Obama Camp Makes Gains In California Ground War

With a southern wind at his back, Barack Obama is surging in California. Nine days from the primary, Obama California is waging day-to-day skirmishes to take the lead from Hillary Clinton, who has so far prevailed in this state but is slowly losing ground. Over the weekend and through Monday, the Obama grassroots has been on the offensive. All day Saturday, long before the polls closed in South Carolina, Obama California held a statewide phone bank in thirteen field offices with a goal of 100,000 calls and a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Not only did volunteers make 220,000 calls but also they targeted the "decline to state" voters, who in California can participate in the Democratic Primary.

By Sunday, the Obama Campaign was holding a conference call with the press to announce the California Truth Squad, which will be quick "to respond to misleading negative attacks from the Clinton Campaign." Unless the Clintons harbor a political death wish, likely they have already set a new course, with a new tone--same as they did after Iowa. Therefore, the California Truth Squad may never muster; nevertheless, the nine pols, led by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, are ready--just as the Obama Campaign, stung, and perceiving, rightly or wrongly, that they were the object of dirty tricks at the Nevada caucuses, sent out the call nationwide for lawyers to come to South Carolina to monitor the voting. On Sunday, the San Francisco Chronicle endorsed Obama and thereby brought to twenty the senator's endorsements from California newspapers (to date, Clinton and Edwards have one endorsement each). Yet more evidence that the Clintons' and their surrogates' misstatements and insinuations about Obama have backfired is this reasoning from the Chronicle editorial board in making their decision: "Especially in recent days, her [Clinton's] campaign has shown the sharp elbows that evoke the ugly underside of the Clinton years. . . ."

Now more California politicians are jumping on the Barack Express. Also Sunday, Xavier Becerra, the ranking Latino in the House of Representatives and assistant to Nancy Pelosi, announced his endorsement of Obama. Suddenly, California Latinos are coming out of the woodwork. Just before the South Carolina primary, state senate majority leader Gloria Romero was made a national co-chair of the campaign. By Monday noon, Joe Coto (chair of the CA Latino Caucus), Nicole Parra, Gilbert Cedillo and Dean Florez--all state legislators--were standing with Romero on the steps of the state Capitol in Sacramento to speak out, in both English and Spanish (Univision was rolling the camera), in a press conference for Obama. Why these folks didn't start campaigning last fall is the big question, but one drowned out by the bigger endorsements of the day from Ted Kennedy, his niece Caroline and Toni Morrison. Topping this good news--if such a thing is possible nine days out from primary--is the four million dollars the Obama Campaign raised online over the weekend.

Saturday through Monday, between press conference calls on subjects ranging from Latino Outreach to economics, I traveled from one Obama event to another, trying to get a sense of where, after South Carolina, his campaign stands in California. On the one hand, despite all the good news, the task is daunting. So many voters here just are not that familiar with Barack Obama and certainly have never taken his measure in person. Some Californians--but only a fraction, given the state's population--will get a chance to see him at several events, yet to be determined, when he comes for the Democratic Debate three days from now in Los Angeles. A campaign fundraiser Sunday night brought home to me how little people here know about Obama. This was a gathering of well-heeled Berkeley intelligentsia, a $1000 a person soiree which the hostess thought might bring out fifty people. At least 150 professors, scientists, writers and artists crammed a South Berkeley brown shingle house to hear Tobias Wolff, Michael Chabon, Dave Eggers and Daniel Handler testify to their Obamic conversions. In conversation with attendees, however, I was surprised how little many of them knew about the Obama Campaign so far and more importantly about Obama himself. If Berkeley's best-educated haven't had the time or the inclination to acquaint themselves with the facts, what about the rest of California? This is and always has been the disadvantage for Barack Obama: his opponent is so much better known than he.

On the other hand, many Californians, piqued by Obama's successes in Iowa and South Carolina as well as the slew of new and glittering endorsements, are--to use one of the campaign's favorite epithets--low-hanging fruit. Some of these may have been turned off by the Clintons' tactics of late; some may have heard either the Iowa or South Carolina victory speech. I don't know the backstory of the lady who paused at the foot of the north steps of the Capitol Monday as the Obama press conference was setting up. She was walking her little black poodle, and since I like dogs, I fell into conversation with her. She asked me what was going on; after I explained, she asked me a few things about Obama. The press conference was running behind, and eventually I turned away to talk with some of the other reporters. Fifteen minutes later, the event began with a group portrait (good for a few seconds in the evening news) of Obama supporters, legislators and locals alike, on the steps. In the group, cradling Jasper (poodle) in one arm and an Obama placard in the other, stood the dogwalker. If enough Obama Californians reach out to neighbors and colleagues--and the random dogwalker--the senator can come close to winning here. Such proselytizing is easier said than done; it really is Jehovah's Witness kind of work. It's hard to picture the crowd at the South Berkeley fundraiser approaching peers at the university and the think tank, Novartis and Pixar, the tennis club and the produce market. But that's what it's going to take.

Comments

[lovethesinner]

For those who haven't done so yet, here's the SF Gate interview in audio:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=5&entry_id=23636

This audio gives a clue as to why Obama has gained a reputation as a person who is most effective at bringing about change. I'm not sure why I didn't notice it before because I've been a musician all my life.

Obama's voice is actually "melodious". (Not to rub it in, but Hillary's voice is, by comparison, "melodious" just without the "mel".)

I listened to the entire interview (about thirty minutes long) because I like to practice my guitar while listening to somebody talk. (long story, I won't bore you)

After about fifteen minutes, I was practicing the chords to a jazz tune from the fifties (The Plain But Simple Truth, by Oscar Pettiford) and I realized that the tone of Obama's voice was a lot like the tenor saxophone that plays the melody. (Lucky Thompson)

Maybe people are persuaded to come around to his side of an argument simply because they are not offended, or more importantly, becuause they enjoy listening to it. Maybe that's what makes the difference in American politics:

Having a voice people are willing to listen to long enough to hear your side of the argument.

I know you Hillary supporters are sick of Ronald Reagan comparisons, but, if you were alive during his presidency, you will remember that his nickname was "The Great Communicator."

Obama in '08

[elsylee]

Check out the article “White Voters with a Side of Hispanics” on the blogzine Savage Politics. Awesome discussion/analysis on the current Democrat and GOP candidates and their eligibility.

www.savagepolitics.com

Here is an excerpt: “Florida Primary was a very important episode in the drama in which both the Republican and Democrat Parties are unfolding towards the Presidency of the United States. It also dramatically demonstrated the incredible bias that the Media continues to display towards the Democratic hopeful Barack Obama, in spite of all the evidence pointing to his lack of viability. From MSNBC’s Chris Mathews, who openly stated the day before that any Network that decided to report on the Democratic voting results in Florida was proving a “gross” favoritism for Hillary (ironically enough his Network ended up having to cover it nevertheless), to CNN’s pundits, who continuously utilized the exact same rhetoric that the Obama Campaign was spewing to excuse their defeat (”Beauty Pageant” was their favorite phrase, with all the sexist connotations it implies). All the same, the Florida results in the Democratic side were overwhelmingly favorable to Hillary Clinton, who won a 50% margin, to Obama’s 33%, Edwards’ 14%, and Gravel’s 1%. On the Republican side, it was John McCain who came out victorious with a 36% margin, to Romney’s 31%, Giuliani’s 15%, Huckabee’s 14%, and Paul’s 3%. Let’s discuss each Party’s results and their realistic consequence.
First, we have the very significant victory of John McCain. His candidacy was, from the very start, labeled as a failure due to his unpopularity amongst most “base” Republicans, much of it owed to McCain’s overwhelmingly dubious record on Conservative issues. His notorious tendency to side with multiple (highly despised) Democrats on issues like Immigration, Bush’s Tax Cuts and other measures, have always been enough to marginalize him from even the “moderate wing” within his Party. Still, when the Florida Exit Polls are analyzed, they reflect many unexpected re-alignments in his favor. Evangelical/Born Again Christians voted for John McCain in a 30% margin, in comparison to…” rest of the article at http://savagepolitics.com/?p=64

[AnninCA]

Hillary is holding strong. Average is up by 12 points over Obama.

He might take No. Cal. unless someone asks him about his stance on gay marriage and other relevant issues.

Now, that would be an answer I'd love to hear.

[Svenson]

If I am a Latino mother no son of mine would show any disrespect to a lady by turning his back on her.

If I am a white mother who had a son with a black man, he would not be going around calling himself a black man when it suits him and not to acknowledge his other white half.

Obama is using the race card by calling himself a black man when it suits him to win votes

He calls for change when it suits him and sleep with the oldest establishment if it suits him to win a few votes.

If I am a white mother who has a son with a black man, and the press and the media call him a black man, I would be very offended by that racist remark. That is using and playing racism.

Calling my son's changing record on Iraq a 'fairy tale' in not a racist remark. Calling my son's 'present' voting record is not a racist remark.

[Inaru]

We're working hard here in CA, and since we got Kennedy's endorsement, more are coming out for Obama. We've got a lot more than the wine-and-cheese crowd volunteering and supporting Barack.

At our phone bank party, at a black woman's house (and a writer, just published her first novel at 60!), were 3 white women from their 20s to 60s, 2 white men one in his 20s another in his 40s, 3 black women, besides the hostess, from their 20s to 60s [who were helping the homeless before the phonebank!], a 50 yr old Latina, and an Asian 18 year old young man, all of varying means. Oh, and two kids, elementary school age black boys who were very happy and cooperative so we could get our calls done. We had fabulous jambalaya and baked chicken and salad. We made about 750 calls in about 3 hours, in-between celebrating South Carolina for Obama!

We call every day, appear at schools and local events. We'll be out by the busiest streets with our signs, screaming and shouting for Barack, on Super Tuesday.

Heck, today I got a young white man who liked Ron Paul but wasn't happy with Hillary or the rest of the Republicans to commit to vote for Barack, because he's grown to like him as he gets to know him - and because he wants to stop the Clintons.

I've been doing this for weeks. The last few weeks have soured lots of folks on the Clintons. They are not the Clintons California knew and loved in the 90s. Add the Kennedy endorsements, and Obama shines more every day in folks' eyes. Don't count Obama out, not by a longshot!

[jrterrier]

The only negative attacks run in this campaign are those by Obama and his surrogates who have accused the Clintons of racism. And even compared them to Lee Atwater.

While many Obama supporters continue to claim that the Clinton campaign has misstated the facts, there is not a single instance which you can point to.

The comments about Obama's position on the Iraq war are completely accurate. In fact, since he reached the Senate Obama's votes have been identical to Hillary when it comes to Iraq. The only difference is when he absented himself from the vote on the Iranian Republican Army -- that is a weasel act. He wanted to have it both ways so he could continue to appear to be consistent on this issue.

It's easy for someone to say what they might have done. The hard part comes when you actually have to make a decision. Just like the 6 times when he claimed to have pulled the wrong lever in the Illinois senate so that in fact he was able to claim that he meant to vote with the Democrats when he in fact voted with the Republicans not to override a veto that cut off funding for poor children. The LA Times ran a big story on this. He actually chided the Dems for not being fiscally responsible. When called on it by the Dems, he stated he'd made a mistake.

To quote one of my heroes, "Give me a break!"

[Blaaksky]

I got my California absentee ballot just before the Nevada caucases. Enough lying and dirty campaigning by the Clintons had happened for me to see who I needed to vote for. Obama was the man. I mailed my ballot so fast I couldn't see straight.

So, I too believe that enough people were able to get a good idea that Obama is the one who is honest, has integrity and is the best leader for this country. I wouldn't count him out here in California.

Plus, the columnist of the article above is right. I was one of the thousands of Obama supporters last weekend to call 220,000 people. Something is moving here!

And don't forget. The Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy endorsements were covered nationally. And Caroline currently has a commercial playing regularly here in California. If people didn't know Obama before, they know him now. This is going to be a fun race come Tuesday!

[SubparDude]

:
Let me assure you, Obama has an incredible ground-level precinct based volunteer base that is focused on turnout for Declined to State and Independent voters.

Hey World: Get ready for the
FEB FIVE SURPRISE!

---San Diego
:

[union79]

Interesting description of what's up in Ca. from one persons point of view. Reminds me that political movements start from the bottom up by hardworking people wanting change.

[EvereaderinSC]

I spoke to my mom in NY yesterday & pretty much talked her out of voting for Hillary. She lives in NY, has lots of elderly friends & is VERY interested in politics.
There's a good chance she may go to work on her bridge ladies up there. She likes what Hillary has done in NY but is also open to what's happening right now. She'll probably win my dad over to Obama too. He don't think he was ever much of a Hillary supporter.
My mom can't stand the thought of Bill lingering around the WH offices with lots of time on his hands...

[semorg]

Obama just tiled HRC at Connecticut in the latest poll. Remember she was ahead by 20 or more points in Iowa, NH, NV and SC, what happened to those...

[DapperDan]

Thanks for the perspective from 'on the ground.' I agree that time is not on his side so it comes down to name recognition where Hillary has Barack beat. But stranger things have happened.

Ignore the snipers on this website. It's amazing how much hatred and nastiness abound these days.

[Lazslo]

Thank you Mayhill. We're watching very closely at CA all week.

[mon4america]

Cynics love to say "change doesn't come from one person." But there is no doubt that Obama is infectious and electrifying. I read an article today from a Supreme Court attorney endorsing Obama. He said in the halls of congress where lawyers for Guantanamo detainees are looking for help in their cases, Obama is one of the only senators openly willing to help thier causes. Other senators like to play poitics, fearing that helpin restore haebeus corpus will be used against them poilitically.

[Gerahufff]

I can't believe people think that actual change in Washington will come from a Democratic candidate. True change will come when there is a viable third party in this country. The two party system has failed us and we have the Democrats as much as the Republicans to blame for this. The Democrats are cowards. If they wanted change they would make it possible for a third party to emerge from the fringe....