“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama

Thank You, Granite State!

We worked hard.  We all worked so hard here in the Granite State, but last night was not a loss for Barack Obama.

Heck, no one said changing the world would be easy.  When rallying with supporters in Nashua last night, Senator Obama addressed the cynics.

When we’ve been told we’re not ready or we shouldn’t try or we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people. Yes, we can. Yes, we can.

The possibility of this movement is undeniable and the spirit of the people with whom I’ve spent the past months & days with here in New Hampshire have proven that to me.

I’ve spent time talking about the town of Hillsborough NH on this blog.  What happened in this working class town, which wasn’t supposed to be winnable for Barack Obama, was incredible.

Barack Obama: 414

Hillary Clinton: 401

Over the past three months, I spent days tirelessly talking to the people of Hillsborough;  thousands of phone calls & doors knocked, and it all made a difference.

Our democracy and our movement for change is strong.  Your voice can change the world, but you have to be willing to work for it.

So, with that being said, roll up your sleeves and get to work.

On to Nevada!

It’s time to win New Hampshire!

With just twenty-seven days (and counting) until NH votes on January 8th, things are really starting to pick up. No longer is just hearing that voter is thinking about Barack or considering him good enough; now it’s full-on persuasion mode.

Making clear distinctions between Senator Obama and his opponents is one side of the coin, but what I’ve found to be even more effective is just explaining the type of person that Barack Obama is & how that translates to his ability to govern as Commander-In-Chief.

My explanation is two fold:

1. The choices he’s made show the type of human being he is and the type of leader he will be. Senator Obama is a man that has truly devoted his life to people, but not just as a legislator; he’s done it as a community organizer, by organizing voter registration drives, going into civil rights law practice and teaching constitutional law. Before he even stepped into the halls of government to make policy driven changes, he was making a tangible difference in people’s lives to help everyday people solve very personal problems.
2. This tangible experience gives him the innate ability to empathize with the American people. Barack Obama understands that government is meant to be a conversation, but the only way that such a system is possible is if trust is built on both sides of the coin. This becomes possible because, once he’s president, the American people will know Senator Obama understands what they’re going through and know he is listening because he’s been there before, helping people enact tangible change in their lives on the ground – person to person.

It is the above (though often tweaked) hard sell that is working. I’m finding that voters want a leader that they truly believe understands the people of this country.

A leader that doesn’t separate government from it’s citizens.

Barack Obama fits that bill.

Now that I’ve begun making more phone calls, I’m finding this explanation is much different when speaking to someone face-to-face as opposed to over the telephone. Phone calls are more challenging because the only tool one can use to ask for a voter’s support is the tone of their voice. Passion, both physically and emotionally, is more difficult to portray over the phone. At times, things can even go misunderstood (or be misheard).

Most notably, a nice old woman thought I asked her if Barack Obama was on her “shit list” of candidates not her “short list”. This was quickly nullified through laughter, but – nonetheless – I’m doubtful this same exchange would have happened at someone’s door.

In turn, this makes the phones calls more of an uphill battle, but it also makes finding a supporter that much more rewarding. After all, let’s be honest, who really enjoys their phone ringing off the hook with political campaigns calling.

As the primary gets closer and closer, each voter contact and each conversation becomes that much more critical.

Conversations are making a difference and , this just-in *8:00 AM on 12/12/07* –

Barack Obama (30%) and Hillary Clinton (31%) are now in a statistical tie in NH with just a month to go (aka “The Oprah Bounce“).

Yes, it really is happening.

Barack On!

The Oprah Bounce

First off, Freelance Obama is back ‘online’ after a month long hiatus. I’ve been working hard on the campaign trail and have moved away from this blog a bit. Following Senator Obama’s weekend swing through the early states, the buzz around “The Oprah Effect” is really starting to pick up steam.

She was amazing….and then some. In a very confident & reasonable manner, Ms. Oprah Winfrey was able to articulately characterize her reasons for supporting Barack. Most notably, the following line stuck out to me:

Experience in the hallways of government isn’t as important to me as experience on the pathway of life. I challenge you to see through those people who try and convince you that experience with politics as usual is more valuable than wisdom won from years of serving people outside the walls of Washington, D.C.

Just moments before the Manchester Rally, MSNBC released new polls for each of the critical early states in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Iowa: 27% HRC, 25% BO, 21% JE

NH: 30% HRC, 27% BO, 10% JE

SC: 28% HRC, 25% BO, 18% JE

With each of these polls having a five-point margin for error, this race is absolutely wide open. Hillary Clinton’s heir of inevitability is wearing off.

Now that this race is at a statistical dead heat, “The Oprah Effect” is about snowball into “The Oprah Bounce”. As documented by campaign blogger Sam Graham-Felsen, the number of people reached this weekend was mind blowing.

2 days, 4 rallies, 3 states, 66000 people, about 12000 new supporters

Oprah Winfrey told voters all weekend that she didn’t want to tell them what to think, but to “just think”. Ms. Winfrey’s draw was able to bring Barack Obama’s message to an audience that might have never been engaged in the political process. Ms. Winfrey’s draw gave voters another opportunity to think about Barack Obama.

Factor in these sheer numbers with an amazing Barack/Oprah/Michelle seventy-two hour news cycle and the effect turns into a bounce. When given the chance to hear and understand the person/candidate that is Barack Obama, the choice becomes easy for voters. After all, it is all about talking to the people.

Oprah, thank you for giving Barack yet another chance to connect with America.

Mark my words, the poll data following this Oprah filled weekend will show a spike in Barack’s numbers in the early states.

Wow, what a weekend. It’s really happening.

Barack On!

On the Campaign Trail….literally

Today, Jeff and I will be going hiking in the Monadnock Region which is right next door to Peterborough, NH in Hancock, NH. This doesn’t mean we won’t be talking to voters or campaigning. Even on our hike, we’ll be telling other folks all about Barack Obama.

In my short time in New Hampshire, I’ve learned something called A.B.C. (Always Be Campaigning). This is a great motto to live by up here, especially during the presidential primary season. As I’ve explained countless times, it’s so important because, since most folks are still undecided, the way I present myself – even when not canvassing – can influence a voter. The job of a campaigner really never ends; much like a nation, candidates evolve during an election and we must be there to guide our fellow constituents towards the person we support. Barack Obama makes this easy.

This is a very important aspect of our campaign because the electorate is still learning about Barack Obama. While I can rattle off his biography, resume and explain my support of him from many different angles, a lot of people just know his name, his face and that he’s for change. My goal being out here in New Hampshire is to help convey a deeper a message about Barack Obama’s plan for our country by explaining how his plan is really different, one voter at a time.

This brings me back to my message of Always Be Campaigning; since it’s so important to inform the state of New Hampshire and this country why Barack Obama is the man for the job, we must capitalize on every chance we can to convince voters that he should be our next president. There are two ways this can be done: visibility and engagement.

If you’re not comfortable talking with someone right off the bat – be it on the street, subway or hiking trail -, wear an Obama button or pin. I know Obama supporters are proud, so show it! Most importantly, engage-engage-engage. There’s a time and place for everything – this includes campaigning -, but a friendly conversation about the state of our great nation never hurt anyone.

One glance at an Obama button, one conversation, one vote.

You don’t have to be in an early state to impact this election. A.B.C., baby!

Barack On!

I don’t want a politician, I want a leader!

Yesterday was a cold and rainy Saturday of canvassing in Hancock, NH. Luckily, unlike Jeff, I had a car to get me from knock-to-knock.

Even though it was quite miserable outside, I must say that I was pretty excited for canvassing because with the bad weather I was sure that folks would be home. What happened? Murphy’s Law, of course. Less people were home than I had assumed would be, but – nonetheless – I still had a good day of talking with voters. Over my past few weeks of canvassing, I’m slowly learning that both democrats and republicans alike have a hard time finding something negative to say about Barack Obama. While this might not seem significant, it’s starting to dawn on me that I might not be the only one who thinks he’ll hold up in a general election. Both sides are tired of mudslinging! Barack has the ability to differentiate himself without attacking his opponents. His methodical and honest nature is difficult to attack.

Why? This man wants to change things, can explain how he wants to change things and, to the best of my knowledge, he has nothing to hide. On the contrary, Hillary Clinton cannot seem to shake her “I’m a politician’s politician” image. It’s who she is and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing for politics, but she’s not what we need right now. During yesterday’s canvass I ended up knocking on the doors of what seemed like a litany of Hillary Clinton supporters; in reality, it ended up being four. Three of them seemed afraid of the words that would come out of my mouth and wouldn’t talk to me. The other supporter I talked to *gasp* is a volunteer for Hillary’s campaign; ironically, she was the only one who engaged me.

As I go about with every other voter I talk with, I asked her why she supported her candidate, Senator Clinton. Her interpretation of Senator Clinton’s candidacy was shocking to me; her support for the Senator was based on the fact that Hillary understood that at times you cannot always show your cards or lay out a plan as a leader, but – instead – you must wait until a situation arises to determine a course of action.

This rhetoric is identical to Senator Clinton’s. At least her campaign is consistent, I’ll give her that. Say something, but don’t say anything too revealing.

An undecided voter I met during yesterday’s canvass hit the nail on the head by saying, “It’s about who’s best for the job, right now!”

Barack Obama is the man for the job, right now! Period.

I’m sick and tired of listening to politicians. Hillary Clinton is a politician. We need a leader.

Barack On!

The art of listening…

It might strike you as funny, but listening should be considered an art form.

As I spend my afternoons going door-to-door in New Hampshire, I’m learning that the theory is a good guidepost in the the world of politics. The manner in which I listen to voters is positively or adversely affecting their feelings about Barack Obama. While I’ve become quite good at articulating my reasons for supporting the Senator, my reaction to the voter’s story is proving to be more important than what I have to say about the Senator.

I’ve always considered myself a very good listener, but campaigning requires a different type of listening. This evening, while canvassing in Hillsborough, I met a woman who moved with her husband to New Hampshire a few years ago.  I knocked on the door looking to speak to her sons, only to learn that they were serving in the Marines.  Nonetheless, she and I ended up chatting for a half hour. We covered almost every major issue imaginable – the war, health care, gun control and taxes.

At the onset of our talk, she remarked, “I’m a registered independent, but usually vote Republican.” The first ten seconds that followed were crucial to the remaining 30 odd minutes we spent together. Instead of shutting down because she said she usually votes Republican, I asked her which candidates she liked and which issues were important to her. What ensued was an honest conversation about the state of affairs in our country. As our dialogue progressed, we didn’t agree upon everything, but we did conclude that we agreed on many things, particularly that there certainly were many facets of our political system which needed fixing.

Our conversation ended with me leaving her some literature, the phone number for the campaign’s Peterborough office, and her remarking that she’d consider supporting the Senator.

As I was walking down the path to leave, she stopped me. She explained that a representative from a competing Democratic campaign had knocked on her door the day before, but that their exchange had been much different.

She told me that the volunteer or staffer had asked her one question: “Are you supporting my candidate?” The woman responded that she didn’t think so, and that’s how the conversation ended.

Maybe he or she should have listened.

Barack On!

Halloween in Hancock

This Halloween I went on somewhat of a non-traditional canvass. Jeff and I traveled to one of the towns in Hillsborough County, Hancock, to reverse trick-or-treat. We handed out Obama stickers, literature and candy while talking to voters.

Jeff dressed up as the “Pope of Hope”.

We found five supporters in total and the town of Hancock seemed very pro-Obama.

Happy Obama-ween!

A Talk with Granny D…

This morning Jeff and I had a crazy idea; on a whim, we decided to go have a talk with Granny D to see what she was thinking about the 2008 Presidential primary, but more so just to find out more about her political philosophy.

Ethel “Granny D” Rollins is a political activist who resides in the town of Dublin, NH, just west of Peterborough. For the past twelve years, she has been a strong advocate for campaign finance reform wanting to regulate how elections are funded. Amazingly, in 1999 at the age of 88, Granny D walked across the country to raise awareness for campaign finance reform. Her journey, starting in Pasadena, California and ending in Washington D.C., took two years to complete. This amazing trek garnered a lot of media attention and in 2004 she became the oldest major-party candidate, at 94 years old, to run for U.S. Senate as New Hampshire’s democratic party nominee.

Now that I’ve set the stage, you can imagine our apprehension in going to visit this local celebrity. What followed was a great dialogue about the election and, more specifically, political activism in general. When Jeff and I sat down with Granny D we were unsure where the conversation was going to lead us, but her passion for campaign finance reform ended up teaching me a valuable lesson about politics and life. Granny D is sharp and funny old woman who’s passion for her issue – campaign finance reform – was evident in the way she spoke. Her referring to it as “my issue” kept coming up over and over again; she isn’t a champion for a candidate or a party, but rather, she’s a champion for a cause which is near-and-dear to her heart. As Granny D explained, she felt that without this reform in place, we’ll never have a true democracy. With money placing such a stranglehold on how elections are being run, without such reform people would never be able to truly choose their leaders freely.

As Jeff and I left Granny D’s home, she said something to the effect that one voice can make a difference and make an impact. In her actions of walking across the country and running for the U.S. Senate, Granny D’s voice & actions were heard & seen by all the residents of New Hampshire. Her message is a strong one; if you fight tooth and nail for what you believe in – even if you’re just one voice – you can be heard.

Barack Obama’s movement for change is a prime example of this same notion. When I decided to take the leap and move to New Hampshire for Senator Obama’s campaign it was because I thought my voice could make a difference; I thought my passion for Senator Obama’s candidacy could help win this election and change our country. This is why Barack Obama always says that this is OUR campaign for change.

Granny D helped me reaffirm the notion that change happens from the bottom up, not from the top down.

Barack On!

Obama seperates himself from the pack…

Last evening was a step in the right direction for Barack Obama’s campaign for President of the United States. Not only did Hillary Clinton’s answers seemed canned, rehearsed and – at times – confusing, but Barack Obama was able to distinguish himself from his two closest rivals – in Clinton and Edwards – as the voice of reason. Senator Obama’s message has always been about bringing this country together and last evening he called out Hillary about not being forthcoming with the American people. Clinton couldn’t adequately explain why she wouldn’t support releasing records from the National Archives about her time as first lady. If you want to be President of the United States, shouldn’t you be open and honest with your own constituency?

I certainly believe that and so does Barack Obama. Senator Obama’s entire campaign has been centered around his judgment to lead and telling the truth. As one of his advertisements circulating around New Hampshire says, “You can’t tell people what they want to hear, you need to tell them what they need to hear.” Hillary Clinton cannot even be honest about her own record, let alone her plan for our country.

Over the past month, I’ve witnessed first hand – in both NYC and NH – the momentum which Senator Obama’s campaign has been gaining on the ground; this is happening in Iowa too. This momentum isn’t well captured by polls or the mainstream media; this momentum is based on my experiences talking to voters every single day. Most specifically, the lead which the polls show Hillary having in New Hampshire isn’t indicative of how voters are feeling in the Granite State. In my eight straight days of knocking on over 200 doors, I’ve only come across six supporters of Hillary Clinton. On the contrary I’ve come in contact with 10 supporters of Barack Obama. Most voters I spoke with like Barack Obama, aren’t fans of Hillary Clinton, but are still undecided as to who they’ll be supporting. Obviously, these sentiments are quite far from what the polls indicate.

With all of this anecdotal evidence, I’m very optimistic that Barack Obama will win Iowa and follow up by taking NH a few days later.

With Barack Obama we’ll actually witness noticeable change in this country; with the rest of the field we’ll likely to get more of the same. The Senator of Illinois made that clear distinction in last evening’s debate.

Barack On!