I have been conspicuously absent from the dKos lately following a spell of many months during which I posted 20+ comments/day. And not just because of the endless diaries about you-know-who and the other
'OMG we're DOOOoomed" diaries or even the "GBCW I'm moving to Canada" diaries.
No, I have found a much better way to spend my time.
This week, I began doing something.
On a whim, I dropped by the new CA HQ for Obama for America. I had read this awesome diary about the huge crowds they had at the opening the day of McCain's acceptance speech. Someone from this site was nice enough to even send an email to me personally with the address (3619 Motor Ave. between Palms and Venice).
Sure enough, they put me right to work. As I had essentially just completed a project that has consumed all of my non-dKos time over the past 6 months, I ended up staying and helping process the huge volume of new volunteers that have come on board in recent days and weeks. I put in a 4-5 hour shift without really realizing how fast the time flew by.
And you know what, the only time I thought about polls or the talking heads' BS was when friends send me chats on my Gmail with their OMGWTF questions.
So I went back the next day. This time I worked more like 8 hours. When I got home, my friend with whom i am staying here in LA asked, "So, how was the new job?" (I'm merely volunteering.) "What goes on there all day?"
My response cracked myself up.
"Well, I can tell you what we didn't talk about. We never talked about Obama. We never even talked about McCain or his running mate."
And the funniest thing was, I hadn't realized it all day.
No, a campaign is not about talking about the candidate or even about the issues. That is for outreach to the voters. I had come to the office to do that very thing as I been been repeatedly told I am one of the most effective canvassers people have met. During the primaries I did some phonebanking, but I think it is far more useful to talk face-to-face.
Sure, I was a bit disappointed they didn't have me doing that stuff at first. but now I realize the bigger picture. Right now I am in a state where 538 currently puts Obama's win % better than 18 to 1 odds. Right next door, there's a state with a bunch of folks with white pickets jammed deep up their asses cuz they have been sitting on fences for so long. Ouch!
My stint today lasted more like 12 hours. But I was happy to do it. And, yup, I'm going back tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that.
At one point today I overheard a guy named Mitchell, who i believe is the leader of CA for Obama, say today
If we win Nevada, we win the whole thing.
Sounds pretty good, if you ask me.
In case you live here in California, there is a huge push going on to get folks out to Nevada to get that all important face time with those indecisive folk in Vegas and Reno. The trips are 2-night ordeals and you have the nights free to go nuts. Heck, Could they make it much more appealing?
Come on by the office if you have a few minutes. You'll find it much more satisfying than hand-wringing and commiserating. If you want to meet a fellow kossack on hiatus, Poke your head in the Drive4Change office. I'll likely be the only guy (male) there. The DFH with the long hair.