As I've mentioned for months, the Obama supporters have been much more active on the ground in West Virginia even though polls have shown Hillary Clinton with an insurmountable lead in the state. As Clem has pointed out so well, this state's demographics are perfectly suited for Clinton. But even more than the demographics, this state's personality is suited for her to win. West Virginians love politicians they're familiar with. We had Bill Clinton as our president and Hillary Clinton as our First Lady for eight years.
So for months Obama's supporters here have heard that Obama does not have a chance in West Virginia. That just made his supporters, and there are many of us, work even harder. Damn the overwhelming odds and full speed ahead has been the attitude of many of them. In Berkeley County, 50 of the 52 county delegates elected to attend the state convention were Obama supporters. Similiar efforts have taken place across the state.
The Clinton campaign effort got a late start in West Virginia.
In 2004, many of us worked very hard here in the Eastern Panhandle to GOTV for Sen. John Kerry. We increased his vote by 30 percent over Vice President Al Gore's total here in 2000. And we still had our asses handed to us.
But you know what? I look back in pride to the fact that I did everything I could to make a difference. I've said it before and I'll say it again: every door knocked, every mile walked, every letter sent, every dime spent, I'd do it all over again.
Now go do that for your candidate, whether Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton or even if you're a Republican supporter of Ron Paul. (And someone has planted more Ron Paul signs in this county than for any other candidate - with the exception of Democratic sheriff's candidate Kenny LeMaster.)
We've got plenty of time to come back together as Democrats before the convention in Denver. Primary wounds will heal. But what will be harder to get over is regret. If you want your candidate to win, go do everything you can to make it happen.
Barack Obama's West Virginia GOTV.
But never tell me the odds. Never tell me we don't have a fucking chance in West Virginia. I don't care. I'll be out there. Y'all come to.
Here's an updated list of Obama field offices:
West Virginia Headquarters
1021 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV
Call: 304-346-2616
Beckley Office
128 Harper Court
Beckley, WV
Call: 304-377-9448
Wheeling Office
96 14th Street
Wheeling, WV
Call: 304-214-6677
Morgantown Office
433 Beechurst Avenue
Morgantown, WV
Call: 304-904-8012Clarksburg Office
321 W. Main Street
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Call: 304-377-9434
Huntington Office
801 4th Avenue
Huntington, WV 25701
Call: 304-377-9443
Martinsburg Office
124½ S. Queen Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401
Call: 304-377-9439
Parkersburg Office
219 4th Street
Parkersburg, WV 26101
Call: 304-377-9463
Out-of-state volunteers: Please call 304-559-6132 with any questions.