(See also a few associated pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/23261742@N06/sets/72157603811089915 )
Yesterday, I drove down from the Washington DC area with 3 others volunteers to Clarendon County, SC, a rural country of perhaps 50,000 people. In the course of 5 hours yesterday, we began to learn of the political journey inspired by Barack Obama that’s been in progress here for the last 5 months. Ivy is the young woman on the Obama staff that’s been guiding the journey since August. She’s low key and personable, but her intelligence and organization shines through moments after she greets you. Obama HQ in Manning is easiest to describe as a double-wide trailer with a few cubby-hole offices, a few folding tables setup for phone-banking via temporary wires dangling from the ceiling, and about 20 folding chairs. The battle plan is arrayed on the walls: precinct maps and voter goals for each precinct.
In addition to us, there were several others volunteers from the DC area and a woman, Marjorie, from Chicago who had flown in earlier in the week. When I asked her how she got involved, she observed that “our people were slow to support Barack” but that an awakening is occurring and her eyes shone as she talked about coming here to volunteer and her plans to do so again in NY, where she grew up.
Shortly after we arrived in strides Mr. Bowen, a Vietnam vet. He’s a passionate local volunteer, In a few words, he’s fired up about Barack. He tells me how Barack came to Manning in October. It’s amazing to me Barack had come to the out-of-the-way town of Manning back in October. Mr. Bowen pulls out a photo album of pictures he took then and at the Obama rally with Oprah. It’s clear that seeing, hearing and meeting Barack, was an inspiration to him. He tells how his extended family scolds him for spending money from his fixed income for gas to commute daily the 12 miles to Obama HQ. It’s clear that he views it as an investment in the future! Later in the evening when other volunteers arrive, he’s the one that breaks out with the “Fired up” chant.
The younger locals are involved too. A few of them are hanging out in the corner of the HQ trailer. Interested students of the black history class at the local high school high school are being allowed time off on Friday by the school to help by leaving poll information on voters’ doorknobs on pre-election Friday (tomorrow).
Ivy’s well informed and has things well organized. She figures the optimal number of volunteers for voting day would be about 230! She’s got perhaps 150 so she’ll improvise and prioritize. Tonight is the meeting for poll-checkers. By law they have to be voters registered in the county. About 15 of them can make it this evening. Great people from all walks of life. Ivy reminds them this was a new experience for all of them over the last 5 months. She also reminds them that the primary and election is only the beginning. They are now equipped with new skills. They should be the candidates for local office. They could be the next Senator. Looks of mixed amusement and pride pass between them. It is quite a journey!
These are wonderful people, The changes are quiet, but they are profound.
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