Who here is a Neighborhood Leader?

[Nine]

I am. http://www.democrats.org/a/party/a_50_state_strategy/february_16th_event/

You know, there's plenty of discussion about whether or not supporters of either candidate will vote for the Dem nominee in November if it's not the candidate they originally supported. Most of us agree that we should all vote for the Dem against McCain. But I'm curious as to whether people will be as motivated when it comes to the hard work of activism, such as being a Neighborhood Leader. I'm a Hillary supporter, but I'm confident I'll be able to set aside any feelings of bitterness and vote for Obama in the GE if he becomes the nominee. But I'm not as certain when it comes to all the work that needs to be done before then. I can tell myself that I shouldn't let it affect me, but when I have houses I need to canvass, and the weather is not as nice as I'd like, and I have chores and other tasks on my own to-do list, and I'm feeling particularly shy... well, if Obama is the nominee, it's difficult for me to positively say that I'm not going to think back to all the unpleasant things that were said here (and all over the blogosphere) about my candidate and think, "To hell with it. Let the original Obama supporters do the work themselves. They made it perfectly clear that we Clinton supporters were not wanted." When it comes time to donate, I can't promise I'm not going to feel stingier than I otherwise would have. (That's not as big an issue as the other thing anyway because we don't have a lot of extra funds this year anyway.) I'm not trying to make a threat; it's almost too late to change things at this point. But I wonder if anyone else - from any camp - is feeling sort of the same way?

It's really depressing me. Until pretty recently, I was one of those Dems who said we have multiple great candidates and I'd be happy with any one of them. I didn't follow much of the primary season for a long time because of this feeling and also because I assumed it would be decided before it ever got to my state. I've said it before, but I'm really amazed how quickly I soured on things after being here on DU for just a short time - and I had lurked here years ago so I thought I knew what to expect. The animosity really got to me much more than I thought it would. The irony is that I came on here only barely decided and looking for reasons to confirm or question my choice; some civil but persuasive arguments could have potentially changed my mind. Instead, the hatred only helped cement my commitment to my candidate. Sorry, if this comes across as anti-Obama or anti-Obama supporter. I did try to write this generically, but it was too difficult, and I'm just sharing my personal feelings and experiences anyway. Other people can share their own feelings and experiences.

[crispini]

1. I'm a precinct chair.

And I will vote for the Democratic nominee. But, yeah, if it's Hillary, I'll probably spend my doorknocking and blockwalking time on local races instead. I'd like to take back the Texas state house, and to tell you the truth, it'll be a hell of a lot harder to do that if Hillary's at the top of the ticket. :shrug: Well, you asked.

[democrattotheend]

4. In Texas, that's probably more valuable anyway

We won't win Texas in the presidential, and taking over at least one house of the state legislature is important. Texas is slated to pick up anywhere from 2 to 4 Congressional seats after the 2010 census, and if we don't end the Republican lock on the state government we could lose the seats we worked so hard to win back in 2006.

[Nine]

5. That's fair. I wanted to hear from both sides. (nt)

[patrice]

2. Precinct person here. nt

[murielm99]

3. Precinct committeeman,

county chairman, and member of several local and state grassroots organizations.

I will work for state and local candidates. I am working hard as it is to fill all the precinct committeeman slots and to find candidates to run for local and state offices. That will continue. Of course I am not doing this alone. There are other dedicated Democrats out here, many of whom know much more than I.

Obama supporters in Illinois have been turning me off since before his Senate primary run. Too many of them act like the nastier Obamites who post on DU. Of course that is not everyone. Some of them are just enthusiastic supporters. And some of them are people I respect because they do the work.

If he is the nominee, Obama will get my vote. I will tell others to vote for him, because it is my job. But my time and money will be devoted to the state and local people.