I became politically involved as a teenager. We realized that to effect change, we had to come together and understand the process of politics. We had to involve as many people as possible. I got involved because of one Ms. Fanny Lou Hammer – a civil rights leader in Mississippi who came to help people get the right to vote. She said, “It doesn’t matter what people do to me. I’m still going to fight for what is right.” And I followed that message.

I do it to help get people more politically involved. There were people who died to provide us the right to vote, and so many young people don’t have an appreciation for that. It’s my job to help people understand the history and the obligation – and privilege – to vote because they are lucky to be free and living in the United States. We all need to encourage our friends and family to go out and vote!

We can all effect change. Get out the vote, knock on doors, make calls, help on Election Day. We need to all do the best we can now because the best change we can effect today is to take back the White House.

Gerri, who retired from General Motors a few years ago, sees jobs, healthcare, and the mortgage crisis as the major issues affecting her community right now. “GM is one of the biggest companies here in the state. They’ve been forced to downsize, and it’s really affecting our community. So people need to be retrained with new skills to get new jobs.”

Gerri’s looking forward to the convention and hopes that she can bring some of what she learns back home to Flint.

This is my first convention. I am so very excited! We all know that we’re making history here. I am so honored that my county elected me to represent them, and I will do the very best job that I can. I hope to network with other Democrats, get ideas to bring back to Michigan, and empower our residents here in Genesee County.

Gerri is excited about the historic nature of Barack’s candidacy.

I remember when Reverend Martin Luther King was alive, and he tried to help America understand that people should be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I think Obama personifies what Dr. King was referring to. He’s a strong, kind, intelligent man with a strong sense of community. For him to be the nominee, I am overwhelmed with pride and so happy that we are moving to a time where we can look at people for their character and what they stand for.

With one day to go until the start of the Democratic National Convention, excitement is building in Denver and across America. Soon, delegates from all fifty states will convene in the Mile High City to cast their ballots for Barack Obama and witness his acceptance of the Democratic Party's nomination for president of the United States.

Thursday, August 28th will be the biggest night of the campaign so far. Even if you can’t be in Denver, you can be a part of this historic convention by attending a Convention Watch Party in your area.

Chicago, IL – Today, on the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina devastating the Gulf Coast, Senator Obama released the following statement on the importance of following through with our commitment to the region.    
 

On the third anniversary of Katrina, we can look back on a city and region whose citizens have bravely cleaned up and rebuilt. Today is a day to celebrate their resilience and pledge to help them finish the job. It is also a day to remember the disastrously inadequate response from the federal government and pledge that never again will we let bureaucratic incompetence leave disaster victims stranded and alone.

To read Senator Obama's plan for rebuilding the Gulf Coast and preventing future catastrophes, click here.

And watch this video where Barack discusses the challenges in rebuilding New Orleans on the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. See how the city and its people are rebuilding and moving forward.

For three days, Obama supporters will be working to organize their communities for change.

Starting this morning, the day after Barack accepts the Democratic nomination for president, people in all 50 states will conduct phone banks, voter registration drives, and community meetings to get prepared for this fall.

In Evansville, Indiana Justin is holding a voter registration and canvass push today, Saturday and Sunday. And in Tempe, Arizona Adralyn is organizing the community through phone banks and canvasses.

At the Cruefest Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Genora is holding 3 shifts of voter registration for community members. A similar event is happening at the University of Maine when Margaret and her neighbors help to register and welcome freshman students.

And Ty in Portland, Oregon is holding an all day "phone-tastic-fun-athon" on Sunday at his local Campaign for Change office.

Create a weekend of action event today to be a part of this historic time. And then tell us about your event!

Thousands of supporters joined their neighbors to watch Senator Barack Obama's historic conclusion of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

David from Reno wrote about his experience:

Last night, the Washoe Democrats gathered at the Flowing Tide in South Reno to watch Barack Obama's nomination for President. They weren't in Denver, but they were a mile high after Obama's rousing speech.

The pub was noisy, but nothing could distract the eager Democrats, many of whom had been working for Obama's nomination since the beginning of the primaries and many who had supported Hillary Clinton or John Edwards.

There were misgivings. The empty field looked grandiose and already the Republicans were on the attack.

Then the stadium filled (a crowd of 75,000) with Democrats united in their desire for change and a hope of renewal. Al Gore warmed the crowd, eloquently contrasting the Democrats' platform with eight years of Republican mismanagement, misjudgment, and malfeasance.

I must admit at first we were a bit anxious. But there was no need. Obama laid out the specifics of his vision and then turned to confront John McCain on matters of national security. He reminded his listeners that "patriotism has no party" and that the Democratic Party is the party of FDR and JFK, a party that knows how to defend our country. We were on our feet, anxiety transformed into hope.

Then a funny thing happened as I was leaving. An older gentleman approached me, asking if we were a group of Democrats. I said sure, but he was welcome.

"Well," he said, "I just wanted to tell you I'm voting for Obama and I'm an ex-marine."

"Great," I replied, and asked him why.

"I'm from an army family," he replied, "and I voted for Reagan."

Welcome home, Reagan Democrats! Here comes Obama!

Senator Obama's historic speech is the just the beginning. We must now take action. This weekend, Obama supporters will be taking the streets to register voters. Find a Convention Weekend of Action event near you.

Thousands of supporters joined their neighbors to watch Senator Barack Obama's historic conclusion of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

David from Reno wrote about his experience:

Last night, the Washoe Democrats gathered at the Flowing Tide in South Reno to watch Barack Obama's nomination for President. They weren't in Denver, but they were a mile high after Obama's rousing speech.

The pub was noisy, but nothing could distract the eager Democrats, many of whom had been working for Obama's nomination since the beginning of the primaries and many who had supported Hillary Clinton or John Edwards.

There were misgivings. The empty field looked grandiose and already the Republicans were on the attack.

Then the stadium filled (a crowd of 75,000) with Democrats united in their desire for change and a hope of renewal. Al Gore warmed the crowd, eloquently contrasting the Democrats' platform with eight years of Republican mismanagement, misjudgment, and malfeasance.

I must admit at first we were a bit anxious. But there was no need. Obama laid out the specifics of his vision and then turned to confront John McCain on matters of national security. He reminded his listeners that "patriotism has no party" and that the Democratic Party is the party of FDR and JFK, a party that knows how to defend our country. We were on our feet, anxiety transformed into hope.

Then a funny thing happened as I was leaving. An older gentleman approached me, asking if we were a group of Democrats. I said sure, but he was welcome.

"Well," he said, "I just wanted to tell you I'm voting for Obama and I'm an ex-marine."

"Great," I replied, and asked him why.

"I'm from an army family," he replied, "and I voted for Reagan."

Welcome home, Reagan Democrats! Here comes Obama!

Senator Obama's historic speech is the just the beginning. We must now take action. This weekend, Obama supporters will be taking the streets to register voters. Find a Convention Weekend of Action event near you.

"We send our congratulations to Governor Sarah Palin and her family on her designation as the republican nominee for Vice President.  It is yet another encouraging sign that old barriers are falling in our politics. While we obviously have differences over how best to lead this country forward Governor Palin is an admirable person and will add a compelling new voice to this campaign," said Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden.