Today David Plouffe sent out the following message to supporters, inviting them to attend one the many grassroots house meetings taking place throughout the country later this month:
Exactly one month ago, you made history by giving all Americans a real opportunity for change. Now it's time to start preparing and working for change in our communities. On December 13th and 14th, supporters are coming together in every part of the country to reflect on what we've accomplished and plan the future of this movement. Your ideas and feedback will be collected and used to guide this movement in the months and years ahead. Join your friends and neighbors -- sign up to host or attend a Change is Coming house meeting near you. Since the election, the challenges we face -- and our responsibility to take action -- have only gotten more urgent. You can connect with fellow supporters, make progress on the issues you care about, and help shape the future of your community and our country. Learn what you can do now to support President-elect Obama's agenda for change and continue to make a difference in your community. Take the first important step by hosting or attending a Change is Coming house meeting. Sign up right now. To get our country back on track, it will take all of us working together. Barack and Joe have a clear agenda and an unprecedented opportunity for change. But they can't do it alone. Will you join us at a house meeting and help plan the next steps for this movement? Thanks, David David Plouffe Campaign Manager Obama for America
"I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you." - Barack Obama, Election Night 2008
Read the full speech, as prepared for delivery . . .
Right now, while volunteers work to Get Out The Vote in key states, thousands of grassroots supporters across the country are helping out from home by using our online voter contact tools to call voters.
Our target today is to make 1,000,000 calls to voters in battleground states before the close of polls tonight. As of 1:00 PM Eastern, we've made 214,187 calls. However, our staff on the ground are telling us that we need to reach the 500,000 call mark by 3:00 PM Eastern Time.
These calls provide our supporters with information about when, where and how to vote today, and by helping identify which voters have already cast a ballot, we can dramatically reduce the number of houses our volunteers on the ground need to reach before polls close.
If you have even thirty minutes to spare in the next three hours, when can use your help. Simply select the state you want to call from the map below, and we'll provide you with an easy to use script and a targeted list of voters to call.
The largest voter contact operation ever attempted is underway right now. This is your chance to be part of it.
In Maryland, polls are open today from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Anyone who is in line by 8:00 PM will be allowed to vote. You can find your polling location now.
For additional information or for any issues you may have with voting visit our Voter Information Center or call 1-877-US-4-OBAMA (877-874-6226). Answers to some of the most common voting questions are below:
Do I need to bring ID with me when I go vote?
You will be asked to provide identification at the polling place if: you are voting for the first time in Maryland; or you registered to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003; or you have not previously met the identification requirements.
If you registered to vote by mail after January 1, 2006, you most likely satisfied the identification requirement during the registration process. You can satisfy the identification requirement by providing one of the following: a copy of a current and valid photo ID (i.e., Maryland driver’s license, MVA-issued ID card, student, employee or military ID card, U.S. passport, or any other state- or federal-government-issued ID card.) or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address.
7:00 am–8:00 pm
Maryland’s voting system accommodates voters with disabilities by offering an audio ballot. Using headphones, the voter listens to the ballot and records the vote using a keypad. Both the headphones and keypad are provided. To assure the privacy of the voter, the voting unit’s screen is blank while the audio ballot feature is being used. A magnified ballot is provided for voters who have low vision. An adjustable screen is available to accommodate voters who prefer or need to sit while voting. To use one of the accessibility options, ask an election judge for a particular option. A voter will not be required to provide an explanation or fill out additional paperwork. Election judges will be available to answer questions and, if needed, provide assistance. If you need assistance voting, you may select someone to assist you in the voting process. Maryland law prohibits a voter’s employer or agent of the employer or an officer or agent of the voter’s union from serving as a voter’s assistant. An election judge may assist you, but only in the presence of another election judge of a different political party.
We've reached the most important days of this entire campaign.
All of the voters we've registered, phone calls we've made, doors we've knocked on, friends and neighbors we spread the word to over the course of this campaign have brought us to where we are today: making Barack Obama very compettive in the race for the presidency of the United States.
Now we have to make sure all of that time and effort doesn't go to waste. It's time to once again take change into our own hands and get out the vote (GOTV).
As Barack explained in Nevada this morning:
Don’t believe for a second this election is over. Don’t think for a minute that power concedes. We have to work like our future depends on it in these last few days, because it does.
Join millions of Americans all over the country by volunteering in the last four days of this campaign. Everything we have worked for over the past 20 months will come down to what we do -- or don't do -- to help get out the vote.
Miss Laura from the DailyKos offered these words of wisdom from a veteran volunteer:
Before you hit your first door, or dial your first number...think about why you're doing it. Maybe it's your loved one in Iraq. Maybe it's wanting a Supreme Court that will preserve your right to control your own body. Maybe it's the healthcare you need and can't afford. Take a piece of paper and a pen and write your reason down. Keep it in your pocket, and if you have a hard conversation or string of them, take that piece of paper out of your pocket and read it. Remind yourself that this is not an empty chore, it's a way to something really, really important. Carry that knowledge with you to each door or each dial.
Before you hit your first door, or dial your first number...think about why you're doing it. Maybe it's your loved one in Iraq. Maybe it's wanting a Supreme Court that will preserve your right to control your own body. Maybe it's the healthcare you need and can't afford.
Take a piece of paper and a pen and write your reason down. Keep it in your pocket, and if you have a hard conversation or string of them, take that piece of paper out of your pocket and read it. Remind yourself that this is not an empty chore, it's a way to something really, really important. Carry that knowledge with you to each door or each dial.
So what can you do? Find a volunteer event near you and sign up to help between now and Election Day.
After two years of hard work and dedication, we have three days left before America chooses the next president. We've come too far to let up now. Real change will not come easy, so we need everyone to pull together and get involved in our Get Out The Vote efforts happening all across the country.
In a speech on Monday in Ohio, Barack clearly defined what's at stake in this election, and asked all of us to stand and fight with him during these final days.
Don't believe for a second this election is over. Don't think for a minute that power concedes. We have a lot of work to do. We have to work like our future depends on it in this last week, because it does depend on it this week. In one weeks time, we can choose an economy that rewards work and creates new jobs and fuels prosperity from the bottom up. In one week, we can choose to invest in health care for our families and education for our kids, and renewable energy for our future. In one week, we can choose hope over fear, and unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo. In one week, we can come together as one nation and one people and once more choose our better history.That's what's at stake. That's what we're fighting for. And if in this last week you'll knock on some doors for me, and make some calls for me, and talk to your neighbors and convince your friends, if you'll stand with me and fight with me and give me your vote, then I promise you, we will not just win Ohio. We will win this general election and together we'll change this country and we will change the world. God bless you. God bless the United States of America. Let's get to work.
Barack needs our help in order to bring about the change we need. So, sign up now to make calls from home, attend a phonebanking event near you, or travel to a battleground state.
In the final days of this historic campaign, the Maryland Call Team set a new goal of making 3,500 calls into Florida by 9:00 PM on November 3rd.
If you haven't started making calls yet, it's not too late. It only takes a minute to find a phonebanking event near you or to get started calling from home. You'll be provided with lists of targeted voters and a call script.
We only have a few days left to contact millions of voters. We've been gearing up for this moment for a long time, and now it's here. What we do in these next few days will make the difference.
On a special conference call last night, we challenged the Maryland Call Team to make 18,000 calls in seven days to help get out the vote in Virginia, where Barack has a chance to be the first Democratic candidate in 44 years to win its 13 electoral votes.
Your calls from out of state allow in-state staff and volunteers to focus on face-to-face, door-to-door voter contact. From now until Election Day, we need to push people to get out and vote, no matter what the polls might say. We've come too far in this election to let up now, and your calls will bring us that much closer to victory on November 4th.
On Tuesday night's conference call, Virginia's Border State Director Anuj Gupta talked about how you can help Barack win Virginia using Neighbor to Neighbor to make phone calls from home. Anuj stressed just how valuable your phone calls are in this campaign for change. You can listen to highlights the call below:
...This is a close race, and it is going to be decided based on whether or not our supporters turn out and wait in line and cast their ballot for Barack. And this is where you all come in. You, being in D.C., being in Maryland, you know what it's like to be in states that have extremely strong support for Democratic candidates and certainly extremely strong support this year for Barack, and you need to share that enthusiasm and share that urgency with all of the folks that you're calling on the phone, and talking to them explaining to them the importance of getting out and voting, of ignoring any notion that we have this wrapped up, and really emphasizing that this is an extremely close race, their vote is critical, and that no one can afford to rest until we all go to bed on November 4th with the very very happy knowledge that Barack has won Virginia and has won this election. Until that moment arrives we all have to keep working, and keep organizing, keep making phone calls, and we're very very excited to have you be a critical part of that....
Sign on today to help Maryland reach their goal of 18,000 calls. The work we do in these final days will decide what direction we take this country in the next four years. We have six days left to make a difference.
If you live in a non-battleground state you can play an important role in deciding this election in key battleground states. Especially tonight.
The campaign will be airing a 30-minute special tonight called Barack Obama: American Promises from 8-8:30pm EDT.
Tonight supporters are gathering at Last Call for Change phonebanks across the country, calling voters in swing states to tell them where their polling location is.
There are only 6 days left to bring the change we need.
Barack is counting on your incredibly important phone calls. You can make sure Obama supporters know where to vote on Tuesday. Their polling location may have changed, or they may have never voted before.
No experience is required. You'll have a script to work from, and our staff will help you every step of the way.
Last week the Maryland Call Team set a goal of making 20,000 calls into Virginia by November 1st. As of today at 10:30 AM EDT, 10,327 calls have been logged, putting us on course to meet, and possibly beat the target.
But as Barack explained in Canton, Ohio yesterday:
Don't believe for a second this election is over. Don't think for a minute that power concedes. We have a lot of work to do. We have to work like our future depends on it, in this last week, because it does depend on it this week.
Don't believe for a second this election is over.
Don't think for a minute that power concedes.
We have a lot of work to do.
We have to work like our future depends on it, in this last week, because it does depend on it this week.
If you haven't made calls yet, it's not too late. The Neighbor to Neighbor phonebanking tool allows anyone to get involved without any previous experience. It just takes a few minutes to set up and get started calling. You'll be provided with lists of voters and a call script. Watch this instructional video on how to use the make calls from home, or you can join an organized event and enjoy the company of other supporters.
You can also host a Last Call for Change house party tomorrow, Wednesday, October 29. Invite everyone you know to watch Barack's 30-minute presentation and make important phone calls to voters in key battleground states. Click here for more details.
This Tuesday, October 28th, at 7:30pm EDT, Maryland supporters are encouraged to join an official conference call with campaign staffers to learn more about Neighbor to Neighbor and how they can make a huge impact for Barack in this historic election.
In addition to learning the basics of Neighbor to Neighbor, you wil hear from special guests talking about our ground game in the battleground states you'll be calling into.We'll be doing a conference call and a webinar (an online seminar), so you can follow along with the training on your own computer and ask questions. Don't worry though if you're not able to join the webinar - you can still listen in on the conference call!Here are the details:
Phone Number: 718-709-0659
Access Code: 622-060-205If you can join us for the webinar, RSVP now:http://my.barackobama.com/webinar26I hope you can join us!
If you can't make this special conference call, learn more about Neighbor to Neighbor by watching these training videos. Then, make sure you are signed up so you can start making calls as soon as possible. Every call plays a part in this campaign and puts us one step closer to our goal in November.
This morning there was a huge turnout in Bethesda for the Sunday canvass. Maryland is lending a hand in Virginia by sending car loads of Marylanders across the Potomac to knock on the doors of undecided voters. This weekend, over 1000 canvassers drove from Maryland into Pennsylvania or Virginia. Marylanders are excited for change, and as the election approaches, they're driving farther and staying longer to knock on as many doors as possible.
Carrie from Bethesda brought her two daughters out this morning with her to go canvassing. This was their first time volunteering for a campaign.
I want to make sure Barack gets elected, and I wanted to give my daughters a chance to participate in an election that will impact their future.
We both went to school in Virginia so we have ties to the State. We know how important it is to this campaign. We know we have to go further into the state to reach people who are still undecided and may not have heard about what Barack stands for. We are just trying to do our part and make a difference.
Please come to one of the many canvass sites around the state next weekend. The contacts made when canvassing are invaluable and are the most important way you can get involved with the campaign. You can join fellow supporters and Drive For Change to help canvass and work with organizers in Virginia.
Americans love to drive, and what better way to enjoy that pursuit than by Driving for Change to help elect Barack Obama President? In a number of key states, this election will be incredibly close. There is no better way to help make a difference than by traveling to a battleground stake where your work will have the biggest impact.
Austin K. and his girlfriend Liz L. decided that a road trip from their home in Chicago to New Mexico was in order to do their part. That's a long way to drive, but the good news is you can visit one of many states nearby to your home. Our Drive For Change sign-up form will provide you with a detailed list of where and when you're needed most.
We drove all the way from Chicago down to Albuquerque to volunteer full-time until election day for Barack. Liz is originally from Springfield, Missouri so we also stopped in to visit her parents to break up our trip. Between now and election day, Liz and I plan to help in every way we can to make sure every person in South Albuquerque gets to vote, wants to vote, and that every vote is properly counted. In only a few days since we've arrived, we've made phone calls, walked neighborhoods, signed up volunteers, and helped open a brand new office in the South Valley. It is a ton of fun, and includes everything from persuading independent voters in their front yards under the hot Sunday sun to doing data entry late at night. This is my first ever trip to New Mexico, and only the second time for Liz. The people here are all very warm and friendly, and so is the weather. The food is delicious, and chilies are everywhere you look. Housing and food are comparatively inexpensive, and the campaign has supporter housing available. If anyone is thinking about drying out and warming up from a bad Chicago fall season, this just might be the place.
Even if you can't hit the road, the online tools on My.BarackObama.com allow everyone to get involved in their communities or help out from the comfort of their own home.
Barack Obama believes that real change must happen from the bottom up, as ordinary people stand together to do extraordinary things. In this election, simple voter to voter contact will make the biggest difference in helping elect the next president.
The most effective way to spread Barack's message of change is through ordinary people reaching out to their neighbors and talking one on one about the issues we face in America. Our Neighbor to Neighbor tool makes it easy to get in touch with voters in crucial battleground states:
No matter where you live, you can make a huge impact in this election. If you can make calls anytime between now and Election Day, sign up now and make a commitment to join this grassroots movement for change.
The final presidential debate is this Wednesday, October 15th, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. It's the last chance for undecided voters to see Barack and John McCain side-by-side and determine who will bring the change this country needs. And it will be the final time before election night to come together in this way with your friends, family, and fellow supporters. Make the most of this opportunity by signing up to host a Debate Watch Party -- or attend one near you.If you've joined us for an event before, you know how powerful they can be to help build support and grow our movement. If you haven't, it's a terrific way to connect with fellow supporters and folks who may just be making up their minds. If you can host an event, we'll make sure you have everything you need to make it a success. We're having a special conference call for Debate Watch Party hosts on Tuesday, when we'll give you ideas for how to get your guests involved in the rest of the campaign. In these final weeks, each of us needs to do whatever we can to keep strengthening this campaign and encourage undecided voters to cast their votes for change. Sign up to host or attend a Debate Watch Party now. Thanks, Jon Jon Carson National Field Director Obama for America
This Monday, October 13th, at 7:30pm EDT, Maryland supporters are encouraged to join an official conference call with campaign staffers to learn more about Neighbor to Neighbor and how they can make a huge impact for Barack in this historic election.
Access Code: 365-361-385If you can join us for the webinar, RSVP now:http://my.barackobama.com/webinar9I hope you can join us!
The deadline to register to vote in Maryland is quickly approaching. October 14th is the last day to make sure that you are eligible to participate in this historical presidential election. You can visit VoteForChange.com to register or check your registration status in minutes.
With less than four weeks to go, Alabamans are fired up and ready to help Barack Obama win on November 4th. With the many online tools on MyBarackObama.com, there are many ways to help. Supporters can phonebank from home using Neighbor to Neighbor, sign up to travel to neighboring battleground states as part of the Drive For Change program, host fundraisers, and more.
Sarah DiMattina and the Hampden for Obama group in Baltimore hosted an event at a local restaurant with over 40 attendees and with the local TV station on the scene.
ABC 2 News reported on the Vice-Presidential Debate watch party:
The Red Star hosted one of several [local] 'watch parties' organized by supporters of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The loudest applause from the group came when Sen. Biden referred to John McCain's health care proposal as, 'the ultimate bridge to nowhere.' Another loud cheer went up when Sen. Biden referred to Vice President Dick Cheney as, 'the worst vice president in American history.'
The deadline to register to vote in the Maryland is October 14th. You can visit VoteForChange.com to register to vote, check your registartion status and find your polling location in minutes.
There are other ways for Maryland to help Obama win on November 4th. You can join fellow supporters and Drive For Change to help canvass and work with organizers in Virginia, or you can make calls from home to voters in important battleground states.
