In search of grassroots, I volunteered for a weekend with Obama’s Campaign for Change. I sought to be the change that I was hoping to inspire. Starting in the main office Friday afternoon, I wanted a behind-the-scenes look. I got it. I stuffed envelopes, printed maps, entered data, and stared at a computer screen. The nitty gritty campaign is typical office work. However, the fever pitch and the excitement were palpable.
Stories about past campaign disappointments, frustrations with administration’s policies, reasons behind various opinions, and updates from daily news stickied themselves in effervescent conversation around the room. People worked at desks, on the floor, in every imaginable and available spot. There were fits of joy over donated apple cake and meat platters. Tensions flared for a moment over a backed-up printer because over 300 volunteers were arriving the next day. However, people were passionate about doing something and not taking anything for granted. Not the apple cake, not the call from the super enthusiastic Obama supporter who would bring lasagna and posters, not the two volunteers that randomly showed up to help. During tense moments, people breathed, shook it off, and plugged ahead. Everyone thanked everyone for their efforts. That is really what mattered. There was an incredible politeness. People were involved and organizing to genuinely connect with their community, rather than the TV. No negative campaign here. Just good old-fashioned grassroots.
According to one volunteer, it all comes down to who has the best list. Community organizers start at the voter registration office, gather names, sort based on address, go into the community, get a sense of the supporters and non-supporters, record responses, and sort again for further initiatives. For example, if a voter indicated that they were an Obama supporter and would definitely vote, the campaign reminds them to vote. If the voter is undecided, they are given Obama position information and a canvasser will be back to their door to chat with them further. If a voter is an adamant McCain supporter, the Obama Campaign thanks them for their time and doesn’t bother to return. The focus is on supporters and the undecided.
Support the supporters, reach out to the people who still haven’t made up their mind. Answer questions, listen and smile.
Over the weekend, I registered voters and canvassed. By law, we can not take sides during registration. However, we can provide info about voting in their district. We remind everyone of the responsibility and share in the excitement of registering those who have never voted. I will never forget the woman who did a dance in front of me once she signed the form and exclaimed she had done it, now she was registered. When was the last time you danced and exclaimed that you could vote?
Canvassing involves walking a neighborhood with a partner and a list of registered voters and knocking on doors. Simple, right? Not really. People move. Aren’t home. Don’t speak English. Live in gated communities. Apartment complexes are designed so that it is easy to get lost. Some of the residents don’t even know their own way around. Dogs. Big Dogs. Big Mean Dogs. Inaccessible due to big mean dogs. Check. Next.
I was only one of many. Over 300 volunteers worked that weekend. The effort to reach out to the public was impressive.
While article after article, ad after ad, spreads sensational lies, misinformation, and division in the mainstream media, these connections were real. People on the street, on the front porches, and leaning on the fences of American neighborhoods seek a unified community action, real answers and change. The whispering response I heard over and over again was that people want someone who listens to them and will address their problems. Many Republicans I talked to are disillusioned with their party and with John McCain. People want real answers, not dodged questions and misinformation. The country is now in crisis. Obama talked in a recent speech in Reno about growth from the bottom-up, a type of ‘New Deal’ response for America. After canvassing I understand that Obama seeks to connect with every voter, the roots of America, look them in the eye and say, ‘I believe in you and I will represent you well. Together, we cannot fail.’
Nevada is the only western swing state. The other states are fairly galvanized one way or the other. Pacific Coast – Obama. Southwest and Rockies – McCain. We heard reports according to NPR that Washoe County, Nevada, may be one of the most important counties in the country. Washoe constitutes roughly the Central Western notch of Nevada, including Incline Village and Reno. Yet, it is the only county where the registered voters are almost equal Democrats to Republicans, including a large number of non-partisan voters. If the election is close in the East, it could come down to how many people get out and vote in Washoe County. Who has the best list? The buzz buzzes in Washoe County.
‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ ~ Gandhi
‘We are the change we seek.’~ Barack Obama
