Blogswarm - Online Political News Magazine

Something very special is happening out here. Yesterday we stopped in Milwaukee and Beloit, Wi., and Davenport and Dubuque, Ia. So much hope has been pinned on this campaign -- we can feel that in the incredible size of the crowds and in the energy and excitement at each campaign stop. Thousands are even lining the sides of the road, waiting hours just to watch our caravan drive by. Nothing like this has ever happened during a presidential campaign as early as August.

We have come to listen -- but also to deliver our plan for a stronger America. All this week, I have been writing you about that plan, and today I would like to talk about health care.

During the New Hampshire primary, I met a woman named Mary Ann Knowles. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, she struggled to keep going to work every single day -- just to hang on to her health insurance. Mary Ann's story stuck with me not only because I got to know her, but because we keep hearing similar stories all across the country. Sadly, it represents the predicament so many Americans are living with: unreliable access to health care and skyrocketing costs. Nothing has been done to address this problem, and now, nearly 44 million Americans are living without health insurance.

Health care should not be a privilege for the wealthy, the connected, and the elected. We are the wealthiest nation on earth. There is simply no excuse for hard-working Americans having to worry about whether they will be able to afford the treatment they need when they are sick.

John Edwards and I have proposed a practical plan to immediately provide health care to every child, get health care and prescription drug costs under control, and ensure doctors -- not insurance company bureaucrats -- make health care decisions.

Here are the major features of our plan:

• Up to $1,000 of health care premium relief. Our plan will provide relief for employers who offer their employees health coverage by helping out with high-cost health cases -- saving families up to $1,000 per year.
• Tax credits to make health insurance more affordable. Our plan will provide tax credits to make health insurance more affordable for people between jobs, Americans ages 55-64, and small businesses.
• Health care for every child. Our plan will pick up the full cost of more than 20 million children enrolled in Medicaid. In exchange, states will expand eligibility for children's health coverage and low-income adults and enroll every child.
• More affordable prescription drugs. Our plan will cut the cost of prescription drugs by requiring the government to negotiate better prices and by allowing Americans to re-import discounted drugs from Canada.
• Control skyrocketing costs. Our plan will reduce health care costs by cutting administrative costs, waste, fraud, and abuse; enhancing disease management efforts; and reforming malpractice insurance.
• A real Patients' Bill of Rights. The Bush administration sent its lawyers to the Supreme Court to stand with the HMOs and against patients. John Edwards and I support a real Patients' Bill of Rights to ensure that patients have the right to see the specialists they need without interference from bureaucrats.

Please take the time to read our entire health care plan by visiting:

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/health_care

This plan will only happen with your support. On Friday, after I accepted the nomination, I called for 5 million voices to speak to the 55 million voters we're going to need to win. Nearly everyone in America is feeling the sting of runaway health care costs. But it's up to us to let them know that America can do better. Read our full plan online, and help spread the word right up to Election Day.

Sincerely,

P.S.	Join us on our tour across the country by going here: http://blog.johnkerry.com

We've always believed that popular culture and populist politics go hand in hand. That's why MoveOn PAC is very proud to be presenting a truly historic cultural event: the Vote for Change Tour, featuring Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., the Dixie Chicks, John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Babyface, Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Harper, Jurassic 5, My Morning Jacket, Keb' Mo' and Bright Eyes. The tour will benefit America Coming Together (ACT). As Mike Mills of R.E.M. said, "this unprecedented coming together of musicians underscores the depth of the desire for change in our country's direction."

For more information, and to sign up for pre-sale tickets, go to:

http://www.moveonpac.org/vfc/

Never before have so many world-famous musicians come together to shift the balance in an election. But these artists created the Vote for Change tour because they feel that this is the most important election in our nation's history. The schedule is designed to make a maximum impact: each of the concerts will occur in a key battleground state during the first and second weeks of October.

Like many MoveOn members, most of the artists have never been involved in electoral politics before. And like many of us, they're jumping in now because they believe there's just too much at stake on November 2nd to sit on the sidelines. Here's how Dave Matthews put it:

"A vote for change is a vote for a stronger, safer, healthier America. . . It is our duty to this beautiful land to let our voices be heard. That's the reason for the tour. That's why I'm doing it."

Tickets go on sale to the public on Saturday, August 21st, but we have hundreds of tickets to each show that we'll be able to offer to MoveOn members -- and anyone who joins MoveOn -- a few days before. To check out the tour dates and sign up for a chance for pre-sale tickets, just go to:

http://www.moveonpac.org/vfc/

Please pass this link on to friends and colleagues. As long as people who click it agree to receive MoveOn emails, they'll have a shot at the pre-sale tickets.

We're partnering in this effort with America Coming Together (ACT), the terrific on-the-ground organization which is reaching out to millions of voters during the run-up to the election. ACT will receive all of the proceeds from the ticket sales. (There are some important legal disclaimers on this below.)

The Vote for Change tour is going to be a clear, passionate, and powerful call to arms for folks in the key battleground states and beyond. But the incredible array of artists involved is also a tremendous endorsement of the work we're all doing together -- a cultural event that will strengthen our voice in national politics.

Thanks for making this possible, through everything you do.

Sincerely,

--Eli Pariser
  MoveOn PAC
  August 4th, 2004

P.S. By purchasing tickets to these concerts, you will be making a political contribution to ACT, subject to the limitations and restrictions of federal campaign laws. Contributions to ACT are not deductible for federal income tax purposes."

P.P.S. In a climate where artists are often reprimanded for speaking out against the President, signing on to do this tour is a sign of real courage. If you'd like to send a short message of appreciation and encouragement to the artists for their willingness to speak out, just click here:

http://www.moveonpac.org/vfc/comments.html

PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC www.moveonpac.org
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

VOTE FOR CHANGE TOUR ANNOUNCED

Coalition of Musicians Makes Way to Battleground

States in an Effort to Get Out the Vote this Fall

Babyface, Bright Eyes, Jackson Browne, Dave Matthews Band, Death

Cab for Cutie, the Dixie Chicks, John Fogerty, Ben Harper, Jurassic 5,

John Mellencamp, Keb’ Mo’, My Morning Jacket, Pearl Jam, Bonnie

Raitt, R.E.M., James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

and more

All Shows On Sale August 21

SEATTLE—More than 20 artists, including Dave Matthews Band, the

Dixie Chicks, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Bruce Springsteen and the E Street

Band, and John Mellencamp announced today the launch of the

"Vote for Change" Tour, which will kickoff on October 1st and bring

its Vote for Change message to 9 of the 17 key electoral

battleground states.

"The upcoming election provides everyone an opportunity to

change the direction our country is headed and to elect a

government that is just, rational and respectful of the views and

rights of the people it serves. This coalition of artists wants to be a

part of that change," said Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam.

Conceived by a loose coalition of musicians four months ago, Vote

for Change is a multi-city, multi-artist tour that will include

approximately 34 shows in 28 cities in 9 states over the course of

one week.

--more--

Artist lineups include:

• Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band/R.E.M./John Fogerty/Bright Eyes

• Dixie Chicks/James Taylor

• Pearl Jam/Death Cab for Cutie

• Dave Matthews Band/Ben Harper/Jurassic 5/My Morning Jacket

• Bonnie Raitt/Jackson Browne/ Keb’ Mo’/ others TBA

• John Mellencamp/Babyface

These and other artists will be appearing on separate bills on the same night in

select cities around several battleground states. Vote for Change artists hope to

accomplish a single goal through the tour: to get people to the polls on

November 2nd to vote for a change.

The Vote for Change tour came about as part of an informal conversation

among a handful of artists on how they could make a difference in this year’s

elections and beyond. This idea has resulted in a first-of-its-kind endeavor where

Vote for Change participating artists will focus their energies on the states where

the elections are expected to be the closest. All Vote for Change artists are

donating their time and talent in support of the tour.

The Vote for Change tour will be presented by MoveOn PAC, with all concert

proceeds benefiting the work of America Coming Together (ACT).

BACKGROUND:

Unprecedented in scale and strategy, ACT is building the largest voter

mobilization effort in history to elect progressive candidates to federal, state and

local offices in November. For more information on ACT visit www.act04.com.

MoveOn PAC is a 2.5 million-member online grassroots political action

committee working to take back our government. By gathering small

contributions from ordinary citizens, it is using the Internet to level the playing

field against the interest of big corporate money in politics. Its sister organization,

MoveOn.org, raises issues of war and peace, social justice, media integrity and

honesty in government. For more information, visit www.moveonpac.org.

"This election is the most important one in our lifetime," said Dave Matthews. "It

may be the most important in America’s history."

Vote for Change tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster on August 21 for all tour

dates in all cities. (Full list of Vote for Change dates attached.) For more

information about Vote for Change, including ticket information and updates,

go to www.moveonpac.org.

Attachments follow below:

#1 Vote for Change Declaration

#2 Vote for Change Artist Quotes

#3 Vote for Change Tour Schedule

Attachment #2

Artist Quotes

"A vote for change is a vote for a stronger, safer, healthier America. A vote for Bush

is a vote for a divided, unstable, paranoid America. It is our duty to this beautiful

land to let our voices be heard. That's the reason for the tour. That's why I'm

doing it."

Dave Matthews

"As concerned mothers, women and most importantly concerned Americans, we

are compelled to do what we can to inspire other voters to get involved in this

year's election. We hope our participation in the Vote For Change Tour will be a

catalyst for positive change."

The Dixie Chicks

"This is an extraordinary example of America coming together to win this election

and change the direction of the country. These artists feel so strongly about this

election that they are doing something unprecedented in creating this magnificent

tour. They are sending an important message to voters in the battleground states:

you can change the country if you go to the polls and vote."

Ellen Malcolm, America Coming Together

"R.E.M. is very happy to be a part of the Vote for Change Tour. This unprecedented

coming together of musicians underscores the depth of the desire for change in our

country’s direction, and it feels right to use some of the freedoms granted to us in a

democracy to try and effect that change."

Mike Mills

"It's about showing up and being counted. I'll be there and I hope you

will too."

Keb' Mo'

"We’ve always believed that popular culture and populist politics go hand in hand.

It’s an honor to be working with so many respected and influential artists, and

we’re indebted to them for having the courage to speak out at a time when our

country so desperately needs change. For our 2.5 million members and far beyond,

the Vote for Change tour will have a seismic cultural impact."

Eli Pariser, MoveOn Pac

"There has never been a more important time to band together and bring about

real change. I want to see Americans everywhere honor those who have fought

and died for our right to vote by getting out to the polls on Election Day.

Democracy only works if we work it."

Bonnie Raitt

"I felt like I couldn't have written the music I've written, and been on stage singing

about the things that I've sung about for the last twenty five years and not taken

part in this particular election."

Bruce Springsteen

"This is the fourth presidential election which Pearl Jam has engaged in as a band,

and we feel it’s the most important one of our life time. We believe in the power of

the first amendment, and have always exercised our right to free speech in every

aspect of our lives and music. This year there is no more powerful way for all

Americans to exercise that right than by voting. Given the extreme political climate

of a country at war, we are proud to stand among the many artists involved in this

tour and to encourage Americans not only to vote for a president this November

2nd, but to vote for the change they wish to see in the world."

Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam

From MoveOn PAC:

We've done bake sales. We've done house parties. We've bought ads. Now it's time for the home stretch - getting out each and every vote where it counts. MoveOn PAC is planning an incredibly ambitious, groundbreaking, precinct-level neighbor-to-neighbor campaign we're calling Leave No Voter Behind. We want to hire 500 organizers in the last weeks before the election to work in 10,000 key neighborhoods in battleground states to get 440,000 new votes for John Kerry to the polls.

If anyone can do this, together we can. The best proven model for getting out votes like this requires paid organizers helping thousands of volunteers ensure that their neighbors get to the polls. It will cost $5 million to make this happen. So we can't do this without you.

If we can raise the first $1 million in the next 48 hours, we'll go for it. You can sponsor a precinct in a battleground state for only $500 and make a huge difference in this election. But whether you can give $25 or $2,500, we're asking you to help launch this program today. Just go to:

https://www.moveonpac.org/donate/leavenovoterbehind.html

John Kerry has now accepted public funding and stopped raising money for his campaign. That means that the most effective thing you can do to retire President Bush is to support MoveOn PAC or the Democratic National Committee.

This is going to be an incredibly tight election. Most analysts believe that with so few undecided voters, this election is going to come down to three things: turnout, turnout, and turnout. The MoveOn network is in a great position to make the difference here: a personal contact from a friend or neighbor is the most effective way to get people out to vote. It's a tried and true technique but its impact would be unprecedented: together we can produce 440,000 new votes for Kerry in the most important swing areas - more than enough to win.

Of course, Leave No Voter Behind won't just happen in swing states. Whether your state is red, blue, or a tossup, we'll offer powerful ways that you can make this program effective, from making phone calls and to getting on buses and going to nearby states to help with the final push.

Using the Internet to make our work more efficient, we can cover each neighborhood for only $500. If you can support one or even 10 neighborhoods yourself, that's a huge boost to our efforts.

If that's too steep for you,

• with $225 we can knock on the doors of each of our target voters in one neighborhood,
• with $110 we can run the crucial final 2 weeks of our campaign in one area, or
• with $55 we can contact every voter in one area one last time on Election Day itself.

Help build our Leave No Voter Behind campaign. Just click here:

https://www.moveonpac.org/donate/leavenovoterbehind.html

If we hit our goal now, we'll get back in touch with you next week to start the on-the-ground effort and tell you what you can do. This is the biggest challenge we've ever taken on. But with your help we can do it, and make history together.

Sincerely,
--Adam, Carrie, Eli, Hannah, James, Justin, Laura, Mat, and Sam
  The MoveOn PAC Team
  August 3, 2004

PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC www.moveonpac.org
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee

As we make our way westward, the crowds keep getting bigger. Yesterday, an amazing 20,000 people greeted us in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The energy at these events is unlike anything I have ever experienced.

But today I want to tell you about a smaller event that took place when I met with fifty firefighters at the Kalamazoo Fire Station yesterday to discuss the problems facing our nation's first responders.

One firefighter from the neighboring city of Wyoming stood up and told me that his town will vote today on whether it can maintain current funding levels for first responders. If the vote fails, the town will be forced to shut down one of its two firehouses. That would mean one already-understaffed station would be forced to answer all 4,700 annual calls for help. Our communities should not have to make these kinds of dire choices. If we can build new firehouses in Baghdad, then we should not be closing them down here at home.

Sadly, the firefighters of Wyoming, Michigan are not alone. Nearly two-thirds of firehouses are understaffed, making it difficult to respond to fires and medical emergencies, let alone the threat of terrorism.

John Edwards and I have proposed to create the Father Mychal Judge Fund -- named for the chaplain of the New York City Fire Department who died delivering last rites on September 11 -- to hire up to 100,000 new firefighters and provide the equipment necessary to ensure that our heroes are always prepared. We will also create an Orange Alert Fund to reimburse communities for additional costs incurred in responding to raised threat levels.

George Bush seems to be satisfied with the way things are. John Edwards and I feel that obvious priorities are being neglected and that our homeland can be more secure. That is why we are proposing a united strategy that will eliminate homeland security vulnerabilities and make America safer. The major points of our plan are:

1. Improve our ability to gather, analyze, and share information so we can track down terrorists and stop them before they cause us harm.
2. Better secure our airports, seaports, and borders.
3. Harden likely terrorist targets and critical infrastructure.
4. Improve domestic readiness.
5. Win the war on terror without losing the values of freedom and justice for all that make us proud to be Americans.

Please read more about our homeland security plan here:

http://johnkerry.com/plan

We will not be able to change America alone. This campaign will need 5 million voices to reach the 55 million voters we need to win. Please join us and be one of those voices.

Sincerely,

P.S.	Join us on our tour across the country by going here: http://blog.johnkerry.com

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,