Indiana: Notes from the Ground
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:21:50 PM PDT
So I spent another day canvassing in Northwest Indiana and wanted to share observations from the field and an exhortation to the Obamafans here on Daily Kos. First let me say that the Obama campaign is unlike anything I've ever witnessed. It's not only a well-oiled machine, it is a family. Everyone recruits for the effort--classmates, co-workers, friends, family, lovers, and children all volunteer their time so that the staff is not overwhelmed by menial tasks and may focus on honing strategy and delegating. The most ardent volunteers work 14 hours a day 7 days a week, with no pay whatsoever. The dedication is inspiring.
Also, the vibe around the office is noticeably nonpartisan. No one talks about Republicans. Ever. Very few people even mention Hillary. Everyone is there for one reason--Barack Obama. He has inspired people not because they are Democrats. Not because they are angry at Republicans or Hillary or Bush. He has inspired them because they believe that for the first time in a long time, Washington will take heed and listen, first and foremost, to the people.
Canvassing in the neighborhood, I encountered many Hillary supporters, many Obama supporters, and a few, very dispirited Republicans. No one, not one single person, has expressed any enthusiasm whatsoever for John McCain. I only heard negative things about him from Republicans, and plenty of declarations that they wouldn't be voting for him in November. When we consolidate as a party, I believe we will see a massive landslide in November, and the Republican partisans are absolutely shaking in their boots.
Reverend Wright has been all the rage the past few days, but you wouldn't know it from campaigning. The only person who brought it up to either me or my partner was a Republican woman who told me that she thought it was sick and disgusting that Obama, a good, honest man, was being smeared because of some statements his pastor had made. Believe it or not, I'm beginning to think that this hardcore Obama takedown may backfire, much like it did when it was directed at Hillary leading up to New Hampshire, and either suppress her vote or give him a few sympathy votes for the horrible mistreatment he's gotten in the media.
I think we all need to take a deep breath and realize that Obama has done the seemingly impossible. He has taken on the most well-funded, powerful Democratic machine and absolutely trounced it. Whatever doubts super-delegates may have about his political abilities are far less potent than those they have about Clinton. Her electability is seriously in question for numerous reasons. A former first lady with every institutional advantage at her disposal who has been beaten by a first-term junior Senator is not exactly the super's dream candidate. When you add to the mix that nominating her would disenfranchise the African-American vote and turn-off the next generation of Democratic voters, you begin to see how impossible this scenario is.
Finally, Indiana may go either way. It's anyone's game right now, and it's all going to be about Getting Out the Vote. So if you have any chance to get your ass to Indiana, please do so, and remember, this controversy will pass. Its shelf-life is limited, and its expiration date is soon arriving.
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