I signed up for Camp Obama thinking that I was going to stuff envelopes- not actually talk to real people....especially people across our nation. That myth was shattered quickly and happily. After my first calls to New Mexico, I became hooked. I called from the office on Shaw and Maroa, my home, and at Obama gatherings on the weekends. I talked with people in Ohio, Virginia, Nevada,Colorado, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. I have forged bonds with those who both supported Obama and were on the fence. One theme emerged after each session. The need to reduce the division and heal the broken promises. Some felt betrayed by politicians, others had a need to say everything bad about one candidate or another. Each time, I found a way to meet halfway.
I learned that the folks in Ohio were so friendly and kind. Even if they were voting for another candidate, they were nice about it. Virgina was close behind. I was surprised that the closer I got to the West Coast, the less tolerant the voter. As a native born and bred Californian, I assumed that all Westerners were just friendly. Maybe I got some people at a bad moment.
I learned about the lives of so many folks. First, the pundits are wrong. Age is not a barrier to reasoning the better candidate. The wisest voters were those who were chronologically older but of a much younger spirit. One woman who was in her eighties shared that she cast her vote for Obama for her grandchildren so they would not have to die in Iraq. I think those who experience the worst of Hard Times know what is ahead and want to protect their families from the pain they recall.
Serving as a volunteer on the Phone Bank has enriched my life and left me feeling that our nation has grown into that Purple majesties..the reds and blues have seeped together to form a purple hue.
Later today, when my youngest daughter gets off work, we will go together to cast our votes for Obama. Our daughter who is living and studying in Paris France says that Parisiens stopped her as she waited in line to talk to her and ask about her Obama button. The French, Katie says, are so interested in the election that it is broadcast all day long. They, who are not ususally interested, are hoping that Obama wins.
Today is a day to remember. Today is a day to cherish. I am proud to be an American. I am proud that I could make a small ..less than small.. a fraction of a fraction contribution to the whole that I now feel a part of.
Peace,
Eleanor
At 8p last night I spoke with Pamela in Charlotte, North Carolina.
I began the campaign script.
Me: Hi, my name is Alisa
Before I said another word...
Pamela: Who do you want me to vote for?
Me: Obama!
Pamela: Done!
Alisa: Thank you so very much. Would you please spread the word to your family & friends?
Pamela: Done that!
Alisa: I know it's getting late but perhaps you would like to go on-line & make calls?
Pamela: Happy to!
Alisa: You made my day!
Pamela: Glad to hear it. Goodbye!
Out of all the states I have called this year, North Carolina was my biggest challenge. Or was it Ohio?
There were a lot of people who refused to speak with me & I can get just about anyone to converse.
I made 703 calls in Wisconsin & have to say at times they felt like neighbors. They were friendly & listened because at this point they did not know anything about Mr. Obama.
Went on to make thousands of calls but Wisconsin was special. I always liked people in the Mid-West.
I wrote hundreds of letters to people asking them to donate money.
I wrote to friends & colleagues when Palin jumped in. I wrote friends last week asking them to spread the word.
One friend wrote & said it will be so rewarding for you when Barak wins. I was startled. It was never about me. It was always about him.
Last night O said the people he has met have inspired him. He has inspired me in countless ways. More than any other presidential candidate in my life.
I live in Spanish Harlem in New York City. When I went to the bodega this morning, the Arab cashier, the Mexican cook & the African-American superintendent were undecided. While I was waiting for my egg sandwich, I spoke. Didn't walk out of there until I had the cashier & the cook promise to vote for O. The African-American said "All politicians say they are gonna do something different & they never do." Didn't waste my time on him. Not because I wasn't passionate but I knew it was time to get home & start sending postcards THINKMTV.COM has set up to send to people.
This I know: Barack Obama is the man to save our country. When he says he will wake up every single morning & work for us, I don't doubt him for a second. Will the war in Iraq end with Obama in office? Yes. In Afghanistan? Who has even won there?
Will he tax the rich & help the poor? ABSOLUTELY.
Will he set up a new healthcare systems? Yes but not right away.
Will he inspire people of all ages to volunteer? YES.
There's so much more but this is a precious day & I have to spread the word in every way I can.
God Bless Ameria!
AMB
Making calls using Neighbor to Neighbor is so easy. I've made hundreds of calls at phonebanking locations but this is so much easier. All the information you need is right there on the screen and it is easier to record results than wiriting them.
I hope more people learn about this and how to use it to GOTV for Barack!
Yesterday, on the first full day of Get Out The Vote, we set an all-time record for phone calls made using our online voter contact tool: 431,645 calls in a single day. While volunteers in key battleground states canvassed neighborhoods by foot and crowded into offices to phonebank, grassroots phonebankers from across the country pitched in by making phone calls from home and talking to voters, one at a time.
Our goal for online calling today: reach one million phone calls for the weekend by 9:00 PM Pacific tonight.
We've broken countless records over the course of this campaign, but we've rarely had the time to reflect on just what that means. What it means is that something is happening that's never happened before, ever. What it means is that this election, this campaign for the presidency, this moment, is different from all the others.
Whether you've been helping out for months or have never made a call before, you can get started in minutes making calls to any of the battleground states. Once you log in, we'll provide you with a detailed script and a targeted list of voters to call. You'll be talking to supporters and likely supporters, providing them with information on when, where and how to vote, as well as reminding them of what's at stake in this election and the importance of their vote.
Call time starts at 10:00 AM local time today, which means you can get started calling Virginia, Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Indiana and New Hampshire right now:
For everyone out there making phone calls to voters in a battleground state, let us know what you're hearing on the phones today, how it's going, and any tips you may have for fellow callers...
Tonight I thought I would call a few voters in Virginia. I always try to call during a time when I wouldn't mind if someone called me. At 7:00PM I placed my first call and she was an Obama supporter! My second call was to a woman who also said she would vote for Barack Obama. I even mentioned to her that my first two calls in Virginia this evening were to Obama supporters and we both thought that was great! The third call, again to a woman, also was an Obama supporter! In all of my calls I don't think I have ever had a string of calls like that. What was interesting about these three was that they all volunteered the information that they would vote for Obama after they heard that I was a volunteer for his campaign. I came to the fourth name and it was a man who wasn't home, so my winning streak ended.
I thought those of you who are calling in battleground states might enjoy this little story. It's often difficult to get three people in a row home! I have a good feeling about Virginia!!
I've been calling Ohio to encourage early voters and sometimes am told "I'd rather wait for the real election day." Here's my response. First, I remind voters that on election day they could get the stomach flu, their car could break down, etc. and that every vote will count and they don't want to miss out on voting. Then I say "The deadline for taxes is April 15th, but that's not the best day to actually do your taxes. It's better to do them in advance. It's the same thing with voting. The deadline for voting is election day, November 4th, but it's much better to vote in advance and make sure there are no problems."
Diana
Don't believe the polls that show Sen. Obama in the lead. Why? Because people will get complacent and think they don't have to work or, worse yet, vote. So shun the polls and assume Sen. Obama is waaaaay behind. And then work. And make calls. And ask people to donate &/or volunteer.
Know why? Because the McCain campaign is fousing on scare tactics at a time when unemployment keeps growing. It doesn't want people to think, it wants people to react to being afraid.
McCain and his veep wannabe keep saying things like, "We're going to do things for Joe the Plumber, cut taxes for Joe the Plumber, hunt down terrorists for Joe the Plumber, bha-blah-blah."
Apparently Joe the Plumber will have a cabinet post should McCain be elected (perish THAT thought). What they're not saying is that Joe Plumber -- and Joe the professor (moi) -- will really be better off with Sen. Obama in the White House. Thank God THAT Joe and his ilk are just 12 days away from irrelevancy.
We are only two weeks out until the final vote. I am wishing that I could have done more. Having lupus and being a single mom and no car has made it difficult. I have phone banked from home and headquarters, worked on events, talked to anyone who would listen as to why I believe so much in this team, registered new voters, wore my buttons everywhere, proudly kept my sign in my front apt window and made small donations when I could. Yet, I feel like I should have done more. I plan on devoting the last two weeks to making calls from home to help to push us to the finish line. I also have read and watched everything I could get my hands on to be an informed voter and be educated to speak to undecided voters. I have also had to listen sometimes to people who remain so close minded about Obama and will never "get it". I am sad for them because they are the ones who are missing out. I know that once we have " President Obama", they will realize that he wants the best for each and every one of us.
I also want to wish Barack's grandmother good thoughts and prayers. I truly pray she will get to see him get elected and make history. I so respect him for taking time out for her. It just makes me love him even more .
In Victory we go,
Charlene
Yesterday, while stuffing envelopes in our local Democratic office, I spoke with a woman who had very good news. Her brother, a long time Republican with whom she rarely talked politics, had told her "I won't be unhappy if Obama wins." That is progress!
Today I visited my doctor, with whom I have talked about politics in the past. His father became my doctor in 1972 and the son took over the practice about 15 years ago. I know them well and know they have been Republicans. Although his ethics prevented him from telling me directly, I did learn that he is voting for Obama!! The best I had expected from him was that he would say he wasn't voting. More progress!
I am now wearing my Obama button nearly all the time. I think it's important for us to have the conversations which come about as a result of others noticing it. Now it's up to all of us to get out the vote!
Yes We Can!
Dear Fellow Campaigners,
Dare I feel hope?
I talked to a woman in Indiana recently. She’s voting for Obama and she told me why. She said eight years ago she had two homes and two cars. She lost her job three years ago. She can’t find work and had to give up her vacation home and one of her cars. Her husband needs the other car to get to his job so that leaves her without transportation. We talked about how so many people in Indiana and in this country are experiencing hard times. We both acknowledged that something needed to be done.
I talked to a man in Indiana a few days ago and he told me he was undecided. We talked for a few minutes and he mentioned that times are tough for people. I don’t know if I swayed him, but he thanked me for calling. I thought that was a good sign.
I dare say I am starting to feel hopeful that Obama can win this race. These last eight years under Bush had me second-guessing my fellow Americans’ sanity. I’d been thinking about leaving this country for good. Now, I am starting to feel hopeful that people in this country are capable of understanding the complex issues we’re facing. I’m not ready to call the race or stop campaigning for Obama, but I am feeling just a bit more hopeful than before. I think other people are too.
Less than 60 days left!
Time to get on the phones again. If you live in a swing state, try the new Neighbor-to-Neighbor tool
Otherwise pick a state on http://my.barackobama.com/call
If it's late in the East, call NM !
This is now the time when I believe we all need to take responsibility for doing everything we can to elect Barack Obama President and Joe Biden Vice President! We will make the difference! There are a number of things we can do:
Call other voters - the home phone bank is working again!
Work to register more voters - check out the Action Center and register in your state
Canvass and talk to voters.
Keep up to date on Obama/Biden positions so we can talk with knowledge.
Wear our Obama gear. A simple button might result in a helpful conversation.
We must recognize that there are many people out there who have still not made up there minds. Many Republicans are turning towards Obama and it will help them if they see the strength of the Obama support. Last week I heard a bit on the radio about the effectiveness of volunteer callers and volunteer canvassers. I wish I could give a link, but I do know that from 5-12% of the people suggested that volunteers made a difference in their choice for President (paid callers had no effect, so emphasize you are a volunteer!). That is important and we must follow through. I am a grandmother who has never before worked for a Presidential candidate. I had never called strangers in support of any political candidate, but since January I have called over 1300! I knocked on over 100 doors in our area. I have learned about blogging and have "blogged for Obama" regularly on several national blogs. This is an important election. It will decide whether we are led by a President of character, integrity, honesty, intelligence, humility and vision or not
Contact All Voters in the USA! That must be our goal! Some think we should not worry about some states (not enough electoral votes etc.). I disagree. If Florida had not been as close in popular vote as it was, the Republicans would not have been able to play their games and Al Gore would have been President. We should work to win every state!!!
Hello Obama supporters.
I am a volunteer canvas captain for the Obama campaign for change, Cleveland area, Johnston County North Carolina. we have a lot of work to do and only one shot at this, so I'm asking? Everyone over the next few weeks to please, please get involved, make phone calls, knock on doors, register new voters, etc. Let's show the Republican what community organizer mean.
My blog http://www.PoliceyourPolice.com
Help stop police corruption
At one point, I thought our primary system was pretty crazy, giving all that power to Iowa and New Hampshire. However, after making calls to Iowa, I was won over by how thoughtful they were, and how polite to callers! This good feeling has been reinforced by tonight's 25 calls to Iowa.
The results weren't so good, but maybe not so bad:
Not home: 3
Wrong /disconnected number: 1
Left message: 11
Obama: 3
McCain: 3
Undecided (and willing to talk): 4
NO not interested, hang-ups, refused!
Reports from anyone else?
I made calls today to Ohio. The tally was
4 busy/not home,
5 wrong number (mainly disconnected. These were all young people <25 years)
10 left message
7 not interested
3 for Barack
1 undecided. This woman wants a Christian and I did get to say that BO was one.
Should I be discouraged?
How are other folks doing?
Here at SF Station in San Francisco, we were phone banking -- calling independent voters in New Mexico to identify supporters. Like most call sheets, you hit many a wrong number, a few hangups and even the odd fax machine.
But one of the 208 calls I made today was pretty special.
I spent a minute or so talking to this man, trying to find out what his thoughts were. We had a hard time understanding each other. Finally, he explains he doesn't speak English very well. "What language do you speak?" I asked.
"Farsi."
I thanked him and said goodbye.
"Hey," I said to the room, jokingly. "Does anyone here speak Farsi?"
Turns out someone did. Rose, in addition to being our terrific data coordinator, learned Farsi from her Mom.
I can only imagine the thoughts running through this man's head when one minute later he's being chatted up about Barack Obama in his native tongue.
Initially, he was hesitant. Didn't really like politics much. But Rose explained that if he didn't like war, and didn't want one in Iran, then he needs to support Barack Obama.
Damn if we didn't circle that "1."
Thanks, Rose! You are amazing.
