At times like these, it's helpful to reappraise why our fervor and dedication to a Democratic White House, and specifically an Obama White House, are so fierce.
Because it doesn't realy matter what we think, so we went back out on the streets and gas station forecourts canvassing and asking the electorate whose policies best fit the American People's Hopes and Requirements?
In our experience, when we’ve spoken to people across America, in districts and cities and states from Brooklyn to DC to Tennessee to New Orleans and, now, California, their lives and their ambitions are directly reflected in the Obama campaign's policies and are often the polar opposite of the McCain dictat.
Obama's support of these people's needs is not Socialism, it’s not even Populism, it’s Representation, plain and simple.
And that truth, in spite of an economy in freefall; in spite of a $15 billion monthly war bill; in spite of a healthcare program that doesn’t protect the people who need it most; and, most reassuringly in 2008, in spite of the incendiary rhetoric of the McCain-Palin campaign – that truth is the basis of democracy and the tide of Renewal, Hope and Action that will sweep the most gifted leader of his generation to the White House next week and begin to repair our communities and our world.
Here are some of the eloquent tales and Hopes of some of the people we’ve been talking to on the road…
Introduction
Please repair the standing of the United States in the Global Community - Nathan, Louisiana
I want our granddaughters to go to college without bankrupting their parents - Mary, New York City
If there's going to be a change, it has to be Obama - John, Texas
Let's get beyond partisan politics in Washington - Tom, California
We need to get school-wise, job-wise
More better jobs...to support my kids
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A Personal Reflection: The Global-American Condition in 2008
The theme that I keep going over in my head is the one that’s been articulated here already, that this is America in 2008, that even if our efforts are unappreciated by some, then they are wholeheartedly supported by others – that we are witness to the Global-American condition in this critical, historic, iconic year.
In recent days, we have been exposed to the great American dichotomy; of a work always intentionally and admirably unfinished, of impossible ideals grasped for, of the diversity in background and opinion that encompass the creed: E Pluribus, Unum; that though America is comprised of people from every extreme of life’s spectrum, the overall national direction can be unified if it holds to the fundamental belief that all men are created equal.
Yes, even now we are largely outsiders to this process, observers to the sensitive makeup of a nation much more than we are participants, but we feel we can make a small impact with the work we do – that if one person we connect with votes for Obama even in part as a result of a conversation we’ve had with them, then rather than wasting our time in an arena in which we are not wanted, we’ve invested it with passion and precision.
I understand that there are issues at stake in this election that are unique to Americans, that this is their business first and foremost.
But if Drive for Obama can achieve anything towards its ends, then it’s the espousal of an international interpretation on the incredible process of American democracy, a forwarding that these issues affect us all.
For me specifically, it’s been a steep learning curve. The profound feeling during the first two weeks was that Drive for Obama was preaching to the choir; connecting with people, yes, but connecting with people who already agree with us, who are already dedicating their time to registering voters or knocking on doors and spreading the message, making sure that it is heard and that national opinion is given its just platform.
But, irrespective of what we would like to believe and what we hear from the campaigns, politics is – by definition – a partisan practise. People are ideological and vociferous in their long held views..
That's only right. There is nothing wrong with being ideological. People need to have convictions and people need to hold firm to the ideals that they believe will best benefit themselves and their families in the lives they choose to lead. That is the beauty of the democratic process and the genius of Jefferson’s Bill of Rights. And that is why we are afforded the privilege of doing this.
But when the differences that divide people are encouraged by national leaders – rather than the similarities that unite the common hopes everyone shares – the fracturing results are clear to see.
In recent days, we have been proxy to some of the vitriol espoused by the McCain-Palin campaign. I will not go into specifics here, but the hate-mongering that started at the Republican rallies is seemingly, in small number of specific constituencies, getting through and influencing the mindset of a small part of the electorate.
McCain and Palin’s tactics constitute fear-mongering of the darkest and most damaging kind. Yes, they are the results of a desperate campaign, and they will not affect the outcome of the election.
But hearing these comments on the streets, what concerns me is that the well of American fairness and tolerance is being poisoned by an element of the Republican campaign for political purposes, and that that may have severe consequences for the next administration.
The next President is going to have to deal with Honest to God battles. The global economy is in turmoil, war proliferates and our planet is burning.
My concern is that, as a direct result of the incitement of the McCain campaign, whose ads are not just negative or critical in political or ideological terms, not just demonstrating disagreement on the issues at stake, but are incendiary and downright dangerous, my concern is that the American and global social fabric(s) may require severe repair after this campaign, at a time when I thought cosmetic issues were being overcome.
My sincere hope, however, and my ultimate belief, is that the negative attacks will have little influence on the outcome of the election, and that an Obama presidency will confront and tackle these issues, and debate them in the open as a sincere assessment and addressing of what our world wants to be.
That is my hope and that's why we are spending time trying to connect with voters, for no other reason than to give voice to this message of Hope.
Alex.
In recent days, we have been exposed to the great American dichotomy; of a work always intentionally and admirably unfinished, of impossible ideals grasped for, of the diversity in background and opinion that encompass the creed: E Pluribus, Unum; that though America is comprised of people from every extreme of life’s spectrum, the overall national direction can be unified if it holds to the fundamental belief that all men are created equal.
Yes, even now we are largely outsiders to this process, observers to the sensitive makeup of a nation much more than we are participants, but we feel we can make a small impact with the work we do – that if one person we connect with votes for Obama even in part as a result of a conversation we’ve had with them, then rather than wasting our time in an arena in which we are not wanted, we’ve invested it with passion and precision.
I understand that there are issues at stake in this election that are unique to Americans, that this is their business first and foremost.
But if Drive for Obama can achieve anything towards its ends, then it’s the espousal of an international interpretation on the incredible process of American democracy, a forwarding that these issues affect us all.
For me specifically, it’s been a steep learning curve. The profound feeling during the first two weeks was that Drive for Obama was preaching to the choir; connecting with people, yes, but connecting with people who already agree with us, who are already dedicating their time to registering voters or knocking on doors and spreading the message, making sure that it is heard and that national opinion is given its just platform.
But, irrespective of what we would like to believe and what we hear from the campaigns, politics is – by definition – a partisan practise. People are ideological and vociferous in their long held views..
That's only right. There is nothing wrong with being ideological. People need to have convictions and people need to hold firm to the ideals that they believe will best benefit themselves and their families in the lives they choose to lead. That is the beauty of the democratic process and the genius of Jefferson’s Bill of Rights. And that is why we are afforded the privilege of doing this.
But when the differences that divide people are encouraged by national leaders – rather than the similarities that unite the common hopes everyone shares – the fracturing results are clear to see.
In recent days, we have been proxy to some of the vitriol espoused by the McCain-Palin campaign. I will not go into specifics here, but the hate-mongering that started at the Republican rallies is seemingly, in small number of specific constituencies, getting through and influencing the mindset of a small part of the electorate.
McCain and Palin’s tactics constitute fear-mongering of the darkest and most damaging kind. Yes, they are the results of a desperate campaign, and they will not affect the outcome of the election.
But hearing these comments on the streets, what concerns me is that the well of American fairness and tolerance is being poisoned by an element of the Republican campaign for political purposes, and that that may have severe consequences for the next administration.
The next President is going to have to deal with Honest to God battles. The global economy is in turmoil, war proliferates and our planet is burning.
My concern is that, as a direct result of the incitement of the McCain campaign, whose ads are not just negative or critical in political or ideological terms, not just demonstrating disagreement on the issues at stake, but are incendiary and downright dangerous, my concern is that the American and global social fabric(s) may require severe repair after this campaign, at a time when I thought cosmetic issues were being overcome.
My sincere hope, however, and my ultimate belief, is that the negative attacks will have little influence on the outcome of the election, and that an Obama presidency will confront and tackle these issues, and debate them in the open as a sincere assessment and addressing of what our world wants to be.
That is my hope and that's why we are spending time trying to connect with voters, for no other reason than to give voice to this message of Hope.
Alex.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Texas Hurricane
Tonight, we inadvertantly drove into the eye of what the weatherman described as 'a hurricane.' Whoopsy.
Tucked away in our Odessa, TX, motel now, after some canvassing of the doorman as we arrived at midnight, we can laugh, but it was a bit scary at the time!
By the way, this is what Texan hurricanes normally do to things in their path...
Houston, TX. 10/10/08.
Tucked away in our Odessa, TX, motel now, after some canvassing of the doorman as we arrived at midnight, we can laugh, but it was a bit scary at the time!
By the way, this is what Texan hurricanes normally do to things in their path...
Houston, TX. 10/10/08.
The South
Raleigh, NC.
The night of the Biden-Palin debate, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
The McCain cups in 7/11 are very unpopular, Austin, TX.
Our reading, viewing and listening materials on the road and in the motels, Austin, TX.
Messages of Hope From Around The World (III)
Alex and Russell, I have checked out your blog and now your facebook site. What you two are doing is absolutely amazing. THANK YOU for rallying support for Obama/Biden! I see victory on the horizon. Safe travels.
Nicole Vaughan, Charlottesville, VA
Just thought I'd drop you a line to say I've been keeping up to date with your travels on the blog and I think what you're both doing is fantastic. I'm hugely envious! I've got about a hundred questions to ask about it but these can keep until we meet up sometime in the hopefully not too distant future! Keep up the good work and fingers crossed for a positive result in November!
Simon Swaine, Sheffield, UK
Nicole Vaughan, Charlottesville, VA
Just thought I'd drop you a line to say I've been keeping up to date with your travels on the blog and I think what you're both doing is fantastic. I'm hugely envious! I've got about a hundred questions to ask about it but these can keep until we meet up sometime in the hopefully not too distant future! Keep up the good work and fingers crossed for a positive result in November!
Simon Swaine, Sheffield, UK
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Joey's Message
Last night we met a young Democrat named Joey, originally from California but currently in New Orleans.
Joey asked us to remind Barack supporters that the iconic 2008 Obama t-shirts, caps and pin-badges will be prohibited from the polls on election day, as they are deemed electioneering tools by the Federal Commission on elections.
'The day before the election, we can wear them in support,' he said, 'the day after, in celebration.'
He also said 'you guys, and the international support for the Obama campaign in general, are a huge part of this movement...you're making a big difference on the ground in terms of perception. Thank you for your contribution.'
Joey asked us to remind Barack supporters that the iconic 2008 Obama t-shirts, caps and pin-badges will be prohibited from the polls on election day, as they are deemed electioneering tools by the Federal Commission on elections.
'The day before the election, we can wear them in support,' he said, 'the day after, in celebration.'
He also said 'you guys, and the international support for the Obama campaign in general, are a huge part of this movement...you're making a big difference on the ground in terms of perception. Thank you for your contribution.'
The Connection Card
As we meet people and speak with them across America, we realized we needed a hook to draw them into our campaign.
Just as we were about to print some amateur cards, a package arrived for us in New Orleans.
We've already starting using these, as you can see from yesterday's video, and people are responding really well.
Special thanks to Drive for Obama's Guardian Angel for these, and for spoiling us generally in our mission.
Just as we were about to print some amateur cards, a package arrived for us in New Orleans.
We've already starting using these, as you can see from yesterday's video, and people are responding really well.
Special thanks to Drive for Obama's Guardian Angel for these, and for spoiling us generally in our mission.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
New Feature - Voices for Obama
We've been out canvassing on the streets of New Orleans, LA, today, and it's thrown up some fascinating insights that we'd like to share with you.
So, every day for the next four weeks in the final run-up to the election on November 4, we are going to publish some of the most interesting conversations we have with Americans as we continue through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and into Illinois working for the campaign.
We'll be engaging with people on the gas station forecourts, at small and large events, in people's homes and at their places of work.
We hope to bring you some films as diverse in background and opinion as those people we've already met journeying through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, DC, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana and we hope many will be as creative as this one...
So, every day for the next four weeks in the final run-up to the election on November 4, we are going to publish some of the most interesting conversations we have with Americans as we continue through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and into Illinois working for the campaign.
We'll be engaging with people on the gas station forecourts, at small and large events, in people's homes and at their places of work.
We hope to bring you some films as diverse in background and opinion as those people we've already met journeying through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, DC, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana and we hope many will be as creative as this one...
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Car
Many people have been asking about our car. Initially, we had a 1988 BMW. We'd fallen in love with it. We'd each written a favourite quote from an Obama speech on the hood, we'd designed a 'Drive for Obama' motif, which adorned the back bumper, and our closest friends had scrawled messages of Hope and support across the back.
We were going to ask each person we spoke with along the route to add their own message or comment, to try and make the car a piece of 'art.'
Sadly, our dream machine never made it out of New York. We couldn't register it in time. Oh, and it wouldn't start. Oh, AND the key snapped in the door, so we couldn't even get in it.
Plan B was the somewhat less romantic Pontiac G6, a plain white hire car we picked up on Day One in New Jersey.
Still, as we drive and make contact with local campaign offices, we are accumulating new things to garb it with. We hope the bumper stickers from Louisiana and the other states we volunteer in will wash off come return day!
But we are taking the message to the road...have a look!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Week One - Four left to win this thing...
Please don't laugh at our fire. Honestly. It took ages to light - in the end we had to use 'Bod' antiperspirant spray to ignite it. Then, well, it went up.
Aside from burning ourselves in campsites up mountains in Tennessee, here's a few of the other things we got up to in Week One and how we feel about stuff.
Messages of Hope From Around The World (II)
As the Economist pointed out this week, only Americans can vote in American elections. In view of the current UK coverage, one would be forgiven for overlooking this detail. So what are we doing as we idle away our politically impotent hours this side of the Atlantic? We are watching our representatives on the ground. And you are doing a great job.
Bridie Layden, London, UK
The way you speak about everything, the elections and your affections for the cities, you sound like an American. Not in accent, but in aspirations and passion. We're really proud of you.
Rosanne Diaz, Liverpool, UK
Many a job-hunting hour has been passed looking at the blog instead. Keep it up, guys. You will do what is hard, you will achieve what is great. Don't come home until he's in!
Joe Kenyon, London, UK
Have become addicted to the driveforobama blog! What an amazing adventure they are having. We are enviously watching from Grainthorpe!!
Rachael Meese, Lincs, UK
Bridie Layden, London, UK
The way you speak about everything, the elections and your affections for the cities, you sound like an American. Not in accent, but in aspirations and passion. We're really proud of you.
Rosanne Diaz, Liverpool, UK
Many a job-hunting hour has been passed looking at the blog instead. Keep it up, guys. You will do what is hard, you will achieve what is great. Don't come home until he's in!
Joe Kenyon, London, UK
Have become addicted to the driveforobama blog! What an amazing adventure they are having. We are enviously watching from Grainthorpe!!
Rachael Meese, Lincs, UK
The Pilgrimage(s)
The long American highway is a desolate and lonely place. Endless tarmac, silent gas station forecourts and the relentless anaemic hue of soul-berating Burger Kings permeate the landscape with a slow, unforgiving mundanity.
Lone truck drivers pit their solitary hopes on the Teddy Pickers – whose prizes stare their beady eyes zombily into nothingness – grasping for the thrill of everyday excitement and interaction denied them by the open road. These rest points are their hermitage; where they thumb at inane glossy magazines to distract from their toil.
But for us it’s different. Over Karaoke in Nashville, TN, one guy who heard of our adventure and our involvement in 2008’s iconic America, summed it up: ‘you guys are living the dream.’
And we are. Aside from Drive for Obama, this journey is our exploration of the country that’s been our home for over a year and one that’s fascinated and inspired us all our lives.
And so, in the midst of an ever-thrilling and exhausting campaign trail of repeating our message and engaging with individuals about why this year and this election matter more than any other, it’s also a pilgrimage to the music and politics on which we were both reared.
Nowhere has this been more pertinent than in Memphis, home of Elvis Presley and the Blues, and the place of Martin Luther King’s last steps forty years ago on that long march for justice that still continues in 2008.
Today, we were enthralled at Graceland, disappointed by the flat refusal to record music at Sun Studios and subdued all over again at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King fell and which is now the fitting home to the National Civil Rights Museum.
Last night, we met a guy called Richard Johnston, and agreed he conjured the most universal and impressive music either one of us had ever encountered, from two broomstick handles and a cigar case, and a foot that simultaneously played kick drum, hi-hat and snare. In Memphis or through the internet, you've gotta check him out...
Tomorrow, the search for understanding and symmetry continues, into Little Rock, AR, and the Clinton Library.
As we travel, we are aware that the innards of our white saloon hire car are, frankly, not a relaxing place.
If there’s rest bite from the mountain of discarded Cheetos, it’s only for the occasional scattered Skittle or two-day-old coffee cup. If there’s refuge from the constant hum of spiky drumbeats through cheap speakers, it’s only for the more painful lament of a King or Kennedy speech.
But as we are reminded by every Obama bumper sticker on the freeway, every lawn placard, or each person we speak to whose raised eyebrows wither to knowing nods of approval as we explain why we are doing this, or every symbol of Hope delivered here by past generations, we cannot forget Mike’s words:
‘You guys are living the dream. Keep doing what you’re doing. We need you.’
Lone truck drivers pit their solitary hopes on the Teddy Pickers – whose prizes stare their beady eyes zombily into nothingness – grasping for the thrill of everyday excitement and interaction denied them by the open road. These rest points are their hermitage; where they thumb at inane glossy magazines to distract from their toil.
But for us it’s different. Over Karaoke in Nashville, TN, one guy who heard of our adventure and our involvement in 2008’s iconic America, summed it up: ‘you guys are living the dream.’
And we are. Aside from Drive for Obama, this journey is our exploration of the country that’s been our home for over a year and one that’s fascinated and inspired us all our lives.
And so, in the midst of an ever-thrilling and exhausting campaign trail of repeating our message and engaging with individuals about why this year and this election matter more than any other, it’s also a pilgrimage to the music and politics on which we were both reared.
Nowhere has this been more pertinent than in Memphis, home of Elvis Presley and the Blues, and the place of Martin Luther King’s last steps forty years ago on that long march for justice that still continues in 2008.
Today, we were enthralled at Graceland, disappointed by the flat refusal to record music at Sun Studios and subdued all over again at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King fell and which is now the fitting home to the National Civil Rights Museum.
Last night, we met a guy called Richard Johnston, and agreed he conjured the most universal and impressive music either one of us had ever encountered, from two broomstick handles and a cigar case, and a foot that simultaneously played kick drum, hi-hat and snare. In Memphis or through the internet, you've gotta check him out...
Tomorrow, the search for understanding and symmetry continues, into Little Rock, AR, and the Clinton Library.
As we travel, we are aware that the innards of our white saloon hire car are, frankly, not a relaxing place.
If there’s rest bite from the mountain of discarded Cheetos, it’s only for the occasional scattered Skittle or two-day-old coffee cup. If there’s refuge from the constant hum of spiky drumbeats through cheap speakers, it’s only for the more painful lament of a King or Kennedy speech.
But as we are reminded by every Obama bumper sticker on the freeway, every lawn placard, or each person we speak to whose raised eyebrows wither to knowing nods of approval as we explain why we are doing this, or every symbol of Hope delivered here by past generations, we cannot forget Mike’s words:
‘You guys are living the dream. Keep doing what you’re doing. We need you.’
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
September 27 - The Rally - One Year On
People that speak to me for any length of time will know my distain for doubling back. For anything, for any reason. To me, it just points to poor planning and in some way admitting defeat.
For example, if I’m out shopping with the intention of picking up a few things and, say, deodorant is top of the list, and I realize on the way back to the car that I forgot it, I will happily continue home and maybe smell a little less sweet rather than make my shopping trip last an extra 10 minutes.
So, when we’re only four days into a cross-country adventure, it takes something very special to make me turn the car around and back the way we’ve come.
But here we were, a year to the day that both Alex and I saw Obama speak for the first time at rally in Washington Square Park in New York City (by the way, an interesting fact for you, Obama has been on the campaign trail longer than Sarah Palin has been Alaska’s governor) to discover that a joint Obama/Biden rally had been hastily scheduled 50 miles back north from Richmond, VA, in the small town of Fredericksburg.
When opportunities like this crop up, it makes the extra 100 miles added to the trip seem rather insignificant.
By way of repaying the kind hospitality we’d received the night before, we took Kelly (who’d kindly given us a place to sleep) and Aaron and Emily (who’d hosted the debate watch party), with us to Fredericksburg and joined the ever-expanding line.
I should point out that at no time before we entered did there appear to be signs of impending rain. The sun was shining, the temperature was somewhere in the mid 80’s and if anything the concern was with how sunburnt and clammy we’d get outside all afternoon. Just then, it began to rain. A Lot.
It began lightly, but soon all hope that it was just a passing shower was shattered by the crack of thunder that echoed across the University quadrangle.
Eventually, as the darkness began to creep across the campus, the stage lit up like a beacon and Joe Biden and Barack Obama emerged onto the stage to rapturous applause, abating any fears that the rain might quell anyone’s enthusiasm.
Joe spoke first, berating John McCain for his performance at the debate the night before: ‘John McCain was wrong, Barack Obama is right’ came the call repeated again and again. It was a scathing response to the insidious advert the McCain campaign released during and immediately after the debate, in which they had used Obama’s own words that ‘John McCain was right’ [about certain policy matters] as ‘evidence’ that he is not ready to lead this country.
The majority of the polls and pundits gave the debate to Obama, made all the more impressive because the focus was intended to be John McCain’s strong point, foreign policy.
Obama took the microphone from his running-mate and launched into an enthusiastic version of his stump speech, buoyed by his debate success and making references to McCain’s weaknesses from the night before.
A mere five minutes into Obama’s speech the rain began to fall again. In grateful recognition of the crowd, Obama lithely took off his jacket, claiming he would love to pay for everybody’s dry cleaning, ‘but we need the money for the campaign…consider it a modest contribution’ - one the estimated 26,000 people were happy to pay. As Joe Biden stepped forward to take the jacket from Obama’s outstretched hand, he offered a baseball cap in return. Obama casually refused, coolly saying 'I don’t need a hat, I’m gonna give Joe Biden the hat.'
Eloquent as ever, Barack tied the relentless rain into his closing remarks:
‘We've stood out in the midst of storms and bad weather – but in each of those moments, we've risen to meet the challenge, because we've never forgotten that fundamental truth that here in America, our destiny is not written for us, but by us.’
Tempered by the storm but encouraged and filled with optimism once more, on this quiet Saturday evening, we left Fredericksburg determined that this message would propel us to North Carolina, Tennessee and a result come November.
For example, if I’m out shopping with the intention of picking up a few things and, say, deodorant is top of the list, and I realize on the way back to the car that I forgot it, I will happily continue home and maybe smell a little less sweet rather than make my shopping trip last an extra 10 minutes.
So, when we’re only four days into a cross-country adventure, it takes something very special to make me turn the car around and back the way we’ve come.
But here we were, a year to the day that both Alex and I saw Obama speak for the first time at rally in Washington Square Park in New York City (by the way, an interesting fact for you, Obama has been on the campaign trail longer than Sarah Palin has been Alaska’s governor) to discover that a joint Obama/Biden rally had been hastily scheduled 50 miles back north from Richmond, VA, in the small town of Fredericksburg.
When opportunities like this crop up, it makes the extra 100 miles added to the trip seem rather insignificant.
By way of repaying the kind hospitality we’d received the night before, we took Kelly (who’d kindly given us a place to sleep) and Aaron and Emily (who’d hosted the debate watch party), with us to Fredericksburg and joined the ever-expanding line.
I should point out that at no time before we entered did there appear to be signs of impending rain. The sun was shining, the temperature was somewhere in the mid 80’s and if anything the concern was with how sunburnt and clammy we’d get outside all afternoon. Just then, it began to rain. A Lot.
It began lightly, but soon all hope that it was just a passing shower was shattered by the crack of thunder that echoed across the University quadrangle.
Eventually, as the darkness began to creep across the campus, the stage lit up like a beacon and Joe Biden and Barack Obama emerged onto the stage to rapturous applause, abating any fears that the rain might quell anyone’s enthusiasm.
Joe spoke first, berating John McCain for his performance at the debate the night before: ‘John McCain was wrong, Barack Obama is right’ came the call repeated again and again. It was a scathing response to the insidious advert the McCain campaign released during and immediately after the debate, in which they had used Obama’s own words that ‘John McCain was right’ [about certain policy matters] as ‘evidence’ that he is not ready to lead this country.
The majority of the polls and pundits gave the debate to Obama, made all the more impressive because the focus was intended to be John McCain’s strong point, foreign policy.
Obama took the microphone from his running-mate and launched into an enthusiastic version of his stump speech, buoyed by his debate success and making references to McCain’s weaknesses from the night before.
A mere five minutes into Obama’s speech the rain began to fall again. In grateful recognition of the crowd, Obama lithely took off his jacket, claiming he would love to pay for everybody’s dry cleaning, ‘but we need the money for the campaign…consider it a modest contribution’ - one the estimated 26,000 people were happy to pay. As Joe Biden stepped forward to take the jacket from Obama’s outstretched hand, he offered a baseball cap in return. Obama casually refused, coolly saying 'I don’t need a hat, I’m gonna give Joe Biden the hat.'
Eloquent as ever, Barack tied the relentless rain into his closing remarks:
‘We've stood out in the midst of storms and bad weather – but in each of those moments, we've risen to meet the challenge, because we've never forgotten that fundamental truth that here in America, our destiny is not written for us, but by us.’
Tempered by the storm but encouraged and filled with optimism once more, on this quiet Saturday evening, we left Fredericksburg determined that this message would propel us to North Carolina, Tennessee and a result come November.
Messages Of Hope From Around The World
**********Please send us a message and we'll post it here...or post your own blogs and get some conversations started!**********
I LOVE that you're doing the drive for Obama! You boys stay safe, have fun and keep up the good work.
Ekama Ivara, London, UK
The drive looks awesome! I check the blog daily for updates. November 4th is going to be huge.
Ed Hayne, Geneva, Switzerland
Good luck on the drive, spread your incredible passion and point the people of America towards the outcome the world needs!
Ranil Pilimatalawa, London, UK
Presenting us with a countdown clock: After I heard Obama's convention speech, I knew I had to get you something. Good luck.
Julia Ferguson, New York, NY
Just read your blog, sounds amazing what you're doing. Take care, drive safe.
Louise Mills, Leeds, UK
Enjoy every speeding minute and be patient when it's slow. We'll be jealously looking on from London. Good luck!
Jake Hayman, London, UK
I LOVE that you're doing the drive for Obama! You boys stay safe, have fun and keep up the good work.
Ekama Ivara, London, UK
The drive looks awesome! I check the blog daily for updates. November 4th is going to be huge.
Ed Hayne, Geneva, Switzerland
Good luck on the drive, spread your incredible passion and point the people of America towards the outcome the world needs!
Ranil Pilimatalawa, London, UK
Presenting us with a countdown clock: After I heard Obama's convention speech, I knew I had to get you something. Good luck.
Julia Ferguson, New York, NY
Just read your blog, sounds amazing what you're doing. Take care, drive safe.
Louise Mills, Leeds, UK
Enjoy every speeding minute and be patient when it's slow. We'll be jealously looking on from London. Good luck!
Jake Hayman, London, UK
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
