Keynote Address "The Audacity of Hope" 27 July 2004

Obama meets the Marine, Seamus P. Ahern, and later talks about it at the convention.

" You know, a while back -- I met a young man named Seamus in a V.F.W. Hall in East Moline, Illinois. He was a good-looking kid -- six two, six three, clear eyed, with an easy smile. He told me he’d joined the Marines and was heading to Iraq the following week. And as I listened to him explain why he’d enlisted, the absolute faith he had in our country and its leaders, his devotion to duty and service, I thought this young man was all that any of us might ever hope for in a child.
But then I asked myself, "Are we serving Seamus as well as he is serving us?"

Barack Obama Met a Marine at the VFW Hall in East Moline

A campaign stop by Barack Obama at the VFW in East Moline, IL in May, 2004, turned out to be an event we would all come to know about.

This small place was the forum that introduced Barack Obama to a handful of people, one of whom was a young Marine, Seamus P. Ahern. Later, we would all hear about the fateful meeting when Obama included the meeting in his electrifiying Keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention.

The picture shows the Caddy parked in front of the VFW that day. The Obamalac was a thing in the future. The Caddy was carrying signs for Barack Obama for U. S. Senate, Lane Evans for Congress, and Mary Kay O'Brien for judge. All three easily won their primary race.

Daddy Dean

Daddy Dean Robb was the senior member of the team at the rally, as he is 83 years young! He was here supporting his son, a twenty-something Obama supporter.

Everywhere Emmett

Emmett was one of the people assigned to get things done everywhere. A fine young gentleman!

Dynamic Duo

These two are "Fired Up" and Ready to Go!" Obama loves to yell out, "Are you fired up?" and the crowd responds with, "Ready to go!"

Energizer Bunny in the Obamalac

This young lady scooted around helping get things accomplished all day long but stopped long enough for this picture.

Family and Friend

Mother, daughter, and friend join in the effort to support their candidate. Hard workers shared fun and time building some memories for life.

Volunteers Working for Obama Pre & Post JJ Dinner

These young Americans were working hard Friday getting things up and ready for the Rally Saturday afternoon. When I left the hall following the JJ Dinner and speeches it was after midnight and they were still working hard just starting to close things down!

Barack Rocks the House!

On his way to give the closing speech at the biggest JJ Dinner ever! His was by far the best speech. I kept a "CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN" sign. He's not a candidate because it's his "TURN" or because he wants to be Secretary of State or something, he's a candidate because we the people asked him to be!!! This country needs him.

Michelle Obama Speaks to the Supporters

She is standing with one of the two main groups of supporters for a photo op. She gave a sincere and meaningful speech in support of her husband. She said (paraphrase) to one that has been given much is expected much. With THIS woman in the White House you can bet Monica wont ever return!!!

Jefferson/Jackson Dinner- Des Moines, Iowa

Tex (David B. Gail) is a member of the Obama for President Finance Committee. The Obamalc was parked near the press platform inside the HYVEE Hall. Obama staff and supporters gathered here Friday and Saturday preparing for the the critically important JJ Dinner. In Iowa this is where the election activities become intense. Check column by Iowa's top political writer (David Yepsen) in the Des Moines Register; Obama Makes Hay at JJ. I always like to check the perspective of an outsider so I read through papers like the UK's THE INDEPENDENT. Read the Leonard Doyle story; Obama starts to punch his weight, leaving Hillary on the defensive.

Pumpkin Parade

Eileen Dubin is in the front passenger seat. She is the Dekalb County Democratic Chairwoman. Steve Slack is sitting in the back seat and waving. He is the Dekalb County County Democratic Vice-Chairman and also serves as Chairman, Dekalb County for Obama Campaign. And in the back seat is another Steve; young Mr Jankowski is a member of the Northern Illinois University for Obama Campaign. Walking just behind the car in a dark vest and white shirt is Matt Duco, NIU Coordinator for the Obama Campaign.

Pumpkin Fest at Sycamore, IL 28 Oct

What a beautiful, warm, sunshiny day in my life! Sycamore is a beautiful, warm, sunshiny city near Dekalb with some huge old homes that reflect care and consideration. Everything was spotlessly clean and tidy. The people were warm and friendly, providing applause as the Obamalac rolled down their clean streets. And very, very few smokers were seen on the parade route. This picture was taken just before the parade started. On time!

RESPECT

RESPECT-these kids have it. I was outside of Dekalb having a burger and sitting where I could watch my car and avoid problems from people who do not have RESPECT for other people and their property. They looked over the car but didn't get on it or in it. Most people have that needed respect, but there are enough who don't to cause some of us to worry too much. Thanks to these kids for bringing a needed smile to my heart this day!

Obama in Washington. Iowa that is.

Sen Obama with a smirk! No, just a camera angle. Virtually any picture that I've taken of him is great. Today is the 15 th anniversary of Michelle and Barack Obama's wedding and I'm sure they will have many, many more. When the two of them are together you can feel the respect he has for her and she for him. There is no doubt in my mind that she keeps him on the straight and narrow. The young lady to his right in the picture is today's host here in Washington, Kiana Scott. She and the staff were congradulated by the Senator for a job well done. I've seen her at several functions and her sincere smile and performance captures your attention and memory! Thanks from all of us who enjoyed the days event. I estimated there were just over 1,000 folks here on this fine day.

Michelle Obama behind the wheel of the Obamalac

Another pic taken at Muscatine, IA. She said getting behind the wheel of the Obamalac reminded her of her father's car, a Buick 225. He worked for the Chicago fire department and sent two kids to Princeton U! She is so proud of her Dad. And her husband!!

Michelle Obama in Muscatine, IA Today

Michelle Obama visited beautiful Muscatine and asked the Obama supporters to get the word out on his experience, accomplishments and hopes. She is going on to Davenport later today.

Phillip And Senator Obama 12 Sep 07

I hope Phillip Tunnicliff was inspired by what the Senator had to say about the war in Iraq. He was in the crowd of people on the banks of the Mississippi to listen to Obama's words on Iraq. Back in 2002 I took my grandson, who was about Phillip's age then, to see and listen to people speaking against war with Iraq. It was an event along the 100 block of North Michigan Avenue, downtown Chicago. I didn't know until much later that Senator Obama was speaking against war with Iraq just a block away from our location that day!

Anna in Davenport Iowa 12 Sep 2007

Anna Tunnicliff opened her life and shared the experiance of hearing Sen Obama talk about Iraq. It was a warm, sunny evening as she listened to the Senator conduct a Town Hall Meeting. I'm sure she will always remember this night! Note the new Skywalk in the background.

Obama's Iraq Speech 12 Sep 2007

The next President returned to Davenport, Iowa to give a speech on Iraq and conduct a town hall meeting. He was warmly received by many people and a few trains tooted their support as they rolled by! Jim Kerr, pictured with the Obamalac, has been a supporter of the Senator ever since he first announced his intention to run for the senate. Jim and I worked the precints in Rock Island, IL when the primaries started back in 2004. Jim is an elected official (Democrat) in Rock Island and also is a very good golfer! Picture taken near the LeClaire Park bandshell along the Mississippi 12 Sep 2007 while waiting for Obama to arrive.

Rock Island IL Labor Day Parade 2007

What a beautiful day in our life! Sunny, low humidity, a little breeze, and a gathering of people to celebrate the working people. I had a million "thumbs up" this morning. Thanks to my best friend, the love of my life, my wife Barb for the picture. And thanks to Sen Obama for a promising future for all of us!

With Obama in Fairfield

He is that tall. My T-shirt is from back in the days of walking precints for Congressman Lane Evans and state senator Obama who was running in the primary for the US Senate. I'm sure he wore that same blue-grey shirt way back then too.

First Obama for President Pin?

My wife and I attended the reception after Obama was sworn in to the US Senate back in 2005. I had ordered this button and had them delivered to our hotel. The buttons didn't show up until the afternoon but I was able to present one to his wife Michelle. I believe the date was 4 Jan 2005. Can anyone beat that date?

Obama with Obamalac, Fairfield IA 3 July 2007

His smile is genuine and he is genuine! He has seen the car before but this is the first time he saw it with the Obama 08 decals.

Clifton Advocate.com Blog, Clifton Illinois

Former Clifton resident, Rich Miller, is making national news with his Obamalac, a 1963 Cadillac convertible he has decked out for Senator Barack Obama’s campaign. Miller, who calls himself "The REAL Rich Miller, is the father of syndicated columnist, Rich Miller, whose "Capitol Fax" appears in The Advocate and many other Illinois newspapers. The elder Miller became an Obama fan after hearing him speak on the campaign trail leading up to his election as Illinois Senator. Miller has since taken the Obamalac to several midwestern political rallies. The vehicle, a head-turner, has appeared in The Washington Post and New York Times. Not to be outdone by his journalist son, the elder Miller also has an Internet blog at obamalac.com .

At the Red Door Resturant, Gilman, IL

Jamie Eden sent in this picture taken in Iroquois County, IL, 26 July. I was " On the Road for Obama!"

"The Wild Card Election"

All of the presidential candidates are busy making stump speeches to get their message out. Their campaigns are very well summarized in the July 16th US News and World Report edition entitled "An Election Like no Other." One particularly noteworth article in the issue is “The Wild-Card Elections", subtitled “The Old Rules Don’t Matter. Here’s an Inside Look at What May be a Once-in-a-Lifetime Campaign.”

The article contends that the campaign has started months earlier than usual, America is undergoing profound change which will make this election different, and the election could be on par with the most important elections in history. The print article features a picture of the Obamalac, Hillary, Romney, and Giuliani. The online article features only the Obamalac. For the online article, take a look here.

Barack with the Obamalac

From the AP. Fairfield, Iowa, 3 July. He's seen the car before but this is the first time he's seen it with the decals on. This car hauled Obama for Senate signs to Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline homes back when he was in the state senate working for the people.

What a smile! He's come a long way and he's going even further!

4th of July Parade

Bettendorf Iowa 4th of July parade. From the Iowans for Barack web site.


The day started with a morning parade, and to fit in with the old fashioned theme, we sported a ’63 Cadillac convertible with “OBAMA 08” decals on both sides (nicknamed the ‘Obamalac’). If that weren’t enough of a spectacle, the huge number of volunteers walking alongside the car wearing Obama t-shirts, while passing out Jolly Ranchers and Obama for America stickers certainly caused us to stand out.

In all, it was a great old fashioned Fourth. We got to spread the word about Barack to so many people, hand out tons of stickers and signs, and some of us even learned how to paint faces.
And, of course, we had the privilege of walking in a parade next to the Obamalac.

The Time Is Now

As a young man I remember hearing about the slogan "We'll Be Free By '63!" Back in the 1950's that was a slogan of future promise to people of color. The slogan asked for their patience for a better time to come.

When I had the graphics people make the signs for the Obamalac, I added the "The Time Is Now" as a display line. To me it means Obama is our candidate today, not our black candidate for the future. And he doesn't need to wait for "his turn" like Bob Dole, both Bushes, McCain, Al Gore, Hillary and so many others.

This picture was taken by the Washington Post. There was an AP story about one of the TM guys at Fairfield telling me how the time is always now. As you can imagine we had a very short discussion. I was surprised while watching Tucker on MSNBC last week when his guest, Cliff May, said the comment was his favorite part of the Fairfield story. I'll post the MSNBC transcript when they release it. BOTTOM LINE: It's my car, It's my line, and He's my candidate, today! THE TIME IS NOW!

Extract from MSNBC web site:

TUCKER CARLSON:
Here with a definitive answer to those questions, the President of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy‘s Cliff May. And “Newsweek‘s” Senior White House Correspondent Richard Wolffe. (6 July discussion of Obama's Fairfield Iowa appearance on 3 July)

MAY: Tucker, I don‘t think Americans like empathy. Let me say that. But my favorite part of the story is the Obama supporter who had written on his car the time is now. And a Maharishi follower said but the time is always now.
WOLFFE: Very creative reporting. I hand it to the Politic there. But I was there in that crowd. You could not tell that was a Maharishi crowd. Fairfield does exist as a real place beyond people doing Yoga and transcendental meditation.

Obamalac Is International

People everywhere are hungry for Obamara and his message of hope. Readers from coast to coast, Canada and Mexico, and elsewhere are sharing info on this blog. Kuopia Finland, Las Palmas De Gran Canaria Spain, So Roque Portugal, and Ketsch Germany are just a few places outside the USA that access the Obamalac Blog! We were fortunate enough to reside in Ketsch for a few years and learn from wise, experienced leaders such as Herr Otto Boxberger!

Clean and Articulate for Obama

Illinois State Senator Kwame Raoul (13 th District) sent me this hat. We met in Springfield, IL for Obama's presidential primary announcement 10 February. Kwame is a guy that is so easy to talk to, to listen to, and to like.

He replaced Obama in the IL State Senate. I offered to drive the Obamalac to Chicago in support of his election efforts next year.

Obama signed the hat for me 3 July while we were in Fairfield Iowa.

Barack Obama Campaigns in Iowa

The Washington Post recently published a group of pictures of Senator Obama's latest campaign through Iowa--there is even a picture of the Obamalac. Look for it at number 14 in this series.

Thanks to Tripp Wellde for the tip.

You Tube Video from Fairfield, Iowa --3 July 2007

Heather Miller (no relation) sent me this video she took of Senator Obama and the Obamalac. Enjoy. Thanks Heather for sharing the video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djqj3OZ_jqo

Obamalac on Capitol Fax

"One of my sons, Richard, writes Capitol Fax, an IL political newsletter and also does the Capitol Fax Blog, thecapitolfaxblog.com. The Obamalac got a mention on his blog today. Rich writes---

" As I’ve told you before, my father is a big Barack Obama fan and has decorated his 1963 Cadillac with huge “Obama ‘08″ stickers. The AP ran a photo today of Obama leaning up against Dad’s car…
And the Politico had this item at the end of a story on Obama’s speech to some transcendental meditation types…
Behind him, a man driving a red, white and blue 1963 Cadillac convertible with the word “Obamalac” and “The Time Is Now” carefully stenciled across it was being gently chided by a wiry, smiling meditator.
“The time is now,” the driver said, as he headed out of town.
“But the time is always now,” the local man said.
Oy.
And I hope he doesn’t get himself on the wrong side of the Secret Service while he’s out there tooling around. A photo here of the Obamalac has this caption…
At one point the owner of this car pulled up in front of Obama’s ride, and the secret service told him to move on.
Oy, again."

Obama and the Obamalac

The Obamalac and I took a road trip to Fairfield, IA Tuesday. Senator Obama enjoyed the car before but now with the graphics, he LOVES IT! A smile and a heart as big as the Cadillac!! Take a look at this link:

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070704/480/658f7a37f4024c23a5795f134ee7045b

A Family in Geneseo, IL Who Likes the Obamalac

Obamalac Birth

Sen Barack Obama will bring this country together again. I wanted more than just a bumper sticker so I had the graphics people make me one to display on my 1963 Cadillac convertible. It was finished in time to drive down to Springfield for his announcement 10 Feb 07. The journey begins!