New to This

Barack Obama NEEDS YOU

New to This — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:28:08 EDT

Supporters and Friends,
We have now entered the final stretch...the finish line is near, but we are not quite there. The Obama campaign needs your help now more than ever before! We are asking you to be a part of the largest phonebanking effort in New York State history.

The national Obama campaign has designated two locations (see below) in Dutchess County to be the official phonebanking locations (mega call centers) for the Obama/Biden campaign. Both are located in Beacon, NY. There will be no phonebanking in Poughkeepsie. The national Obama headquarters is asking all supporters and volunteers who are available to come to Beacon, NY for a massive phonebanking drive the last four days of the campaign. This will be a fun, exciting and worthwhile event!

We will be calling the battleground states and the call lists will likely change hourly depending on where the calls are needed most. We will be using targeted calling lists aimed at critical battleground areas, so you are highly encouraged to come in to our phone banks and make your calls from there even if you have been making calls online from home.

Actor, William Sadler will also be joining us at both Beacon locations for phonebanking and greeting our volunteers! (See details below)

Please join us in the final four days of this campaign as we bring in the vote for the Obama/Biden campaign and make history together! This will most likely be the most important presidential election of our lifetime. There is so much at stake. You are needed now more than ever. Sign up today. Together, we will make a difference!

YES
WE
CAN!

Angela
anvalles01@aol.com <mailto:anvalles01@aol.com>
845-797-9810 cell

**It is important to sign-up for shifts so that we know how many call sheets we will need!
Please sign up for as many shifts/days that you are available! Thank you for your help.**

Two Phonebanking Locations:

CSEA Union Hall
568 State Route 52
Beacon, NY
Sign up at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/lastcallforchange/gsx775 <http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/lastcallforchange/gsx775>

Martin Luther King Cultural Center (behind the Muddy Cup in Beacon)
19 South Avenue
Beacon, NY
Sign up at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/lastcallforchange/gsxxsx <http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/lastcallforchange/gsxxsx>

The Call Centers in Beacon will be open as follows:

Saturday, Nov 1st: 10:00AM - 9:00PM

Sunday, Nov. 2nd: 12:00PM - 8:00PM

Monday, Nov. 3rd: 10:00AM - 9:00PM

Election Day! Tuesday, Nov. 4th: 10:00AM - 9:00PM

Phonebank Captains Needed!
f you are able to lead a group of phonebankers through a 4 hour shift (minimum), please contact Moira Kelly, Field Organizer for the Obama Campaign at 917-273-2837 or email: mkelley@barackobama.com <mailto:mkelley@barackobama.com> . Your leadership skills will be greatly appreciated!

Special Celebrity Guest:
We are happy to announce that actor, William Sadler will be joining us at our phonebanks in Beacon to greet volunteers and make calls for the Obama campaign. You will recognize him from his roles in "Eagle Eyes", "The Mist", and "August Rush" or his previous roles as Heywood in "The Shawshank Redemption", Klaus Detterick in "The Green Mile", or John McClane's nemesis Colonel Stuart in "Die Hard 2". Supporters and Friends,

We have now entered the final stretch...the finish line is near, but we are not quite there. The Obama campaign needs your help now more than ever before! We are asking you to be a part of the largest phonebanking effort in New York State history.

The national Obama campaign has designated two locations (see below) in Dutchess County to be the official phonebanking locations (mega call centers) for the Obama/Biden campaign. Both are located in Beacon, NY. There will be no phonebanking in Poughkeepsie. The national Obama headquarters is asking all supporters and volunteers who are available to come to Beacon, NY for a massive phonebanking drive the last four days of the campaign. This will be a fun, exciting and worthwhile event!

We will be calling the battleground states and the call lists will likely change hourly depending on where the calls are needed most. We will be using targeted calling lists aimed at critical battleground areas, so you are highly encouraged to come in to our phone banks and make your calls from there even if you have been making calls online from home.

Actor, William Sadler will also be joining us at both Beacon locations for phonebanking and greeting our volunteers! (See details below)

HELP BARACK --- TAKE A TRIP TO PENNSYLVANIA

New to This — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:53:31 EDT

On 10/1/08 6:54 PM, "Paulette Aniskoff, PA.BarackObama.com" <pennsylvania@barackobama.com> wrote:

Election Day is just 33 days away. That's not a lot of time.

And you live near a crucial general election battleground state -- Pennsylvania.

Polls show a very close race in Pennsylvania, and this weekend is the last chance to register voters.

We have a real chance to win this state. But it's going to take all of us working together.

That's why this weekend, we're organizing teams of supporters from neighboring states to come to Pennsylvania for our Drive for Change weekend canvass.

Sign up to Drive for Change to Pennsylvania and help Barack and Joe Biden. <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m2/55c135be/504e97ab/6880d6f2/1188b423/814360994/VEsE/>

Each and every vote in Pennsylvania is absolutely crucial to victory on Election Day. In 2004, John Kerry won the commonwealth by only 2.5% of voters. We need to step up our efforts in Pennsylvania, but we need your help.

Pennsylvanians who are undecided need to hear Barack's message, and we are depending on your help talking to them about the real choice in this election.

Join us for the Drive for Change and help make a big difference in Pennsylvania:

http://my.barackobama.com/PABorder <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m2/55c135be/504e97ab/6880d6f2/1188b423/814360994/VEsF/>

No prior experience is required. Staff will provide you with everything you need.

We can't do this without you.

Thanks,

Paulette

Paulette Aniskoff
Field Director
Pennsylvania Campaign for Change

P.S. -- If you can't travel to Pennsylvania this weekend, you can still make an impact in your own state. Turn your enthusiasm into action and sign up to volunteer today:

http://my.barackobama.com/volunteer <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m2/55c135be/504e97ab/6880d6f2/1188b422/814360994/VEsC/>

<http://my.barackobama.com/page/m2/55c135be/504e97ab/6880d6f2/1188b45d/814360994/VEsD/>

Want to make a difference at home? Visit your state homepage <http://my.barackobama.com/page/m2/55c135be/504e97ab/6880d6f2/1188b45c/814360994/VEsA/> to find out the different ways to get involved.

YOU ARE INVITED!!!DEBATE PARTIES AND JOHN HALL EVENT

New to This — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:29:33 EDT

Baked Alaska (Debate Watch Party) Come to the Poughkeepsie Headquarters to watch the Biden/Palin debate. We have cable,a comfortable couch, chairs, and plenty of great conversation (until the debate starts). We'll have pizza and you bring a dish/dessert and we will watch together! Time:Thursday, October 2 at 8:00 PMDuration:3 hoursHost:Wendy WilliamsContact Phone:8453804810Location:PK Obama Headquarters (Poughkeepsie, NY)320 Main Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Please RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/debatewatchparty/gshyqs

Alternatively for those in Beacon: Biden Debates Palin (Debate Watch Party)Come watch Biden Debate Palin. This should be a lot of laughs. Meet Obama supports and become a volunteer. Time:Thursday, October 2 at 7:00 PMDuration:3 hoursHost:Tracy GivensContact Phone:845-238-7592Location:Beacon Muddy Cup (Beacon, NY)Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508 Please RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/debatewatchparty/gshfhf

Then on Friday you can kick back and relax at Amici's in Poughkeepsie with Congressman John Hall scheduled to appear: Young Dems After Dark- Dutchess (Meeting)Come out and network with Obama supporters, elected officials, candidates, and like-minded individuals. Special Guests: U.S. Congressman John Hall from New York's 19th District Matthew Silverstein- NYS Young Dems President Candidates for State Senate, Assembly, and other local offices Food by Amici's Cash Bar Time:Friday, October 3 at 7:00 PMDuration:3 hoursHost:Ira MarguliesLocation:Amici's Restuarant & Lounge (Poughkeepsie, NY)35 Main St
Dooley Square
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Please RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/meeting/gs75k9
--

OBAMA TRAINING CAMP IN SUFFERN THIS WEKEND!!!!

New to This — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:09:58 EDT

FIRED UP! READY TO GO!!!

For those ready to take action and be deployed to a battleground state for five weeks, or alternatively those who are interested in committing to travel to Pennsylvania at least four weekends between now and November 4th, there is a special training session this weekend right here in the Hudson Valley. It will be held in Suffern, NY which is only about forty five minutes away. If you are interested in doing everything you can for the campaign and making a serious commitment, here is your chance to really take part in the Obama campaign as an Obama field organizer.

Please email Moira Kelley ( mkelley@barackobama.com ) as soon as possible to let her know that you can attend. The training is Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm at the Indian Rock Shopping Center located at 128 Route 59, Suffern, NY 10901. Her original email with more details is below.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Suffern&state=NY&address=128+Route+59

The NY Field team will be conducting Camp Obama Hudson Valley (Rockland County) trainings this weekend. As part of our Camp Obama training, we place time in our schedule to get a phone call from a regional field director/field organizer in PA to do a live conference call with our campers on site to walk through a "day-in-the-life" of an Obama field organizer in a battleground state.

The location is below:

Indian Rock Shopping Center
128 Route 59
Suffern NY 10901
www.loopnet.com/property/15007741/1-28-Route-59/ <http://www.loopnet.com/property/15007741/1-28-Route-59/>

Saturday and Sunday from 9am – 3/4pm.

Breakfast will be provided both mornings.

Please send anyone interested in attending this event to my email address. We are looking first and foremost for those ready to be deployed for five weeks to a battleground state, preferably Pennsylvania. We will also take those who are ready to go out for four weekends. If you are not sure about someone's eligibility definitely just pass them on to me and I will handle.

Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and immeasurable efforts!

Volunteer Opportunities

New to This — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:46:12 EDT

<http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/PABorder> "This is not hyperbole: We cannot win without Pennsylvania."
Sen. Joe Biden, Denver, August 28, 2008.
Pennsylvania is a critical state in the general election and the campaign needs as many volunteers as possible to get out the vote.
We need people on the ground in Pennsylvania every day, so please commit to any and all days that you can!
Please complete this signup form to notify us of your interest in volunteering in Pennsylvania between now and Election Day.
Once you fill in your details, we will contact you to give you more detailed information about what field office you will be going to and to confirm your availability.
Once you arrive in Pennsylvania our field staff will train you and provide you with the materials you need to register voters, canvass door-to-door, and make important phone calls to voters.
Your efforts will truly make a difference in this election.
Transportation: Unfortunately, we cannot provide transportation to, from, or within the state. We can, however, try to coordinate carpools with other out-of-state volunteers.
Having a car will be crucial, especially when asked to canvass. If you re willing to carpool, you can visit the RideShare page on MyBarackObama. Or, if you already have a group of friends or family to travel with, you may register your group online.
Housing: Supporter housing is limited, so all housing assignments will be made on a first come, first served basis. We will do our best to accommodate your requests, but cannot guarantee that you will have supporter housing, as there is a very high demand.
To register online with the Barack Obama campaign to travel to Pennsylvania, go to:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/PABorder <http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/PABorder>
Options to sign up for: 1.) Day Tripper 2.) Weekend Warrior 3.) GOTV Election Week
A Field Organizer from Pennsylvania will be contacting you shortly after registration.

Deputy Field Organizer training this weekend in the Hudson Valley
Commit to moving to a swing state for the next five weeks--there will be a training in the Hudson Valley area (location to be determined) this weekend, Sep. 20th-21st. Goal is to get 120 people to come to the Hudson Valley Camp Obama and relocate to PA. Campaign can provide housing and food but not transportation.
Contact: Moira Kelley, 917-273-2837, mkelley@barackobama.com <mailto:mkelley@barackobama.com>

OBAMA CAmpaign launches website for One stop Voter Regoistration

New to This — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:38:58 EDT

The Obama campaign just launched a new one-stop voter registration website called Vote for Change:

http://my.barackobama.com/vfc

You can check your registration status, register to vote, look up early-vote information for your state, apply to vote absentee, or even find your polling place.

It's the easiest and most important thing you can do to bring the change we need. Make sure your voice is heard:

http://my.barackobama.com/vfc

Thanks -- see you at the polls.

Back On Track

New to This — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:27:13 EDT

I just got through watching Obama speak at the town hall in Dover, NH. He was brilliant and the campaign seems back on track. We need to be focusing on who can lead us in our future challenges as a nation - and he is the only candidate who is future focused. I am so happy I listened to this. (BTW: I also got a chance to hear that Service forum broadcast last night where they both spoke - refreshingly nonpartisan, but Obama used more specifics).

I also really liked when he spoke about the media and the opposition's smear tactics - and how we just have to get out there and tell the truth.

I have always been really proud to be part of this campaign, and he spoke of so many of the reasons that are the basis of my pride.

YES WE CAN, YES WE WILL, YES WE MUST!!

Useful Flyers on Obama versus McCain on Iraq

New to This — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:00:33 EDT

There are a good set of flyers in pdf format easily printed showing the McCain and Obama Iraq war positions at this site.

http://gutcheck08.blogspot.com/2008/08/john-mccain-and-barack-obama-on-iraq-in.html

McCain is going to attempt to take credit for an Iraq "win" that brings troops back. These flyers will help counter that argument.

Navigating the Site: Flyers and Vote for Change

New to This — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:43:25 EDT

A few people have asked me questions about navigating the site.

One is where to find Vote for Change Information. On the site's main page there is a blue rectangle which on the right hand side has a list of key points/milestones for the campaign - One of which is vote for change. Click on that, and the Vote for Change announcement comes up in the blue box with a a get involved box - click on that box and you are in that part of the web site. Here is a direct link there: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/vfchome

Another how to find the flyer templates online. They are under the media tab : here is a direct link to them:http://www.barackobama.com/downloads/

MORE DAILY REGISTRATIONS

New to This — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:26:56 EDT

I registered the kids working in the health food store today!! They always ask me how I am - so I told them I was pretty excited about Obama finally winning the nomination - they said, "nomination for what?" From that and the fact that they are 20 somethings - I thought perhaps they are not registered - they were not. Whisked out my handy dandy registration forms, and told them there is no time like the present. They both thanked me :)

VISIBILITY & REGISTERING EVERYDAY

New to This — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:05:40 EDT

Yesterday i went into NYC to see some friends - among whom were some Hillary supporters. I threw some extra buttons in my bag and registration forms - hopeful that they might be ready to come on board.

First i saw my sister, who is an Obamagirl herself, and I pointed out that she was not showing her support. She grinned and I whipped out a button for her bag. On it went. We stopped to grab a sandwich for lunch - and the waiter asked if we were Obama fans. "Yes, we are." "Me too" he confided. Button delivered. "Are you registered." "Not yet." Registration form delivered.

Next i saw My friend Lana, a Hillary girl. She noted my button, and said that she was disappointed but that she would vote for him - and encourage others to. "Button?" "Do you have an extra?" "But of course." On it went.

She needed my advice on prospective pair of shoes, so we went into the shop. The salesperson asked if we were Obama supporters. "Yes" Lana said (I was so happy to hear her respond before I had a chance!!) "I am for Obama too" the salesperson said. Button delivered - she was alredy registered.

OK - so my point is that we should have that Obama gear on all the time, and a couple of registration forms do not hurt either - People note it and they love connecting over Obama support.

Voter registration Forms Online

New to This — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:34:49 EDT

Here are some sites which are useful for voter registration drives.

This is the New York State Voter Registration form:

http://www.elections.state.ny.us/NYSBOE/download/voting/voteform.pdf

Here is the NY State Board of Elections website:

http://www.elections.state.ny.us/INDEX.html

Also here is the link to the General List of Rules - please note - these are General - NY State speicific rules can be found in above link:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/vfc_legal

CALLING OREGON

New to This — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:34:31 EDT

After getting off the phone with KY at 9PM, I headed west to Oregon.

Most everyone I called tonight had sent in their ballots and were for Barack Obama. It made the calls go so fast - they just flew by.

I reached two households where I was speaking to young men and the person I was calling for was not home, and they did not know if they had voted or not. After explaining why i was calling, I asked them if they were voting.

One said he was too young - he is turning 18 on June 7th, but if he could, he would vote for Obama. So I let him know that it looks likely that he will be able to vote Obama in November. But he thought he would have to wait for 4 more years for a chance to vote for the POTUS. So I explained that I thought he qualified if he was 18 by November 4th.

So then he wanted to know how to register. He had Internet access so I sent him to Rock the Vote. "That is awesome - I am so psyched to know this."

The other guy was 19 and also an Obama supporter. But he had not registered because he just could not find the time to go and do it. So I again explained that he could do it online through Rock the Vote. He could not believe that it was so simple - and wished he known for the primary. "Don't cry over spilt milk - just go do it now and get ready for November." "I'm on it!" he said.

This is one reason I really do not mind the campaign going through every state - it will help us lay the groundwork for the general election. I can almost taste the change that is in the air.

CALLING KENTUCKY

New to This — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:19:57 EDT

I have been making calls to KY and am pretty excited about the enthusiasm I am hearing on the other end of the line. The main places I have been calling into are Louisville, Lexington and Frankfort.

Louisville is really key to narrowing the gap in this state since it is home to roughly 40% of all democrats living in KY. People are so excited in Lousiville - a man there told me he thinks Obama can take the city. Our campaigners there have been working hard, and many people from neighboring Indiana are going across the river on a daily basis to help out.

Lexington and Frankfort seemed to be going well. I had one young woman I spoke to explain to me why she was for Obama. She really like his helalth care plan, and said, "He really cares about people like me."

She explained to me that she is 25 years old and has not been able to get adequate medical care - to the point that she is missing teeth. She said many of her friends of the same age would not be voting; they are not even registered. She keeps trying to explain to them how important it is. I asked her if she would like to volunteer to help out on the campaign. "Could I?" she asked. I looked up the local HQ and gave her the phone and address.

I explained that in a way she already was a part of the campaign just because she was trying to get people to register - and I explained about Vote for Change. I told her we need self starters like herself.

"It would be my honor," she said.

I know it sounds corny but conversations like this one really touch me. It reminds me of how important reaching out to every voter is, and how encouraging people to speak up is an integral part of this campaign. It makes it all so immediately gratifying.

West Virginia and Kentucky Calling

New to This — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:32:41 EDT

I am really tired of people and pundits saying why these two states will not vote for OBAMA. The reasons they give are divisive and go against my grain and this campaign. And it brings me back to an interview i saw of Senator Obama a while ago where he spoke about the fear of the other, of people who are different than ourselves.

This is what I hear when I do reach a negative person on the other end of the phone (and I have not gotten very many).

And what i hear most of the time is that they do not know him - so that makes it difficult to vote for him. Many of the people I spoke to do not have internet access at home - so they cannot just pop online and look stuff up. They ask me questions - they want to know him - and they listen.

But what astonishes me is what i hear on the media - when they slice and dice these 2 states - "ignorant" and "uneducated". It must burn these people up to be generalized in such a fashion. It certainly would make me feel "other".

And I have to say that even here on the Obama blogs i have heard less than open minded generalizations about these fellow Americans. "I am scared to call them", "racist", "ignorant", "backwards".

There is one thing I have learned in making these calls for Obama - we should not make these vast generalizations. They are not fair and they do not serve us. Also, change comes in surprising places, and strange ways. I am not innocent in what I am describing - I made a call the other night and based on the man's name and his accent I feared the worst, but the joke was on me because he was a strong Obama supporter. Its not the first time I have experienced that - and yet i catch myself falling into the habit of making superficial judgments - now I have this guy to remind me how wrong I probably am.

One woman asked me if he was christian. So I explained that he is a committed christian. She told me how she had heard (not via email - she doesn't have that) that he was muslim - BUT that she knows that people can be nasty and say a lot of "crap" especially in politics. She excused her language - I told her I had heard worse - and we had a giggle over that. When I hung up she was for him.

I had another woman last night who works in a VA hospital - she was undecided. We spoke about Obama's leadership on Veteran's issues - and she said she was in - she just regretted that her father was not informed about that - an amputee and vet - before sending in his absentee ballot. I asked her to make sure that the people she works with are - she said, "Oh absolutely."

The point I am trying to make is that each call is to an individual, of course not everybody is going to vote for Obama -- some because he has really big ears - but if we get people talking about themselves and explain our candidate's life experience and positions on issues, I truly believe that most of them will at the very least consider it.

BUT if we are not open to the person we are calling, if we have already decided what they are probably like and build defenses to keep them out, then we may be wasting a lot of our time.

YES WE DID!!

New to This — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:41:54 EDT

WELL IT FEELS PRETTY GOOD TO GET THE RESULTS WE GOT TONIGHT.

SO PLEASED AND I REALLY THINK OUR 1 MILLION CALLS PAID OFF - ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY WERE SPREAD OUT OVER THE 10 DAYS. WE DID NOT GET DISTRACTED, NOT THIS TIME, NOT EVER AGAIN.

NOW TO GET FOCUSED ON OREGON, KENTUCKY, WEST VIRGINIA, MONTANA.......

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ON THE GROUND, WHO MADE CALLS, WHO BLOGGED - EVERYONE WHO WORKED SO HARD FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

YAY!!

The PROOF is in the CALLS

New to This — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:38:46 EDT

Last night I spoke to two Obama supporters who did not think they could vote for him - when I hear this my heart kind of jumps - and then I explain that they can early vote in NC. One was an elderly woman and the other was a guy who works very long hours. They were so happy to find out that their voices will count.

I have also talked with many people who are registered independents and Obama supporters - who thought they could not vote in the democratic primary - BUT they can. So that is pretty exciting news when they find out.

SO please know that these calls are important and do make a difference - every call counts - sometimes they literally bear the fruit of another vote - but they all count.

So please keep making these calls - Let people know why you are willing to spend your time volunteering for Obama - let them know how important this is.

YES WE CAN. WE ARE THE CHANGE WE HAVE BEEN WAITiNG FOR.

Making Calls is such a good way to Fight Back

New to This — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:56:36 EDT

Whenever I feel a little down about what is going on out there in the campaign, I find that making calls always makes me feel better. I feel like I may actually make a difference. I feel like it is not only the media who has a say and influence on how people will cast their votes.

Today and yesterday was no different. I just got on the phone and started leaving messages and talking to fellow citizens. And that is always reassuring that not only, YES WE CAN. But also YES WE WILL.

People are enthusiastic about our candidate, and some even thank me and cheer me on. I feel empowered, and able to discuss real issues, instead of the distractions which are being thrown up.

Today i had a long talk about Senator Obama's foreign policy approach, and I cited President Carter and Brent Snowcroft as two people who have recently reinforced the value and importance of Sen Obama's view that we should speak with our enemies. - and how it is virtually impossible to make progress without having talks. A prominent democrat and a prominent republican.

I also had a long conversation about how Senator Obama's campaign is financed only by individual voters - no federal lobbyists or special interest PACs. This is such an important distinction. Neither Clinton nor McCain can make this claim - and the bulwark of their advisers are also lobbyists.

Anyway i am going to sleep better knowing I did my small part.

DIALING FOR VOTES

New to This — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:49:45 EDT

Spent the early part of the evening calling North Carolina, telling people about ONE STOP EARLY VOTE. Some had already voted for Senator Obama, others were happy to hear they could get to the polls ahead of time and take care of business early.

Then I made dinner for my family. My friend who is visiting said she would do the dishes so i could get back to calling voters. So I stated calling Oregon to make sure Obama supporters know they need to be registered democrats. I found a few - and some had unregistered friends or children - so they were really appreciative of the information - and that they could get the form on Obama's site.

My last call was excellent - she said she was 75% sure she would vote for Senator Obama. - it was 8:59PM when she told me that - so I settled in for a nice long heart to heart. I told her my own reasons which she agreed with, but she only sounded like 80% - definitely not closed. Then I told about OBAMAWORKS - how it started and came into actual being in Philadelphia, and how I had just seen it opened in Portland. That was it - she was in.

So OBAMA WORKS!!

I hope we hit 100,000 by the end of the weekend.

LAST NIGHT CALLS

New to This — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:30:46 EDT

SO, LAST NIGHT I CALLED NC FIRST - THIS IS A GREAT STATE TO CALL. THE PEOPLE ARE VERY CORDIAL, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE SUPPORTING SOMEBODY ELSE. AND THE UNDEDCIDEDS HAVE BEEN VERY TALKATIVE. THE ISSUE WITH "BITTER" REMARKS I AM FINDING IS THAT THEY DO NOT LIKE BEING LUMPED INTO A CATEGORY - AND WANT TO BE SEEN AS AN INDIVIDUL.

AND REALLY WHO CAN BETTER DO THAT THAN OBAMA GIVEN HIS OWN BACKGROUND AND UPBRINGING. OBAMAWORKS IS SUCH A GREAT STORY TO SHARE ABOUT WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS CAMPAIGN, AND THE LEADERSHIP THAT SENATOR OBAMA IS HOLDING OUT TO US

THEN I MOVED ONTO OREGON BECAUSE OF THE TIME DIFFERENCE. PEOPLE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THE PRIMARY AND HAVING A VOICE. I LOVE MAKING CALLS TO INCREASE VOTER REGISTRATION - THIS REALLY SEEMS TO REINFORCE THE MESSAGE OF THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN TO THESE SUPPORTERS.

WE HAVE SO MANY CALLS TO MAKE AND MILES TO GO BEFORE WE SLEEP - BUT WE WILL GET THERE.

YES WE CAN!!!!

5 MORE DAYS TO REGISTER NEW VOTERS IN OREGON

New to This — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:58:58 EDT

YES, it is true only 5 more days to register new voters in Oregon!!!!!

So being an east coast OBAMA phonebanker - once I have finished calling NC and Indiana - there will still time to call Oregon - since they are on the west coast!!!!!!

PLEASE JOIN ME - the POPULAR vote number is and will be important.

LOG ON AND MAKE CALLS TO OREGON VOTERS. WE ONLY HAVE 5 DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER VOTERS AS DEMOCRATS BEFORE THE DEADLINE OF APRIL 29. REMIND VOTERS BARACK OBAMA IS THE REAL CHANGE AMERICA NEEDS NOW!!! NO MORE DISTRACTIONS - NOT THIS TIME. NO MORE SPECIAL INTERESTS OWNING OUR WHITE HOUSE.

We need 291 delegates more - LET'S GO GET FIRED UP AND CLOSE THIS DEAL!!!!!

April 11 - Ten days before PA primary

New to This — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:59:03 EDT

Tomorrow is the last day Barack supporters can register to vote - so I guess I will start off calling NC in the morning. Then I will get something in my real life done. And in the evening I will start calling PA, and then Indiana, and then after dinner, Oregon.

There are so many Phone bank campaigns to choose from it is great. I hope we can pull a win off in PA - or at least keep it so close that HRC will not have bragging rights - not that will stop her campaign from making a big deal about it. Hopefully it will stop the media though.

I saw the Elton John comments about the US being misogynistic - as though that is why people are not voting for HRC - us Obama folk are just all women haters - how stupid is that. He should stick to singing. I think the funds raised from that are probably in the March receipts for her campaign - because that is when they were selling the tickets.

Anyway that is all for now ......

We've had a great week - I'll take it

New to This — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:30:08 EDT

We have had a phenomenal week - - maybe it is nearly 2 weeks starting with Richardson's endorsement, and Hillary's Bosnia lie exposure. Then Casey's endorsement, the most excellent bus tour - and now the narrowing of the polls. I find myself bracing for some dirty tricks from the CLinton campaign - they may hold fire until after the April 16 debate - and then put something out there (see Ohio and NAFTAgate, or their complicity with Rush Limbaugh). But MAYBE everyone including the media will be onto it this time - it won't probably be anything new - it will probably be a robocall - or a misleading flyer sent a day or 2 before the primary -so that even if we are prepared - there will be no time to react.

What is encouraging is that the PA voters I have been speaking to are very engaged, and are onto the political games.

SOL LETS KEEP MAKING OUR CALLS, and GETTING THOSE VOTES FOR OUR GUY.

YES WE CAN, BARACK OBAMA '08!!!!

First Newt, NOW Condi - I am Impressed.

New to This — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:23:14 EDT

Newt's comments on race were constructive. Now Rice's see Huffington Post:( http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080328/FOREIGN/746301768/1001&template=nextpage) make this a true dialogue.
This was the whole point of Obama's speech - to get us to take a serious look at the legacy of race relations in this country. I take my hat off to these two republicans in taking him up on the offer - and not engaging in politics as usual. It gives me HOPE. They could have tried to focus on the cause of the speech - but instead they have turned the page - and accepted Barack's invitation for a serious, constructive conversation.
It also really challenges Billary and McCain to step up - but now if they do they are kind of late to the party. However, better late than never.
This really shows what kind of leader Obama is and can be. A true Unifier.
Words.....Just words? Talking with (not at) one another is how change and progress start.
I am very proud of our political process right now in this moment.
YES WE CAN!!

I AM BAK ON THE PHONE

New to This — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:14:15 EDT

Well, I can tell I am better (had the flu) now - because I made calls - only 50 today - but that is a good start. I started with texas - because it is important that our delegates show up - and I knew I was calling fellow hopemongers.

Then I went onto PA - which went much better than last Friday - and I was in the same area code. I got one guy who told me that his group of friends were beginning to switch over - he started out undecided - but finished leaning pretty heavily for Barack. That is how I know I am feeling better - I could think on my feet. We talked for quite a while - and he thanked me in the end and said i had given him a lot of good arguments to use on his friends. WOW - that made me feel great. He said that I had to remember that in nearly every state HRC starts out ahead - and then the polls narrow - and he thinks that will happen in PA - so in the end he was telling me that Barack could do a lot better in PA than is anticipated. SO PERSEVERE , and make those calls - all we need is more people like this guy - maybe he will go out and convince 4 people, and they will convince - and you know how this goes. Also, check out the blog post on OBAMA WORKS - that is so inspiring. It would be great if we could get a community day - an OBAMA WORKS day - if there is a good organizer out there - who knows how to get that off on a national level - or atleast in the states where there are still contests - that would be amazing!!

IN the meantime - get on the phone - AND CALL - the time is NOW more than ever!!!

I have had the Flu

New to This — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:53:08 EDT

I have been really ill - just the flu - but very high fever and weight loss - and so have had to sit on the sidelines and watch everything that was going on. In some ways I am glad that I did not have the roller coaster ride - because that is what it has been. But also it seems to me that as this campaign goes on, and I see the despicable strategy from our democrat opponent, the reps, and certain media - the aim of all of this is to wear us down. To steal our drive and our momentum.

THEY DO NOT KNOW WHO THEY ARE DEALING WITH: with regard to our candidate or US.

Barack's speech on race was an amazing speech, an amazing act, and showed the whole country how he would handle a crisis - as a leader should, by getting out in front of it. He took one of the most divisive issues in our country and united people on it.

I am feeling better now - and am ready to hit the phones again - and maybe another road trip to PA. But thank you - all you hopemongers for carrying this - You are all amazing!!

PHONE BANKING

New to This — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:34:39 EST

Just in case anybody drops by on my page - I really wanted to post something on my experience with phone banking. The phone banking tool on this site is so cool and easy to use. They provide you with a script and you can make the calls at your own convenience - as long as it is between 9AM and 9PM in the time zone you are calling.

I have spoken to people in California, New Mexico, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, nevada - you get the picture.

Currently I am calling Wisconsin - because it is the next primary and I think it could be tight. I have spoken to many undecided voters there - who really want to discuss the issues. Frequently they thank me for taking the time to call them, and sometimes they say that after our chats they are now leaning or even for Barack. That feels pretty good. I always have the issues page open - so I can look up talking points if my memory is not serving me well - and it helps my confidence.

When that shuts down, I head west and start calling Hawaii - which is a blast. The people are very supportive of Barack - and would like to vote for him. It is a caucus out there - and many times they do not know where their polling station is - or what to do. So just giving them that information could have a real impact on the voter turnout and Barack's numbers.

Anyway - i just want to encourage as many people who are able to do this. It is not something normally inside my comfort zone - so that is exciting too - pushing my own boundaries a bit. They give you 20 numbers at a time - and they always take me half an hour or less, but there is a finish and save button so that if something comes up - you can click on that and tend to your life - then come back later and finish up.

That is it. But Please try to REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE. YOU CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND HELP GET THE VOTE OUT FOR BARACK!!!