The Canvass Kickoff for Barack Obama was a great success according to supporters at the event. People from all over the Tri-State area came out to support. Denise L. Norris of Corporate Planners Inc. greeted everyone with a smile as they entered the historical kickoff. The kickoff was held in East Liberty at 208 N. Highland Avenue. Over 400 supporters came out to be trained on how to canvass the streets and get people to register to vote for Barack Obama.

Door to door knocking and canvassing certain organizations and other places were the premise of this canvass. Two people were paired together, so know one would be alone while getting the community to register.

"The people that showed up here are going to vote anyway, but it's the people in the hood that need to be reached and that's why I'm here," said Bernita Turner. "I hope he will inspire brothers to do well and I think Obama can because he has a different way."

The atmosphere at the kickoff was very positive and everyone was excited to get started on canvassing the neighborhoods. There were a few Clinton supporters at the event that came out to see how much support Obama really has in Pittsburgh.

"I believe in his politics, his presence and he has the right ideas to be President of the United States - CHANGE," said Juan Glover. This was the first canvass kickoff for Obama and from what was said yesterday by many, there will be more kickoffs so Obama can become the first African-American President in history.

VERY IMPORTANT: Pittsburghers are also traveling to Ohio on March 4th to show the Ohio Obama team that Western PA is ready to win the election. Rides will be provided by the campaign from Pittsburgh to Youngstown, and back. Contact Regional Field Director, Lauren Watts at (603) 759-8027 for more information.

COMMENTS FROM BROTHA ASH:
I am a proud member of B-PEP - The Black Political Empowerment Project and we advocate that all African-Americans register to vote and that we vote in each and every election. Who I vote for has always been between me and the voting machine, but I need to share with you that I have not voted for anyone in any election in the past twelve years. Of course I voted for Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996, but I haven't voted since. Voting is hard when you do not believe in the candidates you are voting for and I have asked myself about hyprocrisy in this matter time and time again. I have always wanted to vote when election time came around no matter what, but the candidates were not saying anything interesting. This election has inspired me to register and vote again because our people have fought for our rights to vote and I am grateful to have that right. I never thought in my lifetime that we would have a black president, but I am grateful to experience this election because we are very close (win or lose). If I can register to vote after twelve years, you can too. Let's make history happen.

CHECK OUT BROTHA ASH PRODUCTIONS PICS FROM THE OBAMA KICKOFF