Obama's grassroots organizing in South Carolina

[Adelante]

The campaign is using a mixture of old-school grass-roots advocacy — phone banks, door-to-door canvassing and direct mail — and 21st century politicking. But it’s the house meetings that get the most attention and, perhaps, have the greatest impact.

Obama’s operation bills the house meetings as “Your House to the White House.” The concept is simple. A voter signs up with the campaign to host a meeting at his or her home. Several friends are invited and an Obama staffer shows up, gives a presentation on the campaign and takes questions.

Those who come are encouraged to host their own house meeting or to volunteer for the campaign to spread the Obama message. They tell three friends, and they tell three friends, and they tell three friends, and ...

“The Obama campaign is doing a more extensive grass-roots effort than has ever been done in South Carolina before,” said Democratic Party chairwoman Carol Khare Fowler, who is not supporting any candidate in the Jan. 29 primary. “I just have never seen a statewide campaign here do as much as I perceive that they are doing.”

A bit of the nasty from Edwards' SC campaign manager..

“What is most likely different about ours (compared to other campaigns) is we run a field operation not just for South Carolinians, but one that is run by South Carolinians,” Moylan said. “Our focus is on having people in the local areas who have done this before. We empower them to do what they need to do.”

Moylan denied he is implying other campaigns are importing out-of-staters to run grass-roots operations here. But, he added, “Some campaigns think the answer is you bring in a lot of kids from around the country, put orange hats on them.”

http://www.thestate.com/politics/story/156563.html

[zulchzulu]

1. K&R I love grassroots politics no matter who the candidate is

It opens up everyone's eyes and gives everyone a taste of democratic passion. And it's not easy either....

[Adelante]

3. They've signed up 6000 volunteers

Quite a success.

[zulchzulu]

4. Absolutely awesome!

I might visit... who knows...

[Adelante]

5. There's a DUer who lives down there volunteering since June

She was telling me how absolutely thrilling it is what's happening with the Obama volunteers.

[alteredstate]

11. Please come for a visit!

You could bring your Obama table video and show us how you do it in Madison!

[zulchzulu]

13. Tell me where and I'll find the time...

Seriously...

:thumbsup:

[alteredstate]

14. I'll see if I can find out when Obama will be here again

It would be great if you could visit when he's in town!

[NYCGirl]

2. Wait a minute...the campaign that employs Joe Trippi is making a Dean slam?

:wtf:

[Adelante]

6. I know

Icky.

[AtomicKitten]

8. ewww

[CarolNYC]

10. Yeah, what the hell is up with that?!?

Oh well, I imagine we all remember how adamant Edwards was to make sure everyone knew that Chairman Dean "didn't speak for him" a while back...

Still seems weird for them to be taking a stupid jab like that at Dean (and his '04 volunteers) when he's not even running....especially with Trippi on board.

[AtomicKitten]

7. He's going for it -- heads up red states!!!

I LUV this.

On edit: K&R!!! :)

[alteredstate]

9. Would you like to hear the truth from a proud SC volunteer for Obama?

I don't know where the Edwards folks are getting their information. In my local Obama office, three staff members are South Carolina natives, and the director moved to the area four or five years ago. A recent college graduate, born in Cameroon but educated in Pennsylvania, joined the staff last month.

[cobalt1999]

12. I'm indifferent between Obama and Edwards

However, this has to be Edwards worst case scenario. Once Obama with his larger warchest starts extending his organization into Iowa and SC, where Edwards has been focusing his more limited dollars, it could be check-mate.

At this stage, Edwards is going to have to differentiate himself by going on the attack very heavily and hoping for a massive Hillary or Obama mistake.

Personally, I think we win the White House with any of the three.