Here in Seattle, it was never much of a question whether Barack Obama would win the caucus here. I'd been to the packed event at Key Arena, and donated several times to the campaign. But I felt more strongly about this presidential campaign than any I've ever known. Seeking to do more, I thought about where my volunteer efforts might acutally make a difference. I found a cheap flight to Philadelphia the weekend before the PA primary and booked my flight.
I'd never volunteered for a campaign before, and certainly not in another state. My wife kindly let me go (and I cashed in on the fact she owed me for several recent international business trips where I ended watching the kids!).
I arrived in Philly and headed for the campaign headquarters in the city center. Signs of Obama support were all over the city. As soon as I stepped into the office I was lead by a volunteer coordinator to my first task: printing up canvassing sheets. It was important, if rather simple work. The office was buzzing, and I was excited to be in the thick of it. I met quite a few volunteers from all over: Alan from DC, Jonette from New Jersey, and several volunteers from Japan and England.
After a full day of office work and data entry, we assembled a little parade to walk to Indpendence Square, where Obama was scheduled to speak in the evening.
Soon, we realized we were going to be working the event. Okay, then. Something new. After a quick check through security we were assembled on the lawn looking out over Independence Hall. The weather was absolutely brilliant. Ethan, the guy who manages Obama's events (and must be a genuis) gave us a quick drill on crowd management and the importance of collecting information on the free ticket each person had been given...and within 15 minutes we were directing the huge lines waiting to hear Obama speak.
The evening was magic: the light golden and the setting inspiring. I have to admit I'm a sucker for the trappings of history. Of the little I'd seen of historic Philadelphia since I'd arrived, I was gobbling it up. I mean, to see a sign saying, here's where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence...well it's enough to inspire you. I'm not the most flag-waving of citizens, but something about this campaign...its inclusiveness, its energy, and Obama's call to start healing our divisions...has brought out a kind of pride in being American that has been dormant for some time.
After the usual wait, speeches and second and third go round of Otis Redding's "Shout," Obama finally appeared and gave his speech. We volunteers were back by the press area, which as a wannabe journalist, inspired me even more being among the buzz of the press caravan. The speech was a variation on the usual stump speech, but with several pointed jabs at his opponent...a welcome strategy considering how many distractions had recently been thrown at him by the Clinton campaign. But as usual, the message was inspring, and about lifting the country up, improving the economy, building on the union envisioned by a group of radicals who met here to throw out the British two hundred and thirty some years ago (OK, I'm definitely paraphrasing).
Then it was over, and we were taking down all the barricades and risers under a glowing moon. A woman named Evelyn, who had come for the speech and couldn't quite bring herself to leave after the crowd had dissipated, told me she was so happy that Obama was bringing young people into politics. I assumed she wasn't talking about me, since I'm pushing 40 for crying out loud. I told her I'd come to Philadelphia from Seattle and she gave me a big hug. She then told me about how her father had once lived in Seattle, working for the Boeing company. When his job was let go, he drove out to Philadelphia and never returned, although Evelyn said he'd often talked about it.
These were the sorts of stories and encounters I had again and again in the City of Brotherly Love. It's corny, yes. But I've definitely connected with a lot of amazing people in this city, all with a story to tell.
NEXT: Hitting the streets
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