Obama's Community Organizing supervisor, Jerry Kellman interviewed

[WA98296]

NEWSWEEK: What was your initial reaction to Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin's comments about community organizing?
KELLMAN: My initial reaction was that mockery and ridicule are the lowest form of criticism. People ultimately find it nasty and find it small and I thought there was a lot of that going on. There was also the irony of John McCain organizing a convention, which is about three and a half days of cheap shots, and then changing to this idea of serving your country. I thought it was inappropriate. It was disrespectful to Barack and all the people that he's worked with; and politically, it's a short-term tactic. It lowers the standard of public discourse but ultimately reflects badly on them.

What do you make of their perspective on organizing? What does it say about them?
I think it shows how much people from the wealthy and privileged sectors have dominated community life…People who are wealthy enough, don't need to be organizing. There are things you can fix easier if you know someone or have a little money. If you don't have access to those things, you need to come together and act. And that's a part of the world that very few candidates, Republican or Democrat have ever had experience in—the world of those who don't have access to political power.


there's more:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/157424

[jbnow]

1. It made no sense to me

that they would mock community organizers. It wasn't just saying it's not up to being a small town mayor, they were demeaning the work itself. "Actual responsibilities?"
I realize they don't try to ban dangerous books like Harry Potter and Shakespeare from the public library or fire all the officials that didn't support their getting the job or using tax money to build sports complexes and parks that can't be used or leave a debtless city millions in debt like she could as mayor.
Still some might consider empowering people to get employment back, have safe housing and little things like that essential to a decent life would matter enough not to be mocked.
Ironic that they'll be appearing in a forum hosted by Service Nation. If it's about promoting community service among Americans I reckon this subject might come up.

So the point of mocking was..."Stupid Obama, wasting time doing service, caring about people and putting in so many hours for so little money."

[rucky]

2. Community organizers everywhere are pissed.

Everybody who's participated and benefitted directly from community organizations are pissed.

These are people who WILL pound the pavement to support Obama - and have the skill set to do it effectively.