President-Elect Obama's First Weekly Address

Obamanos*

When I started reading Dreams From My Father; A Story of Race and Inheritance, by Barack Obama, the author was wrapping up his long campaign for President of the U.S. Just a week later as I was reading the last part of the book, he had become our President-Elect.

The book is divided into three parts: Origins (early days and family); Chicago (what it means to be an organizer on the South Side of Chicago); and Kenya (traveling around the country, meeting his relatives and finding out about African life and culture). I would go from reading about "Barry," as his Kenyan relatives call him, drinking tea outside his grandmother's hut, to watching the excitement on Election Night as the newly elected President-to-be greeted adoring crowds in Chicago and around the world. I couldn't help wondering what that far-flung family was feeling about their boy.

It's a fascinating book, written while he was still a law student, that will give you an idea of the background and character development of the man we will be getting to know even better. You will be there when he meets Reverend Jeremiah Wright and hears his first Wright sermon, entitled "The Audacity of Hope." That is also the title of the next Obama book that I'll be reading.

*****

*seen on a New Mexican bumper sticker shortly before the election. It would translate into something like "let's go for Obama."

Hope Wins; How We Heard the News in the Reddest Part of a Blue State

It was fascinating being stuck in a hospital bed for the election and the ensuing returns. I had gotten myself into some pretty brisk conversations around town over the past few weeks when I'd hear something like "Oh, I'd vote for that Obama, but I heard on the radio that he's a Muslim." No matter how I tried to lay out what I saw as the truth, I had the feeling that most of the people I saw on a daily basis would never vote for a black man, no matter what other reasons they gave for their choice.

Now that I was hospitalized for my knee replacement I knew that I was in a weak position and that I shouldn't irritate my caregivers with my liberal opinions, but I got right into it in the recovery room when, through my slowly clearing anesthetic haze, I heard one nurse say to another, "...I heard that he's a Muslim and that he won't salute the American flag." I surprised us all by snapping "he isn't and he does, too!" They must have figured I'd recovered enough and zipped me right on out of there and down the hall to my bed in the post surgery wing.

Once installed in my own hospital room (private, airless, noisy, stinky, never a chance for ten minutes of uninterrupted sleep in three nights) I cautiously approached the subject of the election whenever my nurses would bring it up. I've learned the caution because this is such a "red" place and my mother taught me to be nice to everyone. Let me say right here that my nurses were wonderful and caring and I loved them all, politics aside. But many of them were very fearful of the possibility of an Obama Presidency, believing that he represented some foreign influence, and that he would nationalize medicine and pay them minimum wage. Or that, God forbid, he'd take their guns away or recognize gay rights. Not many of them liked Sarah Palin, but they liked the idea of domestic drilling in the nearby Texas and New Mexico oil fields. They honestly liked that "drill, baby, drill" business and thought it a catchy thing to chant.

However, invisible signals were passed, and those few of us who were Obama supporters were soon known to each other--A young woman (I'll call her Josette), here with her military husband, who was from France and who was aware of how America has lost its reputation among the countries of the world over the past eight years; the African American student nurse assigned to me who was feeling politically isolated here in "West Texas" (I'll call her Emily); and me, a white knee patient in late middle age (I prefer to call it that) who has somehow been lucky enough to be surrounded by liberal and thoughtful people all my life.

When the election results were called and America found that, miracle of miracles, we had a new President-Elect called Obama, I pressed the nurse's call button, hoping to see a blue nurse so that I could share the incredible news. Alas, they sent me an angry looking Texas girl. I was sobbing so hard by that time, watching Jesse Jackson's tear-streaked face in the celebrating Grant Park crowd, that she got frightened and ran off to find Emily. Emily came running, fearful that I had somehow hurt myself or was in some other sort of medical trouble when she heard that her patient was having a fit of wild hysteria.

I managed to get Emily to close the door, pointed at the TV and sobbed "he won!" When she understood what I was talking about I handed her the box of kleenex and we wept for joy together. Josette eventually found her way to us and we all rejoiced, doing triumphant fist jabs, weeping, and feeling great hope on our tiny blue island in the middle of an angry red sea.

A Peek at O'Reilly vs. Obama

The remainder of the interview will be seen on Sept. 8, 9, and 10 on Fox.

Manifest Hope

The Obama campaign is surrounded by a grass roots movement that organizes meetings and funnels small donations in a way that we haven't seen before. There is another component to Obama support that has sprung up on the streets--on abandoned buildings, highway overpasses, and brick walls--it's street art or graffiti.

These rebel artists, usually operating far outside of the system, are supporting the idea of hope with homemade posters and stickers, and with spray-painted drawings that appear all over the urban landscape.

MoveOn.org held a contest among these artists and there will be a public gallery displaying the winners during the Democratic Convention in Denver. Here is what they have to say about their show:

Art plays a pivotal role in creating cultural momentum. The Manifest Hope Gallery celebrates that role and shines a spotlight on artists across the nation who use their voices to amplify and motivate the grass roots movement surrounding the Obama Campaign. The Manifest Hope Gallery highlights the central themes of the progressive grass-roots movement- Hope Change, Progress, Unity and Patriotism.

The Manifest Hope Gallery will be open to the public in Denver, CO at the Democratic National Convention, between Monday August 25th, 2008 through Thursday, August 28th, 2008 between the hours of 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.

The Manifest Hope Gallery, housed within Denver's Andenken Gallery, and an additional transformed warehouse space, spans 10,000 sq. ft. and will draw together a works as varied as the voices of the artists who created them.

Manifest Hope will showcase some of the finest modern contemporary artists, acclaimed NY painters and sculptors, activated grass roots and street artists, and present the most widely recognized pieces seen throughout the 2008 presidential primary campaign, as well as newly commissioned works and previous works on loan from some of the United States top artists.

Manifest Hope, along with its online partner MoveOn.org, challenges the artistic world to engage their local communities in a significant and meaningful way, by inviting all artists to compete for a chance to present their works alongside these acclaimed and celebrated artists. Visit the online gallery for details.

Read more about the street art movement for Obama:
Graffiti Art Takes Presidential Race to the Streets

What We're Reading at the Zee's House

The Two Obamas, by David Brooks

Be sure to read this op-ed piece in today's New York Times--don't just read the hand-picked quotes I'm going to give you. It's not the most flattering picture of Barack Obama, but you've got to love this stuff. Brooks tells us that lest the Republicans "think they’re running against some naïve university-town dreamer" they should realize that he is "the most split-personality politician in the country today. On the one hand, there is Dr. Barack, the high-minded, Niebuhr-quoting speechifier...on the other side, there’s Fast Eddie Obama, the promise-breaking, tough-minded Chicago pol...the only politician of our lifetime who is underestimated because he’s too intelligent..."

My favorite part is the last paragraph: "All I know for sure is that this guy is no liberal goo-goo. Republicans keep calling him naïve. But naïve is the last word I’d use to describe Barack Obama. He’s the most effectively political creature we’ve seen in decades. Even Bill Clinton wasn’t smart enough to succeed in politics by pretending to renounce politics."

Barack Obama's Father's Day Speech

Viva Obama!

We Are the Ones We've Been Waiting For

Yes, They Can

Kids in the South Bronx on Obama and His Campaign

Create an Ad for Obama

MoveOn.org is running an ad contest, "Obama in 30 Seconds." It's a chance to use your creativity to help the Obama campaign. See the details and some sample video ads from the past here. And pass it on to everyone you know. Yes, we can!

The Obama Campaign: Using the Power of the Internet

I thought I'd share this list of links that I just received from the Obama Campaign. Never before has a Presidential candidate used the power of the Internet in such an effective way. Imagine, there are more than 40,000 supporter created blogs, and the Obama Campaign alone has posted more than 500 videos on their YouTube channel.

THE BASICS

Here are a few ways you can learn more, get the latest news, and share information with friends:

MEET BARACK

Watch a brief video and learn about Barack's early years, his education, his work as a community organizer and civil rights attorney, and his years in the Illinois and U.S. Senate. This is a great introduction to share with your friends: http://my.barackobama.com/meetBarack

OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN BLOG

Catch up on the latest news, photos, and videos from the campaign trail and share your thoughts on our official campaign blog:http://my.barackobama.com/blog

ISSUES

Learn more about Barack's positions on a variety of issues, from his opposition to the war in Iraq to his plan for universal health care: http://my.barackobama.com/issues

FACTCHECK ACTION CENTER

Barack Obama stands for a new kind of politics -- without the smear tactics that we're all fed up with. You can help push back against negative attacks and distortions right now by telling people about Barack and his background. The truth is only as strong as your voice:http://my.barackobama.com/factcheckaction

VIDEOS

Watch a few of the more than 500 videos from the campaign trail on our YouTube channel: http://my.barackobama.com/youtubechannel

OBAMA MOBILE

Our movement is ready to go wherever you are. Text HOPE to 62262 (OBAMA) to receive text updates on your mobile phone and advance notice about local Obama events:http://my.barackobama.com/mobile

ORGANIZING

Barack Obama got his start as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago, and since he declared his candidacy in 2007, a nationwide network of supporters have taken this campaign into their own hands, organizing online and their local communities. Here are some ways to get involved:

LOCAL GROUPS AND EVENTS

My.BarackObama is an organizing tool that empowers you to take this campaign into your own hands. Connect with other supporters in your area and find out about local events, or create your own organizing group and schedule your own events: http://my.barackobama.com/

SPREAD THE WORD

Introduce your friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers to Barack Obama. Let them know why you support Barack and encourage them to join our movement for change: http://my.barackobama.com/invite

BLOGS

There are more than 40,000 supporter created blogs on My.BarackObama where they chronicle their campaign experience and interact with other supporters. Find one for your community or launch your own today: http://my.barackobama.com/

ONLINE PHONEBANKING

Supporters like you have put us within reach of making 1,000,000 phone calls to registered voters by March 4th. Use our online phonebanking tool to reach out to voters in crucial states from the comfort of your home: http://my.barackobama.com/call

POSTERS, FLYERS, AND ORGANIZING RESOURCES

Print your own posters, flyers, fact sheets, supporter cards, and dozens of other resources from our online resource library:http://my.barackobama.com/resources

COMMUNITIES

Women for Obama and People of Faith for Obama are just two of the many communities large and small supporting Barack Obama. Explore a few of them here: http://www.barackobama.com/people

FUNDRAISING

Barack Obama does not accept donations from Washington lobbyists or special interest groups. Instead, we depend on a network of grassroots supporters giving whatever they can afford.

PERSONAL FUNDRAISING PAGE

Take the fundraising process into your own hands. Help support the campaign by reaching out to people you know and asking them to give through your personal fundraising page: http://my.barackobama.com/outreach

MATCH SOMEONE'S DONATION

This campaign has always been about reaching as many people as possible and bringing them into the political process. When you make a matching donation you'll learn the name and hometown of the person whose gift you match, and even exchange a note with them through our unique system: http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/f7c70240869f1063/hnMIhm/VEsHAQ==/

STORE

Let everyone in your community know that you support Barack. All purchases through our online store go to support our campaign and are considered political donations. Show your support in style: http://my.barackobama.com/page/m/f7c70240869f1063/4c3qod/VEsHAA==/

Great News for the Obama Campaign

My friend Gail with her friend Barack Obama on his campaign bus in New Hampshire (photo taken by another friend)




The Obama campaign has received some big endorsements in the last day or two. Carolyn Kennedy, in her op-ed piece for the New York Times, said "I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans. " See "A President Like My Father."

Voice of America: [Senator Ted] "Kennedy Endorses Obama for U.S. President"

Time Magazine: "Why the Kennedys Went for Obama"

For some background on the Obama campaign, read the December 2007 Atlantic Monthly article entitled "Teacher and Apprentice," which was recommended by my son. The Atlantic tagline reads: "Hillary Clinton tried to teach Barack Obama about power, but then he got ideas of his own. A story of nasty surprises, dueling war rooms, and the Drudge Report."

Melting the Mainframes

Obama Girl: "The Sleeping Giant in This Election"

I Got a Crush…On Obama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKsoXHYICqU

Debate ’08: Obama Girl vs. Giuliani Girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekSxxlj6rGE

Obama Girl Returns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENCRu-2d35g&feature=user

Obama Wins! Obama Girl Reacts!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOnn1hWN-Og&feature=user

Obama Girl: Behind the Sweat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBtqbsqonu0&feature=user

Wikipedia article on Obama Girl and the making of the videos: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Got_a_Crush_on_Obama

Magic Wave Hits Clovis?

Ah, the retired life. Things are easy, things are slow. There's plenty of time to think things over, to look at the news, and to draw some conclusions. This morning's Clovis News Journal (there is an online edition) has a couple of interesting ads in the Lost and Found section. I see that someone has lost a black handbag. The very next ad tells us that someone else has found a white rabbit...

For some very real magic, take a moment to watch Barack Obama's victory speech after the Iowa caucus. It's all about change we can believe in.