New Obama Utah HQ Opening -- Ashdown's Party Palace

Back in 2006, Pete Ashdown had his campaign Headquarters in a building called the Party Palace, named for the parties he had there.

Now, the Obama people will be doing some serious work there.

Join them this Saturday from 2-5 PM as they throw open the doors of their new Utah HQ!

Utah for Obama Salt Lake City office opening
780 E. South Temple St.
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Saturday, August 23rd
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

RSVP here.

-Bob

Young Dems Convention Watch Party in Salt Lake and more

There are plans for two different convention watch parties in Salt Lake City on Thursday, August 28.

The first one is sponsored by the Young Democrats of Utah and The Salt Lake County Democratic Party. It is being held at Brewvies, a private club for members. If you come at 5PM, you can get in for free, provided that you participate in a phone bank (the people at INVESCO field will be doing the same that afternoon). If you arrive after 6PM, there is a $5 cover charge. This is, of course, an event for those over 21.

There are many other watch parties, etc, going on that night, including an all-ages event at Canyon Rim Park.

For a list of a currently-planned Convention Thursday events in Utah, from St George to Kamas, click here.

Don't see one you like? plan one yourself!

Michelle Obama in Utah: The last 8 minutes

Michelle Obama is amazing.

At one part of her speech, I looked to my right. Standing in the back of the room was Democratic Vice boss Rob Miller. He was wiping away a tear. I then needed to do the same.

And that wasn't the only time. There is a point in this video where I had to wipe away a tear with my left hand while I was filming with my right.

This is the end of her speech. I'll post some photos when I have a chance. Watch, and be inspired.

Major Utah for Obama Endorsements

Here is a list of Very Important People in Utah who have endorsed Barack Obama:

Senator Gene Davis-- Senate Minority Whip
Senator Scott McCoy
Representative Lynn Hemingway
Representative Christine Johnson
Representative Brad King-- House Minority Leader
Representative David Litvack-- House Minority Whip
Representative Phil Riesen-- Minority Caucus Manager & Utah State Rep. for Obama for America
Representative Jen Seelig
Representative Carol Spackman Moss-- Minority Assistant Whip
Representative Mark Wheatley
Representative Larry Wiley
Democracy for Utah
Pete Ashdown, Founder of XMission and former US Senate candidate
Bill Orton, Former US Congressman, DNC Committeeman

Am I missing anybody?

[UPDATED]Obama NOT coming to Utah on Saturday

Hey, folks. I just got word that Barack Obama will NOT be in town on Saturday.

-Bob

{update 1/29/08 1:39 PM} The Deseret News is reporting that Obama's campaign canceled the visit in deference to President Gordon B Hinckley's funeral.

"Last night I spoke with President Thomas Monson and expressed my deepest sympathies to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley," Obama said in the statement.

Obama Opens 2nd Utah Office

SLTrib:

Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama went on the air this week touting their messages, and Obama's campaign opened a second field office, this time in St. George, a week and a half before Utah voters hit the polls. Clinton's campaign, meanwhile, has a presence in Salt Lake County and Summit County.
"We've never seen anything like this," says Wayne Holland, chairman of the Utah Democratic Party.
On the Republican side, Mitt Romney - who has raised more money from Utahns than any other politician, locally or nationally - has opened two offices in the state, though both are more focused on using volunteers to get out the vote in other key early states.

More Obama Staff Headed to Utah

An email sent out this evening to the Utah for Obama listserv:

Hello Utahns for Obama.

The Iowa caucuses are fast approaching - next Thursday as a matter of fact. Once they are over, about 5 Obama staffers will be coming to Utah to help get out the vote for Barack here. Can you help house any of these staffers? They will likely arrive around January 4 and need housing through our primary election on February 5.

In addition, the Nevada caucuses are on January 19th. After they are over, there will be a number (as yet undetermined) of Nevada staffers coming to Utah to help Obama win Utah. They also will need housing from about January 20 through February 5.

If you or anyone you know can help by providing housing for Iowa and/or Nevada Obama staffers please call Aaron at the Utah headquarters at (801) 803-0647.

We also need help staffing the Salt Lake City headquarters every day through our February 5 primary. This would involve answering phones and making calls to Obama supporters. Please call the office to let us know when you can help -- or just show up weekdays between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm. Help on the weekends is also needed.

Only about a month left to help get out the vote for Obama!

Obama Utah HQ Open House

Unfortunately, work is going to keep me away, but here are the details:

At long last, we can finally announce our Open House! It will be Saturday, December 8. Doors open at 11 am, and the presentations begin promptly at noon. Volunteers will be asked to arrive at 9 am, if possible. If you would like to volunteer or donate items, you can either contact me by phone or email, or contact Aaron Wiley at 803-0647, and please sign up at the links that are at the bottom of this email.

Here is all the information about how you can help!

Please note - if you want to bring items, please contact Aaron before bringing them, to make sure they are still needed and to take care of any in-kind donation forms that might be needed.

General Office Items Needed

* Computers
* Phones
* Printer
* Fax machine
* UT State Flag

Open House Items Needed

* Helium Tank
* Balloons
* Ribbons for Ballons
* DJ (about 3 1/2 hours of music)
* PA Equipment (might already have, not confirmed)
* Streamers
* Poster boards
* Markers
* Tape
* String
* Signs (professionally printed)
* Food
* Drinks
* Plates, Napkins, Cups, Flatware

8+ Volunteers Needed for the Following Tables

* Press
* Volunteer Sign Up
* Politicians
* Supporter/Materials Table
* Voter Registration (early/mail in)
* RSVP (sign-in)
* Donation
* Obama Gear

At least 3 or 4 Volunteers Needed To Handle Parking/Security

If you want to help, but cannot make it by 9 am, we can still use your assistance. Just let us know how long you will be available for. If you aren't able to volunteer, we hope you'll still come down and enjoy this amazing event with us! And bring your friends!

The address is 1747 South 900 West.

Sign up to attend the Open House here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4v4k4

Sign up to volunteer here (and don't forget to leave your phone number!):
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4v4kg

One last thing - Aaron is trying to make sure he's in contact with any of Utah's active group leaders, to make sure that he reaches all of the volunteers. If you are the "owner" or leader of one of these groups, please let him (or myself) know so we can make sure you're involved!

--

Thanks,
Misty Fowler
Volunteer, Obama Utah HQ
UtahForObama.org

Obama field office set for SLC?

I've heard rumors floating around for the past few days that Barack Obama's campaign was sending someone to Utah to scout locations for a field office in Salt Lake.

Today's Tribune has the story.

Apparently, the field office would include hiring a full-time staffer through Feb 5 to staff the office.

"We have a huge grass-roots group here in Utah," said Raul Alvillar, Obama's state director for Arizona who was hunting for office space Thursday in Utah. "Just because the state is red, doesn't mean there aren't Democrats there."

Politics can be FUN(ny) sometimes....

From Utah for Obama:

On the way home from the Organizing Meeting, Jenee and I were riding in my Jeep with the top off. We wound up behind a vehicle with a bunch of liberal bumper stickers, including an oval one that said "Obama" and had some unreadable text below that. I happened to have 1 extra bumper sticker with me, and made a joke about giving the driver a "real Obama bumper sticker". We wound up stopped behind her at a left turn light that had just turned red, so Jenee jumped out of the Jeep and ran up to her and told her "here, you need a bigger one". She said the lady looked surprised at first, then smiled and laughed, saying "thank you". I wouldn't say this should be a normal way for us to connect with Obama supporters, but it sure was a fun and unusual experience!

Utah for Obama Meeting Tomorrow!

The second meeting for Obama Supporters from Utah will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 3, at the Downtown Salt Lake City Library (210 East 400 South) in Conference Room C (Level -1).

On the agenda:

Some of the topics that will be addressed this weekend include:

* Fundraising / FEC Regulations
o We need a volunteer to coordinate this effort.
* Events
o House Parties
o Meet and Greets
o Parades
o Voter Registration
o Book Groups
* Writing
o Press Releases
o Utah-specific talking points
* What do we, as a group, hope to accomplish?

For more on Utah for Obama, please visit UtahForObama.com.

Other Groups of interest:
Mormons for Obama
University of Utah for Obama
Utah Catholics for Obama
Utah County for Obama
Utah State University for Obama
UVSC for Barack Obama
(Utah's) Dixie 4 Obama