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    <title>Faith Community for Obama</title>
    <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/group_rss/ArizonaforObama/html</link>
    <description>People of faith supporting the presidential candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama!</description>
                        <item>
            <title>Please sign this petition to eliminate tax exemptions for churches that lobby for state propositions...</title>
            <description>Sign this petition to support the legal effort to amend our tax laws such that the Mormon Church, and other transgressing churches, would lose tax-exempt status if they continue lobbying for state propositions.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
http://www.mormonsstoleourrights.com/#petition</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/C88</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/C88/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:15:23 EST</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/C88</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
                <db:picture>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/profile_picture/0047816b5d9ebeef40_dzm6b3d6j.jpg</db:picture>
                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
            </db:profile>
            <db:comment_count>14</db:comment_count>
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        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Donate to the Democratic National Party!!!!</title>
            <description>You proved that change can happen. You built an unprecedented grassroots organization in all 50 states that brought a record number of people into the political process -- many for the first time, many for the first time in a long time.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Our success required unprecedented resources, and the Democratic National Committee played a major role on the ground efforts that generated record turnout up and down the ticket.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please make a donation to the DNC to help fund the efforts it undertook in 2008.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please Donate to my DNC fundraising page http://www.democrats.org/page/outreach/view/Obama/RV3</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/rhondawilliams/Czk</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/rhondawilliams/Czk/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:05:42 EST</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/rhondawilliams/Czk</guid>
            <dc:creator>memecat</dc:creator>
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                <db:author_name>memecat</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>1</db:comment_count>
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        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Will be in D.C. for Inauguration Day!!</title>
            <description>I booked my tickets and hotel for January 19-25th-- Am taking my daughter! Would love to meet up with others from my PB &quot;family&quot;... &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I knew it was going to be a LANDSLIDE!!! Now let us CELEBRATE!!!!</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CQh</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CQh/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:18:55 EST</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CQh</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
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                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>4</db:comment_count>
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        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Re: It&#039;s Time to Change the World!!!</title>
            <description>But you are members of the Joshua Generation. And it is now up to you to finish the work that they began. It is up to you to cross the river.When Joshua discovered the challenge he faced, he had his doubts and his worries. But the Lord told Joshua not to fear. He said, &quot;Be strong and have courage, for I am with you wherever you go.&quot;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Those are the words I will leave you with today. Be strong and have courage. Be strong and have courage in the face of injustice. Be strong and have courage in the face of prejudice and hatred. Be strong and have courage in the face of joblessness and helplessness and hopelessness. Be strong and have courage, in the face of our doubts and fears, in the face of skepticism, in the face of cynicism, in the face of a mighty river. Be strong and have courage and let us cross over to that Promised Land together.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
~Barack Obama (Washington, DC | September 28, 2007)</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/rhondawilliams/CLZ</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/rhondawilliams/CLZ/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:09:28 EST</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/rhondawilliams/CLZ</guid>
            <dc:creator>memecat</dc:creator>
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                <db:author_name>memecat</db:author_name>
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                    <item>
            <title>Obama&#039;s 30 minute Infomercial... Get out your kleenex... as it is Obama at his best...</title>
            <description>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtREqAmLsoA</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/Crg</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/Crg/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:04:51 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/Crg</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
                <db:picture>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/profile_picture/0047816b5d9ebeef40_dzm6b3d6j.jpg</db:picture>
                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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                    <item>
            <title>Elizabeth Dole uses McCain&#039;s ad writer and calls opponent &quot;godless&quot;</title>
            <description>Elizabeth Dole calls her opponent, former Sunday school teacher,  Kay Haggen &quot;godless&quot; CNN says that the Dole campaign contacted the person who is in charge of McCain&#039;s advertising in desperation.  This is the ad they came up with:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/29/dole-ad-fabricates-audio_n_138874.html&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Shame on you Elizabeth!!! SHAME ON YOU!!!</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CcP</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CcP/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:07:42 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CcP</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
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                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>6</db:comment_count>
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        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>109 year old woman, daughter of a slave votes</title>
            <description>for Obama!! She has lived through 3 centuries... This is a remarkable and heartwarming story:  http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/10/27/1027jones.html</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/Ccz</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/Ccz/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:58:55 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/Ccz</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
                <db:picture>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/profile_picture/0047816b5d9ebeef40_dzm6b3d6j.jpg</db:picture>
                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
            </db:profile>
            <db:comment_count>7</db:comment_count>
            <wfw:commentRss>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/comment_rss/Ccz/</wfw:commentRss>
        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Great laugh-- The vet who did not vet!!!</title>
            <description>I about fell off my chair... IT is so true and very funny...&lt;br /&gt;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03fcGelz8Hw</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CSh</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CSh/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:12:16 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CSh</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
                <db:picture>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/profile_picture/0047816b5d9ebeef40_dzm6b3d6j.jpg</db:picture>
                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>4</db:comment_count>
            <wfw:commentRss>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/comment_rss/CSh/</wfw:commentRss>
        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>My prayers are with Madelyn Duham, Barack&#039;s Grandmother...</title>
            <description>Barack takes time off from his campaign to be with his Grandmother, Madelyn Dunham.  This woman was one of Barack&#039;s inspirations... She was became one of Hawaii&#039;s first woman vice-president.  She was describe as a drill sergeant... http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-04-07-obamagrandma_N.htm&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Barack has cancelled many events to go to Hawaii and spend time with her.&lt;br /&gt;
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/20/politics/fromtheroad/entry4535097.shtml&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please join me in sending good thoughts and prayers Madelyn&#039;s way... Get well soon Mrs Dunham, we all want to see you on January 20th when Barack is sworn in!!!</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CxQ</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CxQ/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:15:07 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CxQ</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
                <db:picture>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/profile_picture/0047816b5d9ebeef40_dzm6b3d6j.jpg</db:picture>
                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>11</db:comment_count>
            <wfw:commentRss>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/comment_rss/CxQ/</wfw:commentRss>
        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Dead Bear found wrapped in Obama signs in North Carolina...</title>
            <description>This was sent to me from my Twit friends...  I think the word of this incident needs to get out so that the North Carolina police don&#039;t just sweep this under the carpet.... These people need to be prosecuted for hate crimes-- People need to know that this WILL NOT be tolerated in OUR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
http://www.wyff4.com/cnn-news/17764161/detail.html&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
sad... Those that feel that racism doesn&#039;t exist... live in Egypt... the land of DE-NILE!!</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/Cxq</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/Cxq/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:15:42 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/Cxq</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
                <db:picture>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/profile_picture/0047816b5d9ebeef40_dzm6b3d6j.jpg</db:picture>
                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>10</db:comment_count>
            <wfw:commentRss>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cxq/</wfw:commentRss>
        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Join me in donating to Minnesota&#039;s Congressional candidate E. Tinklenberg. (I am from Wa State)</title>
            <description>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESdA52S4Dbg&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Watch the video of Michelle Bachmann&#039;s interview on Hardball as she calls Senator Obama &quot;Anti-American&quot; and links &quot;liberal left-wing politicians&quot; to &quot;anti American&quot; activities...&lt;br /&gt;
She basically says that if you aren&#039;t republican than you are &quot;anti American&quot;...  I just donated to her opponents campaign... I was so appalled at this woman&#039;s comments that I just couldn&#039;t just sit there-- I had to open up my empty wallet and give another $20.00 to help rid the congress of this piece of trash!!! She will do NOTHING to unite this country during these hard times when we all need to work together... She needs to ride off on her broom to the land of congressional members with NO ethics!!  Below is my letter to her opponent: &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Dear Mr. Elwyn Tinklenberg,&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
My name is Gretchen and I am a Certified Nurse-Midwife, mother of 5 and grandmother, from Washington State.  I just donated to your campaign.  I just listened to your opponent’s terrible comments about Barack Obama and felt the need to contribute to your campaign.  We don&#039;t need politicians in Washington D.C. that illicit this type of hate.  We need people who will address the issues that we all are facing in these difficult times.  A Republican, Colin Powell said it best today, when he stated how disappointed he was with this type of campaign-- one that distracts us from the real issues that hard-working Americans are facing on a daily basis.  We will ALL need to work hard to restore our country back to the strong nation it once was-- Your opponent’s words/beliefs will prevent this from happening. Best wishes to you and to the people of Minnesota from Washington State!!!  Gretchen&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Here is Mr Tinklenberg&#039;s web site:&lt;br /&gt;
http://www.tinklenberg08.com/home.html</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CgP</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CgP/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:38:18 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CgP</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
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                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>5</db:comment_count>
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        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Joe the Plumber was a McCain plant!!!</title>
            <description>Talk about sinking--yes pun intended--LOWER THAN LOW!!!!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
http://www.ickypeople.com/2008/10/joe-plumber-is-mccain-plant.html</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CBq</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CBq/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:22:41 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CBq</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
                <db:picture>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/profile_picture/0047816b5d9ebeef40_dzm6b3d6j.jpg</db:picture>
                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>22</db:comment_count>
            <wfw:commentRss>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/comment_rss/CBq/</wfw:commentRss>
        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Obama&#039;s tax calculator</title>
            <description>You can see how much Obama&#039;s tax plan vs McCain&#039;s plan will effect your income.... GREAT IDEA Barack!!&lt;br /&gt;
http://taxcut.barackobama.com/&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Share this with your friends!</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGT8</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGT8/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:10:31 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGT8</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
                <db:picture>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/profile_picture/0047816b5d9ebeef40_dzm6b3d6j.jpg</db:picture>
                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>6</db:comment_count>
            <wfw:commentRss>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/comment_rss/CGT8/</wfw:commentRss>
        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Hate followed by HOPE...</title>
            <description>This video brought tears to my eyes... The horror and the hate that the McCain/Palin has stirred up followed by the HOPE Obama brings... &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please watch this-- It brought tears to my eyes...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
http://complainjane.wordpress.com/</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGkq</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGkq/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:32:31 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGkq</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
                <db:picture>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/profile_picture/0047816b5d9ebeef40_dzm6b3d6j.jpg</db:picture>
                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>5</db:comment_count>
            <wfw:commentRss>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/comment_rss/CGkq/</wfw:commentRss>
        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Watch this and tell me if you consider this a handshake...</title>
            <description>McCain couldn&#039;t even lift his hand high enough to actually shake Obama&#039;s hand-- More of a wave...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI0iIOqPGak</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CG2h</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CG2h/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:26:05 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CG2h</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
                <db:picture>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/profile_picture/0047816b5d9ebeef40_dzm6b3d6j.jpg</db:picture>
                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>7</db:comment_count>
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        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Did you see that McCain did not shake</title>
            <description>Barack&#039;s hand-- Barack went up to him and tapped him on the shoulder to shake his hand and he pushed his hand away so that Barack shook only Cindi&#039;s hand-- OUCH!!! I was appalled by that!! Did anyone else see that???</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGL4</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGL4/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:40:45 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGL4</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
                <db:picture>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/profile_picture/0047816b5d9ebeef40_dzm6b3d6j.jpg</db:picture>
                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>9</db:comment_count>
            <wfw:commentRss>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/comment_rss/CGL4/</wfw:commentRss>
        </item>
                    <item>
            <title>Controversial voters purging...</title>
            <description>CBS reported that there is a lot of voters that are being purged for suspicious reasons... Watch this... it is scary!! &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
To me cheating is treason-- anyone who is caught doing this needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of FEDERAL LAW-- maybe sent to Gitmo...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRfJtnfQDgg</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGLV</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGLV/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:08:56 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGLV</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
                        <db:profile>
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                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>7</db:comment_count>
            <wfw:commentRss>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/comment_rss/CGLV/</wfw:commentRss>
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            <title>Story about Obama helping a woman 20 years ago....</title>
            <description>A breaking story about how a kind, quiet man stepped in to help a new bride get back home. This comes as no surprise to those of us who respect this man and want to see him elected.&lt;br /&gt;
Blogger Leisha has posted a translation of the original story first published in a popular Norwegian magazine.&lt;br /&gt;
The Story:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Obama Story, Norway&lt;br /&gt;
Mary lacked money to fly home to Norway â€&quot; Barack Obama saved her love&lt;br /&gt;
ÅSGÅRDSTRAND (VG): Mary was a newlywed and ready to move to Norway, but was stopped at the airport because she didn’t have enough money for the trip. Then a stranger turned up and paid for her.&lt;br /&gt;
Mary Menth Andersen was 31 years old at the time and had just married Norwegian Dag Andersen. She was looking forward to starting a new life in Åsgårdstrand in Vestfold with him. But first she had to get all of her belongings across to Norway. The date was November 2nd, 1988.&lt;br /&gt;
At the airport in Miami things were hectic as usual, with long lines at the check-in counters. When it was finally Mary’s turn and she had placed her luggage on the baggage line, she got the message that would crush her bubbling feeling of happiness.&lt;br /&gt;
-You’ll have to pay a 103 dollar surcharge if you want to bring both those suitcases to Norway, the man behind the counter said.&lt;br /&gt;
Mary had no money. Her new husband had travelled ahead of her to Norway, and she had no one else to call.&lt;br /&gt;
-I was completely desperate and tried to think which of my things I could manage without. But I had already made such a careful selection of my most prized possessions, says Mary.&lt;br /&gt;
Although she explained the situation to the man behind the counter, he showed no signs of mercy.&lt;br /&gt;
-I started to cry, tears were pouring down my face and I had no idea what to do. Then I heard a gentle and friendly voice behind me saying, That’s OK, I’ll pay for her.&lt;br /&gt;
Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before.&lt;br /&gt;
-He had a gentle and kind voice that was still firm and decisive. The first thing I thought was, Who is this man?&lt;br /&gt;
Although this happened 20 years ago, Mary still remembers the authority that radiated from the man.&lt;br /&gt;
-He was nicely dressed, fashionably dressed with brown leather shoes, a cotton shirt open at the throat and khaki pants, says Mary.&lt;br /&gt;
She was thrilled to be able to bring both her suitcases to Norway and assured the stranger that he would get his money back. The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper that he gave to Mary. She thanked him repeatedly. When she finally walked off towards the security checkpoint, he waved goodbye to her.&lt;br /&gt;
The piece of paper said ‘Barack Obama’ and his address in Kansas, which is the state where his mother comes from. Mary carried the slip of paper around in her wallet for years, before it was thrown out.&lt;br /&gt;
-He was my knight in shining armor, says Mary, smiling.&lt;br /&gt;
She paid the 103 dollars back to Obama the day after she arrived in Norway. At that time he had just finished his job as a poorly paid community worker* in Chicago, and had started his law studies at prestigious Harvard university.&lt;br /&gt;
In the spring of 2006 Mary’s parents had heard that Obama was considering a run for president, but that he had still not decided. They chose to write a letter in which they told him that he would receive their votes. At the same time, they thanked Obama for helping their daughter 18 years earlier.&lt;br /&gt;
In a letter to Mary’s parents dated May 4th, 2006 and stamped ‘United States Senate, Washington DC’, Barack Obama writes**:&lt;br /&gt;
‘I want to thank you for the lovely things you wrote about me and for reminding me of what happened at Miami airport. I’m happy I could help back then, and I’m delighted to hear that your daughter is happy in Norway. Please send her my best wishes. Sincerely, Barack Obama, United States senator’.&lt;br /&gt;
The parents sent the letter on to Mary.&lt;br /&gt;
This week VG met her and her husband in the café that she runs with her friend Lisbeth Tollefsrud in Åsgårdstrand.&lt;br /&gt;
-It’s amazing to think that the man who helped me 20 years ago may now become the next US president, says Mary delightedly.&lt;br /&gt;
She has already voted for Obama. She recently donated 100 dollars to his campaign.&lt;br /&gt;
She often tells the story from Miami airport, both when race issues are raised and when the conversation turns to the presidential elections.&lt;br /&gt;
-I sincerely hope the Americans will see reason and understand that Obama means change, says Mary.</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CG34</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CG34/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:28:46 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CG34</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
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                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>10</db:comment_count>
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            <title>Sarah Palin addresses the Alaska Independence Party....</title>
            <description>If Barack had done something like this his campaign would have ended before it began... AND SHE did this in 2008!!!! &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Re0vmbtHK8&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She is making up things about Barack&#039;s character-- She only needs to look in the mirror if she wants to see poor poor character and terrible judgement!!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hey Sarah-- Can you see reality from Alaska???</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CG3k</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CG3k/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:08:33 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CG3k</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
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                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
                <db:school></db:school>
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            <db:comment_count>5</db:comment_count>
            <wfw:commentRss>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/comment_rss/CG3k/</wfw:commentRss>
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            <title>To all those Joe six packs playing a drinking game.... Maverick</title>
            <description>If you want to start your Sunday morning off with a great laugh and like me I am in bed before SNL comes on-- WATCH IN NOW!!! I almost fell on the floor when Faye said I think marriage should be only for two unwilling teenagers...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
you gotta see this!!! http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/vp-debate-open-palin-biden/727421/</description>
            <link>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGqb</link>
            <comments>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGqb/commentary#comments</comments>
            <pubDate>Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:37:42 EDT</pubDate>
            <guid>http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/gretchenweisselliot/CGqb</guid>
            <dc:creator>Gretchen</dc:creator>
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                <db:author_name>Gretchen</db:author_name>
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            <db:comment_count>3</db:comment_count>
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