I was driving around last night, gazing at Christmas lights on neighborhood homes, as it is a long tradition of mine since I was a child. I happened upon a home that I had once canvassed. It was the home of an older woman, that claimed to have been a long time diehard democrat since "before I was born." She was kind, told myself and my partner a brief overview of the history of dem's in NH. She said she liked Barack, but wasn't sure if she could give him her vote yet. Let's just say there is a yard sign in her yard now, as well as her neighbors who was for Clinton at the time we canvassed. What a sight it was to see. I remember leaving there, saying to myself that I was very glad to have "planted a seed" that day. My partner and I did not challenge her, we did not debate with her. WE LISTENED. We were polite and kind; she noted that all the Obama volunteers were this way and very much unlike the other campaigns. I remember that we left her literature on his experience, because that was what was resonating with her most. She just felt he didn't have enough experience. I guess she thinks differently now.
Just remember, it is only seed planting with smiles. I ask more questions than give answers. I listen with empathic ears and politely and earnestedly thank them for their time. It is literally that simple. If I ask a question, it makes them think. I believe, with my counseling background that there is answers within every one of us. If we ask the right question, we can lead them on their on personal search. If we leave them with literature, it values their time, because they can read it in leisure. I always ask if they want some lit on an issue, never can I leave you with something to read. I find it puts them on the spot to say yes, take it, and then a conviction to read it because they asked for it. It is simple and I encourage all of you to get involved and try it out.
Here it is, primary time is approaching and we need to help our candidate get the edge. What better way than to Gear up and be Ready 2 Go. (Slight alteration of the Rally chant Fired up, Ready to go! that my fiancee just happened to blurt out. I caught the phrase mid air and was inspired to write and challenge all of you). Gearing up with Obama 08 Gear helps advertise and endorse Our Candidate and also helps finance his election. So I challenge everyone who reads this to buy at least on item from the Obama store.
OR
You could do as our Peterborough Group for Obama and pitch in and buy in bulk to hand out for free when canvassing. What a wonderful way to help fuel the fire of numbers of voters for Obama.
Geared Up and Ready 2 Go!
Another win for Team Obama! Saturday morning four of us put on our Obama T-shirts and lined up for the Warner Fall Foliage Festival 5-mile road race. There was only one other runner wearing a shirt advertising a candidate. So Barack scored 80% of the runner endorsements.Shamus, our #1 runner, finished in the top 10 overall, and won his age group again, just like last week. Brendan, Will and I distinguished ourselves by finishing. Congratulations to all !(Photo below - L to R: Jamie, Will, Brendan and Shamus.) After the finish we converged on the local bookstore, Main Street Bookends, for a chance to meet voters and sign up Obama supporters at the Fall Foliage Festival. A steady stream of festival-goers came by our table (photo below).In the coming weeks we'll be running for Barack in Concord, Manchester, Hanover, Contoocook and Henniker. Come run with us! For a complete schedule of Team Obama running events, visit our group page at http://my.BarackObama.com/page/group/RunningForBarack-NewHampshire
Team Obama made a strong showing in the inaugural Newbury Fall Fling 5K running race held this morning in Newbury, NH. Mark finished second overall, Shamus was third, and I was ninth. Not only that, but Shamus and Mark both won their age groups - congratulations! Our next events are the Applefest in Hollis next Saturday, and the Turkey Trot 10K in Hanover on November 18th. Whatever your speed, come run with us!To join our group, or to suggest another running event for Team Obama, go tohttp://my.barackobama.com/page/group/RunningforBarack-NewHampshire
I am a new educator, fresh out of graduate school that is passionate for Obama. I am not a new person to politics, nor am I as young as one would think. I am 33 years old and I am voting for Obama with all my passion...and here is why. He listens, he is compassionate, he has lead a life of service. I find his life's pursuit of serving others, working in the grassroots, and his character to mediate, negotiate an amazing way to live one's life. I believe in Barack. I believe in his ability to lead us to a new way of American Politics where politics is a dirty word covered in lies and scandal. I have even a hard time saying lies and scandal because they are negative words, and when I think of Barack, I think of only positive attributes. I am a true to the core meaning of a New Hampshire Independent. I find Barack the best candidate, the only candidate for President of the US...because he is a uniting force to be reckoned with. He can unite people because he has the EXPIERENCE to unite people. He has the empathic ears to listen, he has an honest tongue that speaks from an honest heart. He can and will lead America in repairing America's image around the world through using his empathic ears and his honest tongue. He will restore the American Dream, he will work for fairness for all, for equality for all.
I have worked in retail since high school graduation. I have many thousands of dollars of college debt, I worked fulltime to put myself through college, studying and working simultaneously. I have lived without healthcare up until this job for the past 8 years. I worked more than 50 hours a week at times without healthcare, and I believe in Barack to help end this type of living for Americans. It is not an experience I wish upon anyone, even though I learned much and did it. I want a better America for the future and therefore I put my vote, my voice, and my heart behind Barack Obama.
I close with a personal anecdote...I was polled over the phone the other night to see who I would vote for in the Democratic race. I answered Obama before he could finish. The man asked, and who would be your second choice...I said Obama of course. He gently reminded me that I couldn't have a second choice and first choice the same with a little laughter in his voice. I next said to him, "there is no second choice."
Barack Obama is running nonstop to help make our nation and our world a better place. Can you run, walk or crawl 5K to support Barack's campaign? We'll be joining together to participate in a series of run/walk events in New Hampshire this fall. Come join other Obama supporters and give our campaign some visibility by wearing your Obama T-shirt and running or walking with us.
Want to join us? Go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/RunningforBarack-NewHampshire
Or browse the statewide event list at http://www.coolrunning.com/eventcal/index.php?location=USA:%20New%20Hampshire and suggest an event that we could add to our schedule.
We're fired up and ready to go!
