Another Tuesday night phone banking for Obama

[zulchzulu]

It's become a weekly event with more people showing up at a local cafe here in Madison to do some phone banking for Barack Obama in Iowa. The purpose was to alert people from Denison, a town on the western side of Iowa, to attend a rally in Harlan this coming Saturday afternoon.

Many Iowans for the most part take the coming caucus on January 3rd seriously. Some have seen and met a few of the candidates up close. The people that the dozen people in Madison who came out on a chilly, rainy night had a great time with the majority of people that were contacted.

Of the 150+ calls made, there were a few dozen people who were very committed to Obama and couldn't wait to see him at the rally. I talked to several that were going to take their family and friends.

There were a few people who were Republicans and didn't want to be contacted again. There were a fair amount of answering machines that got the message about the event. There were some people who were in the 80s who just couldn't rick leaving the home, including one sad call where the woman was about to pass away according to her nurse.

But what makes it all worth it is when you get the dedicated supporters who also want to caucus. It's one thing to support a candidate, but the actual decision for one to go out on a cold winter night just a couple days after New Years Day and caucus for a candidate proves that the person wants their country back. Even those that are undecided at this time but will caucus is to be admired.

One woman I talked to was very exited about the caucus since it was going to be held at her home. Several others had never caucused before but were fully committed to caucus this time around.

Several people said they were in construction and would be doing all they can every day until the winter finally comes. It's a race against winter. What those people did say was that they will certainly turn their interests to the election after the first big snowstorms.

You walk into that room not knowing how the evening will go, but when you see others show up and gladly want to get to work on the efforts we care about, it makes you realize that it's worth it no matter what the outcome might be. It's getting the support from those somewhere way out in the farm towns under the stars that makes one have hope for getting this century finally off to a good start.

Hearing people that are the salt of the Earth wish you a happy holiday and thank you for letting them know that Senator Obama is coming to their little town is very gratifying.

I would suggest that others get involved with efforts for their candidate of choice as the election days get closer. It will put a spring in your step.

[MADem]

1. I have no candidate yet, but your post deserves a kick! And an R!

I've done phone banking, too, and the good generally outweighs the "Don't pluckin'call me AGAIN!" responses. The trick is being pleasant when you chat 'em up!

[calimary]

2. Good enough reason to kick.

My candidate probably won't run (Al Gore). I'm leaning toward Obama and Kucinich. But I'll get behind whomever is our standard bearer, and give that campaign everything I can spare.

[MADem]

4. It's sometimes a slog, that phone banking, but it does have rewards at times!

I admire anyone who does it, because I know it can get to be a drag at times, and I also urge everyone who gets one of those calls to be merciful, unless it is a GOP caller--then, try to convince them to switch parties...heh heh!

My state doesn't do the primary until March. I have all the time in the world, lucky me...!

[zulchzulu]

3. LOL!

Isn't phone banking fun! Not really, but it's certainly part of grassroots retail politics and I absolutely respect anyone who has gone through the process.

Thanks for the k/r...

[MADem]

5. If I could give you a few more R's, I would. That was a good 'grassroots' post

no matter which candidate a person happens to support.

It's what everyone with a candidate should be doing!