Posts with the tag phone banking

OFA in West Chester, PA - Keep Calling

Bill of Downingtown — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:15:22 EDT

On Sunday, August 9, in West Chester, PA, OFA did phonebanking for the President's health care reform principles.

This time we phoned people in our state but not our immediate area. We got more answered phones and virtually everyone who answered declared support for the Obama principles. Nearly all agreed to phone their representatives in Congress. As a result, the phonebank was a high energy event.

Call your reps in Congress AND since they are in their home district offices during the summer recess, pay them a visit. You can get the phone number and address for home district offices at

http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/index.htm

Let them know that you support the President’s health care reform principles.

OFA at the National Constitution Center

Bill of Downingtown — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:50:30 EDT

On Sunday, August 2, OFA in Chester County, PA had a busy day. First, we did phone banking for a few hours in West Chester. Then some of us travelled to the National Constitution Center for the Health Care Town Meeting with Senator Arlen Specter and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.

That happened to be the day that over four inches of rain fell in the Delaware Valley, closing the Schuylkill Expressway. Our trip became a tour of the western suburbs.

We arrived in the Constitution Center just as the Senator and Secretary were being introduced. I was still on the ground floor, but I heard loud booing and jeering from the floor above. By the time I got to the area of the Town Hall I discovered this:

1. The acoustics of the meeting location were awful: high ceiling, very reflective surfaces, a booming sound. Unless you were right in front of one of the public address system speakers, you probably could not understand what was said. I moved around until I found a spot to listen.

2. There were a few noisy individuals who wanted to scream and boo but not listen. It was clear that they did not support health care change; it was not clear why. It was also clear that they were acting out of a dislike for Senator Specter and President Obama (and by extension his HHS Secretary) and that they did not know much about the bills currently before the Congress.

A loud group will gain more attention than a listening group, no matter what their relative sizes. But Senator Specter and Secretary Sebelius are veterans of public service: they know this. What we don’t want is for Senator Specter, in particular, to think that only the loud, negative people care.

Back to the phone banks. Join me, won’t you. Find an event at

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple?source=topnav

Thanks for coming!

Phone banking--ask our supporters to call Congress

Bill of Downingtown — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:41:01 EDT

On Sunday, August 2, OFA will do a phone bank for the President's health care reform principles in West Chester, PA.

This is the time for all of us to put pressure on the Congress. In addition to gaining declarations of support for health care reform, we must prevail upon the people that we call to phone and/or email their members of Congress with a strong message of support for the President's health care reform principles.

When phone banking, be ready to provide the phone numbers for your US Senators and all locally-based Congresspersons.

The final step for any person that we reach through phone banking is for him or her to report the results of their own calls to Congress. You can give the following instructions:

President Obama still needs us

George A Sanders — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:30:13 EDT

Have you heard the health care reform bill is coming together? It is by no means a done deal. President Obama needs us to lobby for his 3 principles of reform. We can not control every detail in the plan (and this wouldn't be much of a democracy if we could), but we can help keep it on the track the President laid out. The three principles:

1) REDUCE COSTS

2) GUARANTEE CHOICE (including a public plan option)

3) ENSURE AFFORABLE CARE FOR ALL

Many of us are not as intimately familiar with the legislative process as a lobbyist but the next couple weeks will be critical. To make our impact we need everyone's help. There are 1500 past volunteers in our area that we need to contact next week. Yes, it needs to be next week. Organizing For America wants each of them (and us) to contact all of their congressman to request that they support the health care bill and the reform principles. While lobbyists have made this kind of effort for years, a grassroots organization directed by the President's goals has not. Let's make history together again! We need to fill up our congressmans' voice mail with messages of support for the President's health care reform principles. If you want health care reform. Next week will be the chance to keep it on track and influence the legislation.

"There's going to be a major debate over the next three weeks, and don't be fooled by folks trying to scare you saying we can't change the health care system. We have no choice but to change the health care system because right now it's broken for too many Americans." - Barack Obama

When can you make time in your schedule to help?

Can you tell I was happy to help? :-D

Michael from Santa Monica, CA — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:35:44 EST

Calling for Obama on election day...

http://pictures.match.com/pictures/11/14/61114I.jpeg

1,053,791 Calls Made to Voters on Nov 4th

Franklin Katunda — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:45:08 EST

GOTV Phone Banking Experience on Nov 4th:

Dear Friends,

(At 9:22 pm) -- We just broke one million calls for the day, once again showing the power of this movement, but polls are still open in critical battleground states like Montana and Nevada and the night is still young. Supporters around the country keep calling to ensure voters know where to go to vote. The calls you make in the next hour could make the difference in the outcome of these states.

We are closing in on our goal for 1.2 million calls for Election Day and these are the calls that will bring us to victory. Make calls to Montana and Nevada now.

(Later on ... before the anouncement)

We're still awaiting the final results tonight (As of Nov 4th 2008 later at night), but one thing is clear -- this grassroots movement can never be underestimated.

Thank you to everyone who helped us make an astounding 1,053,791 calls today!

I know it wasn't easy and many of you kept calling long after you were tired and your voice had grown hoarse, but your calls to get our supporters out the polls helped tip the scales in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Ohio.

We've shut down our calling campaigns for the night, incredibly proud of the record amount of calls made today. You gave it your all and we couldn't have asked for more.

Thank you again for everything you've done. You've been with Barack Obama every step of this journey. This is your night.

Obama For America

+++

PS. I joined the GOTV phonebanking organized by the Obama campaign along with the Local Union UNITE HERE! at 33 Harrisson Ave, Chinatown (downtown Boston). We made calls to Virginia towns of Yorktown, Newport News, Poquoson, Hampton, Petersburg and Kilmarnorck and to New Hampshire towns of Exeter and Hudson from 9am to 4pm

Results: Obama won both Virginia (52% to 47) and New Hampshire (55% to 44)

OBAMA-BIDEN 08'

Phone Banking

Heather — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:57:07 EST

On Thursday I did about three hours of calling registered democrats and undecided voters letting them know about Gov. Gregior coming to the Croation Center in Anacortes. I will also be doing phone calls and anything else the campaign needs me to do starting at 12pm tomarrow. We are in the last 24 of the campaign! Its almost here!

Even if you were just thinking about doing it, Do it! Its really not as bad as it sounds!

Phone Calls

KuriousKat — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:21:11 EST

On Sunday, I volunteered to call people in an attempt to help get out the vote. First time I ever volunteered for a political cause, if you don't count my short stint as a Young Democrat. Admittedly, I did not do much back then. Prompted by my work in Head Start and in community mental health, I had assumed that other Dems were as dedicated to caring for their neighbors as I was and as the platform(s) promote, and boy was I wrong. Never had I experienced such open, mean-spiritedness --directed not only at opponents, but also at other Dems. One or two of the other folks in the group were cool, but I still decided I hated politics there and then (after 3 - 5 meetings). Thereafter, while I kept myself informed and voted, I did not participate otherwise. Until Barack's speech on race, that is.

After that speech, I gave money to a political candidate for the first time. And then I gave again. Finally, I phoned people in Missouri this past Sunday to help get out the vote.

Phone Banking, Nov. 3rd

BlackGold — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:43:11 EST

I finally tried phone banking and it was so easy! I wish I had found the time to do it all these weeks. But when push comes to shove I finally did it and I'm glad I did. I appreciated that I only had 1 eratic call. Half of the calls were wrong numbers or voice mail. Those who responded either were taking a message for the intended caller or have already voted absentee for Obama.

I hope we can continue to do what we can to get Obama into the Oval office. We still have an uphill battle that is not yet over.

It's Time to Get Out the Vote

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 08:56:05 EST

For a volunteer, sometimes canvassing and making phone calls can feel like a strange endeavor. Sometimes people have already made up their minds, or they're undecided but don't want to talk about politics. Why try to talk to people who might rather be left alone?

Because it all leads up to now. Because some people were undecided and curious; they just wanted to hear what someone else had to say. Because that conversation can plant a seed in someone's head. Because now the campaign knows who is on board and who isn't, and it's just a matter of getting out the vote. All the voters Barack needs have been identified--now it's just a matter of getting them to the polls. This video breaks down what Get-Out-the-Vote is all about, and how important it is:

Never been involved before? "Get out the vote" sound like something different or intimidating? Get-out-the-vote is actually even simpler than normal volunteering. All you have to do is remind people to vote! And make sure they have a way to the polls, and encourage them to vote early! As I said before, there's not much convincing--these voters have been identified as Barack supporters. Click HERE to sign up to help out in the last couple days.

Reminding voters, and driving from the office to the polls, and providing food and drink for other volunteers doesn't sound too hard, does it? Sign up now. Maybe you'll be treated to some Get-out-the-vote cookies, like these ones in the Mansfield office!

Do you want to say you were around when history happened? Or do you want to say you were a part of history?

Phone Calls

Alicia — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:43:54 EDT

So I just spent the last 2 hours calling battleground states. Unfortunately, almost everyone I spoke with was downright rude, between people hanging up on me or actually yelling at me, I was starting to get frustrated. But then I think about the few that I reached that are supporters of the Obama movement who thank me for the good work I'm doing and it makes me feel a bit better.

Maybe because I'm a lifelong junkie of politics, but whenever I got campaign calls in the past, I was never rude to people. I understand they probably get a ton of phone calls, being in a battleground state and all, but is there any reason to lack enough decency to see the person on the other end is just doing a volunteer job? There's polite ways to say "no thank you"...there is absolutely no reason to yell at the person at the other end.

This is the stark difference between Obama's supporters and McCain supporters and it honestly speaks volumes about the way the campaigns have conducted themselves. Obama and his supporters are always courteous and thank people for their time and even remind EVERYONE to vote, not just our supporters but anyone we come into contact with. However, McCain supporters resort to nasty remarks about Barack being a "dictator" or make comments about how they're supporting McCain because he's Irish, just like the "black people are voting for Barack"...this falls RIGHT inline with the rallies.

With all of the McCain supporters I encounter, I never bash the man, I actually said that I had respect for him until he turned his campaign ugly, nasty and dangerous. I wish that the McCain supporters can give our guy due credit and some respect in return. But I guess when you have the Palins of the world up there as the cheerleader for hatred, what else can I expect? At one rally, you hear HOPE, OPTIMISM, the other you hear racist chants, death threats, pessimism and fear. This is exactly why this country has not moved forward.

When you have the knowledge (as McCain does) and you spew out this hatred and lies to supporters who may not be educating themselves on issues, you are being extremely dangerous. To incite fear, anger, violence in people or to pass off ridiculous lies as truth is extremely dangerous.

The past 8 years all we've been told is to FEAR FEAR FEAR. I don't know about the rest of my country, but I am tired of people telling me the future is bleak, that we need to fear other countries, that life is just plain awful. I choose to believe that better days are ahead, and with Barack at the helm, with his sense of optimism and his fresh set of eyes for the problems we face, maybe we can finally get past the FEAR that's been instilled in our psyche for 8 years.

I have never been so moved enough to volunteer my time for a campaign. I have never felt a connection with a candidate where I felt that I should work on their behalf. Barack has changed this for me. This is the most important election of my life and of yours and of our country's.

I can't wait for Tuesday. My birthday's on Thursday next week and I hope I can have a happy 29th birthday with MY President-elect, Sen. Barack Obama. God knows that my last few birthdays around Presidential elections have not been the happiest. Tuesday, I believe that will change.

Come on, Ohio, turn DARK blue!!!

change of lifer for change — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 08:19:09 EDT

"I'm a volunteer with the Obama campaign, and your vote is so important," I say to each stranger who picks up the phone. Some responses that will likely come to mind as we watch the results Tuesday night:

"My father-in-law is a racist and my mother-in-law thinks her vote doesn't count" -- a 38-year-old Ohio Obama woman.

"No, honey, I don't need a ride to the polls" -- an 87-year-old woman with a ready laugh. "I have a sister who's a year younger and we volunteer two days a week."

"I'm a Republican, but when McCain picked Sarah Palin, he lost me" - several people.

"I'm so nervous" -- a 52-year-old woman in Virginia. "I want this to be over." I urge her to go onto BarackObama.com and make calls, as I'm doing, to allay her anxiety. "And if that's not enough, drink a glass of wine," I advise, adding, "The only red I want to see in these next few days is in a wine glass.

"You know why I won't vote for him," a 64-year-old West Virginia man, after admitting he hates McCain. When I refuse to supply the words, he tells me, "It's his color." This is a departure from all those who refuse to share their issues with me, arousing my suspicions.

Perhaps the most enthusiastic response is from a dog, who barks continually during the entire conversation. I joke, "Is that a bark for change?"

"My 25-year-old son was in an accident and is paralyzed. I'm counting on Obama to fund stem cell research" -- a mother with a son the same age as mine. My determination is fueled by her desperation. Despite fatigue and a dry throat, I keep making

Our Phone Banking Party

Amylouise in idaho — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:09:36 EDT

So a friend that I met on this website, Susan in Spokane, and I emailed back and forth that we should get together and make calls. I had called during the primaries and decided it would be more fun with a buddy. Since we picked a time, I went ahead and listed it on the site and invited another friend that I met through this site as well as a coworker of my hubby's who is the only other Obama supporter at their job. We had such a good time! One friend is a calling pro, two had never used the site to make calls and I hadn't since the primaries. It was fun to watch the reaction of the two newbies as they saw how darn* easy it is. (*sorry for the seeming Palinism, but I have been speaking and writing like that for a long time now, and I'm not having it taken away from me.) It was fun. We started calling in Pennsylvania and North Carolina until the site wouldn't give us any more numbers because of the hour and just called west into Montana and ending up in Washington. It was a great evening and I hope that more folks take the plunge and give it a try, too.

Phone Banking

Lakin from Petaluma, CA — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:16:04 EDT

The other evening, armed with my cell-phone, I went halfway across town to join about a dozen complete (though quite friendly) strangers to do some phone-banking. I can hear you now: "You did what? I can't even get you to go to the movies." Well, I did. These are desperate times. Faced with the specter of another Republican president, even us de-motivated, low-energy, depressed peoples are restless and unable to sit still. We've learned the hard way what can happen when we assume no one could possibly vote twice for the same idiot a village in Texas has been looking for. The village can't believe it either. <diatribe over>

The house, tucked down a side-court off a minor cross road, was easily identified by the row of cars in front all sporting Obama/Biden spots, linked to corresponding signs on the lawn and in the windows. I was welcomed at the front door; the greeter took me to a table in the den for a 10-minute briefing. All around me, on the sofa, in every corner, in the two bedrooms and scattered about the back yard, women and men sat with phones to ears and a few pages in front of them. I found a recently vacated patio love seat, cushions still warm from the previous phone-banker, and set to work in the quickly chilling air. We were contacting supporters, so I shouldn't have been so surprised when most of the people I talked to said they'd already voted, or contributed last week and/or were ready to join us for another round of calling this weekend. Still, I was charmed, encouraged and thrilled. And I've signed up for two more shifts this weekend.

originally posted on <a href="http://lakinkhan.blogspot.com/">Rhymes with Bacon</a>

Tucson Phone Bank

Steve Diamond — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:11:46 EDT

I went down to Pima County Democratic HQ for a phone bank shift yesterday, my first time. I had previously made some calls from home using the online tools and wanted to compare the experiences.

It was fun and inspiring to see the people and the energy at party HQ, and I found it easier to be focused on making many calls in a short time.

But ultimately I decided that calling from home makes me more effective because I'm more comfortable. So I'm going to contribute to the AZ Call Team with renewed vigor.

My.BarackObama.com locked up on 10/29

David in Toronto by way of New Orleans — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:08:36 EDT

Last night, I was all set to phonebank after Obama's infomercial, as requested by the campaign. I logged in at 7:45 to familiarize myself with the script then logged out. No problem. At 8:30, I tried to log-in again but couldn't. I tried for over 10 minutes but couldn't reach my dashboard.

Phonebanking in Toronto?

David in Toronto by way of New Orleans — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:45:25 EDT

Anyone know of any phone banks set up in Toronto on Nov. 4 (or earlier)? Skype and/or Vonage offers cheap ways to call the US.

Cell Phone Army Volunteer Receives Call Backs from Angry McCain Supporters

Ms Lovelee — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:12:52 EDT

Photo from MoveOn.Org Party Photos

I received an e-mail from a MoveOn.Org member inviting us to a Cell Phone Calling Party. I told my sister and we felt compelled to volunteer for the Cell Phone Army for Barack Obama. We thought if we did not participate in some way we would feel guilty for not doing our part in order for him to be our next President of the United States.   Politics has excited our family unlike ever before, we eagerly headed to the address sent to us by e-mail the week before by a MoveOn.Org member in our area. I had helped calling before for Hillary during the primaries but my sister never did any kind of calling before for a political candidate so I dragged her along.

As we parked our car we saw about 10 people in a backyard scattered, as if they were in a city park each with a phone in ear and a script in hand. Upon entering the home of an unknown fellow Obama supporter and MoveOn.org member, we saw at least a dozen people in the living room as well.   The Host greeted us with a warm welcome, food, coffee, and lots of goodies. She continued to hand us information on what our goal was for phone calls, a script and a list of people printed out from a database that MoveOn.Org uses online to contact their own members all over the country. The goal was to call all MoveOn.Org members in swing states and have them commit to volunteering next weekend. We had times and a list to check off yes, no, do not call, wrong number, etc...
I made calls from my own cell phone but a majority of my calls were not going through or went to a voicemail and we were told not to leave messages. I successfully called 4 pages of phone numbers which was way beyond what I thought I could do so upon completion I left with my head high and happy.

Last night, two days after my day at the Calling Party I started to receive calls back from Indiana. Some people were willing to go help in their area but I received 3 phone calls back from angry McCain supporters. They each asked me who I was and I proudly told them what I was calling about. After stating I was an Obama supporter asking for them to volunteer each of them verbally attacked me. The first woman said that she was a McCain supporter and why would I have her phone number. I explained where I got the numbers and told them they were registered with MoveOn.Org and that the phone number was on the roster. She then proclaimed her Patriotism and yelled that I was a fool and un-patriotic to believe in a Muslim Socialist and that anyone who was for Obama were commi's. Thankfully she hung up. The other 2 calls were from men who one called me a welfare monger who is trying to destroy our country to the last person who crank-called me for over an hour telling me that I am stealing their information and how did I get their cell phone number? That I was a liar and corrupt and that FOX News was going to hear about my fraudulent activity. The continued went with hang up calls with the final call asking me to volunteer for McCain's Campaign. I kindly declined by saying, " Oh, I'm sorry I can not volunteer for Senator McCain because I am an Obama supporter. I do appreciate the call and may the man with the most votes win! Thanks again.." I then hung up and never heard from them again....

I still feel good about what I did, I just wish people were not so angry and wished those people believed me that I did get their names and phone numbers from this organization that they signed up to be contacted. Maybe someone signed them up as a joke.... some joke huh...

Streaming the 30-minute message?

David in Toronto by way of New Orleans — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:38:51 EDT

I'm all signed up and set to make calls for the campaign tonight after the half-hour message. However, I don't have a TV. Is there any place on the web that will be streaming the message at the same time?

One more fundraiser

Margaret S. — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:27:20 EDT

We had an amazing Fundraiser this past weekend. It was held at Margarido House in Oakland, CA, the first Northern CA LEED certified home-this means its super "green." It is a beautiful home that is a great example of what homes and businesses could be in a sustainable environment under Barack Obama.

We raised over $5000, had over 100 guests touring the home and just hanging out, there were loads of young kids racing around, live music, and such a great Obama vibe. Several guests and donors came to me to thank us for giving them a place to participate. One man siad he wanted to give and support the campaign but just didn't know how. Finally, this was a place that he could "plug in."

When people say they don't have time, I now ask if they have any money to give instead. If they say they have no money I ask what extra time might they have, even if just 30 minutes for a few phone calls.

I am a mother of two small children and work full time. Perhaps I am not like a normal person as I am more than willing to sacrifice my time and relationships for this brief period to help make history. This is too important. If we don't have time now, when will we have time?

TOMORROW: Gov. Granholm phone banking in Farmington Hills

Josh In Michigan — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:41:51 EDT

That familiar voice on the phone tomorrow might be Governor Granholm -- who will be kicking off and joining a Get Out The Vote Phone Bank for Barack tomorrow in Farmington Hills. We say it in nearly every post here, but it's true: this is the absolute most critical time of the Campaign for Change, and we need your help to ensure that Barack Obama and Joe Biden are able to bring the change Michigan needs.

We hope you can join the phone bank tomorrow night in Farmington Hills, but there are phone bank at nearly every Campaign for Change office (there are over sixty across Michigan!), and every office needs your help. After all, this campaign isn't about Barack - it's about you, and without your help, it's nothing. Find an office near you, and sign up to help Get Out The Vote!

Wednesday, October 29th

GOTV Phone Bank with Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
6:15 p.m.
Farmington Hills Campaign for Change Office
35055 West Twelve Mile Road Suite 215
Farmington Hills, MI 48331

GOTV for Obama "Sabbatical" (Day 1)

T Boston — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:46:41 EDT

With only 8 days before Election Day this is a very critical time for Obama campaign volunteers to get out the vote (GOTV). Consider this a CALL TO ACTION!

Sabbatical implies a sacred time, that is"sabbath,"and I regard my volunteering with the Obama campaign as holy work. At the DC Obama office, I and other volunteers are making calls to Barack Obama supporters to sign them up for several major volunteer opportunities:

1) GOTV in VA by going to canvas and work with the VA offices for 4 days (or 3 days or the weekend) from November 1 - 4

2) Canvassing in VA November 1 - 4 on whatever days folks are available or

3) Working Mega Phone Banks November 1 - 4 at one of three locations (National Education Association at 1201 16th Street northwest, the Warehouse on 7th Street northwest, or the DC Obama Office on Florida Avenue northwest). Note: Phone banking continues during the week at the DC Obama Office on Florida Avenue prior to November 1 as well.

My first day at the DC Obama Office I had a blast phone banking to recruit volunteers for VA GOTV. It's much easier talking to people who are enthusiastic about Obama. Almost everyone I spoke to wants to help in some way, if only for a few hours. I was even able to convince another phone bank volunteer to go canvassing this weekend in VA.

In addition to talking with other enthusiastic supporters, I connected with people I know like a church member who was calling volunteers from the McLean campaign office to do GOTV in Richmond, VA and my Pilates instructor's husband who will GOTV in NV. Later in the afternoon I was making calls with a local storyteller I know through my sister, and I ran into another church member who gave me an Obama button she was wearing.

I will work the phone bank or do whatever else I can to help the Obama campaign every day this week, and I plan to return this Saturday to Prince William County with the DCtoWoodbridge Team, and will work with the Woodbridge office November 3 and Election Day. I am grateful that I have this time to give to the Obama campaign, and for the community that I am finding along the way.

New Ann Arbor office, and canvass kickoffs with Gov. Granholm

Josh In Michigan — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:34:13 EDT

With only nine days left until the most important election of our lifetimes, the Obama campaign continues to build momentum in Michigan. Today we'll open yet another new office, in Ann Arbor. State Senator Liz Brater will help open the office, which will work with grassroots Ann Arbor Obama supporters to provide opportunities to participate in campaign events, to volunteer, and to serve as a resource for the community.

Also, Governor Granholm will campaign for Barack across West Michigan today, helping to kick off canvasses in Muskegon Heights, Grand Rapids, and Ionia. If you can't make it to Ann Arbor or any of the three West Michigan offices with Governor Granholm, offices across the state will also be hosting canvass kickoffs and phone banks throughout the day. With the Lions blacked out on local television and the election so close, there's never been a better Sunday to get involved in this historic campaign for change.

Click here to find the nearest Campaign for Change office near you!

New Ann Arbor Office
340 Maynard St.
Ann Arbor, MI

Canvass Kickoffs with Governor Granholm
1:00 pm                      Canvass Kickoff
Muskegon Heights Campaign for Change Office
3355 Merriam St.
Muskegon Heights, MI 49444

2:45 pm                    Canvass Kickoff
Grand Rapids Campaign for Change Office
1433 Wealthy St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

5:30 pm                      Canvass Kickoff
Ionia First Christian Church
130 W. Washington St .
Ionia, MI 48846

911 - Call Bank Today

** Maria Isabel ** — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 08:35:00 EDT

Almost there.....

While the Senator is away this weekend our orders from Chicago is the urgency to call Ohio.

We have several phone banking locations in Houston, find one near you:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple

If you can not get to a phone bank location but have time to call from home, email me:

mariaobama@gmail.com

What about Texas? Here is my plan: between 9 am and 9 pm we are calling Ohio, but our family members, our friends, our neighbors, and local contacts we can reach anytime by emails.

911 - Call Now!!!

They need our help on the mainland!

Lynn Rasmussen — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:59:51 EDT

I'm back from volunteering for 6 weeks in very Republican Ashland, Ohio, a small town in the central Ohio, The weekend before I left, 280,000 doors were knocked in Ohio by Obama volunteers.

I called people and knocked on doors, handed out yard signs, signed up and trained volunteers, emptied the trash and vacuumed, spoke to groups and manned the fair booth, entered data on everything, made posters and calendars and signup sheets and taped them to the walls of the campaign headquarters. I met farmers and business owners, retired factory workers and union organizers, working parents and college kids, rich and poor, educated and not, country clubbers and old hippies. Except for two very cynical alcoholics, every person took his or her vote seriously.

On my first day in Ohio, an 18-year-old English kid, Kit Taylor, trained me and then helped me reorganize the field office. I worked under the direction of a 24-year-old field organizer, Phillip Sorenson, who replaced the original field organizer about 10 days after I arrived. He doesn't let anyone stand around and chat about politics for too long without putting a cell phone and a calling list in their hands. His boss, Shira Miller, 23, oversees a 6 county area.

My husband joined us for two weeks. He called, went door to door and even entered data. It shook people up, seeing a guy who looks and sounds like a Republican, wearing his Obama pins around town. He was good. He kept it simple by just asking, "4 more years?"

On my first experiences canvassing, of the 20% of the people who were home, most were undecided or voting for McCain. Two weeks ago, our lists had been culled of Obama and McCain supporters. I talked with one McCain voter, 2 Obama voters, and the rest undecided. Last weekend, things had changed. One was for McCain but had always been for McCain. He had just been working and out of town when we canvassed. Eight people had decided to vote Obama, 2 were still undecided.

We can't stop now. The polls are in Barack's favor but the undecided voters are still too large of a percentage. A NY Times article pointed out that 20% of each candidates' supporters are "soft." They could change their minds in the voting booth. Barack was ahead 7 points in New Hampshire in the primaries and lost.

I left knowing that the Obama people in Ashland, people I now love, are enthusiastic, trained, and organized. But in the last week of the campaign their Get Out the Vote effort is all door-to-door canvassing. They depend upon out-of-state people to make calls. We have to help them!

Sat, 10/25: Vietnamese Americans for Barack Obama Rally in San Jose

Minh from Mountain View, CA — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:04:46 EDT

Xin Chao!

This Saturday, October 25th, 2008, there will be a Vietnamese Americans for Barack Obama (VA4BO) rally in San Jose, CA! We already have signs, posters and banners ready, so all you need is to come out, rally for Obama. Following the rally, you can turn your enthusiasm into action, as we invite you to join us at the San Jose BO headquarters for some phone-banking. No worries, training provided! We’ve done it before, and it’s hella fun!

Check out our Neighbor to Neighbor tool!

Josh In Michigan — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:10:37 EDT

Can't make it in to your local Campaign for Change office, but still want to volunteer? Working out of a local office is the best way to get involved, but if you can't make it in, you can use our online Neighbor to Neighbor tool to reach out to undecided voters in around the state by phone or in your neighborhood. Using Neighbor to Neighbor, you can print off walk lists, scripts, and maps to go door to door talking to your neighbors about the change Barack would bring - the most effective form of voter contact.

You can also get names and phone numbers of undecided voters around the state, and make calls from your own home. There are scripts available, so whether you have a few hours or a few days, you can help bring the change Michigan needs without even leaving your home!

Dispelling Myth and Rumour

cyrus — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:22:57 EDT

My job ,the way I see it over these next few days is essentially to 'dispell myths and rumours' so; I have begun researching exactly which ads the other major campaign is running against barack and joe in the several states I have registered to begin calling. I had no information on the precise content and nature of the ads and the false nature of the information contained in them, as I move from day to day; given that the nature and mis-information campaign coming from the McCain camp widens and/or thereby completely changes as soon as the sun goes down and, as sure as it may shine again.

A New Day on the horizon

Gayle — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:32:30 EDT

by RONDA ARMSTRONG

One of the greatest annoyances in life has to be receiving an intrusive, late afternoon/ early evening phone call from a telemarketer during the “sacred hours”. You’re having dinner, going over homework with the children, or engaged in much too rare, highly cherished family time.
Like bloodsucking leeches electronically dispatched from some paranormal command center, they impose on, and contaminate our precious time. They try to disguise the all too obvious desperation in their voices with excessively friendly, hair raising, condescending patois, while attempting to hustle off frivolous goods and services. Have they no shame?
Last Thursday evening I was one of those callers. But I wasn’t soliciting their time to sell them some Disney vacation package, satellite dish, home security system, or cemetery plot. I was trying to sell the idea of change and reform. I was pushing the idea of hope for a better America for our children. I was peddling principles and values that I believe in. Among them: transition assistance for workers vulnerable to dislocation and job loss, tax relief for the middle class instead of the wealthy, high quality after school programs, the promotion of responsible fatherhood, a credit card bill of rights to stop credit card companies from exploiting consumers with unfair practices, strengthening care options for senior citizens, improving our schools and making college more affordable, supporting a womans right to choose, better healthcare, education and housing, and the resurgance of a defunct economy. And, oh yeah, I was hoping that someone would buy into the idea that the time has come for thousands of fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, mothers, wives, sisters ,and daughters who were shipped off to fight a senseless war, to come home.
Last Thursday I was a phone bank volunteer at the Barack Obama headquarters in Solon.

I nervously approached this endeavor expecting it not to be easy, and boy was I right. One woman snapped, ”I’m in the middle of having dinner with my family and you call me with this crap”? ( ouch)
Another woman: I’m putting my children to bed, I don’t have time for this.
A man with a voice that could turn steel to stardust told me,” Don’t ever call my house again”
Of course not all the calls went that way. I talked to people who graciously took my call, and shared their feelings of woe and disenfranchisement and who despite it all, expressed how much they loved and believed in the potential of this great country. They shared my optimistic outlook and enthusiastically embraced Obama and his mission of change. They encouraged me to keep up the good work and praised my effort.
Still, dealing with the cold rejection, naysayers, hang ups and harsh remarks of some made me want to throw in the towel and call it a night. I took the rejection personally and it hurt. They live in the same America I do, so how can they stand things the way they are?
At one point I looked over at my daughter Britt, who was seated next to me. She was so eloquent and poised in her scripted delivery, and despite the occasional setback, she pressed on, undeterred, and at one point, even shocked me with the words, “ I could do this all night long“.
It was from her, that I found the inspiration to continue on.
The next day, at Hopkins airport I met a man from Philadelphia. He had been traveling around the country campaigning for Barack Obama. I shared with him my experience.and he smiled at me sympathetically as he told me that he had been canvassing neighborhoods, going door to door. “ Try getting doors slammed in your face“.
Isn’t this what true crusaders for change, particularly a movement of this magnitude subject themselves to? Aren’t real advocates fearless and vigilante? Don’t they move unflinchingly among opposition and into potentially hostile territory? People who take social action seriously, particularly those of some of our histories most memorable movements, were bold and deliberate. In order to push for the change they so desperately believed in, with a burning passion and unwavering committent, they did whatever it took- protested, marched, picketed , arranged sit ins, boycotts and sometimes, even rioted. Every day they faced the possibility of imprisonment, bombings, dog attacks, public hosing and humiliation, and even death. But they did it because change meant just that much to them. They knew the change they wanted to see in the world started with them.
This campaign hastens to an end - there are literally, days left, and still work to do. Those of us who stand harmonious in this crusade -a quest for a new America- new leadership, the restoration of hope, vibrancy, and integrity must do our part to see that it comes to pass. May we, in the spirit of the great advocates and crusaders of past movements, don ourselves with the full armor of the Obama mission and march boldly, onto the battlefield: knocking on doors, making calls, texting, e-mailing,and rallying our way, undeterred, as we press onward to victory.

Phone calls for Planned Parenthood in Ohio!

Susan — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:04:53 EDT

Finally got a chance to make some phone calls for the cause. Since I volunteer for Planned Parenthood, the calls were on behalf of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio Action Fund. For about 2.5 hours, we (4 employees and one other volunteer besides me) used an auto-dialer and managed to get the message out that Barack is endorsed by PP. In the entire time, I only ran into 1 hater. It was disturbing - it is hard to believe that people believe the nonsense about Barack being a terrorist, and that being Muslim would somehow be equated to evil. Very sad.

Day Two Voter Calling

Siobhan — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 08:18:06 EDT

Well, it's about 436pm Kabul time and I'm heading to the gym in about 20 minutes. After an hour of torture...excuse me Spinning...I'll come back and finish off my work around 7pm. I'll go take a shower and at 730pm I'll start calling again.

Today I'm aiming for 40 calls. Last night I actually did 27 but I wasn't logged in the entire time and when I went to update the website 3 of my callers dropped off my lists. So lesson learned...do everything online as I go along LOL. I'm not sure if my progress updated though because on my dashboard it says 24 callers but on the Make a Call section it insists I haven't called anyone. That's a tad confusing as I don't want the people I called recontacted due to a glitch.

I was a bit nervous but by the 10th call I felt pretty good about the process. Only one person said, "I'm sorry I can't talk about this," and hung up. I laughed it off and kept going. So....16 days to go....and between 25 and 40 callers a night to contact. So I should set a goal...if I aim to call 400 people I should hit a minimum of 24 people a night. That seems reasonable and definatly doable.

The numbers are bit sneaky though because I'm giving myself room in case I end up on an overnight mission. If I do extra calls I'll go about my goal and/or be covered in the event of a missed night.

I have been focusing on Vet to Vet Call and and Women calling Women in PA but I think I'm going to spread out to Latin voters in Florida and Youth and College Student Calling. My last name is blatantly spanish so I might as well make use of it. I suppose the gaelic (read:Irish) first and middle name might throw them off though LOL.

Well, off to the gym. Running around in body armour (at 5000 ft!) is no joke so I have to keep it up LOL.

Siobhan

Debate Watch Party (October 15th)

Linda — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:53:09 EDT

Thank you to Mojo'Z Coffee House (corner of Albany/Culver Ave. - Utica, NY) for donating your business space and your hospitality for our Debate Watch Party last night.

Turn out was great! People were very motivated, spilled over to customers in the coffee shop!! Several first time voters were there and it was inspiring to see their enthusiasm for this election.

People from Herkimer, Westmoreland, Little Falls traveled to Utica for the event. Some will be at the MVFO meeting on Tuesday and others will contact Susan Bissonaette from the Herkimer Group, who was there also.

One little bitty glitch though. CABLE WAS OUT IN THAT AREA!!!!! So couldn't watch the debate there???? Conspiracy ? Not a deterrent for us, had a great time talking to supporters and motivating undecided voters. So all went well in the end. Every one took a yard sign - from Little Falls to New Hartford!! They were all pleased to get them and it was important to have them available because of the unforeseen 'glitch'... thank you Ray Bepko for your support in our efforts.

A special thank you to a registrant (Dana? who was not able to come) for a $1,000 donation!!!

Amarillo4Obama mtg Monday, 10/13 @ 6 p.m. (at regular location)

Lisa Caid — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:48:17 EDT

The Amarillo4Obama Grassroots organization will be holding our weekly meeting Monday, October 13, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at our regular location.

Purpose: to discuss our progress and plan for upcoming events (phone banking, canvassing, park rally).

If anyone has any other ideas that they'd like to share with everyone, please email us ASAP so that we can include your ideas on the agenda!

Amarillo4Obama Grassroots Office address is:
6141 Amarillo Boulevard West
Phone number is 331 - 6299

The office is just southwest of the Veterans Hospital a few blocks and across the street from the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. There is a large red, black, and white for sale sign on the street, and some Obama signs too!

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=6141+amarillo+blvd+w+amarillo+tx+&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=52.020054,78.75&ie=UTF8&ll=35.200841,-101.907152&spn=0.006619,0.009613&t=h&z=17

Thanks for all your support,

Tony & Jane Raphael
373 - 7884
Amarillo4Obama Grassroots Office
Obama/Biden '08

Barack Knocks for Barack in Toledo!

Michael in Ohio — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:56:19 EDT

As any volunteer knows, the Campaign for Change in Ohio holds canvassing sessions every weekend, where supporters go door-to-door to talk to voters about why Barack Obama is their choice for President. This, along with phone calls to voters, is the meat-and-potatoes of the voter outreach field effort, and such neighbor-to-neighbor interaction has been proven to have more of an effect than any other sort of less direct contact. These door-to-door outings are often called "Weekly Walks," or "Knock for Barack." Sometimes canvassing can be tiring and frustrating, but it is the most important thing anyone can do.

But today in Toledo, proving that no one is above anyone in this movement, Barack himself knocked for Barack. Just like any other volunteer, he went door-to-door to bring his platform of change to the people in Lucas County. He carried a walk list, and marked voters on a scale from 1 to 5 depending on their level of support.

He listened to their concerns and spoke to the solutions he would propose as President. Conversations involved the auto industry, the credit crisis, health care, and other day-to-day things on the minds of the people of Toledo.

Barack has clearly developed an affinity for the Buckeye State. He made five stops on Thursday and Friday (Dayton, Cincinnati, Portsmouth, Chillicothe, and Columbus), and is staying in the Toledo area from now until Wednesday to prepare for the debate that night.

But between the cheering rallies and the strategy sessions, there may be nothing Barack does during his stay in Ohio that better sums up the meaning of the grass roots organization that this movement has built than knocking doors in Toledo. It's proof that change comes from the bottom up... and then to the bottom again.

Be a part of that change. Knock doors like Barack.

What'd you think of Sarah? EEHHHH?

hourglass — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:21:02 EDT

OMG ~ it's been two weeks since my last post? I don't believe it. Time flies when you're working to get your fave candidate elected.

Phonebank training was actually fun ~ my training coach was Genora Reed. I kidded her about her email address... greed@... she was well aware of the false impression it implied. She worked for the Harold Ford campaign in Tennessee! I like him a lot.

Since then I've been dialing my fingers off for the campaign. I went to the field office on a Saturday and there were so many people working the phones, they had to sit on the ground outside, and it was hot! One funny thing happened last week ~ first I should say that when you get a person on the other end, you speak extemporaneously, but when you leave a voicemail message you read from a script. So I'm leaving a message ~ I get all the way to the end ~ and a guy picks up. He asks, "Are you reading from a script?" And I answered, "Yes." And before I could say anything else, he said, "Awesome.... Obama really blows!" and hung up. This is so funny because McCain is always reading from a script. Except, of course, when he's saying "What'd you think of Sarah? EEHHHH? How'd she do? EEHHHH? Wasn't that great? EEHHHH?" That was so creepy! Does anyone else agree with me???

I also did some calling for the Barack website. And on Sunday I went..... CANVASSING. My campaign buddy was David. What an intellect! He had all the numbers and stats in his head... and it really came in handy when we spoke to a couple who wanted to support Nader! We both like Nader, too, but we tried to get them to understand that we have to be realistic. David brought up the idea of 'vote swapping'. I hadn't even heard of it before. What a nifty idea! You contact someone in say, California, who will be voting for Obama and they agree to vote for Nader on your behalf. Obama will win California anyway, so it frees up the voter in Florida to vote for Obama. The couple said they'd think about it.... I hope they really consider doing that.

Voter registration ended today in Fla...... Well, til next time, folks!

~ Evie

My Camp Obama Great Experience

Grace from Palo Alto, CA — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:04:21 EDT

Grace's Camp Obama Blog - September 27 - San Jose

8:00 - Arrived and registered at the Union Hall at 240 Market Street in San Jose. For the next half hour, the room filled up with about 100 people. Fruit and pastries and juices were served. Our name tags included a number 1 through 11. I was in group #6 and took my seat in the first row. On every seat was a handout of the slides for the day (apparently 60 slides reduced and copied front and back).

The ethnic make up of the group was representative of California in the following order - 1/2 Caucasians, rest were African American, Hispanic, East Indian, Asian. We were told that for every person that was in the room, 6 had applied. In the volunteer organizational hierarchy, we are trained to be Deputy Field Organizers in charge of volunteers. We were told the ground organization of Obama to McCain is 35:1. The dems have out-organized the GOP with the largest campaign organization in US history. There are almost 350 field offices. The Hispanics for Obama are called "Obamanos"! They are jazzed!

Barack has 10 offices all over California with 13 paid staff. We are the feeder group for training volunteers for neighboring states. A couple of weeks ago, Nevada asked for 100 volunteers and 500 volunteers signed up, were trained and deployed! Late today, we were told that Colorado and Missouri have asked also asked for volunteers to help.

Goals of the organization - Win on November 4th and Organize our country so we can win on November 4th and ready to do the work on January 20th (the Jan 20th goal was never discussed today).

Goals of Camp Obama (1) Develop a compelling 'Story of Self" (2) Learned to volunteer in Battleground States (3) Made calls to voters in a Battleground State (4) Learned how to build Neighborhood teams (5) Learned how to Recruit and Retain volunteers.

The "Story of Self" which must be told in 2 minutes with the following elements - Character, Challenge, Choice, Outcome. We had two guest volunteers who told their (Story of Self) stories. AWESOME!!! One was the most gorgeous African American father of two in medical school who told a fantastic story of a near death experience that changed his values and caused him to join the Obama campaign. (He's a better, more emotionally connected speaker than OBAMA!) The second speaker was a 15 year old young lady who showed up at a volunteer meeting out of curiosity and was immediately put to work. She is now so fired up about Obama that she and a girlfriend went to Nevada and knocked on doors for votes. She has started a high school group for Obama. Fantastic young lady who was SO amazing! Tall blond girl who was dressed in shorts and flip flops!

We broke into groups to work on our own stories. Turns out Group 6 is Palo Alto and Menlo Park. There were 6-7 of us. (One VC, one Apple SW engineer, one Palo Alto mom, 2 retirees, didn't know what others did). We worked on our stories for one hour. After practicing, we had to choose the best one to be told in the larger group. My story was chosen. Each group's representative shared their stories and the group cheered each of our stories WILDLY!!! Lots of inspiration and emotion at this point. One woman told the story of her daughter's suicide due to lack of ability to obtain medication because of no insurance. Many were in tears. She got a standing ovation.

GOING TO NEVADA - We had all committed to at least one weekend in Nevada. Nevada strategy: Look at the numbers - tells you why.

2004

Total Registered Voters: 854,822

Registered Democrats: 343,679

Registered Republicans: 355,116

Democratic Deficit: -11,437

George Bush: 50.47%

John Kerry: 47.88%

Difference: -2.59%

2008

Total Registered Voters: 1,059,613

Registered Democrats: 458,877

Registered Republicans: 397,172

Democratic Advantage: 61,705

(as of today, the number is closer to 80,00)

Statewide Goal - 52% of the vote for Barack (2 more congressional seats)

We broke for lunch at 12:30 or so. Pizza and Salad for lunch. During lunch we were encouraged to sign up for the Nevada trip. Our team was told that we would probably go to Carson City. It turns out that most people get together and drive to Nevada and share the gas cost. They get up at 3:30 and arrive in Nevada by the 9:00 am orientation and training. The travel assistance group does everything via the database. A bank of laptops were available for our sign ups. The technology of the Obama Campaign was impressive. Our team would like to go together and targeted the second weekend in October. I was the coordinator of the contact information.

After lunch we had a guest speaker - Kamala Harris. She was warmly welcomed. She did the cheerleading stuff for our candidate. We almost got Al Gore (he was at the San Jose Fairmont) but was dragged away by his handlers for another event.

Next - Phone CALLS to New Mexico - we were all asked to bring at least one cell phone and charger to this event. Many of us dreaded this part. Fear of getting into a debate, fear of rejection, fear of getting an angry McCain voter! That's because most of us didn't understand the role of the phone bank. The real purpose of the phone bank is to IDENTIFY the voter, NOT to CONVINCE the voter. ALWAYS be respectful, keep it brief (30 seconds) and document every call. The training included role playing which was very helpful. We were all given call sheets with 40 people and sent off for an hour with a script. Just as we were told, most people were not home. In these cases, we circled "NH". I reached 10 people out of my 40. One told me she was having a party and hung up on me. All the rest were already OBAMA voters!! I was calling the Santa Fe area code and that's obviously a BLUE area code. My entire group had the same experience. The best answer was for us to get an UNDECIDED VOTER but I didn't get any. I had one call when the answer was an abrupt Yes. I suspected the person said Yes, he was voting for Obama just to get me off the phone. All the rest were enthusiastic OBAMA voters and one thanked me for working for the campaign.

We tabulated all the statistics at the end of the hour - 2,845 calls were made, 784 actual connections and 590 Obama voters. This information will be carefuly inputted into the database. All undecided voters are put on a list for the travelers to Nevada who will go door to door and make every attempt to talk to this person in person. That's what our group will be doing the second weekend in October. We are warned this is very tiring and to wear comfortable shoes.

Our next speaker was another new volunteer. In three weeks she had created a new neighborhood organization in her tiny town in the Santa Cruz area of 70 volunteers - two phone bank events every week. Her story is SUPER inspiring. She said that everything is at stake in this election and believes she is saving America for her children. This attitude was echoed over and over throughout the day. Another amazing, inspired, motivated, passionate person.

Everyone felt this was the most important election of our time. This election is a "CAN"T LOSE". The stakes are too high. The future of our country and our children are at stake. You could almost hear the "AMENS" all around the room when the passion and urgency of this campaign is communicated.

This was my first political campaign and it was a great experience! Made some new friends and learned a lot!

October 8, 2008 - Phone Bank Event at Griffin Home - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Please join if you have time and let me know.

If you want to drop in and make some phone calls yourself, the Palo Alto office on El Camino Real is open from 9 to 9 every week day. 9 to 8 on Saturday and 11-8 on Sunday. Rachi (Rocky) is the volunteer in charge. She is an beautiful Indian women who just received her MD. She was offered a position by Kaiser and told them she had to delay her start date because she has to work full time for Obama until the election.

OBAMA/BIDEN 2008!!!!

UPDATE: Yard Signs, Buttons, T-shirts, Rally Signs - Big Local Event on 10/6/08! All Interested Parties Invited!

Lisa Caid — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:59:25 EDT

We will have Obama/Biden yard signs, bumper stickers, all kinds of buttons, tee shirts, rally signs, Roger Waun yard signs, etc. available at the meeting. If you've been unable to pickup an Obama/Biden yard sign, this is your chance!

Reminder: This Monday, October 6, we will have a special guest attending our weekly Amarillo4Obama meeting. Ken Bailey of the DNC and the Barack Obama Campaign will be here to speak with us. He will be sharing a wealth of information to help guide us forward to November 4. We will also be discussing canvassing and phone banking and our upcoming rally. As our meetings get larger each time we meet, we are expecting (and hoping for!) a larger group than usual due to Ken's visit. In anticipation of a larger turnout, we have decided to hold this meeting at the Amarillo United Citizens Forum, located at 903 N Hayden Street, Amarillo. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour. The doors will be open beginning at 6:00 p.m. and light refreshments will be served.

Let's show Ken that Amarillo is truly Obama BLUE by getting every Obama supporter involved!! If you know that you will be attending, an RSVP will be appreciated (just reply to the sent email).

Please help us spread the word - All of the area offices (Amarillo4Obama/Panhandle Young Democrats/Amarillo Area Democrats) now have Obama buttons, tee shirts, bumper stickers, yard signs, and literature.

Thank you,

Anthony (Tony) & Jane Raphael & All the Great Volunteers at Amarillo4Obama/PanhandleYoungDemocrats/AmarilloAreaDemocrats

Tony & Jane 373 - 7884

The Amarillo United Citizens Forum is in the area of Amarillo Blvd West & N Hughes Street, corner of NW 9th Ave & N Hayden Street.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=Amarillo+United+Citizen+Forum&fb=1&cid=8168817786121642637&li=lmd&z=14&t=m

San Diego, CA Phone Banking This Weekend

Luke from Solana Beach, CA — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:37:00 EDT

Hey there this is my first post and yesterday was my first phone banking for a presidential candidate ever. Living in a non battle ground state like California I wanted to take more of an active role in the battle ground states. So when I heard about the possibility to volunteer for the Obama campaign - I decided to take action.

I am a normal guy like many of you I am 36 years old and work in the internet marketing and no I have not made my million dollars yet. I don't know about you but I am struggling with a decent professional job and can't bare to see things get any worse - for my I believe that voting Obama is going to make the difference in fixing this economic crises we are currently seeing.

For the past few years I have moved around with work and did not vote in the past elections where candidates like Kerry and Gore could have used my support. I feel guilty about that and about not being active but as a long standing Democrat I could not stand by and watch the democratic party lose another presidential election.

Like many people out there I feel Amaerica needs a change and thats why I made my first 70 calls yesterday calling colorado voters here in San Diego, CA and why today I am going to make some calls to voters in Ohio- another battle ground state.

I would encourage anyone out there to take action and get involved -- this is the most important election in U.S history and at a time when our country desperately needs change.

Yesterday I drove down from north countey San Deagio to the Barak Obama Champain and signed up as a volenteer. The training was good and quick and I was off making calls. It was hard at first following the script and gaining the coarage to call someone you have never spoken to but once I got over that it was easy and I talked to people who were interested in hearing more about Obama and I feel that I made a diffrence in helping these people to decide. I also found people interested in volenteering locally and since door to door is so effective I feel good about the 2 people I found.

I am schedualed to go again next week and intil then I plan on calling a few people each day so I am ready to really make a diffrence next weekend trying to make 100+ calls in two hours.

So I'm going to do some Laundry and make some phone calls and then get my reports into the champaign as quickly as possible.

Phone banking can be tough

Patrick Frank — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:39:17 EDT

Yesterday, phone banking to NC, I came across a woman who said, "I heard Obama say on TV he doesn't believe in God. He's a Muslim and their God is not the same God as ours." It's easy, in theory, to choreograph how someone is to reswpond, but when you are in the moment, it is a lot tougher. Then, today, in SC, phone banking, an African-American lady lambasted me for even calling, introducing a racial element, "Where were 'you people' when Bush was elected." That hurt. But I know that African-Americans experience the same, and worse. Still, it hurts. Actually, i have been voting Democratic for decades.

Most people you phone bank to are polite, some are very friendly. But occasionally you encounter the biases and even hatred.

How to deal with the negative side? I think pray, or meditate, and talk to someone. I don't know that the Obama campaign deals with this issue very effectively. It is just assumed that you will roll with the punches. I usually do, but occasionally I get hurt. i am human.

I am more likely to defend Barack than myself.

Patrick from South Carolina

patrickgfrank@yahoo.com

Making Phone Calls

Harold from Oakland, CA — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:58:06 EDT

I've always hated making cold calls - I was terrible at it when I was a salesman briefly. However, phone "banking" is a big part of this campaign, and I've been doing it every day.

More than half the time, the people who you are calling are not home. The list of called parties are ones that can be reasonably be expected to favor Obama, mostly Democrats, Independents, Decline to States and a few Republicans who live in heavily Democratic areas.

I have had to overcome my reticence, and today I dialed the phone 91 time, reaching about thirty. Now reaching may mean that the called party only speaks spanish, so they have to be recycled to a spanish speaking called, or a wrong number. Most of the people I spoke to, actually spoke to, are strongly supporting Obama. Sometimes the person I called reported that not only they, but their entire family is going to vote for Obama-Biden.

While this makes me feel good, and though Obama has surged ahead in New Mexico, we simply can't let up. So much can happen, and so many dirty tricks can still be played. We really need to go for a landslide here in New Mexico and all across the country.

Field Blog #1: Barbara from Londonderry

Colin@NH HQ — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:14:10 EDT

Two weeks ago, Barbara from Londonderry responded to an e-mail about volunteer opportunities and ventured into the Derry office to see what she could do to help out. Excitedly, I showed Barbara around the office and told her about our efforts to reach out to undecided voters in her community. Despite my enthusiasm, Barbara was somewhat hesitant about jumping on the phone and talking to people she didn’t know. “What am I supposed to say?” she wondered. “Well, why are you here?” I asked her. After thinking for a second, this is what Barbara shared with me:

I am a grandmother and every time I look at my one year old grandson I know that this is his future. I don't know what I can do, but it makes me want to do something.

“Say that on the phone” I responded, “share with your neighbors why you know this election is so important.” Barbara then got on the phone and spoke with senior citizens in Londonderry about why she knows we need to elect Barack Obama and Joe Biden this November – to put our economy back on track, to save social security, to bring our troops home from Iraq and to ensure a better future for her grandson.

Barbara came back to the office the next day and has come back many times since. It is people like Barbara who are truly making the difference in Londonderry, in New Hampshire, and all across the country.

If YOU donn’t know where your Local Field Office is yet, click HERE. Whether it be calling some of your neighbors, going door to door, helping with data entry or bringing dinner down to the office – there is a way for you to help out. There are only 5 weeks left before New Hampshire voters go to the polls to cast their votes. I hope that you’ll join Barbara and the millions of volunteers across the country who are doing their part to bring the change we need to Washington!

This guest Field blog was written by Emily Rocheleau, Field Organizer for Londonderry and Derry.

Come visit Emily at the Derry office:
Derry
9 East Broadway
Derry, NH 03038
(603) 437-3538

Please call or if you have any questions, email NH@BarackObama.com.

Join the Oregon AAPI Action Team!

Ramey Ko — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:04:24 EDT

For too long, the Asian American & Pacific Islander vote has been forgotten or ignored. Sen. Obama is committed to real change and giving AAPIs a real voice in this election. Join the Oregon Obama campaign's AAPI Action Team and help organize efforts in the Oregon AAPI community to:

1) Register as many new voters as possible by the Oct. 14th deadline;
2) Reaching out to undecided AAPI voters; &
3) Make sure everyone votes once ballots drop on Oct. 17th.

Sign up today on MyBarackObama.com: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gshcd2

Ramey Ko
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Heather's Birthday For Obama

Heather Berman — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:12:06 EDT

Last weekend I hosted my birthday party/Obama phone bank

3 Tips on Phone Banking script from a professional salesperson

Matt Beane — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:50:17 EDT

Hi Everyone - It's an honor to have been invited to this group of activists.

I think we can build more trust more quickly, get more people registered and swing more undecided voters our way with a few minor modifications to our script. I'm suggesting these things based on my experience selling intangible, complex services over the phone to strangers and based on feedback from volunteers at a phonebanking party my wife and I just hosted.

1 - I mention right up front that I'm not calling to solicit donations. I say something like "Hello, is _______ there? Hi, my name is _______, and I'm a volunteer with the Obama Biden Campaign. How are you? Great! I'm not calling to ask for donations - I'm calling to see if you've made a decision about who you'll vote for on Tuesday. Nov. 4th Do you know which presidential candidate do you plan to support?"

2 - If someone says they are undecided, I say "Wow. That must be tough. How are you going to make your decision?" This is a very powerful question - it gets them to think about their decision-making criteria, and can often help them get clearer about the information they'd need, when they'd need it, how they want to receive it, and so on. They are generally grateful for that opportunity, and I'm betting that gratitude will translate into votes for Obama.

3 - I follow number 2 up with something like "Would it be useful to you to hear why I'm supporting Obama and Biden? I'd like to share, if you're interested." The key here is I'm asking for their consent to hear my views.

I recognize that this last point might be somewhat controversial, even with the campaign - after all, I could take the opportunity to share my views about Barack's candidacy without their explicit consent. This might sway some voters to our cause.

I doubt it, though. My experience tells me that if I rattle off my views, even politely, I may sway someone our way temporarily, but that this kind of "convincing" generally wears off in the face of other "convincing" from the other side, and leaves a bad taste in the recipient's mouth about our side. In my experience, people are much more likely to change their views for the long haul if they are given a choice about whether to hear differing views at the start.

What do you all think?

Matt Beane

Call Latino Nevada Voters

Fa! — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:02:33 EDT

Many of us are traveling to Nevada this weekend to register Latino Voters in the Silver State. Others are not traveling East this weekend, but they can still contribute in the Caravana to reach Latino Voters by using the "Neighbor to Neighbor" Application in this website to call Latino Voters in Nevada.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/votercontact/campaign_overview?campaign_id=3YL

It's easy to use, give it a try

fa!

Anyone want to phone bank?

Brenda Kidman — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:02:52 EDT

Hey guys,

I just joined the group, after attending Camp Obama on Saturday.

Is anyone interested in getting together and phone banking? I have been making calls today (although I have to stop since the Bronco's are playing! LOL) and it would be nice to have a group of us doing it.

We have wireless at our house and if you have a lap top and a cell phone we could meet at my house in South Weber some evening.

Send me a message or comment with interest and when would work for you and I will set something up.

Brenda

HERE'S WHY I STARTED THIS BLOG

Texas Treehouse — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:50:37 EDT

I've created this blog so that I don't have to keep sending you endless email after email as this campaign heats up and moves into the final 50 days. Fifty days, folks. That's all the time we've got to make sure that Grampa Simpson and Maude Flanders are not the next leaders of the free world.

I know we're all frustrated and scared about the gains McCain-Palin have made this week. I also know that most of you don't have the time to go door to door or to travel to a swing state this fall. Still, there is a lot you can do without moving from whatever seat you're in RIGHT NOW.

Please log in to my personal home page on BarackObama.com to see how easy it is to do phone banking. You don't need to devote more than 10 minutes at a time to phone banking--once a week, twice a week, in groups, alone, anytime, anywhere you want. It's easy, no stress. And it matters.

There are a lot of other ways to make a difference, too. Even just to talk convincingly to people that you know can put that ripple in the pond that might make the difference.

[Sorry, had to take out a section here about how to log into my account. I didn't realize these pages would be up on Google!! I thought they'd be just my friends. Silly me.]

If you want more info before you start phone banking, watch this quick video:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/votercontactTraining

Poke around and check things out. Create your own account at BarackObama.com. Check out how many different ways there are to jump in.

Bookmark this site and visit every day, as I will be updating with links to the most promising and important discussions and stories of the day. Please stay in touch and use this space to vent about this campaign and the past 8 years.

It ain't over till the fat lady sings, y'all, and I ain't even warmed up yet.

Love,
Kayte

Use the Neighbor-to-Neighbor tool!

Fanny — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:07:07 EDT

The campaign knows only the electoral college is important. Phonebanking for me was either calling Pennsylvania voters or calling New York people who had said they wanted to volunteer...in swing states. The tools are still a little buggy but use them and give them feedback: they actually respond in about 24 hours.

We're winning this.

First-Time Phone Banker

Kat — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:49:19 EDT

I volunteered at my first-ever Obama/Biden phone bank this afternoon. We were calling voters in Nevada to try and discuss the election with them, and see if they had any questions. It was a great experience to meet the organizers and the other volunteers, and get to know new people who are really excited to get our Democrats into the White House!

I was a little nervous at first about calling people, but the organizers made the process really simple and provided me with a call script. After the first few calls I hit my stride, and three hours of volunteering were over in a flash.

For all you Obama/Biden supporters out there who want to volunteer but are afraid to make calls or knock on doors, give phone banking a try! I was nervous at first too, but it’s not bad at all -- and now I’m feeling more confident about going around my neighborhood with the “Neighbor to Neighbor” program and getting into some real-life conversations with people about voting.

Lots of local organizer groups are setting up phone banks as the election draws near. Try volunteering at one -- it’s fun and it’s for a great cause.

Phonebanking to swing states is hidden but not gone

Fanny — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:48:30 EDT

Phonebanking’s not gone, just a lot harder to find:

Action Center

I’ll take to anyone

Grassroots Action guide

Phonebank

Online phone banking tool

Easy as pie, right?

Phone Bank Volunteers in France Sought

Meredith — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:22:54 EDT

Our Regional Field Director with Americans Abroad for Obama, Christine Houben is looking for volunteers to help out at the DAF Phone Bank.

Can you commit to helping us win this election?
Reaching out to voters is the keystone to our success in November.

Although much of our campaign efforts are directed at finding and registering new voters, this shouldn't distract us from the importance of securing 100% confirmation of registration all our members – those Americans who are most easily within our reach.

A Phone Banking session will take place at the home of Lois Grjebine in Paris VIeme arrondissement this Thursday, September 11th from 7PM to 10PM.

Please email Christine at houbenc@dnc.org to volunteer.

- What is Phone Banking?
It is reaching out to each and every DAF member to make sure they have registered to vote.

- What are the goals of Phone Banking?
·       To secure 100% confirmed voter registration for all our members.
·       To confirm that they will be voting for Barack Obama.
·       To sign up new volunteers for the campaign from within our membership.
·       To confirm contact details for all our members.
·       To answer any other questions they may have about Democrats Abroad or about this election.

Email Christine at houbenc@dnc.org for more information on our Phone Banking Campaign.

--
Where in the world will you vote?
http://votefromabroad.org/5
Absentee Ballots for American Citizens
http://votefromabroad.org/5

--

Phone banking to New Mexico

Patrick Frank — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:47:35 EDT

It is a great experience to talk to a lot of voters in New Mexico. I urge folks to do national phone banking to the key states. It does make a difference.But don't neglect your home state, red or blue.

Patrick Frank

Grassroots volunteer

Kingstree, SC

(843) 372-8851

Like Making Crank Calls, Only Better

juliesoller — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:37:34 EDT

On Sunday I volunteered to do phone banking with "California CD36 for Obama."

Phone banking means making phone calls to a list of people -- kind of like telemarketing, only you aren't selling anything. That should suck, right? Everybody hates getting phone calls from telemarketers. But we were actually looking for supporters of Obama in Nevada, so that we could help the canvassers there. So actually it was a lot of fun because you're surrounded by upbeat, fired up Obama supporters like R.J., Nancy and Geoff. Afterwards, beers in Venice Beach! What a fun way to volunteer to change the world!

Couldn't Make Denver? Here's a Plan!

Independent4Obama — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:33:43 EDT

I'm kicking myself.

I have a close friend who attended the University of Colorado at Denver and has a condo there. I didn't think to ask him for use of the place until it was too late.

So I'm at home, relegated to watching the convention coverage on C-Span, reading live blogs and wishing desperately that I was there.

If you're in the same boat as I am (and let's face it, MOST Obama supporters are NOT at the convention) we can play a huge roll in carrying out the spirit of the convention by taking action during the convention. It may not be as much fun, but it sure will be just as important, if not more.

Read on.

Phone Banking

Fanny — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:51:24 EDT

I just made 25 calls to Ohio and I want to encourage anyone who wants to be involved to go to Action then Action Center on MyBO to make phone calls. It's an oldie but goodie to reach voters in swing states.

The Movement in Ohio: Everywhere All at Once

Michael in Ohio — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:45:13 EDT

It's hard to open a newspaper in Ohio without coming across a story about how ubiquitous the Obama field team is here. Every day it seems like there's a new office opening in some far-off, traditionally conservative part of the state whose progressive citizens have been brought back to political life by Barack's candidacy. Just yesterday there was one in Woodlawn, today there was one in Port Clinton, and tomorrow there is another in Licking County.

Marion also welcomed 65 local supporters into a brand new office, which they more than deserved after their amazing voter outreach effort during the Birthday for Barack phone bank. A picture from the opening is below:

Ted Strickland had already spoken at three office openings, in Lima, Chillicothe, and Athens... but he wasn't done. This past Saturday he helped open the Campaign for Change doors in Trumbull County; the story is available here. (Trumbull County also happens to be home to the barn featured in our Barns for Obama video).

And that's just the start. Look for word of openings in Columbus, Defiance, Mt. Vernon, and Youngstown, and special events in St. Clairsville, Marietta, Chillicothe, Ironton, and Portsmouth (plus a special opening in Zanesville) featuring a very special guest...

With all this grass-roots activity it's no wonder that an Ohio resident left the following comment on Jack Cafferty's blog--which ended up being featured on Cafferty's TV show earlier tonight!:

Not Logging In...

"My" Christian — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:56:07 EDT

Did you know that if you have several email addresses, and you have a MyBO account, you will not be given credit for any of your donations, phone calls or anything else, unless you log into your MyBo account? I didn't and was saddened to see that I hadn't been given credit for the hundreds of phone calls and dollars that I've given to this campaign.

Of course, I'm not doing any of this for personal recognition, which is why I almost never actually logged into MyBO; only to attend or schedule an event. So, today, after scheduling an event, I had a little more time to actually explore what's in my profile, etc. That's when I found out that they are actually tracking our efforts and contributions.

So, my advice: if you are receiving campain emails to more than one email address, make sure you're only using the one that is the same one you signed up your MyBO account with, before you make any contributions (financial or otherwise).

Hope that's helpful information for someone! It certainly would have been for me 6 months ago. :-)

"My"

The Power Of Grass Roots

Mayank — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 23:14:30 EDT

No, I haven't come up with a new alternative fuel based on digging up lawns or pulling up vegetation from meadows.

I just went to my first Obama volunteer meeting in months, after burning out on working the primary and on all the negative news coverage. And now, here I am, fired up and ready to go!

Phone banking -- Terrifyingly Fun?

Shawn — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:17:02 EDT

We did phone banking last night. The Obama campaign gave us a list of people who might be willing to volunteer for the campaign.

I was terrified.

It's kind of funny that I worked as a 9-1-1 calltaker and police/fire/EMS dispatcher for years, yet I was terrified of making phone banking calls. Before we started I said, "Yikes, I'd rather handle a 9-1-1 stabbing or shooting call than make these calls!" I was totally serious. I tried really hard to get out of it. I offered to waitress, shine their shoes, wash their cars... no luck. It was a tough crowd.

More after the fold...

Come Out and Celebrate Barack's (and Ted's!) Birthday!!

Michael in Ohio — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:13:01 EDT

It can only be a sign. This Monday, August 4th, Barack Obama turns 47.... and Ted Strickland turns 67. They share the same birthday. And to commemorate it, we're going to fuse Barack's message with Ted's home state, and reach out to 47,000 Ohio voters by Monday.

There will be phone banks, canvassing, voter registration, and of course some straight up celebration! According to the event map, there are already 70 events planned, in all parts of the state! Look up the event in your area right now!

And maybe... just maybe, we'll hit 67,000 voters, in honor of Ted!

Senator Obama and Governor Strickland may be separated by exactly 20 years, but they are united by the same vision for Ohio and this country.

Opening the Doors to Change Across Ohio... (in Pictures)

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:24:59 EDT

This past weekend the Campaign for Change staked its claim in territories across the heartland, with offices opening all over the state quicker than you can say "buckeye."

In all corners, crowds flocked to find out what they can do to get involved, to eat the tastiest Obama-related cuisine, to hear local candidates and officials sound the call for change, and to explore the beautifully adorned spaces that will quickly become the heartbeat of this campaign's life for the next three months plus.

A quick photo tour from around the state:

In Lakewood, supporters filled the seats to get in on the Obama energy.

It was a good night by all accounts in Springfield, where there were 183 sign-ins at the office opening and 37 shifts scheduled for Barack's birthday (August 4) volunteer events. Not to mention 14 pledged in-kind contributions of volunteer food, gas cards, office supplies, or a month of unlimited cell phone use.

Shaker Heights didn't wait till its opening started to make its presence felt.

Click here to read more.

Women to Women Weekend in Ohio

Michael in Ohio — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:14:03 EDT

This weekend, women across Ohio will come together to celebrate their right to vote and unite in the movement for change and equality.

The events, called Women to Women Weekend, commemorate the 160th anniversary of the historic Seneca Falls Convention, where titans of the Women's movement fought for the all-important right to vote. Across the state, women will celebrate by reaching out to others to flex that right to participate in our democracy--through voter registration drives, canvassing, house meetings, and more.

Women to Women Weekend should also serve as a forum for area women to talk about why they're personally voting for Barack, and to discuss Barack's record of forwarding policies that put women first. This includes expanding health care to cover uninsured women, insisting on pay equity, and others recently introduced that have been shown to affect Ohio women specifically.

With over 60 events planned across the state, this weekend promises to be integral in uniting our supporters and broadening our coalition for change.

Find an event near you.

Phoned by a Republican shill for Obama?

oreosmakemehappy — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:54:38 EDT

I got a phone call yesterday from (682) 587-1102 (a DFW area cell phone). This was the third call I've gotten from that number.

The caller claimed to be from the Democratic Party. He had a canned spiel which he mumbled about how the party must be united to support Obama against McCain, and could he count on my $100 donation?

I explained to him that I do not have a job, and as such don't have money to contribute, but that I have been contributing my time since November of 2007: I have traveled to volunteer at events, put campaign volunteers up in my home during the Texas primary, was elected a delegate for Obama in the Texas primary, created an online group for Obama supporters to match traveling volunteers with host homes in the cities where they will be volunteering, etc.

This person said that what I was doing would not help Obama get elected. That only financial contributions would. That what I was doing was worthless! Can you believe it?!?!

That is when I began to suspect this person wasn't really an Obama supporter. Because we all know that Obama's campaign has been about grass-roots support, and people getting together as communities to roll up their sleeves and work to solve problems and affect change at a local level, not just throwing money at things, which is definitely a Republican tactic.

I very politely reiterated to this person that I did not have a job, therefore I had no money to contribute at this time (never mind the $$ I have already contributed to the campaign along with my time). At this point he became quite rude to me (again, another sign of a Republican because they despise anyone who doesn't make money).

I reminded him that I have done a LOT to volunteer, and he said "I'm sure whatever you have done, it isn't enough".

At that point, I hung up on him. Considering Barack Obama HIMSELF put his hands on my shoulders at an event where I was volunteering, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for "all that I do for the campaign", wtf is this person telling me that my contribution is worthless?

If this person is a Republican shill trying to turn people off on Obama, I could see how it might work. He came across as greedy, totally disinterested in the CAUSE he is "supporting", and very disinterested in the people who are rallying behind this candidate.

If this person is actually working for the Democratic party, they need someone to sit down with them and go over not only basic phone etiquette (you don't insult someone you are calling to get help from!) but also some education in Grassroots 101.

Shame shame shame on whomever that man was.

We are here in Athens!

Kaitlyn from Loganville, GA — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:14:35 EDT

The Obama campaign has arrived here in Athens!

We are excited to bring a campaign presence and make a difference in your community.

Athens Headquarters:

220 Prince Avenue (Across from The Grit and next to the church)

We are upstairs come up and visit us. Visitors are always welcome!

Our e-mail is 10thdistrictforobama@gmail.com

temporary phone #: 404-578-7939

We need volunteers!

We are currently looking for volunteers for phone banking and voter registration.

Please contact us if interested.

We will have events going on leading up to the election.

Current Events:

Voter Registration Drives

Saturday 8:00 AM

Saturday 2:00 PM

Sunday 2:00 PM

Location: The Arch at UGA

Broad and College

Phone Banking: Every Night (except Saturday) 5-9

Come Join Us!

Location: Pending (contact us for more information)

Will be located at our office in the future!

great specific tips for making gotv calls

Stephanie — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:31:27 EDT

I just wanted to share a link I discovered from the National Latinos for Obama newsletter that I thought deserved wider distribution. It was written by someone who was not a big Obama supporter but is now interested in getting him elected over McCain. It gives very helpful suggestions on how to respond to specific criticisms about Obama. I think one of it's greatest strengths is that it puts you in the place of the Hillary, Edwards, etc supporter and has you think about it from their point of view. It gives examples of both effective and ineffective responses. It's a little long but I am really glad I took the time to read it!

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/9/204346/8388/356/515265

warning--re: calls to supporters about voter's registration drive

Stephanie — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:18:15 EDT

When I was getting started on making calls to supporters a couple of days ago I thought I should check out the vote for change home page: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/vfchome. I wanted to be sure I knew how it was set up in case I got any questions. So, I looked up Madison where I knew there was an active drive with multiple groups. I was quite surprised to see no events listed. I realized that there must be a lack of coordination between on-line and locally organized events. There is one listed for Madison now (I made a call to the field office), but I know that all the events are still not there. So, two things:

-When making calls be sure not to just give out the website but to suggest that they contact their field office, or perhaps county clerks office to see if an active drive exists in their area. (In WI you have to be deputized by the county clerk.) Please let me know if anyone has other ideas on this. I happily was calling Madison so was able to give out specific info. I think the site is set up to have people calling locally but I did get some numbers from the north part of the state.

-If you are involved with an event, be sure to post it on the website so that we can remedy this problem. You can of course also encourage those you're calling to post an event if they find one that hasn't been listed.

I also think it would be helpful if the home page didn't just list specific events, but gave contact information for local organizers so people would know where they are needed most. I think people are more apt to follow though if they talk to an actual person than just find out about an event. Finally, I would like to see a link for the vote for change home page on the action center page. Please let me know if any of this is wrong or if I've been missing something.

Hope this is helpful and please do make the calls. It's great to connect with other excited supporters. By getting others to volunteer you are multiplying your own impact.

enjoying the calls

Stephanie — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:48:46 EDT

I just wanted to write and share what a positive experience I've had making calls for the campaign. I'm a mom with two small kids so it can be hard to get out to many events, but the on-line phone banking has allowed me an outlet to get involved and make me feel like I'm making a real difference. While I've encountered a few grumpy folks, the many people who have been so happy to talk to me has more than made up for it. I find that the vast majority are at least polite and willing to listen, and many have warmly thanked me for my efforts. It has been interesting and rewarding to connect with people from all over the country and share a renewed enthusiasm and hope. I've also enjoyed the concrete results of being able to sway peoples votes, get them to volunteer themselves, or help them get a ride or needed info to vote.

I wanted to encourage everyone to keep up the calls, or to give it a try if you haven't already. You can try making just a few calls, but you might find that it's hard to stop. :)

Building a Movement in South Dakota

Zachary Scott Edwards — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:29:18 EDT

Here in South Dakota, tens of thousands of phone lines were disrupted this evening. But that, and a little rain, didn’t stop our grassroots volunteers and staff members from going out and talking with local residents!

If you are not in South Dakota, we need you to reach out to our neighboring states, using the online calling tool, to get as many people on the ground here as possible. We have an enormous amount of ground to cover here to Get Out the Vote, and we need your help to get it done!

GOTV in West Virginia

Asher Heimermann — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:25:19 EDT

It is time to get out the vote in West Virginia!

We're only 33 delegates away from securing a majority of all pledged delegates and the calls you make can help close the gap:

http://my.barackobama.com/call

The conversations you have in the coming hours will ensure supporters know when the polls are open and undecided voters have one last chance to hear how Barack will bring our nation together for change.

It has been decades since West Virginia played a significant role in deciding the Democratic nominee. Right now we have a chance to let West Virginians know how important their voices are and ask them to stand with Barack Obama on Tuesday, May 13th.

Reach out and help bring us closer to a majority in all pledged delegates:

http://my.barackobama.com/call

Thanks for all you are doing!

WV calls--thanks

Stephanie — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:35:38 EDT

I just wanted to quickly thank everyone for all the responses to my request for tips for WV calls. It has proved useful and I have had a bit more success since then. I have primarily started out (after asking them how they are) by reminding them about the primary and giving them some general information about poll hours etc.--kind of a public service call. That has helped me ease in and have gotten a few people talking and may have convinced a couple. :)

Keep on calling...

This is What This Campaign is all About

J. Schacht — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:13:25 EDT

I read a story last night that needs some publicity. It's not a copyrighted work so I will reproduce it wholesale, but you can find it by clicking here

This is not my story, but it is indicitive of the movement that is building to take America back:

This afternoon I started calling West Virginia for Barack Obama. I had read "Big Coal" by Jeff Goodell and felt a special empathy for the people of West Virginia and wanted to share with people why I thought they would be best served by an Obama presidency.
Most of the people I called weren't home so I left several messages. I did speak to one woman who was undecided and said she appreciated hearing from me and having a chance to hear what I had to say. She said she was most concerned about the candidates' principles and their faith.
Then came the call that put a wrench into my calling.

tips for WV calls?

Stephanie — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:57:07 EDT

I have called a lot of states, but so far I'm finding it tough to get people to talk in WV. Any suggestions for those who may have had better luck? I know there is a conference call tonight but unfortunately I won't be able to call in at that time. I hope that it will be available to listen to on the call page.

Thanks in advance, Stephanie from WI

Our lethal call system design

Hill Kemp — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:13:41 EDT

Once again I tried making calls into NC for that primary and got the same scary result.

WE NEED BADLY TO CHANGE THE WAY WE MAKE CALLS. IT'S A SIMPLE STEP, BUT WE CAN STOP TURNING OUT CLINTON VOTERS.

Our current approach is to start making calls into the target state a few day before the election asking who the person is backing for president. THERE IS THE FLAW. We need to use a two-step call process. Call and ask the above question at least two weeks before election day. The second step is to call those who support/lean Obama the last few days leading up to the election.

The calls I made late into NC and got a lot of Clinton backers who were agitated by my call (even though I followed the script and rang off as soon as I knew they backed Clinton). We need to have those late calls actually serve as GOTV (get out the vote), BUT ONLY FOR OUR VOTERS. We need to strive to keep the Clinton backer's phones SILENT during the last 7 days before the election.

I will make both calls and I think we have the volunteers to do it. We just need to have the current names and numbers 3 - 4 WEEKS IN ADVANCE. The numbers we identify as Obama backers can be fed back in to generate the list to be called again just before the election.

PLEASE, PLEASE SOMEONE GET THIS CHANGE CONSIDERED. OREGON. KENTUCKY.

"Called" to Make Calls

MrJWenn — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:29:42 EDT

This weekend I was fortunate enough to have been able to call 150 homes in Indiana. My wife can't seem to understand why I'm doing it. As has happened before I've encountered numbers that were no longer in use, answering machines, supportes, some who haven't made up their minds and others that are supporting other candidates. I am making calls because living in CA I am not able to go to North Carolina or Indiana. As a teacher I am teaching my students about the Civil War and Reconstruction and getting ready for the state tests but there is one thing from my teaching that has "called me to call" and that is the bravery of ordinary people. Ordinary people were behind great leaders. Ordinary people risked their lives to bring this country closer to the ideals set by the founders of this country. At crucial moments ordinary people stood up and ordinary people stood silent. I don't want to watch history I want to make it.

Phone banking basics -- help for callers.

mary4change — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:47:18 EDT

For the longest time I was making phone calls and when I'd reach someone who needed local follow-up (help to register or vote, for example), I didn't know how to direct them. This has been particularly true for people who do not have computers or go online. It finally dawned on me that you can get the numbers of various headquarters in states by visiting the individual state's web page. For example, in Indiana it's in.barackobama.com. Now I have numbers I can give people!

This may be obvious to most people, but in case there are others like me who haven't figured that out, I hope this helps bridge the gap between out of state callers and local action.

It would help if the caller tips included reference to what to do when you reach someone who doesn't have a computer or needs help locally.

Any other ideas or insights to make our calling more effective?

Tips for Phone Banking through PA Teams

April Diana in Easton, PA — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 01:24:35 EDT

The PA Neighborhood teams will supply you with a list of Democrats in your area. These people will probably live within a few miles from your home.

You can print out a list to take with you and then enter the data later, or you can access a caller's contact information along with a script and enter caller responses as you go.

I prefer to select voters one at a time. This method groups voters by household. When you open the list to print, the voters are not grouped by household, and you may end up calling the same house more than once!

Do not feel like you have to talk people into voting for Obama. Our main concern is to identify supporters and to intite people in to volunteer. Many of your conversations will be pretty simple.

However, you may want to ask people who are undecided or leaning for Obama if they have any questions you can answer.

While talking to people who are undecided or leaning Obama, you may want to ask them if they would like you to send them information on a particular issue. Then you can print something off from the Issue pages on the My.Bo web site and either send it by mail or drop it by their house (but don't put it in the mailbox that would be a federal offense!).

You should also ask undecided or leaning Obama voters if they are interested in attending a house party and then keep a separate record of their name, phone number, and email, so you can invite them later.

When you identify supporters, be sure to ask if they are interested in volunteering for the campaign by making calls, canvassing, or hosting a house party.

If you have experience phone banking, please post your tips in a respose to this blog. Let's help people new to the task feel comfortable.

First, Do No Harm

Naomi — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:11:38 EDT

There are a number of things I feel confident I can do for this campaign. Right off the top of my head, and in no particular order, I can think of:

Voting for Obama (OK,so, being from Michigan I could not actually do this, but I voted uncommitted and hold a lot of hope that I will get to cast and actual, real live vote for him in November)
Proclaiming publicly that I am voting for Obama
Giving money to the campaign
Asking others to give to the campaign (although that isn't going too well, either. Anyone out there in the blogosphere want to go to my page and help me out?)
Asking other if they plan to vote for Obama
Reminding Obama voters to vote

What all of these have in common is that I am unlikely to hurt Obama's chances of being elected by doing them. I may or may not help, but I won't make things worse. But here's the thing -- I'm terrified of trying to convince people to vote for Obama, because I'm terrified I'm going to screw it up. Something that happened today brought that fear home.

National Call Team Conference Call

Asher Heimermann — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 05:51:30 EDT

Thank you for contributing to our sweeping victory in Mississippi!

With your help, Barack has won more votes, double the contests, and has a delegate lead that's larger than ever. But we're still in the heart of the primary season with ten more contests to go.

Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Indiana all have fast-approaching deadlines to register new voters who can support Barack in their primaries.

Make an impact on those contests by making calls now:

http://my.barackobama.com/call

To find out how your voice will make a difference in the upcoming states, join us for a National Call Team conference call on Thursday, March 13th, at 8:30 p.m. EST.

Dial-in Number: (605) 772-3500
Access Code: 429865298

Get started making calls for change today:

http://my.barackobama.com/call

Mississippi and Plaza Midwood Phone Bankers

Andrew — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:34:18 EDT

Just wanted to say I think we had another successful Phone Bank on Monday night. We can take some small degree of satisfaction in knowing that we were part of the effort that helped put Obama well over the top last night. Thanks again to those who were able to make it out.

If you are interested in helping with the effort to win Pennsylvania and our own North Carolina, please get in touch. And look for the next Phone Bank in the coming days under "events near me".

Get Out The Vote in Mississippi

Asher Heimermann — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:51:09 EDT

Thank you for making calls and helping to bring in a tremendous Wyoming win!

The spin masters and pundits like to imply that states with caucuses and smaller populations don't matter, but we know that every voice and every vote standing up for change makes a difference.

That's why we've won more states, more votes, and more delegates in this race.

In less than 24 hours the polls open in Mississippi. As a team, we've already identified over 10,000 supporters in Mississippi -- and now is the time to Get Out The Vote:

http://my.barackobama.com/call

We have impacted elections across the country, and now it's the Magnolia State's time to shine. Make a difference in the Mississippi primary by making calls right away:

http://my.barackobama.com/call

More pictures from Phonebanking in Pasadena, California

Julia from Pasadena — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:05:19 EST

Here are some pictures from phonebanking to Texas at the Metropolitain Cafe, in Pasadena, California. We are meeting there today if you want to come join us.

Onward

Aimee — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:57:22 EST

So far, I've given money to Senator Obama and I've written about him on various sites; I've voted for him in California, and talked to everyone I can about why I think he's the best choice to lead the Democratic Party.

But there is more that I can -- and must -- do. I've watched dismayed as Hillary Clinton, who I once admired, has made this campaign more and more negative. Sadly, at least in Ohio and Texas, these tactics seem to have worked. They have worked on me too -- they have made me more determined than ever to make sure that Barack Obama is the presidential nominee for our party. I have not phone banked in the past, but I will do so now.

Our lives are busy. I'm juggling a full-time finance job with a dream of writing screenplays professionally. My husband and I are collaborating with two different directors trying to get films made. That takes a lot of my time. But we all have to ask ourselves, what kind of country do we want to live in? Do we want another four years of Bush-Rove dirty politics, only with John McCain or Hillary Clinton at the helm? I don't.

So, this is a challenge to everyone. Make some calls this week. Even if you only make ten calls a day, if we all do it, imagine what a difference we could make! And give some money if you can. Every $5 donation helps. You probably accumulate that much in spare change over the course of a week.

YES WE CAN.

More Phone Banking!

Asher Heimermann — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:45:23 EST

Every goal we've set, you've exceeded. Every challenge we've faced, you've overcome. You are making history by building this movement call by call, vote by vote. March 4th looms large before us, but I know you are ready to fight to the finish.

We need to make 1 million calls by March 4th to ensure that Barack comes away with the most votes, the most states and the most delegates. Stand up to those who say we can't or we won't and those who imply that we are delusional or that this is some sort of fairy tale: http://my.barackobama.com/call

We are going to change our country by making our voices heard, one conversation at a time. Help make 1 million calls before the polls close on March 4th and prove, once again, that people who love their country can change it:

http://my.barackobama.com/call

Let's make this happen!

AZ, we still have work to do

Dawn in Superstition Springs — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:42:29 EST

We fought hard here in Arizona for Obama, and we successfully narrowed the gap. They expected Clinton to lose big here, but we made it close.

Now it's time for us to put our enthusiasm back to work for Obama. Ohio and Texas are coming up fast, and it's going to take all of us, working together, across the country to win those states. Obama supporters across Arizona are coming together to support important upcoming primaries.

If you missed out on getting involved in the Arizona primary, it's not too late to do your part. If you worked hard during the Arizona primary, then we need to put that well-earned experience to work now.

Lets pull together and take Wisconsin, Hawaii, Texas and Ohio.

Daniel — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:26:25 EST

Greetings Fellow Precinct Captains and Supporters,

We have come along way created a lot of momentum with our nationwide wins, Hurray! But there is still much work too do to win this Campaign for Barack Obama, our families, our future, our communities, our country and of course ourselves. Never have the stakes been higher. We need to win Hawaii, Wisconsin, Texas and Ohio these states and keep our momentum going. Please keep making phone calls to these states. Enlist your friends, families, colleagues and neighbors to spread the word and go to the phones and call voters in these upcoming states. Its fun its easy and it works to spread the word about Barack Obama's his vision, his plans to unite and revitalize this great country of ours.

People need to hear that this is not just talk this is a experienced effective Senator who united legislators in both the Illinois Senate and the U.S. Senate to get meaningful legislation passed. They need to hear that Barack is not just a politician he is a States person who has already stood up for issues that were unpopular and definitely not in his best political interest( such as the war in Iraq). Barack Obama stood up to try and prevent this misguided legislation from becoming law he stood up to protect our great country. He knew that the country and his state needed to hear why this war was a mistake, and why the Congress, both the House and Senate, of the United States needed to exercise their constitutional duties to declare war only when and if it was time to enter into actual combat. He expressed his convictions in a clear positive message reaching across the political spectrum he explained how it would damage us as a nation, and because of his sincerity and the clarity of his vision, the people of Illinois went on to vote him into the United States Senate.

We have the strongest, most brilliant candidate in Barack Obama who has presented a blue print to revitalize this country a blue print that leaves nobody behind, allows us to give our children and grand children the gift of a world class education. We have a candidate that will bring our service persons, the men and women that have served so faithfully in Iraq and other parts of the world. When they get home they will need help as they leave combat mission and rejoin civilian life they will need good jobs to support their families, education to better their lives, the lives of their families and their communities. There will be other challenges such as the hundreds of thousands of workers that provided support to the troops keeping the supplies of food, materials, and training and technical support to the Iraqi's. We have many challenges to overcome in order to take back this great country of ours and we only have one leader that can surmount the challenges and unite us all behind the causes that we face in our life and that person is Barack Obama.

There is something more about the Iraq war vote you should consider and please do not go negative by telling a voter this information it will be bad enough when John McCain presses this point if Senator Hillary Clinton is our candidate in the fall. This vote turned the House and Senate's constitutional war power duties to the President this is not his job. This President has expressed his belief he has the authority to attack other countries under this authorization. I am not suggesting that you go negative please please please don't! We do not need any mud slinging to win. I want us to keep in the back of our minds the urgency which we face in recapturing the White house. The Republican candidates are not going to be kind this fall and they are going to pull off the gloves, pull out all stops, and present every negative aspect that they can to split up and shake our voting base, damage the credibility of our Presidential candidate once chosen. They will attempt to energize the conservative base that they have so artfully been able to bring to the polls and vote with them every presidential cycle. They did this to Al Gore and John Kerry, Senator Clinton shares much of Senator Kerry's voting record which brought him down and cost us the White House 4 years ago.

We have put out to the voters of the Democratic Party the best slate of candidates that I can ever remember and it is breathtakingly refreshing that they are all such shining stars, but one star shines above them all and that is Barack Obama. Senator Obama is a person who eclipses all of them with wisdom that allows him to unite everybody across the political spectrum around the common problems that face all of us in our everyday life. Let's energize our base make the calls to take Wisconsin, Hawaii, Texas and Ohio.

Peace,

Daniel Lewis
lewis_daniel@dslextreme.com
323-564-5249

Lets take back America! If we all work together and believe in
ourselves. We can. We will.

Barack Obama has proved himself a worthy person to lead our nation
through his actions, deeds and EXPERIENCE!!!

Great time Calling to Wisconsin

Susan in Crofton — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:09:53 EST

Hey all,

Last night called to WI and they are just the friendliest people. I have called other states and the people were all very nice, but I felt more like a telemarketer. When I called WI, a number of people really wanted to have a nice conversation about who they should support. They were all undecided voters and seemed really touched that I would take my time to call them and talk to them about why I supported Obama. So, take some time and call, you will be glad you did. It is a close race.

Make hope happen and call!

It doesn't stop

cgrantmaledy — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:54:24 EST

Three more states! This is amazing, i'm sure a lot of the people who are voting in the current primaries are hyped about the fact that their vote counts in a big way. I wish I would have started phonebanking earlier, it's an amazing way to do the business of electing a good man. Huckabee's phonebots beware, I have spoken to the great states of maryland and virgina and they're not to be meddled with. if you've got the extra minutes in your cell phone plan, this is just as crucial as any other way of volunteering.

fired up.

ready to go

Thank You! Now what???

m2violin — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:34:44 EST

First off, I wanted to thank each and every one of you receiving this message for your hard work on the campaign. Thanks to your efforts, the Obama movement now has the "Big Mo" going into tomorrow's Beltway primary. Please remember that here in Oklahoma we have 14 Obama delegates in our state delegation. (Democratic delegates are awarded through proportional representation, not "winner take all" as is the case with the Republicans.) So-you made a difference!

I have been asked if there's any way we can still help Barack Obama win the Democratic nomination. The answer is yes! Here are some things you can do:

Phone bank from home-The Obama campaign still has their online phone banking tool set up at http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/phonebankmap . They are especially looking for women to call voters in Wisconsin. Also, if you speak Spanish, you're needed to call voters in Virginia.
E-mail or talk to your friends and relatives. I e-mailed friends in the Super Tuesday states last week and got a very positive reception. I just sent a message outlining a few of my reasons for supporting Barack Obama and urging they give him serious consideration to be the next President of the United States. I also spoke to my mother, who lives in Illinois (a Super Tuesday state). She was very much undecided, but wound up voting for Obama. I believe what I told her influenced her decision to vote for Obama. If you have friends/relatives in Texas, Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, Wisconsin, Hawaii, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Vermont of Wyoming contact them, tell them why you support Obama, and ask them to vote for him.
If you are able to do so, consider making a trip to Texas. Texas is a state with a lot of delegates. If we win enough delegates there we could very well seal the nomination! Amie Nguyen is organizing a trip to Wichita Falls. She's been in contact with Obama supporters there, and they would very much welcome more help. Contact Amie at amie.c.nguyen@gmail.com if you can help. Another Tulsa Obama supporter, Robert Lawrence, is looking into a trip into the DFW metroplex, or possibly Denton. If you're interested in that trip. contact Robert at robert@debatelinks.com . If you want to organize your own trip you might consider Austin, College Station or Houston. If you're really ambitous (especially if you speak Spanish) consider a trip to Brownsville, Harlingen or McAllen. For those who would prefer to stay closer to home Paris or Sherman are both within a 3 1/2 hour drive from Tulsa. If you're organizing a trip let me know and I'll spread the word.
Got extra Obama stuff? (Flyers, door hangers, yard signs, etc.) Contact Amie or Robert so they can ferry them down to Texas (they really want Obama stuff). Or, if you're organizing your own trip, take them with you!
OK, this is off topic, but we need to be thinking "down ticket." President Obama will need more Democrats in the House and Senate to help him achieve his agenda for Change We Can Believe In. Here in Oklahoma, we have an opportunity to elect a Democrat who will do just that-and remove them embarrassment that we have in Jim Inhofe. Please give serious consideration to actively supporting Andrew Rice in his bid for the U.S. Senate. His website is http://andrewforoklahoma.com/ . I'm ready for a senator we can truly be proud of-not a constant embarrassment. And-Andrew is an Obama supporter to boot!

Again, thank you for your help with the Obama campaign! I'm confident we'll be in touch to GOTV in November. We all have the Audacity to Hope things can change for the better in our country!

Best regards,

Martha Matteswww.barackobama.com PS: Would you like a celebration get-together? E-mail me back if you're interested!

My pipes burst, but the phone line was hot!

tgslampwork — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:16:36 EST

When I woke up to burst pipes, and it was determined I would be spending the day waiting for the plumber meaning I could not go to work - I went straight to the phones.

I made more then 250 phone calls to Virginia today - how about you?

Keep It Up!

Asher Heimermann — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:31:01 EST

Today you've made over 11,000 calls all across Maine to get out the caucus! That's over 1/2 the total number of Maine caucus participants in 2004!

Now, let's keep the momentum going and get out the vote for this Tuesday, February 12th when Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC hold their primaries.

We need your help getting out the vote in Virginia, most of all. We've made over 12,000 calls so far, but can we hit our goal of 30,000 by the end of the day?

Get started here: http://my.barackobama.com/call

Sweeping Victory!

Asher Heimermann — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:18:26 EST

Congratulations on a clean sweep of Washington, Nebraska, Louisiana and the Virgin Islands! What an incredible demonstration of what we can do when people across the nation take action for change. For each goal we've set, we've surpassed it. So, today let's shoot for something bigger than ever before.

Can we make 10,000 calls to Maine before the caucuses? Can we make 30,000 calls to Maryland and Virginia before the end of the day?

Now we are faced with another great challenge, but if we each push ourselves a little bit further and give just a little bit more, there is no question that Yes We Can!

It's up to us to make the difference in this election. Start calling now: http://my.barackobama.com/call

Another day of calling.

tgslampwork — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:40:52 EST

Today I made close to 100 combined calls to Maine (79) and Maryland (20). Another day that I blew off my other resposibilities until tomorrow - for what I felt I needed to do today.

In Maine, it was interesting. I spoke with several people who were Independents who wished to support Barack, and were not even aware that they, in fact, could causus for Barack. I also spoke with a few people who were not aware their caucus was today - who were grateful for my call and the information regarding the time and place of their caucuses. Of course there were the people who were irritated with the influx of calls, who were plain and simple not interested in caucusing. I explained to these folks that I was very sorry for the repeated calls, but explained the other scenarios where people who needed and wanted and were grateful for the calls were mixed in with the duplicate calls. I used a friendly, apologetic tone -- and not a single person was nasty with me. While it's certainly frustrating to get four calls in a day, I explained it was equally frustrating for me as a caller -- but that I thought the positive out-weighed the negative each time I reached one of those grateful for the call.

Stay positive - make a positive impression. I'm hoping we'll need these folks in November!

It's been a good nite.

tgslampwork — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 22:38:49 EST

I certainly would not post a blog asking you to volunteer if I was not up for putting some time in myself. For anyone who doesn't know me and might be reading, I work 1.5 full time jobs and make jewelry in my non-volunteering life. I planned my day out twice.

First, I was supposed to work - but with the thread of snow (and pure lack of motivation) I decided I was going to melt some glass for jewelry instead.

So then, I prepare what I need for glass melting, and have to wait at least an hour for my mandrels to dry -- so I decided I would make 'a few' calls, for maybe an hour. That was at noon. I stopped calling at 12 minutes before 8pm, when the Louisianna polls were scheduled to close. So, my day was a bust -- or was it?

I spoke with several folks who still did not know the primary in their state was today. I spoke with someone who had no ride to the polls (the fabulous Obama Baton Rouge team got her there in time). I could go on and on. Most importantly, I spoke with several energized people who were filled with hope and happy to receive my call and chat about Obama for a few minutes.

Now that the returns have come in, my day turned out better then I could have ever planned it and, once again, I feel like I was a part of something. Today was a good way.

Time for me to watch Obama speak in Virginia - and I'm sure I'll be calling there soon!

We are who we've been waiting for.

Yes, we can.

GOTV Time

Asher Heimermann — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:58:16 EST

Today is the day! You've called tens of thousands of voters in Louisiana, Nebraska, Maine, and Washington.

Now, let's get them out to the polls and caucuses!

http://my.barackobama.com/call

This is our chance to have a true impact on the outcome of these weekend contests. Just select a state on the map, go to, "click here to get started," login and then select the first name on your list. You'll see their number and the script. Remember to click, "done" at the end of the call to go to the next number.

In Louisiana the polls are open till 8 pm CST, the Washington caucus is at 1 pm PST, the Nebraska caucus time varies by location, and then the Maine caucus is tomorrow. Throughout the day we'll switch the calling campaigns based on where we need calls made the most, so check for updates:

http://my.barackobama.com/call

Thanks for all of your hard work! It's time to Get Out The Vote!

Feeling Good About Phone Banking

Barbara C. — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:22:22 EST

I have been participating in phone banking as a volunteer here, both locally and nationally and find it a particular easy thing to do, convenient because you can do it from your own home and a good use of my free cell phone minutes. Although tonight I had limited time, I found that I could make 20 phone calls to voters in Louisiana.

I would encourage every supporter to consider signing up, if you haven't done so already. With Super Tuesday now behind me and my New York primary over, I find I can still be involved, excited and inspired in this campaign by making a significant contribution talking to voters all over the country on the phone.

This website makes it easy for anyone to participate. The scripts are there as a guide, in case you are shy about what to say. There are conference calls you can listen to in order to prepare yourself, too. If a voter is undecided or indicates that they have a question about Barack, I find that for me, it is easier if I speak from my heart. I use the scripts as a guide, but usually pick one or two issues that I know are reasons I support Barack Obama for President and present them with all the passion and spirit when the opportunity arises.

Not all voters want to know why I support Obama and not all voters want to talk to a complete stranger. But when they do, it is so exciting! Tonight's calls got me so excited as I had one woman saying she supports Barack Obama "100 times 10%" and another one who proclaimed that everyone in her household was going to vote for him on Saturday.

I had an unusual story, too, of an elderly gentleman who is an Obama supporter but wanted to confirm his polling place for Saturday. The website makes it easy and suggests we refer the voter to the website to look it up. I felt in my heart that this man had probably never touched a computer and when i suggested he go to the website, my hunches were confirmed. So I offered looking it up for him and politely asked for his address so I could do the search. He gave it to me, but a message came up saying it was incorrect, so I offered to call him back. I didn't want to lose a potential supporter!

After a minute or two, I realized that the website is a bit particular about how you enter the address and all I had to do was write "W' instead of "West" to get my results. So I called the man back. He was extremely grateful: perhaps a bit too much as he then asked me if I was married and if we could continue talking by phone later on! I have to say that it made me smile, but I politely declined and no harm was done. Regardless of his motives, I truly believe that this man did appreciate my willingness to call him back and it's this kind of kindness that will be remembered in this campaign.

So, I urge all supporters to take at least an hour of your time and sign up for phone banking. Encourage your friends and family to join in, too. You will feel good and know that you ARE making a difference.

How Can I Motivate the Not-So-Political But Leaning Toward Barack to Become Involved???

Karen S, Cleveland OH — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:26:53 EST

Hello from Ohio!!!

I have a couple of neighbors who are rooting for Barack, but in a passive way. What I mean is, they really aren't very involved in politics. Does anyone have any advice as to how I can get them on board???

Is there a specific 'argument' anyone here has used that has been successful? I've run into die-hard Hillary fans that won't budge, but I did my best to try. Also, I attend Lake Erie College. Does anyone here in Northeast Ohio also attend? If so, would you like to join me in bringing an Obama group to the college? I can't do it alone because I'm a full-time student and a full-time single mom, but if I've got someone to work with I know we could build a coalition.

I've also found--much to my amusement and amazement--that many of the students are Republican. Pretty odd for a college campus, no?

ALSO---

there are out of state students who are not registered to vote in Ohio. Is it too late to register to vote in time for the March 4th primary?

Thanks in advance for your advice and information!

Karen S.

GOOOOOOOOBAMA!!!

We're Going to Make SC Look Like Child's Play

Akilah — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:19:59 EST

I'm Super excited about the caucus here in Washington on Saturday, February 9. This joke is that the union is "49 states and the Soviet of Washington", due to our long history of progressive activism. Just today, the state SEIU has switched its endorsement from Edwards to Obama!

I have people contacting me on my personal email, I read the digests from the national groups, and the question is the same: what can we do to get the most delegates in the second largest state in the West?

1. Send us your paraphanelia. We need your yard signs, buttons, bumper stickers, t-shirts, regular stickers, anything that says "Obama for America". Express mail it to the following address:

Obama for America, Howard Building, 614 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104

Our caucus is Saturday and I'm personally down to 10 bumper stickers.

2. Yes, make phone calls. But request a list for Eastern Washington, or just ask to talk to people outside the metropolitan counties of Martin Luther King, Snohomish and Pierce.

The city of Seattle no longer has a Republican party, but the rest of the state is pretty conservative, so calling the non-urban areas and getting out the supporters in the rural counties is Really crucial.

PHONE BANKING FOR SENATOR OBAMA-NASHVILLE,TENNESSEE

Clarise Mason — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:49:04 EST

The Most Beautiful Sound! Over 50 people making calls in the same room to GOTV

(Get Out The Vote).

Make Calls to New York Voters

Asher Heimermann — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:27:14 EST

With only days till February 5th, we need your help to Get Out The Vote! Make calls to voters from the comfort of your home with the online calling tool:

http://my.barackobama.com/call

We'll provide you with a script and list of numbers to call. Help get New Yorkers to the polls for Barack on February 5th by picking up the phone today.

Keep Making Those Calls!

Asher Heimermann — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 11:11:53 EST

As a team we made over 2,350 calls to Idaho voters in just one day!

And it looks like it had a great impact. That crowd is fired up and ready to go! Yesterday over 10,000 folks in New Mexico had a chance to hear Barack in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

Together we made over 6,000 calls to New Mexico. Thanks for giving thousands the opportunity to see Barack!

Now, we've got to put all our efforts into getting supporters out to the polls on February 5th. We have three days to make the difference!

Please help call voters in Georgia, California, and New York today:

http://my.barackobama.com/call