Blood, Sweat, and Gore Gameplay Thread

[raymundoflx]

LEE FOR AMERICA

ANNOUNCEMENT SPEECH

Thank you Oakland —

We’re here today to seek justice. We’re here today because we are impatient for that justice. And our sense of urgency, our impatience, comes from the most demanding of values, it comes from love. Love of our families, our communities, our country. Oakland taught me about that love. I learned here that you can’t make progress dividing people, stoking fear, or setting us one against another.  I learned that the only way to overcome the tough challenges is by extending grace, finding common ground, and working together to institute bold changes to an ever so flawed system. And today, so many of us are hurting, so many of us are understandably angry and afraid but I believe we will bring our country together. I believe we will achieve things that other people say are impossible. I believe we will make justice real for all. And that is why I am running for President of the United States of America. I will be a president for all people. I hear you and I will be your voice.

We are a community impatient for justice, we always have been.  We are a community that knew that, in the words of Dr. King, “‘Wait’  has almost always meant ‘never.’” And in communities like ours — and across this country  — “wait” still too frequently means “never.” Wait for clean water. Wait for decent-paying jobs. Wait for better schools. Wait your turn. Wait. Well here in Oakland, we refuse to wait. After decades of our criminal justice system moving in the wrong direction, we need to end the failures of the war on drugs and bring billions of dollars in investment to low-income urban and rural communities that have for too long been left out and left behind. We can’t wait for change. None of us can. We are here today to say we can’t wait. We can’t wait when powerful forces are turning their prejudice into policy and rolling back the rights that generations of Americans fought for and heroes died for. We can’t wait, because we have a criminal justice system that  treats you better if you’re rich and guilty than if you’re poor and innocent. A system so deeply built with bias that it ruthlessly discriminates against Black people, Brown people, low-income people, and people with mental illness and addiction. We can’t wait when we have an economy where people who work two or three jobs, pick up extra shifts, and still can’t pay their bills. Profits are soaring, while wages for most have barely budged. Massive corporations have taken over entire industries — killing off competition, driving out innovation, squeezing out small businesses. Decades of unjust policies have destroyed our economy, extracted money from our common wealth and plowed it into tax cuts for the wealthy and wars overseas we didn’t have to fight; instead of investing in the things we all know grow our economy and create more opportunity for all. And that’s why, when I am President of the United States, we won’t wait.

We won’t wait for criminal justice. We will end the system of mass incarceration in America. We will invest in people — their education, their mental health, and treating addiction. We will end the school to prison pipeline. And we will empower the formerly incarcerated with jobs and opportunity. We won’t wait to legalize marijuana at the federal level — but that is not enough. We will push states to do the same, invest in the communities that have been devastated by the decades-long failed war on drugs, and expunge the records of those who have already been convicted.We won’t wait for more thoughts and prayers for the communities that have been shattered by gun violence. We will pass universal background checks, ban assault weapons, and close the loopholes that allow people who should never have a gun to get one. We won’t wait to meet the crisis of climate change — because we have no other choice. We will build a clean energy economy. We will fight against the onslaught of attacks on workers’ rights. We will build an opportunity economy where there are good-paying jobs and fair wages in every neighborhood and where the dignity of work is respected. And we will close the racial wealth gap, because we can’t be blind to the impact of generations of racism and white supremacy that were written into our laws over centuries. We won’t wait to deliver a great education to every child. We will fully fund public schools, including special needs education. And we will ensure that our public school teachers get the pay increases they deserve, the resources they need, and that their student loan debt is forgiven. We won’t wait to expand pathways to opportunity for all young people. We will make college more affordable, we will invest in and strengthen our HBCUs, and we will create the world’s greatest system of apprenticeships and training programs here in America. We won’t wait to fix our broken healthcare system because in America, healthcare is a right and that's why I will fight for Universal Healthcare. We won’t wait to stop the dangerous assault on women’s rights. Women will have reproductive justice, because women must have the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies and economic futures. We will fight for equal pay, affordable child care, and establish national paid family and medical leave. And we will no longer wait for America to stand up for justice around the world. We will strengthen our alliances and defend human rights, not coddle dictators or squander America’s moral authority.

Generations of Americans have shown us what was possible when they refused to wait. Now it’s our turn. And we have work to do. America — we can’t wait. America — we will not wait. Together, we will run at the tough challenges. Together, we will do the things that other people tell us are impossible. Together, we will fulfill our pledge to be a nation of liberty and justice for all. Together, we will win. And together, America, we will rise.

[raymundoflx]

Lee for America

February - March Schedule

Campaign Key Issues in South Carolina

- Criminal Justice Reform: Ban private prisons, make prison phone calls and other inmate communications free, and audit prison commissaries for price gouging and fees. End the cash bail system and mandatory minimum sentencing. Invest in successful crime prevention, including proven initiatives that get youth and nonviolent offenders back on track. We will increase funding to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. We will strengthen sexual assault and domestic violence laws, support the Violence Against Women Act, and provide job security to survivors.
- Primary Education Reform: Follow the lead of school districts and educators that have pioneered innovative ways to increase teacher pay. Make an unprecedented national investment to provide teachers with better pay and better support to improve their skills, and their students' learning. Reward effective teachers who teach in underserved areas, take on added responsibilities like mentoring new teachers, or consistently excel in the classroom. Address the dropout crisis by investing in intervention strategies in middle schools and high schools and invest in after-school programs, summer school, alternative education programs, and youth jobs. Establish commissions to improve failing public schools predominantly in communities of color and increase funding.
- Higher Education Reform: Make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new tax credit to ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans. Continue to support programs, especially the Pell Grant program, that open the doors of college opportunity to low-income Americans. Enable families to apply for financial aid simply by checking a box on their tax form. Invest in short-term accelerated training and technical certifications for the unemployed and under-employed to speed their transition to careers in high-demand occupations and emerging industries. Strengthen our federal student loan programs and demand all student loans come directly from the federal government.
- Veteran Reform: Ensure that every veteran has access to quality health care for injuries both physical and mental, and require that health professionals screen all servicemembers upon their return from combat. Aggressively address Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. Ensure that every veteran receives the benefits he or she has earned and the assistance he or she needs by making the disability benefits process more fair, efficient, and equitable. Dramatically reduce the backlog of disability claims. Combat homelessness, unemployment, and underemployment among veterans and improve the transition for servicemen between the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Campaign Key Issues in Michigan

- Criminal Justice Reform: Ban private prisons, make prison phone calls and other inmate communications free, and audit prison commissaries for price gouging and fees. End the cash bail system and mandatory minimum sentencing. Invest in successful crime prevention, including proven initiatives that get youth and nonviolent offenders back on track. We will increase funding to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. We will strengthen sexual assault and domestic violence laws, support the Violence Against Women Act, and provide job security to survivors.
- Tax Reform: Shut down "special interest loopholes and tax shelters" and use the money to provide an immediate middle-class tax cut as well as raise taxes on the wealthiest of Americans. Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit
- Jobs: End tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas and provide incentives for companies that keep and maintain good jobs in the United States. Invest in advanced energy technologies and create millions of new, good “green” American jobs
- Financial Regulation: Create agencies to protect consumers and monitor the U.S. economy and new revelations on mortgage lending, credit cards, proprietary trading, derivatives, hedge funds and executive pay.

Campaign Key Issues in California

- Criminal Justice Reform: Ban private prisons, make prison phone calls and other inmate communications free, and audit prison commissaries for price gouging and fees. End the cash bail system and mandatory minimum sentencing. Invest in successful crime prevention, including proven initiatives that get youth and nonviolent offenders back on track. We will increase funding to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. We will strengthen sexual assault and domestic violence laws, support the Violence Against Women Act, and provide job security to survivors.
- Healthcare Reform: Provide Massive Healthcare Reform via Universal Healthcare. Repeal the prohibition on negotiating prescription drug prices, ban drug companies from paying generic producers to refrain from entering drug markets, and eliminate drug company interference with generic competition
- Primary Education Reform: Follow the lead of school districts and educators that have pioneered innovative ways to increase teacher pay. Make an unprecedented national investment to provide teachers with better pay and better support to improve their skills, and their students' learning. Reward effective teachers who teach in underserved areas, take on added responsibilities like mentoring new teachers, or consistently excel in the classroom. Address the dropout crisis by investing in intervention strategies in middle schools and high schools and invest in after-school programs, summer school, alternative education programs, and youth jobs. Establish commissions to improve failing public schools predominantly in communities of color and increase funding.
- Higher Education Reform: Make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new tax credit to ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans. Continue to support programs, especially the Pell Grant program, that open the doors of college opportunity to low-income Americans. Enable families to apply for financial aid simply by checking a box on their tax form. Invest in short-term accelerated training and technical certifications for the unemployed and under-employed to speed their transition to careers in high-demand occupations and emerging industries. Strengthen our federal student loan programs and demand all student loans come directly from the federal government.
- Housing Reform: Work to reform bankruptcy laws to restore balance between lender and homeowner rights. Support the development and preservation of affordable housing in mixed-income neighborhoods throughout the country, restore cuts to public housing operating subsidies, and fully fund the Community Development Block Grant program.
- Reform and Increase the Minimum Wage

South Carolina

February 1st-15th

February 1st-6th: Begin ‘Equality and Justice’ Bus Tour in Charleston, South Carolina. Meet with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and discuss potential endorsement & campaign key issues. Hold multiple town halls highlighting our plans to reform our criminal justice system and take bold actions to ensure African-Americans are being heard and treated equally.

NAACP Endorsement Statement:

“I was incredibly lucky to meet my mentor and lifelong friend, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, when I was a college student. Working on her presidential campaign showed me the power of unbought and unbossed women of color to change our country and it is in her memory that I was so grateful to announce my candidacy for President and finally attempt to achieve what Congresswoman Chisholm couldn’t do, elect our first black President. One of the cores of our campaign is to address the issues that disproportionately affect black Americans and present key initiatives that will ensure our criminal justice system is truly just. Our campaign is bold in our approach to achieve equality of rights and remove all barriers of racial discrimination, whether it be protecting every single colored persons’ right to vote or ensuring our kids in communities of color have just as fair an opportunity to succeed in school and attain a quality good paying job, I’m glad to have the support of the NAACP in this fight to ensure we bring these essential issues to the front of this primary."

February 7th-15th: Continue the ‘Equality and Justice Bus Tour’ through Myrtle Beach, Columbia, and other cities in South Carolina. Meet community leaders and attend church services, emphasize our plans to invest in the futures of our children and assist in voter registration drives. Open campaign office and discuss with civil rights organizations, ways to get out the African-American vote.

Michigan

February 16th-28th

February 16th-21st: Meet with Detroit activists and community leaders to address racial inequities in the city. Present our plan to ensure automobile companies invest in the city and create good paying jobs. Hold multiple town halls and unveil our plan for tax reform which includes raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans to ensure blue collar middle-class families receive the financial relief they desperately need.
February 22nd: Discuss the need for better relations between communities of color and the police force, discuss our plan to end cash bail and invest in programs that have proven to successfully introduce non-violent offenders back into the community.
February 23rd-28th: Hold fundraisers with democratic candidates throughout Michigan and meet with state party leaders to discuss our plans to fight core racial discriminatory issues. Hold interviews with local radio stations, promoting our plans to eliminate poverty in the United States.

Statement on American Poverty

“Today, millions of our fellow Americans are living in poverty. In the world’s richest and most powerful nation, that’s simply unacceptable. Ending this is personal for me, during a very difficult period of my life I was a young single mother, receiving public assistance while attending college and raising my two sons. I know how hard it is to try and make sure that you and your children have food on the table while at the same time trying to improve yourself not only for you but for the sake of your family. That’s why I have fought to protect bridges over troubled water for struggling families so everyone has the opportunity to live the American dream. I’ve led and will continue to lead the fight to preserve and expand critical safety net programs like unemployment insurance, housing assistance, child care, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Ending poverty in the world’s rich and most powerful nation is a moral and economic imperative. It’s time we truly champion poverty eradication efforts and that’s one of the reasons I entered the race, to push for real solutions to problems facing real Americans. “

California

March 1st-12th

March 1st-6th: Give speeches to civil organizations across the state of California as well as hold fundraisers with key racial leaders. Meet with state party leaders and activists to discuss potential endorsements and open our California campaign headquarters in the home city of Oakland. Introduce our plan to tackle the housing crisis specifically in urbanized cities such as San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles, promise to invest in residences in communities of color and increase funding for public housing as well as key coordination between the national government and local governments in how to properly reduce the amount of homeless and to assist them in building a sustainable life to ensure they don’t return to the streets.
March 7th-12th: Hold multiple town halls and interviews outlining our plan to increase healthcare coverage to every single American all the while ensuring the richest Americans pay their fair share.

Statement on Universal Healthcare

“Today, millions of Americans still don’t have health insurance and even more are underinsured. Even for those with insurance, costs are so high that medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States. Incredibly, we spend significantly more of our national GDP on this inadequate health care system—far more per person than any other major country. And despite doing so, Americans have worse health outcomes and a higher infant mortality rate than countries that spend much less on health care. Our people deserve better. We should be spending money on doctors, nurses, mental health specialists, dentists, and other professionals who provide services to people and improve their lives. We must invest in the development of new drugs and technologies that cure disease and alleviate pain—not wasting hundreds of billions of dollars a year on profiteering, huge executive compensation packages, and outrageous administrative costs. Affordable, accessible, high-quality healthcare is a fundamental human right., access to preventative or life-saving health care should never depend on how deep your pockets are.”

South Carolina

March 13th-21st

March 13th-17th: Hold rallies in Columbia, Charleston, Clemson, and Spartanburg as well as meet with Civil Rights Activists in the state and attempt to recruit them as surrogates. Meet with Representative Jim Clyburn and pitch core campaign ideals/agenda in attempt to secure endorsement. Discuss our plan for veterans which includes ensuring they receive the promised financial compensation they were promised and aggressively tackle PTSD and other common mental health disorders Americans face once they return from war.
March 18th-21st: Hold a televised town hall in Charleston hosted by the NAACP, dealing directly with issues related to the black community. Call out politicians for being present in communities of color for votes but failing to deliver any real action on racial issues, reaffirm our commitment to solving the most pressing issues such as ending the inherently racist structure law officers have demonstrated.

Michigan

March 22nd-31st

March 22nd-March 26th: Strike in solidarity with workers who’ve lost their jobs to the relocation of factories, promise serious actions against companies who outsource such as an outsourcing tax and the ending of federal tax breaks to such companies. Unveil our plan to create millions of green jobs throughout the country by investing in infrastructure projects and undertaking projects that maximize our safety and security and ability to compete, which we will fund as we bring the war in Iraq to a responsible close. The plan additionally calls for the modernization of our power grid, which will help conservation and spur the development and distribution of clean energy, a national transportation policy, including high-speed rail and light rail, and investment in our bridges, roads, and public transportation. Promise to ensure every American has access to high speed broadband.
March 27th-31st: 4 day circuit of Detroit events, meet with city officials and open campaign office. Congresswoman Lee met with the National Organization and other female rights activist groups, Lee established her pro-choice stance on abortion and reaffirmed her commitment to funding key government programs assisting struggling families across the country.

Statement on Social Welfare Programs

“I’ve always supported a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and have always opposed any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right. As a Congresswoman, I was one of the key supporters of access to comprehensive affordable family planning services and age-appropriate sex education which empowers people to make informed choices and live healthy lives all the while helping reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and thereby also reduce the need for abortions. My campaign is one that is bedrock solid in our dedication to a woman's decision to have a child by ensuring access to and availability of programs for pre- and post-natal health care, parenting skills, income support, and caring adoption programs. We need to ensure that the Republican Party doesn’t undermine our a woman's freedom to choose nor cut the valuable programs that are supporting struggling families across the country”

Campaign Messaging

- Establish Congresswoman Lee as a leader on Criminal Justice Reform.
- Position Congresswoman Lee as a new and visionary candidate with a bold agenda of tackling income inequality, women issues, racial issues, and fighting for economic justice.
- Highlight her Congressional experience in leading more than 100 members of Congress in crafting and advancing legislation to lift millions of American families out of poverty and into the middle class.

[raymundoflx]

Lee for America

“Investing in our Families”

Airing in California, Michigan, and South Carolina

There’s an unheard of crisis in America and families across the country are suffering because of it.

Black mothers are dying 3 times the rate as white mothers from preventable, pregnancy-related complications and are more likely to lose their child because of the color of their skin.

There’s a disproportionate toll on the health of African-Americans that hasn’t been addressed but we have a plan to end this immoral disparity affecting not only us but our children.

We need to ensure everyone in this country has access to quality affordable healthcare and that starts with passing legislation to create a public option bringing insurance to millions. In the United States of America, we cannot tolerate a racially biased system that is letting thousands of black mothers and their babies die because they can’t afford to get the care they need.

Join Barbara in fighting for a system where everyone regardless of the color of their skin has the same opportunity to live a healthy life.

[raymundoflx]

Lee for America

April - May Schedule

Campaign Key Issues in South Carolina

- Criminal Justice Reform: Ban private prisons, make prison phone calls and other inmate communications free, and audit prison commissaries for price gouging and fees. End the cash bail system and mandatory minimum sentencing. Invest in successful crime prevention, including proven initiatives that get youth and nonviolent offenders back on track. We will increase funding to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. We will strengthen sexual assault and domestic violence laws, support the Violence Against Women Act, and provide job security to survivors.
- Primary Education Reform: Follow the lead of school districts and educators that have pioneered innovative ways to increase teacher pay. Make an unprecedented national investment to provide teachers with better pay and better support to improve their skills, and their students' learning. Reward effective teachers who teach in underserved areas, take on added responsibilities like mentoring new teachers, or consistently excel in the classroom. Address the dropout crisis by investing in intervention strategies in middle schools and high schools and invest in after-school programs, summer school, alternative education programs, and youth jobs. Establish commissions to improve failing public schools predominantly in communities of color and increase funding.
- Eradicate Poverty: Reform and Increase the Minimum Wage. Advocate for public assistance programs, such as social security, pension benefits, childcare services, affordable housing, nutritional programs and programs to support homelessness.

Campaign Key Issues in Michigan

- Criminal Justice Reform: Ban private prisons, make prison phone calls and other inmate communications free, and audit prison commissaries for price gouging and fees. End the cash bail system and mandatory minimum sentencing. Invest in successful crime prevention, including proven initiatives that get youth and nonviolent offenders back on track. We will increase funding to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. We will strengthen sexual assault and domestic violence laws, support the Violence Against Women Act, and provide job security to survivors.
- Tax Reform: Shut down "special interest loopholes and tax shelters" and use the money to provide an immediate middle-class tax cut as well as raise taxes on the wealthiest of Americans. Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit
- Jobs: End tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas and provide incentives for companies that keep and maintain good jobs in the United States. Invest in advanced energy technologies and create millions of new, good “green” American jobs
- Financial Regulation: Create agencies to protect consumers and monitor the U.S. economy and new revelations on mortgage lending, credit cards, proprietary trading, derivatives, hedge funds and executive pay.
- Eradicate Poverty: Reform and Increase the Minimum Wage. Advocate for public assistance programs, such as social security, pension benefits, childcare services, affordable housing, nutritional programs and programs to support homelessness.

Campaign Key Issues in California

- Criminal Justice Reform: Ban private prisons, make prison phone calls and other inmate communications free, and audit prison commissaries for price gouging and fees. End the cash bail system and mandatory minimum sentencing. Invest in successful crime prevention, including proven initiatives that get youth and nonviolent offenders back on track. We will increase funding to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. We will strengthen sexual assault and domestic violence laws, support the Violence Against Women Act, and provide job security to survivors.
- Healthcare Reform: Provide Massive Healthcare Reform via Universal Healthcare. Repeal the prohibition on negotiating prescription drug prices, ban drug companies from paying generic producers to refrain from entering drug markets, and eliminate drug company interference with generic competition
- Primary Education Reform: Follow the lead of school districts and educators that have pioneered innovative ways to increase teacher pay. Make an unprecedented national investment to provide teachers with better pay and better support to improve their skills, and their students' learning. Reward effective teachers who teach in underserved areas, take on added responsibilities like mentoring new teachers, or consistently excel in the classroom. Address the dropout crisis by investing in intervention strategies in middle schools and high schools and invest in after-school programs, summer school, alternative education programs, and youth jobs. Establish commissions to improve failing public schools predominantly in communities of color and increase funding.
- Housing Reform: Work to reform bankruptcy laws to restore balance between lender and homeowner rights. Support the development and preservation of affordable housing in mixed-income neighborhoods throughout the country, restore cuts to public housing operating subsidies, and fully fund the Community Development Block Grant program.
- Eradicate Poverty: Reform and Increase the Minimum Wage. Advocate for public assistance programs, such as social security, pension benefits, childcare services, affordable housing, nutritional programs and programs to support homelessness.

Michigan

April 1st-14th

April 1st-6th: Outline in Detroit our plan to strengthen families in America which includes tax cuts for low-income individuals and the middle class while expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. Reaffirm our commitment to shut down special interest loopholes and tax shelters while ensuring a just tax code in which the wealthiest are contributing as well. Meet with the United Automobile Workers and discuss a comprehensive strategy to strengthen and protect our workers and ensure we keep American companies from outsourcing jobs.

Excerpt from Detroit Speech:

“To the people of organized labor, I believe in the labor movement. I believe in the American worker. I believe they have a right to organize. I believe they have the right to collectively bargain. I believe it is important to have a President that doesn’t choke on the word, union. We need to ensure that the middle class doesn’t disappear, that the rights of workers to join together and bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions won’t be undermined. You know 63 years ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed a second bill of rights in which security and prosperity can be established for all, regardless of race and income. Among these rights are every American's right to a good paying job, an adequate wage, a decent home, the necessary medical care, economic protections for the sick and elderly, and lastly a good education. It’s clear we’ve made large strides in these areas and while we certainly haven’t achieved the picture that Roosevelt envisioned for America, it is our obligation to fight for our workers. It is our obligation to ensure everyone in this country has access to affordable healthcare. It is our obligation to ensure everyone in this country is paid accordingly and that starts with raising the minimum wage and defending the rights of labor. And most importantly, it is our obligation to ensure every American family has the ability to live and buy a proper house with the resources they need to live a good life, that is the American dream. However, the progress we’ve made that has gotten us closer to such a state is under constant attack from the Republican Party. I won’t have it, we won’t have it. So join me in pushing against the radical right-to-work laws, against the cuts to the programs assisting millions of impoverished citizens, and join me in pushing against wall street and the grasp it has on Washington D.C.. It’s time we have someone that speaks and fights for the people.”

April 7th-14th: Embark on a week-long circuit of rallies with activists and black leaders. Meet with the Michigan Democratic Congressional Delegation and the state leadership to talk about support for our campaign and hold fundraisers with civil rights activists. Open campaign office in Detroit and assist volunteers with efforts such as phone banks, do-to-door events, and voter registration drives.

South Carolina

April 15th-30th

April 15th-21st: Meet with the NAACP and discuss ways to strengthen awareness for racial inequities in America. Publicly demand for a town hall with all Democratic candidates regarding our criminal justice systems, ways to advance communities of color, and on how to ensure all black voices & issues are heard.
April 22nd-30th: Visit K-12 schools in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, and Greenville pushing our education plan while meeting with teacher unions across the state. Give an address to the Palmetto Education Association highlighting racial inequities in our school system and how we can improve the education of kids in communities of color.

Excerpt from Speech to the Palmetto Education Association:

”Time and time again we see that schools in black communities don’t have the same resources, teachers, and security than schools outside communities of color do. These schools have less qualified teachers with lower salaries that aren’t enough and without the in-classroom utensils that help ensure our children receive just as good an education as everyone else does. Our boys and girls don’t have the same test scores and they certainly don’t graduate at the same rate as white kids don’t, in this year we saw white students graduate at a rate of 86% while black students at a mere rate of 69%. A 17% difference. Now what can we do to ensure that our children have equal opportunities to succeed in the future and make it to college? We push our elected officials to support professional-teacher development programs, support not only increasing funding for schools but ensuring these resources go to the schools that need it the most. We need you, dads and moms, to be more involved with the staff at your childrens’ school to have clear communication between our educators and our community. We need to ensure we’re teaching our students the dangers of gangs and the road that will be taken if they consume harmful substances. But we also need to look to the future and that means we have to look at the opportunities our kids have when they graduate high school and to be honest they’re disproportionately disadvantaged. That’s why I have been a long advocate for increasing funding for HBCUs to ensure our brightest kids continue to receive the education they need and contribute to our society as innovators and inventors.”

California

May 1st-15th

May 1st-5th: Hit major cities throughout California such as San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego giving stump speeches on eradicating poverty. Meet with California officials to discuss surrogates and ways to help solidify our position in the state. Outline our progressive platform consisting of closing the income gap, fighting for racial justice, and protecting social programs that fight poverty.

Speech on War on Poverty:

“Forty-three years ago, President Lyndon Johnson spoke before Congress and declared a War on Poverty. Out of that speech came a series of programs that transformed America and made life better for millions of our fellow citizens. Out of that speech came Medicare, a government health insurance program for senior citizens which is now one of the most popular and important federal programs in existence.  Through Medicare, Americans are guaranteed health care when they age when they need it the most. Out of that speech came Medicaid, which provides health care to some 72 million low-income people and their kids.  Nobody can give an exact statistic as to how many lives Medicaid has saved, and how much suffering it has eased, but that number is too high to ignore.  Out of that speech and the war on poverty came food stamps, a concept which said that nobody, no man, woman or child in the United States should go hungry. I personally relied on food stamps as a young single mother to help feed my two little boys and that’s why I have been in the fight to protect valuable programs, from partisan attacks, that help prevent struggling families from falling deeper and deeper until they hit rock bottom. Out of that speech came Head Start, which addressed the profound reality that quality early childhood education was vital if lower-income kids were to do well in school and move their way up from poverty. When Johnson enacted these programs, the overall poverty rate in America was over 19.5 percent – despite the relatively strong economy of the mid-1960s.  Today, the poverty rate is 15 percent, way too high but lower than it was in 1964. Let’s be clear, it is a national disgrace that 39 million Americans are living in poverty today. It is a national disgrace that at 19 percent, the U.S. has the highest childhood poverty rate of any major country on earth. But without the current social safety net which was largely established as a result of the War on Poverty and the New Deal, economists have told us that the poverty rate would be 29 percent - almost twice as high as it is today. We need to join the rest of the world and invest in quality childcare, education and job training for our young. Health care for everyone is a right and that’s why we need to immediately pass legislation establishing a public option, getting us one step closer to a more sustainable and just healthcare system. Here in the United States, significant progress has been made but much more needs to be done to provide dignity and opportunity to all Americans regardless of income and race.”

May 6th-15th: Meet with civil rights organizations and outline the core ideals of our campaign, focusing on our plan to invest in communities of color, fix our education system, and expand healthcare to disadvantaged people of color in America. Hold multiple radio interviews on major stations presenting our campaign and the liberal policies we’re fighting for while highlighting the overall moderate success of the Gore Administration but promising a revolutionary change to Washington D.C. with a commitment to fighting for a people’s agenda. Meet with Congressman and Former Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair, Xavier Beccera to discuss possible endorsement.

South Carolina

May 16th-23rd

May 16th-23rd: Embark on a statewide tour, visiting black shops and discussing plans uplifting businesses in communities of color. Discuss cutting taxes for low-income and middle class families and in spearheading incentives that award grants to small businesses in areas with dominantly black populations. Attend local churches and sermons while discussing the importance of our plans to solve racial inequities in the criminal justice system, education system, and discuss disparity between non-colored and colored Americans in healthcare. Air “Protecting Black Families” ad in South Carolina, California, and Michigan addressing unequal maternal death rates and infant mortality between races as well as general health crisis. .

Michigan

May 24th-31st

May 24th-31st: Visit local food shelters and volunteer at community events throughout Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Flint. Stress the importance of food stamps and in other nutrition assistance programs, urging the need to protect these initiatives from Republican opponents who wish to cut funding dramatically without a sustainable safety net to support families in need. Cite Congressional experience in leading anti-poverty legislation and helping pass key bills to help invest in our communities rather than defund them.

Campaign Messaging

- Establish Congresswoman Lee as a leader on Criminal Justice Reform.
- Position Congresswoman Lee as a firm new liberal with a bold agenda of tackling income inequality, pushing women issues, eradicating poverty, and fighting for economic justice. 
- Highlight her dedication to crafting and advancing legislation that would lift millions of American families out of poverty and into the middle class.

[raymundoflx]

Lee Townhall Answers

Q: Typical political wisdom would say that after 16 years of Democratic control in the White House, that the American people would opt for a Republican candidate. How are you best equipped to win over independents and Republicans to keep the Democrats in the White House for another 4 years?

President Gore has been a great leader and has made significant strides in many issues such as our efforts in tackling climate change to ensure we leave a bright sustainable future for our children and in his current struggles trying to expand healthcare to millions more Americans. However, my campaign is about redoubling our efforts to the issues few talk about and none address. We need to have someone that proposes bold progressive ideas that emphasizes our moral obligations and ensures everyone has an opportunity to succeed, regardless of color or income. That’s why I believe I am the candidate best suited to win over the electorate, because my agenda is greater than me. It is about a vision for America where everyone is adequately supported by the government, where everyone can get a quality education, where everyone has health insurance, where everyone can attain the American Dream.  Our platform is speaking to issues that everyone in this country is facing, regardless of political affiliation and one such example is our efforts to protect Medicare and Medicaid from Republican cuts because we know that millions of Americans rely on these programs. We need to elect a President that will not only defend the hundreds of great things we’ve been able to get done in the last 16 years but we have to offer fresh new proposals and build a nationwide movement of all kinds of people across this country to ensure we are able to get so much more done.

Q: In 2006, Congress repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell which did not allow gay, bisexual, or transgender people to serve in the military. Do you agree with this action by Congress, and if elected, would you be in favor of repealing the Defense of Marriage Act?

The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was historic progress for thousands of patriotic Americans who simply want to show their love of country through service and there really is no argument as to why we should deny our citizens the chance to defend us abroad and here at home. That’s why I was proud to stand with President Gore in Congress and vote to allow our brothers and sisters the ability to protect our country and the values we cherish across the world and say yes, if you want to fight for your country, die for your country, and take part in making your country more secure than we will support you and we will commemorate you. The repeal of the bill not only ensures every American can contribute to soceity but it also makes our military stronger and more just, the vote I took was the right one and I applaud the President for his actions regarding the repeal of the bill. As to the Defense of Marriage Act, a majority of Americans believe that marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman and while we should respect their beliefs we also have to stand against those extremist Republicans that are pushing for a federal amendment redefining marriage and writing it into the constitution, we cannot allow the rights of states to be ignored. That’s why I’ve stated my firm support for civil unions that establish legal equal standing to opposite-sex couples along with the same recognition of the basic rights that are available for legally sanctioned marriage, all while ensuring this remains a issue historically left to the states.

Q: Some critics of President Gore have said that the Department of Homeland Security isn't needed because there have only been small terror attacks, which aren't worthy of creating a whole new federal government department. Where do you stand on the Department of Homeland Security?

I have tremendous respect for the President but I do have some reservations about this new department. Of course I believe that we need to do everything appropriate to ensure the lives of the American people are safe from terrorist attacks and organizations but first and foremost we have to ensure that our civil liberties are not curbed. That’s why we have to ensure this department is in check and not violating the rights of Americans, in a democratic and constitutional form of government, we cannot sacrifice the civil liberties that make us a free country. However, I’ve always been an advocate in Congress for caution when dealing with governmental overreach , that’s why we must ensure this department doesn’t violate our citizens. I will work in Congress to set proper guidelines ensuring this doesn’t get out of hand leading to the unlawful surveillance and abuse of our people

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Q: For quite a long time, you've been on the frontlines of the movement to legalize marijuana. Could you please lay out your position on drugs in general, but specifically marijuana?

There’s a general consensus among the American people that there needs to be change regarding our drug laws and one acceptable concrete step we can take to progress on this issue is legalizing medical marijuana allowing all those that are suffering are able to alleviate their pain. Study after study has shown marijuana can decrease nausea and increase appetite, which can be essential for patients who are having difficulty keeping down food or maintaining adequate nutrition. Marijuana also eases the pain of multiple sclerosis, and nerve pain in general. This is an area where few other options exist, and those that do are highly sedating in fact patients claim that marijuana allows them to resume their previous activities without feeling completely out of it and disengaged. Along these lines, doctors say that marijuana is a fantastic muscle relaxant, and people swear by its ability to lessen tremors in Parkinson’s disease. Now I don’t want to overwhelm you with all the benefits that come with medical legalization but one highly promising area of research is its use for PTSD in veterans who are returning from combat zones. Many veterans and their therapists report drastic improvement and clamor for more studies, and for a loosening of governmental restrictions on its study. For all these reasons, I am expanding my movement across the country not just in Washington D.C., to ensure that in states where these laws don’t exist, every American has the opportunity to treat their pains and do what’s best for their wellbeing.

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Congresswoman Lee Addresses the NAACP at the 98th Annual Convention

July 12th, 2007

“It is always a great honor to speak before the NAACP. It is a powerful reminder of the debt we all owe to those who marched for us and fought for us and stood up on our behalf; of the sacrifices that were made for us by those we never knew; and of the giants whose shoulders I stand on here today. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was but a 26-year old pastor when he led a bus boycott in Montgomery that mobilized a movement. John Lewis was but a 25-year old activist when he helped arouse the conscience of our nation. It is because of them; and all those whose names never made it into the history books - who refused to settle for the world as it is; who had the courage to remake the world as it should be - that I stand before you tonight as a Congresswoman and Democratic contender the Presidency of the United States of America. And if I have the privilege of serving as your next President, I will stand up for you the same way that earlier generations of Americans stood up for me - by fighting to ensure that every single one of us has the chance to make it if we try. That means removing the barriers of prejudice and misunderstanding that still exist in America. It means fighting to eliminate discrimination from every corner of our country. It means changing hearts, and changing minds, and making sure that every American is treated equally under the law. But social justice is not enough. What Dr. King understood that it matters little if you have the right to sit at the front of the bus if you can't afford the bus fare. What hr understood is that so long as Americans are denied the decent wages, and good benefits, and fair treatment they deserve, the dream for which so many gave so much will remain out of reach; that to live upto our founding promise of equality for all, we have to make sure that opportunity is open to all Americans.

That is what I've been fighting to do throughout my over 17 years in public service. I've been working my entire adult life to help build an America where social and economic justice is a top priority; an America where we all have an equal chance to make it if we try. That's the America I believe in. That's the America you've been fighting for over the past 98 years. And that's the America we have to keep marching towards today. Our work is not over. When so many of our nation's schools are failing, especially those in our poorest rural and urban communities, denying millions of young Americans the chance to fulfill their potential and live out their dreams, we have more work to do. When CEOs are making more in ten minutes than the average worker earns in a year, and millions of families lose their homes, when the dream of entering the middle class and staying there is fading for young people in our community, we have more work to do. That's what this election is all about. It's about the responsibilities we all share for the future we hold in common. It's about each and every one of us doing our part to build that more perfect union. And that's what this election is about. That's why I'll offer a middle class tax cut so we can lift up hardworking families, and give relief to struggling homeowners so we can end our housing crisis, and provide training to young people to work the green jobs of the future, and invest in our infrastructure so we can create millions of new jobs. And that's why I'll end the outrage of one in five African Americans going without the health care they deserve. We'll guarantee health care for anyone who needs it, make it affordable for anyone who wants it, and ensure that the quality of your health care does not depend on the color of your skin. But we all have to do our part to lift up this country.

That's where change begins. And that's our most enduring responsibility, the responsibility to future generations. We have to change this country for them. We have to leave them a planet that's cleaner, a nation that's safer, and a world that's more equal and more just. So I'm grateful to you for all you've done for this campaign, but we've got work to do and we cannot rest. And I know that if you put your shoulders to the wheel of history and take up the cause of perfecting our union just as earlier generations of Americans do before you; if you take up the fight for opportunity and equality and prosperity for all; if you march with me and fight with me, and get your friends registered to vote, and if you stand with me this fall then not only will we help close the responsibility deficit in this country, and not only will we help achieve social justice and economic justice for all, but I will come back here on the 100th anniversary of the NAACP, and I will stand before you as the President Of the United States of America. And at that moment, you and I will truly know that a new day has come in this country we love. Thank you.

Rep. Jim Clyburn: Top Lee Surrogate

South Carolina Rep., Jim Clyburn, announced his endorsement of California Rep. Barbara Lee, highlighting her historic Presidential campaign and her bold agenda for millions of Americans specifically the African-American community. Clyburn announced he will be joining the Lee campaign as one of its top advisors and top Palmetto State surrogates stating "I'm honored to join my great friend, Congresswoman Lee, in ensuring racial and economic justice is in the front and center of this election. This primary shouldn't be a cakewalk for any candidate and that's why I support Congresswoman Lee in challenging the status quo and presenting revolutionary ideas that will surely make us a more stronger and more perfect union." This comes shortly after Congresswoman Lee addressed the NAACP at its 98th Annual Convention, giving a fierce speech championing a progressive platform including a firm commitment to abolishing the existent economic and racial inequities in our system, something which hasn't been discussed as much by other candidates.

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Lee for America

“Change”

Airing in California, Michigan, Nevada, and South Carolina

We’ve heard alot about change this year. But the question is change to what?

To me change is a government that doesn’t let banks and oil companies rip off the American people.

Change is when we finally fix healthcare not just talk about it.

Change is giving tax breaks to middle-class families instead of companies that send jobs overseas

Change is a President who brings people together, not spews hate and division

I’m Barbara Lee and I don’t take money from oil companies or Washington lobbyists and I won’t let them block the change we need anymore.

I’ll take action to set us on a path to Universal Healthcare because every American deserves the care they need.

I’ll pass tax relief for those struggling Americans but also ensure the wealthiest and well connected are paying their fair share and not hijacking Congress.

I approve this message because this is the real change America needs.

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Congresswoman Lee Slams Sen. Clinton for Backroom Deals

Rep. Barbara Lee responded to Sen. Lincoln ending her campaign and endorsing Sen. Clinton by stating the following: “I have great respect for Senator Lincoln and admire her campaign however I think it’s a shame that Senator Clinton is making backroom deals with other candidates in order to solidify her standing in the primary. This election should be as transparent as possible and should be about the issues however Senator Clinton has chosen to hold meetings with various candidates and insiders trying to win this primary by her personal ties rather than by presenting her plans on how we can win this election and transform this country. In America we have democratic elections not coronations so I plan to keep my campaign going to the very end and I urge Senator Clinton to run a clean campaign that is about policy and the voters, not about political gain or close connections. The American people are tired of a government that is run by a few, however my campaign is one that is truly of, by, and for the people and has presented plans that reflect that.”

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Congresswoman Lee
Debate Answers

Opening Statement:

Firstly, I’d like to begin by thanking Tom Brokaw for his bravery in moderating this debate, it’s going to be a rough one but then no real discourse has been achieved easily. Many of you don’t know me or why I’m running for President so let me tell you why. I believe we're at a defining moment in our history. Our nation is divided and gripped by partisan gridlock; our planet is in peril. Families all across the country are struggling with everything from back-breaking health care costs to trying to provide for their children. And at this moment, the question is: How do we take the country in a new direction? How do we get past the divisions that have prevented us from solving these problems year after year after year? I don't think the choice is between black and white or young and old. I think what is at stake right now is whether we are looking backwards or we are looking forwards. I think it is the past versus the future. And I think that, as we move forward in this debate, we need to understand the differences in our policies and our records because Americans across the country are in dire need of change. They want change from the status quo but they also have to have change that brings the country together, pushes back against the special interests in Washington, and levels with them about the difficult changes that we need to make. I believe I am the candidate that can bring that change and uplift those that feel unrepresented and unchanged so tonight I’m asking every democrat watching this to consider the best strategy to win this election. We need someone with bold ideas and a progressive platform because we’re not going to win this election if we nominate the typical insider and I believe with your support we can shake up this race and show that a grassroots movement is unstoppable.

Question: You have called for the total eradication of poverty in the United States by means of raising the minimum wage and various public service programs. What do you say to those who claim that this will only burden the government financially, and do little to actually fix the problem?

Forty-three years ago, President Lyndon Johnson spoke before Congress and declared a War on Poverty. Out of that speech came many programs that transformed America and made life better for millions of our fellow citizens. That speech led to Medicare, that government health insurance program for senior citizens which is now one of the most popular and important federal programs in existence.  It led to Medicaid, which provides health care to some 72 million low-income people and their kids. It led to food stamps, a concept which said that nobody, no man, woman or child in the United States should go hungry. You know I personally relied on those food stamps as a young single mother trying to get my degree at Mills College while trying to feed my two little boys so it really angers me when the Republicans label these essential programs as unnecessary and burdensome to our financial standing without any other concerte plan or concerns to help prevent struggling families from falling deeper and deeper until they hit rock bottom. It’s no lie that there are still too many Americans in poverty but we have greatly gotten this number closer and closer to 0. Now the Republicans want to cut these programs and leave those living paycheck to paycheck without any safety net, it’s immoral and unrepresentative of what American should and can be. We need to invest in healthcare, education, and work to help Americans get back on their feet, not leave them for dead. And while the Republicans want to spread their narrative questioning who’s going to pay for it, well I’ll tell you how. We’re going to ensure the very wealthiest and well-connected are paying their fair share, not finding loopholes and tax havens. It is time we uplift those at the very bottom, not pass more and more tax cuts letting the richest Americans get even richer.

Closing Statement:

Tonight we certainly heard some good and bad ideas from everyone up on this stage but at the end of the day, we need to ask ourselves who can and will bring the change that Americans want and need. Who will work tirelessly to enact an agenda that uplifts those living in poverty to the middle class, who is not afraid to protect our government from being in the pockets of corporations and companies, and who is unabashed to embrace the ideals that this country once stood for. Those ideals of equality, security, and freedom are more important now than ever before. So it’s time for us as democrats to consider who has the plans that will strengthen every American not a select few, it’s time for us to nominate someone that has the right ideas to change the course of this country and address the issues that so many real Americans are facing. If you believe in our vision for America and are willing to fight for it, I welcome you to our campaign and promise you that I will fight to the very end to ensure this primary is focused on the problems the well-connected are ignoring. This primary should be about the future of our party and our country, not a cakewalk for any candidate so I ask you to join us and pitch in a couple dollars to enact real structural change across the country. Thank you.

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Lee for America

June-October Schedule

Campaign Key Issues in South Carolina

- Criminal Justice Reform: Ban private prisons, make prison phone calls and other inmate communications free, and audit prison commissaries for price gouging and fees. End the cash bail system and mandatory minimum sentencing. Invest in successful crime prevention, including proven initiatives that get youth and nonviolent offenders back on track. We will increase funding to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. We will strengthen sexual assault and domestic violence laws, support the Violence Against Women Act, and provide job security to survivors.
- Primary Education Reform: Follow the lead of school districts and educators that have pioneered innovative ways to increase teacher pay. Make an unprecedented national investment to provide teachers with better pay and better support to improve their skills, and their students' learning. Reward effective teachers who teach in underserved areas, take on added responsibilities like mentoring new teachers, or consistently excel in the classroom. Address the dropout crisis by investing in intervention strategies in middle schools and high schools and invest in after-school programs, summer school, alternative education programs, and youth jobs. Establish commissions to improve failing public schools predominantly in communities of color and increase funding.
- Eradicate Poverty: Reform and Increase the Minimum Wage. Advocate for public assistance programs, such as social security, pension benefits, childcare services, affordable housing, nutritional programs and programs to support homelessness.

Campaign Key Issues in Michigan

- Criminal Justice Reform: Ban private prisons, make prison phone calls and other inmate communications free, and audit prison commissaries for price gouging and fees. End the cash bail system and mandatory minimum sentencing. Invest in successful crime prevention, including proven initiatives that get youth and nonviolent offenders back on track. We will increase funding to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. We will strengthen sexual assault and domestic violence laws, support the Violence Against Women Act, and provide job security to survivors.
- Tax Reform: Shut down "special interest loopholes and tax shelters" and use the money to provide an immediate middle-class tax cut as well as raise taxes on the wealthiest of Americans. Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit
- Jobs: End tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas and provide incentives for companies that keep and maintain good jobs in the United States. Invest in advanced energy technologies and create millions of new, good “green” American jobs
- Financial Regulation: Create agencies to protect consumers and monitor the U.S. economy and new revelations on mortgage lending, credit cards, proprietary trading, derivatives, hedge funds and executive pay.
- Eradicate Poverty: Reform and Increase the Minimum Wage. Advocate for public assistance programs, such as social security, pension benefits, childcare services, affordable housing, nutritional programs and programs to support homelessness.

Campaign Key Issues in California, Nevada, and Florida

- Criminal Justice Reform: Ban private prisons, make prison phone calls and other inmate communications free, and audit prison commissaries for price gouging and fees. End the cash bail system and mandatory minimum sentencing. Invest in successful crime prevention, including proven initiatives that get youth and nonviolent offenders back on track. We will increase funding to domestic violence and sexual assault prevention programs. We will strengthen sexual assault and domestic violence laws, support the Violence Against Women Act, and provide job security to survivors.
- Healthcare Reform: Provide Massive Healthcare Reform via Universal Healthcare. Repeal the prohibition on negotiating prescription drug prices, ban drug companies from paying generic producers to refrain from entering drug markets, and eliminate drug company interference with generic competition
- Primary Education Reform: Follow the lead of school districts and educators that have pioneered innovative ways to increase teacher pay. Make an unprecedented national investment to provide teachers with better pay and better support to improve their skills, and their students' learning. Reward effective teachers who teach in underserved areas, take on added responsibilities like mentoring new teachers, or consistently excel in the classroom. Address the dropout crisis by investing in intervention strategies in middle schools and high schools and invest in after-school programs, summer school, alternative education programs, and youth jobs. Establish commissions to improve failing public schools predominantly in communities of color and increase funding.
- Eradicate Poverty: Reform and Increase the Minimum Wage. Advocate for public assistance programs, such as social security, pension benefits, childcare services, affordable housing, nutritional programs and programs to support homelessness.

Michigan

June 1st-14th

June 1st-6th: Rep. Lee tours auto factories highlighting her policies on NAFTA and other trade deals along with her plans to hold outsourcing companies accountable.  Hold a rally with Senator Obama in Detroit and campaign across the state. Meet with Governor Jennifer Granholm as well as other key Michigan Democrats to discuss support, rumored endorsement to come.
June 7th-14th: Highlight education plans, discuss plans to eradicate poverty and comment on the recent endorsements of Civil Rights Icon, Rep. John Lewis, stating the immense honor it is to have him join our campaign and spearhead our efforts in the state of Georgia.

Florida

June 15th-30th

June 15th-21st: Rep. Lee lands in Miami and opens campaign offices, attends volunteer coordinated events. The Congresswoman meets with Latino Advocacy Organizations and discusses policies for the community. Attend various campaign fundraisers with civil rights activists and campaigns in Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee.
June 22nd-30th: Rep. Lee gives a speech in Fort Lauderdale regarding Universal Healthcare, urges that we act on insurance because we can never go far enough to protect the lives of Americans.

Statement on Healthcare:

“On this June morning of two thousand and seven, more than sixty years after President Truman first issued the call for national health insurance, we find ourselves in the midst of an historic moment on health care. From coast to coast, from business to labor, from Democrats to Republicans, the emergence of new and bold proposals from across the spectrum has effectively ended the debate over whether or not we should have universal health care in this country. Plans that tinker and halfway measures now belong to yesterday. In the 2008 campaign, affordable, universal health care for every single American must not be a question of whether, it must be a question of how. I know there's cynicism out there about whether this can happen, and there's reason for it. For too long, this debate has been stunted by what I call the smallness of our politics - the idea that there isn't much we can agree on or do about the major challenges facing our country. And when some try to propose something bold, the interests groups and the partisans treat it like a sporting event, using fear and divisiveness and other cheap tricks to win their argument, even if we lose our solution in the process. It's not only tiresome, it's wrong. Wrong when a parent cannot take a sick child to the doctor because they cannot afford the bill that comes with it. Wrong when 46 million Americans have no health care at all. In a country that spends more on health care than any other nation on Earth, it's just wrong. Over half of all family bankruptcies today are caused by medical bills but they say it's too costly to act. The federal government should be leading the way here. We have come so far in the debate on health care in this country, but now we must finally answer the call first issued by Truman, advanced by Johnson, and fought for by so many leaders and Americans throughout the last century. The time has come for universal healthcare in America. And I look forward to working with all of you to meet this challenge in the weeks and months to come."

Illinois

July 1st-15th

July 1st-5th: Rep. Barbara kicks off Lee Speaks for Illinois Tour with special top surrogate Senator Barack Obama in the city of Chicago. Congresswoman Lee meets with various Illinois Democrats, organizations, and activists. Holds massive rallies with Senator Obama in Peoria, Naperville, Springfield, and Aurora highlighting her plans to eradicate poverty and reinvest in the cities with a poor education system, with a high crime rate, and with a lower mean income. Introduce Rep. Lee as the strongest progressive candidate to take on Hillary Clinton and win this election.

Statement on Obama Endorsement:

“I’m very grateful to have Senator Obama join our campaign and play a major role in pushing our vision for America throughout the country, including in his home state of Illinois. Senator Obama has served Illinois immensely in the United States Senate and has worked for many years on the streets of Chicago and in churches as a community leader helping struggling kids find the help they need. Now let me reaffirm that this endorsement wasn’t made through a backroom deal as I pointed out Senator Clinton was doing, this was an endorsement made clear in the open with no political gains attached but simply with the purpose to build a progressive coalition that will stand up to the well-connected insiders and party establishment. Senator Obama and I know that we need someone that will fight for the bold changes we need to make and that we need someone in the general election that isn’t afraid to stand up to the malignant forces corrupting our government and stalling the change that real Americans are in dire need of. I encourage everyone, including my fellow candidates, to support whichever candidate they want but to do it in a clean way with no strings attached because the people are tired of these behind the scenes bargains. Additionally, I’m immensely proud to announce a tour with Senator Obama throughout Illinois, in which we will meet with the voters and introduce our plans on how we win this election and transform the country.”

July 6th-15th: Introduce digital campaign push including a website with platform and other important information. Attend events with volunteers and do a circuit of town halls citing experience as a social worker and record dealing with social reform in Congress.

Nevada

July 16th-31st

July 16th-23rd: Congresswoman Lee attends an interview with Larry King and discusses her campaign and her historic candidacy, stating her inspiration from the campaign of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. Reiterate need to increase wages and to reduce the income inequality gap, outlining out plans to ensure the wealthiest are paying their fair share while giving relief from struggling families.
July 24th-31st: Give speech on immigration at Reno event highlighting the importance of immigrants and the unjust exploitation they are facing at the fears of being deported.

Statement on Immigration:

“The politics of who is and who is not allowed to enter this country, and on what terms, has always been contentious. And that remains true today. And it's made worse by a failure of those of us in Washington to fix a broken immigration system. The result is an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. The overwhelming majority of these men and women are simply seeking a better life for themselves and their children. Many settle in low-wage sectors of the economy; they work hard, they save, they stay out of trouble. But because they live in the shadows, they're vulnerable to unscrupulous businesses who pay them less than the minimum wage or violate worker safety rules thereby putting companies who follow those rules, and Americans who rightly demand the minimum wage or overtime, at an unfair disadvantage. Crimes go unreported as victims and witnesses fear coming forward. And this makes it harder for the police to catch violent criminals and keep neighborhoods safe. And billions in tax revenue are lost each year because many undocumented workers are paid under the table. Indeed, the immigration system is broken. Unfortunately, reform has been held hostage to political posturing and special-interest wrangling in Washington that tackling such a thorny and emotional issue is inherently bad politics. So the bottom line is this: Businesses must be held accountable if they break the law by deliberately hiring and exploiting undocumented workers. We cannot continue just to look the other way as a significant portion of our economy operates outside the law. It breeds abuse and bad practices. It punishes employers who act responsibly and undercuts American workers. I'm ready to move forward; the majority of Democrats are ready to move forward; and I believe the majority of Americans are ready to move forward.”

Michigan

August 1st-14th

August 1st-6th:  Outline in Detroit our plan to strengthen families in America which includes tax cuts for low-income individuals and the middle class while expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. Reaffirm our commitment to shut down special interest loopholes and tax shelters while ensuring a just tax code in which the wealthiest are contributing as well. Meet with various unions and discuss a comprehensive strategy to strengthen and protect our workers and ensure we keep American companies from outsourcing jobs.
August 7th-14th: Visit local food shelters and volunteer at community events throughout Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Flint. Stress the importance of food stamps and in other nutrition assistance programs, urging the need to protect these initiatives from Republican opponents who wish to cut funding dramatically without a sustainable safety net to support families in need. Cite Congressional experience in leading anti-poverty legislation and helping pass key bills to help invest in our communities rather than defund them.

Illinois

August 15th-31st

August 15th-21st: Continue campaigning with Senator Obama, open campaign offices and establish relations with Chicago Democratic officials. Continue to push progressive platforms of eradicating poverty, universal healthcare, and economic/racial justice. Speak at various college campuses across Illinois and highlight our plan to increase higher education affordability and reform.
August 22nd-31st: Roll out plan on Climate Change, hold roundtables with experiments and construct a plan on how we can raise awareness for environmental justice. Call out candidates that have not yet pledged to swear off donations from oil companies and lobbyists, citing the need to make real change not be controlled by corporations and executives. Fundraise with Senator Obama throughout Illinois and speak about the endorsement of Senator Clinton from Senator Lincoln, vow no backroom deals and call out any candidate that makes no such promise.

Florida

September 1st-15th

September 1st-7th: Discuss the need for seawalls and coastal defense, relating its important to Hurricane Katrina. Meet with Civil Rights Activists and introduce our plans for Criminal Justice Reform and highlight the endorsement of NAACP. Attend town hall hosted by the NAACP, introduce plans regarding racial disparities and commend Barack Obama for his campaign.
September 8th-15th: Attend Congressional Duties in Washington D.C.

Nevada

September 16th-30th

September 16th-23rd: Meet with Nevada Democrats and Latino Advocacy groups discussing our immigration plan and highlighting our plan to improve our schools and make higher education more affordable. Strike with Service Workers throughout Las Vegas pushing for higher wages and stronger union
September 24th-30th: Attend Congressional duties in Washington D.C.

South Carolina

October 1st-14th

October 1-14th: Congresswoman Lee holds various rallies with Rep. Jim Clyburn through the Palmetto State. Meet with other South Carolina Democratic officials and establish a vast volunteer network in major cities throughout the state. Discuss personal story at a town hall in Columbia regarding black maternal mortality rates and highlight Congressional experience regarding this issue. Air  “Change” ad across California, Michigan, South Carolina, and Nevada highlighting vision and purpose of the campaign.

California

October 15th-31st

October 15th-30th: Unveil the endorsements of Rep. Xavier Becerra and Mayor Gavin Newsom at rally in Oakland, California. Meet with California Democratic Officials and Representatives seeking public support and presenting campaign policies. Comment on recent bump in the polls stating that Americans are responding to our progressive policies and our grassroots movement about change for all.
October 31st: Spend the day with family attending festive personal and community events.

Campaign Messaging

- Establish Congresswoman Lee as the leading progressive in the race with a firm outsider image
- Position Congresswoman Lee as a firm new liberal with a bold agenda of tackling income inequality, pushing women issues, eradicating poverty, and fighting for economic justice.  
- Highlight her dedication to crafting and advancing legislation that would lift millions of American families out of poverty and into the middle class.

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Congresswoman Lee Hits Back at Senator Clinton

Congresswoman Lee responded to the attacks made by Senator Clinton by stating: "Look I think it's a shame to see Senator Clinton twist the facts to try and distract from what she's clearly been trying to do, wrap up this primary through backroom deals as quickly as possible. You see the big distinction that Senator Clinton is purposely leaving out in her statements is that the New York Times in fact reported a behind the scenes meeting between herself and Senator Lincoln as well as with Senator Daschle before they announced their endorsements. There was no such meeting between myself and Senator Obama where who knows what was offered. Rather, Senator Obama believed in my vision for America and in my policies and I would encourage any other candidate that believes in our campaign to join us and build a progressive coalition. However, I did not engage in any secret meetings with other candidates persuading them and offering them god knows what, that's the difference and that's clearly what Senator Clinton is trying to hide. So I would encourage Senator Clinton to stop the charade and instead focus on presenting her plans as I've been doing. The American people are sick and tired of the party establishment handpicking their nominees and winning this primary through personal connections, we won't win this election by nominating the typical candidate so I ask everyone to join us in shaking up the race and transforming this country."

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Lee Drops Out!

Rep. Barbara Lee announced that she is suspending her campaign for President of the United States after months of campaigning. The Congresswoman said she is grateful to all of those that supported her movement and that she looks forward to helping the Democratic Nominee win in November, whoever they may be. Lee made no endorsement however she indicated her support for Governor Kathleen Sebelius in her statement.