Barack Obama has won the democratic nomination. Yes, we can. Yes, We Did! As one of millions of Americans, a liver transplant nurse coordinator and her adult son, a computer programmer, through volunteering, can now share in the success. Read the blog about volunteering on Texas primary election day and see the pictures of Barack Obama's visits to San Antonio.
It was one of those warm, sunny, Texas winter days, March 4, 2008, the democratic primary for Texas. I had early voted, given money to the campaign, was planning to caucus, and had attended the other two events when Barack Obama visited San Antonio. My son, Chris, volunteered early for Obama’s campaign, and had inspired me.
While at work that day, exhilaration and enthusiasm was in the air, mostly created by me. There was a spring and lightness in my step while finishing my duties as a liver transplant nurse coordinator and anticipating the day’s events. It was a beginning of a change in America and the world. My fondness for Barack Obama began when I heard him speak at the 2004 Democratic Convention. This young man was so impressive. He was the first to speak out against the ridiculous war we were led into.
Earlier that day, I received a call from Obama’s NW headquarters, having signed up at the previous event. I was asked to volunteer in my precinct. Finished my work and got permission to take personal time off, leaving at 2:30 pm. After arriving to the 2045 precinct by 3:30, “Ann Hardee reporting for duty”, I said, with a humorous inflection. I was assigned to help observe the voting from the Obama side, to ensure that everything was fair. One of my duties was to take a picture of the last person voting in line, in the case someone was denied the chance to vote. My husband, Randy, joined our volunteer group a bit later. His last campaign volunteer job was for Bobby Kennedy in the 60s. I had a bit of experience; I had worked on Ann Richard’s campaign for Texas governor in the 80s, as well as attended her inauguration. I had attended Bill Clinton’s Inauguration in Jan 1993, mostly due to giving money instead of sweat. The feel of excitement when Bill Clinton took office was an ecstatic moments shared by the 800,000 people there. My thoughts were that finally a baby boomer, someone from my generation, was President. Now, I mostly remember the disappointment of his stupid behavior that gave the Presidential office to the Republicans.
One of the volunteer duties this day was to qualify persons as they left the polling place to determine if they cast a vote for Barack Obama. Next, I was to give them an invitation and a bit of gentle arm twisting for them to come back at 7 pm to caucus. A sticker was proudly offered to them that announced their support for Obama. It was obvious that we were outnumbered by Hillary supporters, though they were sympathetic. After all, we are all kindred democrat spirits. The Obama supporters were mostly young and passionate about their candidate but included some graying baby boomers. The occasional “old fart” republican strolled up to the Obama volunteers with plans to put down our candidate. The republicans said “ We have to stay in Iraq, we cannot leave until we have victory”. “Obama is foolish when he says that he should talk to our adversaries, I know those people, you cannot negotiate with them, you can only deal with those people by force”. With a polite manner and a toned down response, I said…. “Barack Obama says that you should talk to your enemies as well as your friends”. I added from my own thoughts and experience...” the lesson of Viet Nam as compared to Iraq, you can have more power and influence by doing business with people than by fighting”.
At 7 pm all the Obama volunteers gathered including Kasey, my 20 year old daughter, Randy and I (Chris, my 24 year old son, was in another precinct). We proudly carried Obama posters and a CD player with Obama songs rifting through the air. Like a little parade, we dancingly marched into the caucus room full of subdued and restrained Hillary supporters. I got a cell phone call that Obama had won Vermont, the level of joy and enthusiasm was just wrenched up a notch. I could hardly stand still, I just wanted to giggle and jump up and down.
The caucus procedure was announced. My assignment was to monitor the sign in for the caucus participants, check to see that their voter’s registration card is stamped “Democrat”. To me, “Democrat” is symbol of people that believe in helping each other. The results were total 246 votes, 168 Hillary and 78 Obama. Ouch, 2 to 1 in their favor. I called my son Chris, Obama was winning their precinct!! The long day was catching up to this baby boomer by this time but after the call my exhilaration level was back up!
In the next phase, we submitted “democratic resolutions” that will be sent to the state level to become part of the party’s platform. I had to respond from the vantage point of a transplant nurse that see her patients live under the tyranny of “the evil empire” (insurance companies). I have a front row seat to observe how they make it difficult for patients and deny care. In health care reform, “medical decisions must be removed from the control of insurance companies” was my resolution. The monitor called “All in favor?” Yea!!!! It was accompanied cheers and claps. All opposed….silence in the room. My resolution was unanimously accepted by all in the room.
We moved on the delegates. They will first go to the Bexar county convention on March 29, 2008. The next step is state convention, and then to Denver, CO for the national convention. We were to select 7 delegates and 7 alternates. More people wanted to be delegates than there were slots available. On the Hillary side of the room, only 2 people volunteered to be delegates. They really had to coax people in Hillary’s behalf. A little inside snicker erupted, a quiet hehehe. I was selected as a delegate. However, next to me was a woman volunteer and she really wanted to be a delegate. I generously gave my seat to her.
For my volunteer work at the election, I was given precious 2 tickets to go to the Municipal Auditorium to watch election returns with Barack. The prized tickets were few and cherished. By this time, it was almost 10pm. Randy was tired. I called Chris to see if his caucusing was complete in his precinct. Drove quickly and picked him up to head downtown. We proudly showed our tickets. We were directed to a special place, which not the same as the non ticketer’s. “Blinded by the light” was our immediate reaction when we got close from all the press lights set up. When we got near the enclosed are, one of the organizers, asked “do you want to set in the bleachers?” “YES!” We eagerly answered, since we had been standing all day. We were shown to the VIP area and led to very impressive seats, right in the middle. Having these perfect seats to the history making events added to the magic of the night. The stage where Obama would enter was just a few feet away. It was one of those treasured memories that you wanted to savor and implant on your brain to make it last forever. It is the recollection of sitting there, on that cool starry evening in front of the Municipal Auditorium, at the most magnificent joyous moment of anticipation with your adult son.
We were coached on what to do by the organizers, they passed out signs, “Yes, we can” and American flags to wave.
After awhile, Barack and Michelle came out. The crowd was wildly enthusiastic, but the Obama’s were smilingly with subdued note. He announced that the Texas race was too close to call at that moment, thanked all of us, and talked about the reason that we were all there. Barak said: “We may not know the final outcome of today's voting until morning, but the results so far make one thing clear. When the dust settles from today's contests, we will maintain our substantial lead in delegates. And thanks to millions of people standing for change, we will keep adding delegates and capture the Democratic nomination. We knew from the day we began this journey that the road would be long. And we knew what we were up against. We knew that the closer we got to the change we seek, the more we'd see of the politics we're trying to end -- the attacks and distortions that try to distract us from the issues that matter to people's lives, the stunts and the tactics that ask us to fear instead of hope. But this time -- this year -- it will not work. The challenges are too great. The stakes are too high. Americans need real change”.
He then went on about the things that we all care about….ending the war that will cost 3 trillion dollars and makes America scorned in the world….health care for all, and my secret hope… that there would be a new day in the life of insurance companies….and .economic prosperity for all.
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