Citizens Joining Obama on Whistle Stop Tour

Today, Obama meets with past presidents and tomorrow, he'll give an economic speech. In a few minutes, he's holding a press conference.
Then there's this:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee announced that a group of everyday Americans has been invited by President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden to join them on the Whistle Stop Tour to Washington, D.C. the Saturday before the Inauguration.

These everyday Americans from all walks of life have made extraordinary contributions to the life of this country - the worker who became a champion for workers’ rights, the soldier who became an advocate for servicemen and women suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; those who have lost their jobs and struggle bravely to cope in economic turmoil, and those who work tirelessly to make real the dream of a better future for their children.

“Each one of these families has their own remarkable story to add to our American story, and we’re thrilled they’ve agreed to join us as we travel to Washington,“ said Josh Earnest, PIC Communications Director.

The invited guests include the following: Mark Dowell, Crestwood, KY; Matt Kuntz, Helena, MT; Jim and Alicia Girardeau, Kansas City, MO; Juliana Sanchez, Albuquerque, NM; Rosa Mendoza, Las Vegas, NV; Lisa Hazirjian, Cleveland, OH; Kirsten Meehan, Dover, NH; Roy Gross, Taylor, MI; Shandra Jackson, Arlington, TX; Quincy Lucas, Dover, DE; Patricia Stiles, Parker, CO; Gregg Weaver, Fairless Hills, PA; Tony Fischer, Cinncinati, OH; Lilly Ledbetter, Jacksonville, AL; Mike and Cheryl Fisher, Beech Grove, IN; and Randy Wehrman, LeClair, IA.

The PIC previously announced details of the Whistle Stop Tour. In the tradition of past Presidents-elect, there will be a series of events open to the public as the First and Second families make their way to the nation’s capital. The group of Americans traveling with the Obamas and Bidens will also appear on stage with them at the public events.

In keeping with the theme of the 2009 Inauguration, “Renewing America’s Promise,“ the President-elect and Vice President-elect will hold events in some of the cities instrumental to that promise: Philadelphia, where that promise was realized; Baltimore, where that promise was defended, then immortalized in our national anthem; and Washington, where Americans of all backgrounds will gather over four days, united in common purpose and resolved to renew that promise once more.

Saturday morning, January 17th, President-elect Obama and his family will hold an event in Philadelphia before boarding a train for Wilmington, Delaware, where they will be joined by Vice President-elect Biden and his family. Together, the families will travel to Baltimore and hold another event, before finally arriving in Washington, D.C.

For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit www.pic2009.org.

Obama Counting on Intellect of Americans

That could sink democrats, according to Florida's Miami Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson. She said Obama has to stop appealing to the smart voter.

Instead, he's got to aim at the Rush Limbaugh voter or the so-called Bubba vote. I'd say she has a point, given the number of people who have flocked to Palin because she's a hockey mom. How do folks simply ignore her puffed up resume and all the lies that she's told in a matter of a few short weeks? Do they really see her handling Russia? Iran? 

But would those voters, the ones who have flocked to Palin, have voted for Obama in the first place? I'm thinking Palin rallied the base and that's all. 

Bill Clinton also gave Obama similar advice: it's better to be short and wrong than long and right. In other words, some folks just want the short and snappy answer, as opposed to the correct and more nuanced answer. Saddleback was a good example of Obama's answers being too thoughtful.

Miami:
"The enthusiasm gap is going to be not such a gap," Sorensen said, who predicted that McCain and Palin will now be like "Siamese twins."

"I don't think most people are paying attention to issues - that's for the highly educated," Sorenson said. "It's going to be a ground fight. And we're just going to have to do the organizing and get out the vote. That's my sense from my knowledge of this county."

Obama spokes Josh Earnest said that, no, the gap still exists and that the Palin Effect will start to subside in the polls as people focus on jobs, the economy, health care, etc. Plus, he noted, McCain just can't bring the crowds, as evidenced by the crickets in the hall where McCain gave his Jacksonville speech this morning.

"When he walked up on stage, he was staring at a sea of empty seats," Earnest said.

Sorenson wasn't so sure.

"You're talking about smart people. We're talking about Rush Limbaugh voters here," she said, urging the campaign to focus on "MOM:" Money, Organization and Message.