I made 40 phone calls tonight to Washington State voters through my.BarackObama.com. I've done it more than a few times before, even though I really hate being on the phone, especially with strangers. If you're nervous, that goes away after the first time you reach a person at home. I really wonder if they put in a faux number to someone sitting there with a smile, who tells you that they're voting Obama, just to make you less nervous. Ok, I'm kidding. But every time I've called, the first person home is friendly.
Many were not home, or were the wrong number. Even those that are not voting for Barack either quickly end the call, or just hang up. I've not been yelled at, or had any real negative experiences.
Tomorrow, the effort will be GOTV, where you are calling committed voters, asking if they voted yet, and letting them know where to vote. All the info is right there on your computer screen.
If you can, make some calls. Or head to your local Democratic Party to help with local campaigns. Just don't let yourself wake up on November 5th, wondering what you could have done...
Hey guys,
We have a location, and we have a phone list 197 PAGES LONG with 13 contacts on each page! I would love to fly through the whole thing and get newer numbers for next weekend.
We will be hosting a phone bank at the Weber County Democrats HQ located at 2650 Washington Boulevard. This is a professional building that must remain locked but if you are at the door someone will see you and let you in.
All you have to bring is your cell phone and enthusiasm, everything else will be there.
We will be having phone banks every weekend between now and the election (and possibly on Election Day) so if you can't make tomorrow just tell all your friends about it and join us on another weekend.
The location will be changing to Weber State University next weekend but I will get with you later about that. Let's tackle one day at a time and WIN THIS ELECTION!
We will be at WCD HQ from 10 am to 7pm on Sunday, 10/12. Call if you want to come down so we know to save you some phone numbers and we will see you there!
Brenda
801-791-5030
Like Ezra Klein, I just can't describe this, so I'm going to give you a quote, and ask you to read it.
“In a lot of these communities in big industrial states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, people have been beaten down so long,” he said. “They feel so betrayed by government that when they hear a pitch that is premised on not being cynical about government, then a part of them just doesn’t buy it. And when it’s delivered by—it’s true that when it’s delivered by a forty-six-year-old black man named Barack Obama, then that adds another layer of skepticism.”
Hey Team,Colorado is more important than ever now. We want to host an official phone bank this weekend and need a place for about 50 volunteers.There will be printed call lists. All the volunteers will need to bring are their cell phones and enthusiasm.Any ideas on a location that is available October 11 and 12 from 10-7 in the Ogden area?
I have checked the library, Marshall White Center. I have a call into Weber State, The Universal Unitarian Church and the Weber County Democrats.
Thanks guys!
Brenda801-791-5030
I just joined the group, after attending Camp Obama on Saturday.
Is anyone interested in getting together and phone banking? I have been making calls today (although I have to stop since the Bronco's are playing! LOL) and it would be nice to have a group of us doing it.
We have wireless at our house and if you have a lap top and a cell phone we could meet at my house in South Weber some evening.
Send me a message or comment with interest and when would work for you and I will set something up.
I live in Rep. Roz McGee's district, 28, and since she's retiring, the seat is open. Brian King is the Democratic candidate for the district, and I really can't say enough good things about him. I had lunch with Brian before the primary, and I learned a lot about him. In the months since, I've had several opportunities to meet with him, and his campaign manager, Chris Fleming. They've been very supportive of Obama for Utah, and the grassroots movement. Brian King will continue to represent District 28's interests, and will be a very accessible Representative.
Here are the issues Brian is running on, as stolen directly from his web site:
Representative Politics: I’m running to ensure that the interests of the people in District 28 are represented by an experienced, knowledgeable, and established advocate.Education: I was gratified to see the voucher issue so decisively defeated at the polls last year. We must build a strong educational infrastructure to effectively fund public education at all levels in the state while at the same time put in place mechanisms to attract and retain excellent teachers.Ethics Reform: We must continue to press for basic, common-sense legislation in this area. For example, it is absurd that legislators have the ability to take unused campaign funds and use them for personal benefit at the end of their service.Economy: We must ensure that our economy stays strong. Thousands of people are losing houses due to the mortgage crisis and as a state we must provide avenues for residents of District 28 and across the state to manage their money so that they don’t lose their home while at the same time ensuring that new homeowners can buy a home.Environment: Too often the environment takes a back seat to development or other economic interests. Our representative in the legislature must work to bring greater balance to all environmental issues we in District 28 are concerned about.Health Care: We must work as a state to ensure that every Utahn has health insurance, and is allowed access to quality health care while at the same time encouraging the best and safest possible medical practices in our community.
You can get a good sense of who Brian is by reading his blog, or if you enjoy reading lawyer-speak, check out his law blog.
I got this email, titled 56 Days Till Election day, from Chris Fleming earlier:
Fellow Brian King Supporters: We need to take every ounce of frustration we've felt during eight years of George W. Bush and channel it into a wave of grassroots energy dedicated to electing Brian King to the House of Representatives. If we want our open spaces to be protected, quality education for our children and a affordable healthcare we need volunteers like you to get out and help Brian Keep 28 Blue. Brian, his family, and volunteers are walking four days out of every week, twice on Saturdays and this coming Saturday we have an aggressive walk scheduled for two very large Precincts. COME JOIN US! HELP US KEEP 28 BLUE! Brian King Canvass Precincts 2632 and 2634 9:30 AM-12:30 PM 1:30 PM-4:30 PM Meet at Dan's Parking Lot in Foothill Village! Please email me at Chris@KingForRep.com if you can attend. Democratically Yours, Chris Fleming Campaign Manager Brian King for Representative “Together We Can...For All of Us”
Fellow Brian King Supporters:
We need to take every ounce of frustration we've felt during eight years of George W. Bush and channel it into a wave of grassroots energy dedicated to electing Brian King to the House of Representatives.
If we want our open spaces to be protected, quality education for our children and a affordable healthcare we need volunteers like you to get out and help Brian Keep 28 Blue.
Brian, his family, and volunteers are walking four days out of every week, twice on Saturdays and this coming Saturday we have an aggressive walk scheduled for two very large Precincts.
COME JOIN US! HELP US KEEP 28 BLUE!
Brian King Canvass Precincts 2632 and 2634 9:30 AM-12:30 PM 1:30 PM-4:30 PM Meet at Dan's Parking Lot in Foothill Village! Please email me at Chris@KingForRep.com if you can attend.
Democratically Yours, Chris Fleming Campaign Manager Brian King for Representative “Together We Can...For All of Us”
If you're free this Saturday, please consider helping the Brian King campaign out, and walking with them.
Or, if you're in House District 47 (West Jordan and Midvale), I got this email for Jennifer Burley Wolfe, who also needs help:
Hi folks! So we're in the home stretch with UNDER 2 months! And it's getting heated over here. For instance, I saw my first "Obama / Mascaro" lawn sign combination this morning - how can that happen?!! Let's turn it around by going door-to-door together and getting the word out about the REAL Democrat running in this area. I need ALL the help I can get to pull this off! Email me and let me know which 2-3 walking shifts you can make: TOMORROW Thurs. 9/11 6pm Fri 9/12 6pm Sat 9/13 10am or 3pm Wed 9/17 6pm Thur 9/18 6pm Fri 9/19 6pm Sat 9/20 10am or 3pm Wed 9/24 6pm Thur 9/25 6pm Fri 9/26 6pm Sat 9/27 10am Reminder - all month there are VOLUNTEER PERKS! Everyone gets a free campaign shirt while supplies last (I'll replenish, but there may be a few days delay.) Each time you canvass in September, your name goes into a hat and you may be randomly selected to win a $50 gift card. Then whoever walks the most shifts gets a $25 card, just for being there for us. And each Friday night we have pizza! THANKS for everything!
Hi folks!
So we're in the home stretch with UNDER 2 months! And it's getting heated over here. For instance, I saw my first "Obama / Mascaro" lawn sign combination this morning - how can that happen?!! Let's turn it around by going door-to-door together and getting the word out about the REAL Democrat running in this area. I need ALL the help I can get to pull this off!
Email me and let me know which 2-3 walking shifts you can make:
TOMORROW Thurs. 9/11 6pm
Fri 9/12 6pm
Sat 9/13 10am or 3pm
Wed 9/17 6pm
Thur 9/18 6pm
Fri 9/19 6pm
Sat 9/20 10am or 3pm
Wed 9/24 6pm
Thur 9/25 6pm
Fri 9/26 6pm
Sat 9/27 10am
Reminder - all month there are VOLUNTEER PERKS! Everyone gets a free campaign shirt while supplies last (I'll replenish, but there may be a few days delay.) Each time you canvass in September, your name goes into a hat and you may be randomly selected to win a $50 gift card. Then whoever walks the most shifts gets a $25 card, just for being there for us. And each Friday night we have pizza!
THANKS for everything!
--Jayla Jennifer (Jayla) Burley Wolfe Candidate for House, District 47 www.burleywolfeforhouse.com
--Jayla
Jennifer (Jayla) Burley Wolfe Candidate for House, District 47 www.burleywolfeforhouse.com
If you're not in either district, but you want to help candidates, you can use the Neighborhood Volunteer Program or call the Utah Democratic Headquarters at 801.328.1212 to find out which candidates in your neighborhood need your help the most!
If you are sitting around, saying to yourself that you wish you had plans this weekend, you're in luck! How about heading to Grand Junction, Colorado, as part of Drive for Change?
Can't afford it?
Well, you have to eat, anyway! And all you'll have to pay for is your food.
Colorado is swinging back and forth, and we can't afford to let McCain win there!
From the Campaign:
Utah for Obama will be departing from our Salt Lake City headquarters this Friday, September 12th at 5:30 p.m. to talk to voters in Grand Junction, CO about the Obama-Biden plan for the change we need. We will be returning on Sunday evening, though there will be an option to return Saturday as well. All costs will be covered except for food. Please let us know in the sign-up form whether you can drive or will need housing.Help us do our part in ensuring that Barack and Joe win this most crucial of battleground states. No prior experience is needed.
Utah for Obama will be departing from our Salt Lake City headquarters this Friday, September 12th at 5:30 p.m. to talk to voters in Grand Junction, CO about the Obama-Biden plan for the change we need.
We will be returning on Sunday evening, though there will be an option to return Saturday as well. All costs will be covered except for food. Please let us know in the sign-up form whether you can drive or will need housing.Help us do our part in ensuring that Barack and Joe win this most crucial of battleground states.
No prior experience is needed.
Still haven't convinced you? Do you really want to help, but just can't make the trip? Consider purchasing a gas card, and giving it as an in-kind donation, to help others get there. You can drop it off at the new Utah Campaign HQ: 780 E., South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 or call the office at (801) 983-7372 to make arrangements.
November is less than 10 weeks away, as Justin of the Young Democrats of Utah reminded me via the email below. We can't just wait around and see how this turns out, we have to be a part of changing how it turns out!
Misty, With the election closing in on us fast, it is time for us to get in gear and start working to get Democrats elected. The Young Democrats will be knocking on doors every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1 PM Please come out and join us. This Saturday we will be meeting at Dimple Dell Rec Center 10600 So. 1000 E. in the 10600 So. parking lot. Come out knock a few doors, meet some new friends, and get a free t-shirt. To RSVP: Email justin@youngdemsofutah.org Phone 801-824-4073 We will also be making phone calls every Thursday from now until the election. Our Headquarters are located at 1063 E. 3300 So. (in the Corroon campaign headquarters) If you have any questions about these events or how you can get involved please let me know. Justin
Misty,
With the election closing in on us fast, it is time for us to get in gear and start working to get Democrats elected.
The Young Democrats will be knocking on doors every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1 PM
Please come out and join us.
This Saturday we will be meeting at Dimple Dell Rec Center 10600 So. 1000 E. in the 10600 So. parking lot.
Come out knock a few doors, meet some new friends, and get a free t-shirt.
To RSVP:
Email justin@youngdemsofutah.org
Phone 801-824-4073
We will also be making phone calls every Thursday from now until the election.
Our Headquarters are located at 1063 E. 3300 So. (in the Corroon campaign headquarters)
If you have any questions about these events or how you can get involved please let me know.
Justin
You can also sign up to volunteer through Utah for Obama by calling 801.983.7372. Don't let yourself wake up in November and realize that the wrong person got elected at any level of politics. Do something today!
Theodore Cowan has been one of the most active members of Utah for Obama since the beginning. He's the Secretary of the grassroots group, Utah for Obama, and he was also elected as a delegate to the convention. As if we don't already have enough to be proud of Theo for, he's now been highlighted by the official Obama campaign blog.
I think that the "party official" he mentions in that blog is Rob Miller, the owner of UtahAmicus. We were thrilled when Rob began his involvement with our grassroots group last fall, and has maintained that relationship ever since. Thanks, Rob!
Keep up with the UtahAmicus group's blog postings for continuous Democratic National Convention coverage. You can also find mini-updates from me by watching Twitter. All of my blog posts will be on the UtahAmicus, with some of them duplicated at my personal blog, Saintless, and possibly a few here, as well.
Yes, it's last-minute. But it's decided. I'm going to Denver with the rest of the Utah Amicus crew! I'll be blogging live from the Democratic National Convention, so that you, too, can experience history as it happens!
Don't forget to check in often at the Utah Amicus for all the greatest coverage! (And maybe a special post or two from my personal blog, Saintless)
I used to describe my husband and I as political animals, but after looking at others' blogs? We are pikers! Maybe it's our age (late 40's). Maybe it's our busy family life (we have an ACTIVE, 2-year old). Maybe I'm simply not as fanatical about politics as I used to be.
I intend simply to post my thoughts about the presidential campaign. I will rarely link to other articles. Not that I don't think what others say is important or relevant. It is. I figure most people know the columnists and commentators they like to read, and if you're at all like me, you're not reading everything on your list as it is.
I intend to keep entries short. I tend to be both perfectionistic and long-winded. The more I write, the more there is to rewrite, and the more time I spend on the computer. Before I know it, the day is gone, and I haven't accomplished what I needed to do. I guess I will use this as a training ground: think, write, go.
This is the first time in twenty years that I intend to vote for the Democratic candidate for president. Prior to 1988, I voted exclusively for the Democrat (ok-two elections, Carter and Mondale). I was fairly liberal. For Utah--where I have lived my adult life--I was a flaming liberal. For the rest of America? I was a moderate conservative.
I still consider myself conservative. But as one who supported 1994's Contract for America, and who cheered when the Republicans took both the House and Senate, I will not support Pres. Bush's and the current Republican congress' economic policy. I don't know how they manage to claim they are fiscal conservatives without snickering.
Further, I am disgusted with conservatives' phobia of illegal aliens while basing our economy upon their backs. McCain's policy on this issue has historically been reasonable (I haven't checked the specifics of what he currently says). But I believe he will pander to the extreme conservatives' xenophobia, and hard-working, honest Mexicans, illegal only because we set up an unworkable immigration policy totally disconnected from reality, will continue to suffer. I will not continue to support a policy that depends on their (illegal aliens) labor, while dismissing their value.
Let me close this introductory post by explaining its title: Aloha! Aloha is a Hawaiian word (I am haupe-Hawaiian) that is used to say both hello and good-bye, but encompasses so much more. To quote Aunty Malia Craver, Aloha means love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy and kindness. Aloha means to be able to translate differences into uniqueness. Aloha means to be able to see and feel a person's uniqueness, though they may present differences to you. It is that love, caring and spirituality that allows us to appreciate our differences as being unique and beautiful strengths that binds us rather than separates us.
The spirit of Aloha is truly what attracted me to support Barack Obama. I have observed many political campaigns in the past thirty years. Common to most of them has been a determiniation to polarize Americans and demonize those who are different. Obama has been different. I haven't seen him demonize opponents. I have seen him praise opponents. I have felt Obama respects Americans--all Americans--even those who disagree with him. I haven't seen that respect in most campaigns. I know I don't agree with all of Obama's stands. That's ok. The process is as important to me, as the result.
Aloha!
(Cross-posted to Saintless.com)
Barack Obama has announced that he's taking the 50-State Strategy all the way, and there will be campaign offices in every state, including Utah. Monday morning I was able to confirm that it will likely be late July before we see them on the ground here, but that's far earlier than I had even hoped for. So far, they're not telling us much more than that, but I'm sure that when it gets closer, they'll be looking for housing for staffers again. If you have the ability and willingness, please keep an eye out here for the announcement.
Here's the email from David Plouffe about it:
Dear Misty, I have some news that I wanted you to hear. People like you have been the heart of Chairman Howard Dean's 50-state strategy to rebuild our party and empower Democrats to compete everywhere. We've all seen the energy and enthusiasm at the grassroots level impact races up and down the ballot over the last three years. I am proud to announce that our presidential campaign will be the first in a generation to deploy and maintain staff in every single state. The network of volunteers and the infrastructure built up during the historic primary season -- on behalf of all the Democratic campaigns -- have given us an enormous and unprecedented opportunity in the general election. Now it's time to expand our network and push our organizing resources even further. No matter where you live, our success this November will depend on your involvement. Sign up to join our campaign now, and we'll make sure you're aware of all the latest news and opportunities to make a difference: http://my.barackobama.com/getinvolved Of course, some states will be more competitive than others, and we will scale our resources accordingly. But your work building our party means that the list of competitive states will be longer than ever before -- and it will include states like Virginia and Montana where your work has helped a Democratic resurgence at the state level. And in every single state, no matter what the likelihood that we carry it in the fall, our staff will build volunteer capacity that will provide help where we need it and impact races up and down the ballot this November. Every day counts -- voters head to the polls in less than five months. This is your opportunity to shape this election and our unprecedented 50-state campaign now: http://my.barackobama.com/getinvolved Thanks to your support, we are on our way to building an unprecedented organization for the November elections. As the presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack Obama will fight to unite our party and win contests up and down the ballot. But he cannot determine the outcome of this election on his own. It will all come down to what you are willing to do. It's time to answer the call. Thank you, David David Plouffe Campaign Manager Obama for America
Dear Misty,
I have some news that I wanted you to hear.
People like you have been the heart of Chairman Howard Dean's 50-state strategy to rebuild our party and empower Democrats to compete everywhere. We've all seen the energy and enthusiasm at the grassroots level impact races up and down the ballot over the last three years.
I am proud to announce that our presidential campaign will be the first in a generation to deploy and maintain staff in every single state.
The network of volunteers and the infrastructure built up during the historic primary season -- on behalf of all the Democratic campaigns -- have given us an enormous and unprecedented opportunity in the general election.
Now it's time to expand our network and push our organizing resources even further. No matter where you live, our success this November will depend on your involvement. Sign up to join our campaign now, and we'll make sure you're aware of all the latest news and opportunities to make a difference:
http://my.barackobama.com/getinvolved
Of course, some states will be more competitive than others, and we will scale our resources accordingly.
But your work building our party means that the list of competitive states will be longer than ever before -- and it will include states like Virginia and Montana where your work has helped a Democratic resurgence at the state level.
And in every single state, no matter what the likelihood that we carry it in the fall, our staff will build volunteer capacity that will provide help where we need it and impact races up and down the ballot this November.
Every day counts -- voters head to the polls in less than five months. This is your opportunity to shape this election and our unprecedented 50-state campaign now:
Thanks to your support, we are on our way to building an unprecedented organization for the November elections.
As the presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack Obama will fight to unite our party and win contests up and down the ballot.
But he cannot determine the outcome of this election on his own.
It will all come down to what you are willing to do.
It's time to answer the call.
Thank you, David
David Plouffe Campaign Manager Obama for America
Blogging is likely to be a bit sparse again for a while. I just started a new contract through the company I work for, and I'll be doing some overtime in order to be able to take off in August to go with Rob and the rest of the Amicus gang to the DNC in Denver. And I have to admit, I'm loving the new job. It's so odd to work for a company that has written decent, organized code, and gives good requirements. In fact, I was able to write code on my first day there, and finish it by the second. I'll be there around 90 days, and I have a feeling I'll be happy there right up until the end of the contract.
Nikki Norton is being drafted as my Co-Chair for Utah for Obama tomorrow night. She's been a lifesaver as of late, and I'm glad she's finally agreed to it. She was highlighted in this TIME.com article:
Utah is hardly the place that jumps into most Democrats' minds when brainstorming about red states where they have a chance to make headway this November. The Beehive State was one of just three states in which President George W. Bush swept every county in 2004 -- all of them except for two with more than 55% of the vote. In the state's 2008 primaries on Super Tuesday, Republican voters outnumbered Democrats by a margin of 2.5 to 1. None of that, however, has discouraged Nikki Norton and her band of 40 volunteers from organizing for Obama ahead of the General Election. And surprisingly, it hasn't deterred the Obama campaign from formally helping Norton by investing in the state; Norton, co-chair of Utah for Obama's grassroots campaign, got a call a couple of days ago telling her to expect paid staffers to arrive within the next month. "Even if we don't win Utah we definitely want to create a downstream effect for local candidates," Norton said. "It could also force [Republican presumptive nominee John] McCain to defend Utah; he might have to split his resources for a state like ours where he probably wouldn't have needed to before. And our volunteers had a big effect on border swing states, particularly in rural areas in Nevada, and that was a big benefit for Obama [who won Nevada's delegate count over Hillary Clinton by dint of his rural victories]." From the earliest days of his upstart campaign, Obama pledged to run a 50-state effort, vowing to move past the traditional partisan divide and expand the electoral map by appealing to independents and even Republicans. But few people, even in his own staff, thought he'd actually invest in every single state. As it turns out, Obama's phenomenal fundraising has allowed him to deliver on his bold promise and place campaign staff in every one of the 50 states, as his campaign announced it would Monday. The strategy could force McCain to defend Republican strongholds, may help those lonely Democratic candidates in so-called Red States and could further expand Obama's already massive volunteer and donor bases (indeed, the move was announced in a fundraising e-mail plea to donors). Obama is able to do this, in part, because of the grueling, drawn-out delegate fight with Clinton that only just ended. The long primary season forced the campaign to build bases of support for the Illinois senator in every single state. The dividends of the high-profile Democratic presence are already being felt. Earlier this year, Democrats picked up three long-held GOP congressional seats in special elections in Mississippi, Louisiana and Illinois. The party is also mounting House challengers in 14 states that Bush won in 2004, including Wyoming, Alabama and Arizona. And Democratic candidates are contesting at least five GOP stronghold seats in the Senate: Alaska, Kentucky (Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's seat), Nebraska, Kansas and New Mexico. "Senator Barack Obama's plan to compete in all 50 states is a reflection of the overwhelming desire for change that is transcending state boundaries and has energized voters in every corner of the country,&q uot; said Maryland Representative Chris Van Hollen, who runs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democratic candidates. No one contends that the 50-state strategy is Obama's brainchild; it actually comes from Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, who not so long ago took a lot of heat from Democrats angry that he was squandering their limited resources on perceived long shots in the south and west. But after his gamble paid off in 2006, when Dems won both chambers of Congress, his expansive notion suddenly seemed a lot more viable. "The 50-state strategy has been historic -- just the enthusiasm that our volunteers have, that our candidates have, that our party is visible and active even before the campaign, it pays off on so many levels for a state like Kansas," said Mike Gaughan, executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party. In a state where only two out of 105 counties voted for John Kerry in 2004, Democrats took a House seat, six seats in the Kansas Legislature and the attorney general's office from the GOP in 2006. "We saw Obama's staff at w ork here during the primary season. They had organized on the ground back from October for the February 5 caucuses," Gaughan said. "The way that they activated their supporters is going to pay dividends" for all Kansas Democratic candidates as the party seeks to expand its presence there.
Utah is hardly the place that jumps into most Democrats' minds when brainstorming about red states where they have a chance to make headway this November. The Beehive State was one of just three states in which President George W. Bush swept every county in 2004 -- all of them except for two with more than 55% of the vote. In the state's 2008 primaries on Super Tuesday, Republican voters outnumbered Democrats by a margin of 2.5 to 1.
None of that, however, has discouraged Nikki Norton and her band of 40 volunteers from organizing for Obama ahead of the General Election. And surprisingly, it hasn't deterred the Obama campaign from formally helping Norton by investing in the state; Norton, co-chair of Utah for Obama's grassroots campaign, got a call a couple of days ago telling her to expect paid staffers to arrive within the next month. "Even if we don't win Utah we definitely want to create a downstream effect for local candidates," Norton said. "It could also force [Republican presumptive nominee John] McCain to defend Utah; he might have to split his resources for a state like ours where he probably wouldn't have needed to before. And our volunteers had a big effect on border swing states, particularly in rural areas in Nevada, and that was a big benefit for Obama [who won Nevada's delegate count over Hillary Clinton by dint of his rural victories]."
From the earliest days of his upstart campaign, Obama pledged to run a 50-state effort, vowing to move past the traditional partisan divide and expand the electoral map by appealing to independents and even Republicans. But few people, even in his own staff, thought he'd actually invest in every single state. As it turns out, Obama's phenomenal fundraising has allowed him to deliver on his bold promise and place campaign staff in every one of the 50 states, as his campaign announced it would Monday. The strategy could force McCain to defend Republican strongholds, may help those lonely Democratic candidates in so-called Red States and could further expand Obama's already massive volunteer and donor bases (indeed, the move was announced in a fundraising e-mail plea to donors).
Obama is able to do this, in part, because of the grueling, drawn-out delegate fight with Clinton that only just ended. The long primary season forced the campaign to build bases of support for the Illinois senator in every single state. The dividends of the high-profile Democratic presence are already being felt. Earlier this year, Democrats picked up three long-held GOP congressional seats in special elections in Mississippi, Louisiana and Illinois. The party is also mounting House challengers in 14 states that Bush won in 2004, including Wyoming, Alabama and Arizona. And Democratic candidates are contesting at least five GOP stronghold seats in the Senate: Alaska, Kentucky (Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's seat), Nebraska, Kansas and New Mexico. "Senator Barack Obama's plan to compete in all 50 states is a reflection of the overwhelming desire for change that is transcending state boundaries and has energized voters in every corner of the country,&q uot; said Maryland Representative Chris Van Hollen, who runs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democratic candidates.
No one contends that the 50-state strategy is Obama's brainchild; it actually comes from Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, who not so long ago took a lot of heat from Democrats angry that he was squandering their limited resources on perceived long shots in the south and west. But after his gamble paid off in 2006, when Dems won both chambers of Congress, his expansive notion suddenly seemed a lot more viable. "The 50-state strategy has been historic -- just the enthusiasm that our volunteers have, that our candidates have, that our party is visible and active even before the campaign, it pays off on so many levels for a state like Kansas," said Mike Gaughan, executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party. In a state where only two out of 105 counties voted for John Kerry in 2004, Democrats took a House seat, six seats in the Kansas Legislature and the attorney general's office from the GOP in 2006. "We saw Obama's staff at w ork here during the primary season. They had organized on the ground back from October for the February 5 caucuses," Gaughan said. "The way that they activated their supporters is going to pay dividends" for all Kansas Democratic candidates as the party seeks to expand its presence there.
I've been telling people for a while, that we're in this to win, and that Utah for Obama is going to put effort into getting Utah to go blue this November. It's very, very, very gratifying to find out for sure that the Obama campaign believes in us. Then again, that's kind of why we believe in the Obama campaign, huh?
We've decided to use my Jeep for Utah for Obama in the Pride Parade this Sunday, along with the 10' Obama puppet. Here are a couple of photos of the Jeep:
I'm hoping to find someone that has one of the following to decorate the Jeep with:
If you have any of the above that you can help us with, please let me know ASAP. I'll be decorating the Jeep tomorrow (Saturday). Any suggestions for other decorating ideas are also welcome.
And if you want to be in the parade with us, it's not too late to sign up! http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4d3m
Hillary Clinton has yet to admit that the Democratic Presidential Primary is a done deal, but the tone of media chatter that I've heard is that she's going to - on a night of her own choosing, when she can have the spotlight on her for a moment. My personal feelings about that very, but at the moment, I feel like that's an OK thing. Granted, her 'offer to be Obama's VP, in order to unify the party' seemed rather out of line, to me. But, hey, I'd be happy to follow he lead and offer myself as Obama's Technology Czar. Ezra Klein put it best, I think:
If you were Clinton and, on the one hand, you had your hated adversaries in the media clamoring for you to drop out, and on the other, you were mobbed, every day, by devoted supporters who had invested their hopes in you and begged you to keep up the fight, and you yourself wanted to continue prosecuting your case, well, what would you do?
I don't think there's a chance in hell that she'll be Obama's VP. In fact, I think McCain would be more likely to offer her the job than Obama, but we all know that's not very likely, either. Obama will likely choose someone to round out his skills, maybe someone strong on foreign policy, to satisfy those who believe he needs more experience. I do believe he'll make a wise choice, no matter who it is.
If Hillary gets a job in the Obama administration, I could see it having to do with healthcare, since that is one of her strong points, and the one she seems to be the most passionate about, at least if you narrow it down to things Obama and Clinton can agree on. And that would satisfy a lot of people.
Last night, about 5 hours after I scheduled the "Yes We Did" party, people began to show up at the SkyBox Grille. Kurt Bestor beat us all in the door, and was just beginning a snack as I walked in with Dimitrios and his girlfriend (sorry, I suck at names) to the back room where the big screen awaited us. Not long after, people began arriving, eager to own another little piece of this campaign. Many were people I'd never met before. Others were the people who I've known since this all started, like Theodore, Strider, Brandon, Janet Lee, Laurie Noda, and so many more. Rob Miller brought Utah Attorney General candidate, Jean Welch Hill, and Pete Ashdown and Robin Ballard brought their two youngest children. I would guess attendance at about 40 people. Which really isn't bad, considering the short notice everyone had about the event.
Chris Vanocur, of ABC 4, sent down a camera to check out the activities. Halfway through Senator Obama's speech, I was asked to do an interview, and so I missed much of the speech. I love technology, though. It's all on YouTube, and if you else would like to (re-)watch it, just head over to the official Obama Blog. Kurt Bestor and Theodore Cowan were also interviewed, presumably because of their status as elected National Delegates for Senator Obama. ABC 4's video feed isn't allowed on this blog's setup, so I can't post it here. But, you can view it on ABC4.com.
KSL also had some interesting coverage yesterday regarding the Democratic Primary, including Donald Dunn's take.
There were two other reporters there last night. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that they were reporters until it was too late, and they were gone. Apparently, one was from the Salt Lake Tribune.
The Deseret News had some other interesting news coverage yesterday. They quoted Wayne Holland as confirming rumors that I keep hearing, about Helen Langdon and Karen Hale switching from Hillary to Barack, as well as saying that Jim Matheson would be coming out for Barack. I've been hearing about the first two for a long while now, and from many different people. I had almost begun to think it was wishful thinking, but regardless, this is good news!
Now we can get on to the serious business of facing John McSame McCain. You know, Mr. 4-More-Years-Of-Bush, who thinks that spying on Americans is patriotic and on registering new voters across Utah. Watch for a summary very soon about the successes we've already had!
Utah for Obama is hosting a "Yes We Did" Celebration party to watch Barack Obama's Victory Speech tonight (Tuesday) at SkyBox Grille at the Gateway Mall at 7:30 PM.
After Saturday's decision to finalize the Michigan and Florida delegates, 2,118 is the magic number of delegates to reach the Democratic Nomination. As of this writing, Barack Obama needs 31.5 delegates to get there. Tonight, after the votes are counted in Montana and South Dakota, the last few names of Super Delegates who will vote for Senator Obama at the DNC in August will be announced, and Senator Obama will make his victory speech.
According to my sources, his speech will happen at 8:15 MDT, just after the polls close, so make sure that you arrive by 8!.
This campaign is a movement of the people, and I cannot think of a more appropriate title for tonight's event than "Yes we did". Barack won this nomination because of you, and me, and literally millions of other people's efforts. It's not just Barack who won, it's all of us. We have more work to do, but tonight it's time to celebrate what we've accomplished.
And tomorrow, we can get on to the work of showing John McCain for what he really is - 4 more years of Bush.
Details: SkyBox Sports Grill, 7:30 PM 4 South Rio Grande Street Family-friendly event Bring your friends, too! Use Winter Parking entrance on north side of 100 South. SkyBox is on the west side of Rio Grande Street, on the Promenade level
