Hot Damn x 2!! What I Saw Today: How The West Was Won!!

[writes3000]

Man, oh man, PEOPLE! Today was Day 2 of Camp Obama CA and I'm out of words to explain what's running through my head. If you want to know what Day 1 was like, go here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7061715&mesg_id=7061715

As for Day 2, you know that scene in the Matrix where Neo has to choose between the red pill (seeing true reality) and the blue pill (staying in ignorance). I feel like the campaign just gave me that option this weekend.

I took the red pill.

And knowing what I know now, seeing what I've just seen, I'm more confident than ever. Obama's going to beat John McCain's ass in November. Folks, I am not exaggerating when I say this. If the Obama campaign executes its ground game, the way they have organized it thus far, THERE IS NO WAY JOHN McCAIN CAN WIN. I was literally doing the math in my head and you know what image popped up? An image of all of those unstoppable, undeniable flood waters we've seen breaking through every barrier in its path.

So what has me so fired up???

Not what you think. Camp Obama doesn't spend much time telling you about Obama. If you're there, they assume that you're already on board with the man and what he stands for. No, Camp Obama is all about the ground game. The practical, day to day, minute to minute application of their campaign strategy. It's detailed but it's very, very focused.

Today was all about defining positions within our groups and starting each team's campaign tasks for this upcoming week. The day flew by. We learned alot. And all of us left feeling more excited and more nourished than we had been for awhile.

But that's not what has me so fired up.

How about the fact that ten folks out of our 150 signed up to move to Ohio to execute the plan in that important state. So many of them had relatives in Ohio and they all said they felt confident they could flip their family and friends if they could show them how much each one of them believed in Obama.

But that's not what has me so fired up.

How about the fact that close to twenty folks signed up to move to Nevada until the election. And I am one of the twenty!

But that's not what has me so fired up.

What has me so fired up is the full on glimpse they gave us into the California/Nevada strategy. People, people, people. Mark this down. What you will see in the week before November 4th is going to shock this country. I've always wondered why the DU posters who volunteer for the campaign seem so confident when they post, "Just wait and see. You have no idea." Now, I know.

Folks, just wait and see. This country is about to be knocked on its ass.

Out of respect for the campaign, I'm not going to spell everything out beyond what I said yesterday. But I will share this. When I asked one of the campaign leaders to estimate how many volunteers there were in the state, her estimate astounded me. It wasn't two fold the number I had in my head. It wasn't ten fold the number I had in my head. It wasn't thirty fold the number I had in my head. It wasn't fifty fold the number I had in my head.

It was MORE than even that. MUCH MORE.

And when I learned what they intend to do in the two weeks leading up to the election. IT. IS. ON!

So I leave you with this: The ONLY way this works country-wide, the only way we blow the minds of every naysayer, every warmonger, every civil rights enemy...

Is if YOU join the cause. You want to feel better. You want things to change. Get up and DO SOMETHING!

Every single person I spoke to in the parking lot felt so damn excited and energized because we KNOW we can do this. We can win our state and we will flip Nevada. But for the rest of the country, we counting on YOU.

If you won't get out of your comfort zone to save the country now, when will you do it?

A revolution is brewing, folks. Don't sit on the sidelines. I'd hate for you to miss it.

Take the red pill. Save the world.

[tekisui]

1. A Very Hearty KNR!

I am committing to at least one day a week, starting this week. I hope to make it two days. Your post helped me re-affirm my plans for this Thursday.

Thanks for posting.

[writes3000]

5. Fantastic! People don't realize how big this is. Here's another thing I learned today.

You've heard people say here that they've applied to volunteer but they've never heard back.

The reason is - They are flooded with interest. They need volunteers just to bring in the volunteers who've expressed interest.

We CANNOT wait for the campaign to come to us. Everyone needs to go find it.

There is something big out there for all of us to do.

WE have to get up and go find it.

Thank you for being one of those people.

[MadrasT]

2. I'm in, on the ground in PA.

:woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo:

K&R get out there and DO IT, people!!!

YES WE CAN! :woohoo:

:kick:

[IndyOp]

3. THANK YOU! For everything you do, including this uplifting post - THANK YOU!

I've just finished putting finishing touches on my voter registration schedule for the local library for the next 3 weeks and I've sent copies to the library staff so they can tell patrons when we will be there; I've printed a copy for my local Voter Reg Office which I'll drop by to them tomorrow so they can tell people who call them; and I've sent a copy to my local community radio station so they'll announce it; and sent a copy to a volunteer who will send it on to the local newspaper.

REGISTER VOTERS NOW -- Everyone on DU can print out a couple of forms and take them to work and make sure that everyone is registered!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[writes3000]

6. You've got it. That's the key. If we just get enough people registered...

And we get them to the polls, we win.

I'm planning to spend the next month doing everything I can to register voters.

Thank YOU!

[On the Road]

4. Obama Has Two Offices in Arlington Virginia

The north Arlington office was mobbed yesterday. For a Saturday afternoon canvassing session, there were people spilling our in to hall. I believe they ran out of packets and had to give some volunteers different assignments. It is going to make a difference.

[writes3000]

11. Exactly! The campaign is having trouble keeping up with all the help!

When the LA office officially opened they expected 150 people based on RSVPs.

2200 people showed up. It was a MOB. Neighbors called the police because they were so overwhelmed by the traffic.

We cannot sit on our asses waiting for them to tap us.

They need our help. And if we can help them funnel all of this passion, we will blow everyone's minds in November.

[On the Road]

14. I Can't Imagine This is Happening on the McCain Side

Even with Palin, there are no enthiastic young Republicans flooding the streets.

[grantcart]

7. If I get lucky on the business side I would be interested in going to Nevada for

the last two weeks in October. Up until then I am canvassing for Leibham CA 50 -- Al Gore is coming this week!!

[writes3000]

28. You rock, GC! It would so cool to meet you in NV.

Gotta admit. Feeling a little jealous about the Gore visit.

[liberalmuse]

8. A post like this is like cool, clear water to a parched throat.

Thank you! I appreciate all you're doing, and also your sharing that here. I'm more optimistic, too. I just got off the phone with my mom. She is an evangelical who voted for Bush twice. She was a bitter Hillary supporter, but is completely on board now and was even quoting Obama to me, and telling me what the nasty Republicans were trying to do to him. Unlike me, she watched both conventions (I couldn't watch the 'pubs) and was very disgusted with all except 3 Republicans at the convention: McCain's mom, and Mr. and Mrs. Huckabee. She used to love Bush and the 'pubs! Anyway, my entire maternal side of the family up in NE Ohio is working to get Obama elected. My grandma works at the Dem headquarters up there now. Yesssss!

My sister and I are both planning on taking a week vacation in October and will canvass anywhere in the country Obama needs us. We are actually planning on doing this the last week in October, coincidentally.

Now I'm off to click your link! Thanks again. :toast:

[Number23]

32. What a fantastic analogy, liberalmuse

A post like this is like cool, clear water to a parched throat.

And so very, very true. :9

Thanks for such an uplifting OP, Writes. I just got even more Obama stuff from the campaign mailed to me today and your OP is like icing on the cake.

[Arctic Dave]

9. Welcome to the real world Neo.....

Glad to see you are out in the streets walking the walk.

[MamaDem]

10. Me TOO!!! I-4 Corridor in FL - my first time getting involved

in the 'bout to turn Blue state of Florida. The I-4 Corridor doesn't know what's going to hit it 11.04.08!!!!

[Coexist]

12. I'm telling you - Florida is blue.

[1corona4u]

18. I keep saying that too....

:-)

[MamaDem]

19. I think so too....I am so ready for this...it's great!

[writes3000]

20. I love hearing that. I was doing this poll math in my head today.

Pollsters make calls based on voter lists. The lists they have probably don't have the most recently registered voters. The likely voter polls they do, knock the recently registered voters off their polls...

And then there are all of the new registrations happening now.

We're going to blow them away.

[redstate_democrat]

13. I did voter reg for the campaign this past summer. Busted. My. Ass.

I'll be, for the first time EVAH, working as a poll worker on election day. I'm working what is called a pinch hitter shift, so I won't have to get there until late afternoon until close of polls. That morning I will be GOTV like hell on wheels. I have also done the "neighbor to neighbor" canvassing, posted flyers in laundromats, corner stores, etc.

IT. IS. ON.

[Honeycombe8]

15. Just curious...how can someone afford to move to another state for a month?

Do they not have jobs? Do you take a long vacation or quit their jobs? Are they unemployed?

Just who ARE these people who have this sort of flexibility? I'm just curious, since I work five long days a week, and sometimes on the weekend. And I have a house to clean and dogs to care for, who can't be left alone. I just wonder what life other people lead that gives them this sort of freedom?

[writes3000]

16. My story...

I work in the entertainment biz. I had a parting of the ways with my company and based on some blunders by the folks that supervised me, I suggested that they pay out contract. After apologizing profusely, they agreed.

I figured the universe was telling me there is some other work I'm supposed to be doing right now. And the universe is paying for it. I figured I better listen.

Other folks were laid off with no pay. But they have savings and they figure this is the best investment they could make.

[Lex]

26. Thank you for doing this.

:hi:

[nebenaube]

22. we are all unemployed...

where have you been for the last six years?

[rockymountaindem]

17. Well I'll be riding the bus from here in Boston (where I go to school) on up to NH over the next

few weeks. I don't know how many of those trips I'll be able to squeeze in with grad school happening, but I'll give it what I've got.

It's good to hear you give this positive report. I did some volunteer work with the federal coordinating campaign in Colorado this summer and there was not as much enthusiasm as I had hoped to see. Of course, that was in July/August before things really started getting interesting, but it did let me down a little. I really hope we can pull this off with our ground game, 'cause we're going to need it.

[tulsakatz]

21. thank you for that great report!

you know, I have always thought that the Obama team is a very focused, very professional group! I know they know how to get this done!

I have never done this before......but due to finding info on Obama's website, I'm going to make some calls for the campaign in Missouri. I'm in Oklahoma and we're so republican, I figure I could make more difference by speaking to people in Missouri.

And I also saw a posting in this thread about registering voters at work so I might do that too!

Thank you! I believe we can do this!!!

[The Traveler]

23. Gimme the frackin' pill

I gobble it whole.

Not long ago, back in January, I wrote that I feared Obama was an empty suit.

Trav is a blind asshole some times.

Truth is, the more I seem him under pressure, the more he amazes me. Experience? Always a good thing. But talent, knowledge, wisdom and strength count for more.

Aye, Barack be wise and crafty. Let's rock.

Trav

[FrenchieCat]

29. Always listen to me, Traveler......I tried to tell ya!

;)

FIRED UP AND READY TO GO!

[The Traveler]

31. Frenchie

Again, to you I offer my explicit apologies. You tried to reason with me and I was a dolt. Thick headed. Dull witted. I cannot but remember our primary season arguments with chagrin.

And, specifically, I apologize for mistaking your passion for fanaticism. Did not I virtually accuse you of "drinking the Kool Aide"? Did I not even question your intellectual honesty? And was your response not only firm but gracious?

Well, the unfolding of events and the revelation of character thus provided have proved you right and me wrong.

Grace under pressure == Barack Obama.

Best researcher of my personal acquaintance == FrenchieCat.

[bcoylepa]

24. tell Obama

\\to try to get the message to Obama to switch the theme of the campaign from change to truth

the media would start to talk about the switch and would have to use the word truth with Obama

it could be very powerful

imagine ads that say

Here's the truth about ........

environment, taxes, Iraq, energy, economy and so on

bumper stickers and signs at rally's that say Truth for a Change

It could work

[Jackpine Radical]

39. You got focus group data on truth v. change?

I bet Obama does. And I bet McNutso finally does, too, which is why he's trying to climb on the Change bandwagon lately.

Truth is kinda passive. Change is active.

[Born_A_Truman]

25. This is my second weekend registering voters

I will be doing this until October 20--California's deadline.

[Sugarcoated]

27. Cool as hell!

You left me breathless!

Our campaign office is teeming with people, volunteers, people wanting signs, just to talk, etc. So many this morning they had to take them outside for training. Weather wise it was a hot,humid miserable day, but they stuck around, sweating, fanning themselves. What I would've given to have had this kind of enthusiasm for Kerry four years ago.

I was scheduled to do a voter registration table outside of Philly, in Montgomery County, and there were so many people there to handle it we went back to the Obama HQ's and got my husband trained for canvassing. This is the first time he's ever gotten involved, as mad as he is, and as bad as he wants Obama to win, he really just went for me. And now he's mega-psyched.

My husband, telling me he'll stop after work to our township's Democratic office to get voter registration forms, wanting to phone bank and do the neighbor-to-neighbor with me, it's just amazing! Maybe it doesn't seem amazing to you guys, but IT IS!

Because I'm not alone in this now. None of my friends, family, not even my most liberal socially conscious friend would come canvassing with me in '04. I've been trying to get up the nerve to try them again this time, I think I can get them.

The audacity of hope. :cry::)

[Shine]

30. Damn, you're getting ME all fired up! Woohoo! Great post, thanks!

I'm still waiting to hear from them about my Camp Obama application. It's been a week today, since I sent it in.

I guess I'll have to follow up....

:toast: Good on ya!

[calimary]

33. Terrific report! Thank you for your work on this!

If each of us does his/her own bit, WHATEVER that is, we amplify everyone else's work, build upon it, strengthen and buttress it. What have we got to lose except what's left of our beautiful country?

[GeorgeGist]

34. I'll be looking for the reality you KNOW.

But I believe the USA intends to dominate the world with judeo-christianity... and that's just plain ignorant.

[crispini]

35. .

:kick:

[TuxedoKat]

36. I signed up for Camp Obama.

I don't know if I'll get called. I'm still travelling to swing states to canvass/register voters though. I'm glad they called you -- thanks for your efforts and the encouraging report -- please keep them coming!

[Miss Chybil]

37. Going to Obama HQ in Downtown Phoenix this weekend!

It's on, baby!

[D23MIURG23]

38. K&R