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.

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.

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?

Disenfranchisement in NW Indiana continues

You might have heard already, but the Republicans have effectively shut down 3 early voting sites in Lake County of northwest Indiana, only keeping one site at Crown Point, a more affluent area in the southern part of the county, open for early voting.

It was a dirty trick-- Republicans rushing in the Friday before early voting was set to start and heading off to a Republican judge Calvin Hawkins who granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against satellite voting sites opening.

SEIU along with other unions and progressive organizations have filed suit with the state and federal boards- calling for hearings to open early voting sites and stop the GOPs attempts at disenfranchising a largely minority and lower-income community.

"We believe the citizens of Gary, Hammond and East Chicago have absolutely the right to the same services as the citizens of Crown Point," Bolling said.

Lake County Circuit Court Judge Lorenzo Arredondo ruled Monday that the three sites should be opened immediately, though U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen had set a hearing on the issue for later this week.

--from today's Post Tribune article found here

So as we wait for a decision to come down Friday (was supposed to be Thursday but one of the attorneys has health issues- let me guess, the attorney representing the GOP interests) there are some things we all can do in the meantime to stand up for voting rights of all citizens (from Daily Kos).

I'll keep you updated as I hear anything on the ground here- but regardless of what decision comes down, community organizers on the ground in Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago are prepared to run "bus routes" with our cars to take these voters the hour+ round trip to the only early voting site and ensure they have every opportunity to vote.

I have never seen people more committed to getting their neighbors and family members engaged in this political discussion- everyone I encounter understands the severity of this election.

Last Voter Registration Day

Quick update:

Today is the last day that people can register to vote in Indiana, Florida, and I'm sure quite a few other states. We are doing everything we can to ensure people in Northwest Indiana who are eligible are signed up and encouraged to vote. Ev-er-y-thing.

I've shouted out the car at passersby, checked around every entrance and exit to strip malls and big box stores (before getting kicked out by police or threatened by store managers), trolled parking lots, liquor stores, check cashing stores, diners, soul food restaurants, and fast food joints.

We have stood in the rain, the cold, the dark and fought through hours at a time without finding a single person needing to change an address or register for the first time. But whenever we get down we do a little gut check- each in our own way- reminding ourselves of why we are doing this. When one of us is down, someone else will be the cheerleader. It's nice having a team that meshes so well- a very unlikely team of friends.
Photo: This is the team of folks I work with on a daily basis- a mix of SEIU retirees, Local 73 and HCI members, and organizers from around the country.

On Saturday there was a larger push out here-- members, staff, and officers of Local 1 in Chicago, HCI (health care local), and others from Local 73 came out in mass and spread out by bus to neighborhoods and other locations all across the area. With their help, we hit our goal of 6,000 new registrations.

It is impressive, considering that we are not the only group out here signing folks up. The Obama campaign, other progressive organizations, school groups, fraternities, churches, and others have been sending volunteers out nearly as fervently as SEIU.

Well I'm off, but tomorrow is our day off- so be sure to check back for more.

A "Mighty Fine" Day

We started our daily meeting with prayer- for our safety, for good results, for the continuance of blessings on all of us.

Before I knew it I was paired up with Mr. Jones and Emily* and we were out the door with a stack of registration forms. Mr. Jones is a real character- a retired school maintenance and janitorial worker, he has lived in Gary, Indiana for upwards of 40 years. He knows this town inside and out, and everyone knows him. He yaps away, saying plenty of things that only an old man can get away with, and always responds that things are "mighty fine." In one conversation, he can pull out this phrase at least 5 times.

Emily is a first generation American. Her parents moved here from Nigeria to attend college. We shared the same major and focus in college (Yay anthropology majors!), a similar work ethic and need to be busy to be happy, and I'm sure with some more time together a real friendship is waiting to blossom (collective "awww" inserted here).

Well I was surprised when our first stop of the day was to a soul food buffet. Being the newbie out in the field, my strategy is to go with the flow and see each member political organizer as my teacher. Over piles of mac 'n cheese, liver and gravy, greens, corn bread, and peach cobbler I started to learn a little bit about the SEIU members and organizers who have all given up their normal lives to help get Obama elected.

After second heaping portions, we wrapped up our conversations and headed out to register voters. A few groups went over to "The Village" shopping center. A run-down strip mall with maybe 15 stores horse-shoed around a large, mostly empty parking lot, The Village certainly did not look like prime pickings for voters.

Apparently, most folks here are registered, as the team hit up the FEMA flood disaster relief lines the past few days. I got lucky and the first man I spoke to needed to register. I filled out the form as he held his hot dog and newspaper. Yes! First one down. I was pumped.

An hour passed and we found that the other groups had set up tables inside and were catching most of the people. Hm. No where else to go Mr. Jones? Not really.

Emily and I started paroling the parking lot. A FedEx truck rolled in and I figured I'd ask- woo- a disenfranchised voter- he didn't even want to vote. I started rattling off issues that he would likely care about. After a few trips in and out- he got the point I wasn't leaving him alone. "Hey hold this box for me and I'll fill out your little form." I started asking him questions. Name. Date of Birth. Address. "You have until I get into the truck and drive away to finish." I quickly filled in the rest and got his signature. Phew- I can only hope when the card comes in the mail, he'll think about it and actually go to vote.

A trickle of people all day kept us engaged- and one man I signed up was head to toe decked out in 'Canes gear. Other than that, it was slow.

At the end of the day each person in my team collected 8 registration forms. I'm torn. I don't know the area- I don't know the "hot spots" but surely there is a better way to find other potential voters out there!

Well, I am going to still go with the flow today and see if I can push people to think of other ways we can get more forms-- a different neighborhood, driving farther out, switching locations, at least splitting up all the teams to different spots? I don't want to be the new girl who thinks she has all the answers-- but I desperately want us to turn out the maximum number of people to vote Obama!

(suggestions welcome- add them in the comments!)


*Names have been changed until I get permission to use them.

First impressions of Indiana

Welcome to Indiana.

I did not get any such welcome except a 3.5 hour drive in the pouring rain, detour routes on unknown highways, my first view of factories as far as the eye can see, and more semi trucks than I've ever seen on I-95.

Despite getting lost in SE Chicago and again somewhere in Indiana, I managed to make it to my Extended Stay hotel and then off to the SEIU Local 73 office. I was worn out from 8 hours of traveling and being soaked from sudden showers every time I stepped out of the car, yet I was still thrilled to see volunteers pairing up and heading out to register voters. I checked in with the field coordinator and got all the details on our choice of Jill Long Thompson for Governor and our voter registration drive . After getting my bearings I went out grocery shopping and stocked up on the essentials. Yes, that's Sam Adams Oktoberfest. Heck, fall is my favorite season and I need to celebrate it no matter where I am. I'm sacrificing Halloween for Obama so I might as well enjoy a few nights in of rich tasty goodness.

Overall the hotel is nice- It's like a studio apt with a full kitchen. Sure there is a ton of construction going on but so far the banging didn't start until 9am which is bearable.


Merillville, IN where I'm staying reminds me a whole lot of my hometown of Melbourne, FL. Every store you can imagine is on US30- and I definitely checked out the neighborhood- there's a mall, Best Buy, Target, Old Navy, Sam's Club (booo!), movie theaters, Barnes & Noble (go there now and see the huge Wicked paraphernalia set up- not so subtle hint: great Xmas present for me would be the 2009 calendar) and a ton of restaurants- including my fave Olive Garden!

Not that I imagine I'll get any time to hang out in these places- but it's comforting to know if I need ANYTHING it's right there.

Which got me thinking... I feel ridiculously comfortable here. I have a car, every store easily accessible, a place to stay with everything I need... Oh My Gosh I enjoy "suburbia" or whatever this is way more than the big city life. (D.C. is definitely a big city to me).

In D.C. I feel limited. I can only shop for what I can carry, my back and arms are always sore from heavy lifting of groceries, furniture, or whatever else I get myself into. I just signed up for Zipcar, but even then I freaked at the idea of driving in D.C. or driving the pick up truck-and it's expensive.

Am I really saying this? Is this just me missing home a little bit? Will things get better in D.C.?

Well I don't know the answer to that, but I do know I am set up here and ready to go get a ton of people signed up to vote and vote Obama!

Voter reg. In indiana begins!

Today starts my 5 week volunteer trip in Northwest Indiana to register voters and encourage them to vote for O-ba-ma.

I'm out here as part of my job because we know that the most important thing for working families in this country is to elect a president who understands their struggles and needs. Obama is that candidate and already has a proven record. I'm just thrilled that I get to work day in and day out to get him elected in these last few weeks before the historic Nov. 4 election.

If you ain't registered or if you are unsure if you are all set to vote, go ahead and check out Vote For Change which has a super easy interactive form that walks you through the steps of checking whether you are registered, where, and how to get registered.

I hope to update often with stories and pictures from the field so stay tuned!

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterli. Replies.

So proud to be here now

This presidential election is sure to be history making, and already has (as every newspaper headline declared when Obama clinched the democratic nomination). I follow- I voice opinion- I'm inspired by what could be a shift in political participation for so many Americans. I don't really see myself in that category, I don't believe my life will change, and I certainly don't think there will be radical change for the direction of the country (in Obama's first term at least).

I am excited to see how people are moved and involved and following every step of this election cycle. Often, I wonder how people internationally view the race- think about how it may alter their relationship with the U.S. if Obama took office, and how monumental it was for our little experiment in Democracy to boost up the first viable female candidate and African-American candidate as the front runners for so many, long, drawn out months of suspense.

Below I am sharing an unedited e-mail from my long-time pen-pal in East Africa. She is a dear friend and more like a sister, and as we grow older (and thanks to the internet) speak more frequently, I have an amazing view into a woman much like me across the world. This is a beautiful take and reignited my passion for what we have going for us here in America.

"Hello!How are you doing?I hope all is well.I have almost been following the current presidential campaigns in the USA.Who do you support?I think either way,it is sure going to be a historical moment for you country,what do you think?Senator Hillary Clinton is a strongheaded woman,imagine she never gave up too soon even if things didnt seem good on her side.If every woman was that brave,strong and determined,imagine how this world would be!On the other hand,i think Obama is fulfilling his fore fathers dream,Martin Luther King and it is good to see that he i supported by both African-Americans and White people.That will be good history where theres equality among races,no segregation or disregard.I wish the best comes out of the elections.Am proud of both candidates because of their determination and strong personalities."

addicting, inspiring, and entertaining all in one!

You HAVE to check out Obama in 30 seconds. You can rate 30 second video clips created with barack's words and ideas as the inspiration. I got chills from a few- and hey- it's only 30 seconds at a time. So Easy!