Message from David Plouffe: "It’s a go"
From David Plouffe:
Earlier in the week, we asked if you thought we should put the experiences of real American families on the air and online to show why we need heath care reform. The overwhelming answer? Yes.
Thanks to your support, we were able to spring into action and share with America the very personal reasons why we cannot afford to miss this one chance to finally reform our health care system.
I want you to be the first to see this powerful ad. It features real people telling their true stories of lost coverage, watching loved ones go without care, and making the case for why we need reform.
Once you watch this, you’ll see what we mean about how powerful these personal stories can be — and why we need to get them on the air right away.
Will you watch the video now, and then donate or more to put it on the air?
As we speak, Congress is rapidly hammering out the details of the health care bill, and getting this message out now is crucial. Our representatives must understand how strongly we feel about the need for real reform — and that we need it now.
In the next few days, we must decide how many of these ads we can make, where we can air them, and how many views we can guarantee. The more resources we have, the greater the impact we’ll be able to make.
So watch this first video, and then please dig deep with a donation of or more so we can get this ad and others like it on the air and online in key areas across the country.
https://donate.barackobama.com/healthcaread
Thanks for making it happen,
David Plouffe
P.S. — Over 99,000 people have already donated to power our campaign for health care reform. This is the perfect time to join them, and help us hit our big goal of 100,000 donors for health care.
From David Plouffe:
Earlier in the week, we asked if you thought we should put the experiences of real American families on the air and online to show why we need heath care reform. The overwhelming answer? Yes.
Thanks to your support, we were able to spring into action and share with America the very personal reasons why we cannot afford to miss this one chance to finally reform our health care system.
I want you to be the first to see this powerful ad. It features real people telling their true stories of lost coverage, watching loved ones go without care, and making the case for why we need reform.
Once you watch this, you’ll see what we mean about how powerful these personal stories can be — and why we need to get them on the air right away.
Will you watch the video now, and then donate or more to put it on the air?
As we speak, Congress is rapidly hammering out the details of the health care bill, and getting this message out now is crucial. Our representatives must understand how strongly we feel about the need for real reform — and that we need it now.
In the next few days, we must decide how many of these ads we can make, where we can air them, and how many views we can guarantee. The more resources we have, the greater the impact we’ll be able to make.
So watch this first video, and then please dig deep with a donation of or more so we can get this ad and others like it on the air and online in key areas across the country.
https://donate.barackobama.com/healthcaread
Thanks for making it happen,
David Plouffe
P.S. — Over 99,000 people have already donated to power our campaign for health care reform. This is the perfect time to join them, and help us hit our big goal of 100,000 donors for health care.
First Lady Visits Unity Health Care Center in DC
Earlier this week First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Unity Health Care Center in Washington D.C. Mrs.Obama stressed the importance of community health care centers in the fight against preventable diseases and the need for children to be educated about healthy living. Ultimately, Mrs. O announced the release of 0 million in Recovery Act grants for community health care centers across the country. “Every single health center that applied for a grant will receive at least 0,000,” stated the First Lady.
Below are some excerpts from the remarks made by the First Lady to employees of the clinic, patients, and members of the community. To read the entire transcript visit WhiteHouse.gov.
“As the President and Congress begin to tackle health care reform, the flag is being raised on the costly effects of preventable diseases that burden our health care system. And community health centers like Upper Cardozo, Unity Health Care are a vital component for this discussion…
Access to primary care, preventative care, wellness and nutrition counseling help prevent chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and high-blood pressure that consume 85 percent of the health care spending in our country.
But it’s more than just an economic issue. It’s about the quality of life for all of our citizens, particularly our kids…
Nearly a third of the children in this country today are overweight or obese and a third will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lifetime.
When we look at the Hispanic and African American communities, those numbers climb even higher so that nearly half of the children in those communities will suffer this same fate. Half of those kids…
I am pleased to announce today the release of 0 million in Recovery Act grants to upgrade and expand community health centers across the country. (Applause.) This money will help community health centers reach more people in need and make all of our communities healthier places to live and to work. This is a new investment on top of the hundreds of millions of dollars that have already enabled health centers to expand and improve their services this year. So this is more.
For centers around the country, these Recovery Act grants will mean new diagnostic equipment, renovation of facilities that need repair, expanding computer centers to help manage electronic medical records, adding on new staff, expanding programs that work. And over the next two years, Recovery Act dollars for community health centers will expand desperately-needed services to more than 2.8 million people…
And there’s another part of this equation beyond health. When Unity builds those 20 new exam rooms, they’ll be creating jobs and putting people to work in construction and renovation. When a health center in rural Illinois purchases a new computer center, it’s going to keep a programmer in the Silicon Valley on the job. So as we provide quality health care to more people, there will be this multiplier effect that will also provide more jobs to more workers.
Just think about the impact of all these Recovery Act grants all over the entire country. Every single health center that applied for a grant will receive at the very least 0,000…”
Posted by Aminah Hanan
Earlier this week First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Unity Health Care Center in Washington D.C. Mrs.Obama stressed the importance of community health care centers in the fight against preventable diseases and the need for children to be educated about healthy living. Ultimately, Mrs. O announced the release of 0 million in Recovery Act grants for community health care centers across the country. “Every single health center that applied for a grant will receive at least 0,000,” stated the First Lady.
Below are some excerpts from the remarks made by the First Lady to employees of the clinic, patients, and members of the community. To read the entire transcript visit WhiteHouse.gov.
“As the President and Congress begin to tackle health care reform, the flag is being raised on the costly effects of preventable diseases that burden our health care system. And community health centers like Upper Cardozo, Unity Health Care are a vital component for this discussion…
Access to primary care, preventative care, wellness and nutrition counseling help prevent chronic illnesses like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and high-blood pressure that consume 85 percent of the health care spending in our country.
But it’s more than just an economic issue. It’s about the quality of life for all of our citizens, particularly our kids…
Nearly a third of the children in this country today are overweight or obese and a third will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lifetime.
When we look at the Hispanic and African American communities, those numbers climb even higher so that nearly half of the children in those communities will suffer this same fate. Half of those kids…
I am pleased to announce today the release of 0 million in Recovery Act grants to upgrade and expand community health centers across the country. (Applause.) This money will help community health centers reach more people in need and make all of our communities healthier places to live and to work. This is a new investment on top of the hundreds of millions of dollars that have already enabled health centers to expand and improve their services this year. So this is more.
For centers around the country, these Recovery Act grants will mean new diagnostic equipment, renovation of facilities that need repair, expanding computer centers to help manage electronic medical records, adding on new staff, expanding programs that work. And over the next two years, Recovery Act dollars for community health centers will expand desperately-needed services to more than 2.8 million people…
And there’s another part of this equation beyond health. When Unity builds those 20 new exam rooms, they’ll be creating jobs and putting people to work in construction and renovation. When a health center in rural Illinois purchases a new computer center, it’s going to keep a programmer in the Silicon Valley on the job. So as we provide quality health care to more people, there will be this multiplier effect that will also provide more jobs to more workers.
Just think about the impact of all these Recovery Act grants all over the entire country. Every single health center that applied for a grant will receive at the very least 0,000…”
Posted by Aminah Hanan
Why are All the “BLACK” Reporters Covering Michelle Obama? The Story Howard Kurtz SHOULD Have Covered..BUT WON’T
Howard Kurtz needs to be worried about why the Washington Post is charging people a quarter million dollars to have dranks and vittles with Washington Post reporters instead of maligning Black reporters covering Michelle Obama.
Rachel Swarns of the New York Times and The Washington Post’s Robin Givhan were among those herded behind the rope Monday. They and the other main beat reporters — Newsweek’s Allison Samuels, Darlene Superville of the Associated Press and Politico’s Nia-Malika Henderson — have something in common: They are all African American women.
…
[P]perhaps too early to judge. After all, no one raises questions when an Irish American male reporter covers a pol named Murphy. And with her carefully crafted focus on her children, affordable fashion and such reduced-fat apple pie issues as healthy eating, Obama has done little to warrant sharp criticism….But are the beat reporters inadvertently invested in her success? Howard Kurtz
Um so why did you write this article Howard? If there is little to warrant criticism, why not focus on White House media activities that warrant BLISTERING UNWAVERING criticism?
Oh Howard, a more important question might be why do all the WHITE MALE bloggers get pulled from their rumpled beds and basements to ask the President of the United States a question? OOPS I wasn’t supposed to point out that the White House is granting special access and a major competitive advantage to the folks over there at Hipster Racist Headquarters? If you were any credible sort of media critic Mr. Kurtz would be FAR more concerned about the White House granting a competitive advantage to a purportedly “progressive” entity that has a history of being both rabidly sexist and racist and has a wretched record of workplace diversity when it comes to its “reporters”. . . and NO, I am not speaking of Fox News…this time.
WHY hasn’t anyone done an inquiry into the lack of diversity at Hipster Racist Headquarters, whose “reporters” are EXCLUSIVELY White and overwhelmingly male? “(don’t be deceived by the thumbnails of Russell Simmons and Jermaine Dupri in the sidebar, that’s window dressing-They aren’t paid staffers) Heck at least Fox News has Wendell Gohler or whateverhisnameis. I’m just saying?
If the White House press corps had any sense they’d stop fighting with Hipster Racist Headquarters on the basis of new media vs old media and realize that Hipster Racist Headquarters does not even attempt to reflect the diversity of the United State of America and they are proud of it. But what do I know - Get a clue people!
THIS blog does not “DO” politics, but as the founder of a conference for bloggers of color, many of which unfortunately choose to spend their valuable time discussing political minutia, one has to wonder when the White House is going to help put some obscure citizen journalist( of any background) on the map, the way they’ve been acting as publicists for Hipster Racist Headquarters. The only reason I am bothering to point this out is because the NABJ won’t do it. Oops did I say that as well? Yeah I did.
In conclusion, I find it curious that Kurtz basically says we don’t question the objectivity of White reporters and then pens hundreds of words questioning the objectivity of Black women journalists. Maybe the reason they are stuck on White House “Soul Patrol” is because that’s the only way they will be allowed to cover politics. They are taking the opportunity they’ve been granted, but I have little doubt, they’d love to be asking the second question at the next presidential news conference, except that’s been reserved for young White males who have little to no experience and can just leap-frog over all of these experienced journalists who happen to be Black women and are immensely MORE QUALIFIED. Oh but then AGAIN… I’m not supposed to mention that . Continue on observing the unimportant Howie Kurtz!
This whole article is even more delusional because I think we’ve (by “we”, I mean “I”)slammed every last one of the reporters he interviewed . I think we’ve gotten the NY Times reporter,Rachel Swarns, at least 3 times and there is an entire faction of MOW readers dedicated to expurgating any mention of Politico’s Nia-Malika Henderson from our posts. ( I’m not joking. I know at least 3 of y’all who cringed as soon as you read “Nia-Malika”). I may have to go easier on these women.
It can’t be easy stuck covering the First Lady from a distance while the White House confers privilege on much younger, less qualified men. Why is Kurtz kicking a group that’s already been marginalized by the White House when his focus should be aimed at a looming media conglomerate the likes of which will make Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp look like a neighborhood lemonade stand.? Print out this post. In 15 years you’ll see I’m dead on. In the words of Master Yoda ““Always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice.”
It hath been foretold.
Posted by Gina- Yes, she’s crazy… LIKE A FOX!
Howard Kurtz needs to be worried about why the Washington Post is charging people a quarter million dollars to have dranks and vittles with Washington Post reporters instead of maligning Black reporters covering Michelle Obama.
Rachel Swarns of the New York Times and The Washington Post’s Robin Givhan were among those herded behind the rope Monday. They and the other main beat reporters — Newsweek’s Allison Samuels, Darlene Superville of the Associated Press and Politico’s Nia-Malika Henderson — have something in common: They are all African American women.
…
[P]perhaps too early to judge. After all, no one raises questions when an Irish American male reporter covers a pol named Murphy. And with her carefully crafted focus on her children, affordable fashion and such reduced-fat apple pie issues as healthy eating, Obama has done little to warrant sharp criticism….But are the beat reporters inadvertently invested in her success? Howard Kurtz
Um so why did you write this article Howard? If there is little to warrant criticism, why not focus on White House media activities that warrant BLISTERING UNWAVERING criticism?
Oh Howard, a more important question might be why do all the WHITE MALE bloggers get pulled from their rumpled beds and basements to ask the President of the United States a question? OOPS I wasn’t supposed to point out that the White House is granting special access and a major competitive advantage to the folks over there at Hipster Racist Headquarters? If you were any credible sort of media critic Mr. Kurtz would be FAR more concerned about the White House granting a competitive advantage to a purportedly “progressive” entity that has a history of being both rabidly sexist and racist and has a wretched record of workplace diversity when it comes to its “reporters”. . . and NO, I am not speaking of Fox News…this time.
WHY hasn’t anyone done an inquiry into the lack of diversity at Hipster Racist Headquarters, whose “reporters” are EXCLUSIVELY White and overwhelmingly male? “(don’t be deceived by the thumbnails of Russell Simmons and Jermaine Dupri in the sidebar, that’s window dressing-They aren’t paid staffers) Heck at least Fox News has Wendell Gohler or whateverhisnameis. I’m just saying?
If the White House press corps had any sense they’d stop fighting with Hipster Racist Headquarters on the basis of new media vs old media and realize that Hipster Racist Headquarters does not even attempt to reflect the diversity of the United State of America and they are proud of it. But what do I know - Get a clue people!
THIS blog does not “DO” politics, but as the founder of a conference for bloggers of color, many of which unfortunately choose to spend their valuable time discussing political minutia, one has to wonder when the White House is going to help put some obscure citizen journalist( of any background) on the map, the way they’ve been acting as publicists for Hipster Racist Headquarters. The only reason I am bothering to point this out is because the NABJ won’t do it. Oops did I say that as well? Yeah I did.
In conclusion, I find it curious that Kurtz basically says we don’t question the objectivity of White reporters and then pens hundreds of words questioning the objectivity of Black women journalists. Maybe the reason they are stuck on White House “Soul Patrol” is because that’s the only way they will be allowed to cover politics. They are taking the opportunity they’ve been granted, but I have little doubt, they’d love to be asking the second question at the next presidential news conference, except that’s been reserved for young White males who have little to no experience and can just leap-frog over all of these experienced journalists who happen to be Black women and are immensely MORE QUALIFIED. Oh but then AGAIN… I’m not supposed to mention that . Continue on observing the unimportant Howie Kurtz!
This whole article is even more delusional because I think we’ve (by “we”, I mean “I”)slammed every last one of the reporters he interviewed . I think we’ve gotten the NY Times reporter,Rachel Swarns, at least 3 times and there is an entire faction of MOW readers dedicated to expurgating any mention of Politico’s Nia-Malika Henderson from our posts. ( I’m not joking. I know at least 3 of y’all who cringed as soon as you read “Nia-Malika”). I may have to go easier on these women.
It can’t be easy stuck covering the First Lady from a distance while the White House confers privilege on much younger, less qualified men. Why is Kurtz kicking a group that’s already been marginalized by the White House when his focus should be aimed at a looming media conglomerate the likes of which will make Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp look like a neighborhood lemonade stand.? Print out this post. In 15 years you’ll see I’m dead on. In the words of Master Yoda ““Always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice.”
It hath been foretold.
Posted by Gina- Yes, she’s crazy… LIKE A FOX!
Is First Lady Michello O. The “It” Woman of Politics?
Ebony Magazine is giving readers a chance to vote for the 25 women who embody the “it” factor. The “it” factor being “something that makes us stand up and take notice.” Of course First Lady Michelle Obama is a candidate for “The It Factor Woman of Politics.” She is joined by Valerie Jarrett, Angela Davis, Maxine Waters, Condolezza Rice, Shirley Chisolm, Susan Rice, Barbara Jordan, and Winnie Mandela. The upcoming issue is a follow up of the August 2008 covers that featured the “25 Coolest Brothers”. If you remember, one of the covers featured the First Lady’s husband (The President). No doubt, the First Lady has some stiff competition in Ebony’s race to be crowned the “It Woman of Politics”. To cast your vote visit EbonyJet.com. If crowned, I wonder if this new cover will top one of my all time favorites…
Posted by Aminah Hanan
Ebony Magazine is giving readers a chance to vote for the 25 women who embody the “it” factor. The “it” factor being “something that makes us stand up and take notice.” Of course First Lady Michelle Obama is a candidate for “The It Factor Woman of Politics.” She is joined by Valerie Jarrett, Angela Davis, Maxine Waters, Condolezza Rice, Shirley Chisolm, Susan Rice, Barbara Jordan, and Winnie Mandela. The upcoming issue is a follow up of the August 2008 covers that featured the “25 Coolest Brothers”. If you remember, one of the covers featured the First Lady’s husband (The President). No doubt, the First Lady has some stiff competition in Ebony’s race to be crowned the “It Woman of Politics”. To cast your vote visit EbonyJet.com. If crowned, I wonder if this new cover will top one of my all time favorites…
Posted by Aminah Hanan
Happy Birthday Malia! Open Thread- Yes, We’re Early But Some Folks Were Pushy About it!
Well since y’all have gone all renegade and starting posting early birthday greetings in all of the post threads, here is your official “Happy Birthday Malia!” Open Thread two days early. Its on the fourth, but I guess people want to get in their well wishes before they head out to the Bar-B-Q. Y’all be safe this weekend and rest up because we’re headed to RUSSIA!
Well since y’all have gone all renegade and starting posting early birthday greetings in all of the post threads, here is your official “Happy Birthday Malia!” Open Thread two days early. Its on the fourth, but I guess people want to get in their well wishes before they head out to the Bar-B-Q. Y’all be safe this weekend and rest up because we’re headed to RUSSIA!
Full Video: A National Discussion on Health Care Reform
Here’s the full video of yesterday’s online town hall, in which the President answered questions submitted from Americans across the country:
Here’s the full video of yesterday’s online town hall, in which the President answered questions submitted from Americans across the country:
To Russia With Love! First Lady Obama Heads to Moscow, Rome and Ghana!
Its that time again folks! Pack your bags because Michelle Obama Watch is going international again! YAY! Now for those unfamiliar with how we roll “international style,” we basically watch as the world goes ga-ga over our Hugger-in-Chief, First Lady Michelle Obama. We look at beautiful photos and coo at the landmarks in the background. No, we don’t actually leave our homes or get on anyone’s plane, we just imagine that we do and that my friends is enough 
We also play host to our international readers who drop by with their perspectives from abroad. All in all, we always enjoy the First Lady’s travel abroad around here. So prepare yourselves!. From the White House:
The President and the First Lady will arrive in Moscow on Monday afternoon. They will remain in Moscow until Wednesday morning, when the President will depart for Rome and participate in G-8 activities until Friday. The President will depart Italy on Friday night for Ghana; he will remain in Ghana until Saturday night, when he will return to Washington, DC.
Rest up folks! We’ll be busy next week.
Posted by Gina
Its that time again folks! Pack your bags because Michelle Obama Watch is going international again! YAY! Now for those unfamiliar with how we roll “international style,” we basically watch as the world goes ga-ga over our Hugger-in-Chief, First Lady Michelle Obama. We look at beautiful photos and coo at the landmarks in the background. No, we don’t actually leave our homes or get on anyone’s plane, we just imagine that we do and that my friends is enough We also play host to our international readers who drop by with their perspectives from abroad. All in all, we always enjoy the First Lady’s travel abroad around here. So prepare yourselves!. From the White House:
The President and the First Lady will arrive in Moscow on Monday afternoon. They will remain in Moscow until Wednesday morning, when the President will depart for Rome and participate in G-8 activities until Friday. The President will depart Italy on Friday night for Ghana; he will remain in Ghana until Saturday night, when he will return to Washington, DC.
Rest up folks! We’ll be busy next week.
Posted by Gina
Message from Mitch Stewart: "How big could this be?"
From OFA Director Mitch Stewart:
Did you see Vice President Biden’s email last week, sharing personal health care stories from supporters across the country? Well, the stories have been read millions of times, and the reaction is an overwhelming, "Wow — we’ve got to get to work."
It’s not surprising — these stories show the human face of the health care debate and inspire us all to act.
So here’s our latest idea: Putting our supporters in coast-to-coast television and online ads, telling their own stories, in their own voice. It could be a breakthrough moment in this debate, when millions of Americans realize how urgent reform really is.
But recording and nationally broadcasting these stories won’t be cheap. We can only go forward if you’re ready to chip in. So what do you say — should we do it?
Yes. I think this is a great idea, and I’m ready to contribute so it can happen.
No, I’m not ready to contribute to this plan.
How big could this be? Many experts believe health care reform was defeated in the early 90’s by the infamous "Harry and Louise" ads. They featured actors sitting around a fake kitchen table, pretending to be a family that was frightened by reform.
So just imagine if this time around, the debate is shaped by real people, looking us in the eye, telling their actual story, and asking for our help to fix this broken system.
Phony stories helped defeat health care reform in the past. But this time, real stories could be the reason we win.
If enough Organizing for America supporters say yes and then donate the resources we need to pull it off, we’ll start filming and distribution right away. So what do you say?
Yes, let’s get these real stories on the airwaves. I’m ready to contribute.
No, I don’t think this is a good idea or I can’t contribute at this time.
We’ll keep you posted with the results and what happens next.
Thanks, as always, for making it all possible.
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
From OFA Director Mitch Stewart:
Did you see Vice President Biden’s email last week, sharing personal health care stories from supporters across the country? Well, the stories have been read millions of times, and the reaction is an overwhelming, "Wow — we’ve got to get to work."
It’s not surprising — these stories show the human face of the health care debate and inspire us all to act.
So here’s our latest idea: Putting our supporters in coast-to-coast television and online ads, telling their own stories, in their own voice. It could be a breakthrough moment in this debate, when millions of Americans realize how urgent reform really is.
But recording and nationally broadcasting these stories won’t be cheap. We can only go forward if you’re ready to chip in. So what do you say — should we do it?
Yes. I think this is a great idea, and I’m ready to contribute so it can happen.
No, I’m not ready to contribute to this plan.
How big could this be? Many experts believe health care reform was defeated in the early 90’s by the infamous "Harry and Louise" ads. They featured actors sitting around a fake kitchen table, pretending to be a family that was frightened by reform.
So just imagine if this time around, the debate is shaped by real people, looking us in the eye, telling their actual story, and asking for our help to fix this broken system.
Phony stories helped defeat health care reform in the past. But this time, real stories could be the reason we win.
If enough Organizing for America supporters say yes and then donate the resources we need to pull it off, we’ll start filming and distribution right away. So what do you say?
Yes, let’s get these real stories on the airwaves. I’m ready to contribute.
No, I don’t think this is a good idea or I can’t contribute at this time.
We’ll keep you posted with the results and what happens next.
Thanks, as always, for making it all possible.
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
LIVE: A National Discussion on Health Care Reform
President will hold a national discussion on health care today through an online town hall meeting at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale. In addition to the live audience, questions will come from online communities such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Senior advisor to President Obama Valerie Jarrett will moderate the town hall.
You can watch the event live at WhiteHouse.gov/live starting at 1:15 Eastern.
President will hold a national discussion on health care today through an online town hall meeting at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale. In addition to the live audience, questions will come from online communities such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Senior advisor to President Obama Valerie Jarrett will moderate the town hall.
You can watch the event live at WhiteHouse.gov/live starting at 1:15 Eastern.