I went to an Obama campaign organizational meeting in NH last spring

[Raven]

at his headquarters in Manchester. Twelve New Hampshire grassroots groups were invited. Obama's national campaign manager, Phouffe (sp?), chaired the meeting. He explained that Obama's background was in community organization in Chicago and that the campaign was going to use those organizational techniques. He went on to say that while the campaign was not going to bypass established political machinery in each state, it was going to build the campaign from the grassroots up.

I was representing a grassroots peace group at this meeting and we were not terribly impressed with Obama's position on war funding and on Iran. I let them know that at the meeting. A few weeks later, I received a call from Obama's NH campaign manager asking to come to my house to meet with my group. We had that meeting and a very candid discussion.

No other candidate reached out to us like Obama's people did and no other candidate's organization has kept constantly in touch like his organization has.

Looking back at those events so many months ago and seeing where things are now, I can fully understand why Obama is doing so well. The principles that served him well on the streets of Chicago...street to street, door to door, person to person are working on a national level. People have been touched, individually, and it may make all the difference.

[beachmom]

1. Thanks, Raven, for that story.

It seems that first and foremost, candidates need to listen to voters, to at least understand where they are coming from. There isn't always going to be agreement, but keeping in touch like that means a lot.

[Avalux]

2. Great story. His campaign office opened here in San Antonio yesterday -

there were so many people who showed up to volunteer they couldn't all fit in the room and overflowed to the sidewalk outside. As the effort gets larger, it seems Obama's managers still have a handle on how to do things. The enthusiasm I've seen with people WANTING to get involved is something I've never witnessed before.

[Raven]

5. I think people have been yearning to be brought back into

their democracy. I had almost given up on the idea that we could get away from machine politics in this country.

[Joyce78]

3. Having supporters reach out/keep in touch is nice. What are the

actual accomplishments?

[Raven]

7. This post was not meant to discuss any candidate's accomplishments.

It was meant to be my observations on how people have campaigned. I didn't want to get into a debate about the relative merits of the frontrunners...there are plenty of other threads about that. I will say that getting people involved in the political system who have not been involved before or who have been alienated in the past, is an accomplishment in and of itself.

[SoFlaJet]

18. off the top of my head here are 3

1; did NOT vote for the IWR
2; did NOT vote for Kyl/LIEberman
3; at least showed up for a FISA vote

[zanne]

4. I second that. Thanks, Raven!

The people at the Manchester HQ were very conscientious about answering questions. Even if an individual contacted via phone bank had a question, it was answered. (And out of thousands and thousands of people contacted, quite a few had questions.)

[stellanoir]

6. Did you catch this. . .?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4573084

It sounds as though his campaign is really well coordinated all over.

[Renew Deal]

11. I was in SC for the last weekend

I couldn't believe the level of organization and the depth of that organization. They were on top of everything in a VERY detailed way.

[Tennessee Gal]

8. Did you go to a Clinton or Edwards meeting?

[Raven]

9. My group was never invited to meet with other candidates...other than

Dennis K. I went to hear all of them speak when they were in NH but never got the outreach that Obama's campaign gave. Actually, as I think about it, my group did contact each campaign to ask for a meeting. Obama's campaign got to us before we got to them and Dennis' campaign responded to our request for a meeting but none of the others did.

[Divernan]

13. I'm glad Tennessee Gal asked that question, because the answer speaks volumes.

Kucinich had and Obama has campaigns which are two-way in communication, i.e., learning opportunities for the candidates and their policy advisors, as well as the voters, on the what, why and how of issues on which voters want answers and actions. That would seem to presage the approach their administrations would take. Cause I doubt that your peace group had to make or promise a chunk of change in the form of campaign contributions before you got attention and answers.

[Renew Deal]

16. Obama's campaign won a straw poll on LI.

They lined up speakers and organized as soon as we told them. Hillary's camp didn't want to participate. They jumped on the last minute and sent county party staff to the meeting.

[Renew Deal]

14. I've dealt with them in NY.

Hillary's campaign was run by the county party here. Hillary's "volunteers" were county party staff and a few stragglers. Edwards barely had a campaign. There was one contact on LI that sent out occasional updates, but didn't even get petitions signed.

Obama's campaign was bottom up. People were lit dropping, doing visibility, setting up phone banks, etc. Obama and Hillary were the only candidates to get full delegate slates in NY. Edwards had a few in the city. The others had nothing. Obama's petition signatures came from volunteers. Hillary's came from staff.

[stillcool]

10. VolcanoJen

posted about her experience at an organizational meeting in Cincinnati Ohio...with less than 24 hours notice, 10000 people showed up at a Volunteer meeting
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4581891
This picture is from another organizational meeting in Columbus Ohio.
?v=0
Submitted by jump23 on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 8:44pm. News of the Day

[Maribelle]

12. So you were impressed by Obama's pandering?

So much for your "not terribly impressed with Obama's position...".

And are your trying to impress us with this sell out?

[Divernan]

15. Can't you tell us about your positive experiences with your candidate?

nt

[Raven]

19. You know, a key part of politics is getting to the candidates

and getting your message across. My group tried to do that. We were fiarly equally split between Dennis and John and I voted for John in the Primary. I'm not sure how that is a "sell out"...perhaps I should have voted for Dennis but I didn't think he had a chance in hell. I'm now faced with two Democratic candidates who don't share my position on the war or on Iran. So how exactly do I avoid "selling out" as you so gracefully have put it? Do I sit the race out? Do I vote for Clinton? What exactly is your definition of a "sell out"?

[formernaderite]

17. his early experiences have served him well

I've been very touched by all the personal stories I've read about how his campaign has reached out to individual voters. H

[mucifer]

20. actually this speaks to what the candidates might do during an emergency

like Katrina. I would want the most organized and efficient minded person to be in charge.

[babylonsister]

21. He's got ground game, and it's a delight to see. Thanks for the

proof!