More bang for your vote

Who knew voting was such a big deal? Sure, Tuesday's election has been purported as being one of the most groundbreaking elections in U.S. history. But more than just civic participation for your country, casting a vote can score you some free goodies and set you up with some awesome discounts -- and all you need to do is show your "I voted" sticker.

Check out the list below for some of the hot election day deals.

• Starbucks: Free tall cup of coffee for voters with vote sticker
• Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream: Free scoop of ice cream for everyone from 5pm-8pm on Nov. 4th
• Krispy Kreme: The donut master will be handing out free, star-shaped goodies to celebrate election day.
  
• O!Burger: The West Hollywood organic fast food stop will give you a free order of fries and organic cookies if you purchase a good ole' fashion American burger after heading to the polls.
  
• Colorodo Wine Co.: Say "cheers" to democracy. The Pasadena wine shop will be giving voters 50% percent off select wines.
  
• Amoeba: Rock out on election day; Amoeba music will be handing out $2-off coupons good toward all merchandise at all of its locations.
  
• Tart: Head on over to Tart on Fairfax in Los Angeles to enjoy a free dessert as you watch the election results pour in.
  
• Critophe Salon: Like her or not, Sarah Palin's do is in. Visit this Beverly Hill's salon for 50% off coupons, and get your own version of the vice presidential hopeful's hairdo.
  
• O'Neill Flagship: Who could forget those pictures of Obama hanging out at the beach that plastered magazine covers last spring? Get your own beach look at O'Neill, and check out the 25% off clothing racks.
  
• American Apparel: Get 15% off and free shipping for online orders of $75 or more at American Apparel's online store for taking its voting quiz.
  

Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday he'd be casting his vote for Barack Obama come election day.

The endorsement from the secretary of state who served under George W. Bush for five years, crosses party lines and has been highly anticipated.

The Republican general, who is more moderate than many in his party, said he would wait until after the presidential debates and go into the final weeks of the campaign to make his endorsement.

"Both of [the candidates] are distinguished Americans, who are patriotic and dedicated to the welfare of this country." Powell said on Meet the Press. "Either one of them would be a good president."

Powell has spent time with both candidates, but has been particularly engaging in conversations with Obama on foreign policy and domestic issues in recent months.

Leading up to his endorsement of the Democratic senator, Powell cited concern for his own party.

"I have some concerns about the direction that the party has taken in recent years," he said. " It has moved more to the right than I would like to see it."

Beyond the dismay he feels about the Republican Party, Powell said he believes Obama is ready for the job and displays a fervor requisite of the next president who will need "to fix the reputation that we've left with the rest of the world."

"I watched Mr. Obama, during this seven week period," Powell said. "He displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge, and an approach to looking at problems like [the economic crisis] and picking a vice president that is ready to be president on day one.

Powell praised Obama for exhibiting "intellectual vigor," and giving "us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people."

"He is crossing lines: ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines," Powell said of the candidate, while denouncing the Republican Party's "narrow" campaign tactics.

The endorsement from Powell is a a major success for the Democratic Party as the general is the most prominent Republican to throw his support behind Obama.

McCain said the Powell's endorsement "doesn't come as a surprise," and also noting he has the support of four other former Republican secretaries of state: Kissinger, Baker, Eagleburger and Haig.

"I think he is a transformational figure, he is a new generation coming onto the world stage, onto the American stage," Powell said in closing. "And for that reason, I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama."

'Who is the real Sen. Obama?'

The McCain-Palin team launched its latest ad, "Folks", which continues the Republican's campaign theme of questioning Sen. Barack Obama's record.

"The ad highlights Barack Obama's defense of his extreme liberal voting record by accusing others of lying," according to JohnMcCain.com.

'That one' just might have taken the cake

Amid a worsening economic saga, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama took the stage at their second presidential debate, a town-hall-style affair expected to favor the Republican nominee. But in the end, it was all about "that one." 

"The world has changed a great deal, and not for the better," moderator Tom Brokaw said at the opening of the debate, at Belmont University in Tennessee. "We still don't know where bottom is at this time." 

The candidates, responding to pre-selected questions from a politically-mixed, Gallup Poll-selected audience, hit on the economic crisis and the $700 billion bailout, healthcare reform and the war in Iraq. 

Neither came out as a star; perhaps it is as Politico's Roger Simon put it, "McCain loses by not winning." 

McCain, with such remarks as, "Not you, Tom," when asked about a replacement for U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, or that now infamous, "You know who voted for it? That one," referring to an energy bill "loaded with goodies for oil companies," came off as more grumpy than anything else. 

An Obama supporter seized onto the one-liner, and immediately launched a website selling t-shirts with the phrase and a Facebook page. 

T-Shirt from thatone08.com

Independents responded well to Obama's performance at the debate, according to MSNBC, and the Democratic nominee continues to enjoy the lead he had prior to the debate in most polls.

The third and final debate will take place Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Hofstra University in New York. 

 

Watch the debate on YouTube. 

'The Great American Voter Trek' Ends After 2,200 Miles!

Laramie, Wyoming (August 1, 2008) - The Great American Voter Trek ended today in Laramie, Wyoming after 2,200 miles of cycling spanning 47 days. The goal of the trip, which began in Vermont on June 16th, was to raise voter awareness prior to the November 4th general election.

By all accounts, the project was considered "a huge success." The cyclists, comprised of students representing a variety of Vermont universities and colleges, met with thousands of people throughout the ten states they traversed. They spoke to many city's mayors & councilmen and participated in six voter registration drives, registering people aged 17 to 60!

So why was the focus of this trek on voter registration? The US Census Bureau states that, of 197 million eligible Americans citizens, only 142 million are registered. And the voice of today's youth is even less represented. Only 60% of 18 to 29 year-olds are registered to vote and more than half of those do not make it out to the polls!

And why Vermont to Wyoming? Vermont was the first state to allow non-property owners the right to vote. Wyoming was the first state to grant women's suffrage. It is easy to forget how hard many people have fought (and are still fighting today) for the ballot.

To learn more about 'The Great Voter Trek', go to www.votertrek.com.

Congratulations guys!