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 Mississippi, polls are open today from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM. Anyone who is in line by 7:00 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?
If you do not provide proper identification when you register to vote, you may be required to show one of the following documents to the election officials at the polling place on Election Day:
7:00 am–7:00 pm
If you are permanently disabled, you can register to be on the disabled voter list and will automatically be sent a ballot. To register as a disabled voter, you must get a signed statement from your physician stating you are permanently disabled.
The new voting machines provide accessible voting for disabled person. If necessary, you can choose a person to assist you with your voting.
Jonathan Curley is a banker. He voted for George H.W. Bush twice and George W. Bush once. Here's an excerpt from his story on canvassing for the Obama campaign in North Carolina, from the Christian Science Monitor:
There has been a lot of speculation that Barack Obama might win the election due to his better "ground game" and superior campaign organization. I had the chance to view that organization up close this month when I canvassed for him. I'm not sure I learned much about his chances, but I learned a lot about myself and about this election. Let me make it clear: I'm pretty conservative. I grew up in the suburbs. I voted for George H.W. Bush twice, and his son once. I was disappointed when Bill Clinton won, and disappointed he couldn't run again. ...So you can imagine my surprise when my wife suggested we spend a Saturday morning canvassing for Obama. I have never canvassed for any candidate. But I did, of course, what most middle-aged married men do: what I was told. At the Obama headquarters, we stood in a group to receive our instructions. I wasn't the oldest, but close, and the youngest was maybe in high school. I watched a campaign organizer match up a young black man who looked to be college age with a white guy about my age to canvas together. It should not have been a big thing, but the beauty of the image did not escape me. Instead of walking the tree-lined streets near our home, my wife and I were instructed to canvass a housing project. A middle-aged white couple with clipboards could not look more out of place in this predominantly black neighborhood. We knocked on doors and voices from behind carefully locked doors shouted, "Who is it?" "We're from the Obama campaign," we'd answer. And just like that doors opened and folks with wide smiles came out on the porch to talk. Grandmothers kept one hand on their grandchildren and made sure they had all the information they needed for their son or daughter to vote for the first time. ...We knocked on every door we could find and checked off every name on our list. We did our job, but Obama may not have been the one who got the most out of the day's work. I learned in just those three hours that this election is not about what we think of as the "big things." ... I've learned that this election is about the heart of America. It's about the young people who are losing hope and the old people who have been forgotten. It's about those who have worked all their lives and never fully realized the promise of America, but see that promise for their grandchildren in Barack Obama. The poor see a chance, when they often have few. I saw hope in the eyes and faces in those doorways. My wife and I went out last weekend to knock on more doors. But this time, not because it was her idea. I don't know what it's going to do for the Obama campaign, but it's doing a lot for me.
There has been a lot of speculation that Barack Obama might win the election due to his better "ground game" and superior campaign organization.
I had the chance to view that organization up close this month when I canvassed for him. I'm not sure I learned much about his chances, but I learned a lot about myself and about this election.
Let me make it clear: I'm pretty conservative. I grew up in the suburbs. I voted for George H.W. Bush twice, and his son once. I was disappointed when Bill Clinton won, and disappointed he couldn't run again.
...So you can imagine my surprise when my wife suggested we spend a Saturday morning canvassing for Obama. I have never canvassed for any candidate. But I did, of course, what most middle-aged married men do: what I was told.
At the Obama headquarters, we stood in a group to receive our instructions. I wasn't the oldest, but close, and the youngest was maybe in high school. I watched a campaign organizer match up a young black man who looked to be college age with a white guy about my age to canvas together. It should not have been a big thing, but the beauty of the image did not escape me.
Instead of walking the tree-lined streets near our home, my wife and I were instructed to canvass a housing project. A middle-aged white couple with clipboards could not look more out of place in this predominantly black neighborhood.
We knocked on doors and voices from behind carefully locked doors shouted, "Who is it?"
"We're from the Obama campaign," we'd answer. And just like that doors opened and folks with wide smiles came out on the porch to talk.
Grandmothers kept one hand on their grandchildren and made sure they had all the information they needed for their son or daughter to vote for the first time.
...We knocked on every door we could find and checked off every name on our list. We did our job, but Obama may not have been the one who got the most out of the day's work.
I learned in just those three hours that this election is not about what we think of as the "big things."
... I've learned that this election is about the heart of America. It's about the young people who are losing hope and the old people who have been forgotten. It's about those who have worked all their lives and never fully realized the promise of America, but see that promise for their grandchildren in Barack Obama. The poor see a chance, when they often have few. I saw hope in the eyes and faces in those doorways.
My wife and I went out last weekend to knock on more doors. But this time, not because it was her idea. I don't know what it's going to do for the Obama campaign, but it's doing a lot for me.
It's not too late to volunteer. Click here to make a difference in the last few days.
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.
In the final days of this historic campaign, the Mississippi Call Team has set a new goal of making 2,500 calls into battleground states between now and election day to help get out the vote (GOTV).
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.
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 Missippi Call Team set a goal of making 1,000 calls into Florida by 9:00 PM on October 29th. As of today, you've alread shattered that target, making over 1600 phone calls. Altogether 17,271 calls have been made so far by this team of dedicated grassroots supporters from every corner of the state.
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.
Even if you've never made calls before, it's not too late to start. 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 attned a Last Call for Change house party this 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.
The Mississippi Call Team has set a goal of making 1,000 calls into Florida this between October 22nd and 29th, and as promised earlier, tonight we have a progress report. As of this writing on October 24 at 10:00 PM EDT, 558 calls have been logged, putting us right on course to meet our target. All together over 16,000 calls have been made by this team of dedicated grassroots supporters from every corner of our state.
The most important thing to remember now is to not let-up. The past 20 months of hard work by millions of Americans comes down to these last few crucial days. The goal is 1,000 calls, and Mississippi should strive to shatter that goal to show that this election is too important to leave to chance.
If you haven't started 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 next 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.
Early Voting in underway in Florida now, but the last day is November 1st. Your phone calls to suporters and undecided voters can help us secure crucial votes, today.
There are many ways for you to have an impact on this campaign, but the single most important thing you can do is to talk directly to voters. There’s nothing more powerful and effective than everyday people reaching out to their neighbors – or in this case, people in a neighboring battleground state – and talking about why they support Barack.
With less than two weeks left in this election, one of the best ways that supporters in Mississippi can help is to make calls into Florida, a key battleground state where both campaigns have been competing heavily for months now.
In yesterday's GOTV strategy call with the Mississippi Call Team, Florida's Field Director, Angela Botticella, talked about the ground operation in Florida and explained why your calls are so essential for this campaign. Also, veteran caller Pat Mohl offered some helpful advice on making calls using the Neighbor to Neighbor.
I simply want everyone to know this is probably the most rewarding thing I've done to actively be involved in a political campaign in my life. I am 66 years old and I have never been more fired up or inspired by the conviction that I have in the value of [an Obama] presidency, and also in the fact that people really are searching for the right thing to do. Most of the people, when you make these calls, are very courteous...Make sure you have a smile in your voice, and sound happy to be talking to them, because their vote is so important in Florida... Remember, it's such an exciting time, and this is probably the most important election we'll have, at least in my lifetime.
You can listen to highlights from the strategy call below:
The Mississippi Call Team has set a goal to make at least 1,000 calls in the next seven days. This means we need everyone to step up their efforts and make a commitment to reach out to as many voters as possible.
In a race this close, every conversation matters. The way we win is by engaging more people in real conversations about the issues and letting them know about Barack’s message of change. Early Voting has just begun in Florida, and your calls could translate into votes today.
We'll be updating you on our progress here on the Mississippi blog throughout the week. If you can commit to even 20 calls a night, you can provide valuable support for our staff on the ground. Almost two years of work comes down to these last two weeks, but we know what we need to do to win.
The Florida Campaign for Change sent out this important call for help:
Dear friends, In Florida, it's already Election Day. People are voting by mail and Early Voting began this week. Florida is a crucial battleground state that could once again decide the outcome of this election. That's why this weekend, Saturday, October 25th through Sunday, October 26th, Obama supporters from across the country are traveling to Florida to reach out to voters. Will you Drive for Change and take a short trip to make a big difference? http://my.barackobama.com/CometoFL The Florida Campaign for Change is hard at work reaching out to undecided voters. Polls show an incredibly close race here. But there are still far too many people who don't know enough about Barack -- who he is, where he stands on the issues that matter most, and his plan to fix the economy. This country can't afford four or eight more years of George Bush's failed policies. Since face-to-face contact is the most effective way to grow this movement for change, your work could mean the difference between winning and losing Florida -- and that could be the difference between winning and losing this election. Sign up now to come to the Sunshine State this weekend, and invite your friends and family to come along: With two weeks until November 4th, we can't afford to sit on the sidelines. We can't do this without you. Thanks, Florida Campaign for Change
Dear friends,
In Florida, it's already Election Day. People are voting by mail and Early Voting began this week.
Florida is a crucial battleground state that could once again decide the outcome of this election. That's why this weekend, Saturday, October 25th through Sunday, October 26th, Obama supporters from across the country are traveling to Florida to reach out to voters.
Will you Drive for Change and take a short trip to make a big difference?
http://my.barackobama.com/CometoFL
The Florida Campaign for Change is hard at work reaching out to undecided voters. Polls show an incredibly close race here. But there are still far too many people who don't know enough about Barack -- who he is, where he stands on the issues that matter most, and his plan to fix the economy.
This country can't afford four or eight more years of George Bush's failed policies. Since face-to-face contact is the most effective way to grow this movement for change, your work could mean the difference between winning and losing Florida -- and that could be the difference between winning and losing this election.
Sign up now to come to the Sunshine State this weekend, and invite your friends and family to come along:
With two weeks until November 4th, we can't afford to sit on the sidelines. We can't do this without you.
Thanks, Florida Campaign for Change
This Tuesday, October 21th, at 7:30pm EDT, Mississippi 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 who will talk 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: 703-259-9001Access Code: 365-639-328If you can join us for the webinar, RSVP now:http://my.barackobama.com/webinar16I 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.
Please join our special guest Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC), House Majority Whip on Sunday in Jackson, Mississippi for an event in support of Barack Obama for President.
Event with Congressman James E. ClyburnSunday, October 19, 2008 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 733 N. State Street Jackson, MS 39202
Event with Congressman James E. Clyburn
Sunday, October 19, 2008 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 733 N. State Street Jackson, MS 39202
About House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC): In 2006, with Democrats having just won back the majority in Congress, Jim Clyburn was unanimously elected by his fellow Democratic Members of Congress to the position of Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is the first Member of Congress from South Carolina and the second African American to hold this position. Congressman Clyburn was first elected to serve in Congress in 1992 and became co-president of his freshman class. In 1998, he was unanimously elected to serve as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and became Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in 2002. The son of a minister, Congressman Clyburn also serves as leader of the House Democrats' Faith Working Group. The Campaign for Change has been very busy at work. People are voting by mail right now, and folks will be voting early on the last two Saturday's before the election. Polls show a close race in Mississippi but there are only 18 days left and still far too many people in Mississippi who need to know how much we need them to get to the polls on November 4th. Come by the office and sign up for a Get Out The Vote shift, it's easy! Bring your friends, family, and neighbors to meet with Congressman Clyburn and get ready for the final push of the campaign!
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.
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 Wednesday, October 8th, at 7:30pm EDT, Mississippi 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: 718-709-0655Access Code: 487-169-533If you can join us for the webinar, RSVP now:http://my.barackobama.com/webinar5I hope you can join us!
This morning, Barack sent out the following email to supporters in Mississippi:
You may already be registered to vote, but you probably know several people who are not. If they're not registered in Mississippi by today at noon, they can't vote in this historic election. This election is going to hinge on unprecedented voter turnout -- especially in Mississippi. Make sure you're registered. Then encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same. Together, we can make history and bring about the change we need. Thanks, Barack
The last day to register to vote in Mississippi is next Friday, October 3rd. Are you registered? Are your friends and family? If you only forward one email to your friends, family, and neighbors today -- make it this one. Each and every vote in Mississippi is absolutely crucial to victory on Election Day. Visit VoteForChange.com, our one-stop voter registration website, and register before the Mississippi deadline.Supporters like you have built the biggest grassroots movement in the history of American politics. But in just 5 days, the time for bringing new voices into the political process will be over. You need to be certain that you, your friends, and your family are registered by the deadline -- it's a small step that will have a huge impact on our Election Day results. This election is too important to leave anything to chance. Make sure your voice is heard. Thanks, Barack
If you have friends or family who support Barack but might not be registered, you can use our online email importer to send them a message about VoteForChange.com. Don't worry -- we won't hold on to any of the email addresses you share. It only takes a minute, and for your friends and family it could mean the difference between participating and sitting on the sidelines come November.
