Hopefully my fellow Obama supporters will help bring this diary to the attention of those in central Ohio (by recommending it) as I report that I am reporting for duty tonight, Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 7pm ET
at
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 189 Labor Hall (Columbus, OH )
1250 Kinnear Road
Columbus, OH 43212
for the official start of the Obama Ohio campaign in central Ohio
As of 9:15am ET this morning, 540 people have already signed up.
It will be a 2 hour session and I suggest those who can attend come early because it will probably be way more then 540 there. They have an OK parking lot, but not THAT big.
To sign up, go here
If you cannot attend, but you know of people who can attend, please forward this message to them.
Clinton was ahead of Obama by 17 points in the most recent Ohio poll. The Clinton team is saying they must win Ohio and Texas to remain a credible candidate.
I believe Texas is clearly in play for Obama (even more so then Ohio), but don't let that 17 point poll discourage you. We can win Ohio.
YES WE CAN. Si se puede
When we win Ohio and Texas, game set match, checkmate, the game is over. Sorry Pennslyvania, you will be an afterthought.
I have already sent my enthusiastic message of support to all my Democratic contacts in central Ohio (about 150) plus about 20 or so personal friends.
This is the letter I sent yesterday:
March 4 and the Future
After nearly 8 years of George W. Bush and very bitter partisan rancor, as well as degradation of our precious freedoms and liberty whipped up in a frenzy of fear mongering from the Republicans, we now face a very critical election for George Bush’s successor.
Polls tend to indicate this November will be very good for Democrats and that whoever is our Presidential nominee, they have a leg up.
Our party will make history as it nominates either a woman or an African American to head the ticket. How exciting is that?!
As a person who deeply loves our country and what it is suppose to stand for, I fiercely urge you all to make your voice heard March 4 in the Ohio Democratic primary.
Hillary Clinton is an exceptional candidate for President. Her intelligence, grasp of the issues, competence, and yes, experience both in public office herself as well as her intimate exposure to the Presidency during her husband’s time in office give her a very strong case for election and to be our party’s nominee. For many, a woman breaking the ultimate glass ceiling is an achievement that makes so many women proud and those who support women’s equal rights. I am such a supporter and would be very happy to see such an accomplishment.
It’s unfortunate for Hillary Clinton and those who are vested in seeing a woman become President that the fates have seen the rise of another exceptional candidate, an unknown person this time 4 years ago. That person came into the nation’s consciousness during the 2004 Democratic National Convention when he said "We are not red states. We are not blue states. We are the United States of America". I was so electrified by this young man, Barack Obama, then, that I told my partner, as I watched him deliver that Keynote Address, we are watching the first black President of the United States speak.
I would have never dreamed though that he would be a candidate for President as early as 2008.
I deeply respect those who support Hillary Clinton and I say if your heart and mind are with Hillary, by all means, vote for her on March 4. To be sure, if she is our party’s nominee in November, I will wholeheartedly support her.
I do request though that you give Barack Obama a second look before you make your final decision for March 4.
Please go to my new personal website: http://www.myownworld.us/
And listen to the speech Barack gave Super Tuesday night. Read my comments below the video. Go to Barack’s website and read it thoroughly.
The truth is there is very little difference between Hillary and Barack policy wise. Yes, Hillary will try and institute healthcare mandates and may even garnish wages (her words) of those who refuse to buy health insurance. Barack prefers to make the purchase of health insurance voluntary, but at the same time work to make health insurance affordable for all. In effect, both candidates want to provide health insurance to all Americans – they just have different approaches to accomplish that goal.
Of course we all know Hillary Clinton voted to authorize military force in Iraq and recently voted to declare the Iranian Republican Army a terrorist force as was desired by the White House. Positions Barack Obama opposed in both cases. But both candidates promise to work toward withdrawing most American forces from Iraq if elected, but neither candidate promises a 100% withdrawal.
Hillary Clinton has a much deeper and longer history with Washington DC lobbyists and will likely be more influenced by such special interests as President, but both candidates have worked across the aisle with Republicans and have formed working coalitions with the opposite political party.
Given Hillary’s long national exposure, she has garnered much higher negatives in the perception of many voters then the new kid on the block, Barack Obama, which is not to say Republicans will not try hard to raise Obama’s negatives should he become the nominee.
For me, it is mostly a style of leadership that draws me to Barack Obama. I believe Barack Obama will not only better inspire people and better talk to the new generation of Americans coming up, but that he will be better able to form stronger and more real political coalitions as President to get things accomplished.
To date, Barack Obama has had a much stronger appeal to political independents and moderates then has Hillary Clinton. This will be critical in the fall as we face a Republican nominee, John McCain, who also appeals to political independents and moderates.
Neither the Democratic nominee or McCain can win in November appealing to their party’s base alone. The winner must pull in independents and moderates to actually win.
So, in my opinion, the question March 4 is not who is the better potential President, but who has a better chance to win in November. I believe, strongly, that is Barack Obama.
Just remember where Barack Obama was a mere two months ago with most polls showing him double digits behind Hillary Clinton in virtually every poll. And he has now erased her advantages in just a few weeks and clearly has momentum. That is a significant accomplishment that cannot be ignored as you consider who will be the stronger candidate in November.
Whatever you decide, please vote March 4.
Steve Wild
Please join 500+ people tonight in Columbus as we begin the battle to win Ohio for the next President of the United States, Barack Obama!