On one side of Peachtree Center Avenue, members of Georgia's organized labor community held up "Teamsters for Obama" signs and picketed in front of the Mariott Marquis hotel chanting, "Bush, McCain, Same Thing."  On the other side of the street, anti-war protestors, armed with bullhorns, led several cadences of "McCain says warfare, we say healthcare."

There's no word if John McCain saw or heard any of the demonstrations against his Atlanta visit today but nevertheless, the several dozen protestors gathered downtown this afternoon intended to express their dissent at a John McCain presidency.

Among those in attendance at the protest were state Democratic Party Chair Jane Kidd and state Sen. David Adelman (D - Atlanta) who used John McCain's visit to highlight his ties to controversial Republican Ralph Reed.

"We are here today on the streets of Atlanta with real Georgians who are struggling and need our support. Later today, inside this fancy hotel, John McCain will be meeting with Jack Abramoff's colleague Ralph Reed and other lobbyists to hear about their clients," Kidd said at a press conference directly across the street from most of the protestors.

I just arrived back home (on the Big Island of Hawaii) after spending three days in Honolulu at the Kahala resort. The agenda? The opportunity to get up close and personal with the next President of the United States at a $2300 per person fundraiser, one of the only campaign events scheduled during Senator Obama's vacation in his home state of Hawaii.

The hotel was buzzing the day before in anticipation of hosting the event. We had fun playing 'spot the Secret Service agents', and watching hotel staff feverishly plan the staging. Each morning the local paper (Honolulu Advertiser) and local TV news recounted the daily events of the Obamas out and about, Barack playing golf, Barack and his girls on the beach, Michelle and Barack eating burgers in the park. And lots of talk of the 'ritzy' high-dollar fundraiser slated for Tuesday night. Follow me below the fold for an inside look.

Howard Dean makes a statement on today's shooting at Arkansas Democratic Party:

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the shooting today at the Democratic Party headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas: "This senseless tragedy comes as a shock to all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chairman Gwatney and his family and we pray for his full and speedy recovery. While the investigation of this shooting continues, and our primary concern remains with Bill and his family, we commend the courageous and speedy action of law enforcement officials in apprehending the suspect."

Read more.

"I’ll be on your side forever more..." If you haven’t noticed, President Bush’s call sheet isn’t exactly full these days. With an approval rating in the 20s, this president is finding out who his friends really are.  Good thing for him, Steve LaTourette’s still got him on speed dial.

A few weeks ago I made a high stakes bet with a Republican. The loser has to listen to 90 days of the winner's favorite radio talk show. In my case, I'd have to listen to Rush (EVERY day) and miss Randi Rhodes and Thom Hartmann.  If I win, my Republican friend (yes, friend!) has to listen to Randi and Thomm. If my Obama poster fundraiser fails to get an average of 100 hits per 90 remaining ebay auctions, I lose.

Total hits so far: 874
Average hits per auction: 79
Biggest "hit" auction: 418 - the one auction linked to Kos!

Click here to visit the auction and make a necon squirm!
No bidding necessary, I need page views to win the bet!

Of course we knew this all along. When President George W. Bush is with his cronies behind closed doors and the cameras are (supposedly)turned off, sometimes he lets a little truth slip out.

Greg Mitchell of The Huffington Post reports that Houston's ABC affiliate has produced embarrassing footage of Bush at a local fund-raiser for Pete Olson, blaming Wall Street for "getting drunk" and screwing up the American economy.

I was watching the news this evening and heard that John McCain is coming to Buffalo, NY for a fundraiser.  Actually two of them.  One at a private residence, the second at the Albright Knox Museum.  It appears that some think McCain could give a crap about this area.  I don't know why they would think that, but I think they are wrong.

- NOVA/DC OBAMA EVENTS UPDATE –
(please forward)

FEATURED EVENTS:
*** 8pm 7/17 "Campaign for Change" Bar Crawl in Clarendon! ***

*** 7/18 Sky Lounge Stoplight Party for Obama in Rockville! ***

*** 7/20 Jews for Obama Dinner and Discussion in Falls Church! ***

*** 7/21 Generation Obama Pre-Auction Flyering @ "The Candidate" for Screen on the Green, Metros, as well as your Office and Neighborhood! ***

*** 7/22 "Unify Your Love!" Date Auction & Mixer for Obama! (w/Open Bar) ***   -  AUCTIONEE BIO & HOST SIGN UPS DUE AT 5PM FRIDAY! -  DOUBLE DATES WILL BE AVAILABLE! -  OPEN BAR NOW STARTS AT 8PM!

*** 7/26 Arlington Platform for Change Café @ Cecilia’s ***

*** 7/28-8/11 Monday Night "Screen on the Green" Visibility ***

LOCAL CAMPAIGN EVENTS:
**7/18-21 ARLINGTON VOTER REG, PHONES & CANVASSING EVENTS**
**7/18-21 FALLS CHURCH VOTER REG & CANVASSING EVENTS**
**7/18-21 ALEXANDRIA VOTER REG, PHONES & CANVASSING EVENTS**
(plus canvassing in Lee and Mt. Vernon Districts)
*** 7/18-21 FAIRFAX PHONES & CANVASSING EVENTS***
*** 7/18-21 FAIRFAX VOTER REGISTRATION EVENTS***

$320 Raised!!! $180 to go!!!

Gabe's 2nd Birthday $5 Obama Fundraiser Link

My son Gabe (Gabro) turns 2 years old on July 18, 4 days away. In the last two years, his mother and I have been blessed with the fact that he has been healthy, playful, social, and loving. For those who have had the chance to spend even a small amount of time with him, I think they can agree that those are just a few of his overall characteristics. We are also blessed to know that he loves NPR in the car, has his own "Daddy's lil Democrat" tshirt, has had "Lefty" the beanie baby donkey in his crib/bed since he was born, and understands the necessity to severely limit Fox News in the household he tends to spit up when watching it) :)

So far, we have $320 raised, 64% of our goal.

He's expected to visit our valley on Thursday July 17 according to the Napa Register
He's going to tour our wild fire-ravaged state, then attend a fundraiser at a "private residence" in Napa.  But which private residence is what I want to know.  

Gabe's 2nd Birthday $5 Obama Fundraiser Link

My son Gabe (Gabro) turns 2 years old on July 18, 5 days away. In the last two years, his mother and I have been blessed with the fact that he has been healthy, playful, social, and loving. For those who have had the chance to spend even a small amount of time with him, I think they can agree that those are just a few of his overall characteristics. We are also blessed to know that he loves NPR in the car, has his own "Daddy's lil Democrat" tshirt, has had "Lefty" the beanie baby donkey in his crib/bed since he was born, and understands the necessity to severely limit Fox News in the household he tends to spit up when watching it) :)

So far, we have $235 raised, 47% of our goal.

Gabe's 2nd Birthday $5 Obama Fundraiser Link

My son Gabe (Gabro) turns 2 years old on July 18, 6 days away. In the last two years, his mother and I have been blessed with the fact that he has been healthy, playful, social, and loving. For those who have had the chance to spend even a small amount of time with him, I think they can agree that those are just a few of his overall characteristics. We are also blessed to know that he loves NPR in the car, has his own "Daddy's lil Democrat" tshirt, has had "Lefty" the beanie baby donkey in his crib/bed since he was born, and understands the necessity to severely limit Fox News in the household he tends to spit up when watching it) :)

So far, we have $195 raised, 39% of our goal.

It doesn't seem to have hit too many radars yet, but I really think the race in Illinois Congressional District 18 is gonna be tight! This is a district that has been Republican held since the 1940s, as I diaried the other day, going back as far as I could research without taking too much time out of my workday. Since 1949 at least.

Jane Harman in CA-36 and her SecureUS PAC is hosting a fundraiser for several "moderate-style Democrats who have an interest in national security issues." I have to give the hat tip to a local blogger on this one, Peoria Pundit broke this story to me.

Though click hereif you want it from the horse's mouth, and that would be PolitickerCA.

Red to blue, my friend, red to blue for IL 18.

Here's a chance to put your money where your mouth is and to hear from a leading Democratic Strategist. And to help out a fellow kossack in the bargain.  Donna Brazile, Democratic Strategist & Author will be holding a lunch time discussion next Tuesday, July 15th at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco to benefit the Obama Victory Fund. You big money types can join a small VIP reception for Donna preceding the luncheon. Details below the fold..
 

Gabe's 2nd Birthday $5 Obama Fundraiser Link

My son Gabe (Gabro) turns 2 years old on July 18, 7 days away. In the last two years, his mother and I have been blessed with the fact that he has been healthy, playful, social, and loving. For those who have had the chance to spend even a small amount of time with him, I think they can agree that those are just a few of his overall characteristics. We are also blessed to know that he loves NPR in the car, has his own "Daddy's lil Democrat" tshirt, has had "Lefty" the beanie baby donkey in his crib/bed since he was born, and understands the necessity to severely limit Fox News in the household he tends to spit up when watching it) :)

So far, we have $145 raised, 29% of our goal.

So my first Obama fundraising poster sold on Sunday for almost $60, and I thought that was pretty great. The buyer has already left me glowing feedback on ebay. A fine start to a summer project, I think. I mentioned this casually to a friend, and her husband scoffed. "Musta been the only Obama supporter with a job," he said, "or some stupid kid looking to waste their daddy's money on ebay." He continued to roll his eyes as I told him the poster got 13 bids and at least 100 page visits. "So? I bet the next one won't even get 10 visits!" And so the argument began... the same argument I've been having with him for five years.

Gabe's 2nd Birthday $5 Obama Fundraiser Link

My son Gabe (Gabro) turns 2 years old on July 18, 9 days away. In the last two years, his mother and I have been blessed with the fact that he has been healthy, playful, social, and loving. For those who have had the chance to spend even a small amount of time with him, I think they can agree that those are just a few of his overall characteristics. We are also blessed to know that he loves NPR in the car, has his own "Daddy's lil Democrat" tshirt, has had "Lefty" the beanie baby donkey in his crib/bed since he was born, and understands the necessity to severely limit Fox News in the household he tends to spit up when watching it) :)

So far, we have $96 raised, 19% of our goal.

Gabe's 2nd Birthday $5 Obama Fundraiser Link

My son Gabe (Gabro) turns 2 years old on July 18, 10 days away. In the last two years, his mother and I have been blessed with the fact that he has been healthy, playful, social, and loving. For those who have had the chance to spend even a small amount of time with him, I think they can agree that those are just a few of his overall characteristics. We are also blessed to know that he loves NPR in the car, has his own "Daddy's lil Democrat" tshirt, has had "Lefty" the beanie baby donkey in his crib/bed since he was born, and understands the necessity to severely limit Fox News in the household he tends to spit up when watching it) :)

So far, we have $86 raised, 17% of our goal.