They got their man elected president on Nov. 4. But for Pat Okerlund and thousands of other Barack Obama volunteers across the nation, the job is far from finished.
Obama, who built an extraordinary grass-roots organization en route to his historic victory, isn't folding it up now that the election is over. In a still-evolving effort that insiders have dubbed "Obama 2.0," he is remaking his army of campaign volunteers into an ongoing nationwide support group to help him achieve his agenda for change.
Okerlund is one of more than 4,000 Obama volunteers who hosted "Change Is Coming" meetings in their homes and other gathering places the weekend of Dec. 13-14.
Okerlund's was one of the largest. About 50 people jammed a meeting room at the Chesapeake Central Library on Dec. 13. There were about 15 such gatherings, most attracting five to 10 people, around South Hampton Roads.
The idea is to continue capitalizing on the enthusiasm of Obama's grass-roots supporters.
"Everybody's still excited," Okerlund said. "We all worked real hard to get him elected, and we want to continue to help out any way we can."
The Obama campaign provided logistical support for the meetings, using its list of 13 million e-mail addresses to recruit the hosts. They were invited to sign up on the campaign Web site, where details of the meetings were posted.
Hosts were sent a how-to packet, including a DVD, and were invited to listen in on a nationwide conference call with organizers a few days before the meetings.
It's a new kind of political undertaking, one that is taking shape outside the existing party structure. Obama organizers admit to making it up as they go along.
"It's a work in progress, and will be, I think, for the next several years, because this hasn't really been done before," said Marshall Ganz, a Harvard professor and veteran organizer who has been an adviser to the Obama campaign.
The way the campaign built its organization from the ground up, fueled by the power of the Internet, gave it legs that most campaigns in the past have lacked, Ganz said.
"So now there's a bunch of people out there, and they're associating with each other," he said. "And to the extent that they're associating with each other, they're able to become an organized movement."
There were four goals for the meetings:
- Direct two-way communication. Attendees were encouraged to identify the issues of most concern to them, which the hosts relayed back to Obama's Chicago headquarters. Among the issues most frequently cited at the local meetings were the economy, health care, education, the environment, alternative energy and the Iraq war.
- Establishment of a lobbying network. Participants began familiarizing themselves with their congressional representatives so they'll be ready to contact them to urge support for Obama's legislative agenda.
- Electoral organizing. Obama supporters were encouraged to seek out and support like-minded state and local candidates - and even to consider running for office themselves.
- Civic engagement. In perhaps the campaign's most unusual initiative, supporters are being encouraged to become involved in community service projects in their localities.
"President-elect Obama wants us to hold a service event to celebrate his inauguration," Okerlund said. "I think it's really neat, instead of having big parties and balls and dances, that we do something to help people. That's what he's all about."
Okerlund's group decided to target homelessness in Hampton Roads. Participants will put together care packages of scarves, gloves, socks, toiletries and food and pass them out to local homeless people during a nationwide count of the homeless during the last week of January.
Another unique feature of the effort, Ganz said, is that it's a movement of people brought together around shared values rather than any one particular issue.
"People found themselves working with people that they never expected to be working with," he said. "It's a pretty eclectic kind of scene. That's a great strength, because it brought people out of their issue silos."
In many cases, participants in the meetings had never met each other before. Organizers said most gatherings were racially, economically and socially diverse.
Among the nine people who showed up at Staci Walton's home in Suffolk, for instance, were a doctor, a college teacher, an artist, a computer technician, a waitress and a laid-off construction worker.
One woman plans to bring a Republican friend to the next meeting, Walton said, reflecting the Obama campaign's intent to reach across party lines.
"In order to get things to happen, it's very apparent that it can't be Republican or Democrat," Walton said. "If we really want to see health care reform, we have to work together. If we want education reform, we have to work together. It can't be Bush-bashing. It has to be forward-thinking."
The evolving Obama organization is noteworthy for its direct, headquarters-to-grass-roots structure, bypassing the Democratic Party apparatus.
"I think it's a good strategy," said Richard Cranwell, Virginia Democratic chairman. "Look, this country has got to deal with some very, very significant issues, probably more difficult issues than any president has ever faced. Clearly, that's going to require a very ambitious agenda that's going to have to move through Congress."
Does opening up the process to Republicans give him any heartburn?
"Absolutely not," Cranwell said. "It may be a garden for converts, who knows?"
Bill Sizemore, (757) 446-2276, bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com
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Who is this man?
After two straight years of talk, I still don't know who this man called Obama is. He appears to be another politician who would rather choke on an acorn than answer a question directly. I have great doubts as to his sincerity, yet I hope and pray I am wrong. The fate of my children and yours rests in the hands of an unproven man from a corrupt state.
No, Fletcher
Not nearly as extreme as the takeaways you wrote.
I would love to see Sarah Palin run in '12, but I didn't say that.
I don't think Obama supporters are arsonists but I think the extremely hateful comments on *both* sides of the presidential race led the creep to think he had a mandate to commit arson. Words matter, and it is much beyond "sticks and stones may break my bones . . ." If God created the world by a word, and I believe He did, then words have an almost holy aspect and should always be measured. That is directed to me, too, as my comms aren't always perfect.
I couldn't tell that you were not strafing all conservatives when I read your initial comments. I now realize you are only going after the extremists.
Discourse
I voted for Obama. My intent was not to start a civil war between the Republicans and the Democrats but to right a wrong.
That wrong was the way that Bush was installed by the Supreme Court with wrongful tactics by some in Florida.
That translated to a second term because Bush decided fear was the only way to keep his ill gotten seat of power.
That said, I know there are some respectable Republicans out there and I reach out to them to give Obama a chance.
To those on the fringes of the right I would ask them to wait and see.
As for now some of us are willing to take the path that leads to change that is needed.
We will do our best to ensure we don't fail to better our country for the future. To those who are on the fringes of the left I would ask them to consider moderating for the common good.
Mary, It's fine if you're running Palin for president
I think that's an interesting idea actually, but it is rather beside the point. The real point (of the article) is Obama is trying to figure out something like the first internet presidency. The Pilot wrote about that. Then a handful of the radical right (along with the statistically appropriate assortment of yahoos) piled on these comment boards. I, as a bit of a yahoo from the left, felt compelled to respond. Somewhat later you admonished me (albeit via my ilk) to stop picking on govener Palin (which according to you is a lot like arson) and then associated me ( again via my ill-defined ilk) with actual arson (something we all should agree is a despictable act). Further, if I'm following you, you complian that I'm not a good winner.
Take Aways:
1. Palin '12!
2. People who support Obama also support arson
3. Fletcher Pratt is not a good winner
Fletcher
I respectfully disagree, if you are *still* calling Sarah Palin a pit bull. What did she ever do to you? Why can't you let it go? She asked some questions about Obama associations that many overseas sources stated would be fair game in any election *except* an election where people were feeling overly sensitive about race. If Obama had been running to be our sixth or seventh black president, his early associations would have been picked to pieces and you know it, if you're honest. It was just that we were all holding our breath hoping no crazy person would go after the guy so we (left and right alike) kind of made questions that would be asked of other candidates off-limits in his case.
If you have ever watched good plays like West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet, there are always instigators in the middle who stir up the extremist folks to violence. I was afraid for both Obama and Palin, all campaign long.
Mary
to the degree you belong to "radical and largely racist right" the rest of my post applies to you. If you find the shoe doesn't fit, don't feel obligated to wear it. Were you to read this thread of comments you'd note a slew of hateful and irrational bile (a few of which seemed to have dissapeared) mixed among the more reasonable and pertinent posts. In particular those involved in the aforementioned strawman enterprise and, of course, the ubiquitous racists. Were these specimens not so prominent I'd certainly be disinclined to focus any attention on them. However, since bile spewed from the "radical and largely racist right" is a daily occurance on this paper's comment boards and since this group seems intent on taking down our president elect in addition to the rest of their agenda of hate, I'm disinclined to ignore them. Note that you only made a comment here to address the discord on the comment boards and not the story itself. And then only to offer some lame self serving analogy -- a back handed defense at that. Given that, I'm frankly baffled as to why you seem offended.
FletcherPratt
Gracious in victory, are we? Calling us right wing rabble because . . .?
I am very surprised how many people don't stop at being happy that their candidate won but continue stomping on the necks of polite, reasonable Republicans, acting much like the Assyrians of old, who always had to publicly plant their feet on the necks of the vanquished. Is that your vision for America--a place where anybody can have freedom of speech, as long as they agree with you?
odder still
"I hold the people who ran their hater mouths about her (and inflamed the crazy sector) pretty directly responsible for this." I find it odd that you completely forget what a lying muck-raker candidate Palin was. The church burning was a crime and should be investigated and punished but to paint all of Palin's detractors with the same brush is frankly idiotic. Palin was the hater in the national equation. Palin was the pit bull. The crime of arson doesn't not explain away, erase or make up for her behavior on the national stage. People who were opposed to her for political and social reasons don't equal yahoos who set churches on fire. The implied comparison fails. The burning of the church doesn't equal the attacks on Obama. Did you learn that sort of logic in church?
Well said, and I agree
Well said, Fletcher! You hit the nail on the head. And you said it better than I, to be sure! You're right, the naysayers are nothing more than parrots, and for all I care, they can keep squawking all they want. It won't do them any good. And well said, Mary! I have no hard feelings regarding Sarah Palin, and never wished her any harm. We all have a right to express our opinions, etc., but to commit arson is beyond me! That should not be tolerated, and I hope the perp. is caught!
Same old song and dance democrat style.
Don’t be to upset if the heavens don’t open up and the world doesn’t start singing when the messiah takes the oath. You’re going to see more of the same corruption only Chicago style. I know “Awaiting Staff Approval” for the next 12 hours!
Odd . . .
How much the haters on either extreme are alike!
I didn't vote for Obama, but let's give the man a chance, for heaven's sake! He's not even inaugurated yet and some of you must be consulting soothsayers for all your dire predictions about him!
On the other hand, haters were responsible for the torching of Sarah Palin's church in Wasilla last week and, if you don't recall reading about it, that's because it was, like, the fourth of five sidebar articles buried inside the front section a couple of days later. The front door was set ablaze with an accelerant while the church was occupied, by children as well as adults. Sarah Palin wasn't there. The church was pretty heavily damaged. I hold the people who ran their hater mouths about her (and inflamed the crazy sector) pretty directly responsible for this.
I just see people waking up
I just see people waking up and getting involved, and other people scared of losing their hold over the process of government.
I am tired of people sitting on their duffs waiting for someone else to fix things....I am glad we finally have a leader who is inspiring people to get off their duffs and do something other than complain!
You see sheep, I see parrots squawking over a strawman
The Obama as prophet-hypnotist-king fairy tale is a simple straw man built by the radical and largely racist right so that they could have something for their rabble to beat on. They are using and will continue to use the difference between their straw man and our real president elect to buoy up a litany of "I told you so's" that they attempt to pass off as reasoned, albeit barking, complaints. The truth is that no one who voted for Obama voted for that straw man. And it is doubtful that those of us who voted for him will judge him by these straw standards. Squawk all you want, but you parrots lost. All the squawking and flapping around and fouling of the nest did have some effect though -- it woke up a whole bunch of "sheep."
Groan! Here we go again!
Submitted by FWIW on Tue, 12/23/2008 at 10:26 am.
"He'll certainly be having his parties and balls, you sheep get out there like good little comrades and work for your party leader. The Motherland needs you!"
You sound a little paranoid, FWIW. Are you afraid of change? I am proud to admit, that I am one of those "sheep" you mention; however, I am hardly a "comrade" or working for a "party leader". You sound like so many out there that are afraid of change and that believe(for some odd reason)that change is a bad thing or that we're doomed to a communist government. Get used to it, for change is coming weather you like it or not. Your vain attempt at using propaganda and fear tactics won't work on me!
Service event?
"President-elect Obama wants us to hold a service event to celebrate his inauguration," Okerlund said. "I think it's really neat, instead of having big parties and balls and dances, that we do something to help people. That's what he's all about."
He'll certainly be having his parties and balls, you sheep get out there like good little comrades and work for your party leader. The Motherland needs you!
TR
You will see this NO where else. Open your mind and listen to the truth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HQWk1Wp3L4
There is enough blame to go around.
I agree with Bornfree
I fully agree with Bornfree! Well said! But I am not sure what Lores meant by this comment: "Bornfree, Die A Socialist?" Unless Lores is one of the conspriacy theorists I mention in my other posts, that believes that Obama will lead us to a socialist state(or worse according to other conspiracy theorists). In my opinion, those who continue to spread lies, propaganda, false claims, rumors, false information, made up facts, etc. about Obama, are doing so because they are afraid of change. It's the only reason I can see for all of this nonsense. Unfortunately it will continue. Get used to it folks, change is coming weather you like it or not. And to reinerate: if you have so called facts, back them up with real proof. The real scary part of this whole thing, is that last time I posted, some guy called me and tried to get me into an arguement. He tried in vain to convince me with the same propaganda, false claims and rumors I've read on these boards. It didn't work. He didn't realize that I have caller ID. I consider what he did to be harassment and a form of stalking.
Citizen involvement is a good thing
With this election getting more people out to vote than what have for decades, hopefully it will transmit into more people being involved in their communities instead of just sitting on the fence complaining about things and not doing anything to solve the problems. When you're roof is leaking, you can stand around complaining about it or you can go and fix the roof. America's 'roof' has got a lot of leaks that Americans need to fix - and not expect Uncle Sam to fix them for us.
Dont let the door hit ya on the way out
For a good read...
The Reckoning - Bush's Philosophy Stoked the Mortgage Bonfire
http://tinyurl.com/7j6esm
Asleep at the wheel for 911 (where the 'soviet threat' was Bush's/Condi's big concern, ignoring Richard Clarke)
Asleep at the wheel with any regulatory oversight ("But his housing policies and hands-off approach to regulation encouraged lax lending standards."
They hoped the industry would regulate themselves.
They claimed no one warned them that he nawlins levees could breach, when in fact people did just that.
Condi claimed no one imagined terrists crashing planes into buildings when several reports had warned her.
Bornfree, Die A Socialist?
Bornfree, Die A Socialist?