A Hectic Few Weeks

I join you here after what can only be described as the most hectic few weeks of my recent life. Since I last wrote these are a few things that have happened:

• Two rallies which I had to organise volunteers for
• A hike up to 1000m for 8 hours
• Two long canvassing weekends - dry runs for the election days
• Getting to grips with a new role in these dry runs of arranging runners
• Two Presidential and one Vice Presidential debates
• Booking my travels post-election
• Some pretty bad polls for the President
• Voter Registration deadline
• At least one day where I didn't leave the office until gone 11pm
• An argument with a Republican in a restaurant that I was making phone calls in - where she threatened that 'when she was done with me I'd never make calls again' and threatened the job of the manager. 

But, its all worth it. Yes, I'm tired. Yes, I'm living on a diet of black coffee, pizza, doughnuts and other junk food. And yes, I've had no time to keep everyone at home updated of what I've been doing. But, as the polls move closer together and Virginia is becoming an even tighter election, my work is becoming even more important. The campaign has kicked into overdrive; we are making even more calls, knocking on even more doors and recruiting vast numbers of volunteers. All for what will be the most well-oiled, well-run and effective four days of grassroots campaigning I've ever seen - to get our voters to their polling locations and able to vote, in the face of some pretty strong voter suppression attempts by the Republican run Virginia government.

There's been a lot of hand-wringing from Democrats recently. With Obama's (admittedly) poor performance at the first debate - although not awful, media agreement piled up the pressure - polls have tightened. However, as the wonderful blog by Nate Silverman shows (fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com) polls should be taken with a inch of salt. Yes, the race is close, it has ALWAYS been close. But it is far from over and the President still has a good chance of being re-elected - whether its by winning Ohio, Virginia or Florida (either of these would all but guarantee his victory). I try my hardest to keep away from polls. There's very little I, or OFA, can do to change the polls. Our greatest role is to turn out the voters that we know will support the President - whether that's encouraging those that can to vote early, providing rides to the polls for those unable to get there themselves or simply reminding someone of their polling location through a simple phone call; our task is clear and it is important. Polls means nothing if people don't turn up. 

Tomorrow night is the final debate; this one on foreign policy. President Obama should, and I believe will, wipe the floor with Romney - who's lack of experience and understanding on the nuances of international diplomacy would be laughable were they not so terrifying. When people ask me why I'm here, my answer is usually this. That I, on behalf of the UK and Europe, want someone in charge of the greatest military and diplomatic might in the world that I trust to do so with tact, experience and intelligence. Obama is that person. He is measured on Iran, on Palestine and on Syria. Romney would bring America back to the terrifying foreign policy of the Bush era - if not further; that one thing terrifies me the most. 

This is what keeps me going when I'm entering data at 11pm. That encouraging more people to vote for President Obama will mean a safer world for all. Not only for the Middle East (where his efforts are clear and important), but here in America - where a woman will still be able to make her own health choices; where people that love each other will be guaranteed the same protections no matter who they happen to fall in love with, and that ordinary Americans will be able to access healthcare no matter how much money they have in the bank. Not all of this will impact me directly at home; but America sets a precedent. And if the greatest, most divisive nation on earth can do it, perhaps the rest of the world can too.

The Presidential Rally

This country has come too far to turn back now

President Obama, Rally in Fairfax VA, 5/10/12

Today, I saw President Obama at a rally at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Along with 1800 people, I listened to him command the auditorium with his charm, intelligence, wit and empathy. The noise was deafening as he stated his belief in America, his compassion for those struggling to find work and his dedication to protect those most in need. Women of all ages, the focus of this event, cheered his every word as he detailed the steps he has put in place - from protecting Planned Parenthood to preventing insurance companies from denying health care to those with pre-existing conditions like cancer. After a relatively poor performance at the first debate (not horrendous, but not amazing) he came out fighting, telling the assembled crowd how Mitt Romney would cut taxes for the wealthy, repeal the protections of Obamacare and even set his sights on Sesame Street. Not that the crowd needed telling, he emphasised how important it was that supporters turned out and voted to protect American jobs, the middle classes and groups that Romney and the Republicans would disregard. It couldn't have been a more inspirational, heart-felt and fighting speech. 

Far from being a passive supporter, I was working. I had been tasked at the beginning of the week with the essential role of recruiting and coordinating the 60 volunteers we needed for the event. A high pressured role, I was honoured to be asked and trusted - obviously I've made some kind of impression in the weeks I've worked for OFA. Due to venue changes, I had only one evening (Wednesday) to get in touch with people and get them to volunteer. I was terrified something would go wrong - either not enough people would turn up or, more likely, too many would - what with over 150 people being asked originally. It was with bated breath that I approached the training on Thursday night. Luckily, my fears were unfounded. The right number of dedicated, passionate and trustworthy volunteers arrived to be told their roles - roles that were unglamorous, but nonetheless incredibly important. Roles ranging from car park attendance to water distribution. Each volunteer gave everything they had to their roles, turning up at 7:30am this morning to begin work without a sign of tiredness. Everyone was just so pleased to be able to give something back to the President who has given them so much - which underlines the key ability of this campaign to mobilise its supporters into essential roles.

I spent my day at the front of the line, controlling the flow of the tide, engaging with people who had been camped out from 6pm the previous evening to get a good seat to see the President. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with so many people who were enthused and ready to fight for the President's re-election. We signed up brand new volunteers, registered voters and encouraged support. It was humbling - watching this incredible event, I couldn't imagine anything similar in the UK.

We have a tendency in the UK to look at Americans as brash, occasionally vulgar and far too enthusiastic. We, the reserved nation, stand horrified at the cheering and whooping that we see on television. But, I would always rather have over enthusiasm the like of which I saw today than the passionless lack of imagination that seems to dominate UK politics. Yes, American politics is flawed - it is divisive, long and too influenced by money. But nearly four weeks here has told me that the UK could learn much about mobilising support which could increase our engagement with politics and politicians.

Yard Sign Wars

There's a war in America. It is fought in the front gardens (yards) of many an American family. It reaches far across the nation and is bitterly waged between neighbours who, only last year, may have waved warmly. No longer. Now, neighbours sneer and play a game of one-up on each other. I'm talking, dear reader, about Yard Sign Wars - an incredibly American institution that pits neighbour against neighbour.

The Fairfax office of Organizing for America has been inundated with requests for Yard Signs since I've been here. Unfortunately, there's been a shortage of them in the state and this has angered a lot of people - people who see the Romney campaign peppering yards with their signs and are unable to compete. I, personally, believe that spending money on Yard Signs is a bit of a waste. Firstly - they can't vote, so why spend money on them. Second - I can't believe that they would actually change anyone's mind as to who to vote for. Finally, I believe that the Obama campaign has much more important things to spend its money on - such as its social media platforms or its grassroots campaign. 

However, there is something to be said for them in terms of supporter morale. If all you see are 'Romney Ryan' signs populating people's lawns, or 'ObamaNo', then you will probably feel isolated and alone in your support for the President. However, if you begin to see more Obama signs pop up, you'll feel like part of something, possibly more likely to turn out to the polls (seeing that Obama has a chance) and maybe even become more likely to volunteer. Especially if you have a yard sign yourself that has been surrounded by Romney signs for a long time. I've seen huge Romney signs at busy intersections, signs placed right up against the property line of people's homes, even outside schools so that everyone has to walk past them. This has to be slightly demoralising to Obama supporters, and I understand their frustrations at the lack of Obama signage up.

The Fairfax office has finally got some signs in - but not enough to keep all the Democrats in the area happy. Their answer? A trade. A sign will be given to anyone that has completed a voluntary shift with the campaign, anyone who signs up to volunteer, or anyone who donates snacks or drinks to the office - to be given out to those volunteers who give up their time canvassing or at phone banks. Some see this as a terrible way to go about things and the campaign. However, with my previous reservations above, I think its great. Not only are we encouraging people to become more engaged with the campaign, but we are rewarding those who do so. 

As one unnamed supporter said to me; 'Yard Signs can't vote. If they do, maybe they'll be a priority. For now, we need to focus on the people'. I wholeheartedly agree.

Finally, above is a video which I hope explains the inspiration as to why I'm here. Enjoy.