The drama, the tension, the ups & the downs of the stock market, bailout bills, polls, dueling ads, debate gaming...let's all just stop for a minute and give a big round of applause for all the hardworking field staffers and volunteers across the country. And about those elephants, well...read on.
I've been lurking for years before officially joining, and I certainly intended my first diary to be "substantive" in the traditional sense (I'll get back to ya on that). But as I rode the bus home to Boston this evening after another day volunteering for Obama in NH, it suddenly seemed important to thank the "ground game" for all the hard work and sacrifice, especially as these dedicated folks head into a month of all-nighters on behalf of the country. So bravos and applause, please.
I'm sure the Manchester staff and volunteers are representative of the campaign operations across the country, and I'm hoping my little snapshot will inspire all you fence-sitters to hop on down to your local office and give a few hours.
The staffers are all young enough to make boomers gulp and are welcoming, helpful, composed, efficient, and apparently effective. They multi-task for hours on end, don't seem to take real breaks, and don't yet show any signs of frayed nerves. The office is humming with volunteers of all ages, from what seem to be long-time regulars to folks who just show up for a brief gig. My favorite of the latter was the couple from California who decided to make their East Coast vacation a bit more meaningful by devoting some time to the phones and door-knocking yesterday. How great is that?! I also met a young mother who had decided to spend Monday mornings volunteering, which meant that for the first time her two-year-old daughter was off at day care. Some women in town have apparently made it their mission to ensure the staff eat at least some healthy food--they came by at lunchtime with sandwiches, fruit, raw vegetables and dip, bagels.
Every time the dial-a-voter folks identify an Obama supporter, they ring a bell, and everyone in the office applauds and congratulates. And that speaks to my main point: we all have our eyes on the numbers--days until the election, number of voters contacted, polls--but the real story is that dedicated people have made time and complex arrangements to invest in the candidate and in building a warm and welcoming community. In this form it will last only as long as the campaign, but the sense of connection and engagement will no doubt spur other volunteer activities that will strengthen the town (and country).
About those elephants: sorry I didn't have a camera today. But when I stepped out for a cup of coffee, I discovered that the circus had come to town and was planning to turn Elm Street into an elephant walk. The campaign office was strategically located for the best view and therefore attracted a sidewalk full of kidlets and proud parents. Brandishing official signs and such hastily--but artfully--composed ones as "Elephants for Obama" and (from the Jeanne Shaheen campaign next door) "Love Elephants, Vote Donkeys," a bunch of us staged an impromptu "visibility." In the end, all were rewarded with elephants, ponies, and clowns.... (for now I'll skip the obvious jokes).
What could be more fun? So come on down to your local office and join the festivities.