***Just added a glimpse of the many O-Train volunteers who did what they needed to do for Senator Obama.  Many traveled out of state, phonebanked, and participated in visibility events.  Everything we did, we did on our own without any help from the campaign:

Many thanks to all of the dedicated Obama O-Train volunteers!

Jim, your April Fools mission, should you decide to accept it, is to print a copy of your favorite BarackObama.com Issues Page and fax it to (816) 220-2727.

WorldNetDaily

Why?  Because Whistleblower is siding with what's wrong and harmful for America.

In "THE SECRET LIFE OF BARACK OBAMA," Whistleblower shines a 1,000-watt spotlight on the real Barack Obama – and reveals him to be one of the most dangerous men ever to be considered for the presidency of the United States of America.

NOW's PAC has asked me to

Send Hillary a Women's History Month card - thanking her for having the guts to run, for standing up to the media, for being a role model for girls everywhere, and for making history.

NOW PAC

It's Women's History Month - and who is making more history for women than Hillary Clinton?

The problem is that Hillary Clinton is making history by using devious and disloyal campaign tactics. That is a horrible legacy to give to our daughters and granddaughters.  Her recent behavior and tactics have made me sick to my stomach.

So, I sent a card to Hillary Clinton but I didn't use their script:

Thanks for making history and standing up for women everywhere!  We appreciate you having the guts to run, for standing up to the media and for giving girls everywhere something to dream of.  Happy Women's History Month!

I used my own words instead:

When we left for Columbia, South Carolina last Friday at 5 am, I didn't expect to fall for South Carolina's voters but it hit me from behind.

In my mind I'm goin to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Maybe just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin to Carolina in my mind

Dark and silent last night
I think I might have heard the highway calling
Geese in flight and dogs that bite
Signs that might be omens say I going, going
I'm goin to Carolina in my mind

With a holy host of others standing round me
Still I'm on the dark side of the moon
And it seems like it goes on like this forever
You must forgive me
If I'm up and gone to Carolina in my mind

- James Taylor

Adapted for primary use from "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" by Paul Galdone(1914 - 1986)

This is dedicated to all determined campaign trolls (here, in the media and even those in public service) who have been relentless with their whisper campaigns and personal attacks.

Once upon a time  
there was a remarkable man called Barack Obama.
In the winter he lived in a house in Chicago
When spring came he longed to travel
to Washington to change fear into hope and change.
On his way to the White House,
Barack Obama had to cross a rushing river.
But there was only one bridge across it,
made of wooden planks.
And underneath the bridge
there lived a terrible, ugly, one-eyed troll.

Dear Iowa,  (and New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina)

It is my understanding that we Floridians have been known to botch an election or two.  I am innocent I tell you but here I sit in the time-out beach chair just the same.  Here's the thing; when you are in time-out, you have plenty of time to think. So, as I slather on my sunscreen, I am thinking about all the reasons to encourage you to vote for Senator Barack Obama.

Respectfully adapted from 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863)

'Twas the month before Caucus, when all through the state

Iowans were stirring, wanting a choice in their fate;

The candidates came before voters with care,

In hopes that the Caucuses soon would be theirs;

The volunteers were nestled all snug by their cell phones,

While visions of canvassing chilled them to their bones;

And mamma with her PC, and I with my laptop,

Had just settled down for a long-winded blog,

(Thefos and bobnbob's most excellent Obama adventure series)

Before I delve into my recent Obama experience, I feel that I must emphasize 3 points.  Let’s call them "disclaimers," shall we?

1. I think about Barack Obama and how campaigning must be taking a toll on him and his family.  I think that Barack must be desperately missing his girls and that they probably do not understand the magnitude of what he is doing.  They probably just want to sit on their daddy’s lap, maybe read a book together or just play with him.  I imagine him trying to balance his job as a Senator with the demands of campaigning and time with his family.  I think that his family is getting the short end of the stick; at least temporarily.

2 & 3 after the fold...

I believe that the Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who represents the Greek Americans and Republicans in my district, has strayed off course. It seems to me that he cares more about his Greek heritage and the Republican party than our American military crisis or our fellow Americans dying in Iraq.  So, for the sake of my military family members and the rest of our brave American troops, I felt the need to tweak and improve his latest bill.  I am proposing that he re-submit it to Congress after he includes my corrections, adaptions and/or ammendments.

WASHINGTON (20 Jul.) -- Last night, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), member of House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, delivered the following remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish military forces.

Remarks as edited and adapted by thefos for a reality check on our American military crisis due to the U.S. led Iraq Occupation:

Gus Bilirakis Commemorates the 33rd 4 ½ Anniversary of the Turkish U.S. Led Invasion of Cyprus Iraq

As the date of the Obama campaign’s "June 9, 2007 Walk for Change" approached, I was looking forward to walking with the great team of volunteers from the Tampa Bay O – Train. The O - Train’s multi-county walk was organized by Juan, Patrick, Ann, Gena, and Johnny AKA Bardino. Walk coordinators were in place. They were Shelia (Hillsborough), Sherry (Pasco), and Ann (Pinellas.) We expected about 70 volunteers to walk for change. Patrick and Ann led a great canvass training session and plans were falling into place in 3 counties.

Although I had heard that the Florida Democratic Party’s JJ dinner would be the same day, I knew that I must walk for Obama. I had recently received an invitation to a $50 Florida bloggers luncheon at the JJ on June 9, 2007. It was very tempting, but no, I told myself "I must walk for Obama. I can’t abandon my team on such an important day."

Even though my two eldest daughters are politically aware, they usually seek my advice when they vote.  They would call me when they were completing their absentee ballots and we would discuss each race and candidate.  But quite frankly, most of the time, I had to remind them to put a stamp on the ballot and mail it.  I asked myself "What kind of activist am I if I have to work this hard to get my kids to follow through with their vote?"

My kids have attended protests with me but they didn’t necessarily like doing it.   My younger ones would just die if one of their friends saw them protesting or planting signs for candidates.  They "get it" but would prefer that their activism be limited to watching the Daily Show and the Colbert Report.

On Election Eve, Bobnbob, thefos and Lois (sans Clark) were foot soldiers for Tampa Bay area fighting Dems.  We were the proud, the mean but not so lean infantry of 3. Like most loyal patriots, we were simply doing our duty.  We were grunts following orders handed down to us by our chain of command.  Specialist Kelley instructed us on the logistics of our mission and being the dedicated freedom fighters we are, we blindly followed.

Our mission was simple:  Sign planting at specifically targeted polling sites in Hillsborough and Pasco counties on election eve for our brave blue candidates on the front lines.

More classified info after the flip...

Are we safer?  I dunno...but W sure seems to need a bullet proof vest.  

Is it me or is he afraid of Katie?  Come on... Nobody is afraid of Katie!

Anyone notice this? Is W actually wearing a vest?  I know that he is a workout freak, but I think that I see obvious lumps under his suit.  Sharp looking lumps.

WTF, is there a war on Katie?

What do you think?

I came across this LTE in the St. Pete Times today and quite frankly, it kind of pissed me off.  I am busy at work today but intend to write a brief LTE when I get a moment.

James Anderson of Palm Harbor, FL wants to know "What would Lamont liberals fight for?"

"Here is I would like to ask one question of the Ned Lamont wing of the Democratic Party: Is there something, or anyone, that you would put your life and family at risk to fight against (other than the Bush presidency)?

To read the rest of James' LTE:
http://www.sptimes.com/...

Rod Smith, Democrat for Governor of Florida, just earned the endorsement of my favorite newspaper, the St. Pete Times! Both candidates in this race are fine Democrats but there is something special about Rod Smith! As I have said all along, we must elect a Democrat to be Governor of Florida before we can elect a Democrat for President in '08. Rod Smith has the intelligence, wit and charisma to unite Floridians and move us foward to success in '08!

According to Alex Leary at the St. Pete Times, the Democratic primary race for Governor of Florida just tightened up!

"Smith catches Davis in new poll"

Rod Smith is in a dead heat with Jim Davis in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, according to a new poll released today.

http://www.sptimes.com/...

The GOP still sends emails to bobnbob.  This survey is for real.  Read below or follow the link to the slime.

Warning:  Make sure you have your barf bag handy before reading any further...

A few days ago, Chairman Ken Mehlman sent you an important survey that will be used to shape our party's victory plan for 2006 and beyond. On May 10 - just five days from today - the results will be compiled and shared with our Party's leaders in Congress.

Chairman Mehlman wants to make sure every voice in our Party is heard, and asked me to follow up with you. Will you complete the survey below?

From the most important priorities facing this nation to all the reasons why you'll be voting Republican in 2006, this is your opportunity to share your views with us - on these or any other topics. Please make sure your voice is heard.

Sincerely,

Michael DuHaime
RNC Political Director

If the election were held today, who would get your vote for Gov? Florida needs a democratic governor! Let your voice be heard.  Please freep this poll.  It is in the middle of the page under  "Business Pulse Survey."

http://www.bizjournals.com/...

Had enough of the FCAT? Drilling for oil in the Gulf? Low pay for teachers, etc? True Blue Floridians need to stand up and fight for our state and our country.  Let's practice having our voice heard.  The louder, the better!