This was sent by Barack's campaign manager via email to Obama supporters. .

I wasn't planning on sending you something tonight. But if you saw what I saw from the Republican convention, you know that it demands a response.

I saw John McCain's attack squad of negative, cynical politicians. They lied about Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and they attacked you for being a part of this campaign.

But worst of all -- and this deserves to be noted -- they insulted the very idea that ordinary people have a role to play in our political process.

You know that despite what John McCain and his attack squad say, everyday people have the power to build something extraordinary when we come together.

Both Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin specifically mocked Barack's experience as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago more than two decades ago, where he worked with people who had lost jobs and been left behind when the local steel plants closed.

Let's clarify something for them right now.

Community organizing is how ordinary people respond to out-of-touch politicians and their failed policies.

And it's no surprise that, after eight years of George Bush, millions of people have found that by coming together in their local communities they can change the course of history. That promise is what our campaign has been about from the beginning.

Throughout our history, ordinary people have made good on America's promise by organizing for change from the bottom up. Community organizing is the foundation of the civil rights movement, the women's suffrage movement, labor rights, and the 40-hour workweek. And it's happening today in church basements and community centers and living rooms across America.

Meanwhile, we still haven't gotten a single idea during the entire Republican convention about the economy and how to lift a middle class so harmed by the Bush-McCain policies.

It's now clear that John McCain's campaign has decided that desperate lies and personal attacks -- on Barack Obama and on you -- are the only way they can earn a third term for the Bush policies that McCain has supported more than 90 percent of the time.

Thank you for joining more than 2 million ordinary Americans who refuse to be silenced.

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

So I just finished watching the stand-up routine of Governor Palin.

I didn't laugh once.

What amazes me is the fact that the GOP expects us to believe this stuff. Yeah, she came out and acted like a bulldog. But it's only because the Republicans are in a corner. And the speeches given by Huckabee, Giuliani, Palin and presumably McCain's speech tomorrow only shows the Republicans have painted themselves into that corner.

By continuing to blame everyone else for the problems facing this country and refusing to stand up and take responsibility for the last eight years, the Republicans have officially pushed me over to the other side.

I voted for Bush in 2000 and in 2004. I believe he led us well following 9/11. But past that....He has led our country into another Vietnam. The repurcussions of the last five years in Iraq will be felt forever. Long after W is gone. Thankfully he has only been given eight years to destroy everything this country has been built upon. Mayor Guliani said, "because 'change' is not a destination ... just as 'hope' is not a strategy." I don't know about you but I need a 'change' from tax breaks for big companies, big oil and actually breaking our dependance on oil...not just foreign oil. Barack Obama has a clearly defined plan to turn this country around and wean us from oil completely. Drilling in Alaska will only provide this country with a year's worth of oil. Less than the national reserves provide. That the Republicans actually think drilling for more oil is a step in the right direction only shows they do not care where our planet is for the next generation, a generation that includes Emma.

That is something I simply cannot support.

McCain-Palin provides no hope. Wake up...

Hope is something this country needs.

Well, it's official. Emma is now a kindergartner. We awoke at 0630, well I did, Emma took a few more minutes. But when she rubbed her eyes and realized today was the first day of school, it didn't take her long to get ready. All the years at Rainbow Station, I have never seen her get dressed so quickly. As soon as she could, the backpack went on and the pressing of the face on the front glass door began.

"C'mon guys! We need to go to the bus!"

Of course I was taking pictures.

So many the batteries wore out! The bus arrives at 0712...it was early. I'm not sure whose grip was stronger, Karen's or Emma's. I just know Emma was so excited to get on we had to practically beg for a hug.

"Good-bye mama, good-bye Dada."

And with that and a good morning sweet-pea from the driver, Emma took her seat one back from the front. The Hello Kitty backpack firmly attached. She waved with a smile. The doors closed. Off she goes.

Did that really just happen? I'm so proud of her. Today is the first day of her school career. Pretty amazing. Soon she will be experiencing public school: learning to raise her hand, what recess is, school lunches (I hope better than the ones I had) and homework.

A chapter has been finished and a new one beginning in our lives.

I'll be OK. Before I came home I stopped by the school last night. I checked everything out for Emma.

Good to go.

Click on the Photos link above to see the pics.

Emma will be climbing on the bus and making her way to her first day in Kindergarten in a couple of days. She seems to be ready and willing, but admittedly a little nervous. We shall see how I handle it. One part of me is proud of the little girl she has become. Another part of me wants to lock her in the house in a vain attempt to keep her from growing up!

"Don't worry Daddy, I'll always be your buddy."

Anyway, thankfully I'm feeling better and go back to work tomorrow. Happy Labor Day!

The beginning of my blog. Exciting isn't it?