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 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.

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

In Aurora, CO, former U.S. Secretary of Energy Federico Peña talks about what's at stake in this election.

Author: BarackObamadotcom
Keywords: barack obama colorado hispanic latino hillary clinton
Added: August 20, 2008

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.

As Barack finished his speech at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) convention today, Tropical Storm Faye was rapidly approaching the city of Orlando.  The eye of the storm was nearing the convention site by the time Barack and crew exited the building and headed for the motorcade.  They got drenched!  A veteran cameraman familiar with Florida weather looked at the ominous sky and said, "It just gets worse from here."

Thankfully, Barack and his motorcade escaped the worst of it by heading to higher ground for the next town hall in North Carolina.

Check out pictures from the road in the (rainy) Sunshine State and the Tarheel State:

Arun Chaudhary
August 19th, 2008
En route to Greensboro, NCM

On Saturday, Campaign Manager David Plouffe sent out a special message inviting our supporters to join the Grassroots Finance Committee.

It may seem a little intimidating to set a personal goal of raising $1,000, but you'll be surprised at how easy it is to get started. We'll walk you through how to set up a personal fundraising page, reach out to friends, and track your progress.

Chances are you know quite a few people who would be happy to get involved but don't know how. You can bring them into this movement and help them own a piece of this historic campaign.

I hope you'll help us build the momentum by joining the Grassroots Finance Committee today.

We've worked hard to build tools that make it easy, and our staff is available to help you along the way.

Together, we're changing politics by bringing ordinary people together to accomplish extraordinary things.

Thanks,

Chris

Chris Hughes
My.BarackObama

We're asking all our supporters not only to celebrate this historic night that you have helped make possible but also to continue to take an active role in this campaign. Before Barack delivers his speech, gather with your friends and neighbors to start planning your organizing efforts for the short time we have left before November.

The host packets include everything you need for a successful event:

• Organize for Change DVD

• Convention stickers

• "Change" sign

• Meeting checklist and agenda

• Sign-in sheets

• Voter registration guide

 

Barack Obama on the 40th Anniversary of the Prauge Spring.

Author: BarackObamadotcom
Keywords: barack obama foreign policy russia georgia prauge spring
Added: August 19, 2008

Barack Obama on the 40th Anniversary of the Prague Spring.

Author: BarackObamadotcom
Keywords: barack obama foreign policy russia georgia prague spring
Added: August 19, 2008

Today, the Obama campaign announced that Senator Barack Obama will kick off his trip to the Democratic National Convention on Saturday, August 23, 2008 with an event at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, where Obama officially announced his campaign for president on February 10, 2007.

Barack Obama supporters across the state tell their stories and discuss why they support our movement for change.

Author: BarackObamadotcom
Keywords: barack obama georgia grassroots 2008 democratic presidential election
Added: August 19, 2008

Ashley's interest in community leadership began with a race for middle school treasurer and has only grown from there. She's now a staffer in newly-minted Congressman Don Cazayoux's office. "It was second nature," she said. "My family's always been involved and abreast of what's going on in the country and with politics."

As a community leader, one of Ashley's biggest priorities is service, which she typically performs in conjunction with her church and her sorority. She is a regular worker in the local soup kitchen and also serves the community in various other capacities.

Her experience working in the community helped her identify with Barack:

I would listen to him talk about how the only way the election and campaign could work is from the bottom up. I agreed with him and thought that was truly the only was it could work. I asked myself what I could do, how I could help in my state and really contribute.

Ashley typed in her zip code on My.BarackObama.com and was instantly connected to other local supporters. From there it was easy.

I joined the grassroots organizations and started meeting people who had the same interests. During the primary, we would do voter registration, pass out flyers, and phone bank. After the primary was over, I was still trying to figure out how I could contribute more, so I went to the DNC website to see how I could become a delegate.

Ashley discovered that she would have to apply and then appear before a committee, with the committee making the final selections. Although many delegates waited until the day of interviews, Ashley took proactive steps.

I wrote a letter about why I wanted to be a delegate and why I supported Senator Obama, and I e-mailed and snail-mailed that to all the people on the committee. There were about 200 of them. Because people received my info before the meeting and already knew my name, they could just put a face to my name. The meeting lasted forever. It started at about 11:00 that morning and didn't end until 6:00 that evening. I talked to all the committee members at least three times or more, just telling them about myself and how I've been involved. And because of the that, they chose me as an at large delegate.

Ashley hopes to use her position as a delegate to advance the issues that are important to her -- education and health care.

Education is a main issue for me... I'm in graduate school and paying back loans and having that financial stress is a big concern. Also health care is a big deal because I'm 24, and with my mom's insurance you get kicked off at 23. So that's a major issue -- making sure you're covered. I don't have time as a student to get a full-time job with those benefits to be able to cover myself, so that's a top issue.

With six 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.

Barack Obama speaks at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Author: BarackObamadotcom
Keywords: Barack Obama
Added: August 19, 2008

FULL VERSION Barack Obama speaks at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Author: BarackObamadotcom
Keywords: Barack Obama veterans national security patriotism
Added: August 19, 2008

First Americans are going to have a big impact on the 2008 election. According to a recent article by the Native American Times , this year it is estimated that there will be over 150 Native American delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.  This is an increase from just seven in 2000.

Barack Obama is committed to First Americans’ issues and challenges, and he is vigorously working to earn their support in this election. At a recent UNITY journalism conference in Chicago, Obama said of his First American apology position, "I personally would like to see the tragic elements of our history acknowledged. We've got some sad things to account for."

First Americans are excited to have a candidate on their side.

Abrum of Duluth, Minnesota says:

Being a Native American young person I think brings a very unique perspective to the table. I believe Barack shares my perspective. He believes in a new beginning for America. A time when we can change the way Washington politics affects our lives so we as Americans feel like the government is by the people for the people. Barack is the only candidate that has showed support for the indigenous peoples of North America. Retaining our sovereignty, and moving forward to better our people after many decades … is something that I believe Barack will help us achieve. Barack is an open-minded individual who is very driven, and is willing to go the distance to make sure that not only Native Americans, but all people have fair and equal opportunities in this country.

Myrna in Anchorage, Alaska says:

I am a Tlingit & Haida Indian. Our people have spent hundreds of years listening to politicians. Obama is a man of integrity and believes in giving respect. Alaska Natives and American Indians have the opportunity to unite behind a candidate who will respect us, honor our treaties and give us a voice in the White House. We deserve a president who can truly say he understands growing up a minority. I am honored to support him and ask you to join us in standing for a change and unite our country.

Michelle in Portland, Oregon says:

I am very fortunate to have met Barack Obama in WDC, and also as part of a tribal delegation of 10 native people in Portland, Oregon in September 2007. He was charismatic, and interested in the issues of Indian Affairs which are important to me as a Navajo woman. Protecting Tribal sovereignty, honoring the government-to-government relationship, and also working to provide quality health care to all, including native people. After meeting him, and reviewing his platform for tribal people, I feel confident that his inspiration, his energy, and his concerns for tribal people as partners in his Administration are sincere and what I need in a President. Join me, and support Obama in '08. Can we make change as Native people in this Electoral Process? To quote Obama, "Yes, we can!"

Charles in Washington DC:

As a member of the Navajo Nation and as an attorney working in tribal policy I've seen only the same old ideas on improving life for Indian Country rehashed and restated by a successive line of Presidents.  In fact, there have been no great efforts from a President that have shown concrete results for Indian Country since the Nixon Administration and the beginning of the era of Self Determination. Barack Obama represents Indian Country hope to be brought back into the political process.  Great ideas have always existed in Indian Country but what has been lacking is the commitment of the administration to listed to them and muster the political will to carry them out.  Barack Obamaís positions on civil rights, bringing excluded people back into the political process and the ideas expressed on his webpage for First Americans demonstrate his commitment to being the leader that Indian Country needs in the White House. As a Senator from a State with no recognized tribes, the commitment he has shown to Indian Country by trying to increase funding for IHS and by being the only Presidential candidate to support the Indian Health Care Improvement Act from the beginning as an original co-sponsor demonstrate his deep conviction and true commitment to Indian Country.

Edward in Tucson, Arizona says:

As a proud American Indian, and military veteran.  I am impressed by the attention Barack Obama has paid to Indian Country. I am a law enforcement professional serving Indian Country for over 30 years and have fought consistently to right the injustice in Indian Country particularly the jurisdictional issues that hamper justice and service to our people. I an encouraged to see Barack Obama note this deficiency. I am hopeful that Barack Obama will right this injustice and bring hope back to Indian Country.

Join First Americans for Obama to connect with other First Americans in your community.

Barack Obama addresses the VFW National Convention in Orlando, Florida.

Author: BarackObamadotcom
Keywords: barack obama veterans national security florida
Added: August 19, 2008

"The unexpected jump in the Producer Price Index announced today is just further confirmation of that our economy is failing hardworking American families. This economy may be working for the multi-millionaires that John McCain considers part of the middle class, but with prices rising and wages stagnating, tens of millions of typical American families are falling behind. While Senator McCain continues to stand in the way of short-term assistance for these families, Barack Obama's Emergency Economic Plan would immediately put $1,000 in the pocket of families to help them pay for gasoline and groceries this fall, and would invest $50 billion in immediate measures to save more than one million American jobs. Americans can't afford another four years of a President who ignores the plight of working families because he believes that multi-millionaires are middle class," said Obama Campaign Economic Policy Director Jason Furman.

Fatema, 32, of Irving, Texas, was not always politically involved. “I didn’t even vote in 2000 election,” she says. “That’s the kind of voter I was! So I’ve come a long way.”

Since then, Fatema has become anything but politically apathetic.

My story begins last year when I started a group on MyBo.  The idea was to find people nearby who think the way I do. But when it became apparent that Texas was going to matter, I put more effort into it. I sent out an email and got a response from a restaurant owner who offered up her restaurant. We posted the event, and 24 hours later fifteen people showed up!

More than a few Obama events later, Fatema considered running for state delegate. Unfortunately, her brother’s wedding was the same day as the local convention. But she filled out the at-large form and made the cut. Her friends from Irving for Obama called, and Fatema ran out of the wedding and to the local convention just in the nick of time. “And I won a seat as delegate! My group members really rallied for me. I’m so inspired by the Obama supporters.”

I realized we couldn’t sit on the sidelines anymore.

Her Irving for Obama group still meets twice a month to register voters and recruit new voters. The group has gotten involved in local races as well, helping down-ticket Democrats in the area.

Fatema is looking forward to the convention.

I’m always inspired by Obama supporters, and I’m thrilled to meet activists from all over the country. We need to find new ways of doing things – from energy to healthcare – and I hope to address these issues at the convention.

Though she’s busy with two young children and a small tile business, Fatema plans to stay involved because of the inspiration she finds in Barack. “I appreciate his diverse background. He is very representative of what America is.”

The best part of her new-found political involvement? Fatema says that’s an easy answer: the people.

Initially it was Barack Obama that drew me into campaign, but what kept me going was the people that I met along the way. They’re amazing.

With six 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.

The Barack Obama Campaign for Change in Iowa announced today that Governor Kathleen Sebelius will be in Des Moines and Waukee this Thursday.  If you haven’t gotten a chance to hear from the Governor, this is one of those events you won’t want to miss.  Check out this short clip from the Quad-City Times, then don’t forget to RSVP for one of these special events!

Kansas governor drops in on Iowa to stump for Obama

DES MOINES — Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat who has been rumored to be on the short list of Democrat Barack Obama’s potential running mates, will hit central Iowa on Thursday for a series of campaign appearances.

The events include a brown bag lunch in Des Moines that will focus on pay equity for women and Obama’s economic policies. She’ll also kick off a volunteer phone bank for the Obama campaign’s Des Moines office.

A meet and greet with 4th District congressional candidate Becky Greenwald is set for that afternoon in Waukee. Sebelius will also hold a community gathering at a deli in Indianola.

FIND AN EVENT NEAR YOU!

Brown Bag Lunch with Governor Kathleen Sebelius
Thursday, August 21st at 12:30 PM
Scottish Rite Consistory
519 Park St
Des Moines, IA 50309
CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Countdown to Convention Phone Bank with Governor Kathleen Sebelius
Thursday, August 21 at 5:00 PM
Obama Campaign for Change Des Moines Volunteer Field Office
1408 Locust St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Meet and Greet with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in the Waukee Field Office!
Thursday, August 21 at 4:15 PM
Waukee Field Office
144 Laurel St
Waukee, IA 50263
CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Three years ago, Max and her husband dropped their previous life and moved to Colorado to start a new life in Western Colorado. Fed up with their previous professions, they decided to get back in touch with the land and start farming.

They're now in their third growing season, and things are luckily going well for them. The reason, she says, is because of hte community that's there to support them.

It wasn't difficult to get started in this community. This county has more organic farmers than any in Colorado, so there's a lot of community support. It's been really helpful to talk to farmers in the community; they're very open about their practices.

Community is a big part of Max's life - not only has she received support from her neighbors in starting the farm, but she's done grassroots organizing on her own as well. One of the things she likes best about Barack is his focus on bringing communities together.

I really like the fact that he's positive, he's smart, and he was a community organizer. He's really in touch with the people and I respond to that. Plus he doesn't take any lobbyist money! His heart is in the right place.

Living out in Western Colorado, you wouldn't think that there would be many Democrats around. But Max is sensing that the people are ready for a change.

There's a bit of a paradigm shift going on out here. There's a lot of Republicans and Libertarians our here, but people are realizing that we're not being served well by the government that we have. The economy, bad government, and we've got the oil and gas guys coming in to look to drill so there are concerns about the environment. There's a lot of people concerned with local stuff. It's about what's going on with our pocketbooks.

It's the need to bring her community together to solve America's problems that inspired Max to give to our campaign for change. Join her and nearly two million other donors today, and help us all come together to make America stronger.

Voices for Change is a series featuring profiles of Barack Obama's grassroots supporters from across the nation. The people who make up this movement come from all different backgrounds, but they share a common goal of helping bring about fundamental change in Washington.

On the air...

Author: BarackObamadotcom
Keywords: Three Times Ad Barack Obama
Added: August 19, 2008

2001 and 2002: OBAMA JOINED MORE THAN 40% OF THE ILLINOIS SENATE—INCLUDING NUMEROUS REPUBLICANS—IN OPPOSING “BORN ALIVE” BILLS

Obama Voted Against Two Born Alive Bills, With Almost a Quarter of the Senate, Saying They Would Be Struck Down. In 2002, Obama voted against a bill to create the Induced Birth Infant Liability Act to provide that if a child is born alive after an induced labor abortion or other abortion, a parent or public guardian of the child may recover damages for costs of care to preserve and protect the life, health, and safety of the child, punitive damages, and costs and attorney’s fees against a hospital, health care facility, or health care provider who harms or neglects the child or fails to provide medical care to the child after it is born. Obama voted against a bill to amend the Statute on Statutes, to define “born-alive infant” to include “every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development.” Further defines “born alive” to mean “the complete expulsion or extraction from the mother of an infant, at any stage of development, who after that expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut and regardless of whether of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion.” Obama predicted the bills would be struck down by a federal court were they to become law. Obama said, “Whenever we define a pre-viable fetus as a person that is protected by the equal protection clause or other elements of the Constitution, we’re saying they are persons entitled to the kinds of protections provided to a child, a 9-month-old child delivered to term…That determination then essentially, if it was accepted by a court, would forbid abortions to take place.” [92nd GA, SB 1661, 4/4/02, 3R P; 31-11-10 (BO: N); 92nd GA, SB 1662, 4/4/02, 3R P; 30-12-10 (BO: N); Sun-Times, 3/31/01]

• 21 Senators Opposed Senate Bill 1661. Senators Bowles, Geo-Karis (Republican), Hendon, Molaro, Radogno (Republican), Shaw, Smith, Trotter, Viverito and Welch voted present on Senate Bill 1661. Senators Cullerton, Del Valle, Halvorson, Jacobs, Lightford, Link, Madigan, Obama, Parker (Republican), Ronen and Shadid voted no on Senate Bill 1661. [92nd GA, SB 1661, 4/4/02, 3R P; 31-11-10 (BO: N)]

• 22 Senators Opposed Senate Bill 1662. Senators Bowles, Geo-Karis (Republican), Hendon, Molaro, Radogno (Republican), Shadid, Shaw, Trotter, Viverito and Welch voted present on Senate Bill 1662. Senators Cullerton, Del Valle, Halvorson, Jacobs, Klemm (Republican), Lightford, Link, Madigan, Obama, Parker (Republican), Ronen and Smith voted no on Senate Bill 1662. [92nd GA, SB 1662, 4/4/02, 3R P; 30-12-10 (BO: N)]

• Six Republican Senators Opposed One Or All Born Alive Bills. Republican Senator Kathleen Parker voted no Senate Bills 1661 and 1662. Republican Senator Christine Radogno voted present on Senate Bills 1661 and 1662. Republican Senator Adeline Geo-Karis voted present on Senate Bills 1661 and 1662. Republican Senator Dick Klemm voted no on Senate Bill 1662. [92nd GA, SB 1093, SB 1094, SB 1095, SB 1661, SB 1662]

Obama Voted Present On “Born Alive” Bills. Obama voted present on a bill to amend the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975, providing that no abortion procedure that, in the medical judgment of the attending physician, has a reasonable likelihood of resulting in a live born child shall be undertaken unless there is in attendance a physician other than the physician performing or inducing the abortion who shall address the child’s viability and provide medical care for the child and provides that a physician inducing an abortion that results in a live born child shall provide for the soonest practicable attendance of a physician other than the physician performing or inducing the abortion to immediately assess the child’s viability and provide medical care for the child. Also provides that a live child born as a result of an abortion shall be fully recognized as a human person and that all reasonable measures consistent with good medical practice shall be taken to preserve the life and health of the child. Obama voted present on a bill to amend the Statute on Statutes, to define “born-alive infant” to include “every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development.” Obama voted present on a bill to create the Induced Birth Infant Liability Act states that it is the intent of the General Assembly to protect the life of a child born alive as the result of an induced labor abortion, provides that a parent of the child or the public guardian of the county in which a child was born alive after an induced labor abortion or any other abortion has a cause of action against any hospital, health care facility or health care provider that fails to provide medical care for the child after birth. [92nd GA, SB 1093, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-6-12; 92nd GA, SB 1094, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-5-13; 92nd GA, SB 1095, 3/30/01, 3R P; 33-6-13]

• 17 Senators Opposed Senate Bill 1093. Senators Bowles, Del Valle, Halvorson, Hendon, Jacobs, Lightford, Molaro, Obama, Radogno (Republican), Shadid and Viverito voted present on Senate Bill 1093. Senators Link, Madigan, Parker (Republican), Ronen, Silverstein and Welch voted no on Senate Bill 1093. [92nd GA, SB 1093, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-6-12]

• 18 Senators Opposed Senate Bill 1094. Senators Bowles, Clayborne, Halvorson, Jacobs, Lightford, Molaro, Myers (Republican), Obama, Radogno (Republican), Shadid, Viverito, Weaver (Republican) and Welch voted present on Senate Bill 1094. Senators Del Valle, Link, Parker (Republican), Ronen and Silverstein voted no on Senate Bill 1094. [92nd GA, SB 1094, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-5-13]

• 18 Senators Opposed Senate Bill 1095. Senators Bowles, Clayborne, Del Valle, Halvorson, Hendon, Jacobs, Lightford, Molaro, Obama, Radogno (Republican), Shadid, Viverito and Welch voted present on Senate Bill 1095. Senators Link, Madigan, Parker (Republican), Ronen and Silverstein voted no on Senate Bill 1095. [92nd GA, SB 1095, 3/30/01, 3R P; 33-5-13]

• Four Republican Senators Opposed One Or All Born Alive Bills. Republican Senator Radogno voted present and Republican Parker voted no on Senate Bill 1093. Republican Senators Myers, Radogno, and Weaver voted present on Senate Bill 1094 and Republican Senator Parker voted against. Radogno voted present and Parker voted against Senate Bill 1095. [92nd GA, SB 1093, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-6-12; 92nd GA, SB 1094, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-5-13; 92nd GA, SB 1095, 3/30/01, 3R P; 33-6-13]

OBAMA SUPPORTED AND NARAL DIDN’T OPPOSE 2002’s FEDERAL BAIPA

Obama Said He Would Have Supported Federal Born-Alive Legislation. The Chicago Tribune reported, “Obama said that had he been in the US Senate two years ago, he would have voted for the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, even though he voted against a state version of the proposal. The federal version was approved; the state version was not. Both measures required that if a fetus survived an abortion procedure, it must be considered a person. Backers argued it was necessary to protect a fetus if it showed signs of life after being separated from its mother…the difference between the state and federal versions, Obama explained, was that the state measure lacked the federal language clarifying that the act would not be used to undermine Roe vs. Wade.” [Chicago Tribune, 10/4/04]

• NARAL Didn’t Oppose Federal BAIPA For Its Clear Legal Difference Between A Fetus In Utero Versus A Child That’s Born. NARAL Executive Vice President Mary Jane Gallagher said, “We, in fact, did not oppose this bill. There's a clear legal difference now between a fetus in utero versus a child that's born. And when a child is born, they deserve every protection that this country can provide them.” [CNN, 8/5/02]

• NARAL Statement: “In the statement, NARAL says, "Consistent with our position last year, NARAL does not oppose passage of the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. Last year's committee and floor debate served to clarify the bill's intent and assure us that it is not targeted at Roe v. Wade or a woman's right to choose." [NARAL release, 6/13/01]

2003 BORN ALIVE LEGISLATION OBAMA OPPOSED IN COMMITTEE DID NOT HAVE THE SAME IMPACT AS FEDERAL LEGISLATION

Planned Parenthood: “Although The Definition Is Similar To The Proposed Federal Legislation, Its Application Would Have A Different Impact On State Abortion Law.” Planned Parenthood wrote in a fact sheet, “SB 1082 & SB 1083 are NOT the same as the so-called “Born Alive Infant Protection Act” which was recently passed in the U. S. House. The federal legislation is considered to be a restatement of existing federal law. It does not amend or change current Illinois law. Federal law does not regulate abortion practice. That is left to the states. Therefore, it is state legislation that would affect abortion practice in Illinois. The package of SB 1082 & SB 1083 creates new provisions in Illinois law. Although the definition is similar to the proposed federal legislation, its application would have a different impact on state abortion law.” [Planned Parenthood Fact Sheet, 2/28/03]

Illinois State Medical Society Opposed SB 1082. Robert Kane, legal counsel to the Illinois State Medical Society, filed a committee witness slip stating the Medical Society opposition to Senate Bill 1082. [Committee Witness Slip, SB 1082]

2005 BILL THAT PASSED AFTER OBAMA LEFT THE SENATE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE THAT OBAMA DEALT WITH IN HIS COMMITTEE IN 2003, WASN’T OPPOSED BY PRO-CHOICE GROUPS

2005 Bill: “Unlike Earlier Versions That Failed, This Bill Does Not Spell Out What Medical Care Doctors Must Provide When An Abortion Procedure Ends In A Live Birth. The Legislation Also Specifically Says It Has No Impact On Illinois Abortion Laws.” “Activists on both sides of the abortion debate found a rare patch of common ground Wednesday: legislation that says any live birth - even one that occurs during an abortion - is a person with legal rights. The measure was unanimously approved by the House civil law committee and now moves to the House floor. Unlike earlier versions that failed, this bill does not spell out what medical care doctors must provide when an abortion procedure ends in a live birth. The legislation also specifically says it has no impact on Illinois abortion laws. Still, anti-abortion groups are pleased. ‘What it does is support the legal principle that infants that are born alive, regardless of their stage of development or the circumstances of their birth, are persons and deserve protection under the law,’ said Dawn Behnke, an attorney who lobbies for the Illinois Federation for Right to Life. Abortion rights supporters said they were satisfied that this legislation is not an attempt to restrict abortion. Pam Sutherland, president of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council, said the legislation will simply ensure babies get the medical care their doctors and parents think is appropriate.” [AP, 5/9/05]

The Born Alive Bill That Passed Into Law In IL—In Addition to Including the Language from the Failed 2003 Legislation and Federal Law—Stated That “Nothing In This Section Shall Be Construed To Affect Existing Federal Or State Law Regarding Abortion” or “Generally Accepted Medical Standards.” In determining the meaning of any statute or of any rule, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative agencies of this State, the words ‘person’, ‘human being’, ‘child’, and ‘individual’ shall include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development. (b) As used in this Section, the term ‘born alive’, with respect to a member of the species homo sapiens, means the complete expulsion or extraction from his or her mother of that member, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion. (c) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to affirm, deny, expand, or contract any legal status or legal right applicable to any member of the species homo sapiens at any point prior to being born alive, as defined in this Section. (d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to affect existing federal or State law regarding abortion. (e) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to alter generally accepted medical standards. [94th GA, HB 984, PA 94-0559, 8/12/05]

BORN ALIVE PRINCIPLE WAS ALREADY THE LAW IN ILLINOIS

Illinois Law Already Stated That In The Unlikely Case That An Abortion Would Cause A Live Birth, A Doctor Should “Provide Immediate Medical Care For Any Child Born Alive As A Result Of The Abortion.” The Chicago Tribune reported, “‘For more than 20 years, Illinois law has required that when ‘there is a reasonable likelihood of sustained survival of the fetus outside the womb, with or without artificial support,’ an abortion may only be performed if a physician believes ‘it is necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.’ And in such cases, the law requires that the doctor use the technique ‘most likely to preserve the life and health of the fetus’ and perform the abortion in the presence of ‘a physician other than the physician performing or inducing the abortion who shall take control of and provide immediate medical care for any child born alive as a result of the abortion.’” [Chicago Tribune, 8/17/04]

• Illinois Law Stated That A Doctor Must Preserve The Life And Health Of A Fetus If In The Course Of An Abortion, There Is Reasonable Likelihood Of Sustained Survival. The Illinois Compiled Statutes stated that any physician who intentionally performs an abortion when, in his medical judgment based on the particular facts of the case before him, there is a reasonable likelihood of sustained survival of the fetus outside the womb, with or without artificial support, shall utilize that method of abortion which, of those he knows to be available, is in his medical judgment most likely to preserve the life and health of the fetus. No abortion shall be performed or induced when the fetus is viable unless there is in attendance a physician other than the physician performing or inducing the abortion who shall take control of and provide immediate medical care for any child born alive as a result of the abortion. Subsequent to the abortion, if a child is born alive, the physician required to be in attendance shall exercise the same degree of professional skill, care and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as would be required of a physician providing immediate medical care to a child born alive in the course of a pregnancy termination which was not an abortion. Violation of these statutes constituted a Class 3 felony. [Illinois Compiled Statutes, 720 ILCS 510/6]

READ PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S HISTORY OF "BORN ALIVE" LEGISLATION IN ILLINOIS

SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIFFERENT "BORN ALIVE" BILLS--WHY OBAMA OPPOSED SOME AND SUPPORTED OTHERS

2001 and 2002: OBAMA JOINED MORE THAN 40% OF THE ILLINOIS SENATE—INCLUDING NUMEROUS REPUBLICANS—IN OPPOSING “BORN ALIVE” BILLS

Obama Voted Against Two Born Alive Bills, With Almost a Quarter of the Senate, Saying They Would Be Struck Down. In 2002, Obama voted against a bill to create the Induced Birth Infant Liability Act to provide that if a child is born alive after an induced labor abortion or other abortion, a parent or public guardian of the child may recover damages for costs of care to preserve and protect the life, health, and safety of the child, punitive damages, and costs and attorney’s fees against a hospital, health care facility, or health care provider who harms or neglects the child or fails to provide medical care to the child after it is born. Obama voted against a bill to amend the Statute on Statutes, to define “born-alive infant” to include “every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development.” Further defines “born alive” to mean “the complete expulsion or extraction from the mother of an infant, at any stage of development, who after that expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut and regardless of whether of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion.” Obama predicted the bills would be struck down by a federal court were they to become law. Obama said, “Whenever we define a pre-viable fetus as a person that is protected by the equal protection clause or other elements of the Constitution, we’re saying they are persons entitled to the kinds of protections provided to a child, a 9-month-old child delivered to term…That determination then essentially, if it was accepted by a court, would forbid abortions to take place.” [92nd GA, SB 1661, 4/4/02, 3R P; 31-11-10 (BO: N); 92nd GA, SB 1662, 4/4/02, 3R P; 30-12-10 (BO: N); Sun-Times, 3/31/01]

• 21 Senators Opposed Senate Bill 1661. Senators Bowles, Geo-Karis (Republican), Hendon, Molaro, Radogno (Republican), Shaw, Smith, Trotter, Viverito and Welch voted present on Senate Bill 1661. Senators Cullerton, Del Valle, Halvorson, Jacobs, Lightford, Link, Madigan, Obama, Parker (Republican), Ronen and Shadid voted no on Senate Bill 1661. [92nd GA, SB 1661, 4/4/02, 3R P; 31-11-10 (BO: N)]

• 22 Senators Opposed Senate Bill 1662. Senators Bowles, Geo-Karis (Republican), Hendon, Molaro, Radogno (Republican), Shadid, Shaw, Trotter, Viverito and Welch voted present on Senate Bill 1662. Senators Cullerton, Del Valle, Halvorson, Jacobs, Klemm (Republican), Lightford, Link, Madigan, Obama, Parker (Republican), Ronen and Smith voted no on Senate Bill 1662. [92nd GA, SB 1662, 4/4/02, 3R P; 30-12-10 (BO: N)]

• Six Republican Senators Opposed One Or All Born Alive Bills. Republican Senator Kathleen Parker voted no Senate Bills 1661 and 1662. Republican Senator Christine Radogno voted present on Senate Bills 1661 and 1662. Republican Senator Adeline Geo-Karis voted present on Senate Bills 1661 and 1662. Republican Senator Dick Klemm voted no on Senate Bill 1662. [92nd GA, SB 1093, SB 1094, SB 1095, SB 1661, SB 1662]

Obama Voted Present On “Born Alive” Bills. Obama voted present on a bill to amend the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975, providing that no abortion procedure that, in the medical judgment of the attending physician, has a reasonable likelihood of resulting in a live born child shall be undertaken unless there is in attendance a physician other than the physician performing or inducing the abortion who shall address the child’s viability and provide medical care for the child and provides that a physician inducing an abortion that results in a live born child shall provide for the soonest practicable attendance of a physician other than the physician performing or inducing the abortion to immediately assess the child’s viability and provide medical care for the child. Also provides that a live child born as a result of an abortion shall be fully recognized as a human person and that all reasonable measures consistent with good medical practice shall be taken to preserve the life and health of the child. Obama voted present on a bill to amend the Statute on Statutes, to define “born-alive infant” to include “every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development.” Obama voted present on a bill to create the Induced Birth Infant Liability Act states that it is the intent of the General Assembly to protect the life of a child born alive as the result of an induced labor abortion, provides that a parent of the child or the public guardian of the county in which a child was born alive after an induced labor abortion or any other abortion has a cause of action against any hospital, health care facility or health care provider that fails to provide medical care for the child after birth. [92nd GA, SB 1093, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-6-12; 92nd GA, SB 1094, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-5-13; 92nd GA, SB 1095, 3/30/01, 3R P; 33-6-13]

• 17 Senators Opposed Senate Bill 1093. Senators Bowles, Del Valle, Halvorson, Hendon, Jacobs, Lightford, Molaro, Obama, Radogno (Republican), Shadid and Viverito voted present on Senate Bill 1093. Senators Link, Madigan, Parker (Republican), Ronen, Silverstein and Welch voted no on Senate Bill 1093. [92nd GA, SB 1093, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-6-12]

• 18 Senators Opposed Senate Bill 1094. Senators Bowles, Clayborne, Halvorson, Jacobs, Lightford, Molaro, Myers (Republican), Obama, Radogno (Republican), Shadid, Viverito, Weaver (Republican) and Welch voted present on Senate Bill 1094. Senators Del Valle, Link, Parker (Republican), Ronen and Silverstein voted no on Senate Bill 1094. [92nd GA, SB 1094, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-5-13]

• 18 Senators Opposed Senate Bill 1095. Senators Bowles, Clayborne, Del Valle, Halvorson, Hendon, Jacobs, Lightford, Molaro, Obama, Radogno (Republican), Shadid, Viverito and Welch voted present on Senate Bill 1095. Senators Link, Madigan, Parker (Republican), Ronen and Silverstein voted no on Senate Bill 1095. [92nd GA, SB 1095, 3/30/01, 3R P; 33-5-13]

• Four Republican Senators Opposed One Or All Born Alive Bills. Republican Senator Radogno voted present and Republican Parker voted no on Senate Bill 1093. Republican Senators Myers, Radogno, and Weaver voted present on Senate Bill 1094 and Republican Senator Parker voted against. Radogno voted present and Parker voted against Senate Bill 1095. [92nd GA, SB 1093, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-6-12; 92nd GA, SB 1094, 3/30/01, 3R P; 34-5-13; 92nd GA, SB 1095, 3/30/01, 3R P; 33-6-13]

OBAMA SUPPORTED AND NARAL DIDN’T OPPOSE 2002’s FEDERAL BAIPA

Obama Said He Would Have Supported Federal Born-Alive Legislation. The Chicago Tribune reported, “Obama said that had he been in the US Senate two years ago, he would have voted for the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, even though he voted against a state version of the proposal. The federal version was approved; the state version was not. Both measures required that if a fetus survived an abortion procedure, it must be considered a person. Backers argued it was necessary to protect a fetus if it showed signs of life after being separated from its mother…the difference between the state and federal versions, Obama explained, was that the state measure lacked the federal language clarifying that the act would not be used to undermine Roe vs. Wade.” [Chicago Tribune, 10/4/04]

• NARAL Didn’t Oppose Federal BAIPA For Its Clear Legal Difference Between A Fetus In Utero Versus A Child That’s Born. NARAL Executive Vice President Mary Jane Gallagher said, “We, in fact, did not oppose this bill. There's a clear legal difference now between a fetus in utero versus a child that's born. And when a child is born, they deserve every protection that this country can provide them.” [CNN, 8/5/02]

• NARAL Statement: “In the statement, NARAL says, "Consistent with our position last year, NARAL does not oppose passage of the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. Last year's committee and floor debate served to clarify the bill's intent and assure us that it is not targeted at Roe v. Wade or a woman's right to choose." [NARAL release, 6/13/01]

2003 BORN ALIVE LEGISLATION OBAMA OPPOSED IN COMMITTEE DID NOT HAVE THE SAME IMPACT AS FEDERAL LEGISLATION

Planned Parenthood: “Although The Definition Is Similar To The Proposed Federal Legislation, Its Application Would Have A Different Impact On State Abortion Law.” Planned Parenthood wrote in a fact sheet, “SB 1082 & SB 1083 are NOT the same as the so-called “Born Alive Infant Protection Act” which was recently passed in the U. S. House. The federal legislation is considered to be a restatement of existing federal law. It does not amend or change current Illinois law. Federal law does not regulate abortion practice. That is left to the states. Therefore, it is state legislation that would affect abortion practice in Illinois. The package of SB 1082 & SB 1083 creates new provisions in Illinois law. Although the definition is similar to the proposed federal legislation, its application would have a different impact on state abortion law.” [Planned Parenthood Fact Sheet, 2/28/03]

Illinois State Medical Society Opposed SB 1082. Robert Kane, legal counsel to the Illinois State Medical Society, filed a committee witness slip stating the Medical Society opposition to Senate Bill 1082. [Committee Witness Slip, SB 1082]

2005 BILL THAT PASSED AFTER OBAMA LEFT THE SENATE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE THAT OBAMA DEALT WITH IN HIS COMMITTEE IN 2003, WASN’T OPPOSED BY PRO-CHOICE GROUPS

2005 Bill: “Unlike Earlier Versions That Failed, This Bill Does Not Spell Out What Medical Care Doctors Must Provide When An Abortion Procedure Ends In A Live Birth. The Legislation Also Specifically Says It Has No Impact On Illinois Abortion Laws.” “Activists on both sides of the abortion debate found a rare patch of common ground Wednesday: legislation that says any live birth - even one that occurs during an abortion - is a person with legal rights. The measure was unanimously approved by the House civil law committee and now moves to the House floor. Unlike earlier versions that failed, this bill does not spell out what medical care doctors must provide when an abortion procedure ends in a live birth. The legislation also specifically says it has no impact on Illinois abortion laws. Still, anti-abortion groups are pleased. ‘What it does is support the legal principle that infants that are born alive, regardless of their stage of development or the circumstances of their birth, are persons and deserve protection under the law,’ said Dawn Behnke, an attorney who lobbies for the Illinois Federation for Right to Life. Abortion rights supporters said they were satisfied that this legislation is not an attempt to restrict abortion. Pam Sutherland, president of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council, said the legislation will simply ensure babies get the medical care their doctors and parents think is appropriate.” [AP, 5/9/05]

The Born Alive Bill That Passed Into Law In IL—In Addition to Including the Language from the Failed 2003 Legislation and Federal Law—Stated That “Nothing In This Section Shall Be Construed To Affect Existing Federal Or State Law Regarding Abortion” or “Generally Accepted Medical Standards.” In determining the meaning of any statute or of any rule, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative agencies of this State, the words ‘person’, ‘human being’, ‘child’, and ‘individual’ shall include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development. (b) As used in this Section, the term ‘born alive’, with respect to a member of the species homo sapiens, means the complete expulsion or extraction from his or her mother of that member, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion. (c) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to affirm, deny, expand, or contract any legal status or legal right applicable to any member of the species homo sapiens at any point prior to being born alive, as defined in this Section. (d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to affect existing federal or State law regarding abortion. (e) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to alter generally accepted medical standards. [94th GA, HB 984, PA 94-0559, 8/12/05]

BORN ALIVE PRINCIPLE WAS ALREADY THE LAW IN ILLINOIS

Illinois Law Already Stated That In The Unlikely Case That An Abortion Would Cause A Live Birth, A Doctor Should “Provide Immediate Medical Care For Any Child Born Alive As A Result Of The Abortion.” The Chicago Tribune reported, “‘For more than 20 years, Illinois law has required that when ‘there is a reasonable likelihood of sustained survival of the fetus outside the womb, with or without artificial support,’ an abortion may only be performed if a physician believes ‘it is necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.’ And in such cases, the law requires that the doctor use the technique ‘most likely to preserve the life and health of the fetus’ and perform the abortion in the presence of ‘a physician other than the physician performing or inducing the abortion who shall take control of and provide immediate medical care for any child born alive as a result of the abortion.’” [Chicago Tribune, 8/17/04]

• Illinois Law Stated That A Doctor Must Preserve The Life And Health Of A Fetus If In The Course Of An Abortion, There Is Reasonable Likelihood Of Sustained Survival. The Illinois Compiled Statutes stated that any physician who intentionally performs an abortion when, in his medical judgment based on the particular facts of the case before him, there is a reasonable likelihood of sustained survival of the fetus outside the womb, with or without artificial support, shall utilize that method of abortion which, of those he knows to be available, is in his medical judgment most likely to preserve the life and health of the fetus. No abortion shall be performed or induced when the fetus is viable unless there is in attendance a physician other than the physician performing or inducing the abortion who shall take control of and provide immediate medical care for any child born alive as a result of the abortion. Subsequent to the abortion, if a child is born alive, the physician required to be in attendance shall exercise the same degree of professional skill, care and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as would be required of a physician providing immediate medical care to a child born alive in the course of a pregnancy termination which was not an abortion. Violation of these statutes constituted a Class 3 felony. [Illinois Compiled Statutes, 720 ILCS 510/6]

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