Mayor Callahan Warms Up Waiting Obama Crowd
With more than an hour to go before Michelle Obama arrives, mayor exhorts crowd to work to get president re-elected.
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With more than an hour to go before Michelle Obama was scheduled to arrive in Bethlehem, Mayor John Callahan warmed up the crowd with a call to action for those who filled the Johnston Hall gymnasium at Moravian College.
“We’ve got 88 days to make a difference,” Callahan declared. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah!” the crowd of perhaps 1,000 people shouted back.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked again.
“Yeah!” the crowd responded.
The mayor briefly recalled his time as a student at Moravian, an opportunity he had thanks to affordable student loans and Pell Grants.
“Without those kinds of programs, a school like Moravian would have been out of reach for me,” said Callahan, emphasizing that the re-election of the president is important to preserve middle-class access to a college education.
Obama “understands that an education is the great equalizer. It’s the one thing that will allow children to succeed in life,” Callahan said.
The first lady was expected to arrive shortly after 7 p.m. to discuss her “It Takes One” initiative to grow the grassroots effort to get the president re-elected. A large part of the discussion will be the importance of the president’s policies to the middle class.
Laura Collins, the Obama For America field organizer for Bethlehem, tried to exhort the supporters in the room to “do one thing” to thank the first lady and help the campaign in the next week.
The Freedom High School graduate said campaign team leader Kathy Harrington convinced her to come out for one meeting in February even though she was working two jobs.
“I went out because I believe in the president’s policies,” Collins said. “Hearing those stories and telling those stories is what’s keeping us around.
“It takes one phone call to a friend telling someone from your heart why you support the president. And that one phone call makes a difference.”
Callahan made a similar appeal.
“Look to your left, look to your right. Look in each other’s eyes and reconfirm that you’re going to what it takes to win the election in November,” the mayor said.
Frank
8:31 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
The President has my vote again this year.
Sheila DuPree
10:40 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
why??????
StGabes
3:21 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Why would you vote for a COMMIE?
john kukitz
9:09 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
i can't believe anyone in their right mind could vote for that incompetent socialist.
yearoftheSnakE
9:50 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
we PROUDLY are and just saw Michelle with a thousand plus that were thrilled to be there........and I know MANY MORE that could not attend that also plan to vote and work for the campaign and are happy as can be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the rest of you are going to have a very hard time of come Nov 7th! start getting use to it now we are in for 4 MORE years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hippie
and by the way- most of us really wish he were the socialist you claim he is
Frank
10:50 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
I can't believe that anyone would vote for "I'll Say Anything" Romney.
StGabes
3:04 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Took the words right out of my mouth....
StGabes
12:04 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
@ Kicks on 4th -- He's not a socialist, but a Commie he is! Why would you want a Commie for Pres.? Is it to hard to take care of yourself? Don't you like to work? Why would you want a socialist in the WH? Are you a terrorist? Do you want to see harm done to the American people?
Responsible Citizen
12:15 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
StGabes...you and others like yourself spewing hatred and anger are all that is wrong with America today!! This crazy talk of "communism", "socialism" etc...is all about your veiled bigotry...it is ridiculous and unintelligent! You should be ashamed of yourself referring to these terms as if you fully comprehend their real meaning and then you attach them to President Obama in a lame attempt to instill FEAR!! It is so very difficult to engage in healthy, intelligent discussions with any of you who indulge yourselves in such behavior!
StGabes
12:57 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
You're right I am angry , I'm angry because this Pres. is destroying this Country(Fundamentally Transforming This Country -- That is the only thing this man has been honest about) trying to take away our 1st and 2nd amendments(The war on religion, the war on free speech and trying take our guns away)Once they get our guns they will be able to have their One World Government. I'm angry because every time he opens his mouth there is a lie spewing out.
He is a Commie!!!! Here's a list of Socialist in Congress: http://sadhillnews.com/2011/08/19/socialist-party-of-america-publishes-member-list-includes-70-democrat-congressmen-and-congresswomen That has nothing to do with bigotry or hate, just calling it as it is. His grandparents were Socialist, his mentor was a commie (Frank Marshall Davis) He hung around with domestic terrorists (Bill Ayers and his wife) The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. You can't keep that kind of company and not pick stuff up. I don't sit here picking fights with people, I'm trying to educate the ignorant and you fit that bill. It's time to do research!!!! Once I get more organized I have tons of reading I will post for you!!!
Gerry Haines
9:10 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Sorry, not in a million years.
BethTwp
9:12 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Who would want to see the woman who said "for the first time in my life, I am proud to be an American", when her husband was elected?
Sheila DuPree
10:42 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
Absolutely, BethTwp!
StGabes
3:13 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Yeah then there was the 9/11 ceremony and she said " All this for a damn flag"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJlRwO2V7vw
High-On-Lehigh
9:15 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
You can't? Really??
Incompetent? Really??
Socialist? Really??
Responsible Citizen
11:04 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012
To all the negative posters....you will NEVER get it!!! You will continuously vote AGAINST your own interests!! And against moral ethics!! We have yet to hear any logical reason WHY you would not vote to support yourselves and the interests of your children and children's children!! We really do wish you could explain.....
John Fox
10:03 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
Here is a logical reason to vote against Obama, you are voting against a president who took military action longer then the war powers act allows without ANY approval from congress, no deceleration of war, not even a resolution. How about voting against a president who completely bypassed the separation of powers by making recess appointments when congress was in session.
That is just off the top of my head and both of those things go against the constitution AND legislation that was passed to ease constitutional "burdens."
Also to a lot of people, what is in their interest is working for themselves and having the government stay out of their life as much as possible. I don't think there has been a president in decades that truly worked towards that goal.
StGabes
3:13 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Yeah what part do you need to understand?
StGabes
3:19 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
@Responsible Citizen you're the one who doesn't get it..... Everything that comes out of his mouth is a lie, this guy HATES America and doesn't give a damn about you your children or your children children.... He doesn't have any morals whats so ever.. He's taking liberty after liberty!!! He has shredded the Constitution if front of our very eyes and you ? why people dislike the man....
slyfox
10:28 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
@John Fox - good day to you.
Those that want the government to stay out of their business have no trouble asking for help when they need it.
An interested bystander
10:56 am on Friday, August 10, 2012
There's a big difference between helping those in need (which we should all do), and government overreach, a President who ignores the Constitution and standing law when it doesn't suit him, and intrusion into private lives.
Responsible Citizen
10:42 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
As I said in an earlier post...you ALL continue to vote AGAINST your own best interests. AND...if you are so against "government" then relinquish your rights to Medicare , social security, the roads and interstate highways you travel on, and all the other benefits and services you enjoy in this great nation!! Your anger and horrible vitriol is directed to the wrong source! Let's direct it correctly....to the hundreds of lobbyists protecting their self interests and those of the big colorations who are the ones that truly "govern" this nation and direct our politics!! Let's also blame the supreme court who decided that these corporations should have the same rights as PEOPLE!! It's time to stop taking the bait with the result being vile and silly fighting like a group of TODDERS!! Doubt this activity will take our nation to where it needs to be. And remember...our children of this nation are watching and learning these behaviors from US!
StGabes
12:16 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
@ Responsible Citizen -- Our children are not watching us their to busy watching the disgusting TV and movies that the liberals have made. All the demons and witches and evilness that is on TV. You people should be ashamed of yourselves for voting for a person who is set on destroying our Country and most of you are willing to vote for the bum again... What the hell is wrong with you? He's nothing more then a bigot, racist, out of touch Kenyan, with a huge ego problem....
Arthur Joel Katz
1:45 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
A little confusion there, John Fox. That crack about the President making recess appointment is merely silly. I can't be and has never been done, by this Obama or any other president. And the last time I read the Constitution the President is the Commander in chief. If he finds a war in progress, as Obama did, whenhe took office, would you propose that he surrendersupposed to do, surrender?
I defy you any Constitutional provision that these actions violated.
An interested bystander
2:20 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Arthur, I didn't realize there was already a war in Libya? That was a clear violation, as well as a bald-faced lie regarding the time commitment required.
John Fox
5:04 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
I was talking about Lybia, but according to Obama that didn't because our troops aren't in danger (because we were only bombing Lybia and they did not have adequate air defense systems) by that logic the president could just nuke whoever he feels like and be fine.
About the recess appointments I will just leave this here: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/4/obama-unprecedented-recess-appointment/?page=all
Arthur Joel Katz
1:46 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
that should have been, "would you purpose that he surrender?
StGabes
3:22 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Question: Why would any of you so called Americans vote for a COMMIE!!!! Unless you're a Commie yourself!!!
Frank
3:48 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Louis, you sound just like one of the "useful idiots" the republican party count on for the elections. You go ahead and fulfill your party's dream and vote the straight republican ticket. The more educated folks will vote for the right man for the job, and that man is President Obama.
StGabes
12:23 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
Apparently you're the one that's not very educated, Why would you vote for a commie?
Frank
10:04 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Louis, are you like 12 years old? Grow up before you decide to post. And try to stay in classes, specifically English, so you can learn how to complete sentences and use correct spelling.
StGabes
12:24 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
a typical Liberal always have to cut a person down... You should be ashamed of yourself!!!!!
louis kootsares
8:02 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012
gee frank i am glad i am not a idiot because anyone who votes for obahma blindly ..without knowing what terrible anti american..disgraceful president he is...well seems you fit the bill frank ps when you are successful you can act like me ha ha ha
louis kootsares
8:20 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012
i am ready .. i want to vote for someone who is trying to take away my first and second amendment rights,caters to iran and pakistan.. his aid received 100k from iran,lets china get the jump on canadian oil,allows non citizens rights,drew up obahmacare,wants to take 500billion dollars away from medicare ..the list goes on oh goodie goodie what a bought and paid for puppet i am a boohoo liberal lead me to whatever i am mindless
Responsible Citizen
12:22 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
StGabes...there are quite a few "anger management" treatment programs and facilities in the Lehigh Valley for you and others who spew your ongoing anger and hatred! For your sake as well as those around you, PLEASE get some help!
StGabes
12:35 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
HAHAHAHA you're a lost and blind soul, I will pray for you to find the light. I have not said one thing that is hateful or bigotry. Maybe you should take a common sense class oh wait you can't learn common sense....
Frank
12:41 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
To Responsible Citizen, please do yourself a favor and do not reply to StGabes any longer. He/she is so out of touch with reality that continuing to argue only brings you down to his/her uneducated, ignorant, and bigoted postings. By the way...we have nothing to worry about now that Romney has picked his VP. I'm sure the President is popping the cork on the champagne bottle as we speak.
Responsible Citizen
12:52 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
I must agree with you, Frank! AND....
4 more years!!!!!
StGabes
1:32 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
It saddens me to see such foolish and ignorant people..... Do yourself a favor get a clue, stop living your life in darkness.... If we get four more years you will see whats gonna happen and I can assure it's not gonna be pretty....