Report from the Field: Florida

Miami Gardens, FL--

2pm--My "running partner" Melisa (an out of state volunteer from Seattle) and I pick up a woman in a wheelchair for early voting. Earlier in the day, I was knocking on doors and asking them if they wanted a ride to the polls. Volunteers and staff are fanning out across the state in the largest get out the vote (GOTV) effort in history.

The Obama plan: not to simply win Florida but to crush Republican ambitions in the state for a decade. Because Florida starts early voting fourteen days before election day, organization's incremental advantage is multiplied tremendously.

Merge organization to unprecedented enthusiasm for the most compelling candidate in a generation: a Reagan with analytical heft, a Clinton without the odor of scandal, and you have the real Perfect Storm that Howard Dean and Joe Trippi tried and failed to grasp four years ago in Iowa.

5pm--The woman, who is confined to the wheelchair as the result of a stroke suffered sixteen months ago, is still in line, and her spirits are high. As are those of the roughly three hundred people who were in line at 3pm when early voting was scheduled to end. They've earned the right to vote, as long as it takes.

I cannot help exclaiming "you guys inspire me." A middle aged woman in the predominately black crowd doesn't miss a beat. "Honey, we've been waiting a long time." She's not talking about the four hours that she's spent in line.

7pm--I get a text message from a volunteer informing me that they are now inside and preparing to vote. I return to the early voting site twenty minutes later to find the lady in the wheelchair ready to go. She insists on lifting herself out of the chair and gingerly moving the leg rendered useless by the stroke into the van.

I'm moved by her passion to exercise the franchise. I wish everyone who couldn't be bothered to even register could see her courage in the face of adversity. I vow to remember her whenever I feel like complaining about a long day or a poor turn of events.

Then she unknowingly tries to move me to tears by telling me that I am splendid and doing great things by giving people rides. I demur and say truthfully that she inspires me by her courage and persistence.

If that woman can struggle to make it to the polls, can we balk at giving up some of our time to knock on doors, to call people, to offer rides, or to offer housing to out of state volunteers?

If you live in Florida, or another swing state, know that thousands of out of state volunteers are streaming to your state. They need a place to stay. Call your local Obama office to offer them a bed or a couch. I slept on a floor in New Hampshire with a lovely couple, Terry and Caroline Wiggin, for a week. Obama volunteers are not picky. But they are the coolest people around. You could make a friend for life.

If you live in a battleground state, your local Obama office needs your help to canvass or to make phone calls or to do data entry. Canvassing, or door knocking, is the most in demand. Volunteer to do this and you will make your local field organizer happier than if you try to talk their ear off about the latest Gallup poll or the latest McCain outrage. It's only two weeks. If you're worried about missing your tv shows, I advise you to catch up on Hulu.com after the election.

Think about how much better you'll feel surfing Huffington Post and reading triumphant posts instead of reading depressing ones about "How did it all go wrong for Obama?" I don't know about you, but 4 years of guilt and anger is more than I can take. Call it enlightened self-interest.

So here's the quick summary: I've never met a Christian conservative who grumbled about the heat and sun of knocking on doors to win an election. Never yet met a conservative who doesn't understand that phone banking is the way elections are won. But why do liberals sit on the sidelines? Do we like losing? Do we enjoy feeling complacent for a few weeks and then sad for four years?

You owe it to yourself and everyone you bitched to about the utter catastrophe of the last eight years to get out there and make a contribution to the campaign. They need you.

One thing I've learned about organizers on the Obama campaign: they make nothing--less than minimum wage. But they are the most patriotic, idealistic people you will ever meet. They shame us into action as much as the lady in the wheelchair.

There is a song that has the lyrics: "if this don't move your booty, your booty must be dead." Well, if this post doesn't move you to action, your heart must be dead. Or I'm just not that great of a writer.

Please help. And tell 'em Bart sent you. Thanks.

Follow Bart Motes on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bmotes

Comments

[Michale32086]

@sensiblegal

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Michale - I think you need to get out into the real world. Sorry to have to say that but America is so very far from being Utopia, that its scary.
{{{{

Believe me, I know much more about the "real world" than I hope you never have to learn. I am a veteran of two branches of the US Armed Forces (USAF and US Army). I was an MI EllTee during Desert Storm. I have served as an FSO and an LEO for nearly a quarter century as a military and intelligence liaison to about a dozen different countries spanning the globe.

I know the real world and I know who are TRUE enemies are. And, despite what you believe, the true enemies are not fellow Americans who simply have different political beliefs than you..

I mean, seriously. Take a look at yourself. How can you call yourself a Liberal when you castigate and attack people you don't even KNOW, simply on the basis of their political beliefs. How is this NOT bigotry??

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Positions like yours - antagonistic, antithetical and irrational - are precisely the reason why I have no more time for this.
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On the contrary, it is your position and attitude that is "antagonistic, antithetical and irrational"

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May I suggest that you quit the sophomoric grandstanding, get off your soap box,
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I rest my case....

Michale.....

[sensiblegal]

Michale - no one (except you!) ever said anything about enemies.
No one said anything about being a Liberal - except you.
Please - just go and help someone - anyone - to vote, ok?

[Michale32086]

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Michale - no one (except you!) ever said anything about enemies.
{{{

Oh come on... The entire SITE is replete with attacks on Republicans as "the enemy".. This commentary thread shows the utter disdain that people show for Republicans.

I may have been born at night, but it surely wasn't LAST night.

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No one said anything about being a Liberal - except you.
{{{{

So, you are saying you are not a liberal??

Michale.....

[Michale32086]

CONT

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The reason people make comparisons is because the Republicans are known to do all the things that I observe that I will not do above. Read How to Rig an Election: Confessions of a Republican Operative by Allen Raymond for more information.
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I am sure that there ARE people on the Republican side that are into the afore mentioned dirty tricks.

Shall I post quotes from an article where a McCain supporter was brutally assaulted by an Obama supporter.

Shall I post quotes from an article where McCain signs were firebombed by Obama supporters?

What about all the vandalism done to McCain vehicles and campaign offices??

It's very easy to rail against the "evil" Republicans. It's harder to admit that your own side is not pure as the driven snow either.

Which is really why I don't choose sides.. I choose people. And I have chosen Obama.

However, I also CHOOSE not to be part of the problem.. I CHOOSE to be part of the solution.

I'll ask again. Do you think Obama would WANT you to ignore the American voter who wants to vote for McCain. Do you think Obama would WANT you to have the "it's not my problem" attitude regarding a fellow American?

I honestly don't think he would..

Thank you again for your rational response. I understand where you are coming from. I simply disagree.

Michale.....

[Michale32086]

@sensiblegal

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Jeez - you sure are expecting a lot of Obama supporters -
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I am expecting ANY "supporters", Obama OR McCain, to act like AMERICANS..

Yer right...

Apparently, apparently that is expecting too much...

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if you are the true Obama supporter you say you are, we would not be having this dialogue.
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Not true. I am simply an AMERICAN first and an Obama supporter second.

I don't feel in necessary to crap on my fellow Americans, simply to prove that I am a loyal and brainless Party lemming...

I prefer to think for myself...

On the other hand, it's amazing the similarity between Party dogma and Religious dogma.

Both require a mindless and irrational adherence to illogical and contradictory dogma and ideology..

Let me ask you something.

How do you think Senator Obama would view the actions of someone who refuses to help a fellow American, SOLELY based on Party Dogma... If that is how someone "supports" the good Senator, do you think he would WANT that persons support??

Think about it...

Michale....

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

Michale,

You seem to not understand what campaigning is all about. No, I will not give a McCain supporter a ride to the polls. I will also not donate money to the McCain campaign. I will not write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper saying that I think John McCain is a decent person.

But I will also not spread lies about my candidate's opponent. I will not impede anyone's exercise of their franchise by telling them the wrong place or time to vote. I won't steal a yard sign from someone's lawn. I will not organize an operation to jam the phones of the opposition so they can't make calls on election day. I will not shut down a recount by creating a mob scene at an election office.

My post is all about the positive actions that we can take to elect our candidate. Whether or not a Mccain supporter gets to the polls is frankly not my problem, and even more frankly, I hope they don't vote.

The reason people make comparisons is because the Republicans are known to do all the things that I observe that I will not do above. Read How to Rig an Election: Confessions of a Republican Operative by Allen Raymond for more information.

Thanks for the comments. I appreciate your perspective, but I don't think you are realistic about the nature of campaigns.

[sensiblegal]

Amen Bart.
Michale - I think you need to get out into the real world. Sorry to have to say that but America is so very far from being Utopia, that its scary.
Positions like yours - antagonistic, antithetical and irrational - are precisely the reason why.
I have no more time for this.
May I suggest that you quit the sophomoric grandstanding, get off your soap box, and GO AND HELP ELECT OBAMA AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT?

[kennyh]

Get out there are HELP! I know it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Many elections came and went, and yes, I lamented the defeats. They hurt, badfly. This year I am giving time to Obama and it feels sooooo GOOD! Bart is right. The organizers are the greatest folks you will find and they will thank you to tears for helping. This time it is about us.

[sensiblegal]

Thank YOU Kenny.

[sensiblegal]

Sorry - just noticed the greed /agreed correction.
But still, the anger keeps on comin'!

[Michale32086]

Here is my basic question..

Would you help a fellow American who is not capable to vote, to get to a voting booth and vote???

EVEN if they voted for someone you did not agree with..

If you answer NO to that, then you are enslaved by party dogma and ideology and cannot see the forest for the trees...

Michale.....

[sensiblegal]

If I had signed on as an election volunteer , yes.
If I had signed on as a party volunteer no.
I would hope that the volunteers of the party that this incapable person wanted to vote for would be sufficiently on the ball to have noted that their voter needed help for themselves..
However, I might - MIGHT - give this incapable person a tip as to who she should call for help - that would be a non partisan voter organisation.
Jeez - you sure are expecting a lot of Obama supporters - but then I guess thats the price of success on the ground - everyone wants a piece of your action!.
McCain folks just can't stand the fact that Obama has such great organisation and are trying to find a way to pull it apart.
Keep drinking the Kool aid - and try not to be so angry - if you are the true Obama supporter you say you are, we would not be having this dialogue. The time for that is after the election.

[sensiblegal]

Michaele- its seem like you have really have a problem with the answer that Bart gave.
Why are you giving him such a hard time? He's an Obama volunteer - end of story. This is not a reflection of "whats wrong with this country". How can you possibly say that?
What's right about this country is that we have a two party system - thats called Democracy. We also have volunteers. We have partisan volunteers who choose to work for their chosen party, and we have non partisan volunteers - who work to uphold the sanctity of the voting system. You get to choose, what kind of volunteer you want to be.
But you seem to be saying ( correct me if I'm wrong) that neither party should be "allowed" to help get out their vote. Are you also saying that volunteers should not man phones? Not answer questions for voteres trying to make up their minds?
Sorry, but I just don't understand the point you are trying to make in all your posts. Why are you associating greed with Obama supporters? And talking about spouting ideology and dogma? You just seem so angry...
Oh and by the way, I am a lifelong volunteer. I help people. And when there is an election I help to elect the party that I believe is going to be best for me AND my country, and for those people who are not always able to help themselves.
And this time, that means voting

[sensiblegal]

....and this time that means voting for Obama!

[Michale32086]

That is YOUR opinion.. And I respect that.

But, the problem I see here is that other AMERICANS (which I assume you to be) might have a DIFFERENT opinion..

And, the question that you have yet to answer is...

Do you respect THEIR opinion?

If you answer NO to that question how can you POSSIBLY consider yourself a liberal? Or even a Democrat??

Michale.....

[Palmz]

Don't forget Michale, McCain spent his campaign money running dirty derogatory divisive ads.

Obama spent his on a ground game.

Go get your own vols.

[Michale32086]

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Don't forget Michale, McCain spent his campaign money running dirty derogatory divisive ads.
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Here again, ya'all spout off "McCain" this and "McCain" that...

Who cares!???

Surely not I...

If I support David Gerrard, why would I give a flying frack when Brett Favre does something stoopid???

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Go get your own vols.
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Why would I want my own vole???

Michale.....

[one4obama]

OK, this is as far as I have gotten to read the comments here, and it is apparent from responses above this thread that you have made quite a few comments further down, which I will get to.

But in just reading this comment, you sound like one very angry individual. Perhaps an anger management class will do you some good.

However, if you are suffering from depression and it is being manifested in this manner, then you realllllly need to get some help for this!!

[Palmz]

A middle aged woman in the predominately black crowd doesn't miss a beat. "Honey, we've been waiting a long time." She's not talking about the four hours that she's spent in line.

AMEN SISTER!

[plafayette]

Hey Bart. As an Obama supporter here in Connecticut I have managed to get out up to Rhode Island and canvass in that area during the primary. Met some really great folks in the process. My state seems to be firmly in the right column so not much action happening from the direct campaign. I do plan to take the day off to offer rides to the polls. Keep up the good work. If you ever get the chance to campaign in CT look me up. Your friend in the struggle.

[Michale32086]

@DamianG

I liked your answer better and felt it REALLY deserves a "pick"...

Anyone who can put the welfare of their fellow Americans before ANY Party considerations deserves the recognition..

Those who just spout party dogma and ideology with the "us" and "them" mentality are a dime a dozen..

Michale.....

[Michale32086]

CONT

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And while we are on the subject of "Party before Country," can you honestly say that Mcain put his country BEFORE his party when he chose Palin as his running mate, and, more importantly, as his successor if something should happen to him?
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Why is it, whenever anyone questions a Democrat about Obama, they invaribly answer with, "What about how bad and evil and rotten McCain/Palin/Republicans are!!!!"??

I am an Obama supporter. I really don't give a rat's arse how bad McCain is.

That being said, I am an American first and foremost. If I am going to put myself out there to help my fellow Americans vote, I would not make such help dependent on whether or not said fellow American agrees with me or not.

That is simply a nice heaping helping of bigotry wrapped up in a nice hypocrisy tortilla shell...

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So please, no more lectures about party before country, ok?.
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Fair enough. Cut out the bigotry and hypocrisy and you won't hear a peep from me regarding Party Before Country..

But, since we're on that subject, let me ask you..

Do YOU place Country before Party??

If there are two courses of action to be taken, one which would greatly benefit the country but would hurt the Democratic Party greatly and the other which would greatly harm the country, but would help the Democratic Party immensely, which course of action would you choose??

Michale....

[Researchguy66]

It may simply be that many Obama supporters don't recgnize a distinction between Party and Country when it comes to this presidential election. If the interests of both are the same, then there's no need to put either before the other.

That said, I think Mr. Motes is purposefully "stirring the sh*&pot" in answering "No". He hardly seems like the kind of guy to throw an old lady to the curb based solely on a disagreement over who best to run the country.

[Michale32086]

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It may simply be that many Obama supporters don't recgnize a distinction between Party and Country when it comes to this presidential election. If the interests of both are the same, then there's no need to put either before the other.
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Greed.. In the particular case of the Presidential Election, the COUNTRY's needs are served by the election of Senator Obama...

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That said, I think Mr. Motes is purposefully "stirring the sh*&pot" in answering "No". He hardly seems like the kind of guy to throw an old lady to the curb based solely on a disagreement over who best to run the country.
{{{

I don't know Mr Motes from Adam so I won't cast aspirations on his character..

I WILL say, though, that there are MANY instances that simply prove my assertion that the hysterical Left and the hysterical Right are simply two different sides of the same pathetic, corrupt, bigoted and perverse coin...

Michale.....

[Michale32086]

That should read "AGREED", not "GREED"....

Dunno HOW that happened...

Michale.....

[Michale32086]

@sensiblegal

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Michale - I beg to disagree. Each party should have its own volunteers to get out their vote! You cannot seriosuly be questioning the patriotism of Bart or any other Obama volunteers for not also getting out the vote for MCain supporters?
{{{{

I am not questioning anyone's patriotism. I am simply stating that, if someone is wanting to help someone to go vote, it shouldn't matter WHO they are voting for.

Wouldn't you agree???

I mean, what's the point here?? What's more important?? Helping your fellow Americans? Or helping your own personal choice at the EXPENSE of your fellow Americans??

Honestly, picture the scene... A nice fellow goes up to a little old lady in a walker, "Ma'am.. Would you like some assistance to vote?" And the little old lady in the walker replies, "Why thank you nice sir. I really want to get in there so I can vote for McCain.." to which the "nice fellow" replies, "Sorry, ya old biddy.. yer on your own!!"

How is that justifiable???

CONT

[sensiblegal]

Great post Bart. This is the first election I can remember where people were inspired to do so much more than just vote for the candidate and the party they believe in. They are now a vital part of the whole election process. Active not passive.
This is truly the People's Election, and this is what is so great about Obama. He has reached out to everyone and said ( not quoting here,)
You are part of this great country and this great Democraitc process called a General election. You DO have a voice, and you DO have influence, If you want change, step right up and and make it happen.
There is nothing more energising than feeling that you can really, really make a difference. Thats where the inspiration comes from - and the tingle up Chris Matthews' leg!.

[Michale32086]

Mr Motes,

I am thrilled at the time you took to help out others..

However, the cynical side of me has one question and one question only.

Mr Motes, would you be so generous to help out an invalid voter to the voting station if said voter had stated their intention to vote for McCain??

Michale.....

[Bart Motes - Huffpost Blogger]

No.

[Michale32086]

While I applaud your honesty, I have to say that the attitude is simply sad.

It's the main thing that is wrong with this country.

People putting Party before Country..

Michale.....

[one4obama]

I have to say - your answer appalled me! When one volunteers to take people to the polls to vote, they should do so in a non-partisan manner.

[Ldyandrea]

I guess my question to you would be, are McCain volunteers also offering to take housebound people out to vote? This is a campaign, after all, and Mr. Motes is simply demonstrating his support of Obama by helping would-be Obama voters get to the polls.

Certainly, if someone wished to be a non-partisan GOTV supporter to offer such assistance, that would be great too......maybe you should start such an organization. :)

[Michale32086]

Touche...

But here is the question, which simply falls to one of respect.

Do you respect another American's opinion, even if it differs from your own..

What's more important to you?

Helping your fellow Americans to vote?

Or simply helping those Americans who agree with you?

Michale.....

[ThisIsNotThat]

Speaking of broadening "the field" ... anybody seen this?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7681168.stm

McCain solicits donations from Russia..

[Michale32086]

So, what's your point??

A month or two ago, Russia was the "good guys" for invading Georgia..

Now that it suits the purpose of the hysterical Left, Russia is the "bad guys" again..

You people really need to make up your minds...

Michale......