This summer, over 3,600 volunteers joined the campaign as Obama Organizing Fellows. They gave up six weeks of their summer to work for free to organize communities for Barack. They were sent into 17 states and worked much more than the required 15-30 hours a week. They met new people, built relationships and got people involved in making a difference in their communities.These Fellows represented a diverse group, spanning all different backgrounds and hailed from towns and cities across the country. They are ordinary people who are invested in helping bring others together to create change in this country. Take Theresa and Stuart from Cleveland, Ohio. Theresa is a teacher, and Stuart works in Information Technology. While working full-time, they spent countless hours canvassing and phonebanking to tell people about Barack. After a long day's work, they still wanted to spend their spare time working for this campaign and empowering everyday folks.Or John in Georgia who is working to bring Americans disenchanted with politics back into the fold and let their voices be heard. Or Andy from Michigan who got involved in the Fellows program to fight back against the healthcare system that failed his stepfather. Andy dedicated considerable time to registering voters -- offering people the chance to have a say in their government. Watch a video of him below...
The Organizing Fellows sum up what this campaign is about - everyday Americans getting involved in politics and making their voices heard. Change is happening from the bottom-up.Last night, the Republicans insulted the very idea that ordinary people have a role to play in our political process. They mocked Barack's experience as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago, where he worked with people who had lost jobs and been left behind when the local steel plants closed.Today Barack responded saying that his work as a community organizer was relevant to his philosophy that change comes from the bottom up. And he knows that the Republicans are out of touch and don't get it because they haven't spent much time working on behalf of those people. The people Barack is fighting for are you - the supporters who have traveled to different states and worked tirelessly in their own communities. He knows that your work will not cease on Election Day in November. The organizing that has been taught and the organizing that has been done will continue in neighborhoods across this country, empowering people to create change for themselves for years to come.
If you agree that ordinary people have the power to change this country, please make a donation today and sign up to volunteer and join this movement.
Comments are closed for this post.
"Why would that kind of work be ridiculous?" Obama said. "Who are they fighting for? What are they advocating for? They think that the lives of those folks who are struggling each and every day, that working with them to try to improve their lives is somehow not relevant to the presidency? I think maybe that's the problem -- that's part of why they're out of touch and they don't get it 'cause they haven't spent much time working on behalf of those folks." My Husband and I have been Registered Republicans for 45 years and fully planned on supporting the ticket this year as well. My son has been a Community Organizer in Boston for the past 5 years and done tremendous and important work helping the less fortunate. My Husband and I are very proud of him and until last night were proud Republicans as well- but we've NEVER been so insulted in all our lives. Imagine if one of your children's chosen career was fed through the meat grinder the way ours was!!!!! We were sitting there and the entire convention felt like it was mocking us, our wonderful son and the choices he's made in his life - to try and give back and make a difference. I'm embarrassed to say this morning the whole thing had me in tears. This concept may be laughable to most in the GOP but it's not to us and we support him 100% and we could never support a Party that so willingly mocks members children. Furthermore, I found the tone of the whole thing to be rather Sophomoric and had virtually NO substance at all - especially Rudy G and Palin. We wanted to know more about Sarah Palin and instead got negativity and condescending attacks from WHO exactly? Who are you- we still don't know except that you can insult others- many of them! This whole thing came off as preachy, very divisive and just plain nasty. Must admit that I feel terrible and ashamed that I would support a ticket and a Party that so freely tossed people like my son under the bus for Political gain? Or is that just the way the GOP feels about Citizens that aren't up to their high standards of making a living? Who really are the elitist here????
Either way- the attack on Community Organizers may have initiated it and although if I relied on the speeches we still have NO Idea where Palin stands on the issues but- do know that she can recite snarky remarks that were obviously provided for her. What are her plans ideas hopes- who knows? Certainly the very limnited info that has been provided on her positions is quite enough for us - this woman is WAY too far Right, even for us lifetime Republicans. This is the direction the GOP wants as a symbol of the future? This is the direction you want to take the Party? Creationism in School, Iraq is a 'task from God', Abstanance, No incest or rape options, Ignore creationism, greenhouse effect is a myth and on and on. Our youngest son (a Dentist- is that better?)- is a ardent Obama supporter and has been Campaigning here in Richmond Virginia for him for months. Today we are going to join him, not just because our son and thousands of others that work in the Social services, was ridiculed but because in our hearts we've known for a while that THIS time- It's the right thing to do! We will work with the same conviction we did for IKE way back when to get a ticket elected that we feel is representative for ALL (or the vast majority of) the people. We will try and convince close friends relatives and people at our Catholic Church to do the same! I would have never in my wildest dreams thought this would have happened - that my own Party would make me feel so badly, completely ostracized and like the butt of a cruel and unnecessary joke. In the bigger picture, however- It has become abundantly clear to us and surely to some other Moderate Republicans and Independents-, that the Pat Buchanan and Rovarian Wing has won out!!!! These weren't the values and principals of the Party I supported, not even close. Last night my husband said to me- "President Reagan would be ashamed" and you know what- I bet he's right! We are done buying into the GOP hate and scare machine and urge any open minded and realistic Republicans to do the same. Thank you for allowing my thoughts to be heard. God Bless NancyClarkRichmondVirginia
