WORK, CALL, DONATE.

helderheid

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Sun Mar-16-08 11:11 AM
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WORK, CALL, DONATE.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gGB8jP
Brandi from Minneapolis: Work, Call, Change
By Christopher Hass - Mar 15th, 2008 at 3:20 pm EDT
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If you haven't been following the HQ blog comments closely today, you may have missed out on something incredible that's been happening over the last few hours. This morning Brandi from Minneapolis picked up the phone and began calling independent and non-affiliated voters in Pennsylvania to talk to them about Barack Obama, and to let them know that the deadline to register to vote in the Democratic primary is just days away. After finishing her first round of calls, she headed back to the blog and posted a comment:

Re: WORK, CALL, DONATE.

I've just finished my first 20 calls to PA. Here is how it went:

7 voicemails
1 wrong number
2 HRC supporters, both of whom were very kind, both of whom unprovoked said that although they were supporting Clinton, they think what the media has drudged up about Barack is hurtful and wrong. They were both very kind and in both cases actually said they were sorry we were going through this! Wow!

10 independents, for Barack Obama. 4 of which needed help in where to go register.

Calling does help!

Brandi
Minneapolis

Brandi wasn't done though. She went back to the phone and continued calling, and she continued posting:

Re: WORK, CALL, DONATE.

20 more calls:

14 Independents turned Barack Obama supporters!!!

One did turn into a dialogue about yesterday's news, he explained that he felt a renewed sense of responsibility to vote for Barack based on the idea that we have to assist in stopping racial divide. He was torn between HC and Barack until this happened and he realized that we better elect the guy who will help heal all of these wounds, new and old. Wow and wow! How very cool!!!!

2 wrong numbers.
4 voicemails.

This is a blast!!!!!

Brandi
Minneapolis

Re: WORK, CALL, DONATE.

Okay, I am crying now. I was only into my third call of my new list and this is what happened.

I reached the home of a woman who lives with her mother. A 76 year old African American. The person I was trying to reach was still sleeping but her mother engaged in conversation with me.

She asked where I was from, and said she could tell I was a "white girl". She went on to say that because of people of all color, we are at a day where it's even possible that a black man is able to have this opportunity. She went on to say she was very torn between Hillary and Barack because she is a woman. A woman oppressed by both gender and race in her lifetime. She said her children, both grown, one daughter one son-who lives in Toledo, OH, were torn by the same thing, until the campaigning turned negative. Then their decisions were made.

She said people like me along with people like them were what made the difference in our opportunity today. She then said "we've come a long way baby"! I just started crying. I cannot continue calling until I posted this.

I am stunned, today by the response I am getting in PA.

Re: WORK, CALL, DONATE.

Okay, fellow Obama folks, in PA we have until March 24 to get voters to register since PA is a closed democratic primary. This must be the reason I am getting lists of independent voters who need to go and register by the 24th.

I am finding inspiration as posted above. In some of the responses (3) in my newest calling lists these independents are just that, independent thinkers. They are very concerned about voting for the right candidate and are not going to necessarily vote democratic, no matter what Bush has done. They do not come to this site for their information. Barack has requested that we post his video and message about his faith where ever we can outside of this site.

I am going to be making calls, I am requesting that those of you who don't want to or cannot make calls, please email or post that information wherever you can!

In two of the cases, I was able to read through Barack's response and convince those people to register for Obama. I added my own view about which candidate represents the opportunity to bring us together and heal these kind of things.

Please, if you are going to take time, I think its more important that we take time to do this over anything against the MSM or HRC.

Thank you!
Brandi

There have already been dozens of follow-up comments today from supporters who have cheered Brandi on, offered to make donations to match her work, and echoed Brandi's experience today with their own stories about making calls to Pennsylvania.

What Brandi has been doing today is the essence of this campaign – ordinary people reaching out, one person at a time, to build a movement. Ordinary people who believe not just in Barack Obama's ability to bring about change, but who believe in their own ability as well. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

There is still time to call Pennsylvania voters today, and there is still time for you to make a difference as well. If you have a moment, drop by the comments and share some of your stories from the "front lines" of the phones.

And thank you, Brandi from Minneapolis, for all that you've done today.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/contact/splash/callpa">HELP CALL PENNSYLVANIA NOW.