Calling For Obama

I'm back on the phones again, calling for Obama, and I'm glad that I am. It's tempting to do nothing but endlessly following the news, clicking on blog after blog as I root for Obama like I root for my local baseball team. But that doesn't actually change anything. My donations do more, and I love being able to match the contributions of new donors and even hear from them by email--I've done that a dozen times. But what's really great is talking with ordinary voters.

It's always a little scary, but also fun, and I've always felt my efforts made a difference--far more than sitting passively hoping that the voters of this or that state will go my way. I called Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, knowing that the voters I convinced were multiplied by maybe a hundred thousand other volunteers and that if we each shifted a couple of votes it could help shift an election. It's an easy enough process, even for those initially intimidated. The numbers come up on your computer, and the campaign gives you a sample script for Obama voters or Clinton voters or just if you're a leaving a message. I usually come up with my own version, stating why I'm volunteering, but it's nice to have training wheels if you need them. And if I compare the apprehensions that keep me from calling with the actual results, I always end up feeling glad that I participated.

In the last few days, I've been calling Indiana, and have been delighted when undecided voters took the time to listen and respond. I also convinced some enthusiastic Obama supporters to sign up online and themselves volunteer--a great way of broadening the activist circle. That doesn't count the endless answering machine messages, which at the least remind people to go to the polls, and a high school junior who vowed to use my arguments to try and convince her parents. No one I reached was nasty, not even the nice Republican for whom abortion was everything. As always, I felt I'd gotten a brief window into the decisions people make that cumulatively shape our world--I'd connected through phone and cyberspace with a random slice of Americans who actually responded pretty decently.

Now it's election day, and I'm back on the phones, knowing that the more people who do the same, the greater the difference we'll make. To hold back because I'm busy, distracted by the political horse race, or afraid that people will disagree, would be to abdicate my chance to help shape history.

Paul Rogat Loeb is the author of The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear, and Soul of a Citizen: Living With Conviction in a Cynical Time. See www.paulloeb.org

Comments

[ndolomar]

People, if there's anything we leave this election year with, please let it be an understanding and newfound respect for community activism. While we read about it in our local weeklies or know a friend who knows a friend who participates or read the pamphlets in our stores and clinics --- this is empirical evidence of what happens when people take action. Giving money is great, as is spreading the word on message boards, but there's nothing more rewarding for any candidate or cause than the interaction on a personal level. Regardless who wins the nomination, we all should feel lucky to have witnessed the power of community activism, and we should find a way to exercise it whenever possible -- whether for a political candidate or for a nearby homeless shelter. This primary season's silver lining is that it gave those who donate a glimpse of what their dollars help do (and maybe makes them want to be more physically involved); for those of us already in community service, it just makes us smile to have shared with you what we do.

[PaulLoeb]

I'd agree that people should definitely do what they can in their own way--I actually suggest that in general in my Soul of a Citizen book. But the phone banking does actually get easier as you go...at least that's the experience of my wife, whos' considerably shyer than I am.

The other interesting thing, as a couple of people have noted, is how much you learn. I speak all over the country, but there's something about these random conversations with strangers that teaches me in a different way. It's the range of people, of geography, of experiences, and maybe the chance for them to voice their perspectives on the phone to someone who isn't a paid pollster. I always feel I learn something, and I also take the time to relax and enjoy it, even if that means I'm not quite as efficient as I might be.

[JLindsley]

I really connected with your post, Paul mostly because I have been doing the same. Endlessly reading blogs and rooting for Obama, making small donations. Somehow, this year, it seems vitally important to participate. Clearly so many other people are feeling this too.

The Tuesday of the Pennsylvania primary I took the earliest bus into the city and met a friend and his teenager son. We drove to Philly to the Penn area Obama headquarters. it was staffed by upbeat kids, only one of whom was paid staff.

- and talk about organization and the high of connecting with people!!

We had lists of committed Obama voters -our job was to knock on doors to be sure they got out to vote. The neighborhoods were visited again and again until everyone on the list had been reached. The day was extremely gratifying. People seemed to really appreciate our visit (except one woman who was a shift worker) As a way to connect, I had made my own teeshirt with "Grandma's for Obama" and photos of my G-kids under the Obama logo. As I expected it got some chuckles and high fives.

Point is, this year is fantastic in a way I have never seen - people care. Maybe this is the Bush legacy - the pendulum swung so far out there that everyone feels the obligation to get involved to bring us back to being the USA. It feels GREAT to do something positive. Voter Registration Drive starts this weekend.

[Gma11]

Thank you for the work you're doing. I appreciate it - especially on behalf of my 11 grandchildren!!

[MPeter]

Thanks Paul. Your effort is greatly appreciated. Change is har and slow but if persistently courted, it often yields. America and the rest of the world are counting on you. Help give our democracy a rebirth.

[ckemp]

It's funny how much calling for Obama makes one think about calling for Obama. At some point, when this is all over, scholars should survey or interview Obama's volunteer phone-bankers and find out what it was like. I've called, I don't know, maybe 12 states? 15? and it has been a real education. It's one thing to know the American population in general terms; it's another to confront it in its particularity, person by person. Especially in the states with open primaries, where the list is also open, the range of reactions has been really illuminating. You think you know all about it, but it's not the same when you're on the other end. I won't specify, not now, but I think this would make an amazing bit of research some day.

I also wonder whether Obama knew that a broad, volunteer-based campaign would be an education for large numbers of people. The movement will have cultivated a sympathetic population across differences that is probably larger than any other in our history.

[oldpotsmuggler]

If the election results tomorrow night were on "Pay Per View" I'd sign up. At least I would if I knew that someone was going to get knocked out. Anyone! I don't care who!

There used to be issues. There used to be discussions. Now it's the Dem Primary 24/7. Either and/or both of them can kick the shit out of McCain, and I say let the real fight begin.

The sooner we replace the entire appointed component of the federal government, the sooner our grand march into the future can continue its forward progress.

[SLal]

I thought that Huffington Post was trying to avoid any obvious appearance of being an official Obama promotion site. However, this is article is clearly an advertisement for the Obama campaign, complete with links to his site, without even thin disguise, to recuit campaigners. I am really surprised. Is this the first of its type, or have I just been missing something?

[ldvisavis]

Without question, you are missing something.

[tel8034]

DUH?.......WHAT'S YOUR POINT?

This compared to FOX, CNN and MSNBC who are all the OFFICIAL PROMOTION SITE FOR HILLARY?

The ONLY way it seems to get the OTHER side of ANY story is here on Huffington Post.

So much of Hillary's past ,and obvious hypocricies and lies, have been totally ignored by the cable news stations and the rest of the MSM......So there MUST be other avenues for information.....And if it is here on Huffigton, THEN SO BE IT!!!!!!!

[ghop]

Thank you Mr. Loeb. I realized after my second time phone banking that it was not my strength (I get too nervous). For folks out there like me, there are plenty of other ways to volunteer for the campaign that don't involve phone calls. The most important thing is to do what you can and make a difference. Activism works!