Hey Harper! Time to get on board... Obama's driving and the train is about the leave the station!

As TPM media put it, "it is refreshing to have an adult as president."



In this video, President elect Obama makes a short video address to the bi-partisan Governors Global Climate Summit in California. He calls on all nations, specifically naming those nations (including CANADA) that were represented at the gathering to join the United States in a meaningful effort to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and a further 80% reduction by 2050. He hinted that the US would begin to implement a carbon cap & trade system.

SO now hear this climate change denying Tory fools! You had better get on the bandwagon now, because more than 60% of Canadian voters voted against your climate change denying, intensity target garbage platform and supported real efforts to combat global warming. Mr. Harper won't have a very friendly reception at the White House if he doesn't get on board with the smart kids.

A.L.

Morning in America!

Yes, I am stealing a line from another great communicator who occupied the Oval Office... and I am not ashamed one bit.

After a very dark time in American politics and international relations... here we are, at the dawning of a new era of America.

This is a new Morning in America!

Thank God. May God Bless America.

A.L.

One Day More.

Combining two of my interests... politics and musical theatre. I present to you "One Day More" from the Obama team.



This is the work of someone else obviously, but I thought it was very good, and the song comes from my favourite musical of all time.

A.L.

Traveling and Working in a Swing State

My wife and I went to visit family in Ohio and our route took us along the Ohio Turnpike from Toledo over to Cleveland. We also gave a few hours to the local get out the vote operation by knocking on doors and connecting with voters.

Here are a few observations:

• This is by no means a scientific sample, but 4 years ago it seemed to me that I saw many more bumper stickers for Kerry and Bush than I did this time for Obama and McCain. The drive this time was 2 hours shorter, but even proportionately I noticed fewer stickers this cycle.
• We did see one car with the regular McCain bumper stickers AND cardboard signs in the back and side windows urging people to "stop socialism and marxism and vote McCain - Palin." That one was my favourite. Of course we drove by and gave the old man and his wife a big thumbs down.
  
• In the part of Cleveland where we were canvassing, there were far more McCain-Palin signs than Obama-Biden. Pretty working class neighbourhoods, but it seemed the McCain-iacs were more outward and forthcoming in their support.
  
• Being the dutiful Democrats that we are, my wife and I were wearing Obama buttons or t-shirts for most of our drive-time including our rest-stops. This allowed us to have a few great conversations with voters. One such conversation occurred in the convenience store of a rest-stop along the turnpike with a lifelong Chicago Republican who was supporting Obama all the way (she really liked my t-shirt). She said she had witnessed him in action in Chicago and was certain he has what it takes to be President.
  
• Early voting is widespread. Of the two dozen or so family members and friends we visited with this weekend, 85% of them had voted early.
  

What does this tell me?

• Perhaps the re-election of/referendum on a sitting president (2004) produces more outward support (signs and bumper stickers)?
  
• Maybe the fact that the stickers and signs were sold this cycle, rather than given away free in 2004 has something to do with the low visibility?
  
• Maybe McCain-iacs are more rabid and angry and feel the need to vocally declare their opposition to the "socialist" black guy with the funny arab sounding name?
  
• People are engaged, they are interested in this election.
  
• We found there were plenty of Obama supporters who answered the door on our canvassing walk, and many of them had voted early.
• McCain supporters who answered the door weren't overly rude, only one was really rude.
  
• Obama supporters aren't angry, they seem to be hopeful, but also very motivated to finish strong.
• I think Obama will win Ohio by 1 0r 2%.
  

All in all it was a good weekend. We didn't stick around for the big Obama rally and Springsteen concert, but as we were driving out of Cleveland we did see a gigantic line stretching the blocks leading into the plaza.

Get out the vote! If you haven't already, create a profile on www.barackobama.com and begin calling swing state voters, it is that easy.

A.L.