Standing on the National Mall witnessing the inauguration of Barack Obama as 44th President of the United States has to be one of the proudest moments of my lifetime. Being there with my daughter Kelly, eight of my grandchildren, my sister Kim and her two children guarantees this to be a moment we will never forget.

The idea of getting a bus together for the Inauguration was born during the campaign - wouldn't it be great to see Obama inaugurated if he won? So when he did, we did. Women for Obama chartered a bus, planned our "express" itinerary,did some advertising ($150 each) didn't hurt,filled the bus and just waited for 19Jan to roll around. Wasn't quite that easy, but we made it.

We boarded Tri State Travel bus at KMart lot in Dubuque at 10:30 am on 19 Jan. We were joined by folks from Delaware, jackson,, Polk, and Black Hawk counties. List included party activists, three generations of the Arthofer family,two great ladies, age 84 and 89, lots of mother, son/daughter combinations, five members of the local Hickey family and our Monahan/Jochum family.

Driving all night we were wide awake when we hopped the Metro at Shady Grove (Gaithersburg) MD. and made short work of the walk from Farragut North Metro Station to the Washington Monument on the Mall. Since we didn't have tickets, the family (now joined by the great ladies of Cascade) opted to stay put and watch the festivities on the Jumbo tron. We were soon joined by 10,000 (by official count) of our closest friends. There was dancing, singing, lots of high fives and hugs when the magic moment arrived. It was amazing to catch the cheering from the mall carrying back up the hill to us. Two million people all cheering together for this young man who reminded us that 40 years ago, his father couldn't sit at a drug counter. As I watched my grandchildren I realized that what started out as a gift to DC for them, was really a gift to me. I have never been so proud.

Well, after the ceremony we were lucky enough to be included in the group that was kept walking the streets for five hours so as not to rush Metro Stations. But that's another story for another time. Suffice to say we boarded our bus at 10pm and made it home by Wed afternoon.

What a grand event!!

Aquilla just announced they could start cutting off gas service in April for those folks who cannot pay their home gas bills.

That will happen for families unable to make arrangements to spread out payments etc. or simply have no money to pay.

Has Hillary made special arrangements to pay her bill or doesn't it matter since she's moved on and has no further need for gas for heat and cooking here in Iowa.

or anyone that may have some info....

We usually open general election campaign headquarters in June - I know we have Senate, Congressional, and Iowa House Seats, but canvass activity in coordinated campaigns usually center around presidential candidate - does anyone know the IDP plan if we don't have a nominee in June?

Also, most of us have been exposed to some fantastic staffing and campaign practices for all the Presidential campaigns, here's hoping IDP able to pick up some of these fantastic young people and practices for the general election.

Thanks for the excellent observation. Is there someway you could start a thread with this idea?

here in Iowa. Took a liking to him way back in March and am more convinced than ever that he is the right person for the job. I've done lots of phone calling from the office and home, can't canvas anymore but did some work on updating info into the computer, donated some money a while ago and now donate $25 monthly - all I can afford right now, I'm an Obama Precinct Captain which means getting the Obama supporters in my precinct informed about the process, schedule rides, make more phone calls inviting folks to support Obama - and of course working for Obama on Caucus night. Have attended events for Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. One of the things I'm most proud of is my work with the Women for Obama. Our group focuses on providing other women with information re O's stand on issues, seeking out non traditional voters and registering them to vote and even providing info to those who may want to learn more about other candidates.

By the way, my husband is in charge of recycling at the local headquarters - no easy task!!!

Proud to be a part of the grassroots movement for Obama.

BIDEN 2005 BANKRUPTCY BILL

focusing on companies looting pension funds and workers losing promised pensions and insurance benefits. This is happening across the country and Iowa every day! What about the retired folks at Rockwell and Deere that were just informed of losing company insurance coverage? I'm happy to see a Presidential candidate speak out on issues that affect my life. Your criticism of the commercial smacks of sour grapes - where you in HR in an earlier life?

Joe Biden was my candidate. He was until he sidestepped a question re 2005 Bankruptcy Bill that I decided to research on my own. Just GOOGLE "Biden 2005 Bankruptcy Bill". The Daily Kos Dairy provides info on the bill and the amendments defeated along the way. Amendments that would protect soldiers in Iraq from predatory lenders, or save a family's home while recovering from major illness or other catastrophic events, but read for yourself. You'll learn that Sen Biden was only one of 3 Democrats that supported this Repug bill that tightened bankruptcy rules for millions of middle class and poor Americans and allowed credit cards companies to mass market product to students and marginal folks and charge higher interest rates and fees across the board.

Just ask him!!

I'm sorry. I really like Joe Biden's msg on Iraq and I agree he is a foreign affairs guru, but I can't get past the 2005 bankruptcy bill and his sell out to credit card companies. Senator Biden sidestepped my question re this at an event earlier this year saying he would forward info which never came If you haven't noticed, the credit card users today are not out buying posh "toys". They include the elderly lady down on the corner using a credit card to pay for her heart medication, or the distraught young father not able to pay for antibiotics for a sick child; have you seen the number of folks charging groceries lately and how about your doctor who will gladly accept a credit card for payment on your delinquent bill. Did anyone read the Iowa stories re booster clubs endorsing credit cards for students - profits in the billions for the credit card companies, further debt for students already deep in debt for tuition.

Ask all candidates the tough questions - we only get this chance once.

Just hung up from Pro Life group asking me to listen to Congressman Steve King. Like the good DU'er I am, when I heard the name Steve King I automatically hit the fight mode. Very carefully gave my opinion of the congressman and politely hung up - but I should have listened - just to find out what he was up to calling into Dubuque. If anyone else gets the call please find out why he's calling - I owe you one!

This administration has used and gotten away with every crooked tactic they could to take us into an illegal war, widen the gap between the haves and have not's, allowed our children to go to bed homeless, hungry and without medical care, attack our constitutional rights, and much more. Joe Biden says it best - the next president will have t hit the ground running. We're charged with choosing that President.
I have to believe that the next President will be a leader who can pull this country together, so that together we dig our way out of the mess we're in today. Keep that in mind when you're making your nominee choice. Then get out and work for your candidate to make it happen. There's a lot more satisfaction in digging out than caving in.

Hope you don't mind this proud grandma gushing a little. Just wanted to share our good news. My granddaughter, Megan Simpson, was just selected as Iowa Democratic Party Rising Star and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on June 2 at Cedar Rapids.

Cleaning up my in box and found announcement from DLCC welcoming Mike Gronstal as new Chair of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. Posted from Michael Davies, Exec Director DLCC.

Of course this is old news from 9 April, long before he had words with citizens lobbying for clean elections.

I'm trying to figure it out, but in 08 in addition to President, will Tom Harken be up for election? Any skinny? We'll also have Bruce B and Dave L running again plus all of the state house, county etc?

sounds great! Just don't get hung up on the name game. When my mom died the next grandchild born just had to have a version of her name. Now I don't think Keenen Michael Lolita really minds his name, course he's only seven......

Congrats to all of you!