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!