by Suzanne Charlé
This is the fourth in our series profiling women in key positions with the Obama campaign. Suzanne Charlé , a supporter in New York City - an independent writer and editor - has volunteered her time and talent to conduct the interviews.
At 32, Mindy Myers, New Hampshire state director for the Obama campaign, is a veteran of tough, tight campaigns. Myers, who took a leave of absence from her job as chief of staff to Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, is credited with helping Whitehouse edge out the liberal (and locally popular) Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee in 2006.
As PAC political director for Senate Leader Tom Daschle, Myers became a well-known figure on the Hill. However, she hopes not to repeat some of her campaign experiences: After a stint in the Clinton White House, Myers joined Al Gore’s Presidential campaign as deputy director of constituency outreach. Election eve 2000 found her in Tallahassee, Florida, where she spent 36 days on the recount, before the Supreme Court declared Bush President. “Which is why New Hampshire is so important,” Myers notes. “Gore lost in New Hampshire by just over 7,000 votes. If he had won, there would have been no need for a recount!”
How did you decide to take a leave of absence from your job as chief of staff for Senator Whitehouse?I believe that this election is so important that I wanted to be involved, to help get Senator Obama into the White House. And Senator Whitehouse has been very supportive – he wants to do whatever it takes to help elect Obama. So he “lent” me to the campaign.In this campaign, we have an opportunity to make history, to make fundamental – and pressing – changes in the country. Personally, I believe that there are issues very important to women at stake. McCain’s anti-choice positions are a very real motivation for me; I want to protect women’s right to choose when and if they want to have children. If ever I’m lucky enough to have a daughter, I want her to have the rights I now have.
How did you decide to take a leave of absence from your job as chief of staff for Senator Whitehouse?
I believe that this election is so important that I wanted to be involved, to help get Senator Obama into the White House. And Senator Whitehouse has been very supportive – he wants to do whatever it takes to help elect Obama. So he “lent” me to the campaign.
In this campaign, we have an opportunity to make history, to make fundamental – and pressing – changes in the country. Personally, I believe that there are issues very important to women at stake. McCain’s anti-choice positions are a very real motivation for me; I want to protect women’s right to choose when and if they want to have children. If ever I’m lucky enough to have a daughter, I want her to have the rights I now have.
You’ve worked on a number of campaigns. How does the Obama campaign differ?Senator Obama’s campaign has empowered citizens as no other campaign has. He understood from the beginning that volunteers are the most important element of the campaign. That attitude is very different from the approach of other campaigns, which tend to be top-down. Obama’s stance is clearly based on his experience as a community organizer.The Obama campaign has harnessed the power of the Internet, so that volunteers can go online to MyBO, create groups, organize actions, use tools provided by the campaign staff to expand their knowledge and to plan strategies that the volunteers think will work best in their communities. To my knowledge, there’s never been a campaign that has used the Internet to this extent.
You’ve worked on a number of campaigns. How does the Obama campaign differ?
Senator Obama’s campaign has empowered citizens as no other campaign has. He understood from the beginning that volunteers are the most important element of the campaign. That attitude is very different from the approach of other campaigns, which tend to be top-down. Obama’s stance is clearly based on his experience as a community organizer.
The Obama campaign has harnessed the power of the Internet, so that volunteers can go online to MyBO, create groups, organize actions, use tools provided by the campaign staff to expand their knowledge and to plan strategies that the volunteers think will work best in their communities. To my knowledge, there’s never been a campaign that has used the Internet to this extent.
What are some of the current examples of volunteers in action in New Hampshire?There is a lot of excitement about the convention. The volunteers are calling and contacting their friends and neighbors and setting up “Convention Watch Parties.” Over the weekend, they organized groups to canvass and knock on doors, to talk about Senator Obama and his policies, and to get others excited about the convention.Everyone’s involved. Women often bring their children along to the phone banks. There’s a way for everyone to help the campaign. Some bring their children who help us make signs for the campaign offices while their moms make phone calls. High school students come in on Tuesdays to help.
What are some of the current examples of volunteers in action in New Hampshire?
There is a lot of excitement about the convention. The volunteers are calling and contacting their friends and neighbors and setting up “Convention Watch Parties.” Over the weekend, they organized groups to canvass and knock on doors, to talk about Senator Obama and his policies, and to get others excited about the convention.
Everyone’s involved. Women often bring their children along to the phone banks. There’s a way for everyone to help the campaign. Some bring their children who help us make signs for the campaign offices while their moms make phone calls. High school students come in on Tuesdays to help.
New Hampshire is one state in “liberal” New England that Democrats can’t count on. What challenges do you see in the coming months?New Hampshire is truly a swing state: In 2000, Gore lost by a little over 7,000 votes. In 2004, New Hampshire swung from Red to Blue, and Kerry won by just over 9,000 votes.Like the others, this presidential election is going to be extremely competitive, and although New Hampshire only has four electoral votes, it could decide who becomes President. If New Hampshire had gone for Al Gore, the recount in Florida would never have been an issue. Al Gore would have been President!We have an unprecedented level of staff here and are launching an aggressive ground game – we’re not willing to cede anything to the Republicans. There are 16 field offices, which are attracting a large and tremendously energetic group of volunteers.Granite Staters are going out and talking, neighbor-to-neighbor about Obama and his polices. There’s also a tradition of volunteers coming in from neighboring states – Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont – to help. We’ve already had over 1,000 volunteers join up to help over the next 70 days.Every vote will count. We expect a high turn out in the state – probably 740,000 -- but as in the past, the outcome will probably be decided by less than 10,000 votes.Click here to read the entire interview...
New Hampshire is one state in “liberal” New England that Democrats can’t count on. What challenges do you see in the coming months?
New Hampshire is truly a swing state: In 2000, Gore lost by a little over 7,000 votes. In 2004, New Hampshire swung from Red to Blue, and Kerry won by just over 9,000 votes.
Like the others, this presidential election is going to be extremely competitive, and although New Hampshire only has four electoral votes, it could decide who becomes President. If New Hampshire had gone for Al Gore, the recount in Florida would never have been an issue. Al Gore would have been President!
We have an unprecedented level of staff here and are launching an aggressive ground game – we’re not willing to cede anything to the Republicans. There are 16 field offices, which are attracting a large and tremendously energetic group of volunteers.
Granite Staters are going out and talking, neighbor-to-neighbor about Obama and his polices. There’s also a tradition of volunteers coming in from neighboring states – Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont – to help. We’ve already had over 1,000 volunteers join up to help over the next 70 days.
Every vote will count. We expect a high turn out in the state – probably 740,000 -- but as in the past, the outcome will probably be decided by less than 10,000 votes.
Click here to read the entire interview...
In the New Hampshire primary, Hillary Clinton won over Obama by two percent. Women were particularly important – they voted for her 46 percent to Obama’s 34 percent. How do you plan to bring women, specifically those who supported Clinton, into the fold?Hillary Clinton has been very helpful – in early June, she came to New Hampshire to appear with Senator Obama at Unity, N. H., for a “Unity” event. There she urged all of her supporters to help her in efforts to elect Senator Obama. As she said, the stakes are too high to sit on the sidelines. We’re emphasizing those issues.
In the New Hampshire primary, Hillary Clinton won over Obama by two percent. Women were particularly important – they voted for her 46 percent to Obama’s 34 percent. How do you plan to bring women, specifically those who supported Clinton, into the fold?
Hillary Clinton has been very helpful – in early June, she came to New Hampshire to appear with Senator Obama at Unity, N. H., for a “Unity” event. There she urged all of her supporters to help her in efforts to elect Senator Obama. As she said, the stakes are too high to sit on the sidelines. We’re emphasizing those issues.
New Hampshire residents pride themselves on their independence – New Hampshire is known as the “Live Free or Die” state. In fact, independents account for more than 40 percent of the state’s electorate. How do you plan to attract the Independents?One thing that everyone understands – Independents, Republicans, Democrats – is the economic struggle that has been created by the Bush administration. We’re reaching out to Independents to join in supporting Obama to change the nation’s direction and to get the economy back on track.Home heating oil is a critical issue in New Hampshire. Many people are very scared about this upcoming winter, and nervous about whether they will be able to heat their homes. Senator McCain voted against the home-heating oil assistance program. Issues like this show how out of touch he is with the struggles of the American middle class. People were shocked when Senator McCain said he didn’t know how many houses he had – but I think that’s indicative of how he doesn’t relate to people worrying about how to pay their home heating bills.Even traditional Republicans find Obama’s message compelling, and are signing up to help. One, Dean John Hutson of Franklin and Pierce Law School, changed his registration from Republican to Independent so that he could vote for Obama in the primary. As a lifelong Republican, he’s speaking at the Democratic Convention in Denver in support of Sen. Obama. Other Republicans here say that although they voted for John McCain during his 2000 primary campaign, they’re not voting for him this year because he’s not the same John McCain they voted for in 2000 and he’s sided too much with Bush.
New Hampshire residents pride themselves on their independence – New Hampshire is known as the “Live Free or Die” state. In fact, independents account for more than 40 percent of the state’s electorate. How do you plan to attract the Independents?
One thing that everyone understands – Independents, Republicans, Democrats – is the economic struggle that has been created by the Bush administration. We’re reaching out to Independents to join in supporting Obama to change the nation’s direction and to get the economy back on track.
Home heating oil is a critical issue in New Hampshire. Many people are very scared about this upcoming winter, and nervous about whether they will be able to heat their homes. Senator McCain voted against the home-heating oil assistance program. Issues like this show how out of touch he is with the struggles of the American middle class. People were shocked when Senator McCain said he didn’t know how many houses he had – but I think that’s indicative of how he doesn’t relate to people worrying about how to pay their home heating bills.
Even traditional Republicans find Obama’s message compelling, and are signing up to help. One, Dean John Hutson of Franklin and Pierce Law School, changed his registration from Republican to Independent so that he could vote for Obama in the primary. As a lifelong Republican, he’s speaking at the Democratic Convention in Denver in support of Sen. Obama. Other Republicans here say that although they voted for John McCain during his 2000 primary campaign, they’re not voting for him this year because he’s not the same John McCain they voted for in 2000 and he’s sided too much with Bush.
Please describe a day in the life of the New Hampshire state director.Basically, I see my job as how to manage people to work as a team, and how to delegate responsibilities, and how to provide people with the necessary tools and information so that they can do their jobs.Officially, it starts at the 9:00 a.m. staff meeting – although I’m more of a night owl, and tend to be e-mailing at 2 or 3 in the morning. We discuss the previous day’s efforts – how many volunteers there were the night before – what will be happening that day, make plans for the week, and discuss any issues that might be coming up in the future – breaking news that might impact the campaign, that kind of thing. Then the rest of the day is spent implementing.
Basically, I see my job as how to manage people to work as a team, and how to delegate responsibilities, and how to provide people with the necessary tools and information so that they can do their jobs.
Officially, it starts at the 9:00 a.m. staff meeting – although I’m more of a night owl, and tend to be e-mailing at 2 or 3 in the morning. We discuss the previous day’s efforts – how many volunteers there were the night before – what will be happening that day, make plans for the week, and discuss any issues that might be coming up in the future – breaking news that might impact the campaign, that kind of thing. Then the rest of the day is spent implementing.
It seems as if state directors are young – at 32, you’re one of the most senior women I’ve spoken with. Is this typical?I think it is. People in their 40’s and 50’s often can’t just pick up and move: they have family responsibilities and the like. So it’s left to people in their late 20’s and early 30’s.
It seems as if state directors are young – at 32, you’re one of the most senior women I’ve spoken with. Is this typical?
I think it is. People in their 40’s and 50’s often can’t just pick up and move: they have family responsibilities and the like. So it’s left to people in their late 20’s and early 30’s.
How important are women to the campaign?They’re very important! Here in New Hampshire, there are great women leaders: the speaker of the state house and the senate president are both women. In 2006, Carol Shea-Porter was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, as the first woman from New Hampshire. Jeanne Sheheen – the first woman to be elected governor of New Hampshire – is running for the Senate. They’ve been tremendously supportive of the campaign. I’ve found women are usually hard workers, and the elected officials here are no exceptions.Women volunteers have also been extremely important. For instance, on “Women’s Wednesdays” women here (and throughout the nation) get together to phone bank. On a very human scale, the volunteers are very supportive of the staff; some even bring dinner and sweets into the offices, so the staff can keep working! We’ve also had great women surrogates. Carole King, [the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter] who has a long history in New Hampshire, came here for three days in July to campaign for Obama.
How important are women to the campaign?
They’re very important! Here in New Hampshire, there are great women leaders: the speaker of the state house and the senate president are both women. In 2006, Carol Shea-Porter was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, as the first woman from New Hampshire. Jeanne Sheheen – the first woman to be elected governor of New Hampshire – is running for the Senate. They’ve been tremendously supportive of the campaign. I’ve found women are usually hard workers, and the elected officials here are no exceptions.
Women volunteers have also been extremely important. For instance, on “Women’s Wednesdays” women here (and throughout the nation) get together to phone bank. On a very human scale, the volunteers are very supportive of the staff; some even bring dinner and sweets into the offices, so the staff can keep working! We’ve also had great women surrogates. Carole King, [the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter] who has a long history in New Hampshire, came here for three days in July to campaign for Obama.
How can prospective volunteers get involved?They can go to the website: NH.barackobama.com and sign up, or come into any one of the 16 offices throughout the state. The field organizers will help, and come up with a plan to knock on doors and make phone calls.People have all sorts of talents, and we can use them all. Volunteers who are willing devote a significant amount of time might be a team leader; others who are good at numbers might help with data for the campaign.
How can prospective volunteers get involved?
They can go to the website: NH.barackobama.com and sign up, or come into any one of the 16 offices throughout the state. The field organizers will help, and come up with a plan to knock on doors and make phone calls.
People have all sorts of talents, and we can use them all. Volunteers who are willing devote a significant amount of time might be a team leader; others who are good at numbers might help with data for the campaign.
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