Rochester for Obama goes to Erie PA
Rochester for Obama went to Erie, PA this past weekend. Here’s how it went, in their words, not mine:
Several Rochester Obama volunteers traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania today to canvass neighborhoods. We met at 6:50 a.m. (yes - that’s in the morning! at Pittsford Plaza. With bagels in hand we departed, three vehicles with eleven people. This group included volunteers as young as 14 and 16, and as old as two of the women, one in her 60s, the other in her 70s (But both easily more energetic than I!) As we drove, we reviewed some of Obama’s positions and discussed how we would answer certain questions. And of course, we also discussed last night’s debate. An easy two and a half to three hours later, we arrived at the Obama headquarters in downtown Erie.
When we arrived we encountered another six to eight people from the Rochester area. Almost 20 people from Rochester today!
The headquarters are located in a building on the corner of French and East 10th Street. The office is bright, spacious, and consistently busy with people entering data on computers, making phone calls, sorting literature and walking packets, and greeting those who entered. We were offered pretzels and donuts, and gathered for a briefing as to what we would be doing. There were several staff there - some paid staff, and some likely volunteers. Among the paid staffers (I’m assuming she is being paid) is a young woman named Brittany from Irondequoit, who has taken off time from college to work for the campaign.
All of the Erie office staff remained busy as we came in and out of the office through the day. Packets and other documents were checked and sorted in neatly labeled drawers - voter registrations that were complete, voter registrations that needed to have additional information added to be completed, walking lists that were completed, lists that weren’t, and phone lists. The organization was impressive.
And what about the Erie voters? We met a mix. Erie is a town that seems battered by hard economic times. Some voters were easily Obama voters; others less satisfied with him but planning on voting for him despite what they perceived to be his lack of experience. Many, even registered Democrats, were undecided and many said they wouldn’t be voting. Those seemed to affect our group most profoundly - these voters seemed to have just given up. Some were McCain voters, and a few were just plain odd.
One young man from Buffalo, who must have had the magic touch, described how he transformed several McCain voters to Obama voters. And of course, on a Saturday afternoon, many people weren’t home.
Is it worth it?
A post on fivethirtyeight.com describes a Yale Study “for every twelve voters who you talk to at their doors, one voter goes and votes who would not otherwise have voted.”
So if folks are thinking about a drive to view foliage, why not stop for a few hours in Pennsylvania or Ohio to help canvass the local neighborhoods. Contact Rochester for Obama at, http://www.rochesterforobama.com/ , if you’re interested in an upcoming trip.
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Hi there! In 2004, I was a Kerry traveler. I spent a great deal of time in Pennsylvania canvassing and organizing for Kerry/Edwards. I would encourage anyone who has the time, energy, and passion to hit the road for a good cause. You’ll meet a lot of great people, both on the road and while campaigning. You’ll end the day with tired feet, but more than that, with a sense that you really accomplished something.
I am sorry to say that due to family circumstances I won’t be able to travel for Obama this year. But, I really wish I could.
Even though, obviously, 2004 didn’t turn out the way we wanted, I don’t regret a minute of time I spent working for Kerry/Edwards in Pennsylvania. In a small way, I even feel like I helped deliver an important swing state.
Anyway, I just can’t recommend the experience enough!
And if you can’t be there, this is one where you can phone it in. Literally. Mybarackobama.com - go to the “neighbor to neighbor” feature. You’ll get the names and phone numbers of voters in swing states who you can contact. You record the info you obtain and return it (on the computer forms) to the campaign.