Archive for March, 2009:
President Obama on Face the Nation
CBS's Face the Nation aired a pre-recorded interview with President Obama this morning. Bob Schieffer spoke with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office about ending the war in Afganistan, Mexico's drug violence Cheap Accutane and restoring the economy and the American dream. You can watch the full interview below:
Video: Open for Questions Recap
Almost a hundred thousand participants accounted for more than three and a half million votes in the first round of the White House's Open for Questions online forum. Last Thursday, President Obama held the first ever online town hall to answer Buy cheap Accutane Online some of the top questions. In case you missed it, here's the video of the entire event:
You can also read the full transcript of the event.
Earth Hour: Saturday Night 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m Local Time
Photo: Volunteers in Portland, Oregon continue phonebanking in the dark when the lights went out the night before the November 2008 election.
Tonight is Earth Hour, in Buy cheap Cialis Online which nearly 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries are joining in a global event to promote energy conservation and raise awareness for the need to take action on climate change. Time zone by time zone, participants agree to dim nonessential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time.
You can view an online gallery of images from cities around the world that are turning out the lights tonight at CNN.com.
GOTV Weekend for NY-20
For Scott Murphy supporters in upstate New York, today is the beginning of the final Get Out The Vote push for next Tuesday's special election. Earlier in the week, President Obama officially endorsed Scott Murphy as "a strong ally in creating jobs and stabilizing the economy," calling him "the right candidate for Upstate New York to turn the economy around and create jobs." This morning, Organizing for America Director Mitch Stewart urged supporters in NY-20 to help Get Out The Vote for what's expected to be a very close election:
In the next four days, you could play a major role in moving our country forward.
This Tuesday, voters here in New York's 20th Congressional District have the chance to elect Scott Murphy to Congress. President Obama announced his support for Scott earlier this week because he needs Scott's help to get our economy and our country back on the right track.
But first, Scott needs your help to turn out every last voter to the polls in the final days of this close race.
Sign up right now to help Get Out The Vote between now and Tuesday, Election Day.
President Obama knows that Scott has the experience to bring people together to create jobs and move us in a new direction.
It's up to you to elect someone who will put the middle class first -- but only if you spread the word for Scott in your neighborhood in time for Tuesday's election.
With just four days left, find an office near you and sign up to volunteer.
Your energy helped to elect President Obama, and you can do the same for Scott Murphy between now and Tuesday.
Let's make it happen,
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
If you're unable to make it to one of Cheap Cialis the offices, you can still help out by making GOTV calls from home using the online calling tool.
President Obama’s Weekly Address: “Crisis and Service”
Today President Obama dedicated his weekly address to the people of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota as they face down disastrous flooding, and he commended the volunteers and emergency workers who have worked tirelessly over the past week to protect their communities.
He also spoke about the Edward M. Kennedy National Service Act, which will provide new and additional opportunities for Americans to serve their communities and the country:
At moments like these, we are reminded of the power of nature to disrupt lives and endanger communities. But we are also reminded of the power of individuals to make a difference.
In the Fargodome, thousands of people gathered not to watch a football game or a rodeo, but to fill sandbags. Volunteers filled 2.5 million of them in just five days, working against the clock, day and night, with tired arms and aching backs. Others braved freezing temperatures, gusting winds, and falling snow to build levees along the river’s banks to help protect against waters that have exceeded record levels.
College students have traveled by the busload from nearby campuses to lend a hand during Provigil online No prescription their spring breaks. Students from local high schools asked if they could take time to participate. Young people have turned social networks into community networks, coordinating with one another online to figure out how best to help.
In the face of an incredible challenge, the people of these communities have rallied in support of one another. And their service isn’t just inspirational – it’s integral to our response.It’s also a reminder of what we can achieve when Americans come together to serve their communities.
Learn how you can help support the ongoing disaster relief efforts . . .
Help the Victims of the Red River Floods
On Wednesday President Obama declared a major disaster exists in the entire state of North Dakota, due to severe storms and flooding of the Red River. Yesterday the President declared an emergency exists in seven Minnesota counties to the east of the Red River as well.
Melting snow and heavy rains have caused the river to rise to record levels. Current projections are that the river could crest as high as 20 feet above flood level by Saturday, and water levels could remain high for many days.
Sandbagging operations in Fargo, North Dakota have continued non-stop throughout the week in subfreezing temperatures. City officials reported that about 3 million sandbags have been filled, but more volunteers are still needed. The American Red Cross is sending disaster workers into North Dakota and Minnesota to staff shelters that will be needed in the event of evacuations.
Despite the challenges, we've seen time and again that when ordinary people act together, they can make a difference.
Learn how you can help support the Red River disaster relief efforts.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by the floods.
Learn more what you can do to help at Provigil pharmacy >RedCross.org.
CNN Coverage of Organizing for America: “President Obama’s Grassroots Army”
Today on the Situation Room, CNN aired a segment on Organizing for America and volunteers' recent efforts to build support for the President's budget, as all the work being done to harness the energy of the largest grassroots movement in history:
Budget Debate: Help Call Fellow Supporters
Both the House and the Senate budget committees have approved their respective drafts for the budget, paving the way for full debate to begin next week, followed by a crucial vote in both houses that's expected to take place by next Friday.
Of the House budget committee, the Associated Press reported:
President Barack Obama's allies rallied around his ambitious budget blueprint as he visited the Capitol on Wednesday, and only hours later a House panel endorsed it, pointing the way for major legislation this year on health care, energy and education.
And on the Senate side, the AP reported:
A key Senate panel stacked with allies of President Barack Obama approved his ambitious budget blueprint Thursday, giving the president a symbolic endorsement of efforts to boost clean energy, fight global warming and improve access to health care.
However, in both the Senate and the House committees, the plans passed on party line votes, demonstrating that the road ahead will not be easy.
Next week will be one of the most important in the entire process. Many of you have already pledged Buy Cialis your support for the President's plan, and have already spoken to your own representatives. But in these next few crucial days, there is still more that you can do.
We've put together an online calling tool (the old school kind, which many of you may remember from the primaries) so that you can easily call other supporters and encourage them to speak to their own representatives.
As always, we'll provide you with a script and a targeted list of fellow supporters to call.
It's important that people know where Congress is at in the budget process, what's at stake, and what they can do to make a difference in the next few days. The economic plan laid out by President Obama can't be left up to up to special interests and partisan voices in Washington alone. This is your chance to make sure that the voices of ordinary Americans are part of next week's important debate.
President Obama: A New Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan
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This morning, President Obama announced a comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President's plan includes an increased focus on counter-terrorism, training of local forces, coalition building and regional diplomacy, and increased accountability.
From WhiteHouse.gov:
The President stressed the perilous position we find ourselves in there, and the threat that would arise should safe havens on Pakistan go unchallenged or should the government in Afghanistan fall to the Taliban again. He also noted that 2008 was the deadliest year to date in that war.
The President put forth the central question:
Many people in the United States -- and many in partner countries that have sacrificed so much -- have a simple question: What is our purpose in Afghanistan? After so many years, they ask, why do our men and women still fight and die there? And they deserve a straightforward answer.
And gave his answer:
"So I want the American people to understand that we have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future. That's the goal that must be achieved. That is a cause that could not be more just."
He described the need for a comprehensive strategy in the two countries, including a "standing, trilateral dialogue among the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan." The President expressed his profound respect for the Pakistani people and their history, and pledged that the United States would so all it could to help Pakistan fight against the terrorists who have so often attempted to destabilize the country, including with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
So too did he express his admiration for the people of Afghanistan, before going on to describe the shift coming on the ground there as well:
"Our troops have fought bravely against a ruthless enemy. Our civilians have made great sacrifices. Our allies have borne a heavy burden. Afghans have suffered and sacrificed for their future. But for six years, Afghanistan has been denied the resources that it demands because of the war in Iraq. Now, we must make a commitment that can accomplish our goals.
"I've already ordered the deployment of 17,000 troops that had been requested by General McKiernan for many months. These soldiers and Marines will take the fight to the Taliban in the south and the east, and give us a greater capacity to partner with Afghan security forces and to go after insurgents along the border. This push will also help provide security in advance of the important presidential elections in Afghanistan in August.
"At the same time, we will shift the emphasis of our mission to training and increasing the size of Afghan security forces, so that they can eventually take the lead in securing their country. That's how we will prepare Afghans to take responsibility for their security, and how we will ultimately be able to bring our own troops home.
"For three years, our commanders have been clear about the resources they need for training. And those resources have been denied because of the war in Iraq. Now, that will change. The additional troops that we deployed have already increased our training capacity. And later this spring we will deploy approximately 4,000 U.S. troops to train Afghan security forces. For the first time, this will truly resource our effort to train and support the Afghan army and police. Every American unit in Afghanistan will be partnered with an Afghan unit, and we will seek additional trainers from our NATO allies to ensure that every Afghan unit has a coalition partner. We will accelerate our efforts to build an Afghan army of 134,000 and a police force of 82,000 so that we can meet these goals by 2011 -- and increases in Afghan forces may very well be needed as our plans to turn over security responsibility to the Afghans go forward.
"This push must be joined by a dramatic increase in our civilian effort. Afghanistan has an elected government, but it is undermined by corruption and has difficulty delivering basic services to its people. The economy is undercut by a booming narcotics trade that encourages criminality and funds the insurgency. The people of Afghanistan seek the promise of a better future. Yet once again, we've seen the hope of a new day darkened by violence and uncertainty.
"So to advance security, opportunity and justice -- not just in Kabul, but from the bottom up in the provinces -- we need agricultural specialists and educators, engineers and lawyers. That's how we can help the Afghan government serve its people and develop an economy that isn't dominated by illicit drugs. And that's why I'm ordering a substantial increase in our civilians on the ground. That's also why we must seek civilian support from our partners and allies, from the United Nations and international aid organizations -- an effort that Secretary Clinton will carry forward next week in The Hague.
"At a time of economic crisis, it's tempting to believe that we can shortchange this civilian effort. But make no mistake: Our efforts will fail in Afghanistan and Pakistan if we don't invest in their future."
The President described a new regime of accountability in the execution of this war, beginning with contractors, and stretching to demanding clearly understood goals:
"There is an uncompromising core of the Taliban. They must be met with force, and they must be defeated. But there are also those who've taken up arms because of coercion, or simply for a price. These Afghans must have the option to choose a different course. And that's why we will work with local leaders, the Afghan government, and international partners to have a reconciliation process in every province. As their ranks dwindle, an enemy that has nothing to offer the Afghan people but terror and repression must be further isolated. And we will continue to support the basic human rights of all Afghans -- including women and girls.
"Going forward, we will not blindly stay the course. Instead, we will set clear metrics to measure progress and hold ourselves accountable. We’ll consistently assess our efforts to train Afghan security forces and our progress in combating insurgents. We will measure the growth of Afghanistan’s economy, and its illicit narcotics production. And we will review whether we are using the right tools and tactics to make progress towards accomplishing our goals."
Read the President's full remarks . . .
President Obama Endorses Scott Murphy for Tuesday’s NY-20 Special Election
Next Tuesday, voters in New York's 20th Congressional District will head to the polls for a special election to fill the seat left vacant when Representative Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. Yesterday, President Obama officially endorsed Scott Murphy in the election, and he asked his supporters in New York to do what they can to help:
I'm writing to you now because you have the opportunity to make a big impact on my efforts to bring about a lasting economic recovery.
Today I'm announcing my support for Scott Murphy, candidate for New York's 20th Congressional District.
On Tuesday, March 31st -- just one week away -- voters will have the chance to send Scott to Congress, where we'll work together to get our economy moving in the right direction.
Volunteer this week and help in the final push to send Scott Murphy to Congress.
Scott Buy Accutane has the kind of experience and background we desperately need right now in Washington.
He's created jobs by building and growing small businesses while bringing people together to address difficult challenges. He supports the economic recovery plan we've put in place, and I know we can count on him as an ally for change.
To restore our economy and build a foundation for lasting prosperity, I'll need Scott's help. This week, Scott needs yours.
Sign up and pitch in to elect Scott Murphy to Congress.
What you do now can make all the difference as we work in the coming weeks and months to lead our country in a new direction.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
You can learn more about Scott Murphy and next Tuesday's special election at DCCC.org.
UPDATED: The final debate in the NY-20 special election between Scott Murphy and his opponent Jim Tedisco is taking place right now. You can listen online at WROW.com.