Saturday was a fantastic day in New Hampshire to Unite for Change. All across the Granite State, friends, family, and neighbors gathered together to learn how to get involved in Barack’s campaign. Portsmouth’s Unite For Change meeting, held at the Portsmouth Democratic Party headquarters, was one of the state’s largest. Over 90 people showed up.
Standing room only in Portsmouth
Recognizing that their candidates had far more in common with Barack Obama than with John McCain, people across the state who had supported opposing Presidential candidates during the Primary committed to working together to take back the White House this fall.
Volunteers gather in Stratham
At these events, attendees signed up to get involved in the campaign in the months to come by knocking on doors, making phone calls, and by talking to friends and neighbors to encourage them to support Barack. Throughout the state, there was a high level of excitement about getting involved.
Attendees at a Springfield Unite for Change House Meeting pose for a photo
Thanks to everyone who helped make these events possible. If you did not have a chance to attend a house meeting but would like to get involved in the campaign, make sure to sign-up today!
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After concluding his speech this morning, Barack took a short walk through Independence, Missouri to visit the Truman House. Walking down Truman Road, he shook hands with supporters and well-wishers, before touring President Harry Truman’s turn-of-the-century white Victorian home, once known as the "Summer White House."
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Throughout the day, supporters have been sharing their stories on why they support Barack and why they are declaring their independence from a broken system. Almost 142,000 have pledged their support, helping the campaign to reach the goal of 150,000 supporters by July 4th.
Here are a few of the supporters who are declaring independence…
Lindsey in Illinois:
My husband and I are 26, and for the first time, we have voted, donated money, and used (and are using) our voices to support a presidential nominee. This particular donation was the most difficult financially, with our looming student loan debt, and living on one salary for 2 of us, and the rising gas and grocery prices, but we wanted to give what we could…
As we celebrate the nation’s Independence Day we wanted to make sure the campaign had a little extra money, even if it is really little. 
This is the first time we have felt this electrified about politics, and we thank you Barack Obama. For the first time, we feel by donating and supporting, we are making a difference and making changes to our country.
Russ in Texas:
We need someone who inspires - who compels greater numbers of people to be more than who they are. Barack largely had me hooked early on with his simple phrase, "It’s time to turn the page." Seriously, it is and has been.
We need more people to feel - and generate - the energy that a functional democracy requires. A too-passive electorate deserves the government it gets. And while, as Obama says, change comes from the bottom up, there needs to be a compelling force near the top to motivate people to engage differently. Obama provides that more than any candidate I’ve seen before in my lifetime.
Jed in Connecticut:
Obama simply strikes me as genuine, authentic, and real. He’s not “pretending” as so many politicians do.
So many hopes are on Obama to take on our entrenched system and fix it. Much of one’s success is being open to dissenting opinions, and surrounding oneself with capable advisors. With Obama’s background in law, community organizing, and education, this approach comes naturally to him – so I think many new and positive changes will be possible under his leadership and administration.
Obama’s mechanism of fundraising fits with my hectic life – it’s web-based with feedback and connection through email, the web, and texting. Being a part of a movement with hundreds of thousands of people giving in relatively small amounts (~$50) seemed the essence of a more democratic fundraising system.
After joining these thousands of supporters, tell us why you’re declaring your independence in the comment section below.
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