Volunteers Report on the Full-Media Campaign: How Obama Is Mailing, Pinging and Texting His Grassroots Supporters

Trolling the deep seas of the American electorate for voters, Barack Obama and John McCain are using 21st-Century communication tactics -- emails, text messages, FaceBook, video links, Twitter, GoogleGroups -- to enlist supporters in crucial battleground states, recruiting and deploying volunteer forces, and pumping up their campaign coffers.

Questions swirl around the high-tech barrage. Have the campaigns gone too far? Are they disorganized and overlapping? What kind of real impact are the new strategies making? Is it all just too confusing, turning off rather than turning on campaign volunteers and potential voters?

As our latest Huffington Post campaign volunteers report -- nearly 240 of them -- results vary. In the collage of emails, text messages, landline calls our reporters describe that were sent out during four days in the life of the election message campaigns, the sublime parallels the ridiculous, the welcome comes in alongside the scorned and despised.

Jon Carson Playing for Keeps

"Take the day off for Barack on Election Day and volunteer," wrote Obama National Field Director Jon Carson to Michelle Kloske from Huntsville, Ala.., last Monday. Carson's email struck pay dirt.

"There was a link to click and fill out your pledge to 'take the day off and make history.' I filled out my name and other contact info and I'm planning to be a Poll Watcher at my local polling station. I go to training on November 2," wrote Kloske, clearly pleased that the Obama campaign had provided her with just the volunteer gig that fit her lifestyle and free-time allotment.

Kloske wrote that the Obama campaign was especially good at communicating information when a story pops up in the news. "They rally donors to give at crucial times. They don't spread fear and dread... . Their message has been consistent for change from the beginning. I'm a proud Obama supporter."

Running on full tilt, Carson is the main man when it comes to deploying 'voter contact' strategies and tactics. It is his name that more often appears on the millions of blasted emails on nearly a daily basis to Obama (and some McCain) supporters throughout the country.

Carson offers a myriad of "opportunities" to support his candidate in his emails.

Don't Forget to Donate

"On Saturday, I was told [by Carson] I could either take the day off on Election Day to do GOTV activities, like making calls, watching the polls, and driving voters to the polls. Two links were provided... . The email specifically targeted the grassroots of the organization and emphasized that no experience was required. Again, a donate button trails at the bottom of the message," wrote Marie Ryan McMillian from Juneau, Alaska.

McMillian didn't volunteer this time but she has volunteered after other requests, particularly attending rallies, joining the Alaska postcard writing effort, and calling voters in Colorado, a must-win for Obama this fall should he lose Ohio or Pennsylvania.

Georgene Bergestrom from Tucson, Ariz., reported receiving emails from Campaign Director David Plouffe targeting the same group as Carson, only his donation requests were specific -- from $25 -- and also included general issue information hitting recent campaign hot buttons.

Nicole Aro Is (Phone)Banking on Swing States

Another name frequently mentioned by the Obamakin volunteers is Nicole Aro, National Phonebank Coordinator for the Obama campaign. She sends emails out using the same lists as Carson -- as well as local lists -- urging volunteers and supporters to make calls in Pennsylvania (or other swing states) to "help reach their goals of 100,000 calls," according to Bergestrom.

Almost unanimously, Obama supporters contributing to this article noted that none of the emails they received directly from the campaign were negative toward any candidate and they kept their requests very specific: the campaign asked for money or help with phonebanking or canvassing.

The Obama Internet and cell phone reach is wide and deep, however, sometimes colliding with McCain voters, raising their ire and hardening their loyalties.

Independent Tracy Karol from Georgetown, Texas wrote:

"I don't think I can count the number of emails I've received from the Obama campaign, but I will try. Let's include his surrogates. The most insulting, to me, was the one telling people to "ask for the day off from work" on Nov. 4. I received at LEAST two a day from Obama's campaign, Hillary Clinton (yesterday), Bill Clinton (yesterday), or others associated with his campaign (that would include, in my opinion, MoveOn and the Huffington Post). I also receive an excessive amount of text messages urging me to vote early (I already did, and not for him)... I've received on average one email a day from either Rick Davis, Sarah Palin, or John McCain on that side... Nothing like the inundation I've received from the Obama camp, which disgusts me."

Campaign Contact Sport Risks Blowback

Grassroots campaigning in the 21st Century is a contact sport, although crossing predictable affiliation lines creates pushback from Republicans and Democrats alike and rarely sways hardcore voters away from their home-team colors.

In hard-fought Virginia, where Obama is riding high in the polls and hoping for a Democratic upset for the first time in decades, Melissa Coope from Sterling, wrote: "I receive emails from the RNC and the DNC as well as all kinds of organizations, mostly the ones I sign up for. But, I have no idea why the RNC and other conservative email lists have my name on them... I plan on volunteering for Obama on Election Day but that has been my plan for quite some time."

Doug Edwards from Los Altos, Calif., an Obama supporter, shared an email he received last Saturday from Christian Ferry, McCain-Palin Deputy Campaign Manager:

SUBJECT: Super Saturday Team

"This morning, supporters in every state gathered together for McCain Nation's Super Saturday to elect John McCain and Sarah Palin. Senator McCain took some time from the campaign trail to join us on a conference call to give us a quick update on the state of the race. We're beginning to see the polls tighten as more Americans get the truth about Barack Obama's plan to "spread the wealth around" through tax increases on hard working Americans like Joe the Plumber. Our campaign even sponsored the "I'm Joe the Plumber" video contest this week for people just like you to share why they too are Joe the Plumber. Please take a minute today to watch a few videos....If you weren't able to attend a McCain Nation event today, you still have an opportunity to volunteer your efforts from home to elect John McCain and Sarah Palin. Please follow this link to take part in our weekly Virtual Super Saturday by making 20 calls for our campaign...Thanks for all your time and dedication....P.S. Have you voted yet? Absentee and early voting is the best way to avoid the long lines on Election Day and ensure you can cast your vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin. Visit www.johnmccain.com/ab for absentee and early vote information in your home state...Join Our Team Make Calls

After receiving daily emails from the Obama campaign for months, Edwards has removed his name and email from all the Obama lists since he maxed-out his contribution limits and "doesn't need the pep talks or solicitations."

Obama Campaign Bombarding Volunteers?

Like Edwards, some of our OTB contributors have maxed out, either with money or time, and sometimes both. There have been concerns both inside and outside the Obama campaign that volunteers are being bombarded by too many groups requesting duplicate efforts and creating confusion in the volunteer corps that will "make or break the campaign."

In Tampa, Fla., Beverly Shaw wrote that she received these emails in a three day period:

"Angela Botticella, Florida Barack Obama campaign, requesting to take 5 friends with me to vote early.

The DNC about the new Obama debunking site: http://radar.barackobama.com. It also asked for us to report any "robocalls" from the McCain campaign.

Jon Carson, Barack Obama, asked me to take the day off on Election Day. "We have volunteer shifts to fill throughout the day -- make calls, knock on doors, and make sure your fellow voters get to the polls." ("Incidentally, I received this e-mail three times, she writes.")

Al Gore, supporting Barack Obama; but the email came from MoveOn.org. He also asked me to volunteer in the final days, and of course to donate financially.

Hillary Clinton from the DNC. She asked for a donation to the DNC."

Shaw noted that all the different organizations expressed the sentiment that "it ain't over till it's over." Quotes like this one from the Obama/Biden campaign: "Now let's make sure we don't wake up on November 5th wishing we had done more."

This message of "not counting chickens before they're hatched" has been increasing as Election Day nears, but Shaw also noticed a theme strongly urging her to vote early since Florida allows it.

Florida voters like Shaw, Joyce Ford, Brenda Ordonez, Gary Szasz, Tonya Lee, Joyce Ford, Kate Singleton, Crystal Karanovich, Janet McClanahan, and other Sunshine State Dems have been deluged with emails from the Obama campaign asking them to volunteer as well as to vote early and bring '5 other voters' with them.

One political consultant who insisted on remaining anonymous said, "The Obama campaign has done almost everything better online during this cycle. They have created a kind of fancy system for volunteer recruitment... funneling volunteers to field organizers, sharing national lists with them so volunteers are getting emails from potentially the national campaign, the DNC, surrogates and other national groups...It may be too deconstructed and probably needs to be more centralized, coordinated, and streamlined. They may even be doing that now."

Overkill or just cautious enthusiasm from the Democratic machine and their political allies is a big question hanging over this campaign, which won't be answered until a post-mortem by techno-political experts and doctoral students is completed months or even, years from now.

Obama Volunteer Cool Factor

Streamlined or confusing, the vast majority of Obama volunteers usually welcomed their daily emails, text messages and frequent phone calls to participate in the campaign, because as Dolly Laub from Houston wrote, "[Obama has made] volunteering a cool thing to do."

"I know that just before this past weekend I got a request from Obama's campaign to drive to New Mexico... Calling people isn't fun. But who doesn't like going on a road trip because it appeals to a what-the-hell streak in you that you might not have followed since university days. It sounded like fun and if I hadn't been working all weekend and weren't a single mother, I would have jumped at it... They [Obama Campaign] are really good at selling these ideas... But who doesn't like going on a road trip? All I know is that despite an incredible work load, the requests seem fun."

Karen Waller wrote that every time she goes into work, the staff is there but there are so many new volunteers, so many people working hard here. "It's fun and exciting. Go Obama. I will work on Thursday and Friday on the phones and will drive on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Yes, I called and went to the rally... This is Colorado!"

Final Push -- Targeting Battleground States

From the town of Centennial, Waller received emails on Friday, Saturday and Monday from her local Obama headquarters. She was asked to drive people to the polls for early voting for three days, organize voting packets and deliver them door to door, and volunteer as a runner.

Waller isn't alone.

There was a large contingent of Colorado volunteers contributing to this article since the Rocky Mountain State is one of the all-important swings, where the Obama Campaign has launched hundreds of thousands of calls from their Internet volunteer phonebanks and energized just as many boots on the ground... all the while continuing to ask for donations.

Petur Williams from Boulder received a string of emails in a four day period, starting on Friday from the Colorado Obama campaign, asking him to join Barack Obama at an 'Early Vote for Change Rally' at the Civic Center Park in Denver.

The next day, an email came shooting into his computer from the Boulderobama.com organization inviting him to a "Last in Series" $34 Family-style Evening for Obama dinner on Monday, though suggesting a $75 per person donation.

On Sunday, October 26, he received an email from Obama for America, asking him to choose an exact time and day for a volunteer shift, and to please donate.

Monday, October 27, he was invited to join Kevin Costner by the Boulderobama.com committee for a Tuesday early vote rally at CU Boulder, where he was expected to vote early and donate again.

Did all the activity, events, and donation requests prickle William's sensibilities?

"Obama's campaign is absolutely perfect [when] asking for the money. Each of the hundreds of e-mails I have gotten from them, since early in the campaign when they asked me to donate, and also, most have asked me to spread the word or enlist others. As a result of the requests, I went to various neighborhood homes to suggest that I would be happy to drive people to the polls or the County Clerk for early voting any day before the election," reported Williams.

Although residing in Wilmington, Delaware, Brooke Bovard volunteers at the local Obama headquarters' phonebank, ringing voters in Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania, and voters across Indiana. Bovard received email marching orders from Jon Carson and Nicole Aro that included attending house parties and encouraging her to make calls from home to battleground states.

Swing States in Play

Battleground states Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Nevada and Colorado are included in the list Obama's cyber-volunteers are asked to phone. Many of those emails originate from Moveon.org, Jon Carson and Nicole Aro and Terence Tolbert, Nevada State Director. Kelcie Moseley from Moscow, Idaho, receives constant emails from all of them. While she hasn't hit the 'volunteer button' yet, she does plan to volunteer this weekend.

The latest email punch lines are enough to drive the most reluctant wannabe-volunteer into a local Obama phonebank, according to Moseley:

"I know I wouldn't want to wake up on November 5 and feel like I didn't do all I could to
help elect Barack Obama as our next president," and the donate button is always at the bottom of the e-mails. They always give links, and they've been telling me regularly that no experience is required to participate."

Safe-State Volunteers Focus Elsewhere

Although Illinois is a safe bet for the Dems, many party faithful in this Midwestern state are being asked to make phone calls to other swings states, most notably, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania as well as being asked to drive to these states for face-to-face canvassing and volunteering.

Obama and McCain are locked in a tight battle for Indiana, but not for lack of trying as John Lester and MJ Shroyer reported. From Lake Villa, Ill., Lester received emails from Obama for America, requesting him to sign up for shifts later in the week if he can't phonebank over the weekend. Jon Carson asked him to phone bank rural voters in Pennsylvania and to drive to Indiana to help the Obama staff. Nicole Aro reminded Lester that they are "neck-neck in Ohio, Florida and Virginia" and encouraged him to join 'Last Call for Change' house parties and to watch Obama's special half-hour national TV program.

For MJ Shroyer in Galesburg, Ill., she was contacted by Charlie Anderson, Border State Director of Obama's Indiana Campaign, asking her to drive to Indiana and chat-up local voters. Obama Action Wire sent her a link to a website to report Robocalls and mailers to the campaign and Nicole Aro, Obama's National Phonebank Coordinator, blasted her an email inviting her to attend a 'Last Call for Change' phonebank party to call supporters in Ohio, Florida and Virginia.

Although Georgia is a full-on Red state, Obama has moved up in the polls and the Dems are challenging GOP candidates in close matches. Vida Moultrie from Alpharetta, Georgia, has been volunteering at her local phone bank reminding people to vote. She's received emails from the Georgia State Obama State Director Al Gore, and the ever-present Jon Carson.

Vida's been encouraged to vote early in addition to calling female voters in swing states. So far she's limited her volunteering to knock on local doors and phone calling but reports that former Vice President Gore asked her to drive to a swing state and volunteer with the Obama campaign.

The large California troop of volunteers contributing to this article reported that their emails in the last four days are focused more on GOTV efforts and convincing battleground state voters in Nevada, Ohio, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania to vote and vote early, if possible. Most of their work is done through cyber phonebanks run by a variety of local and national organizations like Moveon.org., the DSCC, the DNC, and the Obama campaign. Some are even attending old fashioned bake sales like Jennifer Halliday from Tujunga, California.

Playing the Guilt Card

With its persistent cascade of well-crafted emails, text messages, phone calls, door knocks and campaign ads, the Obama machine has honed the fine art of guilt as well as has any overbearing mother.

"[I haven't volunteered]...I feel guilty. I still might, but I DO give money when I get these emails, even after I swear I won't give any more, I end up donating. I am no good at going door to door and I am also not real fond of calling people, but I would like to DO something so that Obama and ALL the democrats win... so I give money....to Obama and the DCCC (who also emails me all the time)," wrote Ann Marie Testa of Villa Park, Ill.

Whatever works to shake down a few more bucks, gain an hour of someone's precious volunteer time and pull in an unwilling political soldier to slip on his or her combat boots, both Republican and Democratic campaigns will use to get their team elected to the highest office in the nation.

High tech combined with high touch obviously works. The big dealers of this game include the national parties, presidential campaigns, state and local campaign offices, Moveon.org, and various conservative and progressive organizations with a major stake in the 2008 election outcome.

Energized, visionary, turning dreary tasks into adventures -- or misadventures -- behind the drapes of a campaign's slick, sophisticated, organized, and highly disciplined facade, our insiders continue plowing through their full email boxes, returning phone calls from their campaign surrogates and various offices, and generally step-up to the plate and take a few swings hoping to change the country's direction.

The McCain-Palin ticket has their email tentacles out there, too and they are fighting till the end, which isn't too far away. No doubt, Republican and Democratic voters in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Missouri and Colorado will look forward to November 5 as much as the thousands of volunteers whose job it is to persuade, register, vote, and shake down for a few more bucks.

Whether the Obama or McCain campaigns have gone too far or not far enough in their long cyber-reach to gain votes in these battleground states, will be a subject others will unravel after the election has ended. There's no doubt, however, that harnessing these new communication technologies has irreversibly changed the election process -- and underlined again the crucial importance of the campaign volunteers who answered the call.

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Thanks to all of you who contributed to this article and whose stories and insights have given a unique perspective to the new world of political campaigns: Don Alford, Tania Arias, Joanne Bartling, Dale Bauman, Heidi Becker, Laura Beitzell, Max Benjamin, Georgene Bergstrom, Jill Bernstein, Jeff Bianco, Angela Billings, Sue Bisco, Sherry Blackburn, Sonja Blair, Deb Blosnich, Beth Boal, Steve Bomber, Brook Bovard, Erica Bowsher, Stu Brann, Sally Brian, Lucy Buchanan-Parker, Dororthy Butler, Nancy Butterfield, Jody Byrne, Birgit Calhoun, Christine Calvo, Sean Camoni, Laurie Cashman, Teresa Caviness, Betsy Cazden, Kelli Joe Claxton, Erin Coffman, Annie Collart, Sheila Condit, John Cook, Melissa Coope, Gwen Cooper, Phoebe Coupe, Dolores Craig, Xoe Cranberry, Craig Davidson, Barbara Delph, Horace Demane, Julius Derico, Diane DiDonato, Kris Digiovanni, Michele Douglas, K. Dunlap, Diane Duren, Jamie Eberhard, Doug Edwards, George Evans, Joseph Faletti, Stefanie Fontanez, Joyce Ford, Sarah Franco, Michele Freemon, Donna Gagnon, Sharon Goldwasser, Peri Lyn Gordon-Flohr, Coleman Goughary, Harry Greenbaum, August Greitens, Ben Grover, Jennifer Halliday, Nancy Hammond, Claudia Hanes, Keri Hardwick, Alys Hay, Richard Hebert, Lori Hepler, Lisa Herman, Everett Holton, Dottie Hook, Patricia Hopkins, Niall Huffman, Anna Jannak, Katherine Jennings, Kirstin Jewell, Crystal Karanovich, Tracy Karol, Laurie Kaufman Amber, Marie Kent, John Kenyon, Yamini Kesavan, Launie Kettler, Dennis Kim-Prieto, Debby Kleinberg, Deb Kling, Michelle Kloske, Melinda Kohn, Erica Krause, Kathi Kuehnel, Gilberto Kuhn, Deborah Lake, Amala Lane, Stacie LaPointe, Dolly Laub, David Lawrence Stein, Tonya Lee, Lloyd Lee, Karynn Leonard, Tom Leonard, John Lester, Kelly Lewis, Madolyn Locke, Angelique Louis, Sondra Lowell, Freddrenna Lyle, Martina Macias, Julie Magilen, Roger Marle, Jennifer Marquis, Marcy Marzuki, Christina Mathis, Paula Mays, Luisa McAneny, Michael McCarthy, Janet McClanahan, Marie Ryan McMillan, Vlad Meltzer, Charles Messerly, Latoya Mitchell, Kim Mlynarski, Atla Moore, Kelcie Moseley, Vida Moultrie, Margie Nelson, Jo Anne Nelson, Bernard Nisenholz, Art Norman, Emi Nyman Giles, Bobbie Oakland, Ellen Obstler, Anthony O'Con, Octavia Oliver, Brenda Ordonez, Sarah Orsborn, Licia Owolo, Chidimma Ozor, Annette Pappas, Yolanda Paul, Charles Pavlack, Ruthann Pearson, Norman Pearson, David Pease, Anne Peck, Laura Perry, Uzoma Peter Lane, Jenny Peterson, Heidi Pickman, Wendy Piersall, Sarah Pinsker, Deanna Platt, Michele Plaut, Deborah Plummer, Adrienne Poremba, Tracy Potts, Jen Procter, Patricia Purcell, Curt Quass, Bob Raines, Linda Rasmussen, Holly Regan, Anita Rice, Richard Riehl, Michael Roe, Gillian Rosheuvel, Vanessa Ryan, Teresa Salas, Mary Ann Savard, Juli Schatz, Karen Schmitt, Amy Schroth, Kathy Schuler-Ringo, Martin Schwartz, Dennis Seese, Karen Sellars, Antonio Semeco, Sandy Semenas, Beverly Shaw, Emma Shlaes, MJ Shroyer, Kate Singleton, Antona Smith, Kimberly Smith, Neva Smith, Lorraine Smith, Georgene Smith, Derek Snow, Noreen Snyder, David Somerville, Alfred Speredelozzi, Whit Spurgeon, Sharon States, Monica Stewart, Rob Stewart, Wm Sype, Gary Szasz, Sharon Tesche, Ann Marie Testa, Theresa Tracy, Yolande Tomlinson, Jennifer Tuttle, Barbara Tymes, Anya Tyson, Richard Unice, Jeanine Vaerewyck, Carol Voigts, Marilyn Wadden, Karen Waller, Kathy Walters, Robert Walton, Amy Warner, Doreen Warner, Kevin White, Diane Wildfang, Eileen Wilks, Petur Williams, Amber Wilson, Dawne Wise, Edward Wrong, Cheryl Yeko, "Lynne," "MC," "CatoTheCensor," "Helen," "Sherry," "Mario," "J.R. Hale," "Kiran," "Carol," "Charles," "Kari," "Kimberly," and "Leslie."

Comments

[carolcobra1947]

Tonight I received a robo-call.­..........­. from the next President of the United States, Barack Obama !!!

He was calling to ask me, as a Georgian, to vote for Jim Martin for Senator. He, of course, didn't know that we had both already voted for Martin, as we voted for him and every other Democrat on the ballot! To be honest, as a Georgian, it's almost as important to me to get rid of Sucksby Shameless as it is to get Obama in the White House ! Almost.

I say 'almost', because I'm driving 45 miles into Florida on Tuesday to canvass and assist voters there, feeling that my efforts can do Obama more good there.

I'm 61, and I've never been politically active before. I said in 2000 that I would get involved in 2004, and I didn't. I said in 2004 that I would get involved in 2006, and I didn't. I SWORE in 2006 that I would get involved in 2008, AND I HAVE !!!!!!!

And it feels wonderful !!

I'll be making phonecalls to battleground states until Tuesday. Living in Georgia gets lonely for Democrats. It's been such fun to other Democrats the past few weeks.

There's still time. GET INVOLVED ! For the sake of our country. I'd really like to have it back.

I've already put my money where my mouth is, as much as I could afford. Tuesday I'll be putting my feet out there as well. What will YOU be doing?

[dsigeorge]

The following quote from Beverly is unsupportable and slanted: "the Obama machine has honed the fine art of guilt as well as has any overbearing mother." As an Obama/Biden contributor, door-to-door canvaser and caller, the e-mails I have received from the DNC and the Obama/Biden campaign have been civil and without pressure. These requests for aid have been nothing like the pressure my mother put on me to do what she may have decided was best. The understandable fear of the neocon slime machine has made us vigilant against any complacency in this vital election. Beverly's pronouncement above sounds like sour grapes to me.

[BevDavis]

Yo, lighten up dsigeorge.­..Obviousl­y, I'm not a comedic writer...I've never seen a better organized ground game than Obama's and I've been covering presidential campaigns since...well, a long time...but that line came from reading more than several volunteers' and their remarks, where also made in half-jest...thanks for writing and mostly, thank you for participating in this historic campaign...McCain has run a disgusting general campaign against Obama...and if you've read anything else I've written since 2007, you'd know I'm decidedly pro-O.

[larry278]

Since I voted early, the annoying phone calls to me aren't going to change my vote. Those who make robo-calls to me ge an email from me for each robo-call inflicted upon me. Those who are working phone banks get a hang up from me after they say, "I'm Joe Blow...". I've turned my phone of unless I want to make a phone call. My phone will be turned off till 11/5/08.
Phone banks & robo-calls are a waste of time & money. These calls antagonize voters. Voters may choose to vote for the candidate who makes phone calls to voters.

[Happyexpat]

Am chuckling about the "guilt" factor as 10 minutes ago I just made a final donation of $50. Like a lot of donors, I don't have much money--especially at the moment because, as is often the case with free-lance writers, I'm "waiting for the checks." But the truth is, I've never felt more a part of something really big. With all of the terrible things happening in the world, with all of the horrors of the last 8 years (still unfolding) I feel so lucky to be a part of this campaign to get this extraordinary man elected. I opted out of politics pretty much 40 years ago when my candidate was assassinated taking a short cut through a Los Angeles hotel kitchen. I always voted, but.....And now this..something sweeping across our country, gathering together young, old, black, white, christian, muslim, jew. Did I mind the daily e mails? Are you kidding? I'm hoping we'll be getting daily updates from the White House, the Senate and Congress for the next 8 years urging us to make our thoughts and feelings known. And yes, I'll send $ too.

[Hedonist88]

Tracy Carol's vote was influenced by how many less email alerts she received from a candidate??
Some people should really not be allowed to vote...

[sherpeace]

I'm also wondering about those e-mails. I get e-mails from the Obama campaign, Move On and various other organization and I have NOT been inundated with e-mails. Makes me wonder if this is another plot (for lack of a better word) by the Repugs. They were calling people claiming to be Move On, to tell them not to vote, as the lines would be too long. I also heard about an ad that told people, "Don't forget to vote on Nov. 5th."
AND why is Tracy Carol getting e-mails from both parties? It all sounds kinda fishy to me.
OBAMA/BIDEN '08

[asemeco]

I am afraid the author is concentrating in last minute attempts to recruit volunteers. If most recruitment were happening this late, that would reveal a badly organized campaign.
My experience in Cobb County, Georgia is different: We organized our GOTV teams over two weeks ago; we have been calling to complete the ranks of canvassers and phone bankers, but most of the team has been in place for a while. We've had rehearsals and dry runs.
I believe the same is happening everywhere else in Georgia.
You missed the best part of this story.
And, of course, I am with Obama.

[BevDavis]

You're right...I was only digesting and reporting nearly 240 volunteers' who sent in their experiences...of only 4 days of email, texting and other messages from the campaigns, unions, and other org's involved...thanks for sharing!

[Shzron1946]

I volunteered for Obama and they took me at my word. They call me when there is a need and they don't let me forget about them. I have volunteered for others and never been contacted. These other orgs have been pretty disorganized and, if I turned up, were never sure what to do with me. On the other hand, if I just go to the Obama headquarters uninvited, they ALWAYS have something for me to do.

Here is the thing. If you know anything about a successful community program, you know that if people are not moved to give both their time and their money, they are not really into it. I assure you that Obama knows his people are fully involved. That means the 1 to 4 e-mails I get from either Obama or one of the other leaders is not a nuisance for me. I like that they keep me up to date, I don't feel guilty if I can't show up for them, but I am so committed that if I can't come when they ask me, I come when I can.

I believe in what I am doing and I want to hear what is going on. This is the best community program I have ever been involved in and I hope, after he is elected, the contact will continue, since the TV news is just plain broken.

Obama '08!

[Strywever]

I suspect that kinks like those described above will be worked out over time. They're using new technologies in new ways, and their systems are bound to have a few bugs.

Obama's campaign makes me PROUD!!!!

[longcrl]

This campaign has made me feel, busy as I am, extremely involved. EVERY time I get an email I think "Maybe we can get him elected and change the messy mires, the criminal activity on behalf of the corporations and the illegal, senseless and money-squandering war. Yeah, it's been a helluva lot of emails....­.......the campaign has simply done an astounding amount of effective work toward the end of winning.

THANK you, Obama/Biden for being so technology savvy and so in touch--in every way--with American voters.

NO other campaign in my experience as a 62-year-old yellow-dog Dem who's managed many a local headquarters, has been 1/100th this effective. GO OBAMA!!

[maryhaze]

i'm too crippled to canvas & too mean to work phones, so i cook. today's menu is baked spaghetti & those kids love some home cooking. i think i'm gonna do a loaf of bread & maybe brownies too. oh yeah, i've also donated the max.

[sherpeace]

Yuuuummmm. You go, girl! We had a chocolate fountain at our Move On calling party.

[BevDavis]

Ah, that's sweet!

[aquarharris688]

I like being informed. Obama has run an outstanding campaign, unlike his opponent. This is why I have confidence in how he will operate as President of the United States, if we all ensure that all our acquaintances cast their votes on November 4. Kudos to Obama for choosing Joe Biden as his V.P., because we will be in safe hands with the Obama/Biden team.

Is everyone as excited as I am?

[autumn4eva]

sent my last donation of 50 in today. I can't really afford it , but I can't afford NOT to even more. GO OBAMA / BIDEN !!!!!
Take no chances we have come this far because of all the dedicated volunteers and contributors. To you I say " YOU ROCK"
Happy Halloween everyone :o)

[SharonAustinTX]

I do not mind getting regular e-mails from the Obama campaign. I contribute regularly (almost every time asked) and feel part of something bigger than myself. I feel part of the Obama family in a larger sense. It's the first time in my life I've been excited to get involved in politics.

My real family is concerned about the amount of time I've given to the campaign and ask 'what are you going to do after the election is over?' I'm not sure how to answer that. However I do know I will never stop being involved and will be ONE OF MILLIONS in the coalition to help Obama move this country forward.

[maryhaze]

how about doing other volunteer work? maybe at a hospital, school or animal shelter. or wherever your particular talents lead you. just a thought....:-))))

[SpiderJ]

I agree that the emails can get a bit much but if people don't wish to recieve them there is an easy link right at the bottom to stop the mailers and besides if we want a government that is actually working for the people the people need to do some work themselves. I have donated what I can spare and I've been making sure that everyone I know stays up to date and has voted early if they can. I recieve about 3 emails a day from the Obama camp and at least as many from the Democratic party but I expect it to increase as the election nears it's last couple of days, after all the progress they've made I don't blame them for not wanting to spike the ball just before they cross the goal line, we're wanting the touchdown here. Obama/Biden 08

[proudloudlib]

I got several text messages telling me to vote early. Since I voted the first day possible, after 3 or 4 of these messages, I texted back that I had voted already. I wasn't surprised to get an immediate text saying "thanks for contacting us," but was really impressed when, about 45 minutes or an hour later, I got another text that was signed by an actual person who had obviously READ my message. That is good organization!

BTW, I haven't gotten any more messages telling me to vote. These people pay attention!