Stephanie Tubbs Jones: Meeting Adjourned

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Today the nation adjourned the final meeting with Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 58, who died earlier this month of a massive brain aneurysm. Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress and a strong critic of the Iraq war, was a friend to all she met and moreover she was a leader with a passion who kept company with the likes of the Clintons.

Today the nation said good-bye during a public memorial service in Ohio and thanks to C-Span, the nation got to know Stephanie just a little better. A funny, passionate, and loving mother, sister, and leader to all, she will be a missing link during this historical time as her fellow Democrats continue working towards the CHANGE she always wanted to see in Washington.

Yes, the Clintons and Senator Barack Obama had many mentions and it was obvious of their presence but Stephanie would have wanted nothing less. She loved the Clintons and after it was obvious that Senator Clinton would have to step aside, she supported the ideal of electing Barack as our next President. Her services were just the way she would have wanted, except for the fact she would have said “this is lasting too long,” as President Clinton noted.

We’ll miss you Stephanie and those you continued to fight for will always be indebted to your service you gave us all! Read more about this vibrant leader, woman, and American by going to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26303502.

-Michelle Bart, Helping Heroes

Sarah Palin, a Shocker Decision

Sarah Palin, 44, Governor of Alaska (since December 2006), proud member and supporter of the National Riffle Association and someone putting herself in the same league of Hillary Clinton was the announcement of the day as Senator John McCain placed Palin on the ticket for the GOP's next Vice-President of the United State of America; I'm thinking McCain and his team need a reality check.

Don't get me wrong, I would be as excited as my fellow female sisters across the nation to have the first woman Vice-President or as President of our country, but Palin isn't the one to hold that office for the first time in our country's history. I applaud Palin as a woman who can lead a community, can help support the initiatives of Alaska's needs, can juggle being a mother of five with the tireless hours of political leadership and service, and a woman who has without a doubt began building an impressive resume, however, I disagree whole heartily on the comparison that Hillary Clinton paved the way for her, because that is not a compliment but rather an insult to Senator Clinton and her 35+ years of political service. Placing her name in the same category, only one characteristic is similar, they both are female.

Let me remind my readers and those thinking that Hillary gave up on her supporters, she gave it all she had and then some. In the end the choice was clear not because of the voices of the people but the voices of the delegates. If we want the people to decide then we should have left all candidates in place and went for the vote on November 4th, but because of a screwed up system, it is what it is and we must do what it take to make sure the CHANGE comes through loud and clear.

If you want a country with more fire arms, more taxes for the middle class, if you expect our men and women to continue fighting a war with no positive conclusion, and you want a life like the past eight years of unemployment, loss of homes, and loss of hope then they may be the choice you take, but if you want the opposite and you want CHANGE then on November 4th make your vote count and have a voice that will clearly bring American's back on their feet!

McCain-Palin not the ticket in 2008. If you want more information from a neutral standpoint go to www.cnn.com.

- Michelle A. Bart, Helping Heroes

*photo by Kiichiro Sato, AP

Obama: Hope for CHANGE!

Denver, CO - Senator Barack Obama not only rocked the Mile High Stadium in Denver tonight he took it all the way home for a touch down! The past four days have been nothing but amazing for Democrats and for All Americans! The entire production [at both venues] were award-winning extravaganzas and met the objective of reenergizing the delegates and guests alike! The addresses from President Clinton and Senator Clinton proved that not only are they class acts, they are team players!

Hillary was my choice for President; she has the experience, education, and the ability to get the job done and her resume speaks for itself, but the people spoke and the next best person will lead our nation back on our feet! Obama's address was well written, delivered, and gave the 80,000+ people in attendance the HOPE we all need to get our lives back to the norm.

As someone who has suffered many losses this past year with health, business, finances, and hope, Barack and his team have rebuilt my faith that CHANGE is on the horizon and in do time the American Dream will be back within reach!

If you want CHANGE, we must pull together and make it happen on November 4th. Thank you to the DNC and the entire production team for hosting, directing, and producing a historical four-day convention! Lastly, thank you to Hilary Rosen, Larry King, and the entire CNN team for a job well-done on the coverage of a convention I will never forget; the reports, views, and coverage made for an everlasting experience!

- Michelle A. Bart, Helping Heroes 2008

Hillary Clinton: A Real Team Player!

Words cannot express how I'm feeling after watching Hillary Clinton carry her speech tonight at the Democratic National Convention. What an example for our future leaders to follow; a prime example of a woman, leader, and friend to all American's who never believed there was an "I" in "Team" and a leader that in the end showed what a class act that she truly is!

I was honored and so very privileged to have worked on her campaign; whether in California, Portland, or in Las Vegas, I gave my energy to someone who I still believe would have been the best for our country in this time of need, but I respect her enough to also now be part of her efforts to elect Barack Obama. Her address was unlike anything I ever heard, but it wasn't anything less than I expected from a true winner in my heart!

"Ask yourself were you only in it for me?" Clinton stated in her speech, that is a powerful question, are you only in it for her or do you want CHANGE? If Hillary's vote is with Senator Obama, the answer is clear, we must all be in it to make the change and Obama must be our choice as a Democrat come November.

"I'm not your therapist, I'm a Democrat lets get it together and move forward and lets take back the White House," said Hilary Rosen, Democrat Strategist. No words paint a better picture of what took place in Denver tonight then what Rosen said.

I thought Senator Kennedy rocked the house last night, but Hillary Clinton brought the house down! Wearing my yellow "Hillary for President" campaign shirt, the honor to have the right to vote and privilege to call myself an American, and a tear in my eye as I watched what I had hoped to be our next President step aside to allow us to follow out the objective: CHANGE…thanks for being a HERO among us Hillary and together we will win what you started!

-Michelle A. Bart, Helping Heroes Productions




Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton says she is a proud supporter of Barack Obama and it is time for Democrats to unite.

Ted Kennedy Rocks the DNC!

Senator Kennedy still has it and boy did he rock the stage last night at the DNC in Denver. A man who stands his ground and "does what he says he is going to do" ignored the doctors and his wife's advisement and headed to Denver to support Obama. Great speech and a great HERO Among Us!!

Obama-Biden Ticket: A Reflection

“Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP nominee. Watch the first Obama-Biden rally live at 3pm ET on www.barackobama.com” was the text message I received at 1:58am this morning with the rest of the Nation that received the text message from the Obama Campaign. Was I shocked with his selection? Not really. Do I agree with his selection? Not really. Does this make me change the way I will vote in November? Definitely not.

I have had the honor and opportunity of working on the Hillary for President Campaign the past year, whether in Las Vegas, Portland, or Los Angeles; I had a blast and knew I was working for the best person for the job as our next President, but the situation is what it is and as someone wanting to see CHANGE I must stick with my party and hope they have all of our best interest on their agenda and in the end come January we will take back the address on Pennsylvania Ave.

Our country is hurting in so many areas: economically, healthcare, environment, safety, foreign affairs, and so many other areas. We MUST believe those we elect will do the best job for the people and the best for the United States of America. We are in NEED for CHANGE and unless Hillary decides to run as an Independent in November and try to get the votes she had throughout the Primaries, the Obama-Biden ticket will be the one I must support if I want to see CHANGE to help us get back on our feet as a Nation.

No matter your views or to whom you place your vote with, unless you vote don’t complain the next 4 to 8 years on how the US is being operated. We must pull together as a Nation in order for us to have the freedom and the ingredients of reshaping our existence as the best country in the world, so register to vote today and make a difference come November!