AUDIO: “I hope you die a slow death at a very young age." My bad.

By GottaLaff

Via mlive.com:

Another day, another mindless cretin, another death call, another apology.

Note to half-wits: "I saw a commercial and just couldn't help myself" just doesn't cut it:

Bob Bepristis told the Citizen Patriot he was upset over the health care bill and wanted to make his concerns known.

He said that he didn’t know who his representative in Congress was, and so decided to call [Rep. Mark] Schauer after seeing a TV political advertisement that listed Schauer’s name and phone number. [...]

“I screwed up,” Bepristis said. “It was rude and I was wrong.”

Yes you were, and yes you were.

But even more wrong were the people who put an ad out that revealed Schauer's personal information.

How many invasions of privacy does it take to screw a Democrat?

The Capitol police were notified. Bust. Ed.

“I didn’t mean to say what I said as a threat,” Bepristis told the Citizen Patriot.

Of course not, dear. Wishing people were dead aloud on their home phones would never be looked at that way. Please don't worry your pretty little head about it.

Bepristis apologized to the representative, by the by.

“They were very gracious,” he said.

Good, take lessons.

AUDIO: "Stupak, you baby-killing mother f***er... I hope you bleed out your a**, got cancer and die"

By GottaLaff

As much as we have disagreed with Bart Stupak, he did not deserve this:

In the wake of his vote in favor of health care reform legislation, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), a strong opponent of abortion rights, has been on the receiving end of a string of extremely hostile and threatening messages, including death threats.

Stupak's office released some of those messages to CBS News [...]

"Congressman Stupak, you baby-killing mother f***er... I hope you bleed out your a**, got cancer and die, you mother f***er," one man says in a message to Stupak.

How "pro-life" of them.

Here's the audio:

Sounds like these callers took their cues from good ol' boy, remorseless Texas Congressman Randy Neugebauer of "Baby Killer!" infamy.

One more horrific example of a scary, violent trend that could easily end in tragedy.

We must put a stop to this reprehensible, irresponsible behavior. Now.

WH Chief Administrative Officer : "The phone systems are overloading"

By GottaLaff



Yesterday I posted about a conference call with Al Gore that I was lucky enough to have participated in. He made one vital point, and he made it repeatedly:

Be heard. Call your Senators, write letters, visit their offices.

He added, "Demand action." He is so right:

Interns are scrambling to get the talking points right as the phones ring off the hook. Press secretaries' BlackBerries are running out of batteries from downloading hundreds of emails along the lines of, "Will your boss switch his vote?" Constituents asking about taxes aren't able to get through the clogged switchboards.

In what seems to be the final (really!) push on health care reform on Capitol Hill, offices have been deluged with phone calls from across the country. They are pro-reform, anti-reform, blasting reconciliation or begging for an up-or-down vote - engaged voters who are attempting to influence the course of what will be a razor-close vote this weekend. [...]

At one point this week, the calls shut down the Congressional switchboard. [...]

According to The Hill, the office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) told Congressional offices the system is "nearing capacity" and "It got critical enough whereby we notified all systems administrators throughout the House that the phone systems are overloading."

Good.

Without our voices, there is no democracy. Without our calls, our representatives can't know where we stand.


Keep it up, America.

Special to TPC: Infiltrating the Tea Baggers' Big Event

By GottaLaff

CORRECTION: I misunderstood my source. She was on a one-to-one call with someone, NOT the conference call.

There was some question about the reference to the Heritage Foundation's involvement, and this explains it. They were not mentioned, from what I've learned, on the conference call. They were mentioned as advisers on the private call that I refer to below.

Original post:

Earlier today, I posted this:

Ooo, watch out D.C., the Tea Tantrumers are a-comin' for ya!

(Click on image to enlarge)

I have more details since I posted that earlier today... from a concerned source who infiltrated by signing up for the Big March:

My source registered and then received the following e-mail (in part):

All,

Please try and make this call tonight for our project "Take the Town Halls to Washington", which launches this Tuesday.

Please do not post this call in information anywhere publicly -- on a blog for instance. Also, please do not share the call in number without touching base with me. The trolls on the Left on Twitter and elsewhere are actively trying to infiltrate this call.

But oops, guess what? My source got on the call, the very call that was all about what the Tea Tantrumers are planning.

According to what she learned on the call, they are being "advised" by the Heritage Foundation:

Heritage has since continued to have a significant influence in U.S. public policy making, and is widely considered to be one of the most influential research organizations in the United States, especially during the Republican administration of President George W. Bush.^[2]

One of the most influential, biggest conservative think tanks is "advising" them. How grassrootsy of them.

And here's what happened next:

A woman on the call told her that "we" are to fly into DC, where "we" will have "war rooms" out in Chantilly. From there "we" will go into DC, call on Congress, meet with Congress members, with a list of questions "supplied" by the Heritage Foundation (remember, they are the ones who are "advising").

There will be groups of 4 or 5 going to see each elected official, and the meetings will be video taped. The video tapes will then be used to "inform" people, get the truth out, and stop health care reform from going through before Congress goes on break.

Yes, that's right, they will be using those videos to "get the truth out". And by truth, they mean their version of events, I'm sure. Maybe it's the same kind of truth James O'Keefe wanted to get out. If so, it will be the edited truth.

But what if Congress doesn't allow video taping?" Good question.

The woman told her that they would then announce that Congress would only agree to "off the record" meetings and would reveal which congressmen were unwilling to be recorded.

If only the Tea Tantrumers would consider applying for positions at CSPAN. Congress has no objection to CSPAN cameras. They're very orderly and respectful.

And they don't wear funny hats.

The woman also said "the people at the Heritage Foundation have read the entire bill. We want comments on the record from Senators, as this will affect Medicare & Medicaid."

At that point my source made an excuse to get off phone, because, as she told me, she could not hold her tongue any longer had she stayed on. Her head was exploding, as yours probably are now. She was feeling very uneasy about all of this.

And so she asked that I expose their plan. Nothing like a little fresh air and sunshine to disinfect.

The dog ate my phone call

By GottaLaff

If I were Scottie, I'd want to stay as far away from Booky McPayMyself as I could, too:

Here’s Brown in his interview with ABC News, after being asked if Palin is presidential material:

“Well, sure, I mean she’s been a mayor and a governor and has a lot of a national following. But the more people in a presidential race, the better. The caveat to that is I’ve never met her, she’s never contacted us and vice versa.”

Back away from Roguey McMoneyLaunder slowly. Sloowwwly.

I don't know no stinkin' Palin. Sarah who? Never heard of her.

"Gov. Palin spoke with a very happy Sen.-elect Brown this evening and congratulated him on his most historic victory for not only Massachusetts but the nation," Palin spokeswoman Meg Stapleton told POLITICO.

Meg Stapleton said that? Sorry, but I have to give this one to Scottie. I don't believe a word that comes out of M-Stap's big mouth.

Point: Brown. And that will likely be the last time I ever type those words.

The dog ate my phone call.

Call for Coakley!

By GottaLaff

I get e-mails:



The race for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in Massachusetts is coming down to the wire.

And if Martha Coakley loses, her opponent could be that final Senate obstructionist the Republicans need to defeat health reform and the rest of President Obama's agenda.

We need to do everything we can to make sure voters know how important their vote for Coakley is -- and that they get to the polls Tuesday.

So I need you to keep calling voters in Massachusetts -- or start today if you haven't yet. Click here to log-in and start making calls.

And this time, we're going to do it a little differently.

On Sunday, supporters from around the country will call in to a national conference call.

We'll recognize the top callers from today (Saturday), talk about what we're about to do, get the lay of the land from some folks in Massachusetts right now, and set some big goals for each other.

And then we'll get calling.

Can you join us for a conference call at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 17th, followed by a round of calls to Massachusetts?

It'll be a fun way to start our calling off with others around the country -- and it could well make the difference in the fight for health reform.

The call-in Number is (712) 432-0075, and the participant code is 404-284.

Please sign up for your call, and submit any questions you'd like:

http://ma.barackobama.com/MAn2nCall

Let's finish this,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America

P.S. -- There will also be a conference call at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. You can sign up for whichever is more convenient for you here: http://ma.barackobama.com/MAn2nCall

Obama Reaches Out, but Not to Nelson or Lieberman

By GottaLaff

Roll Call is subscription only, but gives us this interesting nugget to go with their post title:

In the wake of Senate passage of the health care reform bill, President Barack Obama on Thursday called a dozen Senators, including Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), according to a list provided by the White House.

Here's an idea of how to reach out to Traitor Joe: Pull his chair(manships) out from under him.

Former McCain campaign manager: Palin claims 'total fiction'

By GottaLaff

John McCain's former presidential campaign manager Steve Schmidt is calling out Barbie McLipSchmutz. This popular practice is becoming a cottage industry of its own.

Now think back a few months... Remember when B-Lip got punk'd by the Sarkozy impersonator? Via CNN:

"Right away, the phones started ringing," Palin writes. "One of the first calls was Schmidt, and the force of his screaming blew my hair back. 'How can anyone be so stupid?! Why would the president of France call a vice presidential candidate a few days out?!'"

In a telephone conversation with CNN's John King, Schmidt said how he is described and portrayed in the book is "fanciful. [And] total fiction."

In the excerpts, Palin also claims Schmidt tried to put her on a strict eating regimen [...]

"Schmidt started in again, telling Randy what an awful pick I was - the "postpartum" problems, the wardrobe "scandal," "legal exposure" for Todd on Troopergate, whatever he meant by that," Palin writes according to the published excerpts.

Poor Babs.So many people are out to get her. Why would anyone ever do that, considering she's been so inclusive and kind to everyone since she pageant-walked her way into our lives.

This is going to be a long book tour.

I just called. Your turn.

By GottaLaff

It took all of 3 minutes to call. I used the local numbers and got right through:

Dear Healthcare-NOW! Supporter:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is breaking her promise to allow House votes on two single-payer amendments to the House healthcare bill.

One, by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, will allow states to implement single-payer systems. The other, by Rep. Anthony Weiner, would create a national single-payer system.

We need your voice to get these amendments back on the table.

Let's get calls into the democratic leadership that is calling the shots and make sure they know that we expect the vote on single-payer this fall.

-Speaker Nancy Pelosi: DC (202) 225.4965 - SF (415) 556.4862
-Rep. George Miller: DC (202) 225.2095 - Concord (925) 602.1880
-Rep. Henry Waxman: DC (202) 225.3976 - LA (323) 651.1040

The message is simple: Keep the Kucinich Amendment to allow states to pass single-payer, and to allow Rep. Anthony Weiner introduce his single-payer amendment!

Thanks for all that you do,
Healthcare-NOW! National Staff

P.S. We need your support. Please donate today.

They need to know we support single payer. Now.

Call. And please be polite and brief.

ACTION ALERT: Make calls, get Medicare Plus 5 public option done!

By GottaLaff

Nancy Pelosi thinks we'll have the 218 votes we need for a public option.

HOWEVER (that word, we gotta do something about that word!)...

[T]hey are only 12-15 votes away from the strongest version of the bill, the Medicare Plus 5 version that ties public option rates to Medicare reimbursement rates.

Did you see that? That's so close, yet... so far. Here's all you need to do:

Before 2:00 tomorrow, please make calls to the following "leaning" Dems, those who are considering supporting the Medicare Plus 5 version according to Hill activists. The first number is their DC office, the others are their district office numbers.

• Ron Klein (FL-22): 202-225-3026, 561-544-6910
• Dennis Moore (KS-03): 202-225-2865, 913-621-0832, 913-383-2013
• Stephen Lynch (MA-09): 202-225-8273, 617-428-2000
• Bob Etheridge (NC-02): 202-225-4531, 919-829-9122, 919-829-9122
• Dina Titus (NV-3): 202-225-3252, 702-387-4941
• John Boccieri (OH-16): 202-225-3876, 330-489-4414
• Steve Driehaus (OH-1): 202-225-2216, 513-684-2723
• Charles Wilson (OH-06): 202-225-5705, 740-633-5705, 330-533-7250
• Christopher Carney (PA-10): 202-225-3731, 570-585-9988, 570-327-1902
• John Sprat (SC-05): 202-225-5501, 803-327-1114
• Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15): 202-225-2531, 956-682-5545, 361-358-8400
• Solomon Ortiz (TX-27): 202-225-7742, 956-541-1242, 361-883-5868

If you follow the link, you'll see a couple of more lists. Go. Now. Take note.

Make calls tomorrow.

Make. This. Happen. I'll be calling, I always do.

Your turn.

What YOU can do to get a public health care option:

By GottaLaff

To those of you who have been wondering what to do about health care reform, and asking where our "organized push" was, here you go. I just got the e-mail you see below.

I called everyone on my list. Oddly (sarcasm), Gallegly's office was cold as ice, yet the Senators' offices were warm and friendly. Imagine my surprise.

I told them that I wanted single payer/Medicare for all, but since that looked unlikely, a robust public option. I reminded them that a majority of Americans backed me up.

Please take action today. Now.

I'm waiting. ::tapping foot impatiently:: Ready, set...

Go:

Jenny U. from Missouri did what any parent would: When her son needed a kidney, she donated one of hers. But she didn't realize insurance companies would use her kindness as an excuse to never cover her again, calling her donation a "pre-existing condition."

Now, insurance companies are spending millions on a campaign of lies to kill health reform that would help folks like Jenny. So, today, with crucial negotiations taking place in Congress, we're raising our voices and making it clear: It's time to deliver on reform.

We've set a big goal: 100,000 calls to Congress made or committed to in a single day. To hit it, we'll need your help -- will you take 3 minutes to call Congress now?

Call your representatives and tell them: It's Time to Deliver on health reform. According to our records, you live in California's 24th congressional district. Please call:

Sen. Dianne Feinstein's Los Angeles office at (310) 914-7300
Sen. Barbara Boxer's Los Angeles office at (213) 894-5000
Rep. Elton Gallegly's Thousand Oaks office at (805) 497-2224

(Not your representatives? Click here to look yours up.)

Health insurance reform is finally ready for consideration by the full Congress, and hundreds of insurance company lobbyists on Capitol Hill are working overtime to kill it. Calling is quick and easy, but effective -- and your voice has tremendous power at this critical moment.

After you make your call, tell the staffer who picks up where you live and that you're counting on Congress to deliver on health reform. Let them know that Americans like you support the President's plan -- and that if your representatives are working to pass it, they have your thanks.

If we hit 100,000 calls made or committed to, we'll send an unmistakable signal that this time, families must come before insurance companies. We'll be tracking progress toward our goal publicly -- make sure to report your call back to us so we can count it:

http://my.barackobama.com/TTDCall

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

So what are you waiting for?

Team Sarah plans capitol "Phone Blast"... on a government holiday

By GottaLaff

This e-mail was just forwarded to me by one of my "spies". Bwahahahaa!

Why am I laughing? Well, first of all, because the senders are one of the best collective jokes around, as is their goddess, Barbie McLipSchmutz.

But let's not overlook the message. This is a call to action! Get out there and ring up those reps! And when you do, make sure you pull off that Big Effective Shock and Awe "Phone Blast"... on a holiday... when the offices will be closed (click on "play"):

Perfect.

A message to all members of Team Sarah

Team,

The next few days are CRITICAL in deciding how our health care system will be structured. If you’re upset by what has been proposed, NOW is the time to join us on the Team Sarah Health Care Bill Review Board:

http://www.teamsarah.org/group/healthcarebillreviewboard

We’re asking for YOUR HELP with the following:

(1) Reading a 15-20 page section of the upcoming version of the health care bill that will be released and providing a review of it for the group
(2) Blogging about the group’s findings
(3) Twittering about the group’s findings
(4) Participating in a site-wide PHONE BANK BLAST before Tuesday’s vote

If you have your own outside BLOG and want to blog about the group’s findings, be sure to join the Team Sarah Health Care Review Board!

NOTE: The Phone Bank Blast – Mon., Oct. 12th, 2009 - 2:00pm to 3:00pm EDT

Light up the phone lines before Tuesday’s vote by the Senate Finance Committee!

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and let YOUR SENATORS know your thoughts, particularly if they serve on the Finance Committee. Please call ONLY your senators.

Members of the Senate Finance Committee:
Max Baucus (MT), Chuck Grassley (IA), Orrin Hatch (UT), Olympia Snowe (ME), Jon Kyl (AZ), Jim Bunning (KY), Mike Crapo (ID), Pat Roberts (KS), John Ensign (NV), Mike Enzi (WY), John Cornyn (TX), John Rockefeller IV (WV), Kent Conrad (ND), Jeff Bingaman (NM), John Kerry (MA), Blanche Lincoln (AR), Ron Wyden (OR), Charles Schumer (NY), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Maria Cantwell (WA), Bill Nelson (FL), Robert Menendez (NJ), and Thomas Carper (DE).

Be sure to check out the Team Sarah Health Care Bill Review Board: http://www.teamsarah.org/group/healthcarebillreviewboard

Best,
The Tiny Team behind the Team
teamsarahhq@gmail.com

IMAGINE IF..........even just 10% of Team Sarah’s members were able to donate $5, $10 a month toward our community? If you’d like to be a Team Sarah supporter, go to http://teamsarah.kintera.org

Hey Team Sarah, let us know what kind of response you got from the voice mail recordings.

H/t: Babzter

Miss California Gets Phone Call From Sarah Palin

By GottaLaff

I can just picture the call now:

Miss CA: Hi, Sarah? Omg! It's me! Carrie!

Sarah: I was just sayin' to Todd how much I enjoyed your message toutin' Opposite Marriage, Carrie, also too you know moreover I'm thinkin' and how.

Miss CA: Me too! ... Wait. ... What?

Sarah: Opposin' gay marriage is a super message, don'tcha know too also moreover you betcha and how. But ya might wanna do something about that whole nude picture thing, ya know furthermore likewise boyoboyhowdy.

Miss CA: Can we, like, just text next time, Sarah? 'K? 'K. 'K? 'K, gotta go. I can't understand a word you're sayeeeng. By the way, may I just say that I'm oddly attracted to you?

Prejean's father William Prejean told E! that the Gov called his daughter to offer up her support, albeit before controversial topless photographs of his daughter went online.

"She called her directly to offer support," says the 58-year-old William Prejean.

Unfortunately he had no details on the conversation and no word what Palin thinks now after the photos.

Sarah: Oohhh, say it ain't so, Carrie, I'm married. But that's real mavericky of ya. On second thought, gosh darn it, why the heck not? But don'tcha go tellin' Todd. He still thinks I'm straight.

Miss CA: Are you free for dinner any time soon?

Sarah: Tell ya what. I'll check and get right back to ya.

Can you hear Obama now?

By GottaLaff

You think if we slip him our numbers, he'll call us, too?

Earlier today, President-elect Barack Obama returned phone calls to six world leaders and expressed his appreciation for congratulations on his election. He returned calls to:

Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen
Dutch Prime Minister Balkenende
Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah
Qatari Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani

President-elect Barack Obama also called former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is visiting the United States.

After he and Blair hung up, Obama had the inexplicable epiphany that he was dead set against the new Obama First Pup being a poodle.

VIDEO: Call me

By GottaLaff

1980 is on the phone, please hold.

President-elect Barack Obama today returned phone calls to three world leaders and expressed his appreciation for their congratulations on his election. President-elect Obama spoke with:

· President Saakashvili of Georgia;

· President Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines; and

· President Gul of Turkey

Vice President Biden needs a new long distance plan

By GottaLaff

Biden: Will someone please get the door? I'm too busy making Palin look like the rank amateur idiot that she keeps reminding us that she is. ... I don't care if it's Cheney coming back to look for his shotgun, I'm on a call here!

Vice President-elect Joe Biden has been holding calls with world leaders to express "his thanks and appreciation for their congratulations on the election," the Obama-Biden transition office said this afternoon.

Tuesday, the future No. 2 spoke with King Abdullah of Jordan, according to the transition team. On Monday day he held calls with:

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak

Israeli Likud Leader Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu

Polish President Lech Kaczynski

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair

Afghan President Hamid Karzai

Jill, honey... can you call the fumigator again? Just say, "Cheney". They'll know what to do.

UPDATE: Biden gets a biographer. The editor worked on Obama’s first book, “Dreams from My Father.”

President Elect Obama gets calls from foreign leaders

By GottaLaff

Several foreign leaders called to congratulate our new president. Here is who P.E. Obama called back, to offer his thanks:

1. Prime Minister Rudd of Australia
2. Prime Minister Harper of Canada
3. President Sarkozy of France
4. Chancellor Merkel of Germany
5. Prime Minister Olmert of Israel
6. Prime Minister Aso of Japan
7. President Calderon of Mexico
8. President Lee of South Korea
9. Prime Minister Brown of the United Kingdom

Do you think he checked to see if Sarkozy was for real before he returned his call? Snark.

Punkin' Palin

By GottaLaff

Mon Dieu, IWRC*... Vous aviez été punk'd!

A Quebec comedy duo notorious for prank calls to celebrities and heads of state has reached Sarah Palin, convincing the Republican vice-presidential nominee she was speaking with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

In the interview, which lasts about six minutes, Ms. Palin and the pranksters discuss politics, pundits, and the dangers of hunting with Vice-President Dick Cheney.

The Masked Avengers, who have a regular show on Montreal radio station CKOI, intend to air the full interview on the eve of the U.S. elections.

This is the same team (Sebastien Trudel and Marc-Antoine Audette ) who prank called Jacques Chirac awhile back.

I bet they know more about the role of the vice president than IWRC does.

*"In What Respect, Charlie?"

UPDATE FROM PADDY-

ColoradObama: "It rippled with the kind of enthusiasm found at victory rallies."

By GottaLaff

Oh, what the hell... let's revel:

Roaring toward the finish, Barack Obama presided Sunday over two Colorado rallies that together drew about 150,000 people, a startling turnout in a key swing state. [...]

Smelling victory, supporters even lined the steps of the Capitol, which was so far away from the stage that the people there needed binoculars just to hope to see Obama.

The setting, on a sparkling day in this battleground state, said perhaps more than Obama did in his actual speech. It rippled with the kind of enthusiasm found at victory rallies. [...]

Obama even ended his day in Colorado by calling voters directly.

At an unscheduled stop at a campaign office in Brighton, northwest of Denver, Obama sat down and called about a dozen unsuspecting registered voters. He shuffled from one call to the next as thrilled campaign volunteers kept placing calls and handing him cell phones. [...]

He then told volunteers to keep working through Election Day.

"It'd be terrible if we just kind of let it slip away in that last few days," he said.

His opponent, Republican John McCain, is needling Obama for starting his victory lap without having won anything.

Said McCain of the race on Sunday, "I'm going to win it."

Polls put Obama ahead in Colorado with the number of campaign days remaining now down to single digits.

You just keep telling yourself that, Gramm-pa. You'll win it right after you finish making all those personal calls to voters and gather record-breaking crowds.

Michelle Obama Works the Phones

By GottaLaff

::ring! ring!:: "Hello? ... Yes, this is Laffy, who's this? ... Michelle? Omg, how are the girls? ... Really? Awww. Send my love to Barack! Tell him he's got my vote (and some of my money). Bye, Michelle!"

She also delivered a surprise for the 15 volunteers who were operating a phone bank at an Obama campaign office in Akron on Friday afternoon.

When Mrs. Obama walked in, none of the volunteers noticed her at first; they were seated at folding tables, talking by phone to undecided voters or scanning their call sheets. Mrs. Obama stood at the head of a row of tables for about five seconds, waving at a couple of the volunteers and smiling, before the room erupted in applause. One woman loudly exclaimed, “I can’t believe it!” about a dozen times.

That would have been me, had I been there. After the hug, I mean. After I got revived, I mean.

Mrs. Obama took a seat and worked the phone for about 20 minutes, talking to a few different undecided voters on the phone, and appearing to seal the deal (or come close) with a couple of them.

“Hi, this is Michelle Obama, how are you? I’m just hanging out at the campaign office,” she said. After a beat, she said with a bit dead-pan, “Well, you’ve got the next best option – I’m here!”

During the conversations she frequently smiled, laughed gently, crinkled her nose, leaned forward in a comfortable hunch, and leaned her forehead on her fingers as she made the case for her husband. Her side of the conversations mostly involved Mr. Obama’s ideas for the economy and jobs. She also talked about his trip to Hawaii – “Barack’s grandmother is sick, she may not be with us much longer” – and how much she enjoyed Ohio.

Michelle, please know that we're pulling for her. And please pass that on to your husband.

She also dispensed hugs and shook hands with the volunteers, thanking them for making cold calls to voters.

“This is the hard part – calling up strangers on the phone,” Mrs. Obama said. “At least I’m talking about my husband.”

The entire country is, Michelle. GObamas!