A "Bidding War" for Obama Field Organizers and Grassroots Supporters?

By: Lowell
Published On: 11/13/2008 7:10:15 AM

This is something I've been thinking about recently, I'm glad to see that Tim Craig has an article about it. The question is, where will all the Virginia Obama grassroots supports and field organizers go next year? "Will any of the candidates be able to latch into the extensive political network that President-Elect Barack Obama built in Virginia this year?"

Many of the early Obama volunteers who helped him rack up a 30-point victory in the Feb. 12 primary remain on the sidelines, which could make them a major prize in the early positioning for next year.

[...]

...a bidding war could ensue in the coming days. The Virginia Democratic Party began closing its regional headquarters this week, meaning the hundreds of field organizers Obama deployed across the state are now looking for work. Some of them, party leaders say, are hoping to get jobs with one of the Democratic candidates for governor.

In general, the question in my mind is what will happen to Barack Obama's grassroots army of supporters. In 2006, a bunch of us were wondering what would happen to Jim Webb's 10,000-strong "ragtag army" in 2007 and 2008.  What we saw was continued involvement by many of these people, although far more in 2008 (the "federal year") as opposed to 2007 (House of Delegates, State Senate elections).  In 2009, we're back to another non-federal election in Virginia, and the question is to what extent the Obama "federal election" grassroots and field organizers will get involved more locally in races for House of Delegates, AG, LG, and Governor.

By the way, I think Tim Craig makes a good point here:

Had Deeds or Moran been associated with the Obama campaign during the presidential primaries, they would have likely been rewarded with intense loyalty from his supporters in 2009. Obama also may have decided to throw his support behind that candidate next year.

To this day, I'm a bit puzzled as to why Brian and Creigh were so cautious and opted not to endorse a candidate for president before the Virginia primary in February 2008. Many others, including Gov. Kaine and dozens of General Assembly members endorsed Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama or John Edwards. On the Republican side, Bill Bolling endorsed Mitt Romney and Bob McDonnell endorsed John McCain. Jim Moran endorsed Barack Obama. But Moran and Deeds stayed neutral (the third Democratic candidate for governor, Terry McAuliffe, headed Hillary Clinton's campaign). We'll see if any of that matters when the grassroots/netroots Obama supporters and the Obama field organizers decide what to do and who to support in 2009.


Comments



Another clue... (elevandoski - 11/13/2008 8:19:06 AM)
Another clue comes from looking to see how/if Brian and/or Creigh weighed in and supported our 3 successful congressional campaigns.  


From what I could see in the VA05 (aznew - 11/13/2008 9:34:52 AM)
Creigh Deeds was a strong supporter of Tom Perriello in both word and action.


Creigh Deeds... (Lawyer Mama - 11/13/2008 10:50:31 AM)
was also a supporter of Glenn Nye.


If the Harrisonburg Obama gang I worked with this fall... (edtallman - 11/13/2008 8:36:48 AM)
are primed and ready to go...and that includes, among many others, Alan the city Dem chairman, Cheryl Talley & family, Tim & Sarah Jost, Mistah Wilson from Massanutten, Lowell Fulks, Elaine from Elkton, Mudcat and many others are in...then so, by gawd, am I.

Can't wait. Turn us Obamakin loose!



The Bottom of the Old Democratic Majority fell out in 1968 (edtallman - 11/13/2008 9:21:05 AM)
after Bobby Kennedy was assasinated.

That means we lost the blue-collar Democrats, or at least the urban, Catholic blue collar Dems, to the George Wallace South, to the Nixon Southern Majority strategy.

No more. That's over.

Virginia and North Carolina voted for Barack. The New Order has begun.

Now we have to find ways to expand into those red parts of those two states, and others, including, maybe, West Virginia.

In reddest West Virginia (and on the border of Virginia), I'm finding that non-college-educated women are the ones who are most receptive to Obama.

Among other things, they have a deeper sense of what their self-interest is beyond, shall we say, guns...

And they really like Barack. The way the parents of folks once loved Jack & Bobby Kennedy.



The State Democratic Party (Teddy - 11/13/2008 10:27:18 AM)
would be foolish, IMHO, if they did not find a way to latch on to some of these people since, unlike the national Dems, the state has elections every year. Why throw away an in-place, enthusiastic group of political workers---- just before we need them again? Even the barnacle-encrusted (forgive me) old-line Dems, having seen what happened to their closed social pecking order in the Webb campaign and now with the Obama campaign should, in an access of enlightened self-interest, applaud such recruitment. No money? Get some; Kaine can hold afund raiser or two, not to mention uber-moneyman McAuliffe. Heh.  


Some of us are definitely up for grabs... (Lawyer Mama - 11/13/2008 10:54:16 AM)
I didn't work for the Obama campaign, although I was/am Deputy Director for Outreach for Blue Star Families for Obama.  Here in the Hampton Roads area we've formed a new group to keep our local network going - The Hampton Roads Progressive Women's Caucus - to support Democratic candidates and help them in the statewide elections next year.  We're in the process of reaching out to candidates now.

http://hrpwcaucus.blogspot.com



Great Field Workers (jimhock - 11/13/2008 5:37:07 PM)
I cant say enough about Obama field folks.  I've worked on tons of campaigns and the organization was astounding. Great kudos go to Luke McGowan who ran Fairfax for Obama. He's an Arlington guy that i first worked with on Obama campaign in California in Feb when I was doing surrogate work. He's stellar and has a bright future. Never will forget how excited he was to come back to VA after being in so many other states for Obama -- and working to deliver his home state!  


Isn't it nice to say .... (Dan - 11/13/2008 7:09:39 PM)
...that you are hiring someone who worked on a successful Democratic Presidential campaign; and that person is still in their twenties or early thirties?  No more resumes with Gore Presidential Campaign or Kerry Presidential Campaign as the "highlight" of their campaign experience.  

"Worked on the successful Obama campaign that crushed John McCain in Virginia" has a nice ring to it



On a related note... (Lowell - 11/13/2008 8:59:44 PM)
...lots of endorsements for Brian Moran from Loudoun County.

Overwhelming Majority of Loudoun Dem Elected Officials Endorse Brian Moran

~ Loudoun has been Virginia's bellwether county for 4 cycles ~

~ Moran understands suburban voters' concerns ~

LEESBURG - Today, in an unprecedented show of support at the Old Loudoun County Court House, an overwhelming majority of Loudoun County's Democratic elected officials endorsed Brian Moran for Governor. Loudoun officials cited Delegate Moran's ability to win the County, a critical exurban bellwether, as a key reason for their support. They also highlighted his work with Governors Warner and Kaine, understanding of suburban communities, and vision for Virginia's future as the reasons for their endorsements.

The endorsers represent 2/3 of Democrats in Loudoun County local government. Endorsing were:  Every Democrat in the Houses of Delegates from Loudoun, most of the Democrats on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, the Mayor of Leesburg, members of the Leesburg Town Council and the Loudoun School Board.

No Democrat has been elected statewide in Virginia since 2001 without winning Loudoun County. Loudoun voters supported Democrats Obama and Warner in 2008, Webb in 2006 and Kaine in 2005. But Loudoun voted for Republican Bob McDonnell over Creigh Deeds the same year. In the 2008 primary campaign, they supported Obama over Clinton by 20%.

"It is an honor to receive the support of so many of Virginia's leaders. Here in Loudoun, Democrats know what it takes to win - a Virginia leader with a record of winning races and partnering with Mark Warner and Tim Kaine," Moran said. "Virginians are looking for a Governor who understands what these tough economic times mean to families and who has a vision for Virginia's future."

Endorsing Delegate Brian Moran were:

   * Delegates David Poisson (D-32) and Chuck Caputo (D-67)
   * Board of Supervisors Vice-Chair Susan Klimek Buckley (Sugarland Run)
   * Supervisors Kelly Burk (Leesburg) and Stevens Miller (Dulles)
   * School Board Vice-Chair John Stevens and member Priscilla Godfrey
   * Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd
   * Councilmembers Marty Martinez and David Butler

STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT

Delegate David Poisson (D-33)
"The next Governor must be someone who has the vision and values to face our challenges head on. We need a leader who will continue the work Tim Kaine and Mark Warner began during their terms in office and who recognizes that for all their impressive achievements - and there have been many - we still have much to do.  Most importantly, our next Governor must share our values and be willing to fight for the right of all Virginians to fulfill their God-given potential.  That's why I'm supporting my good friend, Brian Moran, for Governor."

Susan Klimek Buckley, Vice Chair of the Loudoun Board of Supervisors
"Tough times lie ahead for Virginia, and we need someone like Brian Moran to lead us through these difficult years. As Delegate of the 46th District and as House Democratic Caucus Chair, Brian has a record of success in all areas that matter most to Virginians and  improve our quality of life:  education, transportation, environment, healthcare, economic development and technology, just to name a few.  He knows how to get things done.  His proven leadership and commitment to building a better Virginia will make him an effective Governor for the Commonwealth.  I'm enthusiastically supporting Brian to be Virginia's next governor."

Kelly Burk, Loudoun Board of Supervisors Member
"Loudoun is the key to victory in Virginia and Loudoun Democrats know Brian Moran can win here. We have to make sure that the democratic nominee can win decisively in Northern Virginia and the suburbs. That's what it takes to win like Barack Obama, Tim Kaine, and Jim Webb. And no one else understands what's going on here like he does, especially when it comes to the economy."

Stevens Miller, Loudoun Board of Supervisors Member, former Loudoun County Economic Development Commission member
"This decade, more than any other, Virginia has delivered its support for the leaders that we need.  Barack Obama, Mark Warner, and Tim Kaine were the favored choices of the Commonwealth.  Next year, I hope Virginia will deliver again for Brian Moran, because we need more of the superb executive skills that governors Warner and Kaine have given to our state.  Brian knows that northern Virginia is the engine that powers the economy of the Commonwealth.  I'm backing him for governor because I know he'll fight to keep our region strong, so we can help keep all of Virginia strong.  Brian knows that we are one Virginia.  He'll lead the state brilliantly and fairly for everyone, with intelligence, experience, wisdom, and the rare ability to foster real cooperation.  I look forward to supporting him now, in November, and for four years after that. "

John Stevens, Vice Chairman of the Loudoun County School Board
"I support Brian Moran in his campaign to be Virginia's next Governor because Brian understands how important education is to Virginians and to Virginia's success. Brian's record of support for Virginia's public schools shows his commitment to Virginia's educational excellence. Brian knows that 21st Century Education begins with preschool and continues beyond the classroom, into the workforce and the laboratory. Virginia needs a 21st Century Plan for Economic Competitiveness to create globally competitive jobs and Virginians ready to excel in them. I know that Brian will carry his commitment to education from the legislature to the Governorship and ensure a brighter future for all Virginians, and that makes me very pleased to endorse Brian Moran for Governor."

Priscilla Godfrey, Member of the Loudoun County School Board
"Brian Moran is the future of Virginia's Democratic party. He's from Northern Virginia, where we live and work. He's got his eye on the competitiveness challenges of the 21st century and how that will affect not only his two young children but all our school children in the state. He knows we can't compete globally without investing in top quality schools right here at home in Virginia."

Kristen Umstattd, Mayor of Leesburg, member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority,  former Lieutenant in the US Naval Reserve
"It has been my honor to have known Delegate Brian Moran for close to a decade. I consider him a personal friend, a thoughtful leader, and a passionate advocate for bipartisan solutions in the Commonwealth on the key issues facing us today: the economy, transportation, education and the environment. I am pleased to offer my enthusiastic support to Delegate Moran."

Marty Martinez, Leesburg Town Council Member
"Not only does Brian Moran understand where Virginia is going, Brian is a leader who is in tune to the changes we have endured and the changes needed to continue to keep Virginia the best state to live in.  I'm excited to see Brian take a leadership role on issues that matter to the future of Loudoun like solutions to transportation, health care and our environment."

David Butler, Leesburg Town Council Member
"Brian Moran understands where Virginia is going. So much has changed here in recent years and we need a leader who gets that. I'm glad to see Brian take a leadership role on issues that matter to the future of Loudoun like 21st century solutions to our transportation crisis."



Deeds and Moran need to make an explicit appeal (orangeandblue - 11/14/2008 10:44:30 AM)
If they want to tap the Obama organizers, they need to do so sooner rather than later.  Don't let this group wither on the vine.  

At this point, there is no consensus on which one to throw support behind.  The only unifying principle is that Obama folks detest McAuliffe for his Barack-bashing during the primary.  The last thing VA Dems need is a loser like McAuliffe representing us for Gov.  His manic personality may be great as a talking head on TV but will fall flat out in "Real" Virginia.