I don't know about you, but I have heard more than enough bad news out of last night's debate. People, including myself, are really blowing the debate out of proportion. So, tonight's ONN is going to focus on a story that really moved me this week.
Standing at the back of a packed high school gym as Vice President Biden finished speaking in Ft. Myers, Florida, on Saturday was 15-year-old Kobe Groce. He cradled a "Forward" sign, hoping to get the Vice President to sign it for his brother, Kaelin. After unsuccessfully trying to make it to the front of the event, a staff member asked if he could help. Kobe told his story, and the staffer left for a moment and came back, saying simply: "The Vice President would like to meet you."
"I turned around and looked back at my mother as I was walking with the staffer in disbelief—I didn't know how to react. I was about to meet the man that helped make my life so much better.
"My mother, Jessica, raised us as a single mother. She's a teacher and has worked so hard to support her four children. I wanted the Vice President to know that yes, we are definitely better off than we were four years ago. My family has received the tax cuts for the middle class that the President and Vice President passed, and it has helped us tremendously.
"The President and Vice President have gone above and beyond for people like me and my family, and they stand for things like keeping school affordable. My older brother uses Pell Grants and college loans to be able to afford school, and I'm thankful for that. I want to be able to go to Florida State University one day, and now I know I don't have to worry about being able to afford it. Life would not be the way it is today if they hadn't taken office four years ago.
"The Vice President approached me and I was introduced to him as a ‘special guest.’ I was overwhelmed with different emotions. I had this impulse to hug him, so I did. And I cried. I think I even got tears on the Vice President's suit jacket! I met someone who has done so much for my family without even knowing us, and that was an incredible, overwhelming feeling. I felt like he really heard me, like he knew who I was. I am hugging the man who will help me and help our President move forward."
Kobe was very grateful for the chance to meet the Vice President, but he didn't want to leave without something for his brother.
"I explained to the Vice President that the reason I was there was because my older brother inspired me to do so. He said, 'Do you have his phone number?' Then he called him and said, 'Kaelin, this is Vice President Biden' and they chatted for about five minutes! He also signed my placard, and the last line of his note really has stuck with me. He wrote: 'It was a pleasure meeting you, keep the faith.'
"I'm definitely going to keep the faith, and the thing I'm most looking forward to is watching President Obama and Vice President Biden being sworn in for a second term on January 20th, 2013."
It's easy to forget that politics isn't a sport. The pundits have certainly forgot in their zeal to turn the debates into football games. I am waiting for them to pull out John Madden's pen and start diagramming the debates. Politics impact real lives. Kobe's life was improved by Obama and Biden being elected. That's important. And that is what we need to keep in mind as we watch the debates and political coverage. With that in mind, below are links to GOTV and donate. Let's "leave everything on the field" and do our best to get Obama re-elected so he can help improve the lives of millions of Americans.
And to get us all inspired, here are some pics of today's rallies:
Denver, Colorado (approx 12,000 in attendance)
Madison, Wisconsin (approx 30,000 in attendance)
Obama's fundraising haul for September is $150mm, which is higher than last month's and matches his September 2008 haul.
Link to Transcripts and Documents.
Donate to re-elect Obama/Biden through ActBlue:
ObamaNightlyNews for Obama/Biden 2012.
Buy Obama/Biden gear at the Obama 2012 Store.
Volunteer at Obama For America to help register voters and participate in GOTV events. And check with your state Democratic Party office to find volunteer opportunities.
Share two sites that help voters in each state:
Gotta Register generates a voter registration form for your state; Gotta Vote explains how to vote early, how to find your polling place, and what to bring when voting in each state. Voters can also download convenient checklists with all of that information and sign up for voting-related reminders.
Obama Nightly News posts every night at 9:00 ET / 6:00 PT
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