Obama: Black Voters Must Rally For Election

[Ryan Ruck]

Obama hard at work continuing to divide the nation...

Obama: Black Voters Must Rally For Election

September 19, 2010

President Barack Obama implored Black voters on Saturday to restoke the passion they felt for his groundbreaking campaign two years ago and turn out in force this fall to repel Republicans who are ready to "turn back the clock."

In a fiery speech to the Congressional Black Caucus, Obama warned that Republicans hoping to seize control of Congress want "to do what's right politically, instead of what's right - period."

"I need everybody here to go back to your neighborhoods, to go back to your workplaces, to go to the churches, and go to the barbershops and go to the beauty shops. And tell them we've got more work to do," Obama said to cheers from a black-tie audience at the Washington Convention Center. "Tell them we can't wait to organize. Tell them that the time for action is now."

His speech acknowledged what pollsters have been warning Democrats for months - that Blacks are among the key Democratic groups who right now seem unlikely to turn out in large numbers in November.

"It's not surprising given the hardships that we're seeing across the land that a lot of people may not be feeling very energized, very engaged right now," he said. "A lot of folks may be feeling like politics is something that they get involved with every four years when there's a presidential election, but they don't see why they should bother the rest of the time."

But he said he's just begun rolling back a devastating recession that's come down "with a vengeance" on African-American neighborhoods that were already suffering.

"We have to finish the plan you elected me to put in place," Obama said.

Summoning the joy many Blacks felt at the election of the first African-American president, and recalling the words of actor and activist Ossie Davis, he declared, "It's not the man, it's the plan."

Obama was treated to several standing ovations in the darkened cavernous Convention Center. Joining the applause: first lady Michelle Obama, dressed in a floor-length burgundy cocktail dress.

But the hall grew quiet as Obama warned, "Remember, the other side has a plan, too. It's a plan to turn back the clock on every bit of progress we've made."

Obama never spoke the name of the Republican Party, but repeatedly invoked its policies - and did name its House leader, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, a favorite Obama target in recent days.

Members of "the other side," Obama said, "want to take us backward. We want to move America forward."

With polls showing his party facing a wide "enthusiasm gap" with the GOP, Obama sought to rally an important constituency in his speech.

"What made the civil-rights movement possible were foot soldiers like so many of you, sitting down at lunch counters and standing up for freedom. What made it possible for me to be here today are Americans throughout our history making our union more equal, making our union more just, making our union more perfect," Obama said. "That's what we need again."

The caucus is a group reeling from ethics charges against two leading members, Democratic Reps. Charles Rangel of New York and Maxine Waters of California. Republicans are preparing TV ads spotlighting the cases, even though House trials are now not expected until after the November election.

Obama mentioned neither case in his 27-minute speech.

For Obama, the caucus dinner capped a week of concerted outreach to minority supporters, a traditional wellspring of Democratic strength.

[American Patriot]

I need everybody here to go back to your neighborhoods, to go back to your workplaces, to go to the churches, and go to the barbershops and go to the beauty shops, and tell them we've got more work to do.

Tell them we can't wait to organize. Tell them that the time for action is now.

Fire Congress, Fire the President of the United States. Replace them all.

Go back to your grassroots, understand what YOU want - not what some POLITICIAN is telling you YOU NEED.

You need less intrusive government.

You need Congress to the do the work of the PEOPLE and not the work of Elites.

You need smaller government.

You need LESS taxes.

You need better defense of this nation.

You need the borders CLOSED, NOW... and regulated on who gets into this country.

You don't need a politician telling you "you need this or that".

I am not a politician.

I AM THE PEOPLE.


Above is your CONGRESS!

[vector7]

Obama urges blacks to vote and "Guard The Change"

By Alister Bull Alister Bull – Sun Sep 19, 7:15 am ET



WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama, seeking to fire up an important part of his support base ahead of November's elections, told black leaders on Saturday he wanted their support to "guard the change" he was delivering.

"I need everybody here to go back to your neighborhoods, and your workplaces, to your churches, and barbershops, and beauty shops. Tell them we have more work to do. Tell them we can't wait to organize. Tell them that the time for action is now," he told the Congressional Black Caucus.

The words of America's first black president showed a deliberate effort to recapture the enthusiasm that had helped him win the White House in 2008, after polls showed African- Americans much less likely to vote than whites this year.

"It's not surprising that a lot of people may not be feeling that energized or that engaged right now," he told an annual awards ceremony hosted by the organization representing black members of the U.S. Congress.

"A lot of folks may be feeling like politics is something they get involved in every four years when there's a presidential election, but they don't see why they should bother the rest of the time," he said.

Republicans could make big gains in November as high unemployment and slowing growth turns voters away from Obama's Democrats, potentially costing them control of Congress.

A Gallup survey in early September found only 25 percent of blacks had given 'quite a lot' or 'some' thought to the November 2 congressional ballot, compared to 42 percent of whites.

This represents a much larger gap than during the presidential election in 2008, when the two groups were about equal in their intention to cast a ballot.

High turnout in the African-American community, together with the enthusiastic support of young voters, was a striking feature of the 2008 election and an important part of Obama's strategy in securing the White House.

Success in repeating at least part of that performance in the upcoming midterm poll, when voter turnout is traditionally low, could make a big difference to congressional Democrats running in close races. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 37 of 100 Senate seats are up for grabs.

"The last election was a changing of the guard -- now we need to guard the change," Obama said.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama, seeking to fire up an important part of his support base ahead of November's elections, told black leaders on Saturday he wanted their support to "guard the change" he was delivering.

"I need everybody here to go back to your neighborhoods, and your workplaces, to your churches, and barbershops, and beauty shops. Tell them we have more work to do. Tell them we can't wait to organize. Tell them that the time for action is now," he told the Congressional Black Caucus.

The words of America's first black president showed a deliberate effort to recapture the enthusiasm that had helped him win the White House in 2008, after polls showed African- Americans much less likely to vote than whites this year.

"It's not surprising that a lot of people may not be feeling that energized or that engaged right now," he told an annual awards ceremony hosted by the organization representing black members of the U.S. Congress.

"A lot of folks may be feeling like politics is something they get involved in every four years when there's a presidential election, but they don't see why they should bother the rest of the time," he said.

Republicans could make big gains in November as high unemployment and slowing growth turns voters away from Obama's Democrats, potentially costing them control of Congress.