From the Los Angeles Times:

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama defended his patriotism Tuesday, chiding rival Sen. John McCain for impugning his integrity and challenging the Republican to acknowledge that they can disagree without maligning each other.

"I have never suggested that Sen. McCain picks his positions on national security based on politics or personal ambition," Obama told 3,000 members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars here. "I have not suggested it because I believe that he genuinely wants to serve America's national interest. Now it's time for him to acknowledge that I want to do the same."

…Obama said the "calamity" under Bush's leadership was too great to "use the same partisan playbook where we just challenge our opponent's patriotism to win an election."

"I will let no one question my love of this country. I love America, so do you, and so does John McCain," he said.

Noting the resignation of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Obama advocated tripling nonmilitary aid to the nation while making sure military aid is targeted to fight the Taliban and Al Qaeda. He called the border region of Pakistan and Afghanistan "the central front in the war on terrorism," where the Taliban is resurgent and Osama bin Laden is thought to be hiding.

…Obama told the veterans that he supported the new GI Bill this year, whereas McCain did not, and pledged to modernize the Department of Veterans Affairs and to provide more medical and mental healthcare.

…On Tuesday evening, Obama kicked off a three-day tour of North Carolina and Virginia, states that supported Bush in 2004 and that Obama hopes to tilt into his column in November.

"Times are tough and getting tougher. It's hard to save, it's hard to retire," Obama told about 2,600 cheering supporters at a town hall meeting at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. "This economy has fundamentally gone off course."

From the Associated Press:

An Indiana railroader, an Iowa mother and a Michigan truck driver are getting a moment at the Democratic convention to help portray Barack Obama as the people's champion.

…The idea is for these "real people," as the campaign calls them, to share personal stories about why they are supporting the Democratic presidential candidate and how they think he will help folks like them and the more than 20 million expected to be watching the convention at home.

…"This convention in Denver is one in which people well known and people not as well known will come together across party lines, across geographic divides, because they believe in change," said Obama spokeswoman Anita Dunn.

…"His message all along is that the ideas have to come from the people," said Candi Schmieder of Marengo, Iowa, a scheduled speaker who said she was turned off by presidential politics until this year because of all "the game playing."

…Mike Fisher, an Amtrak machinist from Beech Grove, Ind., will talk about Obama's visit to his house for a lunch of Subway sandwiches.

"When I saw that motorcade come down the cul-de-sac, I couldn't speak, I couldn't swallow. Within a couple minutes, he put us at so much ease," Fisher said. "I'm just a poor railroader. I've got a small house, and a family I'm trying to raise. Barack and Michelle can relate to that because of their upbringing."

He jokes that his family is the "whole ball of wax" when it comes to Obama's campaign platform he worries about job security, with Amtrak facing tough financial times; two of his children are struggling to pay college loans; his son has a new baby and no health insurance; and his son-in-law is in the National Guard facing possible deployment to Iraq.

From Business Week:

[Kansas Governor Kathleen] Sebelius said Obama would help women more than Republican candidate John McCain when it comes to economic issues.

"Barack Obama has been a very strong champion of equal pay for equal work. Senator McCain, over and over again, has opposed the opportunity for pay equity bills to move through Congress," Sebelius said.

…Sebelius said Obama's health care plan and ideas for creating new high-tech jobs in fields such as alternative energy would be better for women, who will play a large role in deciding who wins the White House.

"There's no question that women in Michigan and Kansas, all over this country, are going to be critical voters in this election," Sebelius said. "They control the purse strings. They are the economic engines of their family."

At a news conference before the town hall and during the meeting itself, the Kansas governor also spoke of her ties to Michigan. She has a family home in the northern Lower Michigan lakefront community of Leland.

"I pay property taxes in Michigan," she said.

She was joined at the Warren event by Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Democratic National Committee member Debbie Dingell and other female Democratic leaders.

Stabenow said she never has felt more strongly about an election, and she's "not even on the ballot."

From the Youngstown Vindicator:

The campaign of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, will open an office Thursday here …The office will serve as a hub for campaign activities for Mahoning County. The campaign opened an office in Warren on Saturday. There are more than 40 Obama offices in Ohio.

Barack is in Lynchburg, Virginia holding a town hall meeting at EC Glass High School. Watch the event live below...

Barack Obama spoke in Martinsville, Virginia on August 20, 2008.

Author: BarackObamadotcom
Keywords: Barack Obama
Added: August 20, 2008

Ryan comes from a long line of Alaska Democrats. As far back as his grandmother, who advocated for herself and other First Alaskans in the North Slope, his family has fought to improve the lives of Alaskans across the vast state. When he first learned of Barack's plan for America, Ryan felt a connection to his family's work in Alaska.

I appreciate his character and vision and what I see that he can do for this country. We've seen it already, not only in the course he's set nationally but internationally -- like we saw in the Berlin speech. I think young people are gravitating to him because he'll say "This is an issue, this is the way we can solve it. Let's come together to solve it." That really appealed to me.

When asked about how involved youth are with politics, he's quick to dispel the myth that youth are apathetic. In fact, he says that it's quite the opposite now.

A lot of people, pundits, and older professors will spend months talking about how strange it is, but I don't think it's as strange. This new millennial generation has a different dynamic. We grew up in a world where we've always had computers and the internet. We don't turn to the mainstream media for our news. We seek out our own news. If we want to find information, we can do that; if we want to start a national group, we can do that. A lot of people in this generation don't like to be tagged as apathetic, and using the tools of this new generation we can show that we're going to be decision markers and part of the process.

Ryan can think of a few issues that he thinks young people can begin to address. He's interested in mass transit solutions to help with energy costs and the climate crisis. He's also concerned about college affordability.

I have to spend most of my money on tuition, and I come from the mindset that the country should invest as much as it can in its people through education. And that's what creates a good economy -- having a well educated and well rounded workforce.

Ryan belives we have to look to the future. According to him, "It's not just about me, it's about people less fortunate than me and the people that will come after me." He knows that solving tomorrow's problems require strong action today and that Barack Obama's campaign is a great place to start.

You can join in the effort. Sign up to volunteer today.

With five days to go until the start of the Democratic National Convention, excitement is building in Denver and across America. Soon, delegates from all fifty states will convene in the Mile High City to cast their ballots for Barack Obama and witness his acceptance of the Democratic Party's nomination for president of the United States.

Thursday, August 28th will be the biggest night of the campaign so far. Even if you can’t be in Denver, you can be a part of this historic convention by attending a Convention Watch Party in your area.

"Michelle and I are saddened to hear today's news about Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones. She is a passionate and tireless advocate for the people of Cleveland and a devoted public servant for all Americans. We send our heartfelt prayers to Stephanie and her family at this very difficult time."

On the air...

Author: BarackObamadotcom
Keywords: Never Barack Obama
Added: August 20, 2008

When we called Joy one evening, she was still standing out in the fields finishing up the day’s work. At 51, Joy lives on the family farm she grew up at in tiny Bruning, Nebraska, with her 82-year-old father. She farms pigs and also grows corn and soybeans.

Since she returned to Bruning (population: 300) to take over the farm 20 years ago, Joy has been fiercely involved in rural and agricultural issues, helping to draft the recent farm bill and serving on the Obama Agriculture Committee.

I’ve always been interested in politics and policy. My grandfather was a staunch Democrat who always said, “If we don’t say anything, nobody else is going to say it for us.” That’s how I got involved. People in rural areas are often afraid to speak up. We’re conservative people. We don’t brag about what we do, and when policies are being set they’re often set by people who don’t understand us. So I started championing farm issues to the government.

People here are often afraid to speak up. I thought if I got involved, others might feel empowered to get involved too.

Joy is excited about the convention. She went to the 2004 convention as a spectator but not as a delegate. “It was such a great experience. At the time, I told my friend I was there with “someday I’ll come back as a delegate.” But I had no idea it would be only four years later! I think we’re going to walk out of the convention in a unified fashion. We have a golden opportunity this year to come together and make change happen.”

Joy is working hard to highlight the interests of rural voters this election.

It’s important to make sure there’s fairness in agricultural regulation. And telecommunications is important in rural America. I like in the great state of Nebraska, and I have a terrible time getting a cell phone signal. We need better infrastructure in rural areas. Putting a better infrastructure into rural areas will help the whole country. It will have a huge impact on the rural economy, which will improve the economy of the whole country.

She says healthcare is also a big issue for rural voters. “It costs a lot to go to a doctor, and we have to drive a long way for some services. We need to make medical services more accessible to people. People don’t always spend money to take care of themselves when they have to pay bills. I really worry that people right now don’t have enough to make it all work.”

Joy loves doing her part to speak up for rural Americans.

For those of us who run farms, our whole goal is to keep agriculture in the United States and produce good food for the country. If we’re going to feed the world, we need the right policies and attitudes to get it done.

She met Senator Obama at an agriculture event and is convinced he has what it takes to work for rural America. “He’s a good, sound thinker and that’s what we need. Obama is willing to listen to our concerns and try to address the rural issues. He’s got real common sense.”

With five days to go until the start of the Democratic National Convention, excitement is building in Denver and across America. Soon, delegates from all fifty states will convene in the Mile High City to cast their ballots for Barack Obama and witness his acceptance of the Democratic Party's nomination for president of the United States.

Thursday, August 28th will be the biggest night of the campaign so far. Even if you can’t be in Denver, you can be a part of this historic convention by attending a Convention Watch Party in your area.

National delegate Mildred from Meriden, Connecticut is no stranger to the political process. For the last eleven years she has worked in the state general assembly for the Connecticut House Majority Leader Chris Donovan. But she’s also no stranger to the economic hardship facing many people in her community this fall.

Before she got the job with the state general assembly, Mildred was a single mother trying to care for her children with her small monthly welfare check. She dropped out of high school, had her first child, and then joined the state’s welfare-to-work program. Through that program, Mildred was able to go back to school and get her degree, and then the same program landed her a job with the state assembly. Now a 36-year-old married mother of three, Mildred hasn’t looked back since. She says her experience has made her even more excited to be working for the Democratic Party at the convention.

The Democratic Party fought for the programs that made me self-sufficient today – from job assistance to rental assistance to financial aid to go back to school. I wouldn’t be where I am today without these Democratic programs.

Mildred says those programs are even more important today.

People are sick and tired of being sick and tired. We’re want something better. We need some major change in the economy. We need to elect Democrats to keep these important programs that helped people like me. I am where I am today because of these opportunities to go out and better yourself, and I’ve tried to pay it back.

Mildred decided early on to support Barack. She’s registered voters, canvassed neighborhoods, and even set up a small office before the primary that organized volunteers to knock on over 1,000 doors. “I take any opportunity to get people involved. Our local headquarters won’t open until September, but we have a lot of volunteers ready to work.”

Though she’s been involved in politics for over a decade, this is Mildred’s first time going to the convention.

When I applied, I knew it would be a long shot, but now I’m just so excited to go. The whole process is a learning experience for me. I’m excited to learn more about how the delegate system works.

Mildred, who is Hispanic, also serves as the Democratic Chair in Meriden. She is both the first woman and first Hispanic to hold the position. “So I’m looking forward to meeting other women and Latinos at the convention who are involved in the Party,” she says.

Most of all, Mildred is just glad to once again be able to do something for the Party that helped her.

My home town is a working-class, diverse, blue-collar community and I’m looking forward to representing them and helping to give them the same opportunities I had.

With five days to go until the start of the Democratic National Convention, excitement is building in Denver and across America. Soon, delegates from all fifty states will convene in the Mile High City to cast their ballots for Barack Obama and witness his acceptance of the Democratic Party's nomination for president of the United States.

Thursday, August 28th will be the biggest night of the campaign so far. Even if you can’t be in Denver, you can be a part of this historic convention by attending a Convention Watch Party in your area.

This morning, our campaign sent out this message inviting supporters to sign-up for the Obama Action Wire.  If you haven't already yet, click here to sign-up.  You can also make a huge difference for our campaign here in Iowa by joining your Obama Organizing Team.

Zach --

John McCain's low-road express is headed full-speed into the gutter.

On Monday, he launched another round of baseless, absurd attacks on Barack Obama's patriotism.

Yesterday morning, Barack took an aggressive stand against these attacks, responding "I believe the American people are better than that. I believe that this defining moment demands something more of us. ... I will let no one question my love for this country."

Watch this video of Barack's speech and invite everyone you know to join the Action Wire:

As long as John McCain's campaign is stuck in the gutter, we know these character attacks and smears will intensify over the coming months.

Responding quickly, directly, and forcefully whenever McCain and the Karl Rove protégés who run his campaign attack is the most effective way to neutralize them.

As a member of the Obama Action Wire, you've taken a stand against McCain's petty and divisive tactics. Right now, you can take the next step by inviting your friends to join the Obama Action Wire.

We can't let Republicans like John McCain and George Bush keep questioning the character and patriotism of anyone who disagrees with them -- but it's going to take all of us working together to change the way Washington works.

Watch the video of Barack standing up to the McCain-Bush attack strategy and invite your friends and family to join you on the Action Wire:

http://my.barackobama.com/standingup




These times are too serious to let this kind of politics continue. Please forward this email to everyone you know.

Thanks for your help,

Obama Action Wire