Obama: Gathering His Armies

[Clio the Leo]

An Antidote to the 'Enthusiasm Gap': Good Organizing
Jeremy BirdDeputy National Director, Organizing for America
Posted: October 4, 2010 03:12 PM

Buried in a September CBS/NYT poll about the gubernatorial races in Ohio was an interesting nugget. Question 66 asked respondents what campaign had contacted them most -- on the phone, at the door, or by mail -- and by a 2-to-1 margin people said Governor Strickland's Democratic campaign had reached out to them more frequently than John Kasich's Republican campaign. Coupled with other recent developments, this simple finding speaks volumes about the impressive ground game that Democratic campaigns, state parties, and Organizing for America volunteers have built -- not only in Ohio but in every state in the nation -- and pokes serious holes in the notion of an "enthusiasm gap" between Democrats and Republicans.

The past week alone has shown clear signs the enthusiasm-gap theory made popular by the chattering class is overblown. On Tuesday, President Obama kicked off the first of five "Moving America Forward" events with a rally at the University of Wisconsin in Madison -- and the lede of the AP story summed up the night: "If there's an enthusiasm gap for Democrats this election, it hasn't reached Madison." Dwarfing a February 2008 rally on the same campus that drew a crowd of 17,000, last week's Madison rally brought together 26,500 people -- the overwhelming majority of whom were UW students -- with more than 9,000 diverted due to space constraints to an overflow field where they were able to hear the president's remarks over loudspeakers.

Simply put, the Madison rally was a major step in the right direction -- and the audience was both excited and engaged. They cheered as the president ticked off the progress made on behalf of young voters in the past two years -- student-loan reform that makes college more affordable, health-insurance reform that allows students to stay on their parents' coverage until the age of 26, and credit-card reform that bans unfair rate hikes and predatory practices. And they cheered wildly as the president asked them to canvass, to phone bank, and most importantly, to vote on Nov. 2.

More
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeremy-bird/an-antidote-to-the-enthus_b_749668.html

(thread title, of course, inspired by....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iQ7ZDUutU4 )


Obvious difference: Obama's "army" smiles more....

[texastoast]

1. Heading to our county headquarters tonight

Work. Work. Work.

[Arkana]

2. Muster the Rohirrim!

[Beetwasher]

3. Shhhhh! I love surprises!

Remember all those young first time voters in '08? They're not considered "likely" voters. Just sayin'.

[jenmito]

4. Obama's "pretty good at politickin'." :)

[babylonsister]

5. Michelle's getting in on the act, too...

E-mail we probably all received...

I need your help
...
From:
Michelle Obama <[e-mail]>

To:

I've always said that 2008 was an amazing journey. But nothing from that election struck me more than seeing so many giving their time and lending their voices because they were ready for change.

Two years ago, in state after state -- no matter where I went -- I saw grandmothers out canvassing, college kids traveling to swing states and sleeping on gymnasium floors, and people using their lunch breaks to make a few more calls. So many got involved for the very first time, each one bringing others along with them.

It was inspiring to witness.

Now, Barack and I need you to help show that energy again. Because this is such a critical moment, a group of grassroots donors are ready to match any contribution you can give.

Across the country, teachers and firefighters, truckers and nurses have made pledges of support hoping to inspire you to take the next step. Because of them, a $3 contribution will become $6.

Donate today and answer your fellow supporter's pledge to match whatever you can give.

Here's how it works:

-- You choose the amount you are able to give and another supporter willing to match that amount doubles it.

-- You can choose to write a note to the individual who matched your donation and tell them why you decided to own a piece of this movement.

Since the day Barack announced his plan to run for office, supporters like you have made everything we've achieved possible.

That's as true now as it was on Election Day in 2008.

You're the reason we reformed a health care system that was broken, progress that means so much to so many. You're the reason we reined in Wall Street banks that were out of control.

But Barack can't keep making progress without strong allies in Congress. And now the same people who've opposed us at every turn are targeting the folks who voted to make change real. They think we can't do it again.

But they're wrong.

If the folks who I saw in 2008 -- those of you who packed up your bags and slept on floors and made calls and talked to voters day after day -- are ready to stand with us again, then I'm ready for any challenge that lies ahead.

That's why we're asking you to help grow this movement once again.

The plan for this election is based on the lessons we learned two years ago. Our organizers and volunteers are knocking on doors every weekend, making calls every night. Your support will help to fund this work.

Another supporter is asking you to join them today -- and has pledged to match whatever you can give.

Please donate $3 or more to help grow this movement before November 2nd:

https://donate.barackobama.com/MichelleMatch

Thank you,

Michelle Obama

[Historic NY]

8. She was so nice I sent her husband a donation....yup.

[Tarheel_Dem]

10. Ditto. And if Edward S. of CT, is a DU'er, thanks for matching me.

:toast:

[old mark]

6. Clio, that avatar always makes me hungry - I have to make pumpkin pies

very soon!!!


mark

[Whisp]

7. what a great pic! so Obama-like

I love that man.

[ProSense]

9. Cool photo. n/t

[thereismore]

11. Any resemblance?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Ph6zHAIRw9M/SPxEiZzQIuI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/AU1N5XNsrfk/s400/Barack+Obama+playing+baseball+circa+the+Sixties.jpg

[JNelson6563]

12. Obama at the head of his army.

Great picture!