Obama to ask his donors to help storm victims -- Will deploy e-mail list for Gustav aid

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20 minutes ago



LIMA, Ohio (AP) — Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said Sunday he will tap his huge political network of donors and volunteers to help U.S. victims of Hurricane Gustav after it comes inland.

"I think we can activate an e-mail list of a couple of million people who want to give back," he said. Donations could include cash, goods and individual labor," Obama told reporters after attending St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Lima, Ohio..

Obama said he first would ask officials in the affected areas what is most needed, which may not be known for a few days.

"We don't want to solicit a bunch of canned goods that can't get there, or, you know, bottles of water where they already have water," he said.

Obama said he might visit storm-damaged areas once "things have settled down."

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jvhZPpZaGareAgrNFuJxC1TNyhxgD92TCJGG1



Obama told reporters that his campaign already is coordinating with local authorities. The senator has said he has no plans to go to the region, because of the potential disruption, although Sen. John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, are heading to Mississippi today.

"We can activate an e-mail list of a couple million people who want to give back," Obama said. "I think we can get tons of volunteers to travel down there if it becomes necessary."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/08/31/obama_to_deploy_e-mail_list_fo.html



TOLEDO, Ohio--Barack Obama Sunday refused to criticize opponent John McCain for taking a campaign trip to Mississippi even as residents of the Gulf Coast flee the approaching Hurricane Gustav.

Outside a Lutheran church in Lima, Ohio, where Obama attended services, he said, "A big storm like this raises bipartisan concerns and I think for John to want to find out what's going on is fine."

"The thing that I always am concerned about in the middle of a storm is whether we're drawing resources away from folks on the ground because the secret service and various security requirements sometimes it pulls police, fire and other departments away from concentrating on the job," Obama said Sunday.

"I'm assuming that where he went that wasn't an issue. We're going to try to stay clear of the area until things have settled down and then we'll probably try to figure out how we can be as helpful as possible."

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/08/obama_mccain_trip_to_gulf_is_f.html




Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks to the media about Hurricane Gustav after going to church at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Lima, Ohio, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

[Raven]

1. This man is just beautiful!!!

[madmax]

2. GoBama!!!!!!

This man knows his stuff. His ability to do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons makes mr so proud to be Democrat.

[stray cat]

3. Change from the bottom up?

[nytemare]

4. This act was needed

Expecially if the Republicans try to go against the grain and do some sort of fundraiser instead of the convention to make up for their complete screw-up during Katrina.

If it turns into a fundraising war, all the better for the people in the storm path. I am sure Obama will find a way to get the funds distributed where they are most needed.

:hi:

[bigtree]

6. they've already announced plans to raise funds for Gustav aid from their convention

good for them

[nytemare]

7. Shooting for redemption...

That is good. Red Cross should be getting a lot of donations from our side.

Hopefully, more than theirs.

[applegrove]

5. He is a great man.

[bigtree]

8. kick

:kick:

[Chovexani]

9. That's leadership right there, folks.

:thumbsup:

[deminks]

10. KNR

:kick:

[Fleshdancer]

11. having at least one group to concentrate on pets/animal rescue would be great

I was watching CNN yesterday and the people who were evacuated by bus and plane couldn't take their pets with them. :( Certainly there's something we can do.

[satya]

12. I saw pictures of stacks of pet carriers next to the buses, so people could bring their pets.

I forget which network I was watching, too much flipping around, but the talking head made a point of saying that these crates were available and they showed the pictures. They didn't want people to stay behind this time because they couldn't take their pets.

[Fleshdancer]

13. GOOD! I was worried about that

I have no idea what CNN was showing then. It was a woman who wanted to take her birds on the bus with her but she had to leave them. The anchor made it out to be a big issue.

[bigtree]

14. .

:kick:

[bigtree]

15. .

:kick: