Obama's Newbie Activists: Unloved By Insiders But Here To Stay
Ok, I admit it.
I was not very active in the Democratic party prior to Senator Obama's candidacy. I have never voted with another party, but I didn't go to the county meetings, or give to the state campaign. I am contrite about this. The reality is there are millions of people like me, who were disenchanted with the establishment and did not believe that being active would do us any good. Invigorated by Senator Obama's fresh message and realistic view of policy, we got involved, we quit our jobs to work for the campaign, we worked day and night and weekends to get him the nomination. We are excited to join each other and bring the Democratic Party to power in November. So why is it that they do not seem to want us around?
After the primary season ended, I went to party events, to get more involved locally. I was elected a delegate at the district level, but found that the process of actually getting chosen to go to the convention in Denver was built to favor the party insider, not we newcomers, who innocently thought that it would be a democratic process. Instead we found whispers and hidden lists of predetermined candidates. I had quit my job and worked for a Wal Mart-like salary for the campaign for six months. I cannot get a ticket to the speech at INVESCO. The delegates I know who were elected? No guest passes. It is an event that will be populated primarily by friends and family of party elite, not the people whose work on the ground won caucuses and primaries across the nation.
I have decided to channel my frustration with the party by getting my hands dirty. I am running for the Kansas House of Representatives to try to make the party a more open environment for people like me. Here is a comical video about our experience so far!
We may be late to the party, but we are here to make a difference.
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Great post, Kristi. You and I worked together a bit, and I know exactly what your sacrifice has been. I guess I'm really bummed about the ticket thing myself. I didn't work as hard as you did, but I did walk a few miles during a Kansas winter for Obama and made a ton of calls. I just wish the process for handing out tickets to the stadium was more democratic. I would have even liked a real "first come, first serve" approach, even if that meant standing in line at the stadium overnight or whatever. At least then, we'd have SOME level of control over whether we got in--if we wanted it badly enough, we could have camped out, etc. If some folks were willing to make that kind of sacrifice and sleep outside, then they should get in! And if I decided that was just too crazy, then at least I could feel like that was my choice and I wouldn't begrudge those who sucked it up and waited in line. This way, we were left to a system that seems completely arbitrary or even worse--fixed. It's really too bad.
Kristi, You are a true Hero......
http://www
Bravo!!!! Keep us posted.
I can assure you that what Kristi speaks of is very real. It's certainly not the reality that new Obama volunteer activists like myself ever imagined or expected.
At our delegate convention, there was an obvious bitterness toward us "grassroots" Obama folks, and people who had never done a thing to help the campaign's efforts waltzed in and got themselves elected as delegates. I am certainly not making a blanket statement about all party veterans that we have encountered (some have been great), but the lack of respect shown to us by many in return to our outreached hands was very disheartening.
We certainly do not and never did want to have any divisivene
Great job Kristi! Congratulations. And swankchick - sorry you had a bad experience. No, many of the 'old blood' aren't at all pleased to have 'new blood.' We show up how many of them have done NOTHING for years. Especially in Texas! However, for all the Party 'olds' who don't want change there are hundreds of people who are delighted that something is actually happening in their Party and moreover they're welcome, invited and get the feeling their participation is wanted! That's what we're working towards in our County - and we've made tremendous progress. Is the 'old' guard happy - no, many of them aren't. But ultimately a lot of them decide to get involved because they really are Democrats and understand the importance for America for them to work to get Barack Obama elected ..... and all those down-the-ticket Dems too! Many of the people who have taken leadership roles in the areas around me are 'not from here' and that's also a bit of a problem in the beginning. But we've built organizations and are making a difference. The Obama campaign with its tools and genius for organizing helped everyone understand that WE could do it. I'm still working on local Dems saying ''well YOU should do" such and such and converting that to WE. They haven't all grasped that its a WE situation not an us and them situation. Keep up the great work everyone. Winning this one is everything!
Most people just talk the talk and complain, but you stepped up and are running for office - that's more like the Democratic party I support!
Kudos to you. I like that your video points out how you can fund your campaign if only 3000 people donated (not a lot of people in Internet people)...
Be the difference.
Kudos for your enthusiasm, commitment, and dedication. However, please be mindful that there are thousands of us who equal, perhaps even eclipse the same...as volunteers. Having been involved in this process for many years, word of wisdom...t
That kind of reasoning is exactly what keeps people from rolling up their sleeves and becoming active to bring change. Did you consider this, and did you consider that? With that kind of attitude you'll still be considering 5 years from now and never get anything accomplished. It is exaclty in the spirit of the Obama campaign to be bold and plunge in and DO something, instead of sitting on the sidelines. You can never know all the answers when you start, but you have to start somewhere, and the sooner the better.
Being one myself who tends to consider too much and ends up missing an opportunity, I applaud Krisit for her courage and hard work. Way to go!
You should ask those more "seasoned" individuals, who there house is built to serve? Their own well being or the well being of the people of this country? Whether in the Republican or Democrat party, I've found that (with some exceptions in each of course) the established members of each organization are convinced of their own entitlement to lead and control things than they are of operating as an organization of free people acting together in the mass of people in their parties interests. Lean towards the latter half in future or get more Liebermans and might as well be neocon types in your ranks.
"Their first response was, in essence, "a stranger in our house". "
And this is the crux of the issue. There should be NO strangers in a house - it's an open door.
This isn't a club which requires hoop-jumping to join - a willing spirit, a committment to the ideals - THAT is what's necessary.
You who have 'endured', remember that it is this new blood which will allow the PARTY to endure.
Just a note: I've been involved w/ Dem politics all over the country since 1980. I'm not a newbie. But artificially inflating your status based on "time served" is practically the antithesis of Obama's campaign.
You go, girl!
You are inspiring. Thank you so much for taking a stand and making a difference in your community. Like Obama says, change comes from the bottom up and through people like you we really will make a change from these last 8 years. Love the video too! I am reposting the link because I think we all should put our money where our mouth is!
http://www
Guess what, kiddies. The more you want to change, the more things will stay the same. Charisma got Obama his shot at the White House, but deals with Emile Jones got him his shot as a Senator from Illinois. You think he won't sell out? He did before he ever got to the Senate.
It's all about power and you don't get to be President in this country until you sit down with the devil and sign your name in blood.
This is just your first big disappointment. Wait until Obama can't do 20% of what he's promised and he and McCain are promising the world.
Disillusionment, thy name is Obama.
Hey, 20% is progress and okay by me. Bush delivered 0% of what he promised. The only thing McCain will deliver is further assaults on the constitution and more corporate looters and polluters with their hands on the levers of power and fingers in the till.
It sounds like the state and local parties need to be encouraged to start a Big Brother-Big Sister program for politics. If experience is to become the benchmark of involvement, then maybe it's time that we address what type of experience we want our party workers and leaders to have, and how they can get it.
Yeah, it sucks that it sounds like the event was pre-determined, but at the same time, we all know the only thing that will change that in the future: more involvement.
ALL 75,000 seats at Mile High stadium were handed out within 24 hours! IF YOU SNOOZED FOR A NANOSECOND YOU LOST.
Actually, half the seats were allotted that way, to Colorado residents. The rest were distributed to the state parties. These were passed out in a variety of ways over the past week.
I would imagine that much of the Party is not receptive to the newly fervent Obama supporters because (a) many of them are tearing Democrats apart by spewing invective and insults towards half the Party on a regular basis (I do not include you in this group), and (b) most experienced political types assume none of you will be back if your chosen candidate loses in November.
Good for you.
I do understand your feelings. Your efforts toward challenging the status quo this end must be lauded!Just like in 1968 when the McGovernites open up to the Democratic Party to greater racial, ethic, and gender diversity, once again in 2008 the Democratic Party will have to open up to the new generation of Party activists. Not saying that everyone who has worked diligently for the Party should be pushed out, but they must find a way to make room for the new expanded Democratic Party activists. Howard Dean has challenged the Party leadership at the top, now it must be challenged from below. The Party’s moment is now! It must not be allowed to become a rump party!
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