Blood, Sweat, and Gore Gameplay Thread

[NewYorkExpress]

Obama 2008 Schedule-February 2007

February 7, 2007

Begin "Prove Readiness" Foreign Trip, fly to Tel Aviv, Israel.

Visit Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, Israel.

Visit Western Wall, Jerusalem, Israel.

February 8, 2007

Speech at Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem

As far as I'm concerned, the Oslo accords are dead. It's very hard to keep the peace when both sides are committed to fighting. As far as I'm concerned the Israeli Government is justified in everything they are doing to the Palestinians. They aren't the ones using suicide bombers. They aren't the ones shooting rockets at civilians. What they are doing is self-defense, plain and simple, and I applaud them for being so measured in their efforts to protect their people.

Fly to Hiroshima, Japan

February 9, 2007

Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Hiroshima, Japan

Speech at Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Hiroshima, Japan

Understanding the devastating effects of the nuclear strikes both here and in Nagasaki, I can safely vow that as President, I will never order a nuclear strike on anyone, anywhere. Such an attack would bring catastrophe for wherever we attacked, and could even be considered a war crime by certain people.

Fly to Moscow, Russia

February 10, 2007

Speech at Luzniki Stadium, Moscow

Ever since the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, Americans have been afraid of returning to space. However, with help from our fellow astronauts here in Russia, we don't have to be afraid any more. As President, I will push for further and deeper cooperation between NASA, and Russia's Roscosmos, on sending people to space. There is no reason both our astronauts can't make it back to the moon by 2016, and to Mars by 2020. There is no reason we cannot continue to push the boundaries of manned spaceflight beyond what they already are.

Fly to Munich, Germany

February 11, 2007

Speech at Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Munich these days is contemporary on the political scene with one thing: The appeasement of a power hungry dictator in Adolf Hitler in his territorial ambitions by Neville Chamberlain and Edouard Daladier. As President, I will not appease rouge leaders like Kim Jong-Il and Ayatollah Khameni. I will stand firmly and resolutely against there ambitions, whatever, and wherever they are. 

Fly to Berlin

Speech at Tiergarten Park, Berlin, Germany

People say a divided place can't be put back together again. Well I say, people of the world, look at Berlin! During the Cold War, this city, indeed, all of Germany was divided. Now they are united and stronger than ever! Let this be a lesson to America. No matter what divides us, be it politics, sports or religion, we can always find something that unites us!

Fly to Paris, France

February 12, 2007

Speech at Parc des Princes, Paris, France

I'm sure you've been reading the news about Operation Puerto, and how it will affect the Tour De France. Trust, me I like watching cycling too, even though riding a race like the Tour De France is something I could never do. But we want to make sure the sport, and all sports are clean from doping. As President, I pledge to have the United States be the first country to make the use of EPO and human growth hormone for someone who it was not lawfully prescribed for a felony. By the time an Obama Presidency is over, we'll have the cleanest sports in the world.

Take the train to London, England, United Kingdom

February 13, 2007

Speech at Stamford Bridge, London, England, United Kingdom

For almost two centuries, the United Kingdom and the United States have had a special relationship, and I look forward to that continuing in an Obama Presidency. I remember meeting John Major at one of my book signings during my campaign for the Senate, and he said I had the potential to be President one day. Now, I'm not a fan of John Major's politics necessarily, but when a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom says that you have the potential to be the leader of the free world, that makes you stand up and take notice.


Fly to Chicago, Illinois

February 14, 2007

Fundraiser at the United Center, selling Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks memorabilia signed by Obama to benefit the campaign (prices range from $300 to $7,500)

Romantic dinner with Michelle Obama, Alinea, Chicago, Illinois

February 15, 2007

Meet Voters in Stockton, Iowa

Visit Wilton Candy Kitchen, Wilton, Iowa

Meet Voters in Fruitland, Iowa

February 16, 2007

Meet Voters in New Liberty, Iowa

Meet Voters in Walcott, Iowa

Meet Voters in Maysville, Iowa

Meet Voters in Panorama Park, Iowa

February 17, 2007

Meet Voters in Blue Grass, Iowa

Meet Voters in Durant, Iowa

Meet Voters in West Branch, Iowa

Meet Voters in Shueyville, Iowa

February 18, 2007

Meet Voters in Lone Tree, Iowa

Meet Voters in Solon, Iowa

Fly to Chicago, Illinois

February 19-20, 2007

Attend to constituent services, Chicago, Illinois

February 21, 2007

Meet Voters in Hills, Iowa

Attend Men's Basketball game at Carver-Hawkeye-Arena (Iowa vs Purdue)

Meet voters in Riverside, Iowa

February 22, 2007

Meet Voters in Wellman, Iowa

Meet Voters in Keota, Iowa

Meet Voters in Sigourney, Iowa

Meet Voters in North English, Iowa

Meet Voters in Marengo, Iowa

February 23-28

Senate Duties, Washington D.C

[NewYorkExpress]

Obama Town Hall answers

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?

After sixteen years of being in power, the country needs a candidate that represents change. Since I am not the most experienced candidate running, compared to Senator Daschle, Vice President Lieberman or Senator Clinton. But what I do bring is the promise of change from the Washington status quo. The way I see it now, there are only three agents of change running in this race. Myself, Secretary Powell, and Mr. Trump. Each of us brings a different type of change, and I believe my vision of change would be best for America, but we all represent change.

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?

Let me come out and say it. I support the right of two consenting adults to marry each other. Period. As President, I would indeed be in favor of ending of the Defense of Marriage Act, and it's a shame more candidates who are here tonight won't support me.

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?

Saying the Department of Homeland Security wasn't needed because there were only small terrorist attacks is like saying saying a second front in World War Two wasn't needed because Hitler was going to bleed himself out in Russia. It just isn't true. Besides, how do you define "small" anyways? Because what you have as a definition of small, and what I have as a definition of small, are very different things.

Critics have said that you're not qualified to serve as President of the United States. You were elected to the Senate 3 years ago, and before that you were in the Illinois State Senate for 7 years. What makes you qualified to seek the presidency?

I genuinely don't think I'm any more or less qualified than say...Senator Clinton, who's only prior government experience of any kind before becoming Senator was Hillarycare, and then the scandals of the Clinton White House. And she's one of the frontrunners.

[NewYorkExpress]

Obama response to McCain's withdrawal

Cancer is a bear. There really is no denying this. As such, I have great sympathy for what Senator McCain is going through, and I hope he recovers soon.

I was looking forward to debating him in November, and sadly those dreams will die. But for what may be his final act in this race to be a true example of his being a political maverick, as he's always been...there is no higher act of political courage, and I salute him.

[NewYorkExpress]

Obama Campaign Summary for March/April 2007

The Obama Campaign spent most of March and April, 2007 opening up field offices in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, Michigan, Florida and South Carolina. On April 9, the campaign announced the endorsement of former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge. Judge, the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2006, is a veteran of three statewide campaigns in Iowa, and will be named state campaign chair. In addition, Obama spent most of these two months preparing for the first candidate forum, hosted by Tim Russert, in Ames, Iowa.

Obama Campaign Summary, June/July 2007

Senator Obama spent most of June and July meeting voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, the two early states that would make or break his candidacy. He also made statements on Senator McCain's departure from the race, and took part in the candidate forum in Ames at the end of July.

However, by the far the highlight of his month (and for several lucky staffers), was attending the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on July 21 in Chicago (Obama was dressed up as Voldemort, other staffers dressed up as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Albus Dumbledore)

Obama Campaign Schedule, August, 2007

August 1, 2007

Speech at Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant, Seabrook, New Hampshire
Now, I know what people in the environmental movement are saying, that we need to get rid of oil, coal and gas, and that we should use nuclear power to do it. That it is cleaner than coal. Well, that's like saying a Beef Wellington tastes better than a Philly Cheesteak, or Beef Bourguignon. Depending on your taste in meat, they'll all taste really excellent, or quite awful. Just the same, you'll either love nuclear power or you'll hate it. And I hate nuclear power. We've seen, at both Chernobyl and at Three Mile Island, how easy it is for a meltdown to happen. We've also seen just how difficult it is to store waste from nuclear power plants. Just look at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. There's been discussion about using that area to store nuclear waste. That's an area of the country with frequent earthquakes, meaning if a major earthquake happened there, we'd have radioactive waste leaking into the ground. Here, we're right on the Atlantic Ocean, which means storms coming up the coast will provide high waves, wind, possibly storm surge. If that were to get into the plant, we'd have a crisis, especially as this plant is only forty miles from Boston, a major population center. That would be a humanitarian disaster waiting to happen.

Speech in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
So, back in February, I was watching Senator Allen's CPAC speech on NBC Nightly News. I'm a bit surprised he's already so concerned with me to be honest. I mean, I'm only polling at 6% percent at the moment. I'm behind seven other candidates, and only ahead of, Senator Nunn, who I respect dearly, but if you look at this field, in our party anyways, is probably too moderate, Blanche Lincoln, who has barely been on the campaign trail, and is being overshadowed by both Senator Clinton and Representative Lee, and Senator Gravel, who has been out of office since 1981, and even in the Senate offended pretty much everyone in his home state. That's why he's at 1%. So, why does Senator Allen worry about me so much? Maybe it's because he called an opponents tracker in his last reelection campaign a derogatory racial slur, and I'm a racial minority? It really isn't a good look for you Senator. 

Meet Voters in Brentwood, New Hampshire


August 2, 2007

Meet Voters in Deerfield, New Hampshire

Meet Voters in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire

Speech in Exeter, New Hampshire

Once upon a time, the Republican Party fought for the civil rights and liberties of the poor, oppressed and underprivileged. These were giants of American thought, like Abraham Lincoln, Thaddeus Stevens and Salmon Chase. Now, however, all this is sacrificed, both on the altar of capitalism, and the altar of partisanship. It's rare to see a Republican truly willing, like Governor Pataki, Senator McCain, Senator Collins and Senator Snowe to truly put aside partisanship and work together for the common good, something American politics needs a lot more of.

Meet Voters in Barrington, New Hampshire

August 3, 2007

Meet Voters in Somersworth, New Hampshire

Speech in Rochester, New Hampshire

Look, I read the blowback from my statements at the candidate forum that any two consenting adults should be allowed to get married, and I'll repeat it. As long as two individuals are able to give consent, there should be no barriers in the way of marriage. End of Discussion.

August 4, 2007

Tour the Woodman Institute Museum, Dover, New Hampshire

Meet Voters in Hart's Location, New Hampshire

August 5, 2007

Meet Voters in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire

Meet Voters in Berlin, New Hampshire

August 6-7, 2007

Senate Duties, Washington D.C

August 8, 2007

Meet Voters in Kelley, Iowa

Meet Voters in Zearing, Iowa

August 9-19, 2007

Meet with voters, hold "virtual caucus" events, Iowa State Fair, Ames, Iowa.

August 20, 2007

Speech at the Superior Dome, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan

Let's be brutally honest. The way the NCAA treats it's student athletes is abhorrent and is practically equivalent to plantation slavery. These are young adults, who giving up their bodies, and don't get paid for it or compensated in any way, and not only that, in many cases they have to pay for their tuition, room and board, meals and books as well. But the pro leagues here in America are worse. They use colleges, like Northern Michigan, as a free source of incoming talent, instead of paying them the wages they deserve. That's a system that will end, when I am President.

Meet voters in L'Anse, Michigan

August 21, 2007

Meet Voters in Bishop, California

August 22-24

Senate Duties, Washington D.C

August 25, 2007

Attend Soccer Match, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachussetts (New England Revolution vs Houston Dynamo)

August 26-29,2007

Fundraisers, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles.

August 30, 2007

Attend College Football Game, Jack Trice Stadium, Ames Iowa (Iowa State vs Kent State)

August 31, 2007

Senate Duties, Washington D.C

[NewYorkExpress]

Obama Campaign Schedule, September, 2007

September 1, 2007

Attend College Football Game, Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina (South Carolina vs Louisiana-Lafayette)

September 2, 2007

Meet Voters in Pellon, South Carolina

Meet Voters in Summit, South Carolina

Meet Voters in Gaston, South Carolina

Meet Voters in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina (With John Lewis)

September 3, 2007

Speech at Caterpillar headquarters, Peoria, Illinois

Today is a day when we celebrate the contributions that American Labor has made to our society. Without Labor, we would not have had the ability to win either world war. We would not have had the ability to come out of the greatest economic collapse in human history. We would not have had the ability to be the greatest nation in the world, with all the power and might that entails.

Meet Voters in New Vienna, Iowa

September 4, 2007

Meet Voters in Centralia, Iowa (With Patty Judge)

Meet Voters in Epworth, Iowa (With Patty Judge)

Casino Night Fundraiser, Diamond Jo Casino, Dubuque, Iowa (Also with Patty Judge) (Door Entry is $2,000, gets an entrant a night of Slots, Video Poker and Table Games, plus a meal at one of the restaurants)

September 5, 2007

Rally, Grand River Event Center, Dubuque, Iowa (With Patty Judge)

You know, in the forum a couple of months ago I said I'd like to keep the Department of Homeland Security. I'd like to expand on that a bit. While I think the Department is fine as is, I question the choice of Secretary Schwarzkopf, as opposed to Secretary Powell as Secretary of Defense. Schwarzkopf, as far I'm aware, was more of a believer in using the military to solve problems, something that could be disastrous when trying to stop terrorists. I think a more appropriate choice as Homeland Security Secretary is a Mayor of a large city, who has seen everything, and will come up with excellent ideas to stop terror in it's tracks, like Mayor Giuliani or Mayor Bloomberg. 

Speech at Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa
It's very hard to have faith in organized religion after having heard of and witnessed so many priests, rabbis and other clergy sexually abusing children. But you have to faith that God, whatever you believe God to be to you, will punish these people, as sexual abuse of minors is one of those crimes where the guilty deserve to be in the pits of Hell for all of eternity. Without that faith, that the guilty will be punished someday, we as humanity will be nothing.

September 6, 2007

Fundraiser, Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens ($1,000 for entry and three hours admission)

Meet Voters in Asbury, Iowa (With Patty Judge)

Meet Voters in Zwingle, Iowa (With Patty Judge)

September 7-17

Senate Duties, Washington D.C

September 18-24

Fundraisers, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia

September 25-30

Barnstorm in Northern Nevada

[NewYorkExpress]

Obama Schedule, October 2007

October 1-3, 2007

Fundraisers in Las Vegas.


October 4, 2007

Meet Voters in Hinton, Iowa

Speech at the Tyson Events Center-Gateway Arena, Sioux City, Iowa.

Representative King's committee is dangerous, and his plans for putting "boots on the ground in Iraq" is a grave risk to American blood and treasure around the world. What he is proposing will only invite more terrorist attacks, not reduce the risk of them. If this committee is still running when I am President, I will direct staff not to appear before it, regardless of the price paid, and I myself will never appear before such a committee.

Meet Voters in Sargent Bluff, Iowa

October 5-7

Senate duties, Washington D.C

October 8, 2007

Speech, Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois

Christopher Columbus was a man who brought disease, slavery and warfare to millions of people who had no immunity to such conditions. As such, it is not right that America has a holiday to honor him. I humbly request my fellow Senators and Congresspeople vote to remove Columbus Day as a Federal Holiday for these reasons.

October 9, 2007

Return to Washington D.C

Introduce legislation stripping Columbus Day of its status as a Federal Holiday and replacing it with Election Day to the United States Senate.

October 10, 2007

Meet Voters in Century, Florida

Speech in Pensacola, Florida

I don't know how we can say it more strongly, Climate Change is real. Republicans, business executives, and those who would like to believe it is a mirage...well they need to get with times, or watch as America drowns.

October 11-17

Senate duties, Washington D.C

October 18-30

Family Vacation/Campaign, Hawaii (With Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama and Malia Obama)

October 31, 2007

Fundraisers, Washington D.C

Halloween Party, Washington D.C (With Senate and Presidential Campaign Staff)

[NewYorkExpress]

San Francisco, California, October 22, 2007-Mayor Gavin Newsom endorses Obama]


There's just something about Senator Obama's candidacy that I like. Of course, I like Representative Lee too, but she just doesn't inspire people the same way Obama does. I read his book, and I was truly inspired by how relatable he is to an everyday experience. As such, I am truly honored to endorse Senator Obama for President of the United States of America.

[NewYorkExpress]

Obama debate answers (rebuttals to come later)

I'd like to thank Tom Brokaw, the State of South Carolina, and my fellow candidates for the opportunity to be here today. Quite frankly, it's a pleasure to be here.

Despite initially being counted out and dismissed as inexperienced, you’re currently running almost even with several more experienced opponents. How do you intend to continue this trend?

Well, I'd like to point out, that if you add up my years in both the Illinois Senate and the U.S Senate, I've actually served more time in elected office than Senator Clinton has. Besides, my experience as a State Senator is completely relevant to this discussion. There's a reason we refer to our state legislatures as laboratories of Democracy. It's because they get to work with concepts that legislators at the federal level would never be able to work with, such as voting regulations, state-funded universities, and local public education concepts like school textbooks. I just think I have to keep doing what I'm doing, and I'll at least be in the race until we get to the primary here in South Carolina. Beyond that, who knows?

It's been a pleasure to be here tonight, with all my rivals. I look forward to your support both in the primary, and hopefully, in November.

[NewYorkExpress]

Michelle Obama in Birmingham, Alabama, delivering the response to Daschle and Lincoln endorsing Hillary Clinton

Democrats deserve a competitive primary, not a coronation. And, given the reputation of the Clintons, would it shock anyone if there were illegal backroom bribes being paid? My husband and I are calling for an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee into just what Senators Daschle and Lincoln were offered to drop out, and whether there was any quid pro quo involved.

The Democratic Party deserves better. America deserves better.

[NewYorkExpress]

Barack Obama in Oakland, California

While we couldn't stick around longer, and I'm very disappointed about that, I was truly honored to run for President this year. Now, the question is, where do we go from here. Well, only one candidate meets every criteria I'm looking for to be President of the United States. As such, I am suspending my campaign, and endorsing Barbara Lee for President. She is the best candidate to defeat Hillary Clinton, and the best candidate to win in November!

[NewYorkExpress]

A statement from Barack Obama


With Representative Lee out of the race, I feel obligated to honor her contributions to our party's primaries. Now, I'm not reentering the race. My time has passed in this campaign. But I can tell you that I am changing my endorsement. I will now be endorsing Hillary Clinton for President of the United States, as I believe she is the candidate with the experience to be a successful President.

[NewYorkExpress]

As the soon to be running mate for Sebelius, I would prefer a short time jump, but still before the Republican convention, so maybe to like, the end of June?