Stephanie is a Middle School Guidance Counselor in rural North Carolina. Yesterday she told me about why she decided to support Barack …

I feel the vision… I see the honesty that he brings, the integrity that he brings. I am a school counselor and live in a rural area; my kids are not afforded a lot of opportunity, and I think he’s going to make a change … He has remained calm through the storm of the campaign, and gives a message of hope. He is young, energetic, and someone that my middle school students can identify with when dealing with adversity.

Stephanie sees the downturn in the economy hurting her community, particularly difficult since many of her students already aren’t provided the kinds of breaks that other, more affluent students often are. 

She says, “a lot of my students come from single parent homes, some without as many role models as they could use.” Still, Barack provides them with this kind of role model, and again she reiterated that “he gives this great sense of hope, that he really wants to make the change” that can help her kids ...

If he is able to do what he’s talking about in making college affordable, it allows me to keep preaching to my kids that if they work all of them can go to college …otherwise, these parents are having enough trouble feeding and clothing the kids, and the students see that their parents can’t afford to pay for them to go to college … And I won’t be able to be straight with them and tell them that.

Barack wants to work to make college affordable for every student in America. To read about Barack’s education plan, click here. To read about his plan to support rural communities, click here.

If you are inspired by Barack's message of hope, as Stephanie is, please consider donating. If you donate by tonight at 11:59 PM EST, you'll be eligible for a chance to have “Dinner with Barack.”  And don’t forget to share your story with us.

Key findings: "Obama now leads in every part of the state except the Mountains, which has very few black voters. He has an advantage across every age group, and is up by double digits with both men and women.

AP - Sen. Barack Obama has won the overall delegate race in Texas thanks to a strong showing in Democratic county conventions this past weekend.

Barack Obama - The Wizard of Oz

After his town hall meeting in Lancaster, Barack stopped by Molly's Amerigreen gas station, a renewable fuel station in Manheim, Pennsylvania, to discuss energy independence and the importance of investing in alternative energy.

Barack explained that investing in renewable fuels will not only help America achieve energy independence and lead in the reduction of carbon emissions, but that it will also be a key step in taking on the oil and gas industry and making gas more affordable for all Americans.  At the Amerigreen gas station, E85 fuel, a gas mixture that is 85 percent ethanol, sells for $2.59 per gallon, nearly 25 percent less than regular gas.



You can read Barack's full plan for a clean energy future here. 

"Fiddy" Cent talkin politics, homey. O-O-O-OOOOBAMA-UNIT!!!

"Fiddy" Cent talkin politics, homey. O-O-O-OOOOBAMA-UNIT!!!

As the primaries progress, growing consensus is emerging that Hillary should think about relinquishing her pursuit of winning the Democratic Nomination.

As the primaries progress, growing consensus is emerging that Hillary should think about relinquishing her pursuit of winning the Democratic Nomination.

Some of Barack's favorite moments of this campaign have been meeting and talking with ordinary Americans across the country. Soon, Barack will have the opportunity to hear four more of your stories at the next "Dinner with Barack." 

In the last few days, thousands of supporters have shared their own personal stories about why they support Barack and why they donated. We've heard from ordinary people who have been moved to take action and engage in the political process, many for the first time. 

Rebecca from Oregon:

As a young woman in her twenties, I have never actively supported a political candidate of any sort and I mostly certainly have never been excited about one! This time it's different. This time I have faith in the future of this country.

Bonnie from Indiana:

I have never contributed to a political candidate before, but my children and I believe that Barack Obama is the candidate who can change, who can heal the wounds our country has suffered for so many years, many more than even the last 8 years, that I have to do more. I have started a group in my very Republican county, my children are very active in their support, and I will do all I can to show all my neighbors that together, all of us, YES WE CAN.

Derek from North Carolina:

I am 29 years old, and this is the first time I've ever donated to a political campaign. I am an ex-Republican. In fact, just last week I changed my voter affiliation …

I believe this next election will be one of the most important in my lifetime, and I believe it is crucial that our next President be someone who has integrity of character, and a style of leadership that promotes transparency and effective communication, who unites us with the common goal of making our country great again. I sincerely believe that Senator Obama is the candidate who best embodies these qualities.

Kelly from Oregon:

I have witnessed first hand how a small group of people can solve big problems by joining together for the greater good. Whether it be the New Years Day Flood of '97 or the threatened closure of a local tennis club, this community has proven time and again that there is strength in numbers. If we can do these things in small towns, I feel certain we can accomplish it on a larger scale as well. This is why I want Barack Obama to lead this country.

You can share your own story, and if you donate by 11:59 p.m. EDT tonight, you could be one four supporters who will soon be joining Barack for dinner.