My hair was halfway down my back when I joined the Army in ‘98.  None of my friends respected my decision. My old best friend still believes the Military is for “people who need someone else to tell them how to live their life.”  From prison, my draft dodging father cursed my aunt and uncle for not trying to stop me, or help pay my college debt.  Later, he said everyone in the Army is corrupt just like during Vietnam.  My response?  ”Well once I’m in, at least you’ll know that one of us isn’t corrupt.”  I understand that it is hard for non-veterans to make sense of War, so I will use my limited experience to teach you why John Edwards said what he said in his characteristic “straight talk”; that which makes him “Genuine John”.

Original post by Kent Snyder

In case you didn’t see it, here’s the email David Plouffe sent out today: 

Dear Samuel,

Last night our movement hit some landmark goals: more than 500,000 donations from more than 350,000 people.

We also got news yesterday from Iowa — we’re leading in the latest Newsweek poll of likely caucus-goers. Here’s the breakdown:

Obama: 28%

Clinton: 24%

Edwards: 22%

And our lead climbs to 8 points when first and second choices are combined.

It’s important to remember that deciding the Democratic nominee for president is a sequential process that begins in Iowa. Generating momentum early will be the key to winning the nomination.

So while the pundits focus on meaningless national polls, we are leading in the one state where the electorate is most focused on this election and where they are getting the most exposure to Barack.

That same dynamic explains the unprecedented number of donors to our movement. The American people by and large have not yet tuned into this election. But among those who have gotten involved, Barack Obama has inspired record numbers to take ownership of this campaign.

We have a long way to go, but because of your support and determination, we are shattering records and making progress where it counts most.

Thank you so much for everything you’ve done to make this happen.

David

P.S. — You’ve helped make this happen, but there’s still time to invite someone you know to be part of this historic moment. The deadline for donations is midnight tonight, so please reach out to a friend now:

http://my.barackobama.com/iowainvite

Original post by Sam Graham-Felsen

Although I am a Democrat, I have many Republican friends. We don’t often agree politically but we get along in other areas in life (similar taste in art, music, movies, books, favorite foods, favorite animals, etc.).

But one thing is VERY CLEAR…Most Republicans cannot abide Hillary Clinton!

This is what one sent me recently:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid= 7007109937779036019&pr=goog-sl

Original post by Kent Snyder

1st - John McCain is said to have also prepared to maybe take public financing for his campaign.  Remember McCain is a big proponent of campaign finance reform.  If John meets with him, they could upturn this election by being the only candidates on either side to “Walk the Walk”.  If people really want lobbyists out, then they will reject other candidates with large war chests, on the basis that those people must be making private promises.  If they both get nominated, then their mutual disadvantage cancels out.  Besides, McCain’s stand on the war will go against him in the General Election.

Original post by Kent Snyder

You’ve probably heard by now that Dan Rather has filed a $70 million dollar suit against CBS. Rather stipulates CBS did not give him time or support to defend his findings. That instead, the network bowed to pressure from right-wing advocates of the Bush administration, and “…that the entire matter permanently ravaged his professional reputation.” You may remember the dustup over Rather’s reporting on documents that detailed Junior’s hijinks and frequent absence from service in the Texas Air National Guard.

So? you say, what does this have to do with me?

Original post by Kent Snyder

"Hold on–I’ll get my guitar."

Within ten minutes of our conversation, Celeste had her fiance holding the phone on her end, and a rapt, foot-tapping Obama blogger here in Chicago.

With a catchy chorus and a country twang (not to mention a great voice), Celeste wowed this listener with a pretty incredible original song and an ear for all things rhyming with Obama.  

"Barack Obama," she said after her performance, "has the three magic words: Honest, Kind, Listens."

Celeste has been teaching in Baltimore’s public education system for thirty years.  

"No Child Left Behind has to be changed.  It has a lot of good aspects, but it’s going in the whole wrong direction and needs to be addressed.  That’s why I’m an Obama Mama."

She’s a teacher, so she doesn’t make a lot of money–but she wants to give as much as she can.  Instead of donating one lump sum, she decided to give multiple donations to the Match program.  "I broke up what I could give into smaller donations to encourage more people to get involved," she said.  "That’s what this whole campaign is about: it’s the philosophy of being inclusive."

Celeste has plans to tape a video for her new song tomorrow, so keep an eye on YouTube.  

Make a Match donation yourself and double your impact.  Today is the last day of the financial quarter…so time is of the essence.

Original post by Sarah Ramey

Today is the last day of the fundraising quarter. Please, help us meet our goals by making a contribution today. Whatever you can afford will help our campaign continue down the path towards victory.

johnedwards.com/contribute

Plus, I’m not the only one asking. Check out this video Desperate Housewives star James Denton made to help us reach our 3rd quarter goals. James is in Iowa this weekend where he is campaigning with Cate Edwards. Read his guest blog post, here.

Original post by Kent Snyder

Another avenue for John Edwards to take the lead:  stop insulting and boycotting the world.  Soon, the real world will consider us as the enemy, if there is no major change in our Congress and Senate.  Forget the White House for the next 15 months.

Original post by Kent Snyder

On 9/26/07 Senator Edwards made his statement "I cant make that committment"  The Rasmussen daily tracking polls show a loss of three percentage points following this unfortunate statement.  

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2008__1/daily_presidential_tracking_polling_history

Original post by Kent Snyder

We have seen the Blue Collar Jobs disappear through outsourcing. Our hardest working Americans now have to find at least three 20hr a week jobs in order to keep above poverty level. We have seen our skilled labor jobs outsourced. American carpenters,electricians and plumbers jobs have been outsourced in the rebuilding of the states hit by Katrina. What happened to the Buy America Act? Our food production, Our durable goods,Our Pharmeceuticals are outsourced. There is no Pure Food and Drug Act in China,Mexico or any other

Original post by Kent Snyder