My last day in Denver was filled with knocking on doors, meeting people and talking about issues that matter. Paul and I walked two different neighborhoods on the Get Out The Vote campaign, and even with the Broncos game on in the afternoon, I think we reached some people.
As I sat at the Denver airport (I would have written this there last night, but either their WiFi or my computer is janky), I revisited my week in the Rockies. From sign making to phone calls; precinct walking to packet assembly, we were busy working for a new tomorrow, not only for Coloradans but also all Americans. Memories of my week in Denver will include talking with undecided voters about Barack Obama and Colorado's anti-worker amendments, miles and miles of walking neighborhoods to distribute literature, early morning breakfasts with my CSEA family as we loaded on carbs before hitting the pavement for a long day, and downtime spent getting to know my brothers and sisters better and making new friends. Oh, and I mustn't forget the weather. It's a good thing I packed an extra suitcase full of heavy clothes since I barely even wore a light jacket the whole week (75 degrees and sunny!). If anything, I should have packed sunblock!
I'll remember the hard work and diligence of our union brothers and sisters--especially those of us from CSEA. Everybody from the Denver area unions marveled at how hard CSEA members worked on the campaign. I am really proud of our people. When it needed to get done, CSEA was there.
I am thankful for this opportunity I've been given. To be able to work on the most important election campaign of my generation is an honor. I will be able to look back on these days for the rest of my life and say "I was there. I helped make a difference. We worked together to reclaim our future. We created change." And really, that's what Barack Obama's campaign has been about ... Americans coming together to find solutions to what ails our country; regular folks working to change our direction; the power of good people focused on an idea of hope; the ability of compassion to sweep an entire nation.
Eightteen months ago, we didn't know where this train was headed. Even a year ago, the light at the end of tunnel seemed so far away (and we didn't even know where we were headed). But now, with Election Day tomorrow and the dream so close, we are standing at the precipice of a new world. Never before in my lifetime has something felt so important; never have I felt that my cause was so righteous; never have I felt so positive about what tomorrow will bring. This is "our" defining moment, our chance to feel like we really do matter, and that we really can effect change in this mixed-up world.
Tomorrow is the day we realize the power we have when we focus our skills and abilities. Tomorrow is the day we turn over a new leaf. Tomorrow is the day the people will speak, and men, women and children will weep openly at the wonder of what we have accomplished.
Tomorrow, we elect Barack Obama the President of the United States of America.
Tomorrow, we change the world.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead
jay
Monday, November 3, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Knocking and the Nuggets
Today was probably the most organized day I've had in Denver. Showing up bright and early at the Pipefitters Union office, we had a short training and got right to knocking on doors making sure people were voting (and voting correctly).
Paul and I drove to the suburb of Westminster to walk door-to-door to espouse the virtues of voting against Amendments 47, 49 and 54, and for Barack Obama for president. We started at a large apartment complex, where we ran into many Obama supporters. Even at 10 a.m., after a potentially raucous Halloween night, people answered their doors and let us speak to them about the issues. One woman had numerous pro-Democratic signs in her yard. Her kids yelled "Obama, Obama" when we were talking to her. It was a really cute intro to our day.
Most of the day was filled with people who already voted our way. I did run into a woman who hadn't yet made up her mind about her presidential vote and I was able to explain to her why I thought Obama was the best choice. That was pretty cool.
I met a woman who said she didn't like Obama's "Socialisticism." Yeah, I know that's not a word, but she obviously didn't. She talked about her problem with Obama "redistributing the wealth." As soon as she said she had already voted, I was done dealing with her. I was surprised though, as it was the one of the few negative people I have run into in the Denver area. I guess there's a few of those everywhere you go.
I also met a lot of people who were proud to tell me they had voted for Obama and against the anti-worker amendments. It really felt good to chat with people who were on board with changing the path of our country.
After we completed the precinct walks, Paul, I and one of our brothers, Bob, went to the Denver Nuggets home opener, where we saw the Lakers. From our amazing floor seats, we watched the valiant warriors of California take the game in the fourth quarter!
All in all, it was a great day. I will walk precincts tomorrow, before leaving in the evening to go home to my loving wife. I have had an amazing time here in Denver talking to people about the change we want in this country ... about the change we need here. The next couple days before the election are going to be crazy, no doubt, but we will victorious at the end. For our cause is virtuous and necessary, and we will not back down.
Please, everybody and anybody, make sure you vote for Barack Obama. Please tell your friends and family to vote for Barack Obama. Ask them to join the movement of people who are tired of "business as usual" politics. Ask them to participate in a piece of history. And ask them to tell their families and friends and beyond to support the reclaiming of our nation from the clutches of the wealthy, arrogant and domineering echoes of the past. Despite what the polls say, we need every last vote, so please do your part to tell as many people as you can to vote for Obama.
Tuesday will be a crossroads for the United States ... when we shed the failed oppressive policies and tactics of the Bush years and embrace the vision of a brighter tomorrow.
This is our time. Please grasp it and move forward with us.
jay
Paul and I drove to the suburb of Westminster to walk door-to-door to espouse the virtues of voting against Amendments 47, 49 and 54, and for Barack Obama for president. We started at a large apartment complex, where we ran into many Obama supporters. Even at 10 a.m., after a potentially raucous Halloween night, people answered their doors and let us speak to them about the issues. One woman had numerous pro-Democratic signs in her yard. Her kids yelled "Obama, Obama" when we were talking to her. It was a really cute intro to our day.
Most of the day was filled with people who already voted our way. I did run into a woman who hadn't yet made up her mind about her presidential vote and I was able to explain to her why I thought Obama was the best choice. That was pretty cool.
I met a woman who said she didn't like Obama's "Socialisticism." Yeah, I know that's not a word, but she obviously didn't. She talked about her problem with Obama "redistributing the wealth." As soon as she said she had already voted, I was done dealing with her. I was surprised though, as it was the one of the few negative people I have run into in the Denver area. I guess there's a few of those everywhere you go.
I also met a lot of people who were proud to tell me they had voted for Obama and against the anti-worker amendments. It really felt good to chat with people who were on board with changing the path of our country.
After we completed the precinct walks, Paul, I and one of our brothers, Bob, went to the Denver Nuggets home opener, where we saw the Lakers. From our amazing floor seats, we watched the valiant warriors of California take the game in the fourth quarter!
All in all, it was a great day. I will walk precincts tomorrow, before leaving in the evening to go home to my loving wife. I have had an amazing time here in Denver talking to people about the change we want in this country ... about the change we need here. The next couple days before the election are going to be crazy, no doubt, but we will victorious at the end. For our cause is virtuous and necessary, and we will not back down.
Please, everybody and anybody, make sure you vote for Barack Obama. Please tell your friends and family to vote for Barack Obama. Ask them to join the movement of people who are tired of "business as usual" politics. Ask them to participate in a piece of history. And ask them to tell their families and friends and beyond to support the reclaiming of our nation from the clutches of the wealthy, arrogant and domineering echoes of the past. Despite what the polls say, we need every last vote, so please do your part to tell as many people as you can to vote for Obama.
Tuesday will be a crossroads for the United States ... when we shed the failed oppressive policies and tactics of the Bush years and embrace the vision of a brighter tomorrow.
This is our time. Please grasp it and move forward with us.
jay
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