Welcome To The Ground War

It was the first Saturday in May. Spring was trying to creep in but Winter had his back to the door and both feet planted, refusing to budge. And I got an e-mail from Caroline Kennedy, which warmed me up.

Chip --

My father called on Americans to ask what they could do for their country.
Those who answered his call built a movement that transformed our country and brought out the best in our national character...Now, Barack is calling on a new generation of leaders to get involved and help transform this country...The Obama Organizing Fellowship is designed not just to help win this election, but to strengthen our democracy by training dedicated volunteers in communities across the country.

Answer the call. Ask what you can do -- for this movement, for our democracy, and for this country.

Now, those of you who read my columns regularly (yes, I'm looking at you two!) know that I'm completely in the tank for Barack Obama. After twenty years laboring in the local vineyards of retail politics, Obama is the most transcendent candidate I have ever seen. I live in Illinois, and had heard respectful, even admiring, comments from Republicans here when he was first running for the US Senate. I was blown away by his speech at the '04 convention. And, again, speaking as an experienced political operative who's seen every trick in the book, his campaign is truly different from any I've ever seen. It may look similar in its externals, but it is changing the way elections are run and won.

And this e-mail was giving me a chance to become a part of that revolution. After much discussion (a.k.a. negotiation a.k.a. begging) with the lovely Mrs. Chip (a.k.a. She Who Is Always Right) I clicked on the link the night before the deadline and entered my application.

After a phone interview and a couple of weeks dining on my fingernails, that magic e-mail finally appeared in my inbox, with the single word subject: "Congratulations."

Dear Chip

Congratulations!

We've reviewed your fellowship application, and I am pleased to offer you admission into the Obama Organizing Fellows program.

Although Barack will campaign vigorously in all 50 states, our need for fellows is particularly high in certain states, and we strongly encourage you to relocate to one of these high-need states to participate in the program.

The program in these high-need states will begin with training from June 14th to June 16th. Afterwards, fellows will organize for Barack in communities in these states through July 26th.

So da Chipster is going to head off next week to join the movement, and work a new set of vineyards on behalf of Barack Obama. And I'm going to experience first-hand what it is like to be on the ground for the quintessential 21st-century presidential campaign in a key 19th- and 20th-century swing state: Ohio, the Cradle of Presidents! Next Friday, I'll pack up the dented Chrysler, put the top down, bid adieu to the wife and teens and, with a cigar in my teeth and Bruce in the CD player, drive to Columbus to begin training on Saturday. Baby, I was Born to Run!

But this, loyal readers, doesn't mean the columns will end. Oh, no, you two won't get off that easy!

Rather, Off The Bus will host my column newly christened as "The Ground War," that being the term of art for individual voter contact, as opposed to the "air war" of media blitzing. In this campaign diary, I will chronicle my adventures in the trenches, juxtaposing my two decades of experience against the fresh, new approach that volunteers learned so well last summer at "Camp Obama," to the sorrow of Edwards, Clinton et. al.

I hope you'll join me for that adventure, and that you'll enjoy seeing presidential politics from a new perspective, albeit through the quirky eye of this old campaign warhorse, who is answering the call of a new bugle.

Comments

[george082257]

I cannot help but think that if Mr Obama looked more like his mother and less like his father all of this "transcendent" hero worship would be gone. Just another John Edwards. Besides a gift for oratory and the ability to make his followers swoon I do not see what all the fuss is about. Except he is African American. So if that is a good enough reason to vote for him (besides, of course, that he isn't Bush or Bush Lite) would it be a good enough, or bad enough, reason not to vote for him? If we embrace the one can we reject the other? When you tell the American public that the reason you are voting for Mr Obama is because he is African American don't you run the risk of legitimizing the counter argument that it is OK to vote against him just because of his race?

[MichaelTempler]

just check the www.fightthesmears.com

website

saw his birth certificate

saw report on his school and pictures of him and his teachers

they are pretty similar to hear

they were all wearing western style clothes

there were religious classes for both Christians and Muslims

remember he is living with his mother at this time

[appleknocker]

What makes you think that this campaign is the "quintessential 21st century presidential campaign"? There are many campaigns to go before the century is over, and for all we know now, this one may be an aberration.

[tomjuarez]

Congrats Chip and good luck!

Lets pull out all the stops and decimate the GOP in November.

Cheers!

[JJaye]

Wow Chip, I could visualize you in the dented Chrysler and I could almost smell your cigar! That's what Obama does - he inspires others to give of themselves. Godspeed Chip and strength and thanks to your wife. We need more of your stock and I will follow your blog religiously.

[EngineerBill]

Apropos of nothing Barack Obama has a new web site
www.fightthesmears.com
If you ever get any more e-mails that contain "Barack Hussein Obama" reply with that web address because it will refute the garbage somebody just sent you.

[EngineerBill]

For reasons that I don't quite understand, clicking on the link won't work. You have to type it yourself.

[vonniewit]

Welcome to Ohio. I was born and raised in Cincinnati but live in Columbus. I plan to volunteer for the Obama campaign. I hope to meet you in person.

[jessval]

As a life-long Ohioan I would like to welcome you with open arms to my state. I'm a faithful supporter of Obama and I'm so grateful that you would take this opportunity to help here. I wish you the best of luck, but I'm confident that with your experience and belief in Obama you won't need luck! Welcome to Ohio!

[kareanderson]

Chip, well you clearly have more than two readers

... and many of us are eager to help you in your "ground war" - so keep in mind as you are covering it here and working as a Fellow, ask for the specific ways we can help you from where ever we are. As a former journalist, covering politics and business, I too feel this is a different kind of candidate, campaign, time for our country.... Read the book Here Comes Everybody, ...... consider us your extra brigades

Kare Anderson
http://www.movingfrommetowe.com/

[claudiam]

Chip, this is an exciting time in our country. I look forward to reading your blog. I think most of us will be out there helping to make this 'Change' for our country. Here we come back America!

[MizKit]

Congrats Chip. Always read what you have to say. I'm a fan.

[busybeez]

Good luck, stay positive! We can change our country!

[arkgrfx61]

Looking forward to reading about your adventures! What an exciting experience...:).

[blaqntelligence]

Good luck, stay safe, and continue to keep it real.
Definitely look forward to your "Tales from the Trail".
lolola was right this is a "ground war" and Barack Obama is taking it to the repubs, on their turf.
This will be quite interesting.

[4wehttam]

That is so awesome. To be able to just go like that would be heaven. I've tried to volunteer my time here and there in PA, but with a two year old in tow, it's a little difficult to get around easily. I'll continue donating money and my time to the best of my abilites until Barack is in the WH.

I honestly believe in this man as well. I've never really been into politics until now and feel like there are days when I can't sleep because I'm constantly thinking about what the next attack, smear or lie will be directed at him. Huffpo is one of the FEW places I feel comfortable.

Thank you sooooo much for sharing your story. Good luck and keep us informed.

[CamJam]

Good luck and best wishes to you on this fantastic journey and for the BEST man that can do this job.
I'm really looking forward to reading more on (just saved you as a fan of this blogger)