Jim and Kim were big time volunteers at the Ramsey office during the campaign. Here's mention of them and some other New Jersey attendees to the swearing in ceremony:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/elections/New_Jerseys_witnesses_to_history_brave_long_rides_cold_weather.html?c=y&page=4
and here is an article on the Obama grassroots and the Democratic Party:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/bergenpolitics/38126539.html
Please send me links to any other articles or blogs that mention us!
Yes, we can!
Rick 512-669-6112
North Jersey Grassroots February 2, 2009 8pm TELECONFERENCE
Call-in Phone # 218-339-2699 Participant code 332100#
Agenda
1. Welcome and introductions (Rick)
2. Review results of NJG Survey – members’ interests and skills (Gwenn)
3. Establish issue-related teams with designated team leaders
Discuss team activity, effective outcomes 4. Updates from teams
HealthCare Team (Ellen Smith)
Other
5. Progress report on NJG Newsletter (Rhoda Schermer)
6. Update from Obama Administration (Rick Lewis)
Do community service
Get re-organized (new leaders, etc)
7. Update on collaboration with other progressive groups
8. New business a. Bylaws? b. MyBO?
9. Adjournment
You can find the plan here:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcdzhvn_218xx8krqv
So I'm at a UMBC basketball game on Saturday night January 17th and I get this phone call from a friend in the Inaugural Committee. He asks me if I want to go to the concert, says he has a staff pass for me. I'm like: totally dude! So we make arrangements for me to come to his house at 8am on Sunday to get the pass.
8am Sunday...the phone rings "Where are you?" he asks. Oops, I overslept. "Well get you butt to DC now if you are not here by 1pm somebody else will use the pass." So I quickly dress and head down - driving, mind you. As I get closer, he tells me he wants me to meet another staffer at his house.
This guy is in a meeting and suggests by text that I park in Union Station and wait for him there, where it is warm. I find the station and find a parking spot. It is now 10:30 and we are supposed to meet at 12:30, with the concert starting at 2pm.
I read the paper and finally get some lunch. I text'd him again and he says he'll be there soon. I'm starting to get worried then I get a call and he says "Wave your hands!" and I do, and he comes over. Adrienne is his name. He introduces me to Dan who he says will escort me to the event. It turns out that I could not use the staff pass because it required matching hard creds, so they are holding a volunteer pass for me at the gate.
After an unepectedly long train ride we arrive on 23rd. We are supposed to meet at 23rd and Constitution, so we are running to make it. The mags were going to close! We get there, and there is no pass. Dan has 2 blackberries going at the same time but we can't get in touch with this person who has the pass.
Dan finallyl goes through security in the press/Congressional entry point to find her. At 1:59 he hands the pass to me through the gate. As I start to enter, a cop says "Sorry, we are shut down!" I looked at him and said "Please, I've been waiting here for a long time!" A woman cop agrees, and the cop says "GO!" The woman cop helped tie the pass to my hoodie, she was so nice!
I go through the mag as the National Anthem is starting to be played.
Wow. My heart was pounding. What if I'd not been able to get in?
So I go up and ask a security person where I can go. They looked at my pass and said "Anywhere you want but the Podium."
So I went to the Congressional Seating Area and stood with some press and Secret Service who were guarding the Congresspeople. About 150 feet from the stage!
The concert was amazing. Lots of celebrities giving speeches. U2 and Bono - WOW! Stevie Wonder, Shakira and Usher! I bought a T shirt with all the performers on the back, and my I HEART PRESIDENT OBAMA hat.
I was able to make my way back on the subway with no problem. I ended up using the same trains for the swearing in, so this was good practice.
A special thanks to PIC 2009 and Michael, Dan and Adrienne. You guys all rock!
Pictures are on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=15943&id=1189561977&saved
I got the tickets to Suzi Gerace and Angeline Watts by overnight mail. Charles came to my condo in Baltimore and picked his up, although we planned to meet on the Metro train at 5:30am. We did end up on the same train but opposite ends, so we just stayed put until we got to Metro Center and our transfer to the Blue line to the Federal Center SW station.
I heard from Angeline about 5:45 they were in position. I had set up a spot a little away from where I thought people would be to meet, and it worked out perfectly. After a few minutes, we were all together! I stopped and bought some snacks and water then we headed for the Silver Gate. The line wasn't bad we were maybe a block from the gate but it was cold.
I had brought along left over T-shirts and rally signs and stickers, so I had a lot of fun handing those out. I think people thought I was selling them but eventually, I handed out the last sign.
We were in line until about 7:30 when they opened the outer gate, earlier than the 8am published time. It felt good to be moving!
Security was pretty simple: they frisked you and checked your bag. I did not see anybody being hassled at all. We got to keep the tickets, also. We were in our designated area by 8:30, and quite dissapointed: we could barely see the Jumbotron!
There were two green plastic fences keeping us from the sidewalk around the Reflecting Pool. It only took a few minutes before the crowd breeched the fist fence. The police did not seem alarmed. This got us slightly better views but still not that good.
Not long afterwards, the 2nd fence came down, and we swarmed around the Pool closer now to the Capitol. Charles and I went to the right but lost Suzi and Angeline. I decided to go find them and I did. I suggested we try to closer to the Jumbotron so at least we could see it that way. We worked our way over and got right in front of it, plus there were porta potties there, which was good. The wind blowing off the Pool was incredibly COLD. The wind chill was said to be 15 degrees.
Charles stayed put and the crowd ultimately pushed further up in front of the Ulysses Grant memorial with a clear view of everything. We hated being separated but by this time (about 10am) the crowd had grown considerably. Looking back down the Mall, it was a sea of people and looked like a throbbing red something.
The Marine band started playing and finally about 11:30 they started introducing people. They introduced every member of Congress I think - I swear, we were freezing our butts off and could care less. WHERE IS OBAMA?
When Joe Lieberman came down the steps, he got boo-ed BIG TIME. BOO! BOO! The crowd went crazy then we all started laughing. What a jerk. Then came Cheney in his wheelchair. Hurt himself moving out of the VP mansion. LOL. What a jerk! He got boo-ed too, but not as loud. I kept wondering if they were going to bounce him down the steps. We shouted: push him!
Finally, Bush came out. He got boo-ed too, but more respectfully. I learned that CNN blocked the sound when we boo-ed Bush, that figures. He heard it though, you could see his reaction. BOO! No more Dumb Presidents! BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO! BOO!
O-BAM-A!
OMG! When his motorcade came up the driveway, WE WENT NUTS! The roar from behind us in the Mall was incredible. Our President was in the Capitol.
Finally, the moment came for Biden. We cheered. Yes, we can. I loved it when Obama picked Biden. Great choice, very dignified man.
Then ... Obama took the oath. I can't belive Roberts screwed up the oath. You could see Obama visibly react - he knew the oath! Anyway, everybody was hugging everybody else and screaming. It was so moving. Especially when you consider that some of us gave up practically everything to work on the campaign those last months and weeks. To have worked so hard and come to this moment was simply amazing. There are no words to adequately describe it.
As Obama gave his AWESOME speech, we were so totally frozen we could barely concentrate. But when he said some of those things, we yelled. We screamed. We could not feel our feet despite having warmers in there - but we stood our ground.
After the speech, we headed back to the Federal Center SW Metro station. You could barely move it was a sea of people, and the rest of the fences came down, people were just walking right over them. It probably took 45 minutes to walk the 3 or 4 blocks and then we discovered there had been an accident so the subways were backed up. In fact, there was no possible way to even get into the station, so we decided to go find some food.
Bad idea. No restaurants at all! We were cold, tired and hungry.
Suzi decided to call her cousin Johny to ask him for suggestions. He said "hold on, I'll come get you and you can eat with us, we are having a party!"
The man actually drove to get us. Then after we were settled into his mini van and had some hot coffee and an apple, he said "Oh, we have to wait for the other 8 people." Eight? Where are they going to sit? He just smiled. We sat in the middle of M street with total chaos going on around us and waited. Sure enough, about 8 people including 4 more adults showed up.
Believe it or not, we got all 12 people into this mini van and off we went. We were laughing so hard it hurt, and held up an OBAMA sign and screamed at the people in the street. One man offered us $100 for a ride, but like, where would HE sit?
It was a couple of miles to his house, and we were mighty glad to get out of that van! We went in and first thing they did was bring us all a beer. Talk about grateful! Then they started bringing out food: lasagna, chili, sandwiches, chips, veggies, OMG. We ate like we'd never eaten before, while watching the parade on TV.
I thanked them and headed for a Metro station. I figured if I could get back over to MD before the parade ended, I'd be OK. And that turned out to be true. I was back to my truck about 5:30pm and home by 7pm. What a day. What memories. Wish you could have been with me!
Pictures are presently posted on Facebook:
YES WE CAN. OBAMA!
I've been preoccupied since the holidays with starting a new contract job in Baltimore as well as of course the Inauguration of President Obama. I wanted to take this opportunity to once again thank everyone who worked so hard to achieve his election. I'm slowly returning to my new love (politics), so you will be hearing a little more from me in the coming days and weeks.The North Jersey Grassroots ("NJG") group continues to organize and make good progress at becoming a permanent progressive movement in Bergen County. This is the official new name of Bergen County for Barack Obama. MyBO is being updated, we've reserved an Internet domain name, and I am continuing in my leadership and advisory roles for the time being. If you have an interest in becoming involved (leader or participant), please contact me off-list.-> In particular, I need legal advice regarding the bylaws ASAP. Also, a financial person.We discovered recently that we'd scheduled the next meeting of NJG on Super Bowl Sunday. That, of course, won't work for football people, so I wanted to briefly touch base and let you know our updated plans. A conference call on January 29th at 8pm is scheduled in lieu of the February 1st potluck and meeting, here's your MyBO link:http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpt8gqPrior to the call, I'll send out links to the materials that we will be reviewing and/or acting upon, including a draft of our bylaws, and the plan of action that has already been approved. We'll keep the call to under an hour and make follow up plans.The next in-person meeting and potluck dinner will be on March 1st, and here's your MyBO link:http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpt8gbA newsletter has been put together and will go out soon, covering the group's progress as well as these plans. Look for that in your inbox soon! Please be sure to add my email address rebelmbx-04@yahoo.com to your Contacts, so my emails don't get stuck in your spam filters.It is clear to me that President Obama has told us to become active in our communities, to find ways of service, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant. That is the goal of NJG as well as myself. Please take a moment to reflect upon your own life and how you might be of service right now, today, to your community. Then, go do it.I'm looking forward to working with you all to meet that goal. Please join me!YES WE CAN! (I'm not saying "did" because we have a lot of work ahead of us)Take care and stay in touch,
Rick
Hi all and Happy New Year 2009!
Obama Grassroots, renamed North Jersey Grassroots at our Jan. 4 meeting (more details in a further post), seeks to survey community members' interests, skills and level of commitment going forward.
NOTE: This survey was filled out by a number of you at the Jan. 4 meeting so if you already gave it to Gwenn at that meeting, no need to do it again.
For everyone else, please CLICK 'READ MORE' BELOW FOR SURVEY. Print it out, fill it out & mail it no later than Jan. 21st to Gwenn Levine, 65 Campbell Avenue, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677. Thanks!!
O B A M A G R A S S R O O T S O F B E R G E N C O U N T Y ("OGBC")
"Renewing America's Promise" Volume 10 - December 12, 2008"This victory alone is not the change we seek; it is only the chance for us to make that change." - BOHAPPY HOLIDAYS! SUNDAY 12/14 2:00pm Grassroots Orientation http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsx2rg 5:30pm Change is Coming Potluck http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptxyr SUNDAY 01/04 2:00pm YES WE CAN 2009 http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsx2sy MONDAY 1/19/2009 9:00am Obama Victory Party http://eventbee.com/view/obamainaugurationparty/events
Obama Grassroots Office 6 Arrow Rd, Suite 205, Ramsey NJ 07446Here's the final slide show compiled from many events. The first pictures are of thepotluck dinner we had recently. Over 80 people brought some amazingly yummy foods: http://www.flickr..com/photos/22898893@N06/show/ Office closing: 12/16/2008 Thanks to everyone for participating! Future OGBC meetingswill be held either at member's homes or Panera Bread. A special thanks to Eric Weisfor the office space and everything else!
"Powered by hope, seeking the change we need." Volume 9 - November 28, 2008"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." - BO. [Now, my friends,it is time that we started thinking about how we can support President Obama. Staytuned as exciting events unfold! - ed]HAPPY HOLIDAYS!"Come join us for NJ for Obama's Holiday party and celebrate all that we have shared and experienced over the past two years. The party will be held at the Nauvoo Grill in Fair Haven, New Jersey on December 6th from 1pm to 3pm. There will be a $10 covercharge to cover the cost of food and a cash bar." - Keith Hovey, State ChairSATURDAY 12/06 1:00pm Obama Holiday Party http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsxbthSUNDAY 12/07 3:00pm Grassroots: Next Steps http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsxdls SUNDAY 12/14 3:00pm Grassroots Orientation http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsx2rg WEDNESDAY 12/17 6:00pm Final 2008 Meeting http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsx2rt January 2009 events are being planned, check MyBO using ZIP 07446 in your Find Events.Here are some that we already know about:SUNDAY 01/04 2:00pm YES WE CAN 2009 http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsx2sy MONDAY 1/19/2009 9:00am Obama Victory Party http://eventbee.com/view/obamainaugurationparty/events TUESDAY 1/20/20081-day bus trip to inauguration parade. Details forthcoming...----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
O B A M A G R A S S R O O T S O F B E R G E N C O U N T Y
"Powered by hope, seeking the change we need." Volume 8 - November 14, 2008SUNDAY 11/16 3:00pm Grassroots Orientation http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsxz27 * See agenda below THURSDAY 11/20 6:00pm Grassroots: Next Steps http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsxzpq December events are being planned, check MyBO using ZIP 07446 in Find Events.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Obama Grassroots Office & Obama Store 6 Arrow Rd, Suite 205, Ramsey NJ 07446OFFICE/STORE HOURS: Open during published events only. Please order merchandize online.FINAL CLOSE-OUT OF OBAMA MERCHANDISE:Shirts...................................$5 Size: S, M, L or XLMagnetic bumper stickers.......$5 Suzi's awesome Obama Peace markPayPal/Credit Cards online only. Email REBELMBX-07@YAHOO.COM with merchandize type andsizes and quantities. Orders shipped USPS 2-day Priority Mail after payment received.
Electoral College: 308-321
Popular Vote: 50-51%
Senate: 59 seats for Dems
B E R G E N C O U N T Y F O R B A R A C K O B A M A
"Powered by hope, seeking the change we need." Volume 7 - October 31, 2008HAPPY HALLOWEEN - FINAL NEWSLETTER of the campaignTONIGHT - FRIDAY 10/31 5:00pm Phone banking at 50 Main Street, Hackensack (BCDO) 6:00pm Phone banking Ramsey http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptwsm SATURDAY 11/1 6:30am Bus Trip to PA http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprbq3 9:30am Canvassing GOTV BCDO or Shulman HQ * 3:00pm Phone banking Ramsey http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpttyy 3:00pm Canvassing GOTV BCDO or Shulman HQ * SUNDAY 11/2 9:30am Canvassing BCDO or Shulman HQ *12:00pm Phone banking Potluck http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpvl9l MONDAY 11/3 5:00pm Phone banking at 50 Main Street, Hackensack (BCDO) 5:00pm Phone banking Ramsey http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gprg3g TUESDAY 11/4 ELECTION DAY - GO VOTE! 1:00pm Phone banking Ramsey http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptwsk 9:00pm AFTER PARTY - Ramsey Please come to office first for directions... * Carpenter's Hall, 36 Bergen St, Hackensack (Obama HQ) or 167 Terrace St, Haworth(Shulman HQ). Shifts are 9:30a-2p or 3-8pm ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Obama Grassroots Office & Obama Store 6 Arrow Rd, Suite 205, Ramsey NJ 07446 Telephone: 724-759-0238OFFICE/STORE HOURS:Monday-Friday 5:00-9pmSaturday 3-6pmSunday noon-8pm
I thought I'd be able to blog every day as we count down to the election but I'm finding that by the time I have time to blog, I'm too tired to make sense to myself much less anyone else! Time seems to be flashing by in a blur. It seems I keep finding myself plugging my laptop into the wall at the office then flashing to the next morning as I get ready for work - then flashing back to the office. It is a weird time warp. I feel the end pulling me now, stirring emotions that I fear I don't want to face. It can't be over already - didn't we just start a few weeks ago?
No, that was January you idiot! Much has happened in our personal lives as well as our political lives. A birthday came and went. Children were promoted to the next grade level - Boo's a Senior, for Christ sakes. Tuck is dropping time in every swim meet and I'm missing all of that. The leaves turned beautiful colors then fell off - I never realized how quickly that happens but I'm grateful for the drive I took the other day to Harriman State Park to see the leaves. Just wish it had been sunnier.
Plans for Election Day are falling into place, mostly on their own accord. We will be making calls until 8pm then on standby to make emergency calls if the campaign in Chicago wants us to. The parties will have to wait until 10pm. By then, we should be seeing some real returns and hopefully there will be much celebrating on our part.
I'm afraid of complacency and vote stealing. What if the early votes, much of whom are cast by African Americans - what if they are "lost" or corrupted? What if the youth votes fails to show up - am I being presumptuous? Of course they will show up, this is their election, their time to take control of the political process. Maybe it will be an early landslide - 270 in 4 hours. Would that not like totally rock?
Well I'm rambling. Reason enough to sign off.
I decided to post my thoughts and feelings these last 14 days of this amazing campaign. Looking back to my first canvass in Teaneck in Janary, I see a dizzying trail of activities, people, and feelings. The hope that continues to inspire me to work harder has never dimmed.
Once we got the grassroots office opened on 10/4 we followed up with the open house on the 5th. I was surprised by the turnout but at the same time, very grateful. That last meeting we had at Panera Bread, where we stuffed 56 people into a room designed for 30, the response to my suggestion that we might get an office, due to the generosity of Eric Weiss, was met with thunderous applause. So I was grateful those people showed up to celebrate.
I was surprised that few people had cake. Geeze, I bought a friggin huge cake. The people I work with however were happy with it the next day.
Then came the period of awful silence - the rooms echoed with the silence. I kept thinking, "What have I done - nobody is here!" but I kept showing up, and kept working the last nagging issues, like not having Internet service.
Please take a moment to watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47jXfaPCfso
Thanks. Please help the campaign for change.
Rick in NJ
"Powered by hope, seeking the change we need." Volume 5 - October 17, 2008==============> 18 DAYS LEFT IN THIS CAMPAIGN - please volunteer today!TONIGHT - FRIDAY 10/17 5:00pm Phone banking at 50 Main Street, Hackensack (BCDO) 6:00pm Phone banking Ramsey http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs54fc SATURDAY 10/18 9:00am Coffee -> Canvassing http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs54kj12:00pm Canvassing http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/canvass/gs5v2j 3:00pm Phone banking Ramsey http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs54fz SUNDAY 10/1912:00pm Canvassing http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/canvass/gs5v2h 3:00pm Phone banking Ramsey http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs54pj MONDAY 10/20 5:00pm Phone banking at 50 Main Street, Hackensack (BCDO) 6:00pm Phone banking Ramsey http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs54m8 7:30pm Students For Obama http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/meeting/gsh5zh TUESDAY 10/21 5:00pm Phone banking at 50 Main Street, Hackensack (BCDO) 6:00pm Phone banking Ramsey http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs5vv9 WEDNESDAY 10/22 6:00pm Pizza/Calling Ramsey http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs5vvgTHURSDAY 10/23 5:00pm Phone banking at 50 Main Street, Hackensack (BCDO) 6:00pm Phone banking CFC check MyBO link below NOTES: BCDO phonebanking runs 5-9pm, arrive whenever you can, Ramsey Grassroots Officephonebanking runs 6-8pm please try to arrive no later than 6:30 and bring your laptop. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Obama Grassroots Office & Obama Store 6 Arrow Rd, Suite 205, Ramsey NJ 07446 Telephone: 724-759-0238HOURS:Monday-Friday 6-8pmSaturday 8-10am, 3-6pmSunday 3-6pm
"We now have 19 days," Obama said. "We are now 19 days not from the end but from the beginning. The amount of work that is going to be involved for the next president is going to be extraordinary."
But, he said, for anyone getting cocky or giddy, "two words for you: New Hampshire. I've been in these positions before where we were favored and the press starts getting carried away, and we end up getting spanked." Obama won the Iowa caucuses, only to lose to Clinton in New Hampshire in the primary.
McCain read the polls, freaked out, and adopted an entirely new message: he's a "fighter." This one is true! McCain has devoted his political career to fighting against everything we care about: peace, justice, jobs, education, health care, the environment, civil rights, voting rights, and honest government.
