Like me, my dear friend Sina in Honolulu, has been awakened from a cyncical political slumber. Awakened to roll up her aloha-shirt sleeves and get to work, along with countless others like us. Awakened to the possibility that yes, we can, re-engage in this democracy and work together to build a future that we can all be proud of, she joined the effort in Hawaii to get out the vote.
Last night she participated in the Hawaii caucuses, and posted this wonderful piece on the Obama website, http://my.barackobama.com/...
Notes of a campaign worker--Manoa Valley caucus night
OK, I confess. It's now after 2AM, and I'm still up with the excitement of Obama's win here in Hawai'i, not to mention Wisconsin!!
Fortunately, I got down to our voting place 1 1/2 hours early tonight. People were already lining up to confirm their registration as voters, Democrats, and precinct status. The air was clear and cool, the Ko'olau range etched against a twilight sky, a cloud or two hovering near the falls, perfectly still.
Waiting in line, I schmoozed with an elderly local man, Japanese-American, who nodded with approval at my Obama Hawai'i t-shirt.
-I'm an ABC man.
-ABC?
-Yes. Anybody But Clinton.
- Yep, I said, we really need a change.
Soon I was working one of the registration tables, and suddenly the entire basketball court and playground were completely jammed with lines of people. Four hours later, more than 3200 voters had moved through the school cafeteria where the voting stations were set up. This is a lot of people for a small community. No one had ever seen anything like these numbers. A significant number were Republicans, Independents, and first-time voters. Lots of young folks. My students and colleagues from the UH English Department. Former professors. Old home week. Lots of excitement and good cheer. People's faces were alight. An almost full moon rose over Manoa valley.
The district organizers had tables with free food and water for the voters, and volunteers came by the tables with drinks for the us workers.
After the voting each of the six precincts met to elect officers and delegates for the state convention in May. Meanwhile mixed teams of supporters, for Obama and Clinton, gathered to count the votes from their respective precincts.
It was my first ever experience doing anything with a mainstream political party, and it was very fine to be working with neighbors I had never met before. Thanks to Susan Schultz's advice about sticking around after the voting, I somehow ended up becoming a delegate to the state convention in May: yet another first for me.
Gee, what is this thing called inspiration? Speaking from experience, I can only report that I have been moved to action by Barack Obama. That’s the truth, Ruth. There’s a quote floating around, that I’ve found attributed to William Jennings Bryan in his tribute to Abraham Lincoln, something to this effect: "When Cicero spoke people said, ‘How well he speaks.’ When Demosthenes spoke, they said, ‘Let’s march!’"
At 61, a professor of English, grandmother of two, and semi-reclusive Buddhist, I suddenly find myself on the move—registering voters, making steady donations, hooking up my congressman’s network with the campaign. I’m amazed on a daily basis. I’ve practically turned into someone else. What is this thing called inspiration? I’m hardly prime cult material, contrary to recent sad attempts of opponents to denigrate Obama’s "rock star" appeal. I never join groups, any groups. I avoid crowds like the plague. And suddenly, who knows how, I’m a delegate to the state Democratic convention.
What can I say? Only that I agree with Michelle Obama; I’ve never been so proud of this country.
So, maybe I’ll see you in Denver?
I’ll be the one with bells on.