Blogswarm - Online Political News Magazine

The incredible energy that you, our supporters, have shown over the past five days has changed the way I will look at campaigning forever. Since we left Boston, more than 100,000 Americans have shown up to meet us at campaign stops between Massachusetts and Michigan. This includes 17,000 people in Scranton, Pa; 25,000 in Harrisburg, Pa, waiting until after 9:00 p.m. on a Friday night; 10,000 people in Greensburg, Pa, standing in the rain; and another 15,000 in Wheeling, WV. In most cases, these are the biggest political rallies these towns have ever seen.

All of that followed the greatest mobilization of grassroots power that the Internet has ever made possible: as I accepted the nomination on Thursday, our supporters made history once again by contributing an astounding $5.7 million online in one day. The next day, I sent an email asking for volunteers and we now have more than 400,000 signed up. You have helped us kick off the general election on the strongest footing of any presidential challenger ever.

At the convention, John Edwards and I outlined our plan to build a stronger America. This week, we are going straight to voters in towns and communities across the country. Today, we are releasing a new book, "Our Plan for America: Stronger at Home, Respected in the World," that details these plans and talks about the values and experiences behind them.

You are the heart of our campaign. That is why I wanted to offer you the first look at "Our Plan for America." You can download and read the book here:

http://johnkerry.com/plan

As John and I travel across the country, we hope to see some of you along the way. For those we cannot see in person, we will send dispatches from the road to try to relate to you the energy and enthusiasm we are finding at every campaign stop, to tell you about some of the people we are meeting and communities we are getting to know, and to lay out our plan for a stronger America. We want you to be right alongside us fighting as we work to win back the White House.

Reaching our goal is going to require a lot of work from millions of people over the next few months. That is why I want to make sure everyone who is on board this campaign knows exactly what it is we are fighting for so we can tell voters across the country why we have the right plan for America. Please join us on our trip across country and learn the specifics of our plan for America by reading this week's emails.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

P.S.	Throughout the day, the campaign is posting stories and pictures from the road on our website. Join us on our trip right here: http://blog.johnkerry.com

Last week, John Kerry laid out a powerful vision for our country in his speech at the Democratic Convention.

This week, the Bush campaign is launching a major new campaign, focused on misleading the public about Kerry's record. With misleading attack ads on the air and a national media tour, Bush is hoping that this assault will stop the powerful momentum Kerry has built from the convention.

If we don't echo Kerry's message, the Bush attack may drown it out. That's why we're asking you to take a few minutes to write a letter to the editor of your local paper to carry his message forward. We've made it really easy for you, with talking points, sample letters, and a tool to find your local paper.

To write a letter to the editor about Kerry's positive message, click here:
http://www.moveonpac.org/lte/?lte_campaign_id=3


At the convention, John Kerry spoke about numerous key progressive priorities, including:

* Affordable health care for everyone

* A strong and secure America that is both respected and respectful in the world

* Creating jobs at home and preventing them from being shipped overseas

* Independence from Middle East oil through investing in renewable energy

* Restoring credibility and honesty to the White House

* Offering real prescription drug coverage for seniors, and protecting Social Security benefits

* Fully funding our educational system, and sending more students to college every year

* Never sending our young men and women to war unless there is no other option

* Never misusing the Constitution for political purposes



Of course, these important changes won't happen by themselves. We will have to work hard to get Kerry elected, and then work equally hard to make sure there is a political environment where these reforms can become reality.

The first step in that work is making sure that in the editorial pages of the nation's newspapers, we're supporting and protecting him. Writing a letter to the editor of your local paper is one of the most effective ways to get your voice in the media, and the opinion page is the most-read page for many papers. We've developed a tool that makes writing a letter easy by providing email addresses to send your comments to, talking points, and even sample letters. It just takes a few minutes. Go to:

http://www.moveonpac.org/lte/?lte_campaign_id=3

Thank you for doing so much at such an important time.

-- Eli Pariser
  MoveOn PAC
  Monday. August 2, 2004

p.s. If you missed Kerry's speech (or other speeches from the convention), you can watch them or read the transcript at: http://www.dems2004.org or http://www.johnkerry.com.

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION ORGANIZERS

The Official Republican National Convention contact

P.O. Box 2504, New York, NY 10116

(212) 356-2004 • www.2004nycgop.org

Madison Square Garden

4 Pennsylvania Plaza, 33rd St & 7th Ave

212-465-6761 • www.2004nycgop.org

August 30 10a-1p and 8:30p-1p, August 31 through September 2, 8:30p-11p

NYC Host Committee 2004

2 Pennsylvania Plaza,New York, NY 10121

212.630.8004 • www.nyc2004.org

REPUBLICAN EVENTS ON AUGUST 31

9:30 AM: Finance roundtable

Location: Tavern on the Green

Central Park at West 67th Street

Phone: 212-873-3200   Fax: 212-580-4265

www.tavernonthegreen.com

Sponsored by: Bank of America.

http://69.0.173.64/tg1003/newsite/index.asp

3PM: Luncheon

Location: The St. Regis hotel

Two East 55th Street, at Fifth Avenue

Phone: 212-753-4500 Fax: 212-787-3447

Email:   stregisny.res@stregis.com

Sponsored by: AstraZeneca

4:30-7:30PM: New York delegation

Location: Tavern on the Green

Central Park at West 67th Street

Phone: 212-873-3200   Fax: 212-580-4265

www.tavernonthegreen.com

Sponsored by: Kodak

10PM-1AM: Post-convention party

Location: Noche

1604 Broadway, between 48th and 49th Sts.

Phone: 212-541-7070

Subway: 1, 2 to 50th St

Sponsored by: American Gas Association

Tuesday is the RNC’s “Sports and Parks” theme day, and this will include the following events:

Olympic Athlete Exhibition at Chelsea Piers

The Host Committee, in coordination with NYC 2012 and Chelsea Piers, will host an Olympic Athlete Exhibition at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.

Mets Batting Practice and Barbeque Convention visitors will get the chance to experience life on the field at Shea Stadium like a major league baseball player.

The New York Mets have provided 200 free tickets to the Mets vs. the Florida Marlins game.

US Open Tickets

The US Open is providing access for delegates to this year’s US Grand Slam tennis event.

DELEGATE HOTELS

InterContinental The Barclay New York

111 E 48th St

212-755-5900 • www.new-york-barclay.intercontinental.com

Hotel for delegates from NH

Crowne Plaza

1605 Broadway

212-977-4000 • www.ichotelsgroup.com

Hotel for NJ

Doubletree Guest 
Suites

1568 Broadway

212-719-1600 • www.doubletree.com

Hotel for IL

Embassy Suites Hotel New York City

102 North End Ave

212-945-0100 • www.newyorkcity.embsuites.com

Hotel for AS, IN

Helmsley Park Lane

36 Central Park South

212-371-4000 • www.helmsleyparklane.com

Hotel for LA, SC, VA

Hilton New York

1335 6th Ave

212-586-7000 • www.hilton.com

Hotel for PA, MI, FL, TX

Hilton Times Square

234 W 42nd St

212-840-8222 • www.hilton.com

Hotel for MS, VT

Marriott Financial Center

85 West St

212-385-4900 • www.marriott.com

Hotel for GU, HI, NE, ND

Millennium Broadway

145 W 44th St

212-768-4400 • www.millenniumhotels.com

Hotel for WA, WV, WI

Millennium Hilton

55 Church St

212-693-2001 • www.millenniumhotels.com

Hotel for RI, PR, UT, DE

New York Marriot Marquis

1535 Broadway

212-398-1900 • www.marriott.com

Hotel for CA, OH, TN

New York Marriott East Side

525 Lexington Ave

212-755-4000 • www.marriott.com

Hotel for CO, MN

Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square

714 Seventh Ave

212-765-7676 • www.marriott.com

Hotel for MT

Park Central

870 Seventh Ave

212-247-8000

Hotel for ID, KS, MD

Rihga Royal

151 W 54th St

212-307-5000 • www.rihgaroyalny.com

Hotel for NV

Ritz-Carlton

2 West St

212-344-0800 • www.ritzcarlton.com

Hotel for GA

Sheraton Manhattan

790 Seventh Ave

212-581-3300 • www.starwood.com/sheraton

Hotel for AK, IA, SD, VI

Sheraton New York

811 Seventh Ave

212-581-1000 • www.starwood.com/sheraton

Hotel for AB, CT, NY, WY

The Algonquin

59 W 44th St

212-840-6800 • www.algonquinhotel.com

Hotel for DC

The Drake

440 Park Ave

212-421-0900

Hotel for MA

The Roosevelt Hotel

Madison Ave and 45th St

212-661-9600 • www.theroosevelthotel.com

Hotel for AZ, NM, OK, OR

The Warwick

65 W 54th St

212-247-2700 • www.warwickhotelny.com

Hotel for NC

W New York

541 Lexington Ave

212-755-1200 • www.starwood.com/whotels

Hotel for AR, ME

Westin New York

270 W 43rd St

212-201-2700 • www.westinny.com

Hotel for KY, MO

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Last night I spoke to the nation on television. Now I am writing to you, the one and a half million supporters who are the heartbeat of my campaign.

I need you to join me now for the sake of our country. I need you to work with me hand-in-hand from wherever you live, in whatever community or family you are helping to lead. This is going to be one of the toughest elections ever, and we will need every one of you. If you can give even a few hours of your time before Election Day, then click below. Our campaign needs 5 million voices to reach out to the 55 million voters we need to win. Let me know that you will be one of them:

I remember the first meeting in the headquarters of my first campaign for Congress in 1972 very clearly. All of my supporters -- all 30 of them! -- were gathered in one place for the first time. There were buddies from college and from Vietnam, and there were people I had never seen before in my life -- people who simply knew it was time for a change, and wanted to do something about it.

I took a deep breath and struggled to explain why a 28 year-old just back from war should -- and could -- make a difference in Washington. I thought I was there to convince them. But it dawned on me that they were the ones convincing me. These were people who had families, jobs and classes -- and yet they were signing up for double shifts phone banking and door knocking. For most, it was their first campaign, and yet it was many of their ideas that enabled us to shock everyone by winning a fierce primary.

Last night I began my general election campaign for president. And now I feel like I am back at that first campaign meeting again. Only this time, I am not talking to 30 initial supporters in a tiny storefront office, but to one and a half million people in an email.

Some of you, again, are old friends. But most of you I've never met in person. Nearly half a million of you walked into our virtual campaign office in the last several weeks. I know you are people -- just like in that first campaign -- who see it's time for a change and want to do something to make it happen.

Once again, it's you who have convinced me that this is a campaign we can win -- no matter how many forces are assembled against us. When I decided to run for president almost a year ago, I never imagined how big this campaign would become -- or how determined people like you would be to stand up to George Bush and lead America in a new direction. George Bush has raised $220 million dollars -- for his primary campaign alone. He spent most of that money to try to mislead Americans about my record and my life.

But those of you who joined my campaign early on stepped forward to do something that's never happened in presidential politics before: you went toe-to-toe with the special interests, toe-to-toe with Bush's 924 "Pioneer" and "Ranger" corporate fundraisers. You contributed an astonishing $195 million dollars. You enabled us to campaign just as aggressively and just as broadly as George Bush. Without you, we'd have our backs to the wall and people would be talking about our campaign being no match for a strong, heavily-funded Bush juggernaut. Instead, we're kicking off the general election from a position of incredible strength. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

We have got 14 weeks until Election Day. It's hard to fathom just how much we're up against. When we talk about building a stronger America and putting ordinary people back in the driver's seat of politics, we know powerful special interests will be working to stop us.

But there's a guaranteed way we can win this: take a leap of faith, throw out every last shred of cynicism, and believe in one another. That's what winning campaigns are all about -- a group of people believing in themselves and acting on that belief. Do the math: there are two million of you receiving this email. All of you came to this campaign and contributed or volunteered because you care deeply about what's happening to our country. I know that every one of you, if you believed it would make the difference, would give hours to this campaign between now and the election.

Well, I'm telling you: if you give a few hours to this campaign, that will be the difference. Isn't that what we learned four years ago when 537 votes decided everything?

This campaign has been nothing but remarkable so far. But you haven't seen anything yet. One million donors will become one million activists. We'll double and triple our numbers. We'll mobilize the vote for a stronger America in every single community. That's what we've got to do to win this.

So again, I'll repeat: I need you to join me for the sake of this country.

I need you to work with me hand-in-hand from wherever you live, in whatever community or family you call home. If you can give even a few hours to this campaign before Election Day, then click below to let me know that you'll be one of the 5 million voices speaking to the 55 million voters we need to win.

Are you with us?



Thank you,

 

From Kerry via the party:

Last night I spoke to nearly 30 million Americans on television. Now I am writing to you, asking for your help, your time, and your commitment.

I need you to join me now for the sake of our country. I need you to work with me and the Democratic Party, hand-in-hand from wherever you live, in whatever community or family you are helping to lead. This is going to be one of the toughest elections ever, and we will need every one of you.

That's why I'm asking you to donate generously to the Democratic Party. The party has been preparing to beat Bush and elect Democrats for four years. The party is stronger than ever, and is running the largest grassroots mobilizing effort in history, determined that our candidates will have the financial and organizational muscle needed to win.

Click here to contribute securely.

I remember the first meeting in the headquarters of my first campaign for Congress in 1972 very clearly. All of my supporters -- all 30 of them! -- were gathered in one place for the first time. There were buddies from college and from Vietnam, and there were people I had never seen before in my life, people who simply knew it was time for a change, and wanted to do something about it.

I took a deep breath and struggled to explain why a 28 year-old just back from war should -- and could -- make a difference in Washington. I thought I was there to convince them. But it dawned on me that they were the ones convincing me. These were people who had families, jobs and classes -- and yet they were signing up for double shifts phone banking and door knocking. For most, it was their first campaign, and yet it was many of their ideas that enabled us to shock everyone by winning a fierce primary.

Last night I began my general election campaign for president. And now I feel like I am back at that first campaign meeting again. Only this time, I am not talking to 30 initial supporters in a tiny store front office, but to millions of online activists across the country.

Some of you, again, are old friends. Most of you I've never met in person. But it's you who have convinced me that this is a campaign we can win -- no matter how many forces are assembled against us. When I decided to run for president almost a year ago, I never imagined how big this campaign would become -- or how determined people like you would be to stand up to George Bush and lead America in a new direction. George Bush has raised $220 million dollars -- for his primary campaign alone. He spent much of that money to try to mislead Americans about my record and my life.

But those of you who joined my campaign early on, or who supported the Democratic Party, stepped forward to do something that's never happened in presidential politics before: you went toe-to-toe with the special interests, toe-to-toe with Bush's 924 "Pioneer" and "Ranger" corporate fundraisers. You enabled us to campaign just as aggressively and just as broadly as George Bush. Without you, we'd have our backs to the wall and people would be talking about our campaign and the party being no match for a strong, heavily-funded Bush/GOP juggernaut. Instead, we're kicking off the general election from a position of incredible strength. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

We have got 14 weeks until Election Day. It's hard to fathom just how much we're up against. When we talk about building a stronger America and putting ordinary people back in the driver's seat of politics, we know powerful special interests will be working to stop us.

But there's a guaranteed way we can win this: take a leap of faith, throw out every last shred of cynicism, and believe in one another. That's what winning campaigns are all about -- a group of people believing in themselves and acting on that belief. Do the math: there are more than three million of you receiving this email. If each of you recruits just three friends to help, then we'll have nine million voices to talk to the 55 million people we need to win the election.

All of you came to this campaign or to the party and contributed or volunteered because you care deeply about what's happening to our country. I know that every one of you, if you believed it would make the difference, would give just a little more to this campaign and the party between now and the election.

Well, I'm telling you: if you give a few hours to the campaign, or a few dollars to the Democratic Party, that will be the difference. Isn't that what we learned four years ago when 537 votes decided everything?

Click here to contribute securely.

This campaign has been nothing but remarkable so far. But you haven't seen anything yet. We'll mobilize the vote for a stronger America in every single community. That's what we've got to do to win this.

So again, I'll repeat: I need you to join me for the sake of this country. There's too much work to be done, and there's too much at stake.

Are you with us?

Thank you,

John Kerry