Obama gets proactive in fighting against unpatriotic claims

Our supporters are not stopping until November. And they're encouraging everyone else to not stop either...

Victoria in Pennsylvania:

I donated today. I never thought that I would donate to a political campaign - until now. I will do everything I can to help Senator Obama. I am so excited about him being our next POTUS. This is a wonderful time in our country. I'm very excited.

Jayne in Florida:

I just got my credit card bill and I was shocked at the number of times I donated to the campaign last month! I just am so invested in making sure Obama has the resources we know he'll need to fight the smears they will put on the airwaves and through the emails. We have seen some of it already.

So, they do "get" me every few days - out comes the credit card - I just can't help it…. It makes me feel so good to know that I am contributing to this movement which means so much to me.

Cindy in Texas:

…I think we are all there with you, but you know it's worth it and I'm not slowing down now. My husband calls to check our account balance everyday. He comes in everyday and asks "how much money did WE give Barack today"?

I'm having a blast!

Ty in Germany:

I donated on about 29 different occasions in the month of April and I have donated at least 10 times this month of June so I know what you mean. But I feel like it is all a worthy investment for my children’s future.

I'm gonna keep giving to this campaign until Barack wins the GE. This is too important. Definitely too important for me to just sit back and do nothing.

Kim in California:

Thank you to every American who has donated to this campaign. Thank you to every American who has worked on this campaign.

Let us not become complacent -- if you can, please give! Today is a fund-raising deadline and Senator Obama's decision and leadership to get the Democratic Party to forego PAC and lobbyist money is under scrutiny. Thanks again!

Diane in North Carolina:

In order to fight the GOP smear machine we are gonna need all of us nickle and dimers to get the ole purse out and give till it hurts. I know I have. …You can do it and you should!

Tracy in Connecticut:

I was shocked to see that I hit the primary max the other day so I am on to general election contributions. The reason I was shocked is because most of my contributions have been $10 & $25 contributions (a few $100 ones but not many)over the course of the last several months.

So I guess what I am trying to say is that all of those small donations REALLY do add up!!!!!!!!!!!

Suzanne in Oregon:

I am out of work at the moment but just sent some more money to the campaign. I know they need it. …Oregon can NOT be complacent. Republicans think they can win this state, and indeed, maverick state that we are, that could happen if we are not vigilant and [don’t] work hard.

There are large pockets of Republicans in our rural areas and McCain got a good reception from leaders when he came to Portland recently. Even our Democratic gov. hung out with him and made a big deal about his visit. SO ...WE NEED CASH..and WE NEED TO WORK HARD IN OREGON, also.

…DONATE..even if it is $2...we are behind McCain and we need to help Sen. Obama win the cash battle for June.

David in Ohio:

Just gave $30, my first General Election Donation, and there will be many more as we go along this journey!

Obama 08

There's still time to donate and make an impact in June. Help the campaign to fight against John McCain in all 50 states. Every donation counts.

Your Monday Lunch includes General Wes Clark's controversial statements about McCain, Bill and Barack's plans for a sit down, the second quarter money race, and McCain's puzzling foreign travel.

AP - Clearly, the lady who offered to give Barack Obama the shirt off her back rattled him more than the lady next to her, whose top was emblazoned with a biceps-flexing Hillary Rodham Clinton and the words "Hillary Can Do It."

Here is the video of Barack's full speech from Independence, Missouri earlier this morning:

In his speech, Barack spoke about what patriotism means to him, both throughout his life and at this moment, as we begin the general election:

At the beginning of a week when we celebrate the birth of our nation, I think it is fitting to pause for a moment and reflect on the meaning of patriotism... We do so in part because we are in the midst of war – more than one and a half million of our finest young men and women have now fought in Iraq and Afghanistan; over 60,000 have been wounded, and over 4,600 have been laid to rest. The costs of war have been great, and the debate surrounding our mission in Iraq has been fierce. It is natural, in light of such sacrifice by so many, to think more deeply about the commitments that bind us to our nation, and to each other.

We reflect on these questions as well because we are in the midst of a presidential election, perhaps the most consequential in generations; a contest that will determine the course of this nation for years, perhaps decades, to come.

You can watch more videos and highlights at YouTube.com/barackobama.

AP - TITLE: "Dignity"

TITLE: "Dignity"

Investor's Business Daily - Politics: Barack Obama revives the politics of personal destruction by sending out surrogates to attack John McCain the war hero and John McCain the man. Politics as usual, Senator?

AP - Flanked by American flags, Barack Obama forcefully defended his patriotism Monday against anyone who would challenge it, declaring he wouldn't stand for persistent rumors questioning his loyalty and aimed at sinking his presidential campaign.

AP - The silence between Barack Obama and Bill Clinton has been broken, with the Democratic White House hopeful on Monday asking the former president to campaign for him during their first conversation since the heated primary.