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President Barack Obama will deliver the spring 2010 commencement address at the University of Michigan. At the ceremony, to be held on May 1 in Michigan Stadium, Obama will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree. He will be the fourth sitting president to visit U-M in Ann Arbor, following George H.W. Bush, Gerald R. Ford and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Electoral College Casts Official Votes for Barack Obama and Joe Biden
Michigan Democratic Electors Cast 17 Votes for Change
The Electoral College made Michigan's votes for change official today. The 17 Democratic members of Michigan's Electoral College met today and cast their votes for Barack Obama and Joe Biden as President and Vice President of the United States.
"On November 4, the people of this state and this nation spoke out in a unified voice," Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said. "We are a nation of hope. We are a nation that believes in peace and prosperity for all. We are a nation that is ready for change. The men we chose to change this country - to rebuild our economy and restore our credibility in the world - are hope for the future we will build together."
Lt. Governor John Cherry presided over the election in the Senate Chambers at the State Capitol. The Constitution of the United States allots each state one member of the college for each Member of Congress and each U.S. Senator. As a result Michigan has 17 electoral votes.
"Today Michigan made history as we drew one step closer to ushering in the change America needs," said Lieutenant Governor John Cherry. "When Barack Obama is sworn in as President on Jan. 20, Michigan will have a partner in the White House who respects our strengths, understands our challenges, and is committed to helping us prosper. It was an honor to have played a small part in moving Michigan toward a brighter future."
The 2008 Democratic Electoral College members include grassroots activists and party leaders from throughout the state.
"We face some of the most challenging times in our nation's history, and Barack Obama and Joe Biden are the leaders we need at the helm to guide us through this transformation," said James Hoffa, President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and a member of Michigan's Electoral College. "Change is coming to Michigan and throughout the country."
The Democratic members of Michigan's Electoral College are listed below. For short biographies of the members, visit here.
Brenda Abbey, Jackson
Dallas Dean, Grant (2nd District)
Ida DeHaas, Belmont (3rd District) Swarn Rajpal, Troy
James Hoffa, Troy
Kenneth Paul Jenkins, Macomb Township
Harry Kalogerakos, Grosse Pointe Farms
Jessica Mistak, Redford
Arturo Reyes, Grand Blanc
Griffin Rivers, Lansing
Gary Shepherd, Saginaw
Roger Short, Detroit
Arthur Shy, Dearborn Heights
Richard West, Cheboygan
Whitney Randall Wolcott, Gobles (6th District) David Woodward, Royal Oak
Charlene Yarbrough, Lathrup Village
Lisa and I will be here at the Manistee Dems Victory Party in the Northern area of our blog coverage with updates throughout the night. We'll try to get to as many races as we can. Bear with us as we're also doing in house vote updates.
Have some fun this Halloween and carve your own Jack O'Bama at Yes We Carve. You can get carve and scrape stencils and go to it. I'll have my basic Obama Logo one out after we go on our family's traditional pumpkin patch pick this weekend up north.
I gotta run to little league soccer to coach and then the Michigan game to watch us build the next dynasty, so I haven't watched these.
I'm peeved I won't be with Yates, Schmidt, Hawley, Dillon, Hennessy, etc in the Grand Rapids Pulaski Days Parade or the Cedar Springs Red Flannel Parade (info on them is in a diary below), but if you can go to the last parades of the season, you should go.
This is an awesome video that really shows not only the speech, but also gives you a feeling for the atmosphere.
My audio recording, between the poor sound system, wind noise, my neighbors chatting during the speech, and the fact that it's just a micro voice recorder, is just about unlistenable. I've taken the text (from CNN) as prepared for delivery, listened to my recording and made changes as he actually delivered it.
Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Thank you - thank you very much.
(inaudible)
... Candidate for Michigan Supreme Court, Diane Hathaway.
(inaudible)
Obviously, there's been a lot in the news over the last two weeks. The events of the last few weeks have shown us that the stakes in this election could not be higher.
We are in a financial crisis as serious as any we've faced since the Great Depression. In recent weeks, we've seen our financial landscape shift before our eyes. We've seen a growing credit crunch put new pressures on banks, businesses, and families. And on Monday, we saw the single largest decline of the stock market in two decades - a decline that threatens not just the wealth of Wall Street executives, but the life savings, jobs, and economic security of millions of ordinary Americans.
Everywhere you look, the economic news is troubling. But for so many of you here in Michigan, it isn't really news at all.
600,000 jobs have been lost since the year began, including about 30,000 in Michigan. The unemployment rate here in Grand Rapids and other parts of this state is nearly double what it is across this country. And a new jobs report is coming out tomorrow that experts predict will show our ninth straight month of job loss.
Nine straight months of job loss! Yet, just two weeks ago, John McCain said the "fundamentals of the economy are strong." Well, I don't know what yardstick Senator McCain uses, but where I come from, there's nothing more fundamental than a job. And when we're losing jobs month after month after month, when good, hard-working Americans who've done everything right watch their dreams slip away, the fundamentals of our economy are not strong, and it's time we had a President who understands that.
But it's not just jobs. Home values are falling. Wages are flat-lining. And the cost of everything from gas to groceries is going up and up. These are the quiet storms that our families have been facing for months if not years, and these are the storms that will only grow worse if we do not act - and act now - to pass the rescue plan that's before Congress. Democrats and Republicans in the House need to do what the Senate did last night and do what's right for this country.
If the financial markets collapse, and loans are not available, businesses, large and small, will follow. It's your jobs, your savings, your ability to pursue your dreams for your children that are at risk. That's why we have to act. That's why we have to set aside the politics of the moment and exercise something we haven't seen in Washington lately - responsibility.
Now, let me be perfectly clear. The fact that we are in this mess is an outrage. It's an outrage because we did not get here by accident. This was not a normal part of the business cycle. This did not happen because of a few bad apples.
This financial crisis is a direct result of the greed and irresponsibility that has dominated Washington and Wall Street for years. It's the result of speculators who gamed the system, regulators who looked the other way, and lobbyists who bought their way into our government. It's the result of an economic philosophy that says we should give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else; a philosophy that views even the most common-sense regulations as unwise and unnecessary. Well, this crisis is nothing less than a final verdict on this failed philosophy - and it's a philosophy I'm running for President to end.
"I think we've never had this much notice from a national campaign. Usually, we get one visit (both Gore and Kerry came once for rallies on the Calder). This will be our second visit from Obama. We've just had Hillary here. I think it shows the changing trend in West Michigan."
Obama's Grand Rapids appearance today comes just five days after New York Senator Hillary Clinton rallied voters at Grand Rapids Central High School. Obama visited Grand Rapids in May where he packed the Van Andel Arena with 12,000 people and received the endorsement of John Edwards (back when that was a big deal).
Recent polls in Michigan show Obama with a significant lead over McCain in Michigan, meaning that this visit coupled with Sunday's Obamas-Bidens visit to Detroit which are likely to bump those numbers even higher in polls due out next week, may mean that the Battle for Michigan may be at an end, or it may at least we may see the end of the air-war on TV and the near end of candidate visits as they move off to contest Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia, etc. So, see Barack while you can, there almost certainly won't be another visit, though we might see Biden again in a place like Kalamazoo, Traverse City or Muskegon.
After the Rally
After the Obama rally volunteers will be taking advantage of the enthusiasm by canvassing and phone banking. So, head straight to the Campaign for Change headquarters after the rally or after you get off work and get a list to go knock on a few neighbor's doors.
The evening will be capped off with a Biden-Palin debate (that oughta be fun) watch party at the Wealthy Theater (Bob Goodrich rules!).
(Doors Open in 30 minutes. Expect Obama to be on time (it's his first appearance and he's one of those rare on-time politicians), so get down there by 8:30-9:00 to get through the line and settled in time. Have a great time, wish I could be there with y'all. - promoted by philgoblue)
The Obama for America and Michigan Campaign for Change announced earlier today that Barack Obama will return to West Michigan for a rally at this Thursday on Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids.
Change We Need Rally with Barack Obama
Calder Plaza
300 Ottawa Avenue NW
Public entrance will be off Lyon Street
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Thursday, October 2nd
Gates Open: 7:30 am
Program Begins: 9:30 am
With less than one week until the October 6th voter registration deadline, Barack Obama will encourage everyone in Michigan to register to vote and lay out how an Obama-Biden administration will turn our economy around and bring about the change Michigan needs.
The event is free and open to the public, and will be held rain or shine. Tickets are not required but an RSVP is encouraged at http://mi.barackobama.com/gran...
Space is available on a first come, first served basis.
For more information please call the Grand Rapids Campaign for Change office at 616-356-6120
The Obama campaign today released a two-minute advertisement in which Senator Obama speaks directly to the nation on his view of the state of the economy and what he would do to fix it if he is elected president. The ad will run beginning today in battleground states around the country, including Michigan.
Script, Barack Obama:
In the past few weeks, Wall Street's been rocked as banks closed and markets tumbled. But for many of you - the people I've met in town halls, backyards and diners across America - our troubled economy isn't news. 600,000 Americans have lost their jobs since January. Paychecks are flat and home values are falling. It's hard to pay for gas and groceries and if you put it on a credit card they've probably raised your rates. You're paying more than ever for health insurance that covers less and less. This isn't just a string of bad luck. The truth is that while you've been living up to your responsibilities Washington has not. That's why we need change. Real change. This is no ordinary time and it shouldn't be an ordinary election. But much of this campaign has been consumed by petty attacks and distractions that have nothing to do with you or how we get America back on track. Here's what I believe we need to do. Reform our tax system to give a $1,000 tax break to the middle class instead of showering more on oil companies and corporations that outsource our jobs. End the "anything goes" culture on Wall Street with real regulation that protects your investments and pensions. Fast track a plan for energy 'made-in-America' that will free us from our dependence on mid-east oil in 10 years and put millions of Americans to work. Crack down on lobbyists - once and for all -- so their back-room deal-making no longer drowns out the voices of the middle class and undermines our common interests as Americans. And yes, bring a responsible end to this war in Iraq so we stop spending billions each month rebuilding their country when we should be rebuilding ours. Doing these things won't be easy. But we're Americans. We've met tough challenges before. And we can again. I'm Barack Obama. I hope you'll read my economic plan. I approved this message because bitter, partisan fights and outworn ideas of the left and the right won't solve the problems we face today. But a new spirit of unity and shared responsibility will.
More Michigan Campaign for Change Headquarters are Opening Across Michigan -- including 4 more in West Michigan -- Today, Saturday, 13 September.
Today the Campaign for Change will open their 40th campaign office in Michigan. With this weekend's openings, the Campaign for Change will meet its goal to in operating at least 40 offices in Michigan -- twice the amount in operation in 2004. Organizers in the local offices will work with supporters in the community to build the strong base of support for the Senator and other local candidates (let's hope so). Local offices will serve as a resource for the community to learn more about Senator Obama's policies and to participate in campaign events and volunteer opportunities.
Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Bart Stupak will be among the elected officials that will help to open the new offices. Following the office openings, volunteers will be in the community registering their neighbors to vote.
It's a rainy day in West Michigan, but that can't dampen our enthusiasm as we must win this battle ground state for Obama.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Holland Office Opening
Senator Debbie Stabenow and campaign supporters
10:00 am
1 W. 5th St.
Holland, MI 49423
Hart -- Oceana County Office Opening Community leaders and campaign supporters
1:00 pm
16 S. State St.
Hart, MI 49420
* Volunteer Canvassing Kickoff to begin at 2:00 pm
Manistee Office Opening Senator Debbie Stabenow and Campaign Supporters
1:00 pm
378 River Rd.
Manistee, MI 49660
Allegan Office Opening Community leaders and campaign supporters
2:30 pm
527 Water St.
Allegan, MI 49010
* Volunteer Canvassing Kickoff to begin at 3:30 pm
Remember, you can give directly to your local Campaign for Change (so that the money doesn't go to Chicago, but stays right here to get Michigan's 15 Electoral Votes and helps elect local Democrats) by going into the HQ, finding the local County Party representative and writing a check to "X County Democratic Party" and asking that it go to fund yardsign purchases, HQ rent and opperations, and Get Out the Vote work. I highly recommend this over sending the money out of state to Obama HQ since we're not seeing a ton of that money come back here to our HQs.
Today, in response to the McCain ad "Maverick", the Obama campaign released a new 30-second TV ad, "No Maverick."
They call themselves mavericks.
Whoa.
Truth is ... they're anything but.
John McCain is hardly a maverick ... when 7 of his top campaign advisors are Washington lobbyists. He's no maverick when he votes with Bush 90% of the time.
And Sarah Palin's no maverick either. She was for the bridge to nowhere ... before she was against it.
Politicians lying about their records?
You don't call that maverick ... you call it more of the same.
Keep tying McCain to Bush and get the truth out about Palin's pork politics. Excellent.
This is outside our area and tickets are sold out, but it's worth noting he's in the state. Below is from the campaign press release.
Senator Obama Returns to Michigan to Talk with Voters about the Economy
DETROIT- Senator Barack Obama will return to Michigan on Monday to discuss his plans to turn our economy around and create jobs here in Michigan with voters in Flint and Farmington Hills. Senator Obama's will begin his trip to Michigan in Flint with a discussion on the economy. North Farmington High School will then play host to a Change We Need Town Hall, where Senator Obama will take questions from voters on the issues facing Michigan families. Senator Obama's trip comes on the heels of a recent Department of Labor report that the auto industry had lost a record high 39,000 jobs in August as a result of the Bush-McCain economic policies that continue to squeeze Michigan.
CHANGE WE NEED TOWN HALL WITH BARACK OBAMA
North Farmington High School
32900 W 13 Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Doors Open: 4:45 PM
Program Time: 6:15 PM
(and if Adam had not promoted this, I would have. Bravo. - memiller)
I've been a Democrat for my entire adult life. Maybe you haven't. Heck, maybe you're STILL not. You sure don't need to pay party dues to want what's best for the country and your family. Even among those of us who share party labels, we have far more powerful things in common. That said, whether you're a Democrat or not, it's obvious to me that most of us here have been following the convention pretty closely... and speaking only for myself, I've been doing so with escalating enthusiasm as we've seen home run after home run from Michele Obama, Hillary Clinton, President Bill Clinton, and now Joe Biden. Tonight I'm expecting no less from Vice President Al Gore and of course...batting cleanup...the Next President of the United States Barack Obama.
It's official, on a motion from Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Convention, by unanimous acclamation, nominated Barack Obama to be the Democratic candidate for President of the United States.
With Barack and a united, hard-working Party, we will win.
District 20 Kalamazoo Robert Jones District 21 Berrien, Cass, Van Buren
Scott Elliott District 24 Allegan, Barry, Eaton
Michelle DiSano District 28 Kent (part)
Robin Golden District 29 Kent (part) David LaGrand District 30 Ottawa
John Chester District 34 Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Newaygo Mary Valentine District 35 Northwest LP Roger Dunigan District 37 Grand Traverse & north Bob Carr
Michigan State House Candidates
District 59 (St. Joseph & Cass Counties)
Carol Higgins District 60 (Kalamazoo) Sean McCann District 61 (Kalamazoo) Thomas Batten District 63 (Kalamazoo)
David Morgan District 70 (Ionia & Montcalm Counties) Mike Huckleberry District 72 (Kentwood & Cascade)
Brian Bosak District 73 (Kent County)
Jerrod Roberts District 74 (Ottawa County)
Leon Chase District 75 (Grand Rapids) Brandon Dillon District 76 (Grand Rapids) Roy Schmidt District 77 (Wyoming)
Scott Baron District 78 (Berrien County) Cindy Ellis District 79 (Berrien County) Julee Laurent District 80 (VanBuren) Tom Erdmann District 86 (Kent County)
Frank Hammond District 87 (Barry & Ionia Counties)
Greg Grieves District 89 (Ottawa County)
Donald Bergman District 91 (Muskegon)
Ben Gillette District 92 (Muskegon)
Marcia Hovey-Wright District 100 (Newaygo, Lake, and Oceana Counties)
Donald Bergman District 101 (Northwest) Dan Scripps
County Commissions Candidates
Allegan County Commission
9 Fritz Spreitzer (I)
10 April Carvalho
Barry County Commission
1 Bob Dickinson
Benzie County Commission
3 Kristin Hollenbeck (I)
4 Anne Damm (I)
6 Donald Tanner (I)
Berrien County Commission
3 Marletta Seats (I)
4 Mamie Yarbrough (I)
10 Andrew Vavra (I)
11 Jess Minks
12 Michael Ringler
13 John Klimek (I)
Cass County Commission
1 Ed Goodman (I)
7 David Taylor (I)
9 Judy Helpingstine
11 Clark Cobb (I)
12 Minnie Warren (I)
13 Johnie Rodebush (I)
14 Debbie Johnson (I)
Grand Traverse County Commission
1 Bernol Soutar
Ionia County Commission
1 Lynn Mason (I)
4 Mark Vroman (I)
Kalamazoo County Commission
1 Jack Urban (I)
2 Carolyn Alford (I)
3 Robert Barnard (I)
4 John Taylor (I)
5 Brian Johnson (I)
6 Mike Seals
7 David Buskirk (I)
9 Chuck Vliek
10 Michael Quinn (I)
11 Barb Hammon
12 Scott McCormick
13 Harvey Hanna
15 Leroy Crabtree
16 Thomas Post
17 Jerry Rudolph
Kent County Commission
1 Mary Lauka
2 Patricia Kramer
3 James Black
4 Fred Clowney
6 James Rinck
7 Al Nielsen
8 Keith Courtade (I)
9 Duane Sprague
10 Albert Abbasse
11 Russell Duffin
12 Pete Hickey (I)
13 Kyle Hinton
14 Carol Hennessy (I)
15 Dick Bulkowski (I)
16 Jim Talen (I)
17 Candace Chivis
18 Richard Tormala
19 Bob Synk (I)
Leelanau County Commission
3 Jason Harrall
6 David Marshall (I)
7 Karl Dungjen
Manistee County Commission
2 Marlene E. Wood-Zylstra
3 Glenn Lottie (I)
4 Ervin A. Kowalski (I)
5 Karl R. Waitner
6 Jim Krolczyk (I)
7 Carl Rutske (I)
Montcalm County Commission
1 Ronald C. Blanding (I)
Mason County Commission
5 Jerome Rybicki (I)
8 David Fonnesbeck
Musekgon County Commission
1 Kenneth Mahoney (I)
2 Charles Buzzell (I)
4 James Derezinski (I)
5 Carl Wentzlof
6 Lew Collins (I)
7 Scott Plummer
8 Anthony Longmire
9 Rillastine Wilkins
10 Benjamin Cross
11 John Jurkas
Newaygo County Commission
1 Barbara Geno (I)
5 Rick Werkema
Oceana County Commission
1 David Spitler
5 Evelyn Kolbe (I)
Ottawa County Commission
3 Jeff Williams
Van Buren County Commission
1 Claudia Maddox
3 Al Hughes
