You already know that November 4 is just over one week away. You also have seen all the polls indicating Obama's in the lead, and you are breathing a little easier.
For those of you focusing a little closer, you've noticed that Iowa has been in the blue column for a while now.
You need to re-think your position. The only poll that counts is November 4, and we aren't there yet. In fact, this is the most critical time for action, if you want Obama and other Democrats to win in this election.
Let me lay it out to you the way our local campaign staff here in Iowa did in our local GOTV (Get Out The Vote) training.
I've got news for you. The McCain campaign has picked a few target states that they think they have a chance to flip. Iowa is one of them. They've opened new campaign offices in the state. McCain has had two rallies in the state this weekend, and Palin also had two rallies in central Iowa yesterday.
The Obama campaign isn't taking any chances. 100 out-of-state volunteers will be joining us local Dems in the GOTV push.
This is no time to cross our fingers and assume things will continue as they are. The last four days of the campaign are the absolute most important. And to quote our district campaign director, Doug D: "we have to run like we're ten points behind."
The two focus goals of the last 4 days?
1.) Face-to-face contact with all declared Obama supporters AND all undecideds.
2.) Monday-Monday-Monday-Monday.
To elaborate:
- A good number of studies show that face-to-face contact is the best way to get voters to the polls. This makes door-ro-door canvassing the most important voter contact activity, especially at this time.
The plan is to make face contact with over half of all these voters on Nov. 1. And also phone contact.
Then, on Nov. 2, to make face contact with all the rest of them. And also phone contact. (Multiple contacts are a PLUS.)
- About Monday: (it'll be a lloonngg day) Make face-to-face contact with 100% of these voters (if at all possible) Also make phone contact with each of them.
Studies show that people contacted on the day before the election actually make plans about when to vote the next day, and psychologically put themselves in the "commit to vote' catagory. This is absolutely the most critical contact time. Especially for infrequent and new voters, who need the nudge to follow through with their intentions.
November 4, of course is the day for poll watchers, poll reporters, callers and drivers.
Poll watchers monitor voting activity to be sure no one is hassled or intimidated, and to report any problems (as I understand it--I haven't done it, and haven't yet attended the session about this.)
Poll reporters take note of those who come to vote and use cellphones to call these in about every 20 minutes, so those voter names can be taken off the list for continued contact.
Callers work with precinct captains to contact those who have not yet voted, to make sure they commit to voting, or to connect any voters who need it with transport.
Precinct captains oversee volunteer operations within a single precinct, monitoring volunteer schedule, pulling off the online updates of those who have yet to vote, and working with the campaign staff and all the volunteers to optimize communication and the process of getting out the vote, including troubleshooting any snaffus.
Obviously much of this information applies to Obama campaign operations everywhere.
That's where ALL of you can help.
Most people are free to help on the weekend (and don't forget the time change!) Many are already taking Election Day off.
We were also asked to take Monday off from work if at all possible. Think of it this way: Four Days to Win! But first we have to give it all we can!