It is going to take some getting used to, but I am going to have to change my habits when it comes to watching the President speak. Throughout the Bush Administration, I did not have television and rarely watched news online. After years of political activism (starting at age 13), I was so appalled at being represented on the international stage by someone who could not speak in complete sentences, that I stopped watching the President speak. I found it less painful to read snippets in the news after-the-fact.
I am now constantly amazed to hear the President speak, and find myself encouraged by what I hear, instead of disappointed or embarrassed.
The President has quite the task on his hands. The old battle lines between "Republicans" and "Democrat" are built on very old paradigms, and none of them yet seem to understand that the days are long gone when most of their assumptions about how the world works are no longer valid. The Democrats are going to be almost as hard for the President to bring to the table (over time) as the Republicans are.
I wish him luck and fortitude. As a very impatient person, I am constantly heartened to see how much patience he exhibits. Because he is going to need it.
And, as an aside, to the Comms Team: great job. As a career IT professional now working in the Enterprise / Web 2.0 space, I give you kudos for your committment to transparency -- particularly in light of the fact that government policies and systems have not kept up to date with change at all, and that your challenge is going to be bigger and harder than it really should have to be. Good luck!
bs'd
December 21 - 29, 2008 Happy Chanukah 5769
May the Festival of Lights, known to some as the Festival of Dedication, and most as Hanukkah, bring enlightenment to all people, nations and tongues who are waiting for a better day.
Jewish believer's worldwide will light the first candle on their Hanukkah menorahs tonight, adding candles seven straight nights. This Jewish ritual recalls when, in the second century B.C.E, the Maccabees wrested the Temple in Jerusalem from Greeks who had defiled it. Although the victors had only one night's worth of oil for the sanctuary's eternal lamp, they lit the flame. The Jewish people believe the Creator of All rewarded their faithfulness with a miracle: The oil lasted eight days, until additional oil was prepared. See the following links for the historical significance of the 'Hanukkah' holiday season.
Well, this will be short and sweet.
I'm a volunteer. I'm pretty convinced I have the best volunteer job EVER! I love being at the local HQ. The people there blow me away. They're dedicated in ways I never thought to be at their age. When Barack wins the election in November, it's going to be because of these awesome kids that spend all of their time working on change for the rest of us!!!!
They're my new heroes.
When I noticed this group today for the first time I knew I had a home. The excitement in knowing the regular season is soon to begin, the excitement and energy of the campaign and the remote but real possibility that within the span of less than two weeks early next year, though I'm Die-Hard and Bleed Blue enough to know not to speak or write the actual words to avoid any jinxing possibility, a certain sporting event and job change ceremony could prove especially pleasing.
For the first time this season, I say, "Go Blue"!
And in stadium-chant fashion I add, "O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!
My sister called the other day and asked me for a favor…”can you get me and my coworkers some Obama yard signs?” Like I have an in. Truth is, Obama yard signs are as hard to get as ice in the desert.
I remember when I first started getting involved with the campaign – before the February caucus. My friend Laura and I attended the Open House of the new (first) Obama office in Colorado Springs. We were looking forward to volunteering and of course walking out with all kinds of Obama swag. Namely, yard signs. Much to our dismay, the office had already been picked clean of their yard signs, what little they had to begin with.
As much support as I know Obama has in my neighborhood, there’s little to show for it as far as yard signs. Traditional political wisdom says that for every yard sign you see, it’s about 6 – 10 (if you’re lucky) votes for the candidate on that yard sign. And the theory is that if someone puts a yard sign in their yard, they are committed to vote for a candidate and will most likely talk about that candidate to others, thereby generating additional support and votes. Additionally, the hope is that the supporter will take the next step of engagement - or volunteering for the campaign. For this reason, politicians tend to give out yard signs to supporters like they’re tickets to a fundraiser or water for a marathon runner (please take one please take one please take one).
As if it wasn’t the understatement of the year, Obama’s campaign is a little different. They don’t spend money on yard signs or swag. In fact, you can find more choices at Café Press than the Obama store. And you can check back once a week for 24 weeks and your size in the shirt you want is still out of stock. If you’re looking for a t-shirt from your local Obama office – hope you wear extra small because that’s all they’ve got! I wouldn’t go so far to say its bait and switch, but you go in for Obama gear and you walk out a volunteer.
And that’s where the money is…no, not in volunteering, but the grassroots effort of the Obama campaign. They march hundreds of paid (and some unpaid – Obama Fellows, for example) staffers into a swing state like Colorado and set them loose. These staffers are young and full of energy. Twelve hour days don’t faze them. Seven work days a week is a pleasure. Despite their salary, you honestly can’t pay for that kind of dedication and loyalty.
And I bet many of you have found yourself, I know I have, jealous that you’re not in that point in your life that you can be one of them, no matter how much you wish you could be. I’ve said over and over again that if Obama was running 12, 8 or let’s face it 4 years ago (sorry honey), I would have dropped everything to work for him. For free if necessary. And these dedicated staffers get people excited, get people talking, get people involved and they get people active in the campaign. And once you’re excited, it’s contagious and you bring a friend and pretty soon they have more volunteers than they know what to do with. Doesn’t EVERY candidate wish for that problem?
You see, the fundamental belief in grassroots is a base tenet of the approach the Obama campaign takes. They don’t spend money on yard signs. They spend money on staff and building the grassroots. You can’t gauge the success of Obama by the yard signs. You can gauge the success on the involvement of the community. I have never seen this much community activism surrounding a candidate. Polls? Ha, polls are the best way someone out of touch with a particular community can determine which way the will of the people will lean. But I tell you right now, if I ever get concerned about the way the General Election will turn out, I go to a local Obama event, whether it’s a House Party, a Platform Meeting, Canvassing or Social and I’m reminded that I have nothing to worry about. The excitement and the DEDICATION in the room is palatable. Most people are wishing they could do more and are doing so!
And once you cross that threshold and get involved, you realize there’s really no need for a yard sign any longer. You gush Obama and are not ashamed of it. And that’s what the Obama campaign is counting on. Of course, I still jumped at the chance to buy a yard sign when I had it. Yard signs are, afterall, also a sign of pride in your candidate.
