Being involved in the Obama Campaign

[AllentownJake]

I'm working as a Volunteer for Senator Obama in PA on the weekends and when I get home from work. I want all democrats, not just Obama supporters, to know this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

I have met neighbors I would never know. Good people who are all gathered together for a common goal. I don't consider this work. To be honest I'm going to be slightly sad when we have our primary April 22. Win or lose. I'm going to miss the excitement of canvassing and phone banking. Trying my best for the Senator. I know it will start all over again when it gets closer to November but these past three weeks have been amazing and I've made alot of new friends that I would have not met if I hadn't got involved. Every volunteer has a story why they are there and why they are working to get Senator Obama elected.

I also want to take a brief moment and talk about the people who work for his campaign. They are simply some of the most amazing people I have ever met. They have given up their lives to go on the road. Put things on hold and travel from state to state organizing and getting people fired up. They work 7 days a week way over 8 hours a day. They haven't had a break since Iowa. These people are heroes to me.

If you are a Hillary supporter. If she wins I will be doing what I'm doing now for her. I urge you to look into doing the same for the Senator if he wins. You may feel disapointment or some bitterness but I assure you, you will be welcomed onto the campaign and you will have a rewarding experience.

[knixphan]

1. Rock on, Jake!

I've had a similar experience in NY. Let's get it done, baby!

[samdogmom]

2. Good for you!

Thanks for the hard work. It's always a good thing to find your efforts rewarding!

:thumbsup:

[H2O Man]

3. Thank you!

Nominated.

[Freedomofspeech]

4. I'm working on the other end of the state...

getting to hear Sen. Obama yesterday was such a thrill. I have always respected him, but seeing him in person gave me an even better perspective on him and his ideals. We need him now to salvage what's left of this country.

[AllentownJake]

9. Monday

I get to hear him on Monday. I'm so excited.

I'm an Eagles fan but I'll say this for the unity of the state GO STEELERS! In particular Jerome Bettis and Franco Harris!


YES WE CAN!

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

5. Yes, but did you get laid?

This is often a benefit of volunteering on campaigns, I've found. Especially when you win.

[AllentownJake]

10. No..

But I got a girls number last week at a bar Friday when she found out I was volunteering on the campaign :-)

I told her I'd be busy till the 22nd.

[babylonsister]

6. Thank you so much!

:loveya:

[democrattotheend]

7. Wow, thanks for the great account

Where in PA are you, and what are you finding? Does Obama have a lot of support?

[Bigleaf]

8. Great thread. Thanks to those who are working hard for both Clinton and Obama. Let's combine

these two great groups soon to kick some ass! Look out McCain.

[globalvillage]

11. Me too.

Canvassed this morning near Pittsburgh. I'll be working at least one night a week and Saturday afternoons until the primary.
Fun, isn't it?

[AllentownJake]

13. So rewarding

I had a guy give me a hug today. His wife answered the door and said someone had been "waiting for me" Than he came up screaming Obama and gave me a hug. I got him signed up as a volunteer.

[MelissaB]

12. I'm honored to send this positive thread to the greatest.

:hi:

[tishaLA]

14. I did the same in CA

and I had the same experience. I really enjoyed working with the Obama supporters...we still hang out every now and then. And we still phonebank, too. Lots of really great people call themselves Democrats.

[NC_Nurse]

15. We're working hard down here in NC too!

Thanks so much for all you do! It's fun, isn't it? Gets me out of my routine and I
am meeting such great people. :)

Fired up in NC! Gobama!!!

[AllentownJake]

16. Boone NC

I spent two years of my life down in Boone, NC going to school till I transferred to Temple because in-state was cheaper and my Father had been forced into early retirement.

Duke or UNC?

I always rooted for Duke because a girl who I was friends with went there.

I miss watching those games down there. Nothing like Carolina Basketball.

[NC_Nurse]

23. Neither. ASU! My kids are in Boone right now!

:D

[AllentownJake]

25. AWESOME!!!

A girl I dated and am still real good friends with went to Michigan....she never heard the end of it :-)

[NC_Nurse]

28. .

:thumbsup: :rofl:

[stillcool]

17. Thank you for doing all that..

you are doing!

[mod mom]

18. Thanks, Jake! I've got regular hours while the kids are at school staffing the OH office

the PERMANENT Ohio Office!

[democrattotheend]

19. I want details from all of you in PA!!!

Where are you, and what kind of response are you getting from different groups? I want details!

[JimGinPA]

39. I Canvassed Yesterday In Central PA...

4 to 1 Obama supporters in a mostly white area which is a little higher than other times I've been out. I've been canvassing a few times but I've done a lot more phone banking and helping out at our local headquarter. Speaking of which, I worked yesterday morning while we passed out the tickets for Obama's town hall in Lancaster Monday, which I intend to go into much more detail about in an OP whenever the damned local newspaper's website straightens out whatever is keeping it offline today.

[democrattotheend]

43. 4 to 1? That's fantastic!

This is a part of the state that is supposed to be Clinton Country, right?

[flpoljunkie]

20. Very nice post, Jake! Great work!

[JayFredMuggs]

21. You kindled in me a GREAT IDEA!

Why not have the Obama folks hold a welcoming party to the Hillary supporters in states where Obama won?

It could be a chance for neighbors to greet neighbors, friends to greet friends, and people to unite behind Obama on a local level.

I'm going to send this idea to Barack, heck it could even work in states that went for Hillary. Get your neighborhnoods together in a fight to defeat McCain.

A great idea, inspired by your work in PA meeting your neighbors, and getting to have the time of your life!

Thanks for your post!

[AllentownJake]

22. That would be great!

We should all invite them to the offices have a sort of open house. Kiss make up and move on with the work of beating McCain.

[JayFredMuggs]

35. well, maybe not kiss, but hugs are fine

Glad you agree with me on this.

We need to think about 4 more years of disaster, or make amends and move on.

Hillary will do fine as will her Hubby in the next four years, as long as McCain is not our Prez.

Please, Hillary supporters, look at the bigger picture, and come join us in support of Obama, unless, of course, you all want McCain to run this nation for 4 more years.

[EFerrari]

24. Have a great time and thank you.

Sometimes I think that half of the reason I do anything in my town is because I get to meet great people. It's addicting.

:toast:

[helderheid]

26. for you

[goclark]

27. I love politics~ it is like watching a game of chess

and each person that helps out can feel they are a part of a bigger picture.

I have served as a Precinct Captain for Obama.

One of the ladies that I called on my original list volunteered to make some calls for me.

I went over to take her the list and she proudly came to the door, s he was 90 years old and fit as a fiddle.

Carolyn made over 100 calls before the California primary.

We still call each other and talk about the campaign.

The other thing that I love about the Obama campaign is the well thought out website!

They have thought through every aspect of getting the volunteers to expert communication by email.

The Obama staff deserves an A+ for their smooth operation.

[AllentownJake]

29. They are smart

They took what Trippi thought for Dean and made it 100% better.

We owe alot to Chariman/Govenor Dean and his campaign

[goclark]

32. We sure do ~ he ran a good campaign

Didn't they mess with the microphone system to make it sound like he was screaming?

[BumRushDaShow]

30. A big honkin' K&R for all your work!!

:thumbsup:

Kickety doo dah!

:kick:

[wildeyed]

31. Political volunteering has been a great thing for me, too.

And for a lot of the reasons you mention. I feel really connected to my community. Before I just kind of existed here, but didn't really fit in. Now I have friends and acquaintances all over the city.

Keep working for the change!

[PylesMalfunction]

33. :)

You're awesome Jake! I wish we had 1,000 more of you here at DU. :loveya:

[grantcart]

34. In Ca we only had a week and it was gone

[Swamp Rat]

36. k&r

Great job! Thank you! :patriot:

[littlebit]

37. Good for you!!

I have worked on the Hillary campaign in SC,TX, and now NC. You are right. I have meet some really great people on both sides. :hi:

[DemReadingDU]

38. morning kick

[JimGinPA]

40. K&R

[mopinko]

41. it is a blast.

o people are all so happy.

[VolcanoJen]

42. Huge K&R for you, Jake!

I loved working on the Obama Ohio campaign, and luckily, I'm in a tri-state area, so I'm volunteering in Indiana and Kentucky as well!

I admire your activism, your enthusiam. YOU have made this possible. Thank you!!!