There's at least one veteran of every service. These are not only the disaffected who are regularly counted upon. There are many new faces. Fearful of a McCain Presidency and fed up with pandering of self-proclaimed patriots by the Republicans, they are here to stand up for their country, their spouses, their children. Welcome to the Virginia Beach Obama Headquarters. There are newly former Republicans and spouses of servicemen and women who are leery of speaking for themselves. The heavy handed reminders about the Hatch Act have silenced but not dampened the resentment that lays beneath the surface of their active duty service members' temperments. And the nonchalant selection of a running mate by Senator McCain has completely undercut any argument that he holds the nation's interest above his own. Many were already familiar and agree with the reasons Phillip Butler won't vote for McCain.
No na+»ve or giddy enthusiasm here. They are business-like and deliberate, sprinkling their remarks with wry humor; all proud to introduce themselves and offer up expertise for the campaign from data base mining to legal advice. All have a story of how they have arrived at this Obama office on Virginia Beach Boulevard. They represent the broad spectrum from single term enlistees to military spouses to graduates of the Naval Academy; one who served as a Marine Corps infantry officer before becoming a JAG. Four of them have more than a century of military experience among them. There is not a single American flag lapel pin. Not one person doubts their own patriotism or that of the others. It is something inculcated in their values and displayed through works and deeds; not a trinket of imported painted tin or plastic.
The Virginia Beach area veterans outreach program for Obama is coordinated by a veteran. One of the volunteers, retired navy and widow of a retired Marine, has on her own contacted more veterans than the entire Kerry campaign did locally in 2004. The group listens to the plan and most roger up to coming in this Tuesday to make phone calls to more veterans and military families. The others seek out alternate dates. The discussion turns to stories of recent intimidation of service members who have bumper stickers on their automobiles. They have heard of at least one base commander who has had gate guards stopping vehicles with them while ignoring cult and gang signs.
Coast Guard veteran and one of the earliest Webb supporters, Nancy McPherson throws a $50 bill on the table and a issues challenge to match it. She has brought her own Obama stash of goodies to share with this group and is emphatic that we need veteran specific campaign material now and can't wait for it to be supplied. It is a flashback to those rag tag days when every piece of Webb campaign material was hoarded and rationed. Everyone responds, reaching into their pockets or making good on the challenge. One thing is certain: the Republicans have used up the goodwill accumulated by Ronald Reagan. Americans with a social conscience are coming home to the Democratic Party. Look for "Veterans for Obama" bumper stickers around town and passing through the gates at your local military installation soon.
Cross posted at VBDems - Blogging our way to Democratic wins in Virginia Beach! Go RK!