Barry B's Blog

Barack Obama and Me

Barry Birdwell — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:19:30 GMT

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

Media Noise Makers

Barry Birdwell — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:28:24 GMT

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.

Where's Barry

Barry Birdwell — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:20:15 GMT

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

Half empty or half full is still half as good

Barry Birdwell — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:18:05 GMT

I have my tickets to Denver and I am ready to go.

Yesterday I ran the San Diego Marathon with the TEAM, We raised 12.5 million dollars for blood cancer research, so you see my passion goes beyond words there is action in our team.

I have not been able to digest the Rules and Bylaws Committee ruling yet. But it is what I expected and still don't understand what the Florida Voters did that deserves punishment. We voted our will is known and the glass is half emptied. You see what I said it was EMPTIED, poured out. I can't see where half full is a good thing, when I paid for a full glass.

Yesterday I had a call from the Clinton Campaign(voice mail plan to follow up), last night an indirect call from the Obama Campaign. This morning from CNN and as I was going through security I received a call from the Florida Democratic Party, I am waiting for them to call back. Since Senator Edwards my first and pledged choice is not an option, I am asking for wording that supports the War On Cancer to be in the party's platform. With a guarantee of that and a role where I can express my passion and experience, will go a long way to get my commitment. Until then the glass is definitely half full for us all.

PEACE

Speaking with a leader

Barry Birdwell — Fri, 23 May 2008 21:30:53 GMT

On Tuesday I called Jeremy a member of Senator Clinton's Delegate outreach staff. I discussed their invitation for me to see Senator Clinton. I asked if I would I have a chance to speak to Senator Clinton? He said "Oh yes, that is why we asked you to come. We plan on setting aside some time for you to speak with her."

I told him it was short notice. I told him I was one of the lucky ones that has good job and did not know if I could make it.

I thought that there would be a chance I would get to speak with her. I also believed there was a good chance they would be behind schedule or a number of other reasons I might not. It might just turn out to be a round trip to Boca without a chance to speak with her.

After speaking with my sister and reflecting on my role as a cancer patient advocate and a delegate I decided it was worth the chance. I was not disappointed.

I went to work on Wednesday and after a morning meeting I sent Jeremy an email stating that I was leaving now and I would be on site in about 2 hours. As I was approaching Century Village the location for "Hillary’s Solutions for America" rally, my phone rang. It was Jeremy, he said he was glad I was coming and gave me further instructions to contact Will once I got to the site. I called Will and he said "I’ll be right out to get you."

Will found me in line and escorted me directly to the front of the very long line, through security and to a front row seat. He said that after her speech I would have the opportunity to speak with her.

There was real excitement in the air, lots of people holding up various signs, for Hillary, and that our votes need to be counted in Denver. As I waited there on the front row, I reviewed the policy papers Jeremy sent me a week earlier "Hillary Clinton's’ Plan to Fight Cancer."

Will came from behind the curtain and asked me "would you like to speak with her before she speaks to the crowd." I said "of course"

He took me behind the curtain where I was introduced to State Senator Ted Douche, and a local Clinton Delegate and a few others. We all spoke for a few minutes and I took the opportunity to tell Senator Douche that I had worked on Tony Sasso’s campaign and that I was working a grass root effort to get an access to clinical trial law passed in Florida. (never miss an opportunity to advocate, that’s my motto)

A few minutes later senator Douche received a message on his Blackberry and stated "They’re here." Will started moving me toward the doorway, he wanted me to be first to speak with her.

A few minutes later in came the entourage, first a few members of staff, then the secret service. Just like in the movies, they came in cased the location, took their positions with their eyes continually scanning the area. I don’t think these guys blink.

A few more came in, one guy came in pretty unkempt, must have been from the continual campaigning. Then in walked Chelsea, I said "Hi Chelsea" and she smiled and said "Hi." My heart went WOW; this is really going to happen. A few more came in and after a few more minutes in walked Senator Clinton. She approached me and I was prepared.

As Will began to introduce me I stepped over his introduction (sorry Will) and began my pitch. After my introduction as an Edwards delegate I said "Senator I am very concerned and troubled with the state of funding at the NIH and NCI" She replied enthusiastically "me too."

I continued telling her that I had read her policy papers on cancer and we were in total concert. I told her in my opinion that we needed to accomplish two of her policies and the rest would fall in line. Those two are 1) Doubling funding at the NIH and NCI, and 2) insuring access to clinical trials.

We continued our discussion for a good 5 minutes, discussing things like how our brightest scientists are either not entering or leaving the cancer research field. I said we need to get these things on the party’s platform and she agreed. I closed with a thank you for all you do for this country. Will escorted me back to my front row seat.

She spoke to the crowd of how "you did nothing wrong, you did not break a single rule" and "when the will of the electorate is known it should prevail." It was VERY well received. I must admit, since my primary vote was tabulated when Senator Edwards suspended his campaign, I did not realize how the Obama and Clinton supporters feel. They feel shafted again. I heard that message loud and clear and I will support it with whomever whenever I get a chance.

The most exciting thing, after her speech she came around for pictures and autographs. As she came close, I pulled from my back pocket my copy of her policy papers. "Hillary Clinton’s Plan to Fight Cancer." I handed it to her and asked for her autograph, as she read what I had handed her I said "Senator we must get this on the party’s platform. I want to work with you on this in Denver." She replied "We really do" and looked to her chief of staff and said get Barry in touch with Myra of our policy staff.

Myra did call me the next day. She kept asking me "If you have any questions" I replied "I want to know what I can do and what we are going to do together in Denver"

That is where it stands.

I pray for the patient’s and the families and for the future families. I pray that things will be different. I pray that they will be different for them soon.

You probably are wondering, are you ready to commit? The answer is no, I can not discuss commitment until I know for certain that my vote will be counted in Denver.

Peace out , peace soon , check it out!

Look to my previous post to read Senator Clinton's plan, it is exactly what we need, and you may be surprised that these things are not already in place. THEY NEED TO BE, review it and start advocating!

Where's Obama?

Barry Birdwell — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:48:41 GMT

I have not heard from the Obama campaign? Should I? I hear rumbling that he is going to claim victory tonight with 2025 delegates.

In order for 2025 to be the magic number he has not included the pledged delegates from Florida or Michigan. So what does that mean?

I have to guess at this point, at least for now, I should not expect a call.. ha!

I did hear again from the Clinton Campaign, they are following up with our previous discussion and they also invited me to come see Senator Clinton tomorrow. Let's see what does "see" mean? Could it be a meeting or a seat close to the stage, well let's see? hmmm Really it is unfortunate I may not be able to accept the invitation. work is a pesky thing, but I am glad to have a good job.

Short of getting her the nomination, I am not sure how to get her views on the Cancer question in the party's platform. That is something I would like to discuss with whoever considers a Florida Delegate's voice is one that deserves hearing.

Stay Tuned, and don't for get to vote! In every election, local, state and of don't forget November!

I asked and I received

Barry Birdwell — Mon, 19 May 2008 09:50:35 GMT

A few days ago Senator Clinton's campaign contacted me in regards to my role as a Florida Edwards Delegate. I explained that I was committed to Senator Edwards' platforms, and since his endorsement of Senator Obama, I remain uncommitted.

I did explain that one if not the most important issue to me is the state of NIH funding. I discussed with him the current state of funding at the NIH and the NCI and ask what Senator Clinton's plans are for those two agencies. Her campaign worker said "I will get you her policy papers on the subject" he did and here they are. You will see that they are consistent with what I advocate.

I am still waiting to hear from the Obama campaign.

Best to you all, please read what Senator Clinton has to say.

Barry B

Hillary Clinton's Plan to Fight Cancer
Cancer is the leading cause of death in this country for people under age 85. One in two men and one in three women will get cancer in their lifetime. About 1.4 million new cancer cases are expected in the United States in 2007, and more than 1,500 people per day will die of cancer. NIH estimates the overall cost of cancer in the U.S. in 2006 was about $206 billion for direct medical costs and lost productivity due to illness and early death. As President, Hillary Clinton will invest the necessary resources so that our nation is on a path to achieve the National Cancer Institute’s goal of ending death and suffering from cancer by 2015 through:

Ending Insurance Discrimination. Today, insurance companies spend millions of dollars working to discriminate against those with expensive, pre-existing conditions by denying them coverage or treatment. Cancer patients are those most victimized by insurance company practices of trying not to cover care when it’s needed most. In order to end insurance discrimination, Hillary Clinton will:

Create a guarantee issue system. A "guarantee issue" system, built on the concept of shared responsibility, allows anyone to join a health insurance plan. This system will end the days of relegating high-cost individuals to separate, more costly, plans or public programs. In addition, insurance companies will no longer be allowed to carve out benefits or charge higher rates to people with health problems or at risk of them.
Reducing marketing costs and improving value for the premium dollar. Under a universal coverage plan with real insurance regulations, insurers would compete on low costs and high quality, not on successful underwriting and deceptive marketing practices. Hillary Clinton will create a structure of accountability for public and private insurance plans that provides transparency for consumers and allows us to wring out administrative costs that do nothing but add to the bottom line.

Ending Genetic Discrimination. Today, many Americans, especially those with a history of cancer in their family, are fearful of getting genetic tests, because they are worried they will be denied health insurance even though these tests could enable them to make changes in their lifestyle or obtain more regular screenings that could save their lives. Senator Clinton believes in the power and the promise of genetic testing to do good, but does not want to see these tests exploited to harm the very people who are at greatest risk for getting cancer. Hillary will prohibit health insurance companies from discriminating against individuals or their families on the basis of a genetic test. Insurance companies would not be allowed to require genetic tests or consider the results of any test when determining eligibility for or cost of health insurance.

Increased federal funding for cancer. Cancer research has made remarkable progress in prevention, detection, and treatment. According to the American Cancer Society, the absolute number of cancer deaths declined for the second consecutive year last year. Despite these advances, research funding is not keeping pace. During the Clinton Administration, the NIH budget more than doubled – from $8.9 billion in 1992 to $20.5 billion in 2001. It then grew to $27 billion by 2003. But adjusting for inflation, the NIH has not been increased over the past four years. Since 2003, funding has fallen behind medical inflation and in 2006, the NIH budget was cut for the first time in 35 years. Today, the National Cancer Institute has 12% less purchasing power than it had four years ago. The American Association for the Advancement of Science predicts that the percentage of NIH proposals receiving funds will be cut nearly in half by the end of 2007, compared with 2001 levels. As a result, cancer programs have stalled at major centers across the country; clinical trial accrual has slowed, and in some cases, clinical trials have been abandoned for lack of resources. Young researchers are turning to other career opportunities because of the uncertainty of future funding, and many of the best and brightest no longer see the promise of a career in science. In 1970, the average age of a first research grant was 34.2 years; today it is 41.7. If the current situation continues, there will be lasting damage, even if funding is increased in future years. As President, Hillary Clinton will:

Double the NIH and NCI budgets. She has proposed to increase the NIH budget by 50% over five years and double the budget in ten. She will call for comparable increases to the National Cancer Institute’s budget.
Expand the Cancer Centers program so that every American lives within the service area of an NCI Cancer Center. Today, there are 18 states with no Cancer Center, including large swaths of the country. As President, Hillary will expand this vital program so that it is in reach for every American living with cancer.
Increase by fivefold the number of patients participating in cancer clinical trials. This will require expanding access to experimental cancer therapies at NCI Cancer Centers; increasing the Community Clinical Oncology Group, which places undeserved populations in rural and urban areas in community-based clinical trails; increasing funding for the cancer clinical cooperative group; and increasing the Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORES) program, which conduct research on different types of cancer.
Preserve Medicare coverage of clinical trials. President Clinton issued an Executive Memorandum in 2000 requiring Medicare to cover the routine costs associated with participation in clinical trials. This policy has made it possible for many more Medicare cancer patients to participate in clinical trials - the number participating has grown from 25% to 38% of enrollees since the Clinton policy was adopted. This policy has been praised by researchers, as well as advocates for cancer patients and the elderly, and there is no evidence it has caused harm, raised costs or negatively impacted the quality of care patients receive. Nevertheless, the Bush Administration has proposed abandoning this simple system in favor of one that is much more complex and likely to deter researchers from using Medicare patients as part of their trials. Senator Clinton will maintain the successful Clinton-era set of rules for enrolling Medicare participants in clinical trials.

A Smart Approach to Prevention and Early Detection. According to the National Cancer Legislation Advisory Committee, we could prevent up to two-thirds of all deaths from cancer if Americans consumed a healthy diet, got their cancer screenings, used sunscreen and minimized sun exposure, exercised, and refrained from smoking. Timely and regular mammograms can prevent 30 percent of all deaths from breast cancer in women over 40. If all adults over 50 were screened for colon cancer, we would cut the death rate in half and save 30,000 lives each year. Almost a third of all cancer deaths are the result of tobacco use. Early detection and treatment not only saves lives; it saves money. Treating a precancerous lesion found in Pap smear costs $1,000 to $2,000. Treating a cancerous lesion costs 30 times that. Hillary will promote a five-tiered approach to preventing and detecting cancer early:

Require all insurers participating in federal programs to cover prevention priorities: Hillary will make it a condition of doing business with the Federal government that health plans cover high-priority preventive services. Covered services would be based on recommendations from the U.S. Prevention Services Task Force. Insurers would provide both individuals and providers with the financial incentives, such as eliminating copays for high-priority prevention services.
Target prevention by coordinating and pooling public funding: She will also ensure the government coordinates public spending on prevention across federal programs in the Department of Health and Human Services to maximize high-priority prevention. This public-private collaboration would ensure that prevention is pushed outside of the boundaries of the health care system and into schools, workplace, supermarkets and communities through free provision of preventive benefits. It would enlist a new prevention workforce including pharmacists, church leaders and others who can best use funds to ensure 100 percent use of cost-effective prevention.
Increase access to screening tools that have been shown to work. In 2006, the biggest decrease in cancer deaths was instances of colorectal cancer in men and women. This decrease occurred because of increased screening and early treatment. Hillary will:

promote a national education campaign to increase awareness about effective screening, such as mammograms, colorectal screening, and the HPV vaccine;
require group and individual health plans to cover colorectal cancer screenings;
authorize a colorectal cancer early detection and treatment demonstration program to serve at least 2 million low-income, uninsured individuals ages 50-64;
remove Medicare co-pays for colorectal and breast cancer screenings and extend the Welcome to Medicare visit time limit from six months to one year;
fully fund the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program; and
invest in research aimed at identifying the molecular and genetic combinations that make people more or less susceptible to different types of cancer. Knowing more about the risks will enable people to alter their lifestyles in ways that could lower their risk of attaining cancer or increase their chances of catching it early.

Help smokers quit and decrease the chances of young people starting to smoke. Most smokers want to quit, but quitting is hard and they need more support. Yet states aren’t dedicating the necessary funds to anti-smoking programs - even though they received substantial funding from the tobacco settlements - and the federal government is still hamstrung in regulatory efforts. Senator Clinton will:

Enable the FDA to restrict advertising of tobacco products to children and stop illegal sales of tobacco products to children by finally enacting the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Most smokers try their first cigarette at age 13 and by 15, are smoking daily even though it is illegal for them to be purchasing cigarettes. By empowering the FDA to regulate tobacco advertising and sales, we can reduce the number of children becoming addicted to this deadly substance.
Promote smoking cessation programs and fund them by increasing the federal excise tax on cigarettes. When the federal tax was implemented in 1960, it accounted for one third of a pack of cigarettes. Today, it makes up only 10 percent. Evidence strongly demonstrates that a higher cigarette tax discourages children and adults from smoking.
Provide coverage for comprehensive smoking cessation in Medicaid.

Put physical education and sports programs back in schools and take the junk food out. Fighting cancer starts with instilling healthy habits in our children. We want the next Lance Armstrong to have access to a bike, a pool, a track, and the time and encouragement to discover his potential. Unfortunately, schools are cutting physical education and recess, cutting back on team sports, and relying increasingly on junk food vending machines to supplement their budgets as a result of inadequate education funding and an intense focus on raising reading and math scores. As President, Hillary will:

increase funding for the Carol White Physical Education program, the only federal program aimed at improving physical education programs in schools, by 50% - $36 million - and ensure that this funding gets to underserved communities with the highest rates of childhood obesity;
implement a healthy schools program that will provide funding for schools that commit to replacing all unhealthy food in schools with healthy food by the year 2012.

Improved Quality of Care for Americans Living with Cancer. One of the greatest challenges facing cancer survivors and their loved ones is the complexity of the system they must navigate in order to obtain the care they need. Survivors often interface with a variety of specialists, face challenging decisions with limited information, and feel enormous stress throughout the treatment process. In order to improve the quality of care for cancer patients, Hillary will:

Provide funding for demonstration programs for comprehensive care and communication models. She will propose $50 million to support the development of comprehensive care and communication plans (plans that let patients know what to expect with respect to their treatment) for patients in underserved areas and those enrolled in Medicare. The plan should outline the care the patient will receive in clear, concise language, and should be revisited at each major transition point in treatment, and when transitioning from active treatment to survivorship. She will fight for Medicare to reimburse health care providers who adopt this type of plan.
Develop patient-friendly decision aids to promote informed patient choice. She will provide $25 million in federal funding to encourage the development of new programs that ensure that patients have access to up-to-date information and tools to help them understand their treatment options and make decisions that reflect their values. Cancer is complex and cancer patients often lack access to basic information about their disease.
Reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care. She will provide $50 million in federal funding for the development of culturally and linguistically competent clinical care programs, to ensure that our healthcare providers can communicate with their patients and have training and skills to fully understand and respect cultural differences in the patients they serve.

New "Paperless" Health Information Technology System. Standardized electronic medical records will make possible significant advances in research, detection, treatment, and care over the long-term while empowering doctors and other healthcare providers to communicate electronically, reducing waste and redundancy, and improving safety and quality by reducing medical errors.
Environmental Health Tracking. Hillary will expand the Centers for Disease Control biomonitoring work, establish a nationwide tracking network to help identify connections between disease and environment and develop a response system for addressing public health threats. This plan will enable us to identify the linkage between cancer and other chronic diseases and environmental factors.
Enhanced Support for Survivors. Cancer treatments save lives, but they often have serious side effects and long-term impacts that we don’t yet fully understand. In addition, adolescent and young adult survivors face unique physical and emotional challenges, and there is a paucity of research on how to best treat and support them. As President, Hillary will undertake a federal survivorship initiative to:

Increase our Understanding of Survivor Health. By developing a survivorship study – an epidemiologic tracking of cancer survivors - with a particular focus on adolescents and young adults, we will be able to better understand the long-term health impacts of cancer treatments. We can then factor this information into approach to treating cancers so that we not only save lives, but also improve the quality of life during and after treatment.
Improving Access to Support Groups. The CDC will provide $25 million to community-based groups, in conjunction with the health care institutions providing cancer treatment, to run survivorship support groups that allow cancer survivors to meet with other survivors in their communities and gain the support and information that would not necessarily be provided by health care professionals.
Special focus on young people. Adolescent and young adults diagnosed with cancer face different challenges than older individuals: they may feel more isolated; wrestle with body image and fertility issues; they are more likely to lack health insurance; and they have not yet lived out their dreams. In addition, these are the only age categories that are not experiencing an increase in five year survivor rates. Hillary will dedicate 10% of the funding within the survivorship study to analyzing the long term impact of cancer on adolescents and young adults.

Guaranteed, high quality health care coverage for all. Nearly 45 million Americans lack health insurance and about 16 million more are underinsured. Studies consistently show that those who lack insurance or who are underinsured have higher cancer mortality rates than those with high quality coverage, yet for cancer patients, or those at high risk of obtaining cancer, securing and maintaining high quality insurance can be an uphill battle. One out of every four cancer patients with insurance use up all or most of their life savings while treating their cancer because of the extraordinary costs of cancer drugs. Universal health care with a high quality meaningful prescription drug benefit will help those without insurance and those with underinsurance obtain the treatment they need.

When a campaign comes a calling

Barry Birdwell — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:02:34 GMT

What to do when a campaign comes a calling?

Last night I received a call from the Clinton campaign, and they weren't asking for money? We all have been receiving those phone calls from all the candidates, and committee but his time it was to speak specifically to me. I was called because I am an Edwards delegate. I spoke for about 20 minutes with one of Senator Cinton's staff. I discussed what is most important to me. They are going to gather specific information on where she stands in regards to funding at the NIH and get back to me. So I am now waiting.

No calls from either side yet today

Stay tuned

Breaking News! St Petersburg Times speaks to Florida Edwards Delegates

Barry Birdwell — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:54:51 GMT

Breaking news! As promised this campaign season continues to be exciting. I received a call from a St Petersburg Times reporter asking about my position, now that Senator Edwards has made an endorsement.

Start looking tomorrow at www.sptimes.com for an article about Edwards Delegates. You will find my comments consistent with my communication to you.

Now is your time to provide input to me. When I sit down Senator Clinton and when I sit down with Senator Obama, I want to be able to ask my important questions and your important questions. All in an effort to determine who indeed deserves my support, and ultimately your support. (the "sit down with" statements kind of fall into the previous posts "what if" statements, ha!)

This is really exciting and I look forward to Denver as our country finally gets back on the road to,

Proper investment at the NIH
Health Care for all (bankruptcy due to illness is a national disgrace)
A real living wage for all
A tax policy that is fair to the middle class
Real demonstrative and substantive respect for our veterans
and PEACE!

Get engaged, be engaged, buckle up! It is a ride into a better and brighter future for all Americans

Barry B.. aka super delegate

What's a Florida Edward's Delegate to do?

Barry Birdwell — Thu, 15 May 2008 07:51:57 GMT

What an exciting campaign! This is politics and timing at its best. After her big win in West VA, While Senator Clinton is recording interviews for the talk shows expressing her strength in the middle class; the champion fighter for the middle class, Senator John Edwards comes out with an endorsement of Senator Obama. The landscape and the discussions switch from her big win, to Senator Obama. I am not sure who made the timing decision, weather it was Senator Obama, or Senator Edwards it was brilliant. I'll take the campaign at their word which makes me believe that Senator Edwards decision was only 24-36 hours prior to the announcement.

Where does that leave me an un-seated, shunned, Florida Delegate committed to John Edwards? While I am confident that Senator Obama will have enough delegates to clinch the nomination before the convention, just for fun lets have a "what if" discussion.

What if we get to the convention without a candidate that has enough delegates to clinch the nomination?

What if Florida gets a full delegation based upon the January 29th primary results?

Does Senator Edwards’s endorsement of Senator Obama mean that his delegates are now Obama delegates? NO! I committed my delegate vote to John Edwards and I am bound to that commitment....until....

1) Senator Edwards "releases" his delegates which allow them to vote for any remaining candidate.
Or
2) After the first round of voting on the convention floor, which includes the super delegates, and if there is still no candidate with the delegates needed to clinch the nomination. Should this happen, all delegates regardless of their commitment, can now vote anyway the wish in order to end the deadlock and nominate a candidate.

Scenario #1 is particularly interesting, should Senator Edwards release his delegates, which he will, and should Florida get a full delegation, which is doubtful, but if this does happen, you might as well call all Edwards delegates "Super Delegates." Their ability to vote for either candidate gives them the same influence as the group the media has been referring to as Super Delegates. FYI the true term within the DNC is "Charter Delegates" Not "Super Delegates." If this scenario does develop, you can bet I'll be approached by both campaigns. If that happens, I will review their policy papers and they better include appropriate focus on funding at the National Institute of Health. What are your issues/concerns? Send them to me and I'll ask the questions.

Ok, back to reality..

What is really on the front for me. The DNC rules and bylaws committee is meeting on May 31, and I expect some kind of ruling that will include Florida. What will it be? Honestly it could be anything from I get seated as an Edwards Delegate with a full vote, or maybe a half vote, or maybe I'll be excluded and not allowed to attend because of a penalty that reduces the number of delegates, or maybe I'll get sit on the floor but not allowed to vote.

There was to be a full delegation meeting in Tampa this upcoming weekend that has now been postponed until Mid-June in Fort Lauderdale. I'll keep you posted.

Please remember do not let anyone tell you their vote does not count. Just look what we have been through the last eight years, votes count and not voting hurts much more.

VOTE!

Peace out!

Barry B

What makes a great team?

Barry Birdwell — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:16:21 GMT

It looks like sparing will soon be over.
No more, who you going to call at 3:00 a.m. ?
No more, reverend crackpot.
No more, sniper fire.
No more, distracting questions.

So when will she suspend her campaign? My guess is that Senator Clinton will use the coming weeks to instill an air of unity. The air will be much different than the previous months of campaign competition. The democratic voters have spoken, the super delegates are listening and the choice is all but been made official. I predict somewhere around June 7 Senator Clinton will concede and it will be official, I will be heading to Denver with a nominee.

Competition turned toward cooperation is where we are headed.

If you listen you will hear more and more words from both candidates shifting toward "no matter who gets the nomination, I will support the candidate." Words like "my opponent is a great leader" and other unifying statements.

On one of the morning shows today, Senator Clinton's Campaign manager even dropped a slight comment of the possibility of a combined ticket being a real option.

Right now I am visualizing myself at the convention listening to Barack Obama on Thursday August 28th giving his "I accept your nomination" speech. I want to know, who will speak on Wednesday night? It is usually the presumed Vice Presidential Nominee. Will it be Governor Bill Richardson, will it be Senator Clinton, someone else? What is your prediction?

My prediction is, it will be a great team, regardless. Maybe not the "two-for" some wanted, but a winning "two-for" is in our future.

Barack now must focus on stopping the policies of George W for continuing a third term. Many people want to think McCain is a change agent, but in reality, they are frightened of change. They find it hard to believe that things can really get better. Barack must expose in great detail, there is little difference between McCain and Bush. Where there is it is very rarely, if ever, a positive step towards the things that are important to me.

A real living wage for everyone
Health care for everyone
PEACE

What makes a great team? I say, inspiration and experience makes a great team. I have seen a lot of this in this campaign. Now a move toward unity is the experience that inspires. It puts the change in motion for, a real living wage for everyone, health care for everyone and PEACE.

On to Denver!
Barry B

What I expect to do at the convention

Barry Birdwell — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:19:20 GMT

I hear a typical day begins with a state delegation breakfast meeting. We hear from Florida's Democratic leaders and special guests including national figures and campaign surrogates. THIS IS WHERE I GET MY ACTUAL and Official credentials for each day’s Convention proceedings.

The rest of the day is filled with caucus meetings and training sessions. The Convention proceedings begin in mid-to-late afternoon each day.

Convention Proceedings

Monday: DNC Chairman Governor Howard Dean takes the gavel and acts as the Temporary Chair of the 2008 Convention and calls the Convention to order . The first item of business is the report of the Credentials Committee, which will resolve all questions concerning the seating of delegates. I fully expect there to be some notice of the Florida Delegation during this part of the Convention, hopefully it will be a welcoming of the delegation. So far we have been shunned. In some society's this is the most severe type of punishment. Let's hope all this crap is over and the welcoming allows us with like minds to begin our love fest!

The second item of business is the report of the Rules Committee. Among its responsibilities, the Rules Committee will recommend the permanent convention officers, including the Permanent Convention Chair. Following approval of the Rules Committee report by Convention delegates, Speaker Nancy Pelosi takes the gavel as the Permanent Convention Chair. The keynote address has typically been on Monday evenings.

Past Key Note speakers

1984 in San Francisco; Mario Cuomo and Jesse Jackson tore the roof off.

1988 in Atlanta; Ann Richards, said George Bush was "born with a silver foot in his mouth."

1992 in Madison Square Garden; the Man from Hope, Ak launched his campaign for the forgotten middle class.

1996 in Chicago; President Clinton stated we needed a "bridge to the 21st Century."

2000 in Los Angeles; Al Gore lit the way toward "a better, fairer, more prosperous America"

2004 in Boston; the keynote address was given by a spellbinding young state senator from Illinois with an unusual name and an uncanny gift for oratory.

2008 in Denver; the key note address will pave the way for either the first African American, or the first Women nominee is history. It truly is history in the making. I must admit, the thought of what will come is making me a bit giddy!

Tuesday: the Convention features debate and discussion of the Party’s proposed National Platform.

Wednesday: includes the formal presidential nominating process with nominating and seconding speeches for presidential candidates being given. The alphabetical roll call of states and territories by the Convention Secretary and often the Party’s presumptive vice presidential candidate speaks.

Thursday: The final day of the Convention; we nominate the vice presidential candidate. The Convention concludes with the acceptance speech of the Party’s presidential nominee. A.K.A THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!

peace Barry

Latest on the Road to Denver

Barry Birdwell — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:10:50 GMT

I have listed below the talking points of a recent correspondence from a Florida Democratic party member who is representing us on a national level. Where it sits now is that the appeals are continuing, however the most promising news is that ALL agree that Florida should be represented in some way at the convention, and a Hotel has been assigned for the Florida delegation.

I will be attending a meeting in Tampa in a few weeks. All the Florida Delegates are invited to this meeting. I hope to get some good and exciting news there. I also expect more details of how this thing will shake out. At any level this is an historic year. Stay involved and make your voices heard.

Here is a synopsis of my most recent information from the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) leaders.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC), have called a meeting of the DNC RBC for Saturday, 31 May 2008, to hear and decide the two appeals filed from Florida.
one, the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States contains language stating persons holding certain positions (DNC Members, US Senators, US Representatives, DNC Officers, former DNC Chairs, etc.) Shall be delegates (a.k.a SUPER delegate) to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
two, the appropriate penalty for a state violating the timing rule (Rule 11 of the Delegate Selection Rules) is contained in Rule 20.C.1 which states a timing violation shall result in a 50% reduction in the pledged delegates (not 49%, not 51% and certainly not 100%).
Independent polling in Florida, previously sent out, clearly indicates that Floridians are very concerned about the 100% penalty. Over 62% of Florida Democrats believe that the appeals should be granted and that a 50% penalty is appropriate.
The arguments in appeals filed on behalf of Florida accept that fact that a penalty for the timing violation is appropriate and should be imposed. However, the penalty should have been 50% of the pledged delegates, not 100% of the entire delegation.
The whole reason for the penalty was that Florida held its primary before first four states designated by the DNC, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. The reason these states go first is to give candidates a forum where they can campaign in an "affordable" manner. It is important that they can launch their national campaigns without the need to have raised the BIG dollars that are afford other well connected candidates. This goal was achieved
Florida has been shunned and in some societies that is one of the most severe penalties that can be imposed. We would like to be welcomed back into the Democratic community. We want take the fight to Republican John McCain and his plans to continue Bush’s war in Iraq and failed domestic policies.

I look forward to moving past this issue and on to Denver!

Barry

Why not re-vote?

Barry Birdwell — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:32:57 GMT

So its final. The Florida Demoratic Party (FDP) annouced there will NOT be a mail in revote!

Let’s face it this is Florida… not Oregon.

Oregon does most, if not all their voting by mail. Easy, right? So why not a mail in revote in Florida? Ask Oregonians, they will tell you it did not go easy at first. Some say it took years to get it right. So I must ask why us mighty Floridians think we can tape the chads and get it all to stick together in a few weeks. Fraught with problems that is what the mail in revote would be.

Ok now comes my personal notes. I have had it, we voted and dang it my vote counted.

Say what you want about the rules, in Florida we did not have a chance to override the Republican State legislature that laughed as the Dems attempted to add a Feb 5th date to the bill that moved the primary to Jan 29th. Florida Democrats did not oppose it “enough” you say, would it have made a difference? DNC have you ever heard of majority rules? If we had opposed it vigorously and fought it tooth and nail and still lost would you then say “FDP it was not your fault, we know you did your best to beat the opposition”

The outcome would have been the same. The primary was going to be January 29 and it was plain to see that in summer 07. We are still bickering about it, Senator Bill Nelson calls it a train wreck.

Here are two issues which does not get much play regarding the Florida January 29th primary.

The state bill that moved the primary to January 29th included a provisions that brought paper ballots to all our elections. Accountability and the ability to recount IS IMPORTANT. We could not take the chance of losing that. Do you remember this issue is all about FLORIDA elections?
If the Florida Democratic Primary was hld on another date, the Jan 29th ballot would have been carried out anyway with other important state and local issues. Issues that needed Dems to participate. Having polls open for state based legislation, with an additional day set for weeks later for the Party Presidential Primary would have at minimum been confusing. It would have resulted in fewer Dem voters at the polls.

Give me a seat and lets get on, I am fine with a ½ vote if you want. But get me in the hall and on the floor. I am taking my time to play a role in this process. A party of the people, all people, and that does include me, a FLORIDA DELEGATE.

This time it’s our election to lose so Dean, get it out of your head and get with Obama and Clinton and let’s agree on the floor seats and come to resolution. The tide is turning here; let’s ride the surf, the perfect wave before the swells go away with clouds of uncertainty.

Peace out

Re-do, Buddy can you spare $18 Million or Game Over?

Barry Birdwell — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:36:09 GMT

Here is a summary of what I have been reading and thinking of late

What's at issue with the Florida and Michigan delegations and the nominating process?

The states held their primaries earlier than allowed by the Democratic National Party Rules, leading the party to strip them of their delegates to the nominating convention. Neither candidate campaigned actively in the two states. Obama was not even on the ballot in Michigan, and Clinton won the most votes in both states. A notable not, this was done by the Rules Committee, but guess what. Its not the rules committee that allows or bars delegations to the convention, it is the credentials committee, more on that in an upcoming blog entry.

Primary Results:

Florida: Clinton 50% , Obama 33% , Edwards 15%
Michigan: Clinton 55% , Uncommitted 40%

What's happening now to seat the delegations? Got any ideas?

Party leaders and the campaigns are searching in earnest for a way to seat the barred delegations from Florida and Michigan. The issue is now being seen as potentially vital in influencing who wins the nomination. The party and the candidates seem to be united in the realization that we have no choice but to find a solution and are even open to another round of voting.

Obama says "I’ll leave it up to the Democratic National Committee to make a decision about how to resolve it, but I certainly want to make sure that we’ve got Michigan and Florida delegates at the convention in some fashion."'

Aides to Mrs. Clinton, signaled that they were open to a revote under certain conditions. However, this type of change in the electoral and psychological dynamic could work against Obama in a new election in Florida and Michigan.

The Obama campaign has floated the idea of allocating the delegates from the two states 50-50, which would erase Mrs. Clinton’s hypothetical advantage and essentially make the two states meaningless in the competitive delegate count. It would, however, allow Michigan and Florida delegates to participate in the national convention.

Another option floating is let the results of the two primaries stand and award Obama delegates won by "uncommitted" on the Michigan ballot. If this happens Clinton would pick up around 64 more delegates than Obama toward the 2,209 needed to secure the nomination.

Why not just have a re-do?

It is estimated at a cost of $18 million in Florida and $10 million in Michigan. Neither the National nor the State party wants to foot the bill. They both need that money to support the eventual candidates in the national and state campaigns.

Howard Dean , chairman of the National Democratic Party, has said it is up to the states, not the national party, to come up with a solution. He also told Florida Senator Bill Nelson, it is legal and allowed to use "soft money" to fund the re-do. So if you know a billionaire would you ask him, "Hey buddy can you spare $18 million?"

How about GAME OVER?

Florida Senator Bill Nelson said "If we don’t do anything, we’re looking at a train wreck, I’m hoping reasonable heads with prevail and will see the Democratic Party doesn’t want to be at the convention in Denver two months out from the general election and having a major intraparty fight with two of the biggest and most important states in electing the next president."

What about these Edwards Delegates?

I hope all is settled and we go to the convention with a nominee who has a clear majority. That is the best scenario. However, let’s look at me and a nominee selection on the convention floor.

I plan to be at the convention in some capacity either as a Edwards Delegate or if there is a re-do, I could get allocated or required to re-pledge to either Clinton or Obama. FYI, I am still neutral on these candidates.

The delegate seekers will be attempting to sway the Super Delegates toward their respective candidates. My support of Mr. Edwards could also make me look attractive to these delegate seekers. To them I say, I do like Lobster Dinners! But seriously, at that time I will do what I consider best for the nominee selection process.

Your support is what has carried me so far, and now I need your perspectives and welcome a dialogue on who is the best candidate. Keep in mind that there is no doubt either Obama or Clinton can, must, and will lead us out of the mess we are in. Leaning one way or the other is healthy and necessary.

Being anything other than totally united in the end game, is just doing the work of the opposition.

Peace out

What's the BUZZ? Barry Birdwell Democratic Delegate?

Barry Birdwell — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:49:58 GMT

Hey Folks

Have you ever had or known someone who said "I had a teacher in High School that said, you should do that someday"

Well that is me. I had a teacher Mr. Deneweth who said "someday you should attend the Democratic National Convention."

Yesterday my friends came throughout Florida's U.S. Congressional District 15 and elected me as the one delegate representing John Edwards at the National Convention.

Every Presidential election year I watch the speeches and say, I wish I was there. In 2008 I WILL BE ! We will be, Michele and I will be at the convention in Denver.

OK OK, what's the buzz, will Florida be seated? I hear Florida broke the rules and won't be seated.

OK OK , what's the buzz, John Edwards is not even running anymore, what's his delegate going to do, why is there even Edwards delegates at all?

Well Mr. Deneweth you will just have to subscribe to this blog and follow me on the road to Denver.

Thanks so much to my friends who came to support me at the delegate caucus. Some of you drove 40 miles to the only polling place in the district. It is humbling to have such a great set of friends.

The common comment from everyone at the caucus was, "wow this is exciting, there is such a positive feeling in the air." Folks it does not get anymore grass roots than this. People are starting to realize that there is a DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN BREVARD, and we are it! YES I AM TALKING ABOUT BREVARD!

Subscribe to the blog and follow Michele and I to Denver and you will find out what's the buzz.

Check out this article from todays paper.

Do you know the way to San Jose.. We do!

Barry Birdwell — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 06:02:37 GMT

Michele and I are off to the San Jose Rock-n-Roll 1/2 marathon. We had such a great time last year (its inaugural) we signed up for this year at the expo BEFORE we ran the course. The weather promises to be great.

It's great to have great people in our lives. First Michele is a great travel companion, besides being an overall super partner. We have a neighbor taking care of our ageing and somewhat ailing pets, and our team mentors are keeping our marathon trainee peeps in line.

We feel so blessed sometimes it’s hard to describe. I often blog about our friends and their loss, but this time in honor of all our friends I want to lift up them for making our lives so great.

That is what it takes to be successful, great friends and great partners. Right now I feel like I couldn’t be more successful.

Maybe I'll post..post 1/2 marathon.. Good thing I don't have to type with my feet!

Not just for 5 minutes

Barry Birdwell — Wed, 16 May 2007 08:06:09 GMT

I keep saying I am going to update this blog more often, it seems I only come here when I feel the need to honor a patient hero or lost angel.

Well it is another one of those times. I saw my good friend Eric this week, he showed up at a 5k that benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He came wearing his Team in Training T-shirt. It was only after he left that I realized this was Chris's, Sean's mom's first mother’s day without her son and this is the week he would have graduated high school.

I titled this entry 5 minutes, we can't let these things come and go. The impact is much more than a passing 5 minute thought, there comes a time you cannot ignore that we can do better, whenever we combine our efforts.

We can't just think about it for 5 minutes, because in 5 minutes another person in the U.S. receives a blood cancer diagnosis.

We can't stop saying "we are thinking of you and your loss." We think it will open old wounds; we don't want to upset the person who lost such a treasure. The truth is probably not more than 5 minutes pass without their thought going to the one they lost. Like they didn't cry that morning or have a happy thought of the times they were together. Not for 5 minutes do they ever forget, nor should we.

I ask you to honor Sean and take your first 5 minutes and read the following article and watch the video. It will be the most important 5 minutes you spend today.

Check out the article and the link below to a video honoring Sean Hargreaves.

May 14, 2007

Classmates remember lost pals

BY J.D. GALLOP
FLORIDA TODAY

Alyssa Esposito gently blew the tiny bubbles into the warm afternoon sky, in remembrance of a friend known as much for his team spirit as his sense of humor.

The tribute for 18-year-old Sean Hargreaves came at the end of an hourlong baccalaureate service Sunday for Melbourne High's Class of 2007. Hargreaves, who would have graduated this year, was a soccer player who lost a long struggle with cancer in December.

"It was good to have everyone out there with the bubbles," Esposito said after the service. "I think he would have laughed if he saw us blowing bubbles." About 175 people turned out for the religious service, including about 50 students in cap and gowns, at First United Methodist Church.

Twenty-one-year teacher Denise Dabrowski-Buchanan was one of several speakers. She talked about life lessons during the service; later, as she watched the bubble drift by, she remembered students who had died.

"It never gets any easier," she said. "We try to tell the kids to enjoy every year."

click Sean's Video click

Meg Brown.. Another Hero

Barry Birdwell — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 14:18:07 GMT

In San Diego this year I met a NCAA Division I athlete, who is a lymphoma survivor. She has written a great book, called "Dancing with the Enemy" It is essentially a diary of her experience from prediagnosis, through a stem cell transplant and onto a full remission. It is awesome to read her story and feel so close, just like she was a member of my family, opening up and communicating just how she really feels.

I sent her a letter here it is, maybe you should check out her book

www.megbrown.org

Meg

You may (or may not) remember me. I spoke to you in San Diego at the expo, my sister is a Gleevec patient. I also spoke to you in Balboa Park and again on the RNR course. I was the guy that took a tumble and had a bandaged arm. Ouch!

Anyway, I read your book on my way to and from the San Jose ½ marathon last week. Thanks so much for sharing such a personal journey. I work diligently as a TNT coach and a LLS Board Member. While my wife and I love coaching, our real mission is to comfort those that are being treated with useful & truthful information. You book really helped.

When someone asks me about a loved one who is undergoing a BMT, I can relate and say, well this is how Meg felt.

I am the public policy advocate for our chapter and I visit Washington D.C each year to tell those folks in D.C to get their priorities straight. Better treatments and beating this cancer thing is the war we should be fighting. It is the enemy we should fear, and one that attacks and puts each American in harms way. Last year we encouraged them to pass a budget with an additional $10 billion dollars in funding for health and human services. We hoped that once in the budget; we could work on getting a portion of it allocated to the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Health. You see the president's budget essentially reduced funding at the NCI and NIH. I told them respectfully, we had spent over 300 Billion in 30 months in Iraq, we want just one month that's all.

This year I think I may take a couple copies of your book, with pages ear marked and paragraphs highlighted to tell them, this is a war that is worth fighting. Tell them to look at the severe nature of this treatment option. Even though it can be successful, and we thank God for that, even though, we can do better. Better treatments are out there, cures are out there, we just got to focus our resources and we will win this battle once and for all.

If by chance you come to the WDW marathon this year, we are the host chapter. We would love to have you visit the Space Coast, visit our beaches and run with my team here in Brevard County, Florida

Regards

Barry Birdwell

Real Heroes are Real Fighters

Barry Birdwell — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 09:31:54 GMT

I have been working with Team In Training Heroes for nearly 5 years. Early on I met Jessi Gay a teenager with leukemia. She was so sweet, I could relate to her more than I could the real young kids. You know kids; they just run around like nothing is wrong even though they know adults are treating them different. Only adults know the true nature of the path ahead. It is so strange to see them at such a young age, not knowing that going to the hospital, getting treatments that make them feel sick, is just a normal thing. Loving them with unrelenting compassion is natural.

Jessi is different because she directly communicates to us just how important it is to do what we do. She is able to thank us like no scientist can for supporting their research, like no family member can for caring for their child or loved one. And she did, she did thank us in a way that only a patient can. And she still does.

Jessi's sister Kelly, is giving the mission speech this weekend at the Dave Scott Triathlon in Texas. She gets to share her sisters feelings about TnT, about being a teenager with cancer and she gets to brag about her sister, the way only a sister can.

Kelly you are awesome and Jessi is a Real Hero a Real Fighter, through you and through all of us.

Thanks for letting me post your speech.

Kelly 's mission speech to Team In Training Participants at the Dave Scott Triathlon in Texas.