Well before I pack up my computer and flee the Extended Stay I thought it would be worth it to quickly say how awesome last night was-- I didn't make it all the way to Grant Park, but simply being in Chicago was exhilarating.
I hope to come back and jot down the stories from Election Day and the thrilling news that Obama was elected our 44th President of the good ol' U.S.A.
This morning the victory became just a tad sweeter at seeing Indiana pop up BLUE!!!! It looks like a slim victory with about 24,000 votes determining the outcome. I know that it was our ground work pushing out every last voter in NW Indiana that contributed to that victory and am proud to have been a part of the effort.
Now- I'm off for a 10 day mini-vaca in Florida to see friends and family- I'm looking forward to sharing stories from the field, hearing of their election journeys, and envisioning what the next four years will hold for our lives and the direction of the country.
Signing off from Gary.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Mr. Thurman and I
There are too many incredible stories from today to relay from my phone- just know that I dragged peple out of their house with their babies, half asleep, who thought they couldnt vote- but did. Exhilarating- here is to hoping we pull out Indiana.
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Walking turf
It is a gorgeous day. International president andy stern and local 1 president tom balanoff joined us at the staging location as we set off in teams to walk turf at key precincts and make sure everyone is going to vote.
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Seiu volunteers gather at the steelworkers union
it's about to get serious!
Brandon who I brought to the polls this morning waited 2 hours to vote.
2 lawyers were at the precinct where we were and actually represent SEIU so we had a lot to chat about.
I only saw 1 person leave the line and tried to coax him to stay- he said he would come back later. I truly hope he does.
Brandon who I brought to the polls this morning waited 2 hours to vote.
2 lawyers were at the precinct where we were and actually represent SEIU so we had a lot to chat about.
I only saw 1 person leave the line and tried to coax him to stay- he said he would come back later. I truly hope he does.
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Starting the day at precinct 10 & 18 in Merrillv
The line is an hour long, but everyone is getting to vote.
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Monday, November 3, 2008
On the eve of the election: My humble thoughts.
I feel like I should say something provocative and astute, but I really only have excitement and anxiety welled up inside of me.
I can only imagine that tomorrow the American electorate will go to vote in record breaking numbers, stand in line for hours, overcome the odds and at the end of the day (or the wee hours of the next morning) it will be revealed that we got it right and elected the man who will lead this country with the vision for a better future and the sound judgment of a strategic and compassionate mind.
Having served the campaign in Northwest Indiana since October 1, I take pride in the votes cast because of my assistance, urging, and in a couple cases actually filling out the ballot or punching the machine for disabled voters. That's what I think makes this campaign unique- there are MILLIONS of us involved in so many levels who take ownership over this true movement: by donating $5, 5 hours to make calls, 5 days door knocking in our neighborhoods or the battleground state next door, or 5 weeks relocated to do whatever is necessary for an Obama presidency to be realized.
I've seen some of the best in people-- waiting in line and letting elderly voters go ahead of them in fear they couldn't wait the 4-6 hours in Early Voting lines, or a spontaneous civil disobedience where voters in Gary refused to leave the voting line and started singing gospel songs until a court order came allowing the rest of the voters to cast their ballots that evening.
I've heard about the worst in people coming out in the form of racist sentiment from radio broadcasts, from Griffin the next town over, from Cincinnati, from Colorado, from Pennsylvania, and of course Florida. Vile, disgusting slurs hurled at Obama and his supporters. I cannot focus on that now- that is disheartening and makes me lose hope that we can heal the divide starting November 5.
Instead I am focusing my energy on the individuals I have met who believe so much in Obama and the power of community organizing, the promise of working people, and a better future. People like James Strolling, 86, who left Mississippi in 1968 to work in the Bethlehem Steel factory in Gary starting at $2.44/hour. Over the past 40 years he has seen his city crumble- yet has hope that his granddaughter Erica will be able to find a job in Gary and revitalize this town. Or Angela Jones, who is working on her college degree with two little ones at home and is determined that her children will get a better education and achieve more than she can dream. We drove around her college campus recruiting others to jump in my car and go vote- right then.
Tomorrow is sure to be an incredible day. I'm getting up at 5:30a.m. to pick up a voter who needs a ride and wants to get to the polls when it opens at 6am. I'm a precinct captain and will be at my poll from the opening until the last voter comes out with a smile and a sticker.
Please- do what you have to do to ensure your vote for Obama- and if you have early voted- please go out and volunteer for the campaign. It ain't over until every vote is cast and counted- as for me- I hope to be far away from the corn fields and factory smoke of Gary and at Grant Park in Chicago by the time the decision is announced.
I can only imagine that tomorrow the American electorate will go to vote in record breaking numbers, stand in line for hours, overcome the odds and at the end of the day (or the wee hours of the next morning) it will be revealed that we got it right and elected the man who will lead this country with the vision for a better future and the sound judgment of a strategic and compassionate mind.
Having served the campaign in Northwest Indiana since October 1, I take pride in the votes cast because of my assistance, urging, and in a couple cases actually filling out the ballot or punching the machine for disabled voters. That's what I think makes this campaign unique- there are MILLIONS of us involved in so many levels who take ownership over this true movement: by donating $5, 5 hours to make calls, 5 days door knocking in our neighborhoods or the battleground state next door, or 5 weeks relocated to do whatever is necessary for an Obama presidency to be realized.I've seen some of the best in people-- waiting in line and letting elderly voters go ahead of them in fear they couldn't wait the 4-6 hours in Early Voting lines, or a spontaneous civil disobedience where voters in Gary refused to leave the voting line and started singing gospel songs until a court order came allowing the rest of the voters to cast their ballots that evening.
I've heard about the worst in people coming out in the form of racist sentiment from radio broadcasts, from Griffin the next town over, from Cincinnati, from Colorado, from Pennsylvania, and of course Florida. Vile, disgusting slurs hurled at Obama and his supporters. I cannot focus on that now- that is disheartening and makes me lose hope that we can heal the divide starting November 5.
Instead I am focusing my energy on the individuals I have met who believe so much in Obama and the power of community organizing, the promise of working people, and a better future. People like James Strolling, 86, who left Mississippi in 1968 to work in the Bethlehem Steel factory in Gary starting at $2.44/hour. Over the past 40 years he has seen his city crumble- yet has hope that his granddaughter Erica will be able to find a job in Gary and revitalize this town. Or Angela Jones, who is working on her college degree with two little ones at home and is determined that her children will get a better education and achieve more than she can dream. We drove around her college campus recruiting others to jump in my car and go vote- right then.
Tomorrow is sure to be an incredible day. I'm getting up at 5:30a.m. to pick up a voter who needs a ride and wants to get to the polls when it opens at 6am. I'm a precinct captain and will be at my poll from the opening until the last voter comes out with a smile and a sticker.
Please- do what you have to do to ensure your vote for Obama- and if you have early voted- please go out and volunteer for the campaign. It ain't over until every vote is cast and counted- as for me- I hope to be far away from the corn fields and factory smoke of Gary and at Grant Park in Chicago by the time the decision is announced.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
A clear message.
After dropping off the Strolling family (4 hours later!) I spotted this political message at an abandoned gas station in the Miller section of Gary.
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Lines are still long- but voters are tough
Though the lines at the county courthouse have remained consistently Disney World-long, people have stayed in the 3-4 hour lines. Maybe it was the encouragement from Obama at last night's rally in Highland, Indiana, calling for people to early vote, or the fear of all day lines on the fourth. Either way it is an amazing view seeing democracy in action, communities coming together and the future of a nation held in the balance waiting to hear the results.
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Friday, October 31, 2008
Program begins!!
The crowd is electrified by cheers, prayers and of course the hope for a better future.
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Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Obamamercial for Obamerica!
By the end of the 30 minute "infomercial" put on all the major stations by the Obama campaign tonight- I was on my knees, in tears, praying to God that I would do anything- I will do anything these last 6 days- to ensure an Obama presidency- and for the good of the nation and more importantly the world- that Obama will lead and inspire for at least the next four years.
I hope you saw it. I hope you watch it again.
This was truly the "This is who Barack Obama is" moment that one of my friends has been clamoring for and hoping he would unleash - it showed his background. His development. The American stories that he cares about and the deep rooted pain he seeks to heal in the suffering middle class and disadvantaged in this country.
This is our moment- my generation's moment- to step up and set our country on a better path. It's gonna take a lot of hard work- it's going to take a lot of unifying a very divided country. I suddenly have felt a surge of hope that it is possible. I want to stay. I want to work. I want to do what is necessary to ensure our Democracy stays strong and reflects to the world what is possible when good people care about their brothers and sisters both in their neighborhoods- and across the globe.
Please- if you have an hour- if you have half a day- if you have a whole day- go volunteer for Obama.
I hope you saw it. I hope you watch it again.
This was truly the "This is who Barack Obama is" moment that one of my friends has been clamoring for and hoping he would unleash - it showed his background. His development. The American stories that he cares about and the deep rooted pain he seeks to heal in the suffering middle class and disadvantaged in this country.
This is our moment- my generation's moment- to step up and set our country on a better path. It's gonna take a lot of hard work- it's going to take a lot of unifying a very divided country. I suddenly have felt a surge of hope that it is possible. I want to stay. I want to work. I want to do what is necessary to ensure our Democracy stays strong and reflects to the world what is possible when good people care about their brothers and sisters both in their neighborhoods- and across the globe.
Please- if you have an hour- if you have half a day- if you have a whole day- go volunteer for Obama.
More from Gary.
I am waiting outsde the Gary courthouse as Ms. Pat Haley stands in line to vote. Her back and knees ache as she waits for the coiled line to inch up to the section of folding chairs.
Outside the courthouse, this steel monument marks the centennial celebration of this city in 2006. "The Fusion" stands proud surrounded by steel grated benches, planters, and garbage containers. For a downtown, it is desolate on this sunny and brisk afternoon. Ms. Haley regaled me with stories from Gary's Hey-day maybe 40 years ago; when you can wakey around downtown to Sears, jewelry stores, go see a movie, and get all your shopping done. Once Merrillville opened up just 10 miles to the Sout, the stores fled looking for new, more affluent, white blood.
Ms. Haley though was born and bred here, raising 5 children and decided to stay teaching in Gary. Her children too, have all stayed, raising families, running busnesses, and teaching in this town.
There is hope here. So much potential. Gary is not the frightening murderous placit was a decade or so earlier- thereis regroth that just needs some nurturing and the right tools to develop. Ms. Haley thinks town like Gary have a chance if Obama is elected- he understands- he won't pass us by- her eyes get big when she talks about voting this time around.
Outside the courthouse, this steel monument marks the centennial celebration of this city in 2006. "The Fusion" stands proud surrounded by steel grated benches, planters, and garbage containers. For a downtown, it is desolate on this sunny and brisk afternoon. Ms. Haley regaled me with stories from Gary's Hey-day maybe 40 years ago; when you can wakey around downtown to Sears, jewelry stores, go see a movie, and get all your shopping done. Once Merrillville opened up just 10 miles to the Sout, the stores fled looking for new, more affluent, white blood.
Ms. Haley though was born and bred here, raising 5 children and decided to stay teaching in Gary. Her children too, have all stayed, raising families, running busnesses, and teaching in this town.
There is hope here. So much potential. Gary is not the frightening murderous placit was a decade or so earlier- thereis regroth that just needs some nurturing and the right tools to develop. Ms. Haley thinks town like Gary have a chance if Obama is elected- he understands- he won't pass us by- her eyes get big when she talks about voting this time around.
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Monday, October 27, 2008
Keep on keepin' on- even in snow showers
Here's the "Obamarama Knockouts" international staff team with Anna Burger, Secretary-General of SEIU and President of Change To Win labor federation. Anna came to give the staff here an update from around the country about all the amazing work being done in 25 states.
It is beyond exciting to think that many of these long standing deep-red states are now light blue or in the toss-up pile. Indiana definitely qualifies in that category- having voted Republican since 1964.
The latest polls show Obama up about 5 or 6 points in the state- whereas the NW region is up 30 points. It is up to us to bring every single voter out to early vote for Obama and open up time on election day to vote as many people as possible.
On the ground - we are triple visiting turf- walking the same streets and some folks are getting tired, some are coming down with colds with the change of weather, and others just getting quiet. I don't think there is any time for that. We are part of history every day we are out here playing a role in this election. I guess it's my job to now inspire my hard-working team to keep up the excitement and spirit of hope.
Oh, and snow showers are expected today. Though the low is 43 degrees. Does anyone want to explain that to me?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Cold, gray day in Gary
Im always amazed at how many kids i find at home during the week when they should be in school.
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Victory for Voters! Early Voting will stay open in Lake County
Very good news came to the field yesterday afternoon- the Indiana Superior Court judge ruled that early voting satellite locations in Lake County can and will remain open through November 1.
Every day we were unsure as to if the sites would even be open when we arrived with an eager first time voter, or elderly person needing time and assistance to vote. Now, we can celebrate knowing that the GOP's tactic of voter suppression in this heavily democratic area will not succeed in delaying or deterring voters.
The judge, who took a walk-through of the satellite voting offices on Monday, made the point in her ruling that many people were voting (in fact, 1700+ in the first 4 days!) and that all the early votes will count.
That was a huge concern of voters here as GOP lawyers were perpetuating fear that their votes could be tossed if a negative ruling came down. While most elected officials in Lake County have already voted, we knew there was no way votes would be thrown away.
To see what I'm doing out here- check out this local CBS clip of one of our member political organizers (MPO) in the field recruiting people to early vote!
Every day we were unsure as to if the sites would even be open when we arrived with an eager first time voter, or elderly person needing time and assistance to vote. Now, we can celebrate knowing that the GOP's tactic of voter suppression in this heavily democratic area will not succeed in delaying or deterring voters.
The judge, who took a walk-through of the satellite voting offices on Monday, made the point in her ruling that many people were voting (in fact, 1700+ in the first 4 days!) and that all the early votes will count.
That was a huge concern of voters here as GOP lawyers were perpetuating fear that their votes could be tossed if a negative ruling came down. While most elected officials in Lake County have already voted, we knew there was no way votes would be thrown away.
To see what I'm doing out here- check out this local CBS clip of one of our member political organizers (MPO) in the field recruiting people to early vote!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Imagine
I want you to imagine a town where Neo-Nazis pull guns on community organizers who are trying to provide rides to the polls for elderly and disabled citizens.
Imagine a city ripped apart by jobs going over seas, closed factories and mills, and where "economic crisis" is a not a new catch phrase.
Try to imagine a court house that turns away a 93-year-old World War II veteran from voting who showed up with a Veterans Affairs ID, because they didn't believe a black woman could be a vet, and thought she stole the card.
Think of a street where every other house is abandoned, boarded up, foreclosed, or run down.
Envision a shopping mall where young children sell candy bars outside-not for a sports team, boy scout troop, or youth group- but in order to raise money to help pay their grandma's bills.
Yet despite all of the rampant poverty, broken community, and voter disenfranchisement ongoing in Gary, Indiana there are also some other moments I'd like to leave in your memory.
Imagine an office where community organizers come to work day in and day out despite the racial slurs, violence, and history of oppression that their neighborhoods face.
A town where home care nurses, care givers, and younger family members go out of their way to get registration forms, absentee ballots, and voter information for the elderly and disabled.
Turn on the TV to see early voting sites overflowing with voters because they just can't wait until election day to cast their vote for the first candidate they've ever believed could actually bring beneficial change to their families.
Put together a team of 150+ people who at the sound of "Fired up?!" will automatically and enthusiastically reply "Ready to go!" and set off to do the most important job they've ever had set before them.
The dream team of organizers, union members, SEIU staff, and volunteers are truly defending the rights of voters who have for too long faced disenfranchisement in Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago.
I just thought you should think about it for a moment.
Imagine a city ripped apart by jobs going over seas, closed factories and mills, and where "economic crisis" is a not a new catch phrase.
Try to imagine a court house that turns away a 93-year-old World War II veteran from voting who showed up with a Veterans Affairs ID, because they didn't believe a black woman could be a vet, and thought she stole the card.
Think of a street where every other house is abandoned, boarded up, foreclosed, or run down.
Envision a shopping mall where young children sell candy bars outside-not for a sports team, boy scout troop, or youth group- but in order to raise money to help pay their grandma's bills.
Yet despite all of the rampant poverty, broken community, and voter disenfranchisement ongoing in Gary, Indiana there are also some other moments I'd like to leave in your memory.
Imagine an office where community organizers come to work day in and day out despite the racial slurs, violence, and history of oppression that their neighborhoods face.
A town where home care nurses, care givers, and younger family members go out of their way to get registration forms, absentee ballots, and voter information for the elderly and disabled.
Turn on the TV to see early voting sites overflowing with voters because they just can't wait until election day to cast their vote for the first candidate they've ever believed could actually bring beneficial change to their families.
Put together a team of 150+ people who at the sound of "Fired up?!" will automatically and enthusiastically reply "Ready to go!" and set off to do the most important job they've ever had set before them.
The dream team of organizers, union members, SEIU staff, and volunteers are truly defending the rights of voters who have for too long faced disenfranchisement in Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago.
I just thought you should think about it for a moment.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Kerry's hot mess of a chicago hot dog
While im enjoying my polish dog with ketchup and onions.
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Brunch arrives!
Champagne mixes with fresh squeezed pineapple, orange, grapefruit, and strawberry juices perfectly accompanied our french toast dishes!
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Frushi!
Brunch in Roscoe Village outside Chicago is delish at Orange. Kerry's old neighborhood is quaint and an idyllic fall locale- reminds me of Old Town!
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Saturday, October 11, 2008
Heading out for Elirose
In International President Andy Stern's speech sending us out to go turn Indiana blue- he called on our hearts to reach to the depths of our hearts in memory of fired Nova janitor Elirose Pierre Louis.
In an impassioned calling he said he was knocking doors today so that never again will a hard working woman be forced out of her job for standing up for a union, driven to work in the fields at age 52 without health care, and die needlessly. We are all turning voters out for Obama today in her memory.
In an impassioned calling he said he was knocking doors today so that never again will a hard working woman be forced out of her job for standing up for a union, driven to work in the fields at age 52 without health care, and die needlessly. We are all turning voters out for Obama today in her memory.
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Fired up!
About 400 SEIU volunteers are gathered in Hammond, IL ready to knock doors and turn out the early vote for Obama
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Friday, October 10, 2008
At the county board of elections.
We found an elderly gentleman needing a ride to early vote... So I took him!
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Halloween is just around the corner
This house was decked out- they even had larger than life spiders hanging from the trees. Yes, I jumped and screamed a little.
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