2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Obama’s Campaign for Change to Launch Statewide Minnesota Canvass, Open Seven New Offices Saturday

Obama’s Campaign for Change to Launch Statewide Canvass, Open Seven New Offices

ST. PAUL – U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s Minnesota Campaign for Change will launch a statewide canvass and open seven new offices across Minnesota tomorrow morning. A variety of Minnesota leaders will attend the office openings, including U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison, Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Minnesota Assistant Senate Majority Leader Tarryl Clark, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, state Rep. Larry Haws, state Sen. Kathy Sheran and state Sen. Keith Langseth. This will be the first wave of office openings for Obama’s Campaign for Change.

Obama’s Campaign for Change staff and volunteers will use the offices to build an unprecedented grassroots organization to bring Obama’s message of change to Minnesotans in their communities. The offices will serve as the frame upon which Obama’s neighbor-to-neighbor, grassroots campaign will be built.

After the office openings on Saturday, Obama volunteers will head out into their communities to knock on doors and talk to their neighbors about Obama’s ideas to strengthen the economy and get America back on track.

These events are free and open to the public.

At each office, the doors will open at 10:00 AM.

See office address information below.

Obama’s Campaign for Change – Wayzata Headquarters
15700 Wayzata Blvd
Wayzata, MN

Obama’s Campaign for Change – Duluth Headquarters
302 Superior Street
Duluth, MN

Obama’s Campaign for Change – St. Cloud Headquarters
904 W. Saint Germain Street
St. Cloud, MN

Obama’s Campaign for Change – Minneapolis Headquarters
514 Hennepin Avenue E
Minneapolis, MN

Obama’s Campaign for Change – Northfield Headquarters
102 3rd Street E
Northfield, MN

Obama’s Campaign for Change – Mankato Headquarters
Midtown Square
220 E Main Street, Suite 1
Mankato, MN

Obama’s Campaign for Change – Moorhead Headquarters
817 Center Avenue
Moorhead, MN

Obama Minnesota State Headquarters Grand Opening

Obama State Headquarters Grand Opening
Coleman, Rybak and Other Minnesota Leaders to Headline Obama State Headquarters Grand Opening

ST. PAUL - St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and other Minnesota leaders will headline the grand opening of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's state headquarters tomorrow evening in St. Paul. Coleman supported Sen. Hillary Clinton in Minnesota's caucuses in February.

Obama Campaign for Change staff and volunteers will use the headquarters and several other offices across the state to build an unprecedented grassroots organization to bring Obama's message of change to Minnesotans in their communities.

This event is free and open to the public. See details below.

Obama's Campaign for Change
State Headquarters
777 Raymond Ave
St. Paul, MN

Doors Open: 4:00 PM

Program Begins: 5:45 PM

Obama Campaign Releases National TV Ad On New Leadership For A Changing World

Obama Campaign Releases National TV Ad on New Leadership for a Changing World
30-Second Spot Underscores Barack Obama's Understanding of National Security in a New Century

CHICAGO – As Barack Obama meets with non-proliferation, biological and cyber terrorism experts today, the Obama campaign unveiled a new ad, one that illustrates why Barack Obama is the candidate prepared to confront the 21st century threats to American security.  Changing World highlights Senator Obama's record of working across party lines to secure loose nukes as well as his commitment to destroying terrorist networks, rebuilding America's alliances, and stopping the flow of oil money to hostile regimes.

Changing World will air on national cable beginning Thursday. 

Today Senator Obama is holding a summit on emerging threats to national security at Purdue University.  He will moderate a discussion with Senator Evan Bayh, former Senator and Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Sam Nunn, along with other terrorism and non-proliferation experts.

Changing World Transcript

Announcer: 40 years ago it was missile silos and the Cold War.

Today, it's cyber attacks…loose nukes…oil money funding terrorism.

Barack Obama understands our changing world.

On the Foreign Relations Committee, he co-sponsored a law to lock down loose nuclear weapons. 

As president, he'll rebuild our alliances to take out terrorist networks...

And fast-track alternatives so we stop spending billions on oil from hostile nations.

New leadership for a changing world.

Obama VO: I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message.

Obama Campaign Airs New TV Ad: “America’s Leadership”

Obama Campaign Airs New TV Ad: “America’s Leadership”
Ad Highlights Obama’s Bipartisan Work to Reduce Nuclear Threats

CHICAGO – In advance of U.S. Senator Barack Obama’s major speech on the war in Iraq and America’s national security priorities, the Obama campaign today released a new television ad entitled America’s Leadership.  The ad highlights Senator Obama’s bipartisan work with U.S. Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) to stop the smuggling of loose nuclear weapons and Obama’s commitment to restoring America’s leadership in the world.

America’s Leadership will air in Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Virginia.

Today at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Obama will outline his strategy for addressing the most pressing threats facing America, which requires bringing the war to a responsible end, finishing the fight in Afghanistan, and pursuing our broader strategic objectives in the world.

America’s Leadership Transcript

BO at town hall: We are a beacon of light around the world.  At least that’s what we can be again.  That’s what we should be again.

BO in interview: The single most important national security threat that we face…

BO VO:…is nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists.

BO VO: What I did was reach out to Senator Dick Lugar, a Republican, to help lock down loose nuclear weapons.

BO in interview: We have to lead the entire world to reduce that threat.

BO at town hall: We can restore America’s leadership in the world.

BO VO: I’m Barack Obama, and I approve this message.

Obama for Minnesota Campaign Builds Momentum, Organization, Opens Offices

Obama for Minnesota Campaign Builds Momentum, Organization

ST. PAUL – Since U.S. Sen. Barack Obama secured the Democratic nomination for president on June 3 at an event in St. Paul, Obama’s Minnesota Campaign for Change has demonstrated the ability to quickly grow in strength and depth, launching an unprecedented volunteer-based voter-contact effort to grow Obama’s movement for change. The campaign is focused on a direct conversation with voters about Obama’s ideas to bring about real change.

"Barack Obama’s campaign for change is recruiting and training thousands of volunteers and neighborhood leaders who will organize their communities and send a message that Minnesotans are ready to choose the future over the past and unite America around a common vision for change," Jeff Blodgett, Obama’s Minnesota state director, said. “Barack Obama has laid out clear plans to strengthen the economy, create good jobs and end the Iraq war by being as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. That’s the kind of change Minnesotans are hungry for.”

Since securing the nomination, Obama has enlisted more than 3,000 Minnesota volunteers, and his supporters have knocked on nearly 133,000 doors – registering new voters, bringing them into the process and talking about Obama’s ideas to get America back on track.

We're officially kicking off our general election efforts in the Twin Cities area this Thursday, July 17th, at 5:00 p.m., with the grand opening of our Campaign for Change Minnesota Headquarters in St. Paul.

Then we'll continue growing our Campaign for Change all across the state on Saturday, July 19th, at 10:00 a.m., when we open Campaign offices in Minneapolis, Wayzata, and five other towns.

Thursday, July 17th -- 5:00 p.m.

Minnesota Headquarters Grand Opening
777 Raymond Avenue
(North of Key's Café, off University Avenue)
St. Paul, MN 55114
 
Saturday, July 19th -- 10:00 a.m.

Minneapolis
504 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Wayzata
15700 Wayzata Boulevard
Wayzata, MN 55391

Obama’s Minnesota campaign has begun aggressive outreach to Minnesota supporters of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton and will continue to work to build a unified party heading into the November elections.

On June 3, Obama became the presumptive Democratic nominee for president at an event in St. Paul that attracted nearly 30,000 Minnesotans to the Excel Center.

NEW OBAMA CAMPAIGN AD ON ENERGY “New Energy”

NEW OBAMA CAMPAIGN AD ON ENERGY “New Energy”

CHICAGO, IL – The Obama Campaign today released a new ad in Pennsylvania which sets the record straight on energy policy and responds to false, negative attacks by John McCain and the Republican party.

The 30-second spot, “New Energy,” highlights Senator Obama’s plan to make us energy independent and bring relief to middle class families, compared to John McCain’s plan to continue George Bush’s failed energy policy and offer more tax breaks to big oil.  The ad will run in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – the same four states in which the Republican National Committee is running false, negative ads attacking Barack Obama.

Barack Obama's energy plan will provide meaningful short-term relief for our families and make a historic investment in alternative energy development that will create millions of new jobs, keep the cost of energy affordable and secure our energy independence once and for all.

SCRIPT – “New Energy”
 
On gas prices, John McCain’s part of the problem.
 
McCain and Bush support a drilling plan that won’t produce a drop of oil for seven years.
 
McCain will give more tax breaks to big oil.
 
He’s voted with Bush 95% of the time.
 
Barack Obama will make energy independence an urgent priority.
 
Raise mileage standards.
 
Fast track technology for alternative fuels.
 
A $1000 tax cut to help families as we break the grip of foreign oil.
 
A real plan and new energy.

OBAMA: I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message.

Barack Obama Campaign To Open Offices In Minnesota Soon

Barack Obama Campaign To Open Offices In Minnesota Soon

The Obama campaign will open offices across the State of Minnesota soon. The state headquarters will be located near the intersection of University and Raymond Ave. in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood of St. Paul.

At an Obama organizational meeting held Saturday, June 28, Obama Minnesota State Director, Jeff Blodgett stated that he was, "Humbled and honored to join a campaign in full swing." He went on to say that "What excites him is the culture of the campaign. That culture comes from the top, from Barack Obama and his experience as a community organizer." He emphasized the importance of "Direct voter contact. Talking to voters is most important, more important than television."

Nick Kimball will serve as Communications Director for Minnesota through Election Day, November 4, 2008.

Obama Campaign Announces Communications And Field Directors For Iowa Campaign

OBAMA CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCES COMMUNICATIONS AND FIELD DIRECTORS FOR IOWA CAMPAIGN

Chicago, IL – Today, the Obama campaign in Iowa announced its Communications and Field Directors for the Iowa general election campaign.  Brad Anderson will serve as Communications Director and Tripp Wellde will serve as Field Director.  Last week, the Obama campaign announced that Jackie Norris is taking the helm as State Director for the Iowa campaign.

Brad Anderson served as Communications Director to Governor Chet Culver from August 2006 through May 2008, before being named as a partner at LinkStrategies, a Des Moines-based political consulting firm.  Prior to working for Governor Culver, he served as a political communications and research consultant to Democratic candidates across the country.  In 2003-04, Anderson served as an Iowa political and policy advisor to Sen. John Edwards during his 2004 presidential campaign.

Tripp Wellde has been with the Obama for America campaign since March 3, 2007, when he hit the ground in Davenport, IA. Since the historic victory in the Iowa Caucuses, Tripp has worked as a Regional Field Director in Nevada, Minnesota, and Ohio before helping the campaign clinch a key victory in North Carolina as Deputy Field Director. Mr. Wellde is thrilled to be back in Iowa and looks forward to uniting the Democratic Party to work toward victory in November.

“We are honored to have Brad and Tripp joining this campaign for change in Iowa,” said Obama for America Iowa State Director Jackie Norris.  “Brad’s many years of experience in Iowa politics, along with Tripp’s field experience across the country, will provide a major boost to our campaign team.  Iowa voters are hungry for the kind of change Barack Obama represents, and Senator Obama is in a strong position to compete for every single vote across the state.”

Obama Campaign Releases Second General Election Television Ad, 30 Second Ad “Dignity” To Air In 18 States

Obama Campaign Releases Second General Election Television Ad
30 Second Ad “Dignity” to Air in 18 States

CHICAGO, IL – The Obama campaign today announced the release of its second television advertisement for the general election.  The thirty second ad, entitled “Dignity,” will begin airing in eighteen states across the country today underscoring Senator Obama’s commitment to being an advocate for workers and children.

The spot highlights Senator Obama’s decision to bypass big money jobs and help lift neighborhoods stung by job loss. The ad illustrates Senator Obama’s record of working hard to move people from welfare to work, passing tax cuts for workers and providing healthcare for children.

The ad will air in Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Virginia.  

SCRIPT – “Dignity”

OBAMA:  I’m Barack Obama, and I approve this message.

Announcer: He worked his way through college and Harvard Law.

Turned down big money offers, and helped lift neighborhoods stung by job loss. Fought for workers’ rights.

He passed a law to move people from welfare to work, slashed the rolls by eighty percent.  Passed tax cuts for workers; health care for kids.

As president, he’ll end tax breaks for companies that export jobs, reward those that create jobs in America.

And never forget the dignity that comes from work.

Obama Campaign Manager Says Minnesota Looks Strong For Obama In Fall Campaign

Obama Campaign Manager Says Minnesota Looks Strong For Obama In Fall Campaign

David Plouffe, Barack Obama Campaign Manager, said this about Minnesota during an afternoon Conference call, "We feel that we got a strong base of support in the state of Minnesota and a strong organization. It was one of our stronger organizations that we built in the Primary season."