Your response to our sign initiative has been outstanding! Over the last several days we distributed hundreds more signs online and at the Labor Day Arts Festival.

Be a part of the movement here in UA. Planting a sign really makes a difference in ways you may not know. Your public show of support impacts people in your neighborhood who trust and value your opinion.

Want to know the centerpiece for Obama's strategy for winning Ohio? In two words it's:

House Meeting

On-the-ground, good-old-fashioned grassroots field organizing and social networking is the game plan for winning in 2008. Yup, it's that simple.

It's not going to be the usual candidate campaign tactics in which hordes of political types swoop in and knock on thousands of doors without regard to communities, churches, neighborhoods, cultures and existing networks.

This community organizing and house meeting video describes the house meeting concept. It's not too much different than the UAPA house parties you may already be familiar with, but a big difference is emphasis on grassroots social networking compared to other campaigns. Read 'Obama's paid staff dwarfing McCain's'.

Can you host or attend a house meeting? Sign up here.

Not sure what hosting a meeting entails? It's really easy. Check out our House Meeting Frequently Asked Question list.

Sign up to host or attend a house meeting and we'll contact you with details on how to organize your network to help Obama!

Democrats target Ohio GOP suburban stronghold

EDITOR'S NOTE — What makes Ohio, the nation's seventh-largest state, a swing state? One in a series of regular stories profiling regions of Ohio and swing areas within the state.

By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
Associated Press Writer

The sign wars begin . . . already.

We report with regret that many of the UA for Obama signs already have been stolen since their debut in the city on June 22nd. This is a problem that we expect to continue and worsen as we approach the general election.

Make plans now to attend UAPA's 4th annual family picnic on Sunday, June 22 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Be prepared for an afternoon of live entertainment, popular picnic food (including vegetarian options), children's activities and good conversation!

Sign up for the picnic!

Sunday, June 22 Fourth Annual UAPA Picnic in the Park, 2:00–5:00 p.m.
Please note new location!
Fancyburg Park, Kioka Road

Friday, July 4 UAPA July 4th Parade Watching, 9:00 a.m.
We’ll gather near the corner of Northwest Boulevard and Brandon Roads. Look for the blue banner -- we’ll have the coffee and doughnuts ready!

Saturday, August 2 UAPA Second Annual Garage Sale
Corner of Ridgecliff and Redding road
Start saving your gently used household items to donate!
More details to follow!

Many of us have been glued to the television watching primary results. Depending on how things play out over the next several weeks, Ohio could play a role in who becomes the Democratic nominee. We thought it would be interesting to find out how UAPA supporters are feeling about the candidates, so we implemented our first ever presidential primary survey.

156 UAPA supporters responded -- 140 of them in the first 24 hours! Here are the results:

QUESTION: If the US Presidential primary were held today, who would you vote for?

As we expected, an overwhelming majority (96%) of respondents would vote for a Democrat, but 4% would choose a Republican in the primary. Perhaps that demonstrates the diversity among supporters of progressive action.

UAPA respondents were split almost evenly between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, with Obama squeaking by. But the next question is, where are the 26% who were considering John Edwards going to turn since their choice has dropped out of the race?

As of Feb. 2, Rasmussen national polling showed Hillary Clinton 45% and Obama 37%. (see recent daily numbers).