A historic moment

pacquiao -- Although it's Christmas Eve, I wanted to share some exciting news: The Senate just passed a historic health reform bill. In all the back and forth, it's easy to lose sight of what this incredible breakthrough really means. But consider this: This Christmas, there are millions of Americans without health insurance who risk losing everything if they get sick. There are mothers and fathers who wonder how they'll provide for their children because an illness has wiped out their savings. There are small business owners who worry that they'll have to lay off a long-time employee because the cost of insurance is rapidly rising. If we finish the job, all this can change. We will have beaten back the special interests who have for so long perpetuated the status quo. We will have enacted the most important piece of social policy since the Social Security Act in the 1930s, and the most important health reform since Medicare in the 1960s. In Decembers to come, millions more will have access to affordable coverage. Parents will have the security and stability of knowing their insurance can't be revoked at a moment's notice. And the skyrocketing costs plaguing our small businesses will be brought under control. When you make calls, write letters, organize, this is the change you're making -- a better life for your family and for men and women in every state. There is still more to do before I can sign reform into law -- a last round of negotiations and final votes in the Senate and the House -- and I'm counting on your help every step of the way. But for now, I hope that as you celebrate this holiday season, you remember that the work you are doing is making our union more perfect, one step at a time. For that, I am grateful to you. Merry Christmas and happy holidays, President Barack Obama P.S. -- Supporters of reform are signing a note of appreciation to all the senators who have worked so hard to make this possible. I hope you'll join them: http://my.democrats.org/SenateLetter

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.

pacquiao -- send this to all your friends

pacquiao -- Forget to send your holiday cards this year? Don't worry, we've got you covered. You can personalize our customized holiday video message for all of your friends and family. Each video will have their names in it -- and yours. You can even choose a special holiday greeting to include. Just click here to create your own videos to send: http://my.democats.com/HolidayShare I sent a personalized video to my mom in Kansas -- and it made her day. Then she sent customized versions to folks at her church, and they loved it too! Go ahead, spread the cheer. Happy holidays, Natalie Natalie Foster New Media Director P.S. If you haven't seen the version with your name in it yet, click here: http://my.democrats.org/holiday

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.

Where we stand

pacquiao -- Early this morning, the Senate made history and health reform cleared its most important hurdle yet -- garnering the 60 votes needed to move toward a final vote in that chamber later this week. This marks the first time in our nation's history that comprehensive health reform has come to this point. And it appears that the American people will soon realize the genuine reform that offers security to those who have health insurance and affordable options to those who do not. I'm grateful to Senator Harry Reid and every senator who's been working around the clock to make this happen. And I'm grateful to you, and every member of this community, for all the work you have done to make this progress possible. After a nearly century-long struggle, we are now on the cusp of making health insurance reform a reality in the United States of America. As with any legislation, compromise is part of the process. But I'm pleased that recently added provisions have made this landmark bill even stronger. Between the time when the bill passes and the time when the insurance exchanges get up and running, insurance companies that try to jack up their rates do so at their own peril. Those who hike their prices may be barred from selling plans on the exchanges. And while insurance companies will be prevented from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions once the exchanges are open, in the meantime there will be a high-risk pool where people with pre-existing conditions can purchase affordable coverage. A recent amendment has made these protections even stronger. Insurance companies will now be prohibited from denying coverage to children immediately after this bill passes. There's also explicit language in this bill that will protect a patient's choice of doctor. And small businesses will get additional assistance as well. These protections are in addition to the ones we've been talking about for some time. No longer will insurance companies be able to drop your coverage if you become sick and no longer will you have to pay unlimited amounts out of your own pocket for treatments that you need. Under this bill families will save on their premiums; businesses that would see their costs rise if we don't act will save money now and in the future. This bill will strengthen Medicare and extend the life of the program. Because it's paid for and gets rid of waste and inefficiency in our health care system, this will be the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade. Finally, this reform will extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans who don't have it. These are not small changes. These are big changes. They're fundamental reforms. They will save money. They will save lives. And your passion, your work, your organizing helped make all of this possible. Now it's time to finish the job. Thank you, President Barack Obama

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.

A holiday video for pacquiao

pacquiao -- 2009 has been a year of many important accomplishments for Democrats, and I'm grateful for all your help in making these successes possible. So with the help of our friends at Organizing for America, the grassroots project of the Democratic National Committee, we put together a special holiday message, personalized for you, pacquiao hatton. Click here to view it: http://my.democrats.org/holiday Thanks again for everything you do -- and happy holidays! Governor Tim Kaine

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.

Fwd: One million calls

pacquiao -- We've been fighting for health reform for decades. Now it's within reach. Democratic senators across the country are currently fighting hard alongside the President to pass reform. They deserve our appreciation. Others are still trying to score partisan points rather than stand up for American families -- and they need to understand that their constituents demand better. Please read the email below and help us hit one million calls to Congress since August in support of reform today. Thanks, Jen --------------Original Message-------------- From: Mitch Stewart, BarackObama.com Subject: One million calls Friend -- If we don't pass health reform, millions of Americans will be trapped in a broken status quo, unable to pay their bills or see a doctor when they need one. More and more employers will drop coverage for employees. And Medicare and Medicaid will blow a hole through our budget. There's too much at stake not to get this done. That's why OFA supporters have made 849,856 calls to Congress in support of health reform since August. And that's why today, with the Senate locked in last-minute negotiations, our goal is to hit one million calls. Can you help? Click here to call your senators now and help us "ring in reform." This holiday season, millions of Americans will go without desperately-needed care simply because they can't afford insurance. But insurance lobbyists are desperate to pull apart the bill and derail reform, so your voice is needed now. Many senators are already working hard for reform, and they deserve our thanks. The rest urgently need to hear that their constituents are counting on them to stand up for change. Just dial the numbers above, then tell the staffers who answer where you live -- so that they know you are a constituent -- and that you support reform. Then click here to make sure you call is counted in the race to a million: http://my.barackobama.com/RingInReform Thanks for standing up, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.

Medicare and Mr. McCain

	pacquiao -- Last week, Senator John McCain took to the floor of the Senate to falsely claim that Medicare savings in health reform would cause seniors to lose their access to health care. Sadly for Mr. McCain, AARP -- the country's largest seniors advocacy organization -- says no reform proposal on the table would cut guaranteed benefits for seniors. We bet McCain's constituents will want to know that he's twisting the truth to block health reform -- reform that would help Arizona businesses and families. Call 'em Out: John McCain. Donate now to help us run online ads in Arizona calling Senator McCain out. McCain isn't just making incorrect claims about reform. He offered an amendment to Senate legislation that independent Medicare consumer groups said would keep the Medicare trust fund on its current path to bankruptcy. Reform would strengthen Medicare, cut waste, and put it on firm financial footing for the future. But McCain's amendment would have eliminated reforms, weakened Medicare, and delayed the overall bill. We need your help to make sure Arizonans know what McCain is willing to do and say to block desperately-needed reform. Our ads will put the truth in front of tens of thousands of his constituents -- but we need your help to get them up and running: http://my.democrats.org/CallOutMcCain Thanks, Jen Jen O'Malley Dillon Executive Director Democratic National Committee
	Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.

We will not back down

pacquiao -- As we head into the final stretch on health reform, big insurance company lobbyists and their partisan allies hope that their relentless attacks and millions of dollars can intimidate us into accepting the status quo. So I have a message for them, from all of us: Not this time. We have come too far. We will not turn back. We will not back down. But do not doubt -- the opponents of reform will not rest. So I need you to fight alongside me. We must continue to build out our campaign -- to spread the facts on the air and on the ground, and to bring in more volunteers and train them to join the fight. I urgently need your help to keep this 50-state movement for reform going strong. Please donate $5 or whatever you can afford today: http://my.democrats.org/FinalStretch Let's win this together, President Barack Obama

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.

Afghanistan

pacquiao -- Last night, President Obama laid out his plan to defend our national interest by refocusing our efforts on three clear goals: defeating al Qaeda, stabilizing Pakistan, and breaking the Taliban's momentum in Afghanistan. To achieve these goals, the President has authorized the rapid deployment of 30,000 more troops in Afghanistan, with a firm commitment to begin bringing our troops home in 2011. It's a clean break from the failed Afghanistan policy of the Bush administration, and a new, focused strategy that can succeed. Please take a moment to watch the President's address to the nation and read more about his plan. Our new strategy ends the era of blank checks for Afghanistan's leaders, facilitates a responsible transition to Afghan security forces, and begins bringing our troops home in 2011. Please take a moment to listen to President Obama outline his plan -- and pass this along to anyone you know who wants to learn more: http://my.democrats.org/AfghanistanAddress Thank you, Vice President Joe Biden

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Democratic National Committee, 430 S. Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Click here to unsubscribe from this mailing list.