OneWorld:
"After almost eight years standing outside the White House with a bullhorn and screaming at someone who wouldn't listen who's totally impervious to popular opinion, I think it's going to be great having someone in there who hopefully will be interested in what we have to say," said Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the group CODEPINK: Women for Peace. Since the Sep. 11 attacks seven years ago, members of CODEPINK have been a regular presence on Capitol Hill -- opposing the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, decrying a proposed American attack on Iran, and pushing for the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney for illegally manipulating intelligence reports to justify the Bush administration's attack on Iraq. Recently, the group has also organized demonstrations throughout Washington and the country to protest the $700 billion bailout of financial firms and demand new regulations on those companies and economic relief for families facing bankruptcy and foreclosure. ..."We certainly want to start out in a softer tone," she said, "in terms of trying to get meetings not only with members of Barack Obama's administration, [but also] trying to influence members of his team who are going to be influential in his policies in the Middle East. We know a lot of them; they're Clinton leftovers and they're going to need a lot of pushing, but they'll be a lot more willing to listen than the folks we have now." ...Longtime peace activist, politician, and writer Tom Hayden says the Obama presidency puts antiwar advocates in much the same position that the presidency of John F. Kennedy put the early civil rights movement. He also compares it to the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and those who wanted to abolish slavery. Both leaders were in favor of progressive change, Hayden says, but had to be pushed by grassroots Americans to take significant action. "The task is ours to build a social movement and create a climate that organizes the pressure that will enable [Obama] to do the right thing," explains Hayden. "I don't know of any political leaders who will go beyond what their base has made possible."
"After almost eight years standing outside the White House with a bullhorn and screaming at someone who wouldn't listen who's totally impervious to popular opinion, I think it's going to be great having someone in there who hopefully will be interested in what we have to say," said Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the group CODEPINK: Women for Peace.
Since the Sep. 11 attacks seven years ago, members of CODEPINK have been a regular presence on Capitol Hill -- opposing the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq, decrying a proposed American attack on Iran, and pushing for the impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney for illegally manipulating intelligence reports to justify the Bush administration's attack on Iraq.
Recently, the group has also organized demonstrations throughout Washington and the country to protest the $700 billion bailout of financial firms and demand new regulations on those companies and economic relief for families facing bankruptcy and foreclosure. ..."We certainly want to start out in a softer tone," she said, "in terms of trying to get meetings not only with members of Barack Obama's administration, [but also] trying to influence members of his team who are going to be influential in his policies in the Middle East. We know a lot of them; they're Clinton leftovers and they're going to need a lot of pushing, but they'll be a lot more willing to listen than the folks we have now." ...Longtime peace activist, politician, and writer Tom Hayden says the Obama presidency puts antiwar advocates in much the same position that the presidency of John F. Kennedy put the early civil rights movement. He also compares it to the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and those who wanted to abolish slavery. Both leaders were in favor of progressive change, Hayden says, but had to be pushed by grassroots Americans to take significant action.
"The task is ours to build a social movement and create a climate that organizes the pressure that will enable [Obama] to do the right thing," explains Hayden. "I don't know of any political leaders who will go beyond what their base has made possible."
Certainly my hope has been to elect somebody more receptive to our ideas, even if he's not the perfect anti-war candidate. I'm happy that our efforts using the electoral process have paid off so well and look forward to engaging the president we helped get into office.
Plenty of extra-electoral ways to apply pressure if necessary, though...
ntodd
In which NTodd spends an hour talking about the campaign from the ground level, recounts an electric Election Day, and looks ahead to protesting President Barack Hussein Obama starting January 20.
In which NTodd relishes our victories, looks at our defeats as opportunities, and considers our next steps down the long road of change. (30:42)
Features: Paula Cole, Sheena Easton, David Bowie, Sheryl Crow, U2.
Thanks to Jim, Jeremy, Chuck, Betsey, LeeAnn, Liza, James, Christina, Doug, Martha, Barbara, Natalie, Ralph, John, Nick, Altoon, Jeff, Charles, Sue, Kathleen, Trellis, Mo, Dan, Donna, Will, Kate, Country Squire Motel, The Littleton Community Center, All Around Beauty, David Plouffe, Jon Carson, Howard Dean, Dennis Kucinich, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama and you (you know who you are). You won this thing handily with a lot of hard work.
Take a day off out of petty cash. Tomorrow the real work begins.
Peace and love,ntodd
I'll have some reflections on the campaign and President Barack Hussein Gobama in a Paxcast and Friday's Special One Hour PaxLive, but for now a few parting highlights:
The sun sets on McCain and the GOP as we canvass Brown Rd.
PS--Good security: the party took away my database access right away. Makes me a bit sad because it's truly all over, but I think I'll be back in the game next cycle...
Obama's elves hard at work on Election Eve.
Standing room only at the depot today, which makes our FO (in the Giants hat) giddy.
Signs destined for polling places in our 11 city territory tonight during Midnight Madness.
Yup.
Anecdotal confirmation: a couple Canadians dropped in looking for chum, told me that they'd visited the McCain office in Conway and there were 3 sullen people in there; quite a contrast with the dozens we have in our tiny office, all busy calling supporters for GOTV, scrambling around printing canvass packets, making signs (my hands are still greasy after 3 washings from wickets), etc.
We also have had lots of drop-ins today. "What can I do?" Would you be interested in knocking on doors? Making calls? Waving signs? Everybody wants to help in whatever small or big way they can.
Just had a guy come in needing four signs for his kids to hold during their own homegrown viz event. The kids planned it. Convinced him to put up a yard sign, too. Couldn't/wouldn't volunteer officially, but that real grassroots, visible support still counts.
Regardless what the polls say and what the results are tomorrow, we've got people engaged. That's only good news for democracy.
On the left, LeeAnn speaks with one of our canvass captains, Betsey. On the right, a family team gets a training spiel from Betsey's husband, Chuck. There were several kids knocking doors with their parents today.
Signing in and finding turf.
LeeAnn heads out with a canvassing partner to walk the area she wants to represent in the NH House.
OpEd piece in CSM:
Let me make it clear: I'm pretty conservative. I grew up in the suburbs. I voted for George H.W. Bush twice, and his son once. I was disappointed when Bill Clinton won, and disappointed he couldn't run again. I encouraged my son to join the military. I was proud of him in Afghanistan, and happy when he came home, and angry when he was recalled because of the invasion of Iraq. I'm white, 55, I live in the South and I'm definitely going to get a bigger tax bill if Obama wins. I am the dreaded swing voter. So you can imagine my surprise when my wife suggested we spend a Saturday morning canvassing for Obama. I have never canvassed for any candidate. But I did, of course, what most middle-aged married men do: what I was told. ...I've learned that this election is about the heart of America. It's about the young people who are losing hope and the old people who have been forgotten. It's about those who have worked all their lives and never fully realized the promise of America, but see that promise for their grandchildren in Barack Obama. The poor see a chance, when they often have few. I saw hope in the eyes and faces in those doorways. My wife and I went out last weekend to knock on more doors. But this time, not because it was her idea. I don't know what it's going to do for the Obama campaign, but it's doing a lot for me.
Let me make it clear: I'm pretty conservative. I grew up in the suburbs. I voted for George H.W. Bush twice, and his son once. I was disappointed when Bill Clinton won, and disappointed he couldn't run again.
I encouraged my son to join the military. I was proud of him in Afghanistan, and happy when he came home, and angry when he was recalled because of the invasion of Iraq. I'm white, 55, I live in the South and I'm definitely going to get a bigger tax bill if Obama wins.
I am the dreaded swing voter.
So you can imagine my surprise when my wife suggested we spend a Saturday morning canvassing for Obama. I have never canvassed for any candidate. But I did, of course, what most middle-aged married men do: what I was told. ...I've learned that this election is about the heart of America. It's about the young people who are losing hope and the old people who have been forgotten. It's about those who have worked all their lives and never fully realized the promise of America, but see that promise for their grandchildren in Barack Obama. The poor see a chance, when they often have few. I saw hope in the eyes and faces in those doorways.
My wife and I went out last weekend to knock on more doors. But this time, not because it was her idea. I don't know what it's going to do for the Obama campaign, but it's doing a lot for me.
But would he want to have a beer with Obama?
Our canvass staging area, quiet and calm before this morning's kickoff event.
Gathering with Rep. Niki Tsongas after her pep talk.
Clipboards, paper and pens are the most important tools next to our volunteers.
More below the fold...
So much for writing a cohesive post about campaigning. Just the usual highlights:
Drove home with Venus bright and low in the sky, just above the mountains with the remaining orange glow of sunset, Jupiter above to the left. Beautiful end to a lovely, tiring weekend. Somehow, it gives me hope...
Obama leads among early voters in five swing states. Wonder if people (and by that I mean Democrats and minorities) learned from 2004 and are trying to ensure their votes are cast. This is a grand way to neutralize GOP voter suppression techniques.
But as Big O himself says, let's not get cocky...
As usual, I cast an absentee ballot (one exception recently was the March Primary). We went over to the Town Clerk's Office to pick them up before Ericka had to work--Elaine did her obligatory scolding me for being late with my property taxes, for which I'm happy to report I will NOT be charged a penalty or interest.
Anyway, Lola helped me do my solemn civic duty:
Really, he got up on the ottoman where I'd put my ballot to go get my camera for the traditional vote picture.
No surprise on Barack and Joe, I'm sure. Peter Welch ran unopposed in the primary and was endorsed by both the Dems and GOP, and since I've been engaging with him semi-regularly I decided to give him my vote again this year. I've already spoken to his scheduler and ostensibly I will be meeting with him during Inauguration Week.
I went with Pollina, the sometimes Progressive candidate, for Gov even though he's kind of an arrogant ass who pussyfooted around before jumping in the race. I just haven't been impressed with the Dem candidate, but this year could not brook another Douglas term after his bullshit about global climate change, refusal to support IRV, and abdication of moral authority regarding the war. I admit that I voted for him in 2006 and I know he's likely to win re-election, but our honeymoon is over. Same goes for Dubie, so I went Prog this year for Lt Gov.
Stuck with Progs over Dems for SecState, too, after years of voting for Markowitz. My mantra about 3rd parties has always been that they need to win some local/state offices to build a solid foundation for their national aspirations, and that means I need to support them when I can. The Democratic Party has enough power here and I want a more left-leaning influence in at least our lower constitutional offices. That's why I also support those anti-war socialists in the Liberty Union party, to whom I gave my votes for the same positions as 2 years ago (same candidates, too).
State leg was a little dicier than normal for me. Senate wasn't a big problem: just went with the Dems, though I seriously considered splitting my vote. But the House gave me pause.
Allard has traditionally run Democratic, but he's a self-described "conservative Democrat" and this year didn't like the supposed leftward turn of the party so ran Indy. When given a chance I prefer to support non-partisans, thus I'm drawn to him, but he and I part ways on energy policy and Jessica's Law. After a struggle, I went with Allard again thanks to his support of broadband initiatives in the state and because I don't mind having reasonable conservative balance. To counter his vote a little, however, I went for a challenger in the person of moderate Democrat Christie instead of the other incumbent, Howrigan.
So as to reduce Ericka's stress after a long work day, I am now going to complete her ballot. Won't she be pleasantly surprised I took on that burden for her?
Let's try this again! Last year I participated in a Code Pink Peace Pledge thing leading up to the holidays and ultimately won 3rd prize for getting people involved (I met the winner, Cosmic Rose, at the DC house in February). They're doing a similar thing in the remaining 3 weeks of the campaign cycle:
I've pledged to take action to bring Peace to the Polls, and influence and encourage hundreds, maybe thousands, of people to join me in the process. You can, too! As I'm sure you know the majority of Americans want U.S. troops out of Iraq and wish to avoid war with Iran. CODEPINK, a women-initiated peace group, has created four simple and creative actions to help us bring the issues of peace to the minds of voters this election cycle. When we come to together as a community, we strengthen each other and the movement, and create a model of peaceful political progress. Check out the creative actions. There's a bonus: If I inspire the most pledges I'll win a free trip to Washington D.C. for the Inauguration in January 2009 to take action with CODEPINK! Help me get to DC by taking the pledge and encouraging your own friends and family to sign on, as well. Visit my special sign up page to where the pledge is being sent on the map at:http://codepinkalert.org/ft/campaigns/gpav/register/0ff88d0ac2113ea33ce3360b8cc8183c/
I've pledged to take action to bring Peace to the Polls, and influence and encourage hundreds, maybe thousands, of people to join me in the process. You can, too! As I'm sure you know the majority of Americans want U.S. troops out of Iraq and wish to avoid war with Iran. CODEPINK, a women-initiated peace group, has created four simple and creative actions to help us bring the issues of peace to the minds of voters this election cycle. When we come to together as a community, we strengthen each other and the movement, and create a model of peaceful political progress. Check out the creative actions.
There's a bonus: If I inspire the most pledges I'll win a free trip to Washington D.C. for the Inauguration in January 2009 to take action with CODEPINK! Help me get to DC by taking the pledge and encouraging your own friends and family to sign on, as well.
Visit my special sign up page to where the pledge is being sent on the map at:http://codepinkalert.org/ft/campaigns/gpav/register/0ff88d0ac2113ea33ce3360b8cc8183c/
Suggested actions for the pledge:
1. Educate Voters2. Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV)3. Attend a debate watch party with the peace voter petition and message4. Gather signatures on the pledge at events
I've been focusing on #1 and #2 lately because I think they are absolutely critical. #3 and #4 are also important because they look beyond the electoral process and try to raise awareness so people understand that they have the power of personal engagement.
The way I'm approaching things strategically is to work to get Obama elected and after that keep agitating for change with my friends at Code Pink and through other venues, and this pledge really is in that vein. I think both are ways to help Obama: help him become president, then help him find the correct path. I'm hopeful my personal investment in his candidacy will make the latter endeavor a bit easier.
As for the "contest" aspect of this effort, I would love to win the free trip to DC since I am already on tap to stay at the Code Pink House for Inauguration Week (I have my bunk reserved and train tickets in hand already). If I can get there for free, that makes my life and finances much simpler (no, I'm not doing another bikeathon).
So please pledge!ntodd
HuffPo:
John McCain will make good on his promise today to release his economic plan after recanting that pledge amidst Monday's campaign chaos. The New York Times has the basics. The Obama campaign calls the plan, "a day late and 101 million middle-class families short."
This shows just how far inside McCain's OODA loop Obama is. McCain's reacting a day after Obama provided an innovative and detailed recovery plan, and before he even gets his out--attempting to generate buzz by promising to release one--Obama's already on top of it. From McCain's picking Palin, to his stale, flailing Ayers attacks, to his immature, ineffective and un-presidential handling of the economic meltdown, he's shown just how reactive he is and what a great campaign Obama is running.
Presidential:
Democratic Barack Obama on Monday called for more immediate steps to heal the nation's ailing economy, proposing a 90-day moratorium on home foreclosures at some banks and a two-year tax break for businesses that create new jobs. The presidential candidate also proposed allowing people to withdraw up to $10,000 from their retirement accounts without any penalty for the remainder of the year and 2009. Obama said his proposals, with a pricetag of $60 billion over two years, can be enacted quickly, either through the government's regulatory powers or legislation that Congress could pass in a special session after the election.
Democratic Barack Obama on Monday called for more immediate steps to heal the nation's ailing economy, proposing a 90-day moratorium on home foreclosures at some banks and a two-year tax break for businesses that create new jobs.
The presidential candidate also proposed allowing people to withdraw up to $10,000 from their retirement accounts without any penalty for the remainder of the year and 2009.
Obama said his proposals, with a pricetag of $60 billion over two years, can be enacted quickly, either through the government's regulatory powers or legislation that Congress could pass in a special session after the election.
Since Bush has already pretty much abdicated, after Obama wins in a few weeks I love his notion of calling for a special lame duck session of Congress to address the problems we face now as opposed to waiting until January. Sorry if it seems uppity and presumtuous. The bozos in charge don't seem to have any real ideas and these White House drapes ain't gonna measure themselves...
What it's all about.
The Littleton location is a "coordinated campaign" office and today I worked primarily with the Field Organizer for Jean Shaheen's Senatorial bid. Ostensibly Jim's responsible for activities in that area to get her elected, but since we're trying to take advantage of Obama's potential coattails the canvassing work really ties the two candidates together along with the local Congressional incumbent, Paul Hodes. The Obama FO is now pretty much focusing effort elsewhere in his region and wasn't there today, so Jim and I are trying to figure out my exact role at this office. Hey, there's 22 days left to do that!
Mostly the day was dedicated to canvassing. We had a few folks out there, including a couple of Vermonters walking in Whitefield whose canvass packets we picked up at the posh Mountain View Grand Resort (just happened to be a convenient meeting point). Jim and I went out together, taking areas that were less-convenient and less-walkable, leaving the volunteers with better sections (you do whatever you can to accomodate the most important people in the campaign).
As we set out we guessed it was so nice that many people would be out and about, but we did get some good contacts. No doors slammed in our faces, though there was one older gent who told us he was sick of the visitors and all the TV ads, and adamantly averred that "it was his vote and he had no reservations about it." We marked him down as "refused (to indicate preference)." Oh, then there was the lady who opened her door 45 degrees, pushed it to about 20 degrees when we said we were canvassing for Obama/Shaheen, then when we asked if she'd made up her mind about the election yet, said, "NO!" and closed it forcefully (but not slammingily). And these are the "persuadables"!
Lots of other nice people chatted with us for several minutes. A guy on a tractor who is voting for McCain (doesn't like Obama because of gun control, though we tried to disabuse him of his notions) and Democratic downticket (and he indicated his wife was, too, after she waved and escaped back into the house). His dog Buddy followed us for a half mile down the road, before he started getting his ass kicked by a little Scottie and a Dachsund. Their humans said they'd get him back up the hill.
A woman and her mother who were "just on the way out" but spoke about Obama sounding to much like MLK, McCain being too old, votes don't matter, the bailout, and heating fuel costs (I comiserated)--I bumped into the older lady and her grandson at a convenience store later and joked we were following her until she voted for Obama, and she laughed (she sounded receptive previously). The dude who decided to vote for Obama weeks ago, but is undecided on the Senate race even though he knows John Sununu. Another older man who's not registered which his wife brought up, observing that the first step to change our direction is to do so--everytime he said Obama didn't have enough experience, this "undecided" lady admonished him that Barack has plenty of experience and smarts, and would surround himself with good people.
And a few others. All told, we only got a couple dozen doors knocked given the spread out, rural nature of our turf, but that's 2 more votes according to the usual estimates, no matter what the outcome of the individual contacts was.
Back at the office I met Martha McLeod, current NH House member now running for State Senate. Nice lady who apparently takes controversial stands that makes people either love her or hate her. A Democrat with spine.
So my ankle's sore, my throat hurts (recovering from the flu and a and I'm wicked tired, and it was a wonderful day. I wasn't originally supposed to be starting this weekend, but I was chomping at the bit to get into the field and I'm so glad I did. Now I'm looking forward to more--a bit of baptism by fire is good for the soul.
AP:
The surge in new voters that helped propel Barack Obama to his party's presidential nomination is carrying over to the general election — 9 million newly registered voters who are overwhelmingly Democratic and could add up to a big victory on Election Day. If they show up. In states where registration is recorded by party, including eight key states that could decide the election, voters have signed up Democratic in the past six months by a margin of nearly 4-to-1. Tonya Barker is among them. The 30-year-old mother of two from eastern North Carolina said it wasn't until this election — when the Illinois senator burst onto the national scene — that she finally found a reason to vote. "Why would I waste my time on someone I don't believe in?" said Barker. "I think I knew Barack was coming." Simply registering voters, even when the numbers are skewed so heavily toward one party, is no guarantee of success. Historically, voter turnout among new registrants has been low. And while candidates have months to run registration drives, they have only a tiny window — several days during early balloting, just hours on Election Day — to get out the vote. Still, an Associated Press analysis of registration data found that if the millions of newly registered voters turn out at the same rate as in 2004 and cast ballots with their declared party of choice, Obama could have the votes he needs to wrest several battleground states away from the Republican Party and its nominee, Sen. John McCain.
The surge in new voters that helped propel Barack Obama to his party's presidential nomination is carrying over to the general election — 9 million newly registered voters who are overwhelmingly Democratic and could add up to a big victory on Election Day.
If they show up.
In states where registration is recorded by party, including eight key states that could decide the election, voters have signed up Democratic in the past six months by a margin of nearly 4-to-1.
Tonya Barker is among them. The 30-year-old mother of two from eastern North Carolina said it wasn't until this election — when the Illinois senator burst onto the national scene — that she finally found a reason to vote.
"Why would I waste my time on someone I don't believe in?" said Barker. "I think I knew Barack was coming."
Simply registering voters, even when the numbers are skewed so heavily toward one party, is no guarantee of success.
Historically, voter turnout among new registrants has been low. And while candidates have months to run registration drives, they have only a tiny window — several days during early balloting, just hours on Election Day — to get out the vote.
Still, an Associated Press analysis of registration data found that if the millions of newly registered voters turn out at the same rate as in 2004 and cast ballots with their declared party of choice, Obama could have the votes he needs to wrest several battleground states away from the Republican Party and its nominee, Sen. John McCain.
Now that early voting has begun, or will soon, in a number of states, the campaign has been shifting from just looking for basic ID contacts to actual GOTV. I know we will also be calling voters to remind them to vote before and on Election Day (I got a message from them before our primary, too, and an e-mail this week about early voting), not to mention running buses to get people to the polls, etc.
I suspect the newly-registered will come out in larger force than they did in 2004. They are more energized and Obama's got a real ground game thanks to his community organizing experience. And don't forget, you're a part of it--as the VT State Director observed at Camp Obama, if you can only volunteer one day this cycle, make sure it's Election Day.
Please also consider doing more now and throwing some cash in the kitty so he can maintain his advertising advantage.
In which NTodd examines the Vice Presidential debate, the bailout, and the horse race.
