Obama-Clinton Ticket

Now that the Presidential primary season is winding down after months and millions of votes cast, it’s now time to set our focus on November and winning back the Presidency.

Both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have energized millions of new voters, and all of them are committed to seeing a Democrat in the White House in January.

Certainly, there has been a great deal of back-and-forth bickering between Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton’s campaigns – and each candidate has millions of passionate supporters. But now it’s time for unity – and I believe the best way to unite the party is to unite the two strongest candidates our party has ever seen.

That’s why I support an Obama-Clinton ticket.

I hope you’ll join me by adding your voice to those calling for an Obama-Clinton ticket. You can add your signature at DraftObamaClinton.com.

The DraftObamaClinton.com web site gives regular citizens a way to weigh in on the VP selection process. Senator Obama has said he will have to make his vice presidential choice quickly after the primaries end this week.

Citizen involvement and grassroots organization is a cornerstone of Senator Obama’s campaign, and frankly, a foundation of our democracy. We’ve seen millions of new voters involved this campaign season. Their voices make a difference, and that’s what DraftObamaClinton.com is all about.

Our government works with the consent of the citizens, and the Presidential nominee chooses the vice president with the consent of the convention delegates. This site is a tool for letting party leaders, convention delegates and the candidates themselves know the extent of support for an Obama-Clinton ticket.

It’s about giving the citizens a voice in the vice presidential selection process, not just too party elites.

This is not some folly, such a petition has been successful before – in January 2004, “Citizens Consent” launched a draft Kerry-Edwards web site and collected over a hundred thousand signatures to an on-line petition. Months later, Senator John Kerry selected Edwards as his running mate.

With enough voices pushing for an Obama-Clinton ticket in November, we can make this happen. Take a page from history as a guide: Kennedy and Johnson, fierce rivals in the primary back in 1960.

DraftObamaClinton.com was launched by “Citizens Consent” - a grassroots organization dedicated to mobilizing citizens to participate more directly in our democracy - and not affiliated with any campaign.

I hope you will join me and sign the petition now at DraftObamaClinton.com – it only takes a few seconds to add your voice to the thousands that already have weighed in.

- Jim

Firstly, I want to again congratulate Senator Hagan on her nomination as the candidate to beat US Senator Dole in the 2008 senatorial race. I have told Kay that she has my full support and encourage you to work hard on her behalf.

To the staff, volunteers and bloggers who made our campaign so vibrant I thank you. We were a lean organization running a 21st century grass roots campaign. We took almost 20% (about 250,000) of the votes cast despite our lack of resources and the fact that nobody in NC had a clue who Jim Neal was 7 months ago. I am very proud of each and every person who volunteered their time and contributed to our campaign.

I've become a fan the blogosphere in general as a fantastic communications medium: the emergent Fifth Estate. Online activism is the future of politics and social change. I believe that the power of the blogosphere is only at the tip of the iceberg (and that iceberg is melting...) so keep your involvement and your voices in the debate.

Remember that the campaign was never about Jim Neal. It was about you. You are the voices of change. Change is only going to come from the bottom up.

Many of you have emailed me and asked "what's next?" Well, I've got a lot of people to thank and a campaign to wind down. Thereafter I'm taking some time, after 7 months and 35,000 miles on the road and not much sleep and too many pounds shed, to reflect. I don't know what the next chapter in my life will be. I do know, however, it will involve continuing to work for empowering the voiceless many most in need. I have heard them. They have made me a richer person. They still have my ear and I'm not about to walk away from them.

We all have a lot of work to do.

Thank you.

Jim

[cross posted at BlueNC]

Rougemont, Person County

Jim spent the afternoon speaking with supporters in Rougemont in Person County.

To volunteer in the final days before the primary, click here to get involved.

Cary Early Voting

Jim Neal talked to early voters before casting their ballots on Saturday afternoon at the Herbert C. Young Community Center in Cary.

You can vote early for Jim Neal too! Click here to find your polling place.

NC Black Summit

On Saturday afternoon, Jim participated in a Senatorial forum at the NC Black Summit in Raleigh.

Helios Cafe, Raleigh

Jim spoke to a group of supporters in Raleigh at Helios Cafe, gearing up for the May 6th primary!

If you're in the Wake County area and want to help Jim Neal on May 6th, contact Joe Gavrilovich to get involved!

NC State Early Voting

Jim talked with NC State University students before they cast their ballots at one of the early voting "One Stop" sites.

You can vote early for Jim Neal up to May 3rd too! Click here to find your polling place.

Jefferson-Jackson Breakfast, Raleigh

Saturday morning, Jim attended the 38th Annual Jefferson-Jackson Breakfast in downtown Raleigh.

Wilmington for Jim Neal, Fat Tony's

After the Senatorial forum (see post below), Jim had pizza with a dozen Wilmington supporters before hitting the road.

UNCW Senatorial Forum, Wilmington

On Friday night, Jim attended a US Senatorial forum hosted by the New Hanover County Democrats at UNCW.

"Neal said he once stood in an unemployment line and that more people than ever are in that same 'well of despair.' He was likely referring to Hagan's 10 years in the General Assembly and Dole's long-standing Washington ties when he told the audience that America is at a crossroads in 2008."

'Are we going to go down the path of politics as usual ... or are we going to go down a new path?' Neal asked."

[Read More at the Star News]

(Video to come...)

Laurinburg, Scotland County

At noon, Jim spoke to a large group of Democrats at Subs-N-Cream on Main Street. The event was hosted by the Scotland County Democratic Women.

Laurenburg ESC Office, Scotland County

Jim met with Burnest Graham, director of the Scotland Employment Security Office, to learn more about how the county provides assistance to those unemployed looking for a job.

Aberdeen, Moore County

Jim started the morning meeting with some supporters at Panera Bread in Aberdeen in Moore County.

Greenville, Pitt County

Jim and a large group of voters had a spirited discussion in Greenville Thursday night at Asasia's Tipsy Teapot on Evans Street.

"Jim Neal, candidate for the Democratic Party's U.S. Senate nomination was hoping his fourth campaign trip to Greenville would be less painful than the last.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni watched his school's 84-66 loss to Kansas in the NCAA basketball semi-finals with supporters at a local restaurant.

The memory of the night produces a grimace.

Neal appeared Thursday night at Acasia's Tipsy Teapot. During the stop, Greenville City Councilman Calvin Mercer offered Neal his endorsement.

"We have run a grassroots campaign from the very beginning, and a grassroots campaign is going out to groups of people," Neal said. After visiting about three-fourths of the state's 100 counties, Neal said he's found North Carolinians want to be heard."

[Read More at The Daily Reflector]

Kinston, Lenoir County

Jim stopped by the Lenoir County Democratic Headquarters to speak with voters and supporters. The event was organized by the Democratic Women of Lenoir County.

Orange County, Early Voting

Jim Neal stopped by UNC's early voting location to talk with UNC students and other Orange County voters.

If you're in Orange County - you can vote early for Jim too! (Up to May 3rd) @

Morehead Planetarium
205 E. Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC

Jim Neal wins endorsement of Independent Weekly!

"Neal opposed the U.S. invasion of Iraq and supports getting our troops out now; he supports universal health care; is against capital punishment; wants to scrap No Child Left Behind, Bush's counterproductive education program; proposes making the federal tax system more progressive; and advocates an Apollo-style program to wean the country from imported oil and develop alternative-energy sources, including conservation."

[Read More]

Oxford, Granville County

Jim Neal stopped by the Granville County Democratic Party Headquarters in Oxford for an informal meet and greet with voters.

Jim On the Road: "T-Minus 12"

Get involved today! Click here to volunteer or e-mail Christian Schneider to get more involved on our campaign in the final days before the primary!

Morehead City, Cartaret County

Jim stopped by Mrs. Willis' Restaurant in Morehead City to meet with voters and supporters, organized by the Cartaret County Democratic Women.

Jim Neal Wins Greensboro Endorsements!

Greensboro’s Yes! Weekly and the Guilford County Chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America announced they are backing Jim Neal for the U.S. Senate nomination in the May 6 Democratic primary.

Triad publication YES! Weekly noted Neal’s forthrightness and progressive credentials. “Are North Carolinians ready to elect Neal? The answer at YES! Weekly is yes. Neal is the more progressive of the two candidates, particularly in his opposition to granting immunity to telecommunications companies that cooperated with the Bush administration’s warrantless wiretapping program. He has been unequivocal about this.”

[Read More]

Pittsboro, Chatham County

Jim Neal listened to voters at a candidate's forum hosted by the Chatham County Democratic Women at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro. Afterwards, we almost ran out of yard signs and bumper stickers!



"Baby, I want you to go win this..."

Jim Neal On The Road: "It's about to change..."

Yes, it's about to change. But not without your help. Sign up to volunteer now!

House Party!

Jim met with supporters at the home of Graig and Jen Meyer in Chapel Hill Wednesday Night.

Can you host a house party too, e-mail Sara Forman for more details.

Headquarters: Behind the Scenes

Jim Neal chats with a few of our many energized volunteers at campaign headquarters on Tuesday.

You can get involved too! Sign up to volunteer!

Martin, Martin County

On Monday night, Jim participated in a bipartisan candidate forum hosted by the Martin County Women's Council.

Jim Neal Wins Straw Poll!

Jim Neal won the 10th Congressional District's straw poll 54% to 46%!

"It was a good day in Newton. A good Democratic kind of day. A good community kind of day. A good people kind of day. And, yes, a good day for the Jim Neal for Senate campaign.

I'm so proud of the campaign we're running, how we're running it and how we're being received as I criss-cross our state, meeting with people no matter who they are and where they live. Even when there were more cows in the barn than voters I was there to listen and learn. I'm going to continue doing just that. And answering your questions and giving you my ideas in what will be, I'm convinced, one of the most transformative elections in our nation's history. For if it were just another politics-as-usual election year, I wouldn't even be here to write this thank you. Think about it..." - Jim Neal

[Read More @ BlueNC]

Laurinburg, Scotland County

On Saturday night, Jim attended the 8th District Black Leadership Caucus's Annual Banquet in Laurinburg, NC.

Jim Neal On The Road: "overwhelmed by the show of support"

Jim Neal On The Road, April 12

Newton, Catawba County

On Saturday, Jim had the opportunity to met with voters from Alexander, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln and Mitchell counties who had all gathered for Catawba County's 10th Congressional District Rally and Straw Poll. After getting a chance to meet the candidates and hear each of them speak, voters cast their "ballots" for federal and statewide races.

Asheboro, Randolph County

Jim Neal met up with some supporters at Coffee Xchange in Asheboro Friday night.

Lincolnton, Lincoln County

Jim had a conversation right outside of Lincoln County's Democratic Party Headquarters near the back of a pickup truck, due to the spring-like weather. 

Later, a Jim Neal bumper sticker was properly affixed to the truck.

Jim on The Road: "Public service is a public trust."

Jim Neal on the Road, April 11

Lenoir, Caldwell County

Jim spoke to a group a group of Caldwell County Democrats this afternoon at 1:30 at Java Joe's Coffee Shop on Main Street. Thanks to Party Chair Beth Jones for organizing this event!

Monroe, Union County

Early Thursday morning, Jim spoke and met with voters at the Union County Candidates Breakfast and Forum hosted by The Union County Farm Bureau held in the Union County Agricultural Center in Monroe.

Join 10 for Jim!

"The Almighty Dollar"

"Raising money is the dirty underbelly of our democracy. And that’s why I do not take money from PACs or special interest groups. I do this in order to set an example because until we have meaningful campaign finance reform our democracy will be up for sale.

Our campaign has shown that you don’t have to raise millions to compete. Just look at the most recent SurveyUSA/WTVD poll. We are running in a dead heat against an established insider who has outspent us three to one. Now, with 28 days left, we need your help to push us over the top.

I need to be competitive with my well-financed opponent which means that I have to ask you for money. Money buys expensive television time, gas to fuel my campaign car (an Escape Hybrid) and campaign materials to distribute.

What’s different about our fundraising is that we are building a base of grassroots donors whose money sends a message to the Inside the Beltway crowd: “We are NOT for sale”.

From day one, our campaign has been about the simple, profound idea that the people deserve a voice in our democracy. Whether in Washington or in Raleigh, the special interest dollar all too often trumps the voice of the people, and it has been that way for as long as I can remember.

This year…we have the unique opportunity to vote for what we want…not what we think we can get.

I hope you will join me in this quest to change politics as usual. Join 10 for Jim. Make a donation. Sign up to help. But, whatever you do, don’t sit on the sidelines. There is groundbreaking, monumental change within our reach…let’s go out and grab it." - Jim Neal

[Read More]

"Former Republican Supports Jim Neal"

Here is a snippet from a documentary a group of UNC students are working on for a journalism assignment. Victoria Shaw, a former Republican, shares her story about first meeting Jim Neal a couple weeks ago and quickly becoming a believer and supporter.

AMERICAblog Endorses Jim

"Jim is a proud Democrat running for Senate. And, clearly, he is right on the issues. He'll run circles around Liddy Dole. We set up an ActBlue page for Jim.

The primary is May 6th (yes, the same day as the all-important Democratic primary in NC, so turnout will be huge.) Jim is not the "establishment" candidate for the primary. However, the polls we've seen show a close primary race at this point. PPP's latest survey shows the primary race is wide open -- and money will matter."

[Read More]

Jim On The Road: "Our greatest asset is our future"

"I'll share with you one statement I've heard over the last 24 hours that I think is a wonderful metaphor for why this election is so important. There was a gentleman that spoke to me last night in Chowan County: Our greatest asset is our future. Our greatest asset it our future. And I can't think of a better way to embody what is at stake in this election in 2008. I need your help - and we'll win." - Jim Neal

Join 10 for Jim!

Blue NC Poll

Vote for your favorite candidate over at Blue NC here!

Edenton, Chowan County

Jim met with voters at Edenton's historic Barker House on Saturday night. Opposition to the proposed OLF was unanimous among the citizens gathered.

"The people of Gates, Camden, and Currituck Counties do not want the OLF in their community. If government of the people, for the people and by the people means anything, that should be the end of the story.

But it isn’t.

The Navy is proceeding with its plans without input from local residents and despite their opposition. This raises questions of how the Navy makes its citing decisions.

The OLF serves as a warning about a government that is out of touch with the people. Impersonal bureaucracies in far away places make their decisions without considering the lives that will be affected – the very people government is supposed to serve." - Jim Neal

[Read more]

"That's exactly what I want in a leader"

"Hi I'm Courtney Smith, I go to Eastern Carolina University and I'm 22 years old. I am a Jim supporter and I'm here for Eastern North Carolina to try and recruit people. Everybody should Join 10 for Jim and also register to vote, because our demographic matters the most in this election - I truly believe that. Jim is a man of the people - he has gone down to basic grassroots campaigning, which I really can appreciate. He wants to hang out with people, he wants to get to know people - and that's exactly what I want in a leader."

Join 10 for Jim!

Join our Facebook group!

Are you an ECU student that wants to get involved? E-mail Courtney Smith to get on board!

Hatteras, Dare County

Jim had the opportunity to meet with voters at Dare County's annual Democratic Party Rally - featuring a fish fry and tons of BBQ (eastern style, of course).

Jim On The Road: "This is grassroots campaigning at its best"

Sign up to volunteer!

Join 10 for Jim!

Washington, Beaufort County

We stopped by Beaufort County Democratic Headquarters to meet with some local democrats and some campaign supporters. We also bumped into Pat, who will be hosting a "10 for Jim" fundraiser next week.

"Hi my name is Pat Siebert, I'm a progressive democrat in Beaufort County and I'm supporting Jim Neal because think he's the most progressive for our state. I'm also having a house party for Jim to raise funds, which all candidates need. And it's really easy to do, I just invited 10 people and asked each to donate $10 and there we get $100 for one little house party. And its fun too - because you invite your friends. And you can do it too! Jim Neal 2008!"

Host your own house party by Joining 10 for Jim!

"Making Noise in the Kitchen"

"He Energizes Us"

Supporters from Charlotte, NC share why they support Jim Neal.

"He's actually going out there and doing it"

"Hi my name is Alex Hostetter and I am a senior at Elon University. I have been coming down here for the past couple months and volunteering for Jim Neal. And something that really stands out to me about Jim as a candidate is that he really does care about the youth of this country. He's not just another politician that talks about chanege and how they really want to really hear the voices of America- he's actually going out there and doing it. He's been going across the state the last couple months and going to different colleges, hearing people's opinion, what the youth has to say about issues, and I feel that if he is elected he will not only hear the voices in Washington but also the voices that count across the United States with young people."

Jim Neal at Duke University

Jim Neal spoke to a large group of students at Duke University on Wednesday night, recruiting members for "Devils for Jim Neal". If you're a Duke student interested in getting involved in the campaign, e-mail Christian Schnieder and get on board! Join our Facebook group too!

"I salute you for becoming involved. Believe it or not, this is a huge gathering compared to when I was in college. And I certainly haven't seen my children engaged in the political process until this year."

Jim Neal at NC State

In between passing bills at NC State's Student Senate on Wednesday night, Jim had a chance to address the students, urging them to get involved in this important election.

"If anything else in 2008, in what is the most important election in the 51 years that I've been around - you guys are the voices of change - you are. It's not me, it's not Barack Obama, it's not Hillary Clinton. It's the voters. 2008 is all about the voters. That's why young people like you guys are registering 3-times as much as you did in 2004: off the charts, non-heardof, fantastic. Keep coming, register, vote, get out. Early voting - April 17th in this state. Get behind candidates, bring your voices to the table. You are the X-factor in this election."

"Inspired me to get involved"

"My name is Adam, I'm a student from NC State and I support Jim Neal because for me he stands out from the crowd, he stands out above all the static that we hear on talk radio or on TV all the time, and he's the first politician that I've ever met that has actually inspired hope in me and inspired me to to get involved - and that hasn't happened before."

Can you get involved too? Click here to join 10 for Jim!

Jim at Elon University

Jim stopped by Elon University to discuss his campaign with about 20 students Wednesday afternoon.

"Aside from former U.S. senators John Edwards and Terry Sanford, since 1980, North Carolina voters have tended to elect conservative Senate candidates like Dole.

But voters are ready for a change, Neal says. When it comes to his bid for the Democratic nomination, two polls show him in a tight race with Hagan, he adds.

Neal stressed the message of change to about 20 students at Elon University on Tuesday.

The visit is part of Neal’s grass roots campaign to reach out to voters who he says are disenchanted with politics as usual. (TheTimesNews.com)

"Sometimes it's about integrity on the issues"

One of our campaign's most valuable assets are our many determined volunteers. One such volunteer and supporter, Mandy Carter, told me why she supported Jim Neal at headquarters yesterday:

"My name is Mandy Carter, I'm here in Durham, NC at the Jim Neal Headquarters.
Why am I going to vote for Jim May 6th? I moved to North Carolina in 1982 and guess who was the Senator here? Jesse Helms. 30 years Republican. Now we have Elizabeth Dole, another Republican. It's time for a Democrat in the U.S. Senate. And who better to send than Jim Neal, representing the entire the state of North Carolina.

And I have to also say as a black women why am I supporting Jim Neal as a white man as opposed to Kay Hagan as a white women? Sometimes it's about integrity on the issues."

Can you support our campaign too by volunteering or contributing?

UNC - Heels for Neal

On Monday night, Jim visited UNC Chapel Hill to meet with the "Heels for Neal" organization - which is helping to organize volunteers in anticipation for the May 6th primary. Chase Carter (in the blue oxford) is heading up UNC's "Heels for Neal" and will be leading a canvassing event every Saturday until the primary. If you live in the Chapel Hill area and want to get involved in canvassing, e-mail him at zcarter@email.unc.edu.

If you don't live in Orange Country, you can sign up here, or e-mail Christian Schnieder to get involved!

Helios Cafe in Raleigh

Jim was in Raleigh at Helios Cafe Monday night - we had a great turnout and a great discussion, with a focus on education (seems we had alot of teachers in the room!). Jim has spoken out repeatedly about the importance of education, and in particular the ineffectiveness of "No Child Left Behind".

"NCLB simply don't work. It's flawed in concept, doesn't engender positive outcomes and is underfunded by about, say, $50 billion. Catch name with no substance or money to match the moniker." - Jim Neal (BlueNC)

"Jim Neal Stuns James Carville Into Silence"

Jim attended the N.C. Young Democrat's annual convention today, headlined by James Carville, John Edwards, Cory Booker and Chelsea Clinton.

One of the most poignant moments of the night occurred during a meet and greet with James Carville:

At one point, Carville said that North Carolina has a great Senate candidate in Kay Hagan, noting that he had just spoken with her daughter, Carrie.

Neal, who is running against Hagan for the Democratic nomination, spoke out from the back of the room.

"I said, 'We have primaries here in North Carolina. We don't have coronations,'" Neal said later.

He said Carville did not respond. "It was the first time I've ever seen him quiet," Neal said.

(From DailyKOS)

Volunteers at the Debate

We had CARLOADS of volunteers and supporters that traveled to New Bern for the first Senatorial Debate of the primary season. Everyone did a great job setting up yard signs, passing out materials and garnering support for OUR campaign.

Jim on Iraq

This primary is about differences, differences that the candidates have on important national policies and issues. One such issue is the War in Iraq.

State Sen. Kay Hagan said the war should not end immediately.

“I don’t think we can pull out just on Day 1,” the Greensboro Democrat said in the forum hosted by Public Radio East and the North Carolina League of Women Voters. “I think we need to have a diplomatic surge. This needs a political solution.”

Hagan’s chief rival, Chapel Hill corporate financial adviser Jim Neal, disagreed, saying saying he would even vote in Congress to withhold war funding in an effort to end the conflict.

“The time to talk about a diplomatic surge is way over,” Neal said. “It’s time to get out of Iraq.”

(From The Winston-Salem Journal)