John W in OC

Now it's time to get to work

John W. — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:48:38 EST

After the rejoicing and the first good night's sleep in a long time, it's time to get to work, in oh so many ways.

More GOTV in STL

John W. — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:13:50 EST

My partner and I knocked another 120 doors in the 19th ward of STL today before lunch (if you are hungry at the headquarters on Olive Street, the BBQ at Pappy's next door can't be beat).

After lunch, I went back to the 4th ward to work a few streets solo, and there was only one problem: I ran out of door hangers. But almost every person I spoke with knew where to vote, knew the process, and knew where to go for help. They're ready to go.

Tomorrow I'll be working as a canvass captain in the 4th (at least that's the turf I've requested). We will be the ground game for a win in Missouri tomorrow.

And starting next week, let's fix the election laws in this country to make it easier for everyone to vote.

My first day of GOTV

John W. — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:17:35 EST

Today was my first day working for the Obama campaign in St Louis, and my team worked three "turfs" in the inner city, making sure that the voters knew where to go to vote, what to bring to the polls, and where to go if they needed help.

These neighborhoods have been hit hard the last eight years, and longer. Everyone we talked to was so happy to see a team of volunteers for Obama. From white haired women in their 70s to the 18 year old young men, and everyone in between, they were all so excited about the opportunity to vote for Obama. The children on some streets were chanting along with us as we went door to door, letting their parents know we were coming.

Tomorrow, more of the same, and I can't wait to get out there again.

Tuesday, we get everyone to the polls.

On to St Louis

John W. — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:46:36 EST

I've flown half the way across the country to St Louis for the last 72 hours of Get Out the Vote work. Please take the time to go to your nearest Campaign for Change office and help, if you can.

And by all means, Vote!

Canvassing

John W. — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:35:06 EDT

Diane and I were in New England two weekends ago and spent two days canvassing for Obama in New Hampshire. We had some great conversations on doorsteps both in the Plymouth area and in Manchester suburbs.

I'm curious how we can update our "doors knocked" numbers on the website here.

Pigs and lies

John W. — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:41:00 EDT

Here's the text of a message I sent to NPR's Day to Day today:

I thought your coverage of the issue distractions in the presidential campaign this morning was generally good. However when you summarized, somehow you decided that the McCain camp's false indignation about a metaphor and the McCain camp's distortion of the truth in an ad were indicative of both sides "doing this". Give me a break.

By the way, when you're giving air time to a dirty ad, feel free to stop with the portion you're discussing. There's no need to keep the tape running and to play the campaign's tag line.

Wearing my Obama Gear

John W. — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:43:58 EDT

Among many ways that the RNC convention affected me, I no longer go out without an Obama t-shirt or button on. It definitely stands out in this solidly red county. I'll admit that at first I was worried about being the target of the sort of hatred and bile that the GOP was slinging at their convention.

What I've experienced is quite different from what I expected. Hard line partisans simply ignore me, much as I'd probably ignore someone in a McCain shirt (although I do listen in so that I can call people on any outright lies). In crowds, I get glances but nothing much. But when someone has a chance to talk to me in private, I get praise, fist bumps, or even better yet honest questions.

At an agility trial yesterday I was wearing my Teckels for Obama shirt. Very low key, with a quote from Al Gore on the back ("After the last eight years, even our dogs and cats know that elections matter"). I didn't put it in anyone's face, I just went about my day. People would often ask me to stop so they could finish reading. And while walking the course for one of our runs, I had several people walk past and whisper things like "great shirt", "I love your politics", or "I love that man".

Today while making a few purchases, there was no comment on my Obama button inside the store, but when the salesperson brought my order to my car she had lots of good questions. She gave me her email address so I could send her some more information to share with her husband.

What I've learned is that the most valuable aspect of wearing an Obama button, hat, or shirt is that it invites people to share their support or to ask you questions. I won't be going out in public for the next 57 days without some sort of Obama symbol on me.

I invite you to wear your Obama pins and shirts as you go about your day. You will meet some of your fellow supporters, and hopefully have the chance to educate a low information voter or two.

-- John