Organizing for America | Politically Inspired –12-Aug-08: First Impressions

Post from Politically Inspired –12-Aug-08:

First Impressions

By Kaye & Jervais from Adger, AL - Aug 12th, 2008 at 12:30 pm EDT

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I’ve gone to some—believe it or not—Alabama for O’Bama Team Bessemer meetings. And I’ve been politically and personally inspired.
Jervais and I first went to a “house” meeting in the home of Barbara, or “BJ” and her husband Calvin Daniels. Both were very cordial and thier home and lawn lovely. BJ told us her story of how she had at first supported Hillary, then she read Dreams from my Father and was converted.
She said, “It’s a page-turner! I found myself taking it outside when I had to work in the flower beds!” I bought a copy while I was waiting for the plane to take off for my visit to my children in Kansas. And it is a page-turner.
I’ve supported O’Bama from the outset. But I wasn’t really that involved until our meeting with BJ and the "Dreams" book—now I’m hooked. Jervais and I had decided we were going to get involved in the campaign when we saw an announcement on TV that there was an O’Bama headquarters opening in Bessemer, the only one in Alabama.
When we went into the storefront headquarters, I remembered my involvement in the Gore campaign, how much fun it was for me and several of my friends. I also remembered how difficult it seemed to get others—even in Gore’s home state—to become involved. I remembered how long it seemed to take for a headquarters to open in Cookeville. Then I went into the O’Bama headquarters.
Jervais and I were among the first to arrive. But there were several people there already. There was a mixture people—African-Americans, Whites, men and women. Jerrie Clark, who was putting labels on registration forms, said, “There are 500,000 unregistered voting age people in Alabama and we’re going to get them on the roles. You want to help?”“Sure,” I said and sat and began helping.
As the room filled more young people came in, some older men and women (our age) joined the party, working folks of both sexes, and then Gwen Alexander went to the front and asked everyone to introduce themselves. After she introduced herself, I did, saying something about how I came to be an O’Bama supporter. Then as each person introduced him or herself, the momentum grew. By the time introductions finished the room was crackling with energy and inspiration.
I’ve heard of political “rallies” but I’ve never been to one that came from the people, not the politician. Gwen said that the National Democratic Party had not allocated any funds for offices or materials in Alabama because it was such a Republican state. So “everything you see here—including this room you’re sitting in—is from us, the grass roots. I’m grass roots. You’re grass roots!” We went on with the committee reports, the upcoming events and fund raisers. Then Gwen announced that there is a bus going to convention and that O’Bama himself had called an congratulated Louise [Gwen’s sister and fellow convention delegate] on her initiative and said he was going to mention Alabama in his open remarks at the acceptance speech and wanted us all to be able to see it.” A huge applause swept through the room.
Before we closed Gwen said that people from Trussville, Huntsville, Gadsen, and several other towns in the state had called her to get pointers on opening their own offices and beginning voter registration campaigns. Then we closed with a prayer and had refreshments. People didn’t really want to leave – even the young mothers and young voters that were in the crowd hung around in the glow of inspiration.
We are excited about the convention. BJ said there are “airbed and breakfast” accommodations in Denver with private individuals opening their homes for convention attendees. She and her husband and two of their friends are driving up. And there’s a bus going from here for 55 passengers. Jervais and I won’t go. But we’ll be at the Bessemer, AL, headquarters during the speech, that’s for sure!

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By debbier Aug 12th 2008 at 12:46 pm EDT (Updated Aug 12th 2008 at 12:46 pm EDT)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments. I told my sister, who didn't attend the meeting last week, that we didn't have a meeting, we had a PEP Rally and I didn't want to leave. See you on Thursday.

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