Since I've never been called a man of few words, let me say this as simply as I can: Yes. Yes, I accept your nomination to run and serve with Barack Obama, the next President of the United States of America.

Joe Biden formally accepted the nomination for Vice President for the Democratic Party last night. Joe came onto the stage after a moving introduction by his son Beau. And with his family in the audience, including his mom who taught him that "you are defined by your sense of honor, and you are redeemed by your loyalty," he gave a rousing acceptance speech.

Joe told America about his childhood, about being picked on because of his stutter, about his father teaching him to always get up after you've been knocked down, and about the promise that if you work hard, you can succeed in the world. And he spoke about how that promise is slowing slipping away.

Fortunately, Joe told the audience, in Barack Obama, we have a candidate who can and will restore the American Dream for people across the country.

You know, you can learn a lot about a man campaigning with him, debating him, seeing how he reacts under pressure. You learn about the strength of his mind, but even more importantly, you learn about the quality of his heart. I watched how Barack touched people, how he inspired them, and I realized he had tapped into the oldest belief in America: We don't have to accept a situation we cannot bear. We have the power to change it. And change it�and change it is exactly what Barack Obama will do. That's what he'll do for this country.

Our greatest presidents�from Abraham Lincoln to Franklin Roosevelt to John Kennedy�they all challenged us to embrace change. Now, it's our responsibility to meet that challenge.

Millions of Americans have been knocked down. And this is the time as Americans, together, we get back up. Back up together. Our debt to our parents and grandparents too great, our obligation to our children is too sacred.

These are extraordinary times. This is an extraordinary election. The American people are ready. I'm ready. Barack is ready. This is his time. This is our time. This is America's time.

Watch Joe accept the vice presidential nomination below.

This morning in Michigan, Senator Obama announced a comprehensive New Energy for America plan designed to address the current energy crisis and move America towards a 21st century energy economy. Some of the proposals put forth today include:

Providing short-term relief to American families facing pain at the pump.

Helping create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future.

Within 10 years, saving more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined.

Putting 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars – cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon – on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are built here in America.

Ensuring 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.

Implementing an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.

You can read the full New Energy for America plan at Scribd.

The campaign sent out this email this morning...

Friend --

Barack Obama recorded a video message with an important announcement that he wanted you to hear first:

Link to video: An Important Campaign Announcement from Barack Obama

We have made a crucial decision that will impact how we compete in the general election, and it's important that you understand the decision, its implications, and the challenge ahead.

Please take a moment to watch the video.

Thank you,

Scott & Martha @ Obama HQ

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At the latest stop in his Change that Works for You tour in Chicago this morning, Barack discussed his plan to protect consumers (remarks as prepeared)...

Before we begin, I just wanted to say a word about the flooding devastating so many communities. We were scheduled to be holding this event in Iowa, but we decided to cancel it because we didn’t want to divert state resources from going to help with flood relief. 

My heart goes out to the families in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and across the Midwest, who have been forced to flee their own homes, and leave their businesses and communities behind. Right now, many of them are wondering when they’ll be able to return, and what they’ll find when they get there. Well, we cannot assure them that their communities will be rebuilt overnight, but we can assure them that they will be rebuilt – because we’ll work to ensure that the full resources of our state and federal government are there to help. And I will do everything in my power to see to it that those resources get to the people who need them as swiftly as possible.

   Read More »

Moments ago, Senator Clinton officially announced her support for Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton made history over the past 16 months -- not just because she has broken barriers, but because she has inspired millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to causes like universal health care that make a difference in the lives of all Americans.

Please take a minute to thank her for her hard work and for supporting this campaign.

Use the coupon code HOPE at checkout for a 20% discount at http://store.barackobama.com

We are excited by the amazing amount of support we have received from the art community and are honored to announce the second print in our Artists for Obama Gallery.

Scott Hansen has generously donated his design talents to create this piece titled "Progress." Hansen is a California-based musician (Tycho) and artist (ISO50). He is well known for blending retro textures and styles with a modern design ethic.

All purchases made on the Artists for Obama Gallery are 100% contributions to the campaign and count toward your overall contribution limit of $2300. Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Visit the Obama Store now for this and other new summer items.

As you know, only three contests remain in the Democratic primary.

Voters head to the polls in Puerto Rico on Sunday, followed by South Dakota and Montana on Tuesday.

So help give our campaign a crucial boost before these final contests, and send the message that we are ready to move to the next phase and compete against Senator McCain in all 50 states.

Visit the Obama Store and use the code HOPE at checkout for your 20% discount.

Sincerely, Scott & Martha @ Obama HQ

On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes, our sense of patriotism is particularly strong. Because while we gather here under open skies, we know that far beyond the Organ Mountains – in the streets of Baghdad, and the outskirts of Kabul – America’s sons and daughters are sacrificing on our behalf. And our thoughts and prayers are with them. 

I speak to you today with deep humility. My grandfather marched in Patton’s Army, but I cannot know what it is to walk into battle like so many of you. My grandmother worked on a bomber assembly line, but I cannot know what it is for a family to sacrifice like so many of yours have. 

I am the father of two young girls, and I cannot imagine what it is to lose a child. My heart breaks for the families who’ve lost a loved one. 

These are things I cannot know. But there are also some things I do know. 

Tomorrow is the official kickoff of Vote for Change, an unprecedented 50-state voter registration and mobilization drive. In over 100 cities across America, from Anchorage, Alaska to Miami, Florida, grassroots supporters will hit the streets to register voters. With events planned in every single state, no matter where you live, you can find an event near you.

As Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas explained,"This could change the face of American politics for decades to come."

Our efforts across the country have already yielded incredible results. According to a recent Associated Press survey, over 3.5 million people registered to vote in the first three months of 2008. Now we're expanding our approach to every single state, as part of a sustained, six-month effort that could reshape the electoral map.  

Most events will begin in the late morning or early afternoon, and will run approximately four hours. No prior experience is necessary, and materials and training will be provided at each location.

There is no better way to start your weekend tomorrow, and no more important work to be done right now than bringing more voters, and more voices, into the political process.

Find an event near you.

Yesterday, in preparation for the start of our GOTV weekend, we asked our grassroots phonebankers to sound off and let us know who was committed to making calls to voters over the next two days. 

Here are just a few of the people who have pledged to make calls this weekend to help Get Out The Vote in Indiana and North Carolina: