Attention Obama strategists and paid staffers, help please!

[peace13]

I want to let the campaign know that you are making a grave mistake by not providing campaign materiels until the GE 'officially' begins. Summertime in America is where you will find millions of Americans strolling the fairs, parades, music fests and the like. We need product to pass out to these people! Bumper stickers, button and yard signs.

I have been working grassroots in Ohio, donating to your campaign and buying over $300 worth of buttons from your shop and others to promote Obama. It is a grave mistake to tell people like me that your campaign can not send this product to my local Obama Headquarters so that we can pass this information out for you at one of the biggest events in the county this summer.


Individual donors are starting to get tapped out out here and you need to understand that the millions that you are sitting on will not be replenished if you don't get more supporters. We are trying to help but you are tying our hands. Please wake up and help us out here.

We are hosting an Obama House Party this weekend. We will buy food and drink for this event. We have walked, called and emailed to get a full house for you. We have printed materiels off to distribute and we,personally, have purchased yard signs, bumper stickers and buttons by the hundreds. We can get this job done but not without your support. Isn't that funny, here I am begging the candidate for support. I hope that you can sense my frustration out here and note that this is happening to many of us out here in the trenches.

Please review your policy of no product until after the GE officially begins. You are missing the boat here. Get these campaign items to your neighborhood headquarters pronto so that we can continue to help you. Peace, Kim

[babylonsister]

1. What's the point of 'product' after the GE? And do you have an

address you can write to with your concerns besides DU?

[peace13]

3. Edited to correct .

'No product until after the 'official start' of the GE.' Hey, I thought we were in the thick of it right now! I know that I haven't stopped since January. I have emailed the campaign and made several calls yesterday concerning this. I want to get materiels to our Dem Booth for July 1-4th. If I don't get any answers today I am not sure what I will do. Part of me says close my eyes and go in the hole another $250 bucks and hope for the best. Ha! Maybe that is where the hope comes in. I am working through the campaign and my with local 'headquarters' but there are no materials for distribution to be had. Peace, Kim

[babylonsister]

6. OK, thanks. You're working with his campaign and they can't

get you swag? I know it's in demand, but this is the first time I've read an inkling of any disorganization. They should cut a check for you if nothing else. 'that is where the hope comes in'. HA! Good luck, peace13, and thanks for what you're doing. :hug:

[peace13]

10. Be assured that it is not unorganized.

It is a policy. Campaign money is spent on travel at this time. This policy could work but they are banking on the fact that those of us in the trenches can afford to keep spending at this pace until November. For me I know that is not possible. Thanks for the wish for luck. We are working here in Ohio to make it happen. We so need a change.

[SteveM]

11. My sticker says: "Bitter, White, Blue collar Gun owner for Obama"...

It's boutique, however. Got it in the "Gungeon." Lots of good feedback.

I have worked in campaigns since '64 and this is the "worst" about going to a storefront HQ and contributing for a stack of stickers. They say these don't get votes. Hell, I'm interested in creating high-anxiety for the opposition: thousands of Obama stickers and -0- for McCain. Times have changed.

[peace13]

13. Steve I feel that way too!

I feel that this is a serious problem for the campaign. It is a big mistake if they don't turn it around. We had to buy all materials for the primary. Yard signs ...everything. They said that those things did not work, that we needed to knock on doors.... Well we did that too but hey, I have job and my bumper sticker works 24/7. Thank you for your comments. It is lonely out here. Not sure how many folks here are really working to spread the name Obama on a daily basis. Peace to you, Kim

[blogslut]

2. Do you have a local Obama rep?

Or one in your general area? Have you talked to them?

EDIT ADD: Have you been to this site?

http://www.obamacycle.com/

[peace13]

4. I am working with my local headquarters.

I am also trying to get a response from the Obama people. Trust me this is a serious plea to get to the Obamba folks who are in a room with no windows trying to predict the weather. The response that I got from the barackobama.com folks was that they send no 'free' items because they need the profit from the sale. That sounds crude but.. I am just telling it like I heard it. I want to remind you that I am requesting materials for our local Dems to hand out for Obama at a local fair and parade. To my mind there should be someone on staff to handle getting these items on the street ASAP. They could be delivered to the local headquarters so that the campaign can log where the items are distributed. They can be marked 'not for resale'. Who knows how many opportunities we are missing. Peace, Kim

[blogslut]

5. Did you check out the site I linked to?

?

[peace13]

9. Will do that now. Thanks. n/t

[zulchzulu]

7. When supplies get low for me, I print labels out

Here's a bunch of stuff to print out using Avery labels:
http://www.americatotherescue.com/site/?q=node/6

Like you, I have purchased LOTS of Obama merch since last year. I've also talked with Obama staffers about this issue and they are usually waiting for people at higher levels to distribute yard signs, bumper stickers and buttons. People who have been working on campaigns over the years wonder just how effective these visibility tools are.

That's where it gets back to printing labels on Avery or other products at a fraction of the cost and it gets people to have something to wear at an event.

Don't wait for the Cavalry to arrive...you are the Cavalry.

[peace13]

8. I am the Cavalry and I know it.

My point is that there is a time for the campaign to step up. I feel that these visual items are necessary in places like Ohio where it is a continual battle to keep the people aware and awake. There are only so many hours in a day that I can knock on doors. We need these visuals out there doing the work for us. A bumper sticker can reach hundreds or thousands a day depending on the miles driven.

This post is not an Obama slam it is a voice of a serious concern. But you know...it must be me. Really how much is enough when you give time and money and information? I feel that this is our last shot at getting this country back but I am a 'middle class' supporter who is in the trenches working to make it happen. There is a limit to the finances be it purchased items or printed material from my own stock. It does still cost money....more each day.

[zulchzulu]

24. I agree...

Thanks for your hard work! Seriously...

I know exactly what you're talking about. One thing you might consider is setting up a fundraiser for supplies through MyBO and getting some money to go toward merch in the meantime.

Like you, I firmly believe in the power of the bumper sticker if it's on a vehicle that has perhaps one other item on it. I've given away a LOT of bumper stickers on my own dime from the official site.

Leaning on somebody at your local HQ can help. The staff does get a huge discount on supplies and perhaps you can hook up with someone there.

Good luck.

[Barack_America]

12. It's not a pro-chum campaign.

Showing campaign support via a button or a sign is just not their philosophy.

They think you show support by volunteering for the campaign, and I quite agree.

There's always something someone can do for the chum, whether it be registering voters, making calls, etc. It's about getting people re-informed about the individual sacrifices Democracy requires.

[peace13]

15. You are not listening to me.

I do volunteer. You are wrong if you think a button does nothing. I have worn my Obama button since January and I meet people every day and talk about Obama. Unless you are retired you can't volunteer everyday. My bumper sticker opens conversations almost every day. Don't believe it, don't question the process, matters not to me. Tools help....end of story.

[Barack_America]

21. I was talking about the people you're buying chum for.

I don't question your commitment.

[AllentownJake]

16. It isn't the Primary anymore

They need Chum. They are appealing to a larger and lazier audience than democratic primary voters.

Part of the "new strategy" is to talk to your family and neighbors about Obama. Best way for that converstation to be started is a bumper sticker, yard sign, T-shirt, or button.

If they want to be a movement they must have the appearence of a movement and that involves Chum.

[peace13]

18. You are 100% CORRECT!!!

Thank you! We have to hammer this message home to the campaign. But how? I have talked to four different people at Obama's camp, not including my local headquarters people. This is a problem. Peace, Kim

[Barack_America]

23. The chum is regulated by Chicago. My advice? Call Strickland.

He is expected to deliver Ohio for Obama. Let him know that you are having a hard time helping him realize that goal due to lack of chum. Chicago will listen to them more so than their own low-level staffers.

Good luck.

[peace13]

27. Thank you for that advice.

I will follow up there. Peace, Kim

[Barack_America]

22. I guess that's the difference of living in Philly vs. elsewhere in the state.

Our mission is different.

Everyone here is going to vote for Obama. What we need here is a GOTV army. And we use chum to build that army of volunteers.

[AllentownJake]

26. The outlying counties have

different problems. Philly is going to vote for Obama by 70-80% its just a matter of the margin and maximising it. Out where I live its convincing people still that he's the guy.

We have a good volunteer army however an Obama yard sign or bumper sticker on a block that is in a traditionally predominant GOP neighborhood goes a long way to getting neighboors to think its "Ok" to vote for the democrat.

The buttons and T-shirts are helpful at the Grocery stores on Sunday.

[AllentownJake]

14. No shock

They are terrible with providing materials. Absolutley dreadful during the PA primary. We didn't get Yard signs till a week before the Primary.

Most of the materials we got were stuff we self bought than sold out of the campaign office to buy more.

[peace13]

17. Same here in Ohio.

I want to repeat..this is not a negative Obama thread. It is a plea for them to review their philosophy on this. We need support from the campaign, that includes people and product. Unfortunately the reason it works for them is that we ARE buying from them. I will go to politicalshop.com if I have to buy more. It will help the economy and make me feel better.

[AllentownJake]

19. democraticstuff.com

Is better and I think cheaper...and also all Union Made.

[muryan]

20. Two things

1) Where in Ohio?

2) The campaign is still in the process of finding office space, most of the regional cities are working in temp offices at the moment. I'm actually spending most of the day trying to find one in springfield.

I understand how important chum is to a campaign, I get asked about it usually 15-20 times a day, but right now the campaign is focusing on voter contact and face time with people in the community. The chum will start to show up when theres a VP pick (no point printing out a million Obama stickers when in a few weeks itll be Obama/?????).

All that being said, Ill try and get in touch with someone from your area and see what I can find out.

[peace13]

28. I understand that you guys are scrambling.

I am in Licking County and we do have a tri-county coordinator and some staff. I am trying to work with them but I think the basic campaign philosophy of GOTV has a flaw and that is if we are invisible out here every call is a cold one. We work with two hands tied behind our backs. My way is that you make new connections and stake claim with a yard sign, bumper sticker or button. They are then working with us to get this job done. It is just that simple. It has been working for me since January, the only problem being that I can not afford to pay for the bumper stickers and buttons for a massive community event such as July 4th in hometown America. It just can't happen. Thank you for the work that you are doing to give America one last chance. Peace, Kim

[muryan]

31. I actually know of people

in licking and delaware county. I understand how visibility helps a campaign and getting off to a strong start with chum can depress republican support.

As of now, we are operating a bit under the radar because its a community based effort. The strength behind it is you build strong relationships with people that become invaluable in the buildup to november. However, as we start getting more office space our visibility is really going to skyrocket. It makes it easy for volunteers to stop by when they have free time, and we will start getting all the usual chum (yard signs, stickers, pins) by then. So things may seem frustrating right now (trust me, I'm working almost 90 hours a week, so im there with you) it should pay dividends.

Hang in there :toast:

Ryan

on edit: dont forget the "h" in chum. LOL

[peace13]

32. Thanks for that and thanks for the work that you are doing.

I understand your frustration and I am guessing that you know of what I speak out here. True in the trench volunteers can become very frustrated at this point. The in your face kind of reminders encourage voters that are already registered to take a second look at Obama. These are people who will vote. I don't agree that every new name taken at the mall on a clip board will produce a vote. Peace, Kim

[JNelson6563]

25. Here's a suggestion

First of all the campaign has other things to do with their money then spend millions on the swag that people like you and I need to meet the demand. I'm very involved in politics in my state and in my county, here's what we do: We buy swag, plenty of it. Then we ask for a "suggested donation" to cover the cost of it. Some give more than what we suggest and others give less. We take that money and buy more. People are very generous and we always make more than it cost. We then turn around and support our local and state level candidates with that money.

So, you see, it works out that buying swag and taking donations is a win/win. Everyone gets their Obama stuff and candidates down the ballot get financial support.

Buying the stuff and giving it away and then expecting the campaign to supply you is unrealistic. As long as that is your plan you are going to remain frustrated and unable to continue with your effort. I hope you will consider my suggestion.

Julie

[peace13]

29. Here's a suggestion ,Julie.

You are right I am frustrated but read what I have written! Nowhere have I said that I want to be reimbursed for Obama Campaign materials...nowhere! I said that I have been buying them and distributing them on my own. The problem is that we have huge local events all across this country this summer where Americans will be milling about and if Obama is not going to start his grass roots GE until after the convention then I say good luck with that. I am a person with a job and other activities that I do to try and keep Iraq on the front page here. I don't have the time to recreate a fund raising campaign for Obama goods. Just saying. You are off base.

[Radical Activist]

30. Signs don't win elections.

The above suggestion is a good one. They could spend $20 million on passing out free signs and there would still be people complaining that they didn't get one. If people want stuff so badly then they can pay for it.

And if this was intended for the Obama campaign then why didn't you send it to them directly? You think paid staff has time to surf DU for ideas? I sure hope they have better things to do at work.

[peace13]

33. Signs don't win elections.....

Do you live in the city? That may be the difference. I live in suburbia/rural Ohio and they do make a difference here. A small example of such is that I am having an Obama house party this weekend and I need to find like minded people that would in turn know like minded people. I printed invitations and took my buttons to each of the homes in my area that displayed the yard signs. These people will help me get volunteers to the party. See how that works? Perfect strangers found each other...go figure. I stop at the store with my bumper sticker and pretty much every time I will have a conversation with someone about Obama. That is how it works out here. Granted that is in Ohio, small town. But this is where the game will be won, lost or stolen. Suit yourself with your ideas and do volunteer in your own way. I will do the same. peace, Kim

[JNelson6563]

34. I think I miscommunicated, pardon me

I did understand that you weren't looking for money or reimbursement. I have never heard of a campaign just shipping out truckloads of free swag all around the country. They supply it to campaign rallies and such but otherwise, at least here in MI, if you don't get free through the unions you buy it. I've never heard of it being done another way.

I made my suggestion in case you were looking to continue your efforts without ending up in the poor-house or getting increasingly frustrated.

Peace and thanks for all your efforts.

Julie