Four years ago this Wednesday, I sat at the folding table that served as my desk in the John Kerry Campaign's McPherson Square headquarters in Washington D.C., my head in my hands, bags under my eyes, in the same clothes I'd been wearing for two days. I'd just gotten off the conference call in which Campaign Manager Mary Beth Cahill relayed to us the message that John Kerry would concede the election. I thought back over the previous six months during which time I had devoted my entire life to one thing: beating George Bush.
I don't know which surprised me more: that a team of people working as tirelessly as the Kerry campaign staffers had could be unsuccessful or that half of the country could be so blind to the increasingly bleak direction our country was headed. It was a disappointment even more searing than the anger I felt over the 2000 election, because by now people knew without a doubt what the Bush administration was and still voted to subject our country to four more years of the same.
I'm no longer a paid campaign staffer, working instead in non-profits and writing, but I can say with absolute honesty that I have worked harder for Obama this election than I have ever worked for anyone or anything before in my life. And even though the end is in sight, the next three days are as important as the nearly two years of campaigning that has preceded them.
Whether or not we win this election is entirely up to us now.
We have blogged, donated our money or volunteer efforts not only to Obama but to numerous down-ticket races, we have entered into heated political discussions with relatives and friends (and we each know exactly how many we've "converted"--my number is five). We've been subjected to name-calling and ridicule (I've been called a communist more times than I can count, which is strange considering I'm more or less a Constitution voter). And that doesn't take into account the HOURS and HOURS we've watched, read, and listened to the news to the point where we can hear Stephen Colbert's voice in our dreams.
Is there more you can give, is there more you can do, to get us across the finish line ahead of the other guy? At this point, financial contributions are less important than voter outreach. Email every single person you know--old college roommates, distant relatives, your Facebook friends--and tell them, from your heart, why you're voting for Obama and why, even if they live in Manhattan, Chicago, Baltimore, wherever, that they must get out there and vote. Tell them the importance of voting for down-ticket candidates instead of leaving that part of the ballot blank. Tell them about any important issues they need to be aware of, like Proposition 8 and the Illinois Constitutional Convention. Give them a link to where they can check their polling places or learn more about candidates and issues. Offer to drive anyone who doesn't have a ride, especially seniors or friends with disabilities. Make sure they're aware of what's fact and what's fiction. This is what I told my friends:
In Virginia, Democrats are receiving mailers from the Republican party telling them that Election Day for Democrats is on Wednesday, November 5. This is false. Election Day is November 4 everywhere in the country. While it's possible to vote early in many states (click here to learn if you can: www.voteforchange.com), it isn't possible to vote after polls close on November 4.
In Florida, Democrats are receiving mailers from the Republican party telling them that they have been re-registered as Republicans. This is a false gimmick intended to keep you home on Election Day. Call your city or local government or 311 and report this.
In many states, Obama supporters are being told that if they wear pins or tee-shirts with their candidates name on them, they will be denied access to the polling place. IF THIS HAPPENS TO YOU, CALL YOUR CITY OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR 311 AND REPORT IT. This is illegal. The only thing you are not allowed to do is stand inside or at the door or in line at the polling place loudly campaigning for either candidate or bugging other voters and telling them who to vote for.
What you must bring to the polling site differs from state to state. Visit here for details specific to requirements where you live: www.voteforchange.com. It's a safe bet that you will need your voter registration card and a photo ID like a driver's license or passport, but check local requirements by calling your local or city government or clicking www.voteforchange.com.
Ask any of your friends who are voting for McCain if they're better off today than they were four or eight years ago, and if the answer is no, why do they feel four more years of the same exact economic policies will make any difference.
But most importantly of all, be patient, because undecided voters and on the fence independents and moderate Republicans want nothing less than to be preached at by someone who feels they have all the answers. Imagine if a McCain supporter was trying to sway you. If it's clear the conversation is ineffective, let the person know that you respect their conviction and that they will be voting on Tuesday. If anything, you'll leave them with a feeling of mutual respect.
We are so close to the end, but that feeling of relief we're anticipating won't ever come if we are forced to watch Barack Obama concede on November 5th.
On that sad day in 2004, my mind flickered back to the DNC in Boston, when a young senatorial candidate from my homestate of Illinois had given a speech that gave me chills and filled me with hope. I promised myself that whether or not I ever worked for a campaign again, that the next election, I would work harder. I've kept my promise thus far, and until the last vote is counted on Tuesday night, I will not rest.