Tonight in Tucson, about 40 citizens gathered in Congressman Raul Grijalva's headquarters to watch the first debate of the presidential candidates. The citizens were from the north, south , east and west of the site for the viewing of this debate. Attending was a coalition of volunteer groups: Grijalva/Obama volunteers; 'Vets for Obama'; and citizens for or against many propositions on the ballot, many state legislature issues. Social Workers, Vets, moms, dads, students, professionals. Why would these people gather from all over Tucson?
First reason is named Michelle Crow. Michelle is the head of the Grijalva/Obama volunteers. After meeting her, I would say she was a kindred spirit to Obama. Her volunteers man the phones, stuff campaign literature in envelopes, register voters, canvass the neighborhoods, explaining about the early ballots to voters, explain the proposed propositions on the ballot to the voters and to encourage voters that haven't voted in some time to get out to vote this time! She's sharp, knowledgeable and confident! She states that canvassing the neighborhoods is her favorite way of connecting with the voters. In that way she is certain that she and her people have covered all the information that they need to know. While she spoke, she stated and I agreed, that we were doing what Barack told us he would do. He said he would change things from bottom up, by organizing all of us to work together.
The second reason for some of the citizens attending is Benny Kennedy, the co-chair of the 'Arizona Vets for Obama'. His co-chairman is Brig. General John Adams, in Phoenix. Benny told me that the vets need things and they didn't care for either party's platform. At that time Barack Obama declared himself a candidate for president. Obama visited the wounded vets in Washington and found that they were paying for their food and phone calls. Immediately he took care of that. Every one agreed that Obama was their man. Three weeks ago Benny and General Adams contacted about 50 vets of Arizona. Benny said that many of the vets can't physically pitch in but help financially. Benny's vets man the phones, canvass the neighborhood, attend political functions wearing the Obama shirts, register voters and anything they are called upon to do.
As I was leaving to go home, David R. Evans-Higuera, leader of the volunteers against Prop. 200 stopped me and gave me his card. In the very few minutes that David and I talked, I ascertained that David had the same passion that Michelle, Benny and all of the volunteers had.
Barack would have gently smiled and walked away like John Wayne after seeing what he had created!