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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDoes anyone remember Barack Obama's first supporters from early 2007?
I'm talking about the early adopters who were all in from the moment he spoke at the DNC in 2004. The thing is, I didn't see that speech nor was I really familiar with who Obama was until much later.
Anyway, think back to the early supporters. They were not overbearing, aggressive, rude, or condescending, etc. They just supported their candidate. That's what they spent their energy on: supporting and organizing on Obama's behalf. And when they talked about him--there was this glow and positive energy that emanated from them.
My point is: We have a primary process that will determine our nominee. Right now, a lot of us have ideas about who we DON'T want.
However, the first step to getting a candidate you DO want is to identify the candidate you want. From there, you can start donating, volunteering, and/or organizing for them.
The bottom line is: You can't bully or shame someone into supporting your candidate (at least not in the primaries, lol). And you can't lift your candidate in the same breath that you're tearing other candidates down. I know I've been guilty of that, but it simply doesn't work. Basic psychology. And when you think back to the early Obama supporters--they didn't have to do any of that because the more we saw & heard from candidate / Senator Obama, the more people voluntarily switched their support to him. When you support a great candidate, you don't have to do the selling, the candidate does that.
Reader Rabbit
(2,624 posts)As soon as Obama finished, I called my mom and said, "I just watched the first black president of the United States on TV."
fierywoman
(7,700 posts)mopinko
(70,281 posts)the whole board lit up w that sentiment.
BannonsLiver
(16,538 posts)I remember a few years later I was on a family trip. Summer of 2007. And were on an airport shuttle with just my family. The driver is talking politics with my dad who has never met a stranger. Hes sort of a Rockefeller Republican who likes mischief. So the driver is ranting about this Muslim Obama.
My dad turns around with a shit eating grin and says Jeff, who are you voting for next year?
I had planned on long looks for Obama, Clinton and Biden. In that instant I decided.
Barack Obama I said with a bit of an edge.
Deep down I think I would have settled on Obama on my own. But in the moment the bigot helped me find the clarity I needed to fast forward through the process. If for no other reason than to put assholes like this guy in their place.
As we were unloading I think the driver was expecting a tip. He didnt get one from me.
TomSlick
(11,120 posts)I was out of town on Army duty. As soon as the speech was over, I called Herself and said the same thing.
ZeroSomeBrains
(638 posts)I try and avoid a lot of these primary threads because it brings out the worst in people it seems. I remember those days and wonder who will shine in the coming months.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)as to how far he goes, we will see.
ecstatic
(32,760 posts)akraven
(1,975 posts)But I am glad it was him. Hillary rocks, but it wasn't quite her time then. I heard of the nomination sitting in my doctor's office online on my phone, and jumped up going YES!!! Freaked everyone out in the waiting room...
.
elocs
(22,625 posts)to a coworker that he would be running for president someday, that he would be a candidate and not just a viable 'black' candidate.
I just didn't realize he would be running in the next election.
UpInArms
(51,285 posts)We had
John Edwards
Hillary Clinton
Joe Biden
Barack Obama
Bill Richardson
Christopher Dodd
Mike Gravel
and
Dennis Kucinich
Its waaay too early to worry and jockey for position
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)GumboYaYa
(5,954 posts)Obama came in town to speak at a fundraiser for Claire. Claire sat me at Obama's table and we spent the evening talking about how Claire could win her race. I sat between Obama and Francis Slay. I remember coming home and telling my wife, Obama is the most intelligent, engaged politician I had ever met. The contrast between him and mayor Slay was immense and very favorable to Obama. I became a diehard Obama supporter that day.
ecstatic
(32,760 posts)I missed my chance of meeting him (or at least seeing him up close) in 2007. He had a rally at Georgia tech. I told my friends, who went, but I didn't go for some reason. I'll never forgive myself for that!
MountCleaners
(1,148 posts)My dad was impressed when he ran for President because I was an early supporter of his Senate bid, getting regular mailings and such. I feel like I was there for the baby pictures.
I recently had to visit the state capitol here in Illinois, and I had to talk to Kwame Raoul's (Obama's replacement in the state senate) assistant, and I remember standing in the office and feeling amazed that an actual President had once worked there. It was such a small, accessible office.