Obama heads to Texas to talk volunteerism
- Story | Worker at Kansas company claims he was fired for supporting Obama
- Story | Obama tells New Orleans: 'We won't forget you'
- Story | Michelle Obama visits Miami's Freedom Tower
- Story | Iranian Nobel winner urges Obama to stress human rights
- Story | Obama vows unqualified support for gay rights
- On the Web | Planet Washington Blog - Musings from the Capitol
By Dave Montgomery | The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
AUSTIN -- President Barack Obama will return to Texas today for the first time since taking office nine months ago, sharing the stage with former President George H.W. Bush in a forum designed to "engage the nation" in a renewed conversation on volunteerism.
The 4 p.m. event at Texas A&M University in College Station, the home of Bush's presidential library, will pay tribute to the former president's 20-year-old Points of Light initiative as well as Obama's United We Serve campaign to perpetuate and expand community service.
But the altruistic theme of today's event won't submerge the political implications of Obama's brief foray into red-state Texas.
Although the former Democratic senator from Illinois failed to carry Texas in his 2008 presidential victory -- Republican John McCain won the Lone Star State with 55 percent of the vote -- Democrats believe they are within striking distance of resurgence after years of losses to Republicans.
The Democratic National Committee, in its first meeting in Texas in more than three decades, gathered in Austin last month to show solidarity with Texas Democrats. DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, governor of Virginia, said Texas Democrats have shown a "tremendous acceleration" in recent elections and are poised for further gains in 2010 and 2012.
Organizing for America, the successor to Obama for America, the nationwide grassroots organization that helped propel Obama's presidential victory, also has a strong presence in Texas.
To read the complete article, visit www.star-telegram.com.
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. Obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules.
Comments are displayed newest first. If you would like to read a thread from beginning to end, select "Oldest first" from the drop down menu.
@Nyx.CommentBody@