Barack Obama Thanks Armenians for Obama

October 22, 2008
Los Angeles – Senator Barack Obama today personally thanked Armenians for Obama for its far-reaching grassroots efforts and encouraged the growing nationwide Armenian American movement in support of the Obama-Biden ticket to escalate its voter outreach in the final days before the November 4th election.

In a letter sent today to Armenians for Obama, Senator Obama personally expressed his thanks to the voter outreach organization, noting that, from the beginning Armenians for Obama has "been one of those grassroots groups – whether its canvassing in Nevada and Virginia or calling from home in California and New York. I know your hard work has made a difference in the past two years, and I know it's going to make the difference in these last few days."

Welcoming Senator Obama's warm words of appreciation, Ibranossian said, "On behalf of all our Armenians for Obama activists around the country, I want to thank Senator Obama for his sincere expression of gratitude to our grassroots organization and community. We are inspired by his kind words to our team and take from them an added measure of energy and devotion, in these last days, to engage in fieldwork, media outreach, and get-out-the-vote efforts, to do our part to ensure that Senator Obama wins a decisive victory on November 4th.”

Separately, the campaign has issued a campaign certificate, bearing the Armenians for Obama logo, in which the Armenian American National Leadership Committee officially endorses the Obama-Biden ticket. Serving on this select Leadership Committee are U.S. Representatives Anna Eshoo, Jackie Speier, and Adam Schiff, California Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, and former South Carolina State Democratic Chairman Richard Harpootlian.

The full text of Senator Obama's letter is provided below.

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Armenian Americans for Obama

Dear Friends,

I want to thank you for all you're doing to build our movement for change. Grassroots groups have seized on the desire of ordinary Americans to take back our country, and organized this energy and enthusiasm into a strong, disciplined campaign. You've taken responsibility for reaching out to your neighbors and fellow citizens to make the case for change.

From the beginning, Armenian Americans for Obama has been one of those grassroots groups – whether it's canvassing in Nevada and Virginia or calling from home in California and New York. I know that your hard work has made a difference in the past two years, and I know it's going to make the difference in these last few days. Let me be clear: we're not there yet. This race will tighten as we get closer to the end. And the difference between the change we seek and more of the same is you.

We have asked a lot from our supporters, and you have taken ownership of our movement, because you know that "change happens from the bottom-up" is not just a slogan – it is the story of this campaign. At every test, you have succeeded. With the final test just a few days away, I have no doubt that you will rise to the occasion again. And together we will succeed, and together, we will change America.

Sincerely,

[signed]

Barack Obama