Illinois is not considered a battleground state for the Obama campaign. However, that does not mean that there isn't plenty of work to be done by the First Women for Obama Camp and Northwest Suburbs for Obama group which includes communities northwest of Chicago. The event tonight was hosted at the home, Michele Hardman, an organizer for First Women for Obama Camp and supported by organizer, Matt Flamm from Northwest Suburbs for Obama. The purpose of the meeting tonight was to organize their efforts and to watch the much anticipated first debate.
Attendees are greeted at the door by Michele and her tiny ambassador Darcy, a marbled tabby with a friendly disposition. Chips, dips, cheeses, lasagnas, and even BBQ ribs enticed the attendees to the table and encouraged conversation to flow. As I chatted with people, I found that for many, this was the first time they had ever attended an event like this.
Andy, a friendly man of middling years, wanted to find people who shared his views. He went to www.barackobama.com , and found this event less than half an hour from his house. Carol, a woman who appeared to be in her sixties, was encouraged to come by her friend. She stated that this was the first presidential election that she had felt the urgency to participate to this degree. Tom, who is in his seventies and has a daughter with a significant disability, has known Matt Flamm for many years and was happy to be a part of this group. Tom said that the effective use of technology and a candidate with a powerful message is what has made the difference in this election. He went on to say that it has brought people out that normally would not have participated in the process.
The meeting started with Michele greeting her guests and encouraging people to participate. With genuine earnestness she urged, "Give one day for this campaign. This country is not going to change without people like you!"
Phone banks, letter writing campaigns, letters to the editor, and canvassing were ways that people could contribute in nearby swing states such as Wisconsin and Iowa. There were those willing to go as far as Ohio for a day. Ohio has an initiative called Golden Week which runs from September 30th through October 6th where residents are encouraged to register and cast their vote the same day.
Other suggestions were making your own lawn signs and bumper stickers, tying a purple ribbon around trees. Michele explained that purple symbolizes unity of people, not just Democrats and Republicans. There is an abundance of purple ribbon that can be found anywhere and at a minimal cost.
The last item they discussed was "Get Out the Vote" drive, which occurs on November 1st through Election Day November 4th. The goal is to encourage people to register and go to the polls. In some cases, encouraging volunteers to pick up voters and take them to the polling places.
Matt Flamm ended just before the debate with encouraging words on active citizenry, "Don't just watch this campaign happen, be a part of it."
After the debate, there were mixed feelings. Tom commented that McCain did better than expected. Another gentleman named Chris, wanted Obama to do more to refute McCain's misrepresentation of his record. He suggested that Obama enlist the fact checkers as a way of combating McCain's attacks. Matt was pleased that Obama came across more aggressive than in the past. Betty, a woman who looked to be in her late twenties, early thirties, commented that Obama came across as a lot more decisive compared to previous debates.
Matt issued the question, "Who won the debate?"
Most said Obama, but a few thought it was even.
After the discussion, Matt asked, "Did the debate convince you to do more for the campaign?" Many heads nodded.
The meeting ended with a call to action. Nearly everyone raised their hand at some point during the process whether it was to help with canvassing, the phone banks, or writing letters.
As I looked around the room, I could see the intense focus. There were people of all ages and backgrounds in that room. There were young and old, long time citizens, and citizens that immigrated from afar. There were white collar, blue collar, and green collar workers. There were some who were had more and those who had less. For all their diversity, there are common values. Values that cross all those boundaries. It is those values that bind them together to this one moment, to this one purpose.
For many this is an awakening to their own power as a people in a democratic society and the belief that when the many band together as one voice, they will be heard. That is an inspiring thing to see no matter how you end up voting.