***Just added a glimpse of the many O-Train volunteers who did what they needed to do for Senator Obama. Many traveled out of state, phonebanked, and participated in visibility events. Everything we did, we did on our own without any help from the campaign:
Many thanks to all of the dedicated Obama O-Train volunteers!
"Girlie Girl" and mom
Update from my daughter's graduation party:
I had no idea that my response to Senator Nelson's statement had taken on a life of its own today.
I have been busy baking, cooking, and greeting party guests for my youngest daughter. My daughter was not born into privilege. We took her in as a foster child at the age of two and a half. We adopted her when she was four years old.
Suffice it to say, she came from the bottom and is now about to graduate from high school and will attend Florida State University in the fall. She has conquered adversity and has blossomed into an intelligent, beautiful, successful young lady. This wasn't easy. She was born addicted to drugs. I must credit her success to an amazing case worker in Pennsylvania, who went above and beyond, to place a child who was no longer under his caseload. I must also credit our family commitment to her and to "Girlie Girl" herself.
"Girlie girl" is the youngest of my 5 children and she is a joy to behold. But...let's not forget that it took commitment, hard work, and help from adoption subsidies to help her overcome serious genetic and environmental disabilities. "Girlie girl" just left for other grad parties, so now I am free to address today's issues.
So...back to the issue at hand. If Senator Bill Nelson's intention was to compliment me on my hard work for the Florida Democratic Party and down ballot candidates, then I thank him from the bottom of my heart. Since 2004, I have been working hard for Florida Democratic Party and local candidates. Since Senator Nelson agrees with me that there should be consequences to the Florida Democratic Primary date change, then I will thank and hug him. I only wanted to abide by the DNC rules as I supported local, statewide, and national candidates.
I think Florida Democratic Party's Chairwoman, Karen Thurman, has done an outstanding job. She pulled the Florida Democratic Party out of an impossible situation and moved us toward a position where we are poised for greatness. She embraced us bloggers (regardless of our independent thinking) and we are moving forward in ways I never imagined.
It's my understanding that the DNC Rules Committee voted to seat all of Florida delegates with 1/2 vote each. I applaud that decision!
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I am getting ready for my daughter's high school grad party right now but I wanted to make sure that my position is clear. When I break the rules, there are consequences. When my children break the rules, there are consequences. Senator Obama obeyed the rules. I obeyed the rules. I have said all along that the DNC, the FDP, and the two remaining campaigns should sit down and negotiate a fair resolution to this debacle.
Senator Nelson just used my name to argue a position that I do not support. Anyone who knows me or has read my diaries, knows that as a Florida grassroots organizer, I understood that Florida broke the rules. I played by the rules. I organized Tampa Bay area Obama supporters to help elect Senator Obama as our next president by fundraising, online networking and rapid response as well as phonebanking to and canvassing in other states. In fact the week before the January 29th primary, I was otherwise occupied getting out the vote in South Carolina. I also traveled to North Carolina and phonebanked to Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, etc.
I ran for pledged Obama delegate in Florida CD 9 to make sure that IF Florida's delegation is seated, Senator Obama would be represented by a loyal supporter in my district.