Volunteer for Obama

By: mapmaker1
Published On: 8/22/2008 6:38:53 PM

For the first time since, say, 1948, the Old Dominion will be a competitive battleground state that might decide the next U.S. President. This situation presents us Virginians with an excellent opportunity to personally bring an end to the Bush-McCain policies that have failed this country for so long, and bring about a new day in this country. This sort of transformation cannot take place unless we actively contribute to the Obama campaign in whatever way we possibly can. Winning the longtime Republican bastion of Virginia will be an uphill climb this year, regardless of major demographic shifts in NoVa, an energized African-American electorate, and our state's recent blue tilt. Legions of volunteers will be the key to putting Sen. Obama over the top.  
The Obama campaign welcomes volunteers who can spend time in neighborhoods throughout the state canvassing registered voters and persuading (reachable) McCain supporters/undecideds to consider Sen. Obama. Anyone who has a few disposable hours or even an entire a day or two would be received with open arms. No political or campaign experience is required. We would especially like middle-aged to older folks to join the campaign, since older voters tend to be the most lukewarm towards Sen. Obama's candidacy.

Registering new voters is also still a major focus of the campaign. Hundreds of thousands of African-Americans, Latinos, and young people remain excluded from the political process because they have not filed the necessary paperwork required for voting. We can simultaneously help people develop a new appreciation and understanding of politics, as well as bring more votes to our side, by reaching out and registering these folks.  

If you do not want to physically campaign or cannot because of time constraints, you can help the campaign by phonebanking from home. This can be achieved by visiting the Obama website, clicking on the "Action" tab, then "Phonebanking." If thousands of Obama supporters across the country make a few phone calls within Virginia or out to other swing states-which they are doing as we speak-significant chunks of votes can be turned our way.

If none of these pursuits seem exciting, you can help the campaign by fundraising on the local level. Simply purchasing buttons or bumper-stickers from the Obama website "Store," then reselling the items for a slightly higher price ($5-$10) in a nearby Obama-friendly neighborhood, and finally contributing the profit to the Obama campaign as a donation. Over the past few weeks, I have raised over $1000 selling buttons and bumperstickers in downtown Alexandria.

You might feel that one or two volunteers cannot make a difference in swinging an entire state into the Democratic column, even one as competitive as Virginia. You might believe that the campaign is already sufficiently staffed, and would not stand to gain from additional  assistance. Both arguments are completely false. Virginia was decided by eight percentage points four years ago, but since then, two Democrats have won major statewide elections and Mark Warner will win his race in a landslide. Still, Sen. Obama faces significant challenges in many regions of our state. That's why we must do what we can before Election Day.

It is our responsibility as informed progressive voters to help Virginia turn blue this year, however we can. This time, we have a collective ability, and enough enthusiasm, to make an impact.  

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