The vast majority of those participating in the November 25th Mercer for Obama meet-up had participated actively in the 2008 campaign for change, many having worked in multiple states. After 90 minutes of discussion, in both sub-groups and plenary, about whether and how to continue this citizens’ movement, the following principles drew broad and often unanimous agreement:
1. The Mercer for Obama network should continue in active existence, to press for change in the spirit of the “post-partisan” campaign this year that has catapulted Barack Obama into the White House. The largest number of active volunteers in this movement surely identify themselves as Democrats, but many see themselves as nonpartisan and some adhere to a venerable tradition of the Republican Party. The Mercer for Obama network will continue, therefore, as a separate and distinct entity, not as an affiliate or arm of the Democratic Party organization.
OK, we worked hard, rode the rollar coaster of this election through to success for Barack and ourselves. Now what? Here's what I'm doing. I'm reaching out to McCain supporters with the hand of friendship. Today I am taking a pink rose from the mixed boquet I bought myself yesterday after voting and giving it to the mother with the McCain/Palin bumper sticker whose son is in the same pre-k class as my son (who hugged both Barack and Joe in the 48 hours before polls opened! Kid gets at least one benefit from having a disabled mother - close-up seats at political rallies by sitting on my lap while I'm in a wheelchair and praying that none of us have to go to the bathroom before the rally ends and the crowd thins out). Open the walls of this tent and invite the rest of the country into to help with this work, by extending some personal kindness to someone you were trying hard not to sneer at for their lawn signs the last month or so. Live the kind of world you want to reside in.
(please feel free to forward this on - this out-reach message is "open source")
DragonMama in Cleveland, mama of the kid with the monkey backpack (which is a harness/leash) and his little brother D.
I arrived home from a long day supporting Barack in Precinct 117 of Collin county well after midnight. Out of pure exhaustion I fell asleep after having watched the major news networks call Texas for HRC. Exhaustion kept me asleep till sometime around 4:45am this morning when I felt compelled to get up and see what the wee hours of the morning had brought as it relates to last night's primary.
This is what I found.
In Collin county 72335 people voted in the Democratic primary election. The Republicans also showed up in record numbers with 51437 people enjoying the privilege to vote. This represents roughly 32% of the registered voters in Collin County. In 2004 6493 folks voted in the Democratic primary vs. 6494 in the republican. These numbers are even more impressive when you take into account that Collin County, TX is considered one of the most republican counties in nation.
During the 13 hours I stood at our precinct location I most have heard 100 times comments expressing disbelief that this many democrats actually live in Collin County.
The great news for those of us who support Barack is that with 100% of the precincts reporting we won Collin County 55/45 and will have an even stronger showing in the caucus results.
At the level where my energies and efforts were focused the strong team working in Precinct 117 delivered a GREAT result.
A key focus for us was to get folks out early. Our efforts resulted in a landslide victory of 74% to 26% for Barack. We all saw HRC surge late in the campaigning with some negative campaigning and scare mongering - Our team reacted with a very focused , neighborhood by neighborhood, action plan designed to get us out and talking to as many likely democratic voters as we could. During the last 72 hours the team spent countless hours walking the neighborhood and making calls. Our precinct captains were out in the streets canvassing Sunday afternoon even as the thunder crashed and lighting struck. If that wasn't enough it snowed on Monday in Frisco - and this snow didn't stop my intrepid brother and sister volunteers from hitting those doors and walking those routes. When walking became impossible the team lit up the mobile phone airwaves (AT&T thanks you) making calls as late into the night as we felt comfortable doing with a typical conversation at the end of the day focused on squeezing out that last minute of productive calling time!
This effort resulted in delivering a strong victory on election day 57% to 43% - even with all those Republicans crossing to vote for HRC just to disrupt our process.
Even as we delivered on our GOTV goals we also made sure our supporters understood the importance of the caucus process and committed to be back at our polling location - I am glad to say that our efforts delivered a 73% / 23% victory from our caucus efforts, showing that when we reached voters and made personal contact with them we were able to 'connect'.
So, after a long post I come to the point of my soul searching. I believe that our team made a difference in Precinct 117. I will be combing through my rolodex (more accurately LinkedIn) to find my personal contacts that can be part of a group of volunteers in Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Mississippi that will help deliver a victory for us in those state. Please, please do the same.
To our local organizers (Alex, Erik, and Danielle) thanks for all the help and guidance - and just let me know when and where I need to show up for the work ahead!
Thanks
James Trotter
Precinct Captain - Collin County Precinct 117.
