MTforObama's Blog

Before his Election Night speech last night, Barack sent out this message to suppporters:

I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.

We just made history.

And I don't want you to forget how we did it.

You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change.

I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign. We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.

But I want to be very clear about one thing...

All of this happened because of you.

Thank you,
Barack

You'd be surprised by how many people you know who aren't registered to vote.

Registration deadlines are coming up soon, and we need every single vote we can get to win this election.

Tell your friends, family, and neighbors to check out our new one-stop voter registration website.

Just forward this message.

VoteforChange.com makes it easier than ever to register. Instead of tracking down the right forms, all you need to do is answer a few basic questions and you'll be ready to vote. You can also:

-- Confirm your existing registration
-- Apply to vote absentee
-- Find your polling place

If you don't know your own registration status or you'd like to learn more, take a minute to visit the site right now.

This race is too close and too important to stay home on Election Day.

If you take the time to register and vote -- and make sure everyone you know is registered as well -- we'll be able to turn the tide of the past eight years.

It's people just like you who will transform this nation.

Thanks,

Barack

Here is the video of Barack's full speech from Independence, Missouri:

In his speech, Barack spoke about what patriotism means to him, both throughout his life and at this moment, as we begin the general election:

At the beginning of a week when we celebrate the birth of our nation, I think it is fitting to pause for a moment and reflect on the meaning of patriotism... We do so in part because we are in the midst of war – more than one and a half million of our finest young men and women have now fought in Iraq and Afghanistan; over 60,000 have been wounded, and over 4,600 have been laid to rest. The costs of war have been great, and the debate surrounding our mission in Iraq has been fierce. It is natural, in light of such sacrifice by so many, to think more deeply about the commitments that bind us to our nation, and to each other.

We reflect on these questions as well because we are in the midst of a presidential election, perhaps the most consequential in generations; a contest that will determine the course of this nation for years, perhaps decades, to come.

You can watch more videos and highlights at YouTube.com/barackobama.

Barack appeared as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live, with topics including his high school basketball state championship and how he passes Father's Day.

I wanted to get in touch with you one last time before tomorrow's primary.

We've had a long journey together in Montana. For more than a year, you have been dedicated to the idea that when ordinary people come together, we can do extraordinary things.

It was inspiring to see our movement in Montana last week, and it strengthens my faith that the American people -- not just here, but across the country -- are ready to stop settling for what the cynics tell us we must accept and start reaching for what's possible.

This is our chance to make history.

But the election is going to be close, and it's vitally important that you vote and bring your family and friends to vote with you.

Find your polling place and vote tomorrow:

http://mt.barackobama.com/MTlookup

When Michelle and I talked about my running for president, one of the core goals we both had for this campaign was to leave the political process better off than we found it.

That's just what you've done in Montana. And you refused to let the tired old tactics of the political status quo distract you from building this grassroots movement.

If you get out and vote tomorrow -- and bring others to vote too -- our movement will continue to grow. The world will know that Montana stood up for a different kind of politics. And real change will be within reach.

Find your polling place:

http://mt.barackobama.com/MTlookup

Thank you,

Barack

P.S. -- Here are a few details and rules that will help make the voting process run smoothly. Make sure to share these with your friends:

* Most polling places will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Polling places with fewer than 400 registered voters will be open from noon to 8:00 p.m. If you are in line when the polls close at 8:00 p.m., you have the right to vote.

* Any registered voter can participate in the Democratic primary on June 3rd. Voters do not register by party and may vote either on the Republican or Democratic ballot.

* You must show one of the following forms of identification: a current photo ID (for example, a valid driver's license, school ID, state ID, or tribal ID), a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, voter registration confirmation notice, government check, or other government document that shows your name and current address.

* Any eligible voter may register and vote on Election Day. However, new voters must go to their county clerk's office in order to register.

HELENA, MT - The Obama campaign announced today the formation of the Montana Sportsmen for Obama Committee on a press conference call with reporters. Members of the committee cited Senator Obama's commitment to supporting the rights and tradition of sportsmen, and the need to address the conservation challenge in Montana and across America.

"Hunting and angling are important traditions in Montana, passed from generation to generation," said Steve Doherty, former Montana Senate Minority Leader and Chair of the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Commission. "Sen. Obama understands the challenges Montana's hunters and anglers face from dwindling wildlife and climate change, and he is committed to preserving our lands and protecting natural habitats."

"Senator Obama believes in protecting gun rights and respects the Second Amendment and the constitutional right of Americans to bear arms," said Rep. Kendall Van Dyk (D-Billings), House Democratic Chair of the Montana Legislative Sportsman Caucus.

"Obama gets the connection between global warming and wildlife and habitat. He supports common sense solutions, endorsed by dozens of America's premier hunting and angling organizations including our very own Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation here in Montana, that will reduce the effects of climate change on wildlife." said Land Tawney, an avid sportsman and leader in the conservation community. "Access here a big issue for sportsmen in Montana and as a US Senator he supported Open Fields Incentive legislation which provides federal money for public access to private land programs."