2012

pacquiao -- Today, we are filing papers to launch our 2012 campaign. We're doing this now because the politics we believe in does not start with expensive TV ads or extravaganzas, but with you -- with people organizing block-by-block, talking to neighbors, co-workers, and friends. And that kind of campaign takes time to build. So even though I'm focused on the job you elected me to do, and the race may not reach full speed for a year or more, the work of laying the foundation for our campaign must start today. We've always known that lasting change wouldn't come quickly or easily. It never does. But as my administration and folks across the country fight to protect the progress we've made -- and make more -- we also need to begin mobilizing for 2012, long before the time comes for me to begin campaigning in earnest. As we take this step, I'd like to share a video that features some folks like you who are helping to lead the way on this journey. Please take a moment to watch: In the coming days, supporters like you will begin forging a new organization that we'll build together in cities and towns across the country. And I'll need you to help shape our plan as we create a campaign that's farther reaching, more focused, and more innovative than anything we've built before. We'll start by doing something unprecedented: coordinating millions of one-on-one conversations between supporters across every single state, reconnecting old friends, inspiring new ones to join the cause, and readying ourselves for next year's fight. This will be my final campaign, at least as a candidate. But the cause of making a lasting difference for our families, our communities, and our country has never been about one person. And it will succeed only if we work together. There will be much more to come as the race unfolds. Today, simply let us know you're in to help us begin, and then spread the word: http://my.barackobama.com/2012 Thank you, Barack

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William's future

pacquiao -- I want to tell you about a family in Minnesota. Justin and Kari live in Brooklyn Park, right outside of Minneapolis. They're parents to three children. Their three-year-old, William, was born with a genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis complex. For the rest of his life, William will wrestle with tumors in his brain, his heart, his kidneys, his skin, and possibly other major organs. He must take medication to control seizures and faces the threat of kidney disease. What Justin and Kari want for William is a future. And because of health reform, that's what he'll have. Today, insurance companies are no longer able to discriminate against William because of the condition he's dealt with since birth. Now, Justin and Kari know they'll be able to get the kind of care that William needs -- today and into the future. Their story isn't unique, but it's one of many that need to be told. We all know people whose lives have been changed because of the Affordable Care Act, even if we don't realize it. So we've found a way to show exactly how reform is working for all of us -- for our parents, our siblings, our kids, ourselves. Will you take a minute to take our Health Reform Checkup and let the people you love know how reform is working for them? Before the Affordable Care Act, Justin and Kari weren't sure about the future. They worried that they'd never be able to find coverage for William again if Justin lost his job. They worried about the life that William would lead -- whether he'd ever be able to work or support a family. Not anymore. William's condition isn't going away, but he'll always be able to get care. The Affordable Care Act is one year old today, and it has already changed William's life -- and this country -- for good. Today, there are families who feel better about the future than they did a year ago. They've found some security, some relief. And these are people we know. They're our neighbors, our colleagues, our friends, our families -- the people next to us every day. On the one-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, I think we have a duty to discuss how reform is already working. Watch Justin and Kari tell their story, and take a moment to learn how health reform is changing the lives of those you know: http://my.democrats.org/CheckUp A year ago, I stood next to the President as he signed health reform into law -- and we have you to thank for making that possible. Yours, Joe

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Unacceptable

pacquiao -- Democrats and Republicans have to reach an agreement to keep the government operating. Right now, President Obama is calling on both sides to come to the table and reach a reasonable solution -- a plan that builds for the future while eliminating wasteful spending in the present. A plan where cutting spending is done judiciously -- not recklessly. A plan with investments that create jobs -- not cuts that eliminate them. But the current Republican proposal is packed with extreme cuts that are clearly serving a political agenda -- cutting billions from Head Start, slashing Pell Grants and other programs that help students pay for college, and completely eliminating funding for Title X family-planning services. It's not a responsible plan to cut spending -- but a set of policy prescriptions intended to appease the most extreme wing of their party. And while cuts like these make the Republican plan objectionable -- it's the fact that it puts nearly 1 million jobs at risk that makes it absolutely unacceptable. So we're standing with President Obama in a very public way -- with an open letter calling on Republicans to work with him and Democrats in Congress to pass a commonsense budget that works for the American people. Supporters will hand-deliver the petition, with your signature, to House Republicans -- making sure our combined voices ring loud and clear. Add your name to speak out against the Republicans' proposed spending plan -- and call on them to come to the table ready to negotiate. Right now, the debate surrounding our budget should be about one thing -- people. An out-of-work father of three isn't concerned with advancing the Republicans' social agenda. All he's thinking about right now is getting back to work so he can pay his mortgage and his gas bill. A single mother who relies on Head Start for her four-year-old isn't thinking about the political sound bite of the moment -- she is concerned with making sure her daughter can keep up when she enters kindergarten next year. The American people don't care about political back-and-forth or partisan ideology. They want their government to do right by its citizens. And that's where the Republican plan falls short. They would close more than 16,000 classrooms, lay off 55,000 teachers, and cause 218,000 children to be kicked out of early-childhood education programs. They would slash homeland security investments and lay off thousands of police officers and firefighters, leaving our communities less safe. They would defund health insurance reform, doing away with the cost savings and vital patient protections relied upon by millions of Americans around the country. They would eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood, ending thousands of health center jobs across the country and leaving millions of women without access to preventive care. Now, President Obama knows that this must be a shared sacrifice, and that some cuts must be made -- and he stands ready to work together to find a commonsense solution. But the current Republican plan would knock this country down just as we've begun to stand back up. The American people deserve better -- and it's up to us to demand it. Add your name to call on congressional Republicans to stand down from their irresponsible proposal and work with the President on a reasonable plan that we can all support: http://my.democrats.org/StandForJobs Thank you, Patrick Patrick Gaspard Executive Director Democratic National Committee

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Thrilled

pacquiao -- I am thrilled to make sure you are the first to hear some very exciting news. Charlotte, North Carolina, will host the 46th Democratic National Convention in 2012. Charlotte is a city marked by its southern charm, warm hospitality, and an "up by the bootstraps" mentality that has propelled the city forward as one of the fastest-growing in the South. Vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunity, the Queen City is home to innovative, hardworking folks with big hearts and open minds. And of course, great barbecue. Barack and I spent a lot of time in North Carolina during the campaign -- from the Atlantic Coast to the Research Triangle to the Smoky Mountains and everywhere in between. Barack enjoyed Asheville so much when he spent several days preparing for the second presidential debate that our family vacationed there in 2009. And my very first trip outside of Washington as First Lady was to Fort Bragg, where I started my effort to do all we can to help our heroic military families. All the contending cities were places that Barack and I have grown to know and love, so it was a hard choice. But we are thrilled to be bringing the convention to Charlotte. We hope many of you can join us in Charlotte the week of September 3rd, 2012. But if you can't, we intend to bring the spirit of the convention -- as well as actual, related events to your community and even your own backyard. More than anything else, we want this to be a grassroots convention for the people. We will finance this convention differently than it's been done in the past, and we will make sure everyone feels closely tied in to what is happening in Charlotte. This will be a different convention, for a different time. To help us make sure this is a grassroots convention -- The People's Convention -- we need to hear from you. We want to know what you'd like to see at next year's convention, how and where you plan on watching it -- and the very best way we can engage your friends and neighbors. pacquiao, please share your input with us right now -- how can we make The People's Convention belong to you and your community? I can't believe it has been more than two years since my brother Craig introduced me at the 2008 Convention in Denver. It truly feels like it was yesterday. As I looked out at a sea of thousands of supporters that night, I spoke about my husband -- the man whom this country would go on to elect as the 44th president of the United States. I spoke about his fundamental belief -- a conviction at the very core of his life's work -- that each of us has something to contribute to the spirit of our nation. That's also the belief at the core of The People's Convention. That the table we sit at together ought to be big enough for everyone. That the thread that binds us -- a belief in the promise of this country -- is strong enough to sustain us through good times and bad. Barack talked at the State of the Union of his vision for how America can win the future. That must be the focus now, and I know so many of you will help talk about our plans with your neighbors -- that through innovation, education, reform, and responsibility we can make sure America realizes this vision. But, conventions take time to plan, so please help us make sure that your thoughts and your ideas will ring all the way to Charlotte. Get started now: http://my.democrats.org/PeoplesConvention Looking forward to sharing this together, Michelle

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What I just told the nation

pacquiao -- Tonight I addressed the American people on the future we face together. Though at times it may seem uncertain, it is a future that is ours to decide, ours to define, and ours to win. I know we will. Because, after the worst recession in decades, we see an economy growing again. Because, after two years of job losses, we've added private-sector jobs for 12 straight months -- more than 1 million in all. Because, time after time, when our resolve has been tested, we, as a nation, have always prevailed. Overcoming the challenges we face today requires a new vision for tomorrow. We will move forward together, or not at all -- for the challenges we face are bigger than party, and bigger than politics. Yet the story of America is this: We do big things. Just as the progress of the past two years would not have been possible without your hard work, we will not realize the agenda I described tonight without you. So as we continue this great mission together, and we set out the plans for how far we can go, I need to know that you are ready to work side by side with me once more. Will you stand with me as we strive to win the future? The last two years have been marked by unprecedented reforms and historic progress. But there is much more work to do. Moving forward, America's economic growth at home is inextricably connected to our competitiveness in the global community. The more products American companies can export, the more jobs we can create at home. This vision for the future starts with innovation, tapping into the creativity and imagination of our people to create the jobs and industries of the future. Instead of subsidizing yesterday's energy, let's invest in tomorrow's. It's why I challenged Congress to join me in setting a new goal: By 2035, 80 percent of America's electricity will come from clean energy sources. It means leading the world in educating our kids, giving each of our children the best opportunity to succeed and preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow. We must build a 21st century infrastructure for our country, putting millions of Americans to work rebuilding roads and bridges and expanding high-speed Internet and high-speed rail. We must reform government, making it leaner, smarter, and more transparent. And we must take responsibility for our shared debt, reining in our long-term deficit so we can afford the investments we need to move our country forward. That is the vision I laid out tonight. That is how we win the future. It is going to take a lot of work -- but I have no doubt we are up to the task. Half a century ago, when the Soviets beat us into space with the launch of a satellite called Sputnik, we had no idea how we'd beat them to the moon. The science wasn't there yet. NASA didn't even exist. But after investing in better research and education, we didn't just surpass the Soviets. We unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and millions of new jobs. This is our generation's Sputnik moment. Please stand together with me: http://my.democrats.org/WinTheFuture It is because of each of you, who define the will of a people, that the state of our union is strong in the face of tough challenges. You are the reason our future is still bright in the face of deep uncertainty. And you are the reason I believe that future is ours to win. Thank you, Barack

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Promises Kept

pacquiao -- It was two years ago today that Barack and I were sworn in, and I remember what he said like it was this morning: "The challenges we face are real, they are serious, and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met." Even then, we knew it would take time. We knew it would be hard. And we knew we would sometimes make mistakes. But we did not lose sight of what we came to do. Together, we took on difficult issues that had been put off for decades. And some say we have accomplished more in two years than any administration since Roosevelt's. Take it from me, that's something you should take to heart -- because none of it would have been possible without your hard work. But the job's not done. I am reminded of that every time I travel to the small towns in Pennsylvania, Iowa, New Mexico -- all over -- and on the weekends I get home to Delaware. I meet folks who are still struggling, who want to know when the recovery will start to turn things around for their family. These people are why we can't quit. And moving forward with this new Congress, we will need to defend what we've achieved together as aggressively as we pursue the goals that remain. I believe in the power of public service because I've seen what it has done throughout our country's history to combat social and economic injustice. And I am proud to say it's a story that continues in the remarkable progress we've made in the past two years. To tell it, there's a new report: Promises Kept. Take a look at the Promises Kept report of all the work we've done in two years -- you can download a copy or have a few sent to you to share with friends. There's a whole lot to be proud of. Of course, the big ones come to mind first: historic health insurance reform, which is reining in the insurance companies and helping control the cost of care for millions of Americans; Wall Street reform, which put in place the toughest consumer protections ever; and the end of combat operations in Iraq, which brought more than 100,000 troops home. And there is so much more you've helped achieve that is right now improving lives across the country:     -- We passed the Recovery Act, which saved and created more than 3 million jobs, provided the largest middle-class tax cut in a generation, and made landmark investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and education.     -- We made critical investments in General Motors and Chrysler, saving tens of thousands of jobs -- and perhaps the companies -- and spurring a rebirth of the American car industry.     -- We wrote into law student loan reform and credit card reform, which ended the worst abuses of the banking industries and are making lending fair for American families.     -- We put two new Supreme Court justices on the bench -- Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, who bring rich and diverse experience to the Court.     -- We have begun to reset America's relationship with the international community, from the ratification of a new START nuclear arms treaty with Russia to tough new sanctions on Iran to strengthening our long-term partnership with a unified Iraq.     -- And we finally repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which was the right thing to do -- not only because it makes our military stronger at a time when it needs to be the strongest, but because we are seeking that military might with an abiding sense of justice. Telling the story of the past two years will be critical to the fights ahead. And it's not just the story of this president or this White House -- it's your story. And it is literally proof that the organizing you do on the ground -- the conversations you have with your friends and neighbors -- is working. Now, I'm not going to say the last two years were easy -- and I won't tell you the fights ahead are going to get any easier. But I didn't sign up for a cake walk. And I'm pretty sure you didn't either. We're here to move our country forward. We're here to lay a new foundation for this country -- for our economy, for our politics, and for our children's and grandchildren's futures. And, as Barack says, what we will be able to accomplish together is in your hands. It's how hard we all work, and how well we all tell this story. Take a few minutes to read Promises Kept -- and let's keep moving: http://my.democrats.org/PromisesKept Thanks for everything, Joe

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Standing together in service

pacquiao -- The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., is usually remembered for his heroic leadership of the civil rights movement -- he led the successful Montgomery bus boycott, delivered the "I Have A Dream" speech at a time when such words were still controversial, and ultimately gave his own life to the cause of equality. But Dr. King was much more than a civil rights champion -- he was a man who lived his entire life in service to others, speaking out against poverty, economic injustice, and violence. Wherever he saw suffering, he did what he could to help, no matter who it was that needed him or why they were in pain. Through his leadership, he showed us what we can accomplish when we stand together. Each January, we remember Dr. King on his own holiday -- and one of the best ways to preserve his legacy is to engage in service ourselves. As Dr. King told us, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'" That's why this Monday, January 17th, supporters will be participating in service projects all across the country in Dr. King's honor. There will be food drives, neighborhood clean-ups, education projects, blood drives, and more. Will you find and sign up for an event in your area, and help make this country an even better place? Our work is about so much more than politics -- it is about coming together through progress, change, and community. Lifting each other up in dedication and service is one of the best ways not only to honor Dr. King, but to honor each other. By giving service a new role in this country, we can establish a new foundation for our economy and a brighter future for our children. That is why service is key to achieving our national priorities, and why Barack recently helped out at a Boys and Girls Club service event. Since moving to Washington, D.C. two years ago, he and I have gotten to know the community through similar service projects, including past Martin Luther King Day events. I treasure those opportunities, and I look forward to another one next week. Every time we pitch in, we get so much back, and always learn amazing things from our neighbors. All of us have something to contribute, and all of us can make a meaningful difference in someone's life. It's a great way to remind others that they are not forgotten, and to remind ourselves that there are always things we can do. Please help Barack and me honor the legacy of Dr. King, and join us in service to our country once again this year: http://my.democrats.org/MLKday Thanks, Michelle

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