Barack_Obama's Blog

This morning, President Obama announced the start of his 2012 campaign in an e-mail to supporters. Take a look—and let us know if you're in too.

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Today, we are filing papers to launch our 2012 campaign.

We're doing this now because the politics we believe in does not start with expensive TV ads or extravaganzas, but with you‹with people organizing block-by-block, talking to neighbors, co-workers, and friends. And that kind of campaign takes time to build.

So even though I'm focused on the job you elected me to do, and the race may not reach full speed for a year or more, the work of laying the foundation for our campaign must start today.

We've always known that lasting change wouldn't come quickly or easily. It never does. But as my administration and folks across the country fight to protect the progress we've made‹and make more‹we also need to begin mobilizing for 2012, long before the time comes for me to begin
campaigning in earnest.

As we take this step, I'd like to share a video that features some folkslike you who are helping to lead the way on this journey. Please take a moment to watch the video.

In the coming days, supporters like you will begin forging a new organization that we'll build together in cities and towns across the country. And I'll need you to help shape our plan as we create a campaign that's farther reaching, more focused, and more innovative than anything
we've built before.

We'll start by doing something unprecedented: coordinating millions of one-on-one conversations between supporters across every single state, reconnecting old friends, inspiring new ones to join the cause, and readying ourselves for next year's fight.

This will be my final campaign, at least as a candidate. But the cause of making a lasting difference for our families, our communities, and our country has never been about one person. And it will succeed only if we work together.

There will be much more to come as the race unfolds. Today, simply let us know you're in to help us begin, and then spread the word:

http://my.barackobama.com/

Thank you,

Barack

President Obama traveled across the Potomac River to Arlington, Virginia, yesterday to speak about how America can win the future by out-educating the rest of the world. He explained:

"The best economic policy is one that produces more college graduates. And that's why, for the sake of our children and our economy and America's future, we¹re going to have to do a better job educating every single one of our sons and daughters—all of them."  

In order to do so, we have to reform No Child Left Behind. Teachers, students, parents, and communities have agreed that although the goals of No Child Left Behind—providing every child with an excellent teacher, promoting accountability, shining a light on the educational achievement gap—were right, important parts of the law simply aren't working. He said:

"But what hasn't worked is denying teachers, schools, and states what they need to meet these goals. That's why we need to fix No Child Left Behind. We need to make sure we're graduating students who are ready for college and ready for careers. We need to put outstanding teachers in every classroom and give those teachers the pay and the support that they deserve.

"We need to not only hold failing schools accountable, we need to help turn those schools around. In the 21st century, it's not enough to leave no child behind. We need to help every child get ahead. We need to get every child on a path to academic excellence."

Saying he was proud of the bipartisan commitment to fix No Child Left Behind, President Obama called on Congress to send him an education reform bill that he can sign into law before the next school year begins this fall:

"I want every child in this country to head back to school in the fall knowing that their education is America¹s priority. Let's seize this education moment. Let's fix No Child Left Behind."

Watch the President's full speech or read the remarks.  

Do you have a great idea you want to share with the President? Is there an initiative making a difference in your community that could help other folks around the country?

Now you have the chance to share these great ideas with President Obama and his staff. Starting this week, senior advisors from the White House will be asking for your thoughts and feedback on the big issues of the day.

David Plouffe kicks off the series in the video above, asking for your ideas on innovation and how the government can help deliver another great century of American innovation.

What's your idea? Submit it here.

President Obama released the following proclamation celebrating Thanksgiving:

A beloved American tradition, Thanksgiving Day offers us the opportunity to focus our thoughts on the grace that has been extended to our people and our country. This spirit brought together the newly arrived Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe -- who had been living and thriving around Plymouth, Massachusetts for thousands of years -- in an autumn harvest feast centuries ago. This Thanksgiving Day, we reflect on the compassion and contributions of Native Americans, whose skill in agriculture helped the early colonists survive, and whose rich culture continues to add to our Nation's heritage. We also pause our normal pursuits on this day and join in a spirit of fellowship and gratitude for the year's bounties and blessings.

Thanksgiving Day is a time each year, dating back to our founding, when we lay aside the troubles and disagreements of the day and bow our heads in humble recognition of the providence bestowed upon our Nation. Amidst the uncertainty of a fledgling experiment in democracy, President George Washington declared the first Thanksgiving in America, recounting the blessings of tranquility, union, and plenty that shined upon our young country. In the dark days of the Civil War when the fate of our Union was in doubt, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Thanksgiving Day, calling for "the Almighty hand" to heal and restore our Nation.

In confronting the challenges of our day, we must draw strength from the resolve of previous generations who faced their own struggles and take comfort in knowing a brighter day has always dawned on our great land. As we stand at the close of one year and look to the promise of the next, we lift up our hearts in gratitude to God for our many blessings, for one another, and for our Nation. This Thanksgiving Day, we remember that the freedoms and security we enjoy as Americans are protected by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. These patriots are willing to lay down their lives in our defense, and they and their families deserve our profound gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

This harvest season, we are also reminded of those experiencing the pangs of hunger or the hardship of economic insecurity. Let us return the kindness and generosity we have seen throughout the year by helping our fellow citizens weather the storms of our day.

As Americans gather for the time-honored Thanksgiving Day meal, let us rejoice in the abundance that graces our tables, in the simple gifts that mark our days, in the loved ones who enrich our lives, and in the gifts of a gracious God. Let us recall that our forebears met their challenges with hope and an unfailing spirit, and let us resolve to do the same.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 25, 2010, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all the people of the United States to come together -- whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors -- to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

This year, President Obama celebrated Veterans Day among troops and veterans at Yongsan Garrison in South Korea.

He told the service men and women gathered:

"On this day, we honor every man and woman who has ever worn the uniform of the United States of America. We salute fallen heroes, and keep in our prayers those who are still in harm's way like the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. We recall acts of uncommon bravery and selflessness, but we also remember that honoring those who've served is about more than the words we say on Veterans' Day or Memorial Day. It's about how we treat our veterans every single day of the year. It's about making sure they have the care they need and the benefits they have earned. It's about serving all of you as well as you've served the United States of America."

And that means ensuring that all returning soldiers and veterans have the resources they need to thrive. President Obama reiterated that America's commitment to its troops doesn't end when they leave the battlefield:

"So I want all of you to know that when you come home, your country will be there be for you. That is the commitment I make as your Commander-in-Chief. That is the sacred trust between the United States of America and all who defend its ideals."

President Obama spoke also to the America Korean War veterans in the audience:

"So many of you served your nation with such courage and commitment. You left your homes and your families and you risked your lives in what has often been called 'The Forgotten War.'

"Well today, I want you to know this: We remember. We remember your courage. We remember your sacrifice. And the legacy of your service lives on in a free and prosperous Republic of Korea. ...

"That is why you will always be the best that America has to offer the world. And that is why people who never met you and never knew you will always be grateful to the friend and ally they found in America. Thank you for your service, may God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America."

President Obama has made it a priority to open the doors of the White House—to truly make it the People’s House. Now you can take a tour of the White House without logging off your computer.

The White House has created an interactive online tour with behind-the-scenes photos and videos. Cook with the New Orleans Saints in the White House kitchen. Peek into the Situation Room. See the West Wing, the Residence, the East Wing, and the South Lawn. Tour the beehive with the White House beekeeper—and so much more.

Begin your tour here.