Category Archives: Barack Obama,

Dinner with Barack—and Clooney

Posted by chane@dnc.org on April 24, 2012 Comments Off

This is an invitation you can't turn down: President Obama is having dinner at George Clooney's house next month, and he wants you to join them. Really.

The President just sent out this email encouraging supporters to throw their name in the hat—it's as easy as making a donation in any amount to the 2012 campaign.

Good luck!

Friend --

I'll be going to a special event at George Clooney's house in a few weeks, and two grassroots supporters and their guests will join us.

The only thing we've still got to figure out is whether two spots belong to you and your guest -- or somebody else and theirs.

So let's nail it down: Any donation you make today will automatically enter you and a guest to win.

Once you decide who you're inviting to join you, we'll be all set. The campaign will take care of your airfare and hotel for you.

Please pitch in $3 or whatever you can today, and keep your May 10th clear:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Clooney-and-Me

Hope to see you soon.

Barack

Dinner with Barack—and Clooney

Posted by chane@dnc.org on April 24, 2012 Comments Off

This is an invitation you can't turn down: President Obama is having dinner at George Clooney's house next month, and he wants you to join them. Really.

The President just sent out this email encouraging supporters to throw their name in the hat—it's as easy as making a donation in any amount to the 2012 campaign.

Good luck!

Friend --

I'll be going to a special event at George Clooney's house in a few weeks, and two grassroots supporters and their guests will join us.

The only thing we've still got to figure out is whether two spots belong to you and your guest -- or somebody else and theirs.

So let's nail it down: Any donation you make today will automatically enter you and a guest to win.

Once you decide who you're inviting to join you, we'll be all set. The campaign will take care of your airfare and hotel for you.

Please pitch in $3 or whatever you can today, and keep your May 10th clear:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Clooney-and-Me

Hope to see you soon.

Barack

Dinner with Barack—and Clooney

Posted by chane@dnc.org on April 24, 2012 Comments Off
This is an invitation you can't turn down: President Obama is having dinner at George Clooney's house next month, and he wants you to join them. Really.

This is an invitation you can't turn down: President Obama is having dinner at George Clooney's house next month, and he wants you to join them. Really.

The President just sent out this email encouraging supporters to throw their name in the hat—it's as easy as making a donation in any amount to the 2012 campaign.

Good luck!

Friend --

I'll be going to a special event at George Clooney's house in a few weeks, and two grassroots supporters and their guests will join us.

The only thing we've still got to figure out is whether two spots belong to you and your guest -- or somebody else and theirs.

So let's nail it down: Any donation you make today will automatically enter you and a guest to win.

Once you decide who you're inviting to join you, we'll be all set. The campaign will take care of your airfare and hotel for you.

Please pitch in $3 or whatever you can today, and keep your May 10th clear:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Clooney-and-Me

Hope to see you soon.

Barack

YDA Statement on the Primaries in Maryland, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.

Posted by rsnyder on April 4, 2012 Comments Off

“As the Republican Presidential Primary Circus continues, the American people are becoming less than amused by the politics and policies that Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are advocating,” said YDA President Rod Snyder. “Facts are stubborn, and the facts of the politics and policies of the Republican frontrunners are that they are aimed at disenfranchising young Americans, women, minorities, and entire regions of our nation, while empowering very few. This is not the legacy of the America we have inherited or the legacy we should want to pass on to future generations.”

“Maryland, as a solid blue state, missed much of the excitement of the Republican primary and had a relatively quiet Primary Election Day as the Romney/Santorum battle was barely felt here with the candidates focusing their efforts elsewhere in the country”, said Young Democrats of Maryland President Erin Schurmann.  “We were happy to once again vote for President Obama and reaffirm our support for our friend, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. This fall, we’ll be defending the DREAM Act and marriage equality, as well.  Maryland produced the most per-capita volunteer hours for President Obama and Democrats around the country in 2008.  We’re determined to beat that number in 2012 and fight to keep our country in the hands of leaders who fight for better health care, a fair economy, a cleaner environment, and civil rights for all of its citizens.”

“The people of Wisconsin, Maryland, and Washington, DC know that the minority that have come to vote this evening are effectively doing so with one hand tied behind their back,” said YDA Executive Vice President Colmon Elridge. “Republican voters increasingly understand and their lack of enthusiasm are proof that their presidential candidates are not prepared to lead our nation and young voters especially understand that the Republicans have no vision to guide our nation into the future. These candidates want to play president.  Barack Obama is President and has earned the opportunity to lead our nation for another four years.”

For more information on the Young Democrats of Maryland, please visit www.ydmaryland.org and more for information on the Young Democrats of America, please visit www.YDA.org.

Why people like Obamacare

Posted by PerryM@dnc.org on March 26, 2012 Comments Off

This past Friday, on the second anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, the Obama campaign tweeted, encouraging supporters to embrace the term Obamacare. Within an hour, #ILikeObamaCare was the number one trending hashtag on Twitter worldwide. Some of our favorites are below. 

If you like Obamacare, like it on Facebook, or get an Obamacare t-shirt. We all know this is a 'BFD' - now we can make sure everyone else knows as well. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're on Twitter, tweet why you like Obamacare.

Romney Out of Touch with Millennial Americans

Posted by rsnyder on March 23, 2012 Comments Off

Earlier today, YDA South Central Region Director John Gorczynski published a post on Burnt Orange Report in response to Mitt Romney’s statement that he doesn’t understand how young voters can support Democrats.  John lays out more than a few good reasons why we’re sticking with President Obama and the Democrats:

Romney is right to fear the youth vote this November as a major obstacle in his attempt for the White House. In the last presidential election, Millennial Americans came out in force against the failed policies of a Republican president which led to the worst unemployment we’ve seen in our lifetime. While Romney made part of his fortune by acquiring companies, laying people off and then reaping the profit, young Americans are grateful for the $2 billion President Obama and the Democrats saw fit to invest in grants that make career training accessible to more people…

…The Millennial generation will vote in November for the party that values expanded educational opportunities, stands with hard-working American families, and refuses to turn its back on women and LGBT Americans. They will vote for Democratic candidates.

The full blog post can be read here. 

YDA Statement on the Alabama, Mississippi and Hawaii GOP Primary Results

Posted by rsnyder on March 14, 2012 Comments Off

The Young Democrats of America have released the following statement on the GOP Primaries held this evening in Alabama and Mississippi, as well as the Hawaii Caucus:

While the GOP Primary Circus continues to entertain political spectators, the policies advocated by the leading candidates for the Republican Presidential nomination are no laughing matter for the young men and women who are proud to call the South home.

“Whether it is Romney and his desire to fire not hire, Santorum with his belief that desiring educational opportunities equates to snobbery, or Gingrich who personifies fidelity only to hypocrisy, these candidates have come to the south to win a nomination, not offer a vision for leading America”, said YDA Executive Vice President Colmon Elridge, of Kentucky. “For too long the south has been bruised by politicians who advocate policies that leave us behind in terms of access to quality health-care, jobs, housing, and education. These candidates have figured out how to appeal to our fears, but know nothing of our aspirations, or the faith by which we work to make a better life for the future of our families and our communities”.

“While several GOP candidates have taken a sudden interest in Mississippi, none of them are offering a plan to help the poorest state in the nation”, said Young Democrats of Mississippi President Kate Jacobson. “We have one of the highest percentages of individuals with no health care coverage, one of the highest levels of assistance from the government in the state, and our education rankings continue to be at the bottom. By threatening to undo health care reform or proposing closing public schools, none of these candidates have a vision to move our country or Mississippi forward.”

“The Republican candidates are completely ignoring the interests and values of Alabama and America. While Alabama undergoes wrenching cuts to schools and health care for children, the Republicans talk of tax cuts for the wealthy”, said Alabama Young Democrats President Beau Butts. “At a time when the Youth of Alabama struggle to find a foothold in the workplace, Republicans talk of making college less affordable and hindering job creation. These are not the acts of people who share any commitment to the young people of Alabama of making the promise of America come alive for all.”

Outside of the south, Hawaii also held their caucus this evening.

“Hawaii’s young people still stand firmly behind President Obama, a keiki o ka ‘aina who has fought diligently to represent our interests  in health care reform, college affordability, winding down the war in Iraq, and repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, said President of the Young Democrats of Hawaii Francis Choe. “The President’s re-election along with successful Democratic victories in all of Hawaii’s Congressional races this November will continue to chart a path for our nation in which we continue to strengthen our economy, protect our environment, improve education, and work toward equality for all.”

The Road We’ve Traveled: The trailer

Posted by chane@dnc.org on March 8, 2012 Comments Off

Davis Guggenheim, the Academy Award–winning director of An Inconvenient Truth, filmed a rare look inside President Obama's first term.

You'll hear from the people who were there—people like Vice President Biden, Rahm Emanuel, and Elizabeth Warren—as President Obama led our country through one crisis after another after he took office in 2009.

Take a look at the trailer, and then sign up to be the first to see the full documentary on March 15. You don't want to miss this.

Elridge: Young Americans applaud Obama for delivering payroll tax cut

Posted by rsnyder on February 24, 2012 Comments Off

President Obama yesterday signed into law the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. This bill extends the payroll tax cut and emergency jobless benefits for millions of Americans and more importantly gives relief to millions of Americans who were under threat to pay a heavy price for the inaction of Republicans in Congress more interested in their jobs than putting Americans, especially our generation back to work.

Much has been said of what $40 a paycheck means. Republicans have ridiculed our desire to protect $40 for young Americans who have just found work, for hardworking young families, protect the benefits of all Americans who find themselves out of work and in need of help. For all of their ridicule yesterday, the people still won!

The support for the extension of the payroll tax cuts and emergency jobless benefits means something more personal however. As a husband and as a father, I know, first hand the value of every dollar. From diapers, to formula, to even a date night, a collective $80 from Victoria and I means a great deal to our young family. And even for our present employment, should one of us lose our job, I want to know that as we have played by the rules and worked hard, my government and my community will stand up for me and my family, should we need it, not forever, but for a moment.

Yesterday was about our American community standing by and with our neighbor. The signing of this bill for young people was a confirmation of the dignity of our work by ensuring we have a little more to show for it and a confirmation that in tough times, we do not throw people under the bus, we, at our best lift one another up and for that we as young Americans first, and Young Democrats second, thank and applaud the President.

- Colmon Elridge is Executive Vice President of the Young Democrats of America

Don’t miss out on Dinner with Barack

Posted by chane@dnc.org on February 21, 2012 Comments Off

Over the course of his 2012 campaign, President Obama's been hosting the occasional dinner for a few lucky supporters, giving him a chance to share a meal and ideas with the folks who are building the campaign on the ground. Today, he sent out an email announcing that there's another Dinner with Barack coming up, and you could be one of his guests. It's easy to put your name on the list, but hurry—the first guest will be invited tomorrow.

Here's what the President had to say:

Tomorrow night, we'll pick the first of four supporters who will sit down with me for dinner. I'm hoping you'll take me up on the invitation.

Donate $3 or whatever you can today to be automatically entered for the chance to be my first dinner guest.

These meals are one simple thing that sets this campaign apart. The seats at our table don't belong to any Washington lobbyist or powerful interest. These seats are yours.

Donate $3 or more today and be automatically entered to win.

Hope to see you,

Barack

Thanks, Obama, for Free Birth Control!

Posted by rsnyder on February 12, 2012 Comments Off

On Friday, President Obama reinforced his commitment to ensuring all women have access to no-cost contraception, regardless of where they are employed.  Despite blistering attacks from Republicans in Congress and conservative pundits, the President refused to play political games with women’s health and stood firm in his commitment to provide access to birth control for those who want it.  Women who work for employers that opt out of covering contraception can now go directly to their insurance companies at no cost.

Take a moment and sign your name to a petition thanking President Obama for his commitment to women’s health

For me, this issue is personal. When I was eighteen years old, I was diagnosed with a condition called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and prescribed birth control pills as treatment. Those pills were not just contraception, they were important preventative medication. I’ve been fortunate enough to afford my prescription, but not everyone is so lucky.

The New York Times recently told the story of another young woman with PCOS, a law student at Georgetown University who didn’t have insurance coverage for her medically necessary pills because the school didn’t offer contraception coverage in their insurance plans. With a cost of $100 per month, she had to stop taking her pills and eventually developed a large cyst on her ovary, which had to be surgically removed.  Something like this could happen to me if I couldn’t afford my medecine, and it could happen to the millions of other women who take contraceptives for PCOS and other conditions like endometriosis and ovarian cancer.

Thankfully, President Obama understands how crucial it is for all American women to have access to no-cost birth control, and he stood up for this important medical benefit.  So, please take a minute to sign our petition thanking the President for standing firm in the face of staunch opposition, and let him know that you support his commitment to ensuring all women have access to comprehensive health care. The President has our back, forging a solution that respects differences of opinion on birth control without sacrificing critical access to affordable contraception. Please take minute to let him know you have his back too.

Sincerely,

Jillian Cardillo
Women’s Caucus Chair
Young Democrats of America

A Win for Women and People of Faith

Posted by rsnyder on February 11, 2012 Comments Off

Yesterday President Obama announced a landmark decision on preventive care which safeguards religious freedom while also maintaining increased access to contraception for all women. Lauded by Sister Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Health Association, as well as Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, the ruling ensures that all women receive free contraception as part of their health insurance plans and that employers who conscientiously disagree with contraception will not be forced to pay for it.

“The framework developed has responded to the issues we identified that needed to be fixed,” Sister Keehan said.

“We believe the compliance mechanism does not compromise a woman’s ability to access these critical birth control benefits,” said Richards.

“Nearly 99 percent of all women have relied on contraception at some point in their lives –- 99 percent.  And yet, more than half of all women between the ages of 18 and 34 have struggled to afford it.  So for all these reasons, we decided to follow the judgment of the nation’s leading medical experts and make sure that free preventive care includes access to free contraceptive care,” President Obama said yesterday. “Now, as we move to implement this rule, however, we’ve been mindful that there’s another principle at stake here –- and that’s the principle of religious liberty, an inalienable right that is enshrined in our Constitution.  As a citizen and as a Christian, I cherish this right.”

When the Department of Health and Human Services announced the rule requiring employers, with the exception of places of worship, to provide contraception as part of their healthcare plans, the President made sure that religious-affiliated organizations were given an extra year to implement this so that he could work out a solution for those who object to contraception because of their religious beliefs. With the announcement of yesterday’s decision, he made good on his promise by protecting religious freedom while also making sure that all women have access to important preventive care.

This policy is especially important to President Obama because, as a person of faith, he understands the value of the work faith-affiliated organizations do and the major contributions they make to their communities. “My first job in Chicago was working with Catholic parishes in poor neighborhoods, and my salary was funded by a grant from an arm of the Catholic Church,” the President said. “And I saw that local churches often did more good for a community than a government program ever could, so I know how important the work that faith-based organizations do and how much impact they can have in their communities. “ From personal experience, he deeply understands and believes the notion that we are greater together, and he sees the critical role religious organizations play in this. Through his Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the President has made a concerted effort to empower religious organizations to fight poverty, improve education and access to healthcare, and promote fatherhood and mentoring.

Echoing the sentiments that the President expressed at the National Prayer Breakfast, yesterday’s ruling demonstrates President Obama’s continued commitment to the core American values of religious liberty and women’s health. It also reaffirms his enduring dedication to the work of religious organizations and faithful Americans. We are thrilled for the families who will benefit from this provision of the President’s healthcare legislation and we areexcited to see the continuation of the strong partnershipsthat have been built between faith-based organizations and the Obama Administration.

Josh Dickson is Director of the YDA Faith & Values Initiative. The Rev. Derrick Harkins is the Faith Outreach Director of the Democratic National Committee.

 

 

Five years ago

Posted by chane@dnc.org on February 10, 2012 Comments Off

President Obama just emailed supporters this video with a note: "Five years ago today, a few thousand of us gathered in Springfield, Illinois, to launch an improbable campaign for president. … You've got to see this video about that journey—it will make you smile."

What’s at Stake: Values & the 2012 Presidential Election

Posted by rsnyder on February 3, 2012 Comments Off

The 2012 presidential election presents young voters with a choice between two fundamentally different visions for America. Much is at stake and, as citizens of this great nation, we collectively shoulder tremendous responsibility to vote for the candidate who best represents the core values that have made us who we are as the United States of America and who will move us forward in difficult times.

At the National Prayer Breakfast yesterday, President Obama spoke clearly and compellingly of the values that guide his vision for the future of our nation. Citing the importance of morality in our politics and policy, the President asserted that “We can’t leave our values at the door. If we leave our values at the door, we abandon much of the moral glue that has held our nation together for centuries, and allowed us to become somewhat of a more perfect union.” He proceeded by enumerating the fundamental precepts that drive his policymaking and laid out a foundational framework for thinking about values in the public square. “Treating others as you want to be treated.  Requiring much from those who have been given so much.  Living by the principle that we are our brother’s keeper.  Caring for the poor and those in need…Today, with as many challenges as we face, these are the values I believe we’re going to have to return to in the hopes that God will buttress our efforts.” The President also called on Americans to live out our values “not just with words, but with deeds.”

As young Americans, we stand by President Obama’s words and also his deeds. We stand by his values-based vision for our country which has led to the expansion of healthcare coverage for people who can’t afford it. We stand by his efforts to expand opportunity for all Americans by improving our public schools, increasing access to higher education and job training, and reforming our broken financial and mortgage systems. We are heartened by our President’s willingness to stand by gay and lesbian Americans, undocumented immigrants, and our brothers and sisters caught in the nefarious web of poverty that confines the lives and potential of too many in the richest nation in the world. In trying times, President Obama represents what is right for America and we are confident in his leadership, integrity and resolve to take us into the future better and stronger together.

The President faces an important test, however, in this November’s election. His opponents have significant financial resources and will stop at nothing to defeat him. Unfortunately for our country, they represent an out of touch, individualistic vision for the United States that significantly strays from our core values. Instead of presenting policies and practicing politics that emphasize the “greater together”, e pluribus unum nature that has defined America since its founding, they have each embraced the Paul Ryan budget which takes two-thirds of its cuts from services that help level the opportunity playing field for low-income Americans. Given that Mitt Romney is “not concerned about the very poor” in the toughest time since the Great Depression and New Gingrich’s solution for closing the opportunity gap for African American children is to put them to work as school janitors, this comes as no surprise. Yet it is no less disheartening. We are facing incredible challenges as a nation. We need a leader who puts the American people first rather than winning the next election.

The 2012 election presents us with a choice that will impact us in the short- and long-term and have significant ramifications not only on what gets done in Washington, but what type of country we want to be moving forward. Join us in supporting President Obama and affirming that, as Americans, we will emerge from these difficult times greater together rather than farther apart.

- Rod, Colmon & Josh

Rod Snyder is President of the Young Democrats of America
Colmon Elridge is Executive VP of the Young Democrats of America
Josh Dickson is the Director of the YDA Faith & Values Initiative  

YDA Statement on the Florida GOP Primary Results

Posted by rsnyder on February 1, 2012 Comments Off

Former Governor Mitt Romney won the GOP Primary this evening after spending more than $15 million dollars to defeat his chief rival Newt Gingrich. The vote tonight continues to illustrate a Republican party unhappy with the choices to lead their party and unconvinced any of their candidates are ready to lead the United States.

After outspending Newt Gingrich by a margin of 5 to 1, Mitt Romney is showing that if his agenda cannot endear him to the GOP party faithful, he believes his best strategy is to buy the nomination at any expense.

“The vote tonight in the Sunshine state shows a Republican party out of touch with the average Floridian as well as with the majority of Americans”, said YDA Executive Vice President Colmon Elridge. “Governor Romney continues to believe that the path to victory is to throw money at elections and repeat what his pollsters and staff are telling him to say, feel, and think rather than offering a solid vision for America or standing on principle.  Young Americans are focused on how we can work together to build the strongest future for all Americans, not just the few.  Meanwhile, Governor Romney continues to promote cutting access to college education by cutting Pell Grants and encourage cutting Social Security, which more and more of our grandparents have not only earned but depend on.  He continues to disavow the DREAM Act and a defined path to citizenship for young people who have earned it, and he continues to position himself as a fringe candidate for a nomination, not a leader for the United States of America.”

“Romney, Gingrich and their allies spent money hand over fist to buy the support of the voters in our fair sunshine state”, said Florida Young Democrats President Justin Spiller. “At the same time, state Republicans are trying to make sure that the voter suppression law recently enacted remains in place to restrict the vote of not just the youth of Florida but seniors, blacks and Hispanics. The Florida Young Democrats and Democrats period will continue to work in the best interest of all Floridians, and re-electing our President is essential to that cause.”

Florida native Alexander Lewy who serves as YDA Jewish Caucus Chair also added, “Jewish Americans don’t look favorably on candidates who treat Israeli security like a political football.  Romney and Gingrich have lied to Floridians about President Obama’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s security. President Obama provided funding and support for Israel’s latest defense projects and condemned Palestinian rocket attacks against the Jewish State of Israel. Our President has also supported funding for Jewish community services while in 2003 Mitt Romney vetoed Kosher food funding for Jewish nursing homes.”

The Young Democrats of America continue to support President Obama’s Blueprint for an “America Built to Last” and look forward to working with young leaders and allied organizations in Florida and throughout the nation to support the President.  We will register young Americans to vote, mobilize young leaders in support of an agenda that empowers our generation to attain the American dream, and educate young voters on the stark contract between the Democratic and Republican agendas in 2012.

President Obama on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Posted by chane@dnc.org on January 31, 2012 Comments Off

On January 27, 2012, President Obama remembered the victims of the Holocaust, saying:

We commit ourselves to keeping their memories alive not only in our thoughts, but through our actions. As we remember all those who perished in camps from Auschwitz to Treblinka, Dachau to Sobibor, we pledge to speak truth to those who deny the Holocaust.

As we celebrate the strength and resilience of survivors, we pledge to stand strong against all those who would commit atrocities, against the resurgence of anti-Semitism, and against hatred in all its forms.

Read the President’s entire statement here.

DNC Youth Council Applauds President Obama’s Blueprint for College Affordability

Posted by PerryM@dnc.org on January 27, 2012 Comments Off

Washington, DC – Today, President Obama announced details of his Blueprint for College Affordability, a plan that reforms student aid promoting affordability and value. 

Jason Rae, Chair of the DNC Youth Council and a DNC member from Wisconsin, issue the following statement after the announcement o “Blueprint for College Affordability.”

“In the information age, education has never been more important.  President Obama knows the value of a higher education as a pathway to success.  The Blueprint for College Affordability offers incentives to schools to out innovate our competitors while expanding the federal student loan pool.

“Creating a Race to the Top for college affordability competition, the first in the world, incentive states to keep costs under control.  The competition will reward states who are willing to drive systemic change in their higher education policies and practices, while doing more to contain their tuition and make it easier for students to earn a college degree. 

“Students and Young American all over the country are thankful for President Obama’s leadership.  He understands the need for comprehensive student aid reform.  That is why young people stand firmly behind our President. We are committed to ensuring his re-election in November so that we can continue to create change like the “Blueprint for College Affordability.”

2012 High School Kick-Off Call

Posted by rsnyder on January 25, 2012 Comments Off

I am excited to invite you to a very special 2012 kick-off conference call for High School Democrats tomorrow night, Thursday, January 26 at 7:30 p.m. (EST). We will be joined by Jeremy Bird, National Field Director for Obama for America, who will answer our questions and explain why it’s so important for students get involved this year.

RSVP here for the 2012 High School Kick-Off Call

High school students, even those who aren’t old enough to vote yet, can make a big difference in 2012 as we work for Democratic candidates across the country and help re-elect President Obama.  If you plan to be involved in Democratic politics throughout this year, you don’t want to miss tomorrow night’s call.

The High School Caucus of the Young Democrats of America is working every day to establish YDA chapters in schools across the country.  If you are a high school student who would like more information about tomorrow night’s call or about getting involved in YDA throughout 2012, please feel free to send me an email.

Thanks,

Samina Hydery
Chair, High School Caucus
Young Democrats of America

State of the Union watch parties are kicking off

Posted by chane@dnc.org on January 24, 2012 Comments Off

Tonight, President Obama will deliver his vision for our country in his third State of the Union address.

Here in D.C., the area's most enthusiastic Obama supporters are gathering at Democratic national headquarters to watch the President's address together—so many, in fact, that OFA D.C. had to open up overflow areas.

Kouri Marshall, director of OFA D.C., says that in addition to providing a central location for supporters to watch the speech, this is a chance to organize around the President's and the party's policy agenda—and support the Obama campaign.

"This is a tremendous opportunity not only to gather to watch the final State of the Union of the President's first term. We also have to remind people that it's our duty to re-elect the President, so that next time there is a State of the Union address, it's President Obama who's delivering it."

Tune in to the address at 9 p.m. ET. at barackobama.com, whitehouse.gov, or on all major networks and cable news stations.

And check back to our blog over the next day for highlights, video, and ways to help President Obama accomplish his goals for 2012.

State of the Union watch parties are kicking off

Posted by PerryM@dnc.org on January 24, 2012 Comments Off

Tonight, President Obama will deliver his vision for our country in his third State of the Union address.

Here in D.C., the area's most enthusiastic Obama supporters are gathering at Democratic national headquarters to watch the President's address together—so many, in fact, that OFA D.C. had to open up overflow areas.

Khouri Marshall, director of OFA D.C., says that in addition to providing a central location for supporters to watch the speech, this is a chance to organize around the President's and the party's policy agenda—and support the Obama campaign.

"This is a tremendous opportunity not only to gather to watch the final State of the Union of the President's first term. We also have to remind people that it's our duty to re-elect the President, so that next time there is a State of the Union address, it's President Obama who's delivering it."

Tune in to the address at 9 p.m. ET. at barackobama.com, whitehouse.gov, or on all major networks and cable news stations.

And check back to our blog over the next day for highlights, video, and ways to help President Obama accomplish his goals for 2012.

State of the Union

Posted by rsnyder on January 24, 2012 Comments Off

Tomorrow evening at 9:00pm (EST), President Obama will deliver his fourth State of the Union address. The President will update the nation on where we are and more importantly re-articulate his vision for where we are going and how we, together, will get there.

Having just experienced the re-election of an incumbent in my home state, I can tell you first hand that the stakes are high tomorrow evening. The President will seek to connect with the American people as he lays out a blueprint for our future.  He will articulate a vision of our country where we reward hard work and responsibility, where everyone does their fair share, and where everyone plays by the same set of rules.

There are several ways you can be a part of the President’s State of the Union tomorrow evening. You can:

1)  Host or attend a SOTU Watch Party. For more information visit BarackObama.com.

2)  Log onto WhiteHouse.gov/SOTU and follow the President’s address and learn more key facts about the President’s plan.

3) You can blog about the address yourself, comment on Facebook, or follow YDA Chief of Staff Heather Brown on Twitter as she live tweets throughout the speech: @youngdems.

On a host of issues President Obama has been not only the voice for the majority of Americans, but he has been the voice for our generation. Make sure your friends and family are watching tomorrow night for one of the most important speeches of 2012.

See you online tomorrow night!

On the Victory,

Colmon Elridge
Executive Vice President
Young Democrats of America

State of the Union

Posted by rsnyder on January 24, 2012 Comments Off

Tomorrow evening at 9:00pm (EST), President Obama will deliver his fourth State of the Union address. The President will update the nation on where we are and more importantly re-articulate his vision for where we are going and how we, together, will get there.

Having just experienced the re-election of an incumbent in my home state, I can tell you first hand that the stakes are high tomorrow evening. The President will seek to connect with the American people as he lays out a blueprint for our future.  He will articulate a vision of our country where we reward hard work and responsibility, where everyone does their fair share, and where everyone plays by the same set of rules.

There are several ways you can be a part of the President’s State of the Union tomorrow evening. You can:

1)  Host or attend a SOTU Watch Party. For more information visit BarackObama.com.

2)  Log onto WhiteHouse.gov/SOTU and follow the President’s address and learn more key facts about the President’s plan.

3) You can blog about the address yourself, comment on Facebook, or follow YDA Chief of Staff Heather Brown on Twitter as she live tweets throughout the speech: @youngdems.

On a host of issues President Obama has been not only the voice for the majority of Americans, but he has been the voice for our generation. Make sure your friends and family are watching tomorrow night for one of the most important speeches of 2012.

See you online tomorrow night!

On the Victory,

Colmon Elridge
Executive Vice President
Young Democrats of America

New Hampshire Young Dems offer analysis of Tuesday’s primary results

Posted by rsnyder on January 12, 2012 Comments Off

The following analysis of the 2012 New Hampshire primary is from New Hampshire Young Democrats Vice President Doug Lindner:

The combined number of young people voting for all the Republicans in Tuesday’s New Hampshire Primary just barely exceeded the number of young people who voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 New Hampshire Primary—when he lost to Hillary Clinton.  Obama received more votes overall when he came in second four years ago than Romney did coming in first this year.

That’s because what happened yesterday was not a victory for Mitt Romney; it was a defeat for the Republican field.

Romney took our state for granted because he consistently polled first, while polling behind a succession of other Republicans in Iowa and South Carolina.  In fact, he only had one campaign office here—unheard of!  But that doesn’t mean Romney has strong support in the Granite State.  It just reflects the weakness of his rivals.

For the third competitive cycle in a row, the social conservative in the race has gotten major momentum from the Iowa Republican Caucus, only to be decisively rejected in the New Hampshire Republican Primary.  After winning the 2000 Iowa Caucus, George W. Bush lost the New Hampshire Primary by double digits.  Five days after winning the 2008 Iowa Caucus, Mike Huckabee came in third in New Hampshire, with a mere 11% of the vote.  The winner that year, John McCain, more than tripled Huckabee’s vote in the Granite State.

This year, Rick Santorum won (at least in perception) the Iowa Caucus, and a week later, he came in fifth, with 9.4% of the New Hampshire Primary vote.  He got zero delegates.  Even Newt Gingrich—a candidate who is said to have stayed in the race after Iowa solely to help Santorum attack Romney in debates—narrowly beat Santorum here.

The fact is that, like young people nationwide, New Hampshire voters are not looking for a socially conservative President.  Culture warriors should not expect to win primaries in a place where gay marriage is popular and the Democratic Governor who signed it into law was re-elected in the Republican wave of 2010.

This is not to say that New Hampshire Republicans are a generally moderate bunch.  Many times since Republicans retook the (huge, part-time) legislature in 2010, our state has repeatedly made national news for their embarrassing statements and proposals. (Search recent news for “Magna Carta” to see what I mean).  But conservative voters here care about taxes and spending (and yes, guns), not gays and school prayer.

Look at who came second and third on Tuesday: Ron Paul, a small government crusader, and Jon Huntsman, a moderate on social issues who understands foreign policy, believes the science on global warming (at least half the time), and served in the Obama administration.  Romney, Paul, and Huntsman were the only candidates who got more than 10% of the vote in the New Hampshire primary.  But of course, Ron Paul is out of step with his party on many issues, and Jon Huntsman worked for Obama, so each has a ceiling on potential Republican support.

The biggest loser in Tuesday’s primary was culture warrior Rick Perry.  America’s longest serving Governor, once by far the national front-runner, got less than 1%.  He barely beat Buddy Roemer, who has been shut out of every debate.  Perry lost so badly he got fewer votes statewide than did Gingrich in Manchester alone—and Gingrich came in fourth, with less than 10%!

This failure of the Republican field has implications beyond New Hampshire, with our four electoral votes, and beyond the Northeast, where Republicans expect to lose in November: their weakness in New Hampshire is their weakness in the millennial generation.

 

 

Padilla: Young people are fed up with Washington gridlock, not Obama

Posted by rsnyder on January 11, 2012 Comments Off

YDA Treasurer Jonathan Padilla published an opinion piece on NYTimes.com explaining that the Millennial Generation is fed up with gridlock in Washington but has not lost faith in President Obama.

“Obama has not lost young voters; Washington has. In fact, it’s the president who is one of the remaining champions young people have inside the beltway…  [A recent poll] is being touted as proof that young voters have lost faith in the president, but a closer reading will show that he still defeats any Republican in the presidential field, including an 11-point rout over Mitt Romney.”

You can read the full text of the op-ed here.

 

YDA 2012 Winter Meeting in Chicago

Posted by rsnyder on January 10, 2012 Comments Off

We are excited to announce that YDA is kicking off 2012 by co-hosting our winter conference as part of a national youth summit along with the College Democrats of America. This is the first time in many years that YDA and CDA have co-located for a major national meeting.

The conference will take place Friday, March 9th – Sunday, March 11th in Chicago, Illinois.

YDA meetings will begin around lunchtime on Friday and run through noon on Sunday. The summit will include a number of joint sessions and trainings, and we will have the opportunity to tour the Obama headquarters and hear from senior campaign staff.   A more detailed schedule will be released in the coming weeks.

Hotel information will be available later this month; however, registration is now open:

-  Early Bird registration ($45) will be open until 5:00 p.m. EST Friday, February 3rd
-  Regular registration ($55) will then be in available until 5:00 p.m. EST, Friday, February 24th
-  After 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 24th, only On-Site Registration ($75) will be accepted.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the meetings team here at YDA.  We look forward to seeing you in Chicago in March!

Best wishes,

Kelly Drake
Meetings Director
Young Democrats of America