginia

Estimated Event Time: 4:00PM EDT
 
Where: 

Centreville High School
6001 Union Mill Rd
Clifton, VA. 20124

President Obama To Kick Off A Two-Day Tour Across Virginia On Friday, July 13, 2012

PRESIDENT OBAMA IN VIRGINIA TO DISCUSS PLAN TO CUT MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES’ TAXES
On Friday, July 13, the President will travel to Virginia Beach, Hampton and Roanoke
Additional stops on the President’s tour to be announced in coming days

CHICAGO, IL -- On Friday, July 13, President Obama will kick off a two-day tour across Virginia, where he will again urge Congress to prevent a scheduled tax increase on the 98 percent of families who earn under $250,000 a year. The President believes our economy grows from the middle class out, not the top down, which is why his plan extends tax cuts for the middle class and asks the wealthiest to pay their fair share. The President will also discuss his strong record of cutting taxes for the middle class – including having already cut taxes by $3,600 for a typical family earning $50,000 – and his plan to pay down our deficit in a balanced way while creating jobs in Virginia and across the country.

FRIDAY, JULY 13:

Grassroots Event in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Estimated Event Time: 12:45PM EDT

Where:          

Green Run High School
1700 Dahlia Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23454                

Remarks in Hampton, Virginia

Estimated Event Time: 4:25PM EDT

Where:          

Phoebus High School
Main Gymnasium
100 Ireland Street
Hampton, VA 23663                      

Grassroots Event in Roanoke, Virginia

Estimated Event Time: 7:05PM EDT

Where:          

Historic Fire Station No. 1
13 Church Avenue SE
Roanoke, VA 24011 

Pre-Program Announced for President Obama’s Grassroots Event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on July 10, 2012

Pre-Program for President Obama’s Grassroots Event in Cedar Rapids

DES MOINES – Before President Obama outlines his plan to build an economy that is grown from the middle-class out at Kirkwood Community College, there will be an eventful pre-program with participants from Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Waterloo and Central City, IA.

· Band - Diplomats of Solid Sound, soul band from Iowa City.

· Emcee - Margaret “Peggy” Whitworth of Cedar Rapids.  Peggy Whitworth was the executive Director of Brucemore, Iowa’s only National Trust for Historic Preservation site for 20 years. She has been involved with the Obama campaign since the 2007 caucus. Peggy is an Neighborhood Team Leader in Cedar Rapids, helping to organize people for the election this fall. 

· Pledge of Allegiance – Will Overstreet of Cedar Falls. Will is a member of the Iowa National Guard.  He was deployed to Afghanistan, and currently is a teacher with the Waterloo School System.

· National Anthem – Mary Mathis will be a Junior this fall at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids.   She is a member of their award-winning show choir, Happiness, and of three varsity choirs. Mary has had lead roles in several school musicals, including Annie and Smile.  She is currently practicing for a lead role in "Camp Rock" at Theatre Cedar Rapids with performances in August.

· Invocation - Pastor Steve Perkins of Payne Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Waterloo – the oldest African American Church in Waterloo.

· Welcome Remarks - Kirsten Running-Marquardt of Cedar Rapids.  Kirsten was elected to the Iowa House in a special election in 2009.  Prior to that, she was an organizer with SEIU, and was active in the Obama campaign in 2008.  She represents southwest Cedar Rapids, including Kirkwood Community College.

· Volunteer Pitch - Andrea Marie Nemecek, Grinnell College student from Cedar Rapids.  Andrea has been involved with the Obama campaign in Cedar Rapids since she was 15.  She went to Kennedy High School where President Obama held his first campaign event in 2007.

· Introduction - Jason McLaughlin, Principal of Central City High School in Central City. President Obama is visiting the home of Jason and Ali McLaughlin on Tuesday morning to discuss the President’s vision for an economy built from the middle-out, which reforms our tax code so it rewards work over wealth and ends loopholes and tax breaks for corporations and the wealthiest.

No Tickets Remaining for President Obama’s Cedar Rapids Event on Tuesday, July 10, 2012

 No Tickets Remaining for President Obama’s Cedar Rapids Event

DES MOINES – Due to overwhelming demand, there are no more tickets remaining for the grassroots event at Kirkwood Community College with President Obama on Tuesday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Doors open to the President’s event on Tuesday at 10:15 AM CDT. The campaign encourages people attending the event to arrive early.

“In less than 24 hours, all of the tickets were claimed for the President’s even in Cedar Rapids. We are thrilled by the enthusiasm from Iowans to hear President Obama’s message of moving the economy forward by creating an economy built to last,” said Obama for America Iowa State Director Brad Anderson.

On Tuesday, the President will outline his plan to build an economy that is grown from the middle out, not from the top down, where everyone has a fair shot to succeed and plays by the same set of rules. The President will also discuss his plan to pay down our deficit in a balanced way while creating jobs in Iowa and across the country.

Location:

Kirkwood Community College
Johnson Hall
6301 Kirkwood Blvd, SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406

President Obama to Host a Grassroots Event at Johnson Hall at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, July 10, 2012

President Obama to Host a Grassroots Event at Johnson Hall at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

CHICAGO, IL -- On Tuesday, July 10, President Obama will deliver remarks at a grassroots event at Johnson Hall at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The President will outline his plan to build an economy that is grown from the middle out, not from the top down, where everyone has a fair shot to succeed and plays by the same set of rules. The President will also discuss his plan to pay down our deficit in a balanced way while creating jobs in Iowa and across the country. 

Doors open to the President’s event on Tuesday at 10:15 AM CDT and the event is free and open to the public, however tickets are required for admission. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.

Tickets will be distributed at the following locations on Saturday, July 7 at 12:00 PM CDT.

Cedar Rapids OFA Office
2857 Mt. Vernon Rd. SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

Iowa City OFA Office
321 Market St, Suite 106
Iowa City, IA 52240

IBEW Local 405
1211 Wiley Boulevard SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Waterloo OFA Office
512 Mulberry St
Waterloo, IA 50703