David Gall
Thu, Oct 9, 2008 at 12:05 AM
To: Delegate Dan

Dear Dan's Delegation,

Two weeks ago I announced via email to a small group of supporters my intentions to return to Denver November 1 - November 5. Our numbers started with twenty dedicated people travelling to Colorado. Then, through a connection with TravelForChange.Org, I was put in touch with a group of Americans living in Italy. They had formed their own organization, Americans in Italy for Obama. Some of them work there, some of them are married to Italians, and some of them just wanted to retire there for "la bella vita". Unfortunately, they just can't fly over to the U.S. to help campaign for Obama and other Democratic candidates. However, they have been walking the streets of Florence, Rome, Milan, Turin, Palermo, Naples, Perugia, Bari, and Venice these past 2 months doing their best to get as many Americans as possible registered to vote and hopefully to vote for Barack Obama. ( see their video made in Venice http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=rv2pfvGnPdA ). You see, there are over 150,000 Americans living in Italy, plus an additional 15,000 American university students, and over 25,000 American military and their dependants as well. They have stood outside of the cruise ship terminals, airports, and major tourist sights speaking to anyone and everyone. The amount of love and support we have encountered has been overhwelming, especially from the Europeans. People from Norway, Germany, Poland, France, Spain, Slovenia, Switzerland, Holland, UK, Ireland, Croatia, Sweden, and Denmark have stopped them on the street and begged them for this change. You see, Barack Obama has this effect on the world, not just the US. His passion for change and desire for America to re-earn the respect of the rest of the world has touched people living thousands of miles away. These Europeans yearn for the day when they can say again that they love America.

Through TravelForChange.Org , Americans in Italy for Obama is willing to donate the necessary frequent flyer miles and points for at least 300 tickets to get people to the most important battleground locations. This is a huge investment from them. Countless supporters in each location will be welcoming you into their homes to sleep, eat, strategize, and share. In return, we ask that you give us your time, your energy, your passion, and your enthusiasm. We need you from November 1st until November 5th in Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, and Omaha, Nebraska. Each location has an important and special reason for you to be there.

Colorado is big this year. Not only for Barack Obama, but also for the Senate and the House. Mark Udall (my Congressman from Colorado's 2nd Congressional District) is in a bitter battle with Bob Schaeffer for the US Senate. And Betsy Markey is deeply entrenched against the evil Marilyn Musgrave for the 4th Congressional District seat. Musgrave is rated as the most conservative Congressperson in the House. We have to see her go. Six long years with her in Washington has been 6 years too many. At the moment, Besty is polling 5 points ahead, but the conservative establishment led by James Dobson and Focus on the Family is pushing back fiercely. We must not let them get the momentum. Time commitment: Leave Saturday November 1st AM at the latest. Return Tuesday, November 4th PM at the earliest/or November 5th in the AM.

Florida is again at the top of our list. In particular, Hillsborough County (Tampa and surrounding area) is the 3rd highest rated county in the US for the Democratic Party. We must win here with big numbers if we expect to bring in those 27 electoral votes for Barack Obama. Time commitment: Leave Friday October 31st PM at the latest. Return Wednesday November 5th AM at the earliest.

For the first time since 1976, North Carolina has a real opportunity to vote for a Democrat for President. We really need to mobilize in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. With three large universities (Duke, North Carolina, and North Carolina State) within 30 minutes of each other, we have this amazing chance to take home 15 more electoral votes. Also this year, incumbent Senator Elizabeth Dole could finally be ousted from her Senate seat. Democratic challenger Kay Hagan is currently polling 3 points ahead of Sen. Dole. With your hard work, we can increase our majority in the Senate. Time commitment: Leave Friday October 31st PM at the latest. Wednesday November 5th AM at the earliest.

Indiana has not voted for a Democrat for President since 1964. Obama is down by only 2 percentage points in the latest polls. With the large number of university campuses in this state and a large African-American population in northwestern Indiana and metropolitan Indianapolis, we have a great base of Democrat voters. Now, we just have to get them to VOTE! Indiana's 11 electoral votes are critical to this election. Time commitment: Leave Saturday November 1st AM at the latest. Return Tuesday, November 4th PM at the earliest/or November 5th in the AM.

You might be thinking, "Omaha? OMAHA?". Well, YES, Omaha. Nebraska is one of only 2 states that does not have a "winner take all" system for electoral votes. The electoral votes are won district-by-district. This year, Omaha is playing a very important part in the national election process. It is a reality that the 2nd Congressional District (Omaha) will go for Obama giving him 1 extra electoral vote. In addition, there is a hard fought Senate election to replace retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel. This month, Democratic challenger Scott Kleeb has taken the lead among unaffiliated voters in Nebraska, 43% to 35%. That's a big shift from July, when Republican Mike Johanns led this group of voters by a 47% to 30% margin. With a solid showing from Omaha we can add another Senate seat to the Democratic column. And finally, in the 2nd Congressional District race, Democratic challenger Jim Esch is neck and neck with 5-term Republican incumbent Lee Terry. This is listed as the closest race in Nebraska history. Time commitment: Leave Saturday November 1st AM at the latest. Return the Tuesday November 4th PM at the earliest/or November 5th in the AM

Given the changing political atmosphere, all states and assignments may be subject to change. We are already considering shifting registered supporters to Virginia, Mississippi, Ohio and/or Missouri.


We invite and welcome you to share this opportunity with all friends and family.

Deadline to sign up: Wednesday, October 15.

If you are 200% committed to this, please click on this link to register.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=p4JveDAOb03Os3raKbMtwFQ&hl=en

You will receive a follow up phone call from a member of our team confirming your commitment and travel schedule.


As you can see, sensible and progressive Democrats around the country need your help. And Americans in Italy For Obama, together with TravelForChange.Org, are willing to give you the opportunity to make a real difference. Your efforts will not go unnoticed. Let your voices be heard. Show us your passion. Share your enthusiasm. Join us in these battleground locations to bring victory to the US House, the Senate and the White House.
If you have contact information for Obama Delegates in your district, please pass this along to them.

In hope,

Dan Schneider
Democratic Delegate
California Congressional District 11