President Obama’s election was a historic moment in our country’s history, but that’s not why I’m supporting his re-election. In three short years, he has turned our country around after eight disastrous years of failed policies that nearly drove us into another Great Depression. When the President took office, we were losing more than 750,000 jobs a month, our financial system was on the brink, the big three automakers were going bankrupt and millions of Americans were watching the value of their homes plummet. 

Instead of just hoping things got better, President Obama aced and we’re now seeing the rewards of his leadership. The economy is creating jobs again – we’ve had 23 straight months of private sector job growth that added 3.7 million jobs.  For the first time in nearly two decades, manufacturers are creating jobs and Detroit is roaring back, creating jobs and adding extra shifts.

During his first term, President Obama has also delivered on a host of campaign promises that are taking the country in the right direction.  Before the President signed the healthcare bill into law, one in five African Americans didn’t have health insurance, but thanks to his perseverance 32 million more Americans will be able to get the health care they need.  We also can’t forget that the very first bill he signed into law was the Lilly Ledbetter Act, which guarantees equal pay for equal work. He appointed two female Supreme Court Justice Nominees, ended Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and brought our troops home from Iraq.

So you see it’s not that the President should get re-elected because of who he is (although he is a fine role model to millions of Americans). He should get re-elected because he has earned it. We have come a long way in his first term, but there’s still a long way to go before our country is completely back on track, and there is nobody more qualified to finish the job than President Obama. And that’s why I’m behind him, 100% of the way.

To learn more about why President Obama deserves to be re-elected, click here.

I am proud to support President Barack Obama, because he has been a fair and honest leader during one of the most trying times for our country. When he took office, the economy was in crisis, shedding more than 750,000 jobs a month. But the President helped avert another Great Depression and has turned things around, putting the country on a path to long-term prosperity. Not only has the economy added private-sector jobs for 23 straight months and created 3.7 million jobs, but the President has also restored a sense of fairness and responsibility that was sorely lacking.

In addition to his great public-policy accomplishments, one of the most remarkable characteristics of President Obama is his cool nature under pressure and desire to get the job done. He has had to work with a hostile Republican Congress that is more concerned with making him a one-term president than getting anything done to benefit the country. They have tried to block every one of the President’s proposals despite his repeated attempts to find compromise on some of the most pressing issues we face. But despite their attempts to demean him or even heckle him during the State of the Union, he has risen above it all. In these difficult times, I admire our President for taking on the most difficult tasks with grace, dignity, and tenacity.

My family has been involved in Democratic politics since the 1960s. My mother was even a committeewoman back in the day and attended the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Supporting President Obama is a natural extension of our commitment to the Democratic Party, and I am committed to helping the President serve a second term. There is still much work to be done to get our country back on track, and we cannot afford to turn back the clock. President Obama is the right man for the job, and we need to stand with him and keep moving our country forward.

To learn more about the President’s accomplishments and how he wants to move the country in the right direction, click here.

Under the compromise President Obama announced today on contraceptive coverage, women will have access to free contraception and preventive care, regardless of where they work. 

But Republicans, and Marco Rubio, in particular, are trying to push back on this critical women's health issue. The Florida senator and rumored potential GOP vice presidential candidate recently released proposed legislation in response to the new birth control rule, and it's extreme. Rubio's plan would effectively permit any employer to deny someone contraceptive coverage. Or as Mother Jones puts it:

"In English, this means that no entity has to cover birth control in a health plan if it can point to a religious reason for not doing so. And the entity itself is not required to have any religious affiliation. It oculd just be a plain old corporation. That means that if the middle-aged white guy who runs your company is religious opposed to birth control, he can have it stripped out of your insurance plan—even if his Viagra is still covered. You could wake up the next morning and find you're still paying full price for drugs that you once got for free or at much-reduced prices."

Rubio's Religious Freedom Restoration Act isn't just a response to the President's plan. It's an outrageous example of putting politics ahead of women's health—and an outright violation of women's rights.

This afternoon, Mitt Romney proved he has to sell himself as "severely conservative"—his words—to woo the CPAC crowd.

What does "severe" conservatism entail, exactly?

• Romney would make the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy permanent.
• Romney would ask all undocumented workers to self-deport.
• Romney would privatize veterans' health care.
• Romney would let the foreclosure crisis "hit the bottom."
• Romney would have left troops in Iraq indefinitely.
• Romney would have "let Detroit go bankrupt."
• Romney would sign the Ryan budget into law—ending Medicare as we know it.
• Romney would repeal health reform, which has helped 2.5 million young people gain coverage.

Today, President Obama announced a contraception compromise that addresses religious concerns while ensuring women have access to free contraception and preventive care, regardless of where they work. You'll be hearing a lot about the compromise in the days to come, but here's the bottom line: This is good news.

Under the new rules, if a woman works for a religiously affiliated university or hospital that objects to providing contraceptive coverage, it is now the responsibility of her insurance company—not her employer—to provide her free birth control. And the rules for churches remain unchanged: No religious institution will have to provide contraception directly, but female employees will have free access to it if they want it.

Organizations like Catholic Health Services, Catholics United, Planned Parenthood, and NARAL have come out in support of the solution.

Contraception coverage has already been implemented in 28 states—and it's an important public health decision. Doctors prescribe contraception for many reasons, including preventive care: Continued use of birth control reduces the risk of some cancers, serious infections, and cysts. Medical research has confirmed contraceptions' benefits, but its cost often prevents women from using it—particularly those between 18 and 34. But beginning August 1, cost will no longer be a barrier to health. The President's health reform will ensure that contraception is covered with no out-of-pocket cost for all women.

Unlike Republicans like Mitt Romney, Speaker John Boehner, and Sen. Marco Rubio, the President has proved he will find solutions that protect women's right to make decisions about our health. Today's news makes it clear: We have an advocate in President Obama.

President Obama just emailed supporters this video with a note: "Five years ago today, a few thousand of us gathered in Springfield, Illinois, to launch an improbable campaign for president. … You've got to see this video about that journey—it will make you smile."

After Rep. Gabrielle Giffords stepped down from the House of Representatives to focus on her recovery, we asked Democrats nationwide to send her notes of support, encouragement, and, above all, gratitude for her service to our country.

The outpouring was incredible: More than 100,000 people sent notes to Rep. Giffords.

We've sent the notes to Tucson, but we wanted to make sure you saw the highlights. This word cloud of the most commonly used words was put together by one of Rep. Giffords's former constituents—and it gives you a sense of just how admired Rep. Giffords is by the American people.

My support for President Barack Obama goes deeper than politics.  I am extremely proud of all he has accomplished. He is taking our country in the right direction but he is much more than his legislative accomplishments.

The very first bill the President signed was the Lilly Ledbetter Act, which ensures that women receive equal pay for equal work.  He stopped the country from slipping into a depression and turned the economy around.  We’ve added nearly 3.7 million private sector jobs in his administration, and have had 23 straight months of job growth.

The President also made fundamental reforms to K-12 education so more kids can realize the dream of going to college, and he made it easier for students to pay for college once they get there. He also passed landmark health care legislation making health care more affordable for families and small businesses, and has brought much-needed transparency and accountability to the insurance industry. 

Aside from his legislative accomplishments, I support President Obama because he honors the legacy of our African American heroes and continues to be an inspiration to millions of young kids.  He’s living proof that if you study hard and play by the rules, you can accomplish all of your dreams.  And despite all of the pressures of being President of the United States, he still makes time to be a wonderful father and a loving husband.  In a world that sometimes sheds only on the negative, it is good to see that he is one of many exceptions.  I stand with the President because he sets an example through his politics and personal life for the rest of the country and he deserves a 2^nd term to keep fighting for the American people. 

To learn more about the President’s accomplishments, click here.