Yesterday, I told you that, although I'm leaning towards Barack Obama, I think Hillary Clinton is going to surprise everyone and win the Democratic nod. This is a result of what I see here. Obama has concluded the primary is over, underestimating a very formidable opponent. What's worse, his campaign strikes me as totally disorganized. I get email after email from Matthew Lehrich, one of his national media guys, some of them just five minutes apart. But the local campaign has pretty much ignored every message I've sent, whether by email or over the phone. True, I'm just a lowly blogger, but I know a reporter and a local elected official who have been getting the same bum's rush.The DailyKos picked up on my story. Sargent Pepper called my information "very troubling." That's when people from all over the planet jumped in to pronounce me a complete idiot. I usually only hear that kind of stuff locally. Apparently, the whole world now knows I'm a nitwit.
Some people from different parts of Pennsylvania chimed in with their impression of Obama's campaign. Here's what they say.
Philadelphia: "They did no outreach to Latino and Asian communities during voter registration time in Philly. Those that did it on their own were greatly rewarded.
They were totally unprepared for when volunteers came when they opened up. I don't know how many people I know showed up to volunteer and the central office did not have anything for them to do.
They kept sending volunteers to the same 8 block radius around the office to register voters. This was before they opened up other offices in the city.
They do not advertise contact information for the other offices on the website. I only found out about the one near my house because my neighbor walked passed it and I am pretty hooked in.
None of the offices in some of states I would have gone to ever responded to any of my numerous emails.
I have more but you get the drift."
Lehigh Valley: "Also the lehigh valley people haven't returned any emails in weeks. They just added me to the list of people interested in lehigh valley so I know that they're opening the easton, PA office tonight but nothing else."
Temple University area: "We get requests for money - but have yet to hear about any events until it's too late to get tickets."
When Hillary came to Temple a few weeks ago, we ordered our tix online and had no problem making it to the event (yes my car was stolen during the rally, but that's another story)."
Pa. in general: "the PA Obama campaign, from everything I have seen and heard, is a complete and total charlie foxtrot.
They really need to get their act together in PA if they want the nom. A 20-point blowout will not help his chances, no matter how you spin it."
Harrisburg: "I didn't get tickets to see him either in Harrisburg. Guess what? I got self motivated and got off my ass and went anyway, and got in anyway.
I've been to a couple campaign meetings too and they flat out tell you, the whole basis of the campaign is 'you.' meaning, you are personally responsible for your own motivation in being part of the campaign. If you sit around waiting for people to call you, you're going to be sitting around waiting."
Southwestern Pa.: "I live in southwestern PA and have an entirely different story and experience. I started receiving invitations to Obama get-out-the-vote planning meetings over a month ago. Of course, I attended then got active with my local headquarters which just opened last Thursday. Our first training was this past Sunday - 3 hours long! I am finding the campaign to be incredibly organized! Ok, it's my first experience in working with any campaign. But, it's clear they pay attention to every minute detail and every single voter counts. To think that Obama does not have a strategy to win in PA is just crazy. Why would he approach this contest any differently than any of the others! I looked at the Lehigh Valley page at obmama.com there seem to be at least as many members as our local group so they should do good too."
Wynnewood: "I was at the Wynnewood headquarters near Philly last weekend, and they seem pretty organized there. Not only are they organized, but they are in tune with the local population. There's a heavy Jewish population there, so they are making a point of distributing information relevant to the Jewish community. They have a pretty good game going there...I guess some offices are better organized than others."
28 comments:
Hey Pennsylvania ....
Wanna BUY an old obsolete nuclear power plant? YES? OK, then, just VOTE for Obama.
The nuke industry is planning to build 29 new nukes. ONE in Pennsylvania
(See Map at NY Times LINK: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/31/washington/31nuclear.html?_r=1&oref=slogin )
Excelon Corp, (largest nuke operator on the planet) headquartered in Illinois, has been one of Obama's largest contributors ever since he first ran for office.
Obama voted FOR the Cheney Energy Bill of 2005 (H.R. 6) - which ENABLED the nuke industry to start planning to build nukes. (No new nukes have been built for the past 30 years because the banks would not loan the money - too risky.)
The Cheney Energy Bill solved that problem for them by GUARANTEEING Taxpayer PAYBACK of any of the nukes loans that default (The Congressional Budget Office rated the risk of default on the nuke loans at 50% or greater).
Here's the kicker: Obama has been getting BILLIONS of Dollars worth of FREE Sales PROMOTION -Campaign HELP- From: NBC & MSNBC, and CBS ... because GE owns NBC/MSNBC and Westinghouse owns CBS.
(If you check on the NY Times MAP you will see that GE & Westinghouse are planning to build the reactors at most of the planned nuke sites.)
That's the reason WHY the media has been rabidly PUSHING to SELL you an Obama & slamming and smearing the Clintons
COPY & PASTE & Pass the Word to everybody on your email list and to any blogs, TV, Radio, newspapers you can
I should tell you that I repeatedly kept getting phone calls on my personal cell phone soliciting money for Obama. These calls came for a caller ID "unknown" and started immediately after Super Tuesday. At one point the calls came every day...sometimes more than once when I would not answer. I politely tried to tell them I do not donate or peldge over the phone. The only other time I received such calls were from the Kerry campaign. On two occassion I asked the caller how they got my cell number and if they got it from the Kerry campaign, and they said "Yes" and "Yes, I think so because we do calls for Kerry".
Now my number was given out after the nomination as an active volunteer for the Presidential Race. Kerry was not my first choice, but I volunteered as a good DEM for the DNC and am disgusted that Kerry gave out this donor and volunteer list to the Obama Camp. So the fund raising hype you see is partly based on a privilege DNC phone list, IMO.
After weeks of not answering their calls or saying no thank you, I finally get a call from the Democratic National Congressional Caucus (DNCC) from caller ID "Unknown" asking for money for congressional candidates. At first I thought it was the DNC and I almost gave money just to make them stop calling. It just so happens this is the month Obama set a fund raising record. Since I never received calls from the DNCC before I have to assume it was one last attempt to raise money for their special candidate. No Thank You! Guess what, the calls stopped.
Some interesting (and offensive) articles in bigger papers lately about Obama's struggle to relate his rhetoric to Pennsylvanians.
Not sure if I agree with the premises of this one, but I thought it was an interesting take to see how the campaign is trying to adjust for what is perceived as an audience less captivated by the "message" and more interested in hearing about policy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/01/us/politics/01obama.html
If Obama's open to nuclear plants, he may be worth a second look. We have an irrational fear of the same technology that several western European countries have safely employed for decades. If you ask an American to perform word association with "radiation" the most common response is "bad." From a Frenchman, the most common response is "what kind?" Energy companies didn't stop building nuclear plants after TMI. They just stopped building them here and took their business elsewhere, where they have clean safety records over 30 years vs. the thousands of deaths per year we accept from filthy coal plants. I'm with Barack here.
Anon 11:15,
Me, too. Nuclear power is inevitable.
I think that it's important that you raise these issues about Obama's organization. I like him, but it's concerning to think about what his administration might look like. That said, I think there are aspects to Hillary's advisors that are more repehensivle, i.e. Mark Penn, Carville, and some of the others who make Obama's staff look like amateurs in the way they do personal attacks and innuendo. She's so tied into special interests that her focus as president would be to take care of those, she's never really done anything for average people, though she speaks about it a lot, and misspeaks about it a lot as well. Bill's presidency left much to be desired in my book. Would Hillary's be better? I think it's time to turn that page, and leave bush/clinton behind.
Glenn,
I've questioned Obama's campaign organizational skills in Pa. but it appears that some people in different parts of the state report different experiences.
I'm still leaning Obama, but feel I've been too harsh on Clinton in previous posts.
My first choice is still Al Gore.
Everyone thinks this race is over, but they forgot to tell Hillary.
I support the return of nuclear power. Another reason to vote for Obama, thank Anonymous Hillary backer!
I think once you give money to one Dem, you are on all of their lists.
Any guy who can make a nation feel guilty about wiping their asses with more than one square of toilet paper, and implore the same nation to read under dim light bulbs while he jets around and builds a palace with breathtaking energy bills gets my vote. The guy's got one large set of brass balls; not a bad trait for the leader of the free world.
And he invented the Internet and inspired Love Story. The guy is flat out awesome.
Bernie,
Thanks for your response. Hillary is easy to be hard on, no pun and no adverse mental image intended, because she's almost a characture(sp?) of herself sometimes, and to me, she sounds like my high school principal at a pep rally, something i really disliked. Actually, Obama's stilted professorial style isn't that great either, but he's harder to dislike. Most Democrats like to discuss all their warts, and most Republicans like to hide/deny theirs, and pretend it's all OK. My favorite Democrat is Elizabeth Edwards, whom I've had the good fortune to meet, she is just flat out the best person I've ever met who is involved with politics.
I heard somewhere that Obama Camp is interested on voters who never voted before or those that recently changed registration. If you have been an avid voter Bernie, you may not be on the priority list. However, if you are a college kid caught up in the hype, and is willing to give up a Saturday to stuff envelopes, you just may get call back.
One thing is true about Hillary, She has the courage to talk to those that disagreed or criticized her in the past. I think that is admirable in its own right. How about the editorial staff from western PA that suddely have a favorable opinion of Hillary after hearing her answer tough questions and speak on the issues that have real impact on everyday people.
Bernie,
Truth be told, if anyone who is genuinly trying to help, or get and report honest information or even volunteer their precious time for that matter, is not getting a response from the local campaigns then they deserve an apology. My experience as a Lehigh Valley Obama supporter and volunteer has been quite interresting and definitely worthwhile. I have witnessed people of various backgrounds, capabilities and bents working together, leading various activities and people of all kinds of works of life (coporate VPs, doctors, lawyers, nurses, students, teachers, leaders, followeres, Rabbi's, Christians, stay at home mothers, youg, old, blacks, white, Asians and hispanics---I could go on....)working together in various capacities with some very unlikely partnerships carrying on strongly, sometimes the young leading the older, the lay leading the professionals and vice versa and yet in each sphere a very high level of respectability for and responsibility to the cause is always apparent. I remember a particular Saturday, I had gone out to the Easton depot at Open Door church to help launch a canvassing campaign, groups of out of town volunteers had shown up, some with short order pre-warnings. Jennifer Cannistra from the Obama campaign who was then still relatively new, quickly put the volunteers to work, what struck me most was how quickly camaradie developed amongst everyone. It was thrilling to see expertise and efficiency nicely tempered with the generosity that a friendly atmosphere always creates. All in all, from the early grassroots work that Bar Johnston led in the valley to the arrival and blending in of the official Obama campaign train, I have witnessed time and time again deep professionalism and continuous consideration to respecting the image of the candidate that the offices in the Lehigh Valley passionately represent. I have seen an imperfect people doing everything as well as it can be done to run a complex campaign that has multiple types of constituencies that it must cater to. It has not been easy and I'd be lying if I countered your perspective by saying everything has and will be perfect everyday. I suppose its the diversity of it all, but I do know that the campaign is passionate about PA, specifically here about the Lehigh Valley and is doing what it knows to do as well as possible and rapidly improving areas that it identifies in need of imrovement (I could tell you a few specific examples but its getting late and my response is getting long). Now I am no campaign expert but that sounds very much like a good campaign that is "alive". Getting back to the issue of lack of responsiveness, perharps someone missed a beat and it can happen, but such a practice is not to be excused and certainly not the norm in the Lehigh Valley Barack Obama campaign offices. As I said before, anyone who feels ignored by the campaign due to a lack of response deserves an apology. So please call again and someone very nice and helpful is bound to call you back!!
thanks
Ngozi,
I remember you from the Unity in Diversity symposium, which was very nice. I probably should have spoken to you.
I will say that if it's just me, its no big deal. But if it is me, a reporter and a local elected official, then I start to wonder.
I'm leaning Obama, but am still considering Hillary. I find both of them are very worthwhile in their own way.
Bernie,
I was wondering if you had made use of the barackobama.com website. That is how my husband Larry and I became involved over two months ago. All it took was a few clicks and we had a listing of everything that was going on in the Valley. For us , it was just a matter of signing up, showing up, and speaking to people. Have you, your reporter friend, or the elected official done that? I agree with Ngozi, that if repeated attempts at contact were made and nothing came of it, then an apology is in order, but we didn't wait for someone to call us , we went out and took action. That IS what this campaign is about. It's about us, doing what we can. We have been canvassing and making phone calls for weeks now in the Easton area, and all of our activities have been posted on the barackobama.com website. Just click on PA and you are on your way! Now its even easier because
all one needs to do at this point is stop by any one of the three campaign offices in the Valley and speak to someone 9:00am to 9:00pm. By the way, in case you weren't able to tell from the press coverage, all three of our Office Grand Openings in the Valley were jam-packed! Come down to the Easton Office Bernie,742 Washington St., and speak to Jennifer from Obama for America, or any of the volunteers there. I know you are familiar with Downtown Easton, I recall you from my days working at Nature's Way Market. We hope to see you soon!
Anne Lauritzen
I think it is important to note that Barack Obama is, through his campaign, empowering people to organize at the grass roots level. He using his campaign to teach people to work for change. This is not an easy thing. The easy route would be to continue with the top-down management style that we are all so used to. Instead, Barack Obama stands up and says that he believes in the ability of people to make good decisions. He treats us like adults. We are given a model and a lot of support. But ultimately, we are the ones who are charged with making the campaign successful. There are obvious challenges that come with this. So many of the volunteers (including myself) have never worked on a campaign before. But we know that we have do everything we can. So we do our best. I sincerely hope that people are not being missed. If that is the case, I am so very sorry. We have an office in Easton now. Please stop by anytime and we will get you plugged in with your neighborhood team. In the end, I think we owe a great debt to the Obama Campaign. The skills they are teaching us will not disolve when they pack up and leave. Our local community will be more versed in working together for a common goal. What a wonderful thing!
Stephanie Monahon
Easton Area Volunteer Director
Anne & Steph,
Yep, I used the computer to sign on. The only result is now I get about ten emails every day from Matt Ehrlich. When I signed on, there was no Easton office. Not one email has been answered, even now. Not one phone call has been returned. I shall stop by the Easton office.
I'm the local volunteer leader for the Nazareth area for the Obama campaign. We've been on the streets of Nazareth Borough and Lower Nazareth Township the last four to five weekends. We're making telephone calls. And we'll keep at it until primary day. We are organized, from the grassroots up. We believe in Senator Obama's message that citizens need to get engaged and be engaged in the political process in order for there to be any real change. We are going to do just fine. Mark
There's a lot of time left in this race and Obama is continuing to close the gap. It's going to be very close in PA.
things didn't feel disorganized on friday in Allentown (well, except for the parking, but the parking authority was pretty flexible in allowing folks to move their cars instead of getting a ticket). I was signed in when I walked in, pointed to a table to sign in with a neighborhood organizing team and called twice already to get out. I only wish I had more time to do something.
I've volunteered on many campaigns before and most don't get this active this quickly. Not in PA at least.
Regarding the rumblings or bumblings of the Obama train... I've been onboard since the Lehigh Valley Kickoff in February and from where I sit the train is solidly on track. This is my first time participating in any political campaign and I have been very impressed with the organization of this grassroots movement. I have family and friends participating in groups from everywhere from Bangor, Nazareth, Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown, Fogelsville, Emmaus, Trexlertown, Schnecksville, Reading to Philadelphia. Not to mention, I have friends in other States who have been involved with Senator Obama's campaign since Iowa. This campaign is an extremely well managed operation... and it's success is truly through the efforts and funding of Americans who are supporting Sen. Obama and owning a piece of this historic campaign. I've made small monetary donations weekly or monthly toward the campaign, as have millions of people. I volunteer time during the weekend and whenever I can... as millions of people have. That is the success and beauty of this campaign.
There are people all over PA getting together, phone banking, canvassing, etc. The beauty of this campaign is people are volunteering and organizing in ways that are creative, unique and best suited to their schedules and their communities... we are empowered and organized. The support staff and campaign directors have been effective in supporting the efforts of people like me. We are encouraged to come up with creative ideas to reach out within our Lehigh Valley communities. There are moms (like me) organizing house parties and small group meetings with other mothers... we are discussing the issues and personal reasons for supporting Sen. Obama. Students are organizing group events and canvassing; restaurants and local businesses are hosting events; volunteers from PA, and out-of-state volunteers, are phone banking, canvassing, and rallying in support of a candidate we believe will bring the real change we need in Washington. A couple of weekends ago I met two men, one from Massachusetts and the other from Connecticut, who drove to the Lehigh Valley to help. This is the kind of stuff that no other presidential candidate inspires from their supporters, as Sen. Obama has done this election. The amazing stories go on and on.
By visiting the official website or pa.barackobama.com you can easily find events and volunteer information in your area. Volunteer info is also available at barackthevalley.com. It has not been my personal experience to have had difficulty finding events or getting information. If I email or call an Obama team leader or campaign office, someone is there or responds quickly.
My husband and I owned a small business in the Lehigh Valley for four years and we are well acquainted with the challenges of the Lehigh Valley audience. The way the Obama campaign has organized and mobilized people here is unlike anything I've experienced... and others I talk to who are involved in politics agree. This campaign is operating with integrity, efficiency and effectiveness. All the volunteers and team leaders I have met have been friendly, motivated and focused on the goals here in the Lehigh Valley. I have seen and heard more about Obama within my Lehigh Valley network which covers a wide area. I've seen more Obama bumper stickers and pins for him. This train is definitely on track.
P.S.
By the way... we have not been asked to call for donations or money for the Obama campaign. I have received emails occasionally about making donations but never have I been repeatedly called at home or my cell phone about giving money to the Obama campaign. That sounds bogus... and if anyone is calling your cell phone I doubt it's a legitimate caller. Maybe the DNC or some other group is doing their own thing... but since I've been involved I've never received calls like that or been asked to make calls requesting money for Sen. Obama's campaign.
The general problem for Senator Obama seems to be too many volunteers show up and the campaign has difficulty organizing all of them. I am certain that any other candidate would love to have this difficulty!
When I encountered the surge of volunteers in my own hometown, I was tickled pink. Don't be discouraged. Senator Obama is not underestimating Senator Clinton. He is not truly running against her. He is running for us -- and if we want his type of politics and his proposals, we will embrace him. If not, somebody else will be in the White House on January
9, 2009. Personally, I think your post about the "disorganization" helps demonstrate how many of us fervently want Senator Obama to be the 44th President of the United States and we want the opportunity to impact our politics.
Watch this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-83zKeSCJpU
to get an idea what I mean.
--Kim
I am puzzled by the poster suggesting he is receiving calls from Senator Obama's campaign seeking money. I have donated to Senator Obama's campaign and have volunteered for the campaign. I have not received a single call asking for money. Perhaps there is an overzealous supporter with your telephone number, or somebody trying to cause trouble for Senator Obama who is wholly unaffiliated with him?
--Kim
This is an interesting post. As someone who has been involved in organizing for the campaign as a volunteer since January and am consistently amazed at the level of strategic thought that goes into every aspect of this campaign I have no idea where you are getting this idea of bumbling from. Our Macungie team along registered over 1000 new voters. I would caution anyone to extrapolate from one experience to the overall campaign. Not only are we organized but we are dedicating many many hours to canvassing, door knocking, phone calls and events. In fact, we're bringing Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison to Cedar Crest on April 18 at 7pm for a volunteer created and produced event entitled WORDS MATTER. So come out and take a look at our organization. It beats the status quo any day!
voteobamapa@gmail.com
Looks like the original poster got the Lehigh Valley Obama organization all wrong. First, we won Easton for Obama. Second, we are going strong right now, and have a full organization. We had close to one hundred people coming to the convention speech, and have a big office now from which we canvass all day, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. We canvass all weekend and get "fresh troops" to canvass from New York and others states each weekend. Some of our canvassers and GOTV folks are getting places to stay locally in PA.
We are just fine thanks, and if you want to help us, give us a call!!
I'm the original poster. The Obama campaign got crushed in Pa. and part of the reason for that was its poor organization. One of the idiots you have sending out press releases was sending me betweeen 5 and 10 per day while not taking the time to answer a single goddamn question. Two weeks ago, he started up again. I had my name taken off his list. I like Obama but not the people running his campaign in Pa.
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