The effort began months ago, when Soughegan Valley supporters set up their own small weekly phone bank at Jack McBriarty’s office. With only 31 days to go before the primary, that same phone bank is now filled to capacity every week.
Enthusiasm for the campaign grew over the summer and into the fall. At an organizational meeting on November 7th arranged by Nan of Amherst, the group elevated their support to the next level.
“Things just sort of took off from there,” said Nan. “It became clear to many of us that if we wanted Barack Obama to win, we needed to take some real responsibility for the campaign’s success.”
Supporters agreed to each commit to a concrete responsibility for the rest of the campaign. Howard Morse and Ruth Heden have turned their homes into yard sign distribution centers for Amherst and Milford. Frank Cinque and Lee Kass have directed their efforts to their peers—with Frank targeting high school students and Lee planning an information center for residents of a local senior living home. Other supporters, like Jeanne Ludt, have hosted house parties to offer their neighbors more information on Barack’s vision for change.
Eight years ago, Jeanne won an uphill race for the local school board thanks to a grassroots effort that began with house parties. In supporting Barack, she returned to the same house party model that worked for her.
She said, “People are willing to give their neighbors a fair hearing, so this is a good way of reaching out.”
Nan Stearns introduces Barack's sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, at a house party.
Mindful of the important role to be played by Independent voters in the New Hampshire Primary, lifelong Independent Jeanne Emmick started a postcard-writing operation to target her neighbors who are also unaffiliated with either party.
“We are trying to convey to other undeclared voters out there that, in these desperate times, we need someone who can talk to both sides of the aisle and bring people together,” she said. “And Barack is the only candidate in either party that can do that.”
Grassroots organizations like Souhegan Valley for Obama are about to take center stage as we work to seal the deal with New Hampshire voters and get out the vote for Primary Day. Join the campaign and help organize your communities.
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