... and need some time to settle back in after the road trip from JMU back to NOVA, go through my notes from interviews, and figure out which of the photos i took that are worth sharing. I'll have my first write up either late tonight or early tomorrow morning, but here are just a few notes.

It was a great event and while I was down there I conducted a bunch of interviews so that my write up can portray what the audience got out of the event.

There's the same type of energy for Obama in Harrisonburg as there was at rallies in NOVA, which contradicts what the McCain campaign wants us to believe.

Gov. Kaine and Mark Warner really got the crowd pumped up even more and reminded everyone that we cannot simply assume that we have the race wrapped up. Now more than ever we need to get out and knock on doors, make phone calls, and make sure our neighbors get to the polls.

More to come later.

I definitely am looking forward to your report(s)!

Thanks, Lowell; this report is much appreciated since thousands of us were turned away from the JMU Convocation Center as early as 4:30 P.M., even though some people arrived there well before 12:00 noon, the doors weren't opened until about 3:30, and Obama wasn't scheduled to speak until about 5:15.

I saw or heard no anger - only some disappointment - on the faces and in the voices of those who had driven lengthy distances, walked far and waited in line for long hours to see and hear our next President, Barack Obama.

It appeared that the JMU campus was overwhelmed by this huge response and that there wasn't adequate planning to handle the throngs that converged on its beautifully designed buildings and manicured grounds.

Over the past several months, I've seen Barack Obama at numerous Virginia locations as well as in Denver, so missing him this time was not such a big problem for me.

What made our four-hour roundtrip from Roanoke to Harrisonburg worth the drive was the chance to witness such an amazing response to his presidential candidacy.

Based upon that strong showing of support for Obama in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, I'm hoping for an equally strong vote for him here next week.

Perhaps the venue for this event could have been larger and able to handle considerably more people, but I don't think Obama lost any votes here today.

Barack Obama's going to carry Virginia on Election Day - Tuesday, November 4, and we're going to help him.

Thanks again!

Steve  

 

The Norfolk rally just ended.  I did not attend, but local TV reports that "about 22,000" attended.

One word:  Amazing.  

Nye and Scott were absolutely great.  Tim Kaine came out to fire up the crowd and did a great job like always.  Obama hit on all the now new familar points.  Unity, responsiblity, hope and aspirations for a new day through change in leadership and direction.  

Brought my parents and friends who haven't attended a rally before or haven't even voted before.  It was truly wonderful to see their reactions during Obama's speech.

I cannot wait for election day.    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Your thoughts and feelings can be part of history forever!

Below is a press release for a new book, "Letters to President Obama." If you want to write a letter to the future president of the United States, please go to the website: www.letterstopresidentobama. com and send the editors your letter.

The success of this project depends on "getting the word out." The editors will choose 300-500 great letters to include in this book. The goal is to get tens of thousands of submissions and the most moving, interesting, and though-provoking ones will make the cut for this book!!

So, please. . . .

1) Go to http://www.letterstopresidento... com and submit your letter for possible inclusion in the book (only if you are interested).

2) Forward this email on to everyone and anyone you know and suggest that they submit a letter.

Whether you are voting for Senator Obama for President next week or not, this is a chance to be included in a historic moment for our country. I greatly appreciate your help!! If you would like to interview anyone involved with this project, please let me know.

Thanks,

Jen

Jen Hobbs
Publicist
Skyhorse Publishing

212-643-6816 x224
www.skyhorsepublishing.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jen Hobbs

SKYHORSE ANNOUNCES

LETTERS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

"Letters to President Obama is an exciting and fascinating project offering Americans the chance to share with one another the excitement of a milestone in American and African-American history."
-Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Skyhorse Publishing today announced plans to publish Letters to President Obama: Americans Share Our Hopes and Dreams with the First African-American President. Scheduled for publication in April 2009, it is designed to capture the country's excitement and hope at a time of change and transformation.

No one could have predicted even two years ago that in January 2009, an African American would take the oath of office as President of the United States . This new collection, with contributions is being created to stand as a time capsule of this exciting moment in history. Written by citizens themselves, it will reflect and dramatize the range of emotions and aspirations Americans of all walks of life are willing to share with President Barack Obama as he prepares to take office.

ANYONE CAN SUBMIT A LETTER FOR

CONSIDERATION BY VISITING:

www.letterstopresidentobama.com

Bill Wolfsthal, Associate Publisher at Skyhorse, commented, "I know this book will make a unique statement about who we are as Americans in 2009 and will provide an opportunity for citizens to share their feelings with one another-both by writing letters and reading the finished book.." Central to the book is the African-American experience, but Americans of every race, color, gender, and age will be represented. From children and seniors, from cities and farms, all have something to share with with one another and with President Barack Obama.

Edited by a team comprised of professors from the University of Michigan and Cornell University , Letters to President Obama is being created to stand as a time capsule to memoriale how we, as a nation, feel during this dramatic moment in history.

The Editors of Letters to President Obama

Professor Hanes Walton, Jr. is on the faculty of the Center for Political Studies and the Center for Afroamerican and African Studies at the University of Michigan . He has a PhD in government from Howard University .

A. V. Allen is associate professor of policy analysis and management in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University . She holds PhDs in political science and social welfare administration and policy from the University of Michigan . She lives in Ithaca , New York .

Dr. Sherman Puckett works with the Wayne County Department of Public Services. He holds a PhD in urban and regional planning from the University of Michigan . He lives in Detroit , Michigan .

Professor Donald R. Deskins, Jr. teaches urban geography and sociology at the University of Michigan . He holds a PhD from the University of Michigan . He lives in Ann Arbor , Michigan .

http://www.skyhorsepublishing.com

http://www.dailypress.com/news...

"From a riser above home plate, Obama spoke to a nearly full stadium, 11,000 in the stands plus another 11,000 on the playing field."