Well, that was a disappointment.

[iiibbb]

I've never been politically involved... I'm not even a Democrat. But, I decided to volunteer for an Obama event and voting drive listed on his site. I went to the address and couldn't find it. It was exacerbated by the fact that there are three "4th" streets in the town with 4 of the same address numbers, but I went to each location and the church that was supposed to be there wasn't... and there were no signs out front.

So either they got the address wrong, or maybe they were keeping their heads down because this is a MS town... but a bit of a disappointment.

[ananda]

1. Shame.

I'm sorry that happened.

[mucifer]

2. I'm glad you tried. It's always a good idea to have a phone number available if

possible. If you have a cell phone you can call the organizer when you can't find an address.

I hope you keep trying and I hope they get better organized.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Yes, a phone number is always a good thing to carry.

[iiibbb]

8. I rechecked the announcement... no phone number

... I should've written down the name of the church, but I was expecting to see cars, or Obama signs or something.

Next time I'll be better prepared. I just was expecting something more visible.

[crispini]

4. Please keep trying.

Since you're in MS, the event is likely organized not by the campaign but by unpaid volunteers. Who mean well but are often not very organized and not always the best communicators.

Please don't let this disappoint you, but continue your efforts to get involved. And thank you

[Muttocracy]

5. you've been on DU for 4 years but don't call yourself a Democrat? curious why?

[iiibbb]

7. A few reasons

4 years ago was the last election.

I don't subscribe to the entire Democratic platform.

I like to expose myself to many perspectives.


At the end of the day I'll vote for the best person I can.

[renate]

10. you sound like the ideal voter!

You're really putting some thought into your choice. :applause:

Thank you for trying to help out. :hug:

[Muttocracy]

13. totally reasonable. Maybe you can try calling a state coordinator?

Or post to one of the state blogs on http://BarackObama.com and see if anyone can help?

[iiibbb]

16. I'll try that if the next meet doesn't work out.

There's a debate party in my own town... so maybe I won't get lost this time. It'll also give me a chance to meet some people first.

[Muttocracy]

20. are you close enough to go to the first debate? nt

[iiibbb]

26. Actually, yes... but haven't planned to go.

Might go if my wife wants... but we tried to go to the Rally Obama gave in Columbus last spring and couldn't get in because the venue was full. Oxford is a bit of a drive for us.

Plus, the idea is to meet some people locally.

[Muttocracy]

29. right, I mean in addition to - doubt there will be many voters to register at debate. Best of luck.

[iiibbb]

32. There's a local "debate party" I will try.

[ismnotwasm]

6. Wow

That's messed up.

Not my experience though, in my community there are more opportunities for Obama's campaign than I have time-- perhaps I live in a larger area.

Cool you tried.

[iiibbb]

9. Well... half my fault...

...but I was expecting something a little more visible. Next time I won't presume.

[cliffordu]

11. Garsh. Maybe a nice slice of Pizza would make you feel better.

But I don't know if Pizza can fix a lying sack o' crap.

[independentpiney]

12. Wow, that was totally uncalled for

There was nothing in the op to indicate a troll.

[iiibbb]

14. However... the post is indicative of

...why I haven't spent that much time here in 4 years... aside from the threads moving too fast. I know I don't have a history here. Doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

[cliffordu]

21. I dunno, EVERYTHING about it made it look like one....

1. I wanted to help although I am not a Democrat

2. I tried to help.

3. The campaign could not even get it together to get me to the right spot.

4. No phone number.

5. Oh, well. Maybe they don't want my help.



Here's my fucking question:

Does the Obama camaign even BOOK events where there are NO PHONE CONTACTS??

If this is true, why don't we hear about it happening all the time?

[iiibbb]

22. Text of my confirmation email... click the first link and report...

back on the phone number...


This email is to confirm your signup for the following event:

Vote For Change

Time: Saturday, September 13 at 10:00 AM - 6 hours
Location: Glenn Chapel C.M.E. Church
Columbus, MS 39701
Directions:
1109-fourth Street South

You can view the details of this event at any time by going to:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gs7b8q

You can update your signup and view other events you're attending at:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/myevents

Thank You!

[cliffordu]

23. Well, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong and you have my most sincere apology.

On the other hand, this is the only place called 1109 4th street south on the google maps.

http://maps.google.com/maps?client=opera&rls=en&q=1109-fourth+Street+South+columbus,+Ms&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&um=1&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title



This search result is just for the "Glenn Chapel C.M.E. Church South columbus, Ms"


http://maps.google.com/maps?client=opera&rls=en&q=1109-fourth+Street+South+columbus,+Ms&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&um=1&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title


Same place.

[iiibbb]

24. No kidding...

...and as I said I went with just the Address on a slip of paper. I thought there would be a sign or something. First time getting involved and everything.

If you also peruse the map of Columbus, you'll find that there's also a 4th Ave S, 4th Ave N, and 4th St. N. and 4th St. S.

So... with just a slip of paper, one can easily wonder if one mis-wrote the address, or Google got confused about the proper address (doesn't have my own house correct for instance).

[cliffordu]

25. Only one church at the 4th street south location. At least you tried.

[independentpiney]

33. Hey, you're in the Golden Triangle area!

I went to Moo U. in the '70's and stayed on a few years afterwards. I'm surprised there wouldn't be some Starkville/State College events?. I know I was shocked in 2004 when I looked at the 2004 election maps and saw Oktibbeha county was a bluer shade of purple than my red county here in NJ

[iiibbb]

34. Yeah... I work there

Been here about a year... probably won't be here long b/c the U. reneged on a job for my wife, but that's neither hither nor thither. We're here for the time being.

[independentpiney]

30. I dunno, I think you might have the troll-o-meter dialed up too high

Kind of understandable because this place has been loaded with them of late.
But to address your points
1. I wanted to help although I am not a Democrat- I'm not a registered Democrat either for various reasons, but I've been helping Democratic candidates since the 2000 selection and subsequent Bush/republican debacles ,as well as being active with anti-war and civil liberties groups.

2. I tried to help.- Good for him/her

3. The campaign could not even get it together to get me to the right spot.- They never said or implied that. In fact the op acknowledges they should have prepared better before setting out to find the place.

4. No phone number.- See above

5. Oh, well. Maybe they don't want my help.- again, that's you reading something into it that's just not there.

[cliffordu]

35. Yep - I apologised if I was wrong.

[independentpiney]

36. I saw that after I posted, thank you nt

[Muttocracy]

15. Maybe this is the site you used? Could try posting there somewhere?

In some places there are multiple groups per town - I wonder if they merged where you are?
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/mshome

[iiibbb]

18. Yup.. that's the site...

I clicked on "events" and it was the closest one this weekend. I now think the address I was looking for was offset from the street. I should've carried a map with me. I was expecting to see some signage.

[RayOfHope]

17. Most of the local campaign organizers aren't from the areas in which they are working

Chances are it was a legitimate mistake. Plus, if they used googlemaps or even mapquest, they may have gotten a bad address. It happens.

Good on ya for getting involved! Don't let this one instance get you down.

[liberalpress]

19. If it's MS

They're probably worried about being firebombed. Supporting a "Democrat" (code-word alert) for president.

[northernlights]

27. that's a bummer

I've had similar things happen in the past (not in relation to Obama events, just plain events) where you really want to do something, you go out of your way to get there, and then just can't find it due to incorrect address or wrong yahoo map or whatever.

Very frustrating! I'd definitely send an email to someone higher up on the campaign to let them know. They should definitely have posted a phone # and even if there wasn't an Obama sign out, you'd expect a church to have a sign. Wonder if the address had a typo or something equally stupid?!

[iiibbb]

31. My guess is that the church was offset from the street

So maybe I didn't see the sign. All I had was a slip, and knew I was looking for a church. Simple case of "how hard could it be to find?"

I should've printed out the email.

[terrya]

28. Just a suggestion - contact Obama for America

[phone]

Talk to a volunteer and tell them what happened. Ask if they could direct you to any events in your area. They'd be delighted that you're so eager to get involved. :-)