Republicans and paid thugs plan Town Hall takeovers

by: mariochampion

Wed Aug 05, 2009 at 15:42:25 PM CDT

Its getting ugly, but we can't give up. Remember the "Brooks Brother Riots" which shut down the Florida recount and helped hand the presidency to W?

That cannothappen again.

The Democratic Party

There's been a lot of media coverage about organized mobs intimidating lawmakers, disrupting town halls, and silencing real discussion about the need for real health insurance reform.

The truth is, it's a sham. These "grassroots protests" are being organized and largely paid for by Washington special interests and insurance companies who are desperate to block reform. They're trying to use lies and fear to break the President and his agenda for change.

Health insurance reform is about our lives, our jobs, and our families -- we can't let distortions and intimidation get in the way. We need to expose these outrageous tactics, and we're counting on you to help. Can you read these "5 facts about the anti-reform mobs," then pass them along to your friends and family?

     5 facts about the anti-reform mobs

     1. These disruptions are being funded and organized by out-of-district special-interest groups and insurance companies who fear that health insurance reform could help Americans, but hurt their bottom line. A group run by the same folks who made the "Swiftboat" ads against John Kerry is compiling a list of congressional events in August to disrupt. An insurance company coalition has stationed employees in 30 states to track where local lawmakers hold town-hall meetings.

     2. People are scared because they are being fed frightening lies. These crowds are being riled up by anti-reform lies being spread by industry front groups that invent smears to tarnish the President's plan and scare voters. But as the President has repeatedly said, health insurance reform will create more health care choices for the American people, not reduce them. If you like your insurance or your doctor, you can keep them, and there is no "government takeover" in any part of any plan supported by the President or Congress.

     3. Their actions are getting more extreme. Texas protesters brought signs displaying a tombstone for Rep. Lloyd Doggett and using the "SS" symbol to compare President Obama's policies to Nazism. Maryland Rep. Frank Kratovil was hanged in effigy outside his district office. Rep. Tim Bishop of New York had to be escorted to his car by police after an angry few disrupted his town hall meeting -- and more examples like this come in every day. And they have gone beyond just trying to derail the President's health insurance reform plans, they are trying to "break" the President himself and ruin his Presidency.

     4. Their goal is to disrupt and shut down legitimate conversation. Protesters have routinely shouted down representatives trying to engage in constructive dialogue with voters, and done everything they can to intimidate and silence regular people who just want more information. One attack group has even published a manual instructing protesters to "stand up and shout" and try to "rattle" lawmakers to prevent them from talking peacefully with their constituents.

     5. Republican leadership is irresponsibly cheering on the thuggish crowds. Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner issued a statement applauding and promoting a video of the disruptions and looking forward to "a long, hot August for Democrats in Congress."

It's time to expose this charade, before it gets more dangerous. Please send these facts to everyone you know. You can also post them on your website, blog, or Facebook page.

Now, more than ever, we need to stand strong together and defend the truth.

Thanks,

Jen

Jen O'Malley Dillon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee

The Obama Boom begins again in Austin ; )

by: mariochampion

Tue Jul 28, 2009 at 09:24:13 AM CDT

The Obama Baby Boom began in Austin, TX.

Inside the Beltway

By Jennifer Harper INSIDE THE BELTWAY | Monday, July 27, 2009

'Generation O'

Cara and Jamie Vernon have begun the "Obama baby boom " - a phenomenon the press predicted would begin nine months after President Obama was elected.

It's a girl.

Mia Nicole Vernon was born eight weeks premature June 6 in Austin, Texas, weighing 3 pounds and 4 ounces. She is in fine fettle these days, home and happy. Mia's arrival gave her parents more than a pregnant pause.

"We did not choose to be a part of the 'Obama Baby Boom'. Shortly after her birth, I began to wonder if Mia would still be considered a part of the Obama baby boom, and it hit me: She may have started the 'Obama Baby Boom' - perhaps Mia is the first 'Obama Baby Boom' baby. We can leave the official determination to others, but until it is shown otherwise, Mia is the first, to us," Mr. Vernon told Inside the Beltway.

read more:
http://www.washingtontimes.com...

5/5: OFA Listening Tour at Victory Grill

by: Texans for Obama

Tue May 05, 2009 at 12:10:14 PM CDT

Join us tonight to learn more about the future of the Obama movement and offer your suggestions. Fired up and ready go!

Meet Luke Hayes
Texas Director of OFA
Tuesday, May 5
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Victory Grill
1104 East 11th Street
Austin, TX 78702
RSVP on Facebook

Also, if you haven't already, go read today's news story from the Austin American-Statesman:

A dozen years ago, a little-known schoolteacher shocked the state's political establishment by winning the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination while driving the state in a little white pickup truck.

Luke Hayes isn't running for office. But like Victor Morales before him, he has been driving around Texas lately in a white pickup as part of a national effort to keep Democrats energized after last year's presidential race.

Hayes, 25, is the recently arrived state director of Organizing for America, a political committee overseen by the Democratic National Committee. He's among directors placed by the DNC in 20 states, ranging from Democrat-leaning bastions such as California to GOP strongholds such as Alaska and Texas, which probably hasn't had anything close to a national political operative assigned to fanning grass-roots support for a Democratic president's policies since at least Lyndon Johnson's era.

The directors have been holding "listening tour" events focused on fueling grass-roots support for the Obama administration. And Hayes is penciled in to host his second Austin stop at 6 p.m. today at the Victory Grill.

Natalie Wyeth, the committee's spokeswoman, said: "We're also asking supporters and people new to the effort for their ideas on how we can best organize around the president's agenda in their community. The 'bottom up' philosophy served us quite well during the campaign."

Tomorrow: OFA Listening Tour at Scholz Garten

by: Ian

Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:14:20 PM CDT

Fellow Texans,

It's been a busy spring, and President Obama continues to fulfill his campaign promises.

Just yesterday, he signed legislation that triples the size of the AmeriCorps service program over the next eight years and expands ways for students to earn money for college. While Republicans want Obama to fail and have even criticized this important national service program, it's refreshing to finally have a Democrat in the White House who's willing to fight for change we can believe in.

Here in Texas, we have been inspired by Obama's call to national service. We recently got organized and went door-to-door to collect canned food for the Capital Area Food Bank. Our team collected over 3,000 pounds of food, and we're planning future service opportunities throughout the year.

Yes we can!

-----

ORGANIZING FOR AMERICA - LISTENING TOUR

Want to learn how to get more involved?

Our next volunteer meetup is scheduled for tomorrow evening, April 23rd. Normally, we meet every 3rd Tuesday, but this month, we're joining up with the official Organizing for America campaign. They've launched a statewide listening tour, and they'll be in Austin tomorrow evening at Scholz Garten.

It's exciting that OFA is investing real resources into Texas, so you're encouraged to come learn more about the future of the Obama movement and offer your suggestions.

OFA Listening Tour
Featuring Luke Hayes, Texas Director of OFA
Thursday, April 23
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Scholz Garten
1607 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
RSVP on Facebook

-----

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR

Next month, we'll return to our normal volunteer meetup schedule. (Every 3rd Tuesday at Scholz Garten at 6:00 p.m.)

You're invited to meet the two leading Democratic U.S. Senate candidates to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison when she steps down. Both Bill White and John Sharp are excellent candidates, and with your help, we can turn Texas blue!

The election date isn't yet certain, but most people believe that Sen. Hutchison will step down later this year to challenge Rick Perry in the 2010 gubernatorial race. This will present a unique opportunity for Texas Democrats to win a rare open U.S. Senate seat. The election is extremely important because it could provide Obama with the all-important 60th Senate vote to stop future Republican filibusters.

We need to stand up to Republican obstructionism so we can enact progressive legislation that helps improve people's lives. So come join us at one of our upcoming TFO meetups and get involved:

"TFO Meetup: Meet Bill White, Candidate for U.S. Senate"
   * Mayor of Houston
   * 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
   * Tuesday, May 19
   * Scholz Garten
   * RSVP on Facebook

"TFO Meetup: Meet John Sharp, Candidate for U.S. Senate"
   * Former Texas Comptroller
   * 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
   * Tuesday, June 16
   * Scholz Garten
   * RSVP on Facebook

If you'd like to get more involved on the local level and support your Democratic clubs, then please also consider attending these great events below.

"TCDP Reception: President Obama's 100th Day in Office"
   * Fundraiser for the Travis County Democratic Party
   * 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
   * Wednesday, April 29
   * Speakeasy
   * 412 Congress Ave
   * $20 Tickets at the Door
   * Contact the TCDP Office: (512) 477-7500
   * RSVP on Facebook

"Celebrating University Democrats: A History of Change"
   * Fundraiser for the University Democrats
   * 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
   * Friday, May 1
   * UT-Austin Business School Events Room (CBA 3.304)
   * $5 Tickets at the Door
   * Contact Jimmy Talarico: (512) 587-8961

Thanks for continuing to work hard and fighting for change we can believe in. Fired up and ready to go!

Best regards,
Texans for Obama

p.s.
Early voting in the Austin city council elections starts on April 27th. Our next newsletter will provide helpful information about early voting locations and Democratic club endorsements.

Yes We CANS Food Drive - Over 3,000 Pounds Collected!

by: Ian

Wed Feb 18, 2009 at 10:23:19 AM CST

We're excited to announce that thanks to your help and the support of Council Members Martinez and Leffingwell, we've now raised over 3,000 pounds of food!

Thank you for acting upon President Obama's challenge to get involved in community service.  In these these difficult times, food donations are even more important as we try to meet the growing hunger challenge.  While Obama's bold economic stimulus plan will make a huge difference in turning things around, it's our responsibility to take action on the local level.  So if you still have extra food in your cabinet, please continue to support this food drive and help our neighbors in need.

Going forward, we'd like to harness this collective grassroots Obama energy to tackle additional community service projects.  In that spirit, we've connected with a wonderful local environmental group called TreeFolks, and we'll help them plant new trees in our local parks.  Over the last 20 years, this group has planted hundreds of thousands of trees in public settings across the area, and we're excited to help with that effort.  Council Members Martinez & Leffingwell have generously agreed to buy breakfast tacos for our volunteers, so come out and help improve our local environment.  (See below for more information.)

Remember, the 2008 election was not the end of our journey.  It was only the beginning.  Please join your fellow Texas Obama supporters and let's volunteer to make a difference in our own backyard.  Yes we can!

Obama's 1st Presidential Address to Congress

by: Ian

Wed Feb 18, 2009 at 10:17:36 AM CST

Tuesday, February 24
7:00pm - 9:30pm
Scholz Garten
1607 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
Click here to RSVP

Watch the inauguration speech at Scholz Garten!

by: Ian

Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 22:08:42 PM CST

It's been a long two years, but now it's time to celebrate!  You're invited to come watch the inauguration parade and speech at Scholz Garten...where it all started.

Inauguration Speech Watch Party
Tuesday, January 20
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Scholz Garten
1607 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
RSVP on Facebook

Thanks again for all your hard work to elect the next president of the United States.  Yes we did!

National Day of Service - Austin: Starts Sat., 1pm

by: mariochampion

Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 18:47:10 PM CST

As part of the National Day of Service, Texans for Obama in Austin is running a canned food drive. Simply swing by to pick up a bag, or 3 or more to fill with canned food, then deliver them to the Texans for Obama booth at the end of the MLK day Parade, on the Huston-Tillotson campus.

You can fill them yourself, or, ideally, hit the houses on your street with an Obama yardsign, or bumper stickers. Ask them to be part of the Day of Service by helping fill the bag, or by taking a whole bag of their own.

(Note: For those that want, there will be a few streets of turf cut, as some volunteers have expressed desire for a a more blockwalking approach.)

WHAT: National Day of Service, TFO Canned Food Drive

WHEN:
Start: Sat, Jan 17, 1pm Pick up your bag(s). Fill them across the weekend!
End: Mon Feb 19, 12-4pm. Bring your filled Bags to the Texans for Obama Booth on the Huston-Tillotson Campus, at the end of the MLK Day parade.

WHERE: 600 Bouldin Ave, Austin, TX 78704

thanks, and as always, email volunteer@texansforobama.com if you have questions!

Obama Unity Event March With Us in the 2009 Austin MLK Parade!

by: hillsforobama

Thu Jan 08, 2009 at 09:28:45 AM CST

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 9:00am

9 AM @ UT MLK Statue
10 AM Capitol - Congress & 11-th
after parade  MLK festival @ Huston-Tillotson

more details @ http://www.mlkcelebration.com/...

Last year 15,000 people marched lets make it even bigger this year!  

'This is your victory'

by: mariochampion

Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 10:00:16 AM CST

Hello, Chicago.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.

We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

Texas Voter Protection Information

by: mariochampion

Tue Nov 04, 2008 at 09:53:39 AM CST

ELECTION PROTECTION - Please spread the word widely.

We are running election protection efforts in several counties throughout the state. If you are in one of the
following counties, contact information for your ?rst line of protection is below.

Bexar County
marylou_alvarez@hotmail.com
(210) 550-6903
(210) 550-4344
(210) 550-8498
(210) 550-8796
(210) 550-6972

Cameron County
melissa@martinezybarrera.com
(956) 544-1014

Dallas County
obamavoterprotection@gmail.com
(214) 525-3790

Harris County
houstonobamalawyers@gmail.com
(713) 218-6020 (Bay Area)
(281) 462-7523 (Crosby)
(713) 926-1334 (East End)
(713) 524-1338 (Midtown)
(713) 697-8898 (North Side)
(713) 802-0085 (Pinemont)
(281) 998-3366 (South East Harris County)
(713)733-2583 (Sunnyside)
(281) 496-3366 (West Side)

Travis County and Texas HQ
travisobamavoterprotection@gmail.com
(512) 465-2608

Greater Corpus Christi
ariverajr@swbell.net
(361) 816-0605

If and only if you have exhausted the remedies above or live outside one of those ?ve counties and cannot
get assistance from local authorities you can report incidents do so directly at:

http://spreadsheets.google.com...

Michael

---------------------------------------------

Michael Montaño
Special Assistant

Obama for America, Texas
816 Congress Ave., Suite 550
Austin, TX 78701

(210) 464-7886

michael.montano@gmail.com

Vote Obama. Vote Blue. Video.

by: fishman

Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 14:31:47 PM CST

This is something I just created in association with DownBallotBlue.com. It's a little video that reminds you to vote Obama and Democrat all the way (as much as you can and especially in Texas-geez). Don't worry-it won't bore you to death! Even if you are Republican or Undecided you may still enjoy it. Ron Paul fans may even enjoy it. This is a little late in the game, I know, but there are still plenty of people who haven't participated in early voting. So pass it along and make it happen on Tuesday!
-Fishman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

My Letter to the Editor RE KAREN HUBER in Today's Statesman

by: hillsforobama

Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 12:30:24 PM CDT

Road rage

The public is not fooled by Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty's last-minute fix for the U.S. 290 problems in Oak Hill, which, incidentally, were announced on the first day of early voting.

Why did it take a formidable challenge to his re-election bid to provide the quick fix?

Precinct 3 would be better served by Karen Huber, a highly proactive, experienced facilitator of cooperative solutions to development and growth issues. We need a county commissioner who plans and does not react. We don't need last-minute quick fixes to long-term problems.

We need a person who sees the big picture and will work to solve issues. That person is Huber.

Chris Wilson

Lakeway  

AUSTIN: Last Call for Change!

by: mariochampion

Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 17:22:28 PM CDT

Countdown to Election Day! Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Election Day!
Call swing voters in battleground states!

Bring a charged cell phone, charger, and at least one friend. Earn Obama gear.

Make the calls. Make the difference for your community, for your country, and for the world.

Call in the Headquarters:

Obama for America Central Texas Regional HQ
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Call in the Park:

Nichols Park
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Zilker Park
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Waterloo Park
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Call in the Market:
Sunset Valley Farmer's Market
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Austin Farmers Market
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Call in the Cafe:
Jovita's Mexican Restaurant
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Scholtz Garten
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Thunderbird Coffee
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Genuine Joe's Coffee House
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Nuevo Leon
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Call in the Counties:

Western Travis County Democratic Voter Outreach Center http://my.barackobama.com/page...
Cedar Park in Williamson County
http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Bell County Get Out The Vote Headquarters for Obama http://my.barackobama.com/page...

Join Us For West Coast Calls and Volunteer Appreciation Party - Election Day

Make calls to Western swing voters on Election Day! Polls close in Texas at 7pm, but voting is still going on in New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, so let's reach out to our western friends and make sure they VOTE!!! We're celebrating all your hard work at the same time - so join the party, make calls, and let's bring this election home.

RSVP at http://my.barackobama.com/page...

In Goodwill,

Starshine Nolan
Obama for America
Central Texas Field Organizer
1107 N IH35 (East of IH35 between 11th & 12th St.)
Austin, TX 78702
512-499-1561

Obama conquers the new south

by: joeltrn

Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:36:21 AM CDT

The spark for the civil rights movement happened 48 years ago in Greensboro, North Carolina. The state has voted red since 1976 - and it was red until mid-September. Pepe Escobar, reporting from Greensboro and financial center Charlotte, tells how Senator Barack Obama's campaign has energized voters from a broad spectrum, including blacks, female voters and independents, suburban and exurban, to the point that the state is now turning blue.

On the street in North Carolina this week Pepe Escobar spoke to one man who said, "Everybody's excited about Obama," a statement that really exemplifies the mood in N.C.

The Republican Party "Southern Strategy" is not working anymore. This is the new New South, 16 years after Bill Clinton. Obama - a liberal black senator from Chicago - is on the road to carry other southern states, from Virginia to Florida.

Escobar comments, "This is a second silent American revolution," a sentiment echoed by a local early voter, "Everybody's hurting, we want change."

For complete coverage of this story please visit on our website:

http://therealnews.com/t/index...

Austin: Democratic Power Hour - Wed. Oct 29th

by: mariochampion

Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 09:07:33 AM CDT

With just 8 days left until the election, every day is critical. If you have any time to spare, stop by the headquarters at 1107 N. I-35, 7 days a week between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.  

Polls show Obama, McCain in dead heat in Arizona

by: hillsforobama

Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 08:10:36 AM CDT

October 27, 2008
Polls show Obama, McCain in dead heat in Arizona
By Paul Giblin
Tribune
http://www.eastvalleytribune.c...
Presidential contenders John McCain and Barack Obama are running in a statistical dead heat in Arizona, according to two surveys released Monday, a troubling development for the home-state senator.

And a third survey scheduled for release today will offer a similar assessment.

With just a week to go before Election Day, and weeks after early voting began, Arizona is too close to call, according to research directors who oversaw the surveys.

This is how the numbers stacked up:

Harris County trending our way

by: mariochampion

Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 10:17:40 AM CDT

Ken Flippin, a texansforobama.com co-founder and  statewide-director-on-a-non-rest-sabbatical was tapped months ago by the DNC/Obama efforts to help coordinate efforts in Houston, or as as we call it, the swing state of Texas.

For months, teams of dedicated folks have been wrangling America's most sprawling city into shape. One big issue has always been that, other than the Mayor, no one really runs city-wide and so cross-town strategic allegiances, heck friendships, are rare. So there are few seasoned activists to manage the GOTV efforts for a city which is larger than several states!

The demographics favor Dems, but the turnouts do not, held down in part by Republican Paul Bettencourt, the Tax-Assessor-Collector, and his imaginary voter fraud bogeymen -- even the republican atty gen couldnt substantiate his claims of any voter fraud. I think it is fair to say, his office is or should be the number one target for those interested in systemic fixes to low voter participation.

A strong Harris county turnout frightens Republicans, and they work to keep it low. Bow, imagine that office held by someone who instead worked to make it easier for qualified folks to be part of the process.

It looks like Harris might go our way his time, so peoples of Harris, my old hometown, please, take your friends, volunteer, vote early, and let's shock the nation.

Election Day Polling Places in Texas

by: mariochampion

Tue Oct 21, 2008 at 08:57:17 AM CDT

A list with contact info for every county elections administrator:
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/county.shtml

Find my Texas Polling Place tool:
https://voterinfo.sos.state.tx.us/voterws/viw/faces/SearchSelectionPolling.jsp

Also check out:
vote411.org

In Austin and Travis County:
http://turntexasblue.com/electionday

In Houston and Harris County:
http://www.hcdp08.org/getinvolved/vote/

Pass this info along! Just click this link to send to a friend!

Fighting Dirty Tricks

by: mariochampion

Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 15:57:09 PM CDT

Dirty tricks designed to mislead Texas voters have been spreading across the state, and many Obama supporters are getting incorrect information about the voting process.

Bogus claims about voting machines are spreading via email chains -- and in one reported case, even broadcast on a Houston radio station -- that could have a huge impact on voter turn out on Election Day.

Here is the truth that every Texan should know: If you vote a straight Democratic Ticket you will cast your ballot for Barack.

http://tx.barackobama.com/Driv...