Think of this I live in Brevard County, Florida which has approximately 560,000 residents. That is roughly how many Americans lose their battle against cancer each year. So as you drive through Brevard just think, every household, every man woman and child in those houses represent an annual loss to cacner. That is the impact of cancer on our economy 

In the late 90’s congress doubled funding the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Discoveries were on the rise, young brilliant minds were entering the field of research with very promising futures for themselves and for the betterment of healthcare. Over the last 8 years we have been un-doubling those budgets.

Funding is flat and last year was even cut. The Biomedical rate of inflation is greater than 6% so un-doubling is a fact. Researchers are struggling for dollars and young scientists are opting for other paths due to the lack of funding.

I looked into this and the Obama-Biden team has a clear plan to address cancer in America. It’s a good read. It addresses everything from funding at the NIH and NCI  to access to clinical trials.
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/healthcare/Fact_Sheet_Cancer_FINAL.pdf 

I went to the McCain site and found nothing, only Myth/Fact statements that said nothing.

McCain's website makes statements like

“Providing Some Protection Against Exclusion Of Pre-Existing”

“That If You Are Employed And Insured You Will Build Protection Against The Cost Of Any Pre-Existing Condition.”

These statements are so out of touch, “If you are employed” What a joke. People lose their jobs everyday and especially if they are sick. COBRA is not and option when you are out of work and in cancer treatment, where will the $$ for premiums come from. No protection that is the FACT in McCain’s plan.

Wake Up America, we need a leader that will address issues, not “look into it”

I read the Obama-Biden Plan and they have a plan that leads to ending tremendous suffering of many individuals and their families.

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/healthcare/Fact_Sheet_Cancer_FINAL.pdf

We’ve unpacked and recovered from our trip to Denver. It took us nearly eight days. Eight days to recover from the long travel days, the long convention days, the motivating speeches and all the excitement that left us pretty drained. It will take more than eight days to recover from the eight years of the current administration.

We watched the Republican Convention and saw more of the same. No plan for the future, the only offer of action seemed to be “Drill baby drill.”  We all know that that is no solution, it only prolongs problem.

But enough of that back and forth banter, its time to use the next eight weeks to get out the vote. Eight weeks to insure Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and every congressional, senate and every state seat is filled by leaders that will work for our diverse needs and advance our economy. Eight weeks to elect those that will actully serve.

Here are a few links to the best speeches we saw in Denver. Watch them and enjoy. It will take a awhile to watch them/ It is TIME WELL SPENT!

Dennis Kucinich at the DNC: Wake Up America!

Governor Brian Schweitzer "I'm a rancher"

Ted Kennedy

Joe Biden

Barack Obama

YES WE CAN

Peace
 

The crowd’s enthusiasm was thrilling. We arrived early and Michele secured a place in the “Honored Guest “section, thanks to the Obama Policy team. She sat on the 2nd level front row. Let me tell you securing credentials is like mining for gold, and worth even more. Tonight Michele will hopefully get “Community Credentials” which will allow her access to Inveso Field at Mile High Stadium to see Barack Obama accept the nomination.

The line up was fabulous and the words poignant the message clear. As the night proceeded roll call started. State by state the votes were being counted. “California how do you vote” called out the chair. The response was “California passes”

What up?

Must be that the 400+ votes would but Barack to close and they wanted to hold out to be the state that puts them over. Then on down the state list, each called out their numbers until Indiana states “Indiana yields to Illinois”. This must be it, they want to have Illinois put their native son over the top. Illinois then states “Illinois yields to New York”

Ok what’s going on?

The crowd erupts as Hillary Clinton makes her way down the aisle to make the motion

“I move that we suspend the rules and proclaim Barack Obama our nomine by acclamation”

The chair Nancy Pelosi responds “Do I have a second?” This time in one voice the entire crowd confirms “SECOND!”

“SO MOVED!” proclaims the chair.

The solidarity of the moment was quite moving, quite exciting, extremely fun, and monumentally important.

What more? A moving performance by Mellissa Etheridge, and a speech by Harry Reid was motivating. Then Florida had the honor of our Congressman Kendrick Meek introducing Bill Clinton. Then on came John Kerry, and then a moving introduction given by Beau Biden of his father Joe Biden.

Then one more surprise, Barack Obama joins Joe Biden on the podium to close out the evening!  A full evening; a full day for us.

Pictures on http://picasaweb.google.com/barrybirdwell/ByAcclamation   my battery failed. I will be collecting more picture of the evening later today. So keep checking for updates

Need to run,  one more night then on to SLEEP!

VOTE!

 

 

Last night was exceptional. Michele got in to the Pepsi center and saw a great line up. The center was live and electric. We got there early and I was able to get a much better seat on the floor. I was practically 40 feet from the podium.  I received several text and phone calls saying I saw you on CNN. It was so exciting me on CNN. But seeing me could not compare to what I was seeing and hopefully all of you saw on the podium.

Just so many things to say I do not know where to start, check out last night photos on

http://picasaweb.google.com/barrybirdwell/UnityConfirmedInDenver

see all of my pictures on

http://picasaweb.google.com/barrybirdwell

I’ll have to fill in the details later, but Hillary was truly amazing again. In addition to her speech giving full support to Barack Obama; I really believe it was her input that insured the words, indeed the policy statement “We will increase funding at the National Institute of Health and the National Cancer Institute.”  That statement is in the Democratic Party’s Platform 2008. I thank her team, the Obama team and all the local platform meetings that added that policy statement.

After a terrific night on the floor we went to Invesco Field, where Barack will give his acceptance speech. We went for a party with New Jersey, New York, Florida and Pennsylvania. I thought it was kind of a strange grouping but what the heck the food was free!

Then over the loud speakers we here “Please give a warm welcome to, Hillary and Bill Clinton.”  It became clear the four states in attendance had given strong support to Senator Clinton in the primaries. 

It was truly exciting to hear them speak and tell us how important it is to get Barack in the White House.

I could not agree more.

PEACE

 

 

The first day was really great, except for a tourist boondoggle Michele and I fell into. Oh well some times advertising works.. Let's talk about the best part of the day.

We started with the excitement of getting our credentials and having our delegation breakfast. The mayor of Orlando Buddy Dyer spoke as did the Mayor of Los Angeles.

We got on the bus to go downtown and on walks Bob Graham. It always fun to see top statesmen.

Soon it was 2:00pm and time for me to get on the bus to go to the Pepsi center. After the usual bus ride, walk to and through security it was on to the grounds of the DNC convention. I had my Florida attire on as did the entire delegation and mine had pink flamingos pinned to my shoulders.

I was easily identifiable as a Florida delegate and the press cameras started clicking away. I made it to location on the floor and it was so cool. On the FLOOR in the Front!

The major theme of the Night was meet the Obama's . Most of the speakers were from Barack's service in Illinois and also in the US Senate.

I am going to move quick because the day is already moving fast. Last night Michelle O was super. In all of our busy lives it is sometimes hard to digest all that is presented to us. But it is so different when you can look at them live in person (also thanks to the HD Big Screens). Her sincerity as a mother a woman a devoted spouse and a proud American. I just have to say it a 19 year marriage two beautiful kids, and a partnership like the Obama's is the American dream. Now contrast that with ... oh well mom says If you can say it nice..

Today at breakfast we had Alex Sink the State of Florida CFO speak,  a very fine woman. And Senator Nelson explained how the Obama campaign is listening to how to handle Florida.. because we are special. He spoke of the swing votes on the I4 corridor and how when Senator Obama came to Florida he went from St Pete to Titusville. No accident, he listens.

Let's talk Joe Biden, what do you need in a VP, 1) It must feel right for the party and does it ever, 2) He has to be able to handle himself in the VP debate.. Joe Biden? slam dunk. 3) He must be a strong campaigner. That we now he will do for Senator Obama.

Lastly and most exciting, I ran into Will. If you look back in my post he hosted me as I meet Senator Clinton. The Clinton campaign is so wonderful to me. He offered Credentials for Michele TONIGHT!! Nothing is ever 100% but we hope to meet him later today and pick them up. So Hopefully we will both be in the hall tonight!

More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/barrybirdwell/DemsUniteDNCDay1


More to come

PEACE!

Michele and I have arrived and checked into our hotel in Denver. 

We had a connection in San Antonio where we packed the plane with Dems headed to the convention. It is so great to be in a confined area with so many of like minds!!

On the plane Michele and I did some reading and planing and discussing what we would be doing in Denver and just what the Convention would be about. We discussed the Bush Legacy. We believe it will read like this.  The Bush Legacy goes on and on as the country's leaders realize that more and more needs to be UNDONE. The legacy will be just how long it takes to undo them.

It seems almost every day I learn more, like the median family income was 49k in 2001, now it is 48k. Put the price of milk, gas, well heck the price of anything you need; add it all up and that is a solid decline. You could say free fall. Now just think a bit more, Gitmo, all the signing statements that change or ignore laws created by congress, the Plame game. It just keeps going and so easy to find more.  ANY citizen should be aghast.

When we got here we were not sure what we would do Sunday Evening. There was a Delegate reception for all the Gulf States that was hosted  by Louisiana. It was to recognize the Katrina relief organizations. I was not sure if I had RSVP in time. I did! And it turned out to be a blast.

It was fun filled music food and a great "get to know you" environment.

Check all my pictures on http://picasaweb.google.com/barrybirdwell/DemsUniteInDenver

Check them out Pictures say a lot of what is going on here. Fun for now and more work today as Howard Dean opens the Convention at 3:00 pm today.

More to come.. Peace out!!

It has been quite awhile since my last post. I guess I just did not know where to start again. Well here we go.

Michele and I are currently spending the night in Orlando, and prepared for the first flight in the morning to Denver. This is where I will officially start my role as Florida Delegate. 

It promises to be as exciting and fun filled as historic. So imagine that! As much excitement as this thing is historic. There has been lots of twists and turns over the last few weeks. I will start posting as I see interesting events shaping up at the convention.

Let's start with some close to home excitement. We have been able to secure credentials for Michele for Wednesday and Thursday so she will be in the community gallery on those nights. We are excited to be together!

Here we go.

More coming very soon!

It is not a spectator sport, it is democracy in action!

C ya!

Some of you may have been reading this blog and think.. Hey, he really is a Hillary supporter. Well you know what I am, I am also a Barack Obama Supporter, I am a John Edwards supporter, Chris Dodd, if that Yeller dog over there is a Democrat, than I am a Yeller Dog supporter.

So here we stand on the delegate trail.

Last week on Tuesday I gave my support to Senator Obama. This came after several discussions with members of the Obama Campaign, and you guessed it our discussions centered on the war on cancer.

We were so in tune that I was given the opportunity to work on the Obama Heath Advisory Team/Committee and I jumped on the chance. It was a true honor to be asked and I intend on doing my best for the country and especially for the cancer patients that I advocate for.

This committee has input into forming the Democratic Party’s Platform and I may be calling upon you to show your support for the War On Cancer by contacting the Obama Campaign and the democratic party, standby and I’ll let you know.

This Saturday I have a statewide delegate meeting and in the evening there is a major fundraising dinner for the Florida Democratic Party. Last year Nancy Pelosi was the key note speaker. There is a lot of buzz who will be there this year.

You will just have to follow the blog to find out more. Or better yet subscribe to the blog it is free!!

Peace
 

Leave it be

I am really having trouble with the media. All this noise about how and when Hillary should drop out.

Look this is how I see it.

If I had (I did not) been working on this campaign for as long as her dedicated supporters have. If I had been supporting her with my friends and family for as long as many have, I would be telling the media LEAVE US ALONE.

They have worked hard and deserve respect. They do, they did and they will bring plenty to the party and they, unlike you the media, are full of grace and above all full of capability that will bring great things to this country.

I can only imagine she needs time to thank her supporters properly, not on CNN or FOX or any other public outlet. As I understand she has been closing down her campaign in a graceful manner, she is having a celebration for her supporters this weekend. She has let her staff work through the week. Imagine busting your butt for all these months and then hearing a speech that the media and other outsiders forced upon her. That would not be her style, maybe some unthankful other common day politician but not a true leader of our party.

If you look back at my previous posts you will see I predicted June 7th as the day she would concede, that prediction was because I believed she had the class and respect for her staff to do it appropriately on her terms. If we would just listen to the candidates and turn the sound down on the rest of these noise makers we would all make better decisions and all be better for it.

 

 

Lots of things going on and I have lots to say.  Standby, things on the delegate trail are on the move. What a fine set of candidates we have.

Back to you soon

Don't forget, pay attention,  as of today 4090 of our service men and women have lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq (3951 since the words "mission accomplished").

They are not forgotten. Just like the war on cancer, we win some battles but the war rages on. It is still averaging more than 1 soldier per day in Iraq and Afghanistan.

1 too many

Barry B
Peace