Obama the Organizer Hits the Phones (Video)

Sen. Barack Obama drew headlines for his record-breaking 100,000-person weekend rally in Missouri, but big, exciting rallies don't win elections by themselves, of course.

A strong organization is required to turn a candidate's supporters into votes -- to identify them, remind them to vote, provide information on rules and polling places and to recruit the strongest supporters for volunteering and outreach. So when that huge rally in Missouri wound down, it was no surprise that Obama headed over to a Kansas City field office to buck up his local organizers. Then he joined them for some personal "call time."

The footage from Obama's appearance, which the campaign just uploaded to YouTube, has some nice warm moments. It also shows how the campaign relentlessly heralds its organizers and volunteers. That can mean sharing the spotlight with them during a big candidate trip or touting their work on YouTube. This video was also flagged on MyBarackObama.com. It shows volunteers around the country, even in neglected safe states, that their work is vital to the campaign and the candidate.

I think this image from the video captures that feeling -- the focus is on the organizer, explaining her work, while Obama passes by in the background, talking to a voter on a phone call arranged by another volunteer:

Because it's not about him, as they say, it's about you:

Comments

[harriscrl3]

Thats very good. He looks so much in his element. can you imagine having a boss like Barack it would make you so fired up to go to work LOL

Its kind of shallow but that watch Barack is wearing is just gaudy LOL

Carol

[eden4barack08]

How can anybody not love this man? It's impossible!

[yvonne61]

WHY PEOPLE LOVE THIS MAN HE IS OUTSTANDING.

[jones]

Wish I could get him to come help me when I'm phonebanking. I don't think I'm that confident :)

[kat1park]

I know what you mean. I was thinking the same thing. :-)

[irisda]

This man exudes confidence! He's running this thing with perfection!

[deadsinktohell]

And that is why I love this guy!

GOBAMA 08!

[kennyh]

He is the one! I encourage all who may read this to volunteer with any organization working for Obama and find your groove. A canvasser recruited me and after the first day of going door to door talking to people I was so fired up I couldn't believe it was me. Since then I have been showing up whenever I get time and last weekend I did phone banking. What an experience. I wish I hadn't waited so long to get involved. Right now we need everyone. Just for the record, I'm 64 years young.

[Plank]

A hands-on leader the country needs right now.

[Ugonna]

I don't know what to say. They're very lucky to meet him unexpectedly that way. I love that he reaches out to the little people-literally. I also think I've gotten to the point where I wouldn't know what to do if I met him. I'm too accustomed to watching him on tv at this point that its a bit intimidating, lol, even if he is nice.

[heyladee]

THIS IS SO AWESOME!

I've been calling folks for Obama every Saturday for weeks. After a few hours, when your ear hurts and your voice starts to go, it is tempting to say "I've gotta leave now." But watching this video, seeing Barack with the other volunteers, talking to voters like he's talking to friends just makes me rededicate myself to the cause. This guy is the best thing that could happen to this country right now!

[aloha43]

Obama seems like such a nice person. I hope I can get the chance to talk to him, or meet him someday. What an inspiration!

Vote Obama/Biden 08!

[kadene]

I am not voting for Barack; I am voting for his message, his vision for America and for his worldview. If he were green, polka-dot or striped, he would still have my vote. As the world stands at its most turbulent and uncertain period in recorded history, the US needs a leader who crosses all the traditional lines of division in the society. On that basis alone, MccCain is disqualified. We cannot remain crippled by 20th century attitudes and notions that being a predatorial aggressor nation will address emerging challenges of the 21st century.

[TroubleNYC]

Imagine sitting at home alone in your PJs ... watching some cheesy movie or reality show ... scratching yourself in places that will not be mentioned.

(ring)
Hello?

Hello, this is Barack Obama.

[aloha43]

Haha....that is funny!

[kat1park]

I know! Amazing!

[LemonMeringue]

I called Missourians from a Kansas office on Sunday for Barack! It was a great experience.

This guy is a pro! He is like the CEO who spends time among the workers. He knows how it works.

January 20 cannot come fast enough for me.

[aloha43]

November 4 can't come fast enough!

[kat1park]

Ditto!

[Marguerite Manteau-Rao - Huffpost Blogger]

Awesome video! Made me cry.

I have been working the phones also, and it is just an amazing experience. If you have not done so yet, I strongly recommend you call your local Obama office, to see how you can help.