Why Obama Supporters Need to Do More than Vote

First, the good news. Obama is one of the most gifted politicians of our lifetimes. A supremely effective manager, an inspirational speaker, and a transformative leader. An Obama victory on Tuesday will increase consumer confidence, spur the beginnings of an economic turnaround, inspire a generation of Americans, say more than has ever been said about how America has evolved when it comes to race, and dramatically change the planet's impression of our country if not of democracy itself. Having a mature, thoughtful, and principled leader as leader of the free world could well make all the difference for our future during this time of multiple international crises.

And yes. Obama may very well win handily, bringing a strong Democratic majority along with him. Most indicators suggest this to be probable.

However.

There are far too many variables for anyone to make an accurate prediction. Sure, Wednesday morning, someone will luck out and have won the political pool. Good for them. (My entry? 138 million voters. Obama by 6 percent, 350 electoral votes, 58 Democratic Senators, and 34 gained seats in the House). But given the number of newly registered voters on both sides, the massive undercurrents flowing in every direction, the volatile economy, unprecedented get out the vote machines on both side, and the extensive, hidden election day tactics planned by both camps - anyone making a prediction right now is guessing. Plain and simple.

Meanwhile, McCain has been gaining about a point a day in several daily tracking polls. And even tracking polls lag behind the public's actual feelings. We are already back within many polls' margins of error. During the primaries, Obama frequently performed slightly worse than he polled. Palin's supporters (let's be blunt. McCain does not have many supporters. He has to follow around his VP candidate to get a crowd) are angry, motivated, disciplined, and stoked up. They show up at the polls. The youth vote Obama rightfully expected to show up in early voting has not yet fully materialized. Obama's fundraising and spending advantage is showing some signs of backfiring. McCain has saved what little money he has - bravely and intelligently - for a final push, and he is expected to outspend Obama in the final days in some key states. Republicans have proven much more effective than Democrats at discouraging, discounting, or outright eliminating the other side's votes.

I worked for Gore/Lieberman in 2000. I worked for Kerry/Edwards in 2004. It is my view that both elections were stolen. It is a fool's game to think it can't happen again.

Again. I am not predicting a McCain upset. But I am saying that if you support Barack, go to the nearest HQ. Make some phone calls to swing states. If you can travel for the campaign, do. They'll find a place for you. If you can help get out the vote, if you can be a poll monitor, if you have a friend who you know does not intend to vote for Obama, but might if pushed - push. If you know an Obama supporter who might be too lazy to vote, offer to drive them to the polls. And prepare any Obama voter you know in a red state to wait a long, long time at the polls. To expect discouragement. Encourage everyone you know not listen to the news Tuesday until AFTER they've voted. Ignore predictions from the networks, they have been wrong before.

Yes, Obama supporters. Obama will most likely win. But you will enjoy his victory and the resulting benefits so much more, the more you help make it happen. And, for all anyone knows, you might, actually, make it happen.

For more details on how you can help click here.

Comments

[lobear00]

You can blame this whole fieasco on the "Democratic Congress of 2006. After what took place in the year 2000, and 2004, One would think maybe "We" the members of Congress, should put in place safeguards that prevent "Voter suppression, Voter fraud, and go after and prosecute under federal Statutes, those who would prevent free and fair elections, including those who tamper with voting machines. Give them a sentence of "life imprisionment.

[Juleannb]

I can see the change on the horizon of hope that begins January 20, 2009. Obama"s win is a win for all Americans¦though not everyone may be willing or able to see this truth.

Since April 2006 I knew in my heart Obama would win this election. I have been volunteering for Obama"s campaign and have made several thousands of calls to voters. Yesterday at our HQ we had record volunteer turnout with more than 360 people! I will be at our HQ at 6am on Election Day and invite you to join me - WE NEED YOU and cannot afford another day of what we just experienced with Bush. Our office is at 9th/Wilshire in Santa Monica and opens at 6am. Or you can log onto BarackObama.com to find the nearest office to you and sign up for our victory party that will the largest one around election night from 8pm-2am at:

Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel
2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067

Senators Feinstein and Boxer will be there among the sea of elected and appointed officials, famous and not famous people, and of course, campaign staff & volunteers, and supporters which will hopefully include YOU!

+We need change now. We need to unite the United States of America.
+I invite you to be a part of this historical election and vote for Barack Obama with me.
+Vote as if your life depended on it¦because part of it does.

[essbird]

One thing to watch out for, you election-fraud watchdogs: A byproduct of early voting is that most of it was for Obama, meaning that in swing states the exit polls of the remainder voting on Tuesday are very likely to favor McCain. This can set up the claim that a McCain victory matches the exit polls. This could be very interesting. I sure hope for a landslide.

[RonCanada]

I see a new day ahead for America. It really is very exciting. I read a comment the other day that the only way Obama could lose now would be if they caught him in bed with a live boy or a dead girl.

[vegas9999]

Here is what I see ahead tp://www.nypost.com/seven/11022008/postopinion/editorials/out_taxing_europe_136450.htm

[rayboston]

I knocked on doors in New Hampshire yesterday and I have to say that it does wonders for pre-election jitters. I feel like I at least did something rather than just fretting.

[vegas9999]

As H.L. Mencken observed, "Under democracy, one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule - and both commonly succeed, and are right

[highlyblessed]

As long as you get in line before the polls close, you will be able to vote. Just make sure you are there before the cut off time. And wait if you have to, our futures depend on it? The Alice Paul's and Lucy Burn's of our past and the civil rights have all been fought with blood shed. The opposition tried to break their spirits with humiliation and scare tactics, but they kept going and prevailed. Now it is our turn to stand with tenacity. All of us have ancestors who paid a price to vote tomorrow. Let us not forget them or let their sacrifices be in vain. They endured way more than we will ever experience tomorrow in trying to vote, so come tomorrow waiting in long lines let us try not to get discourage but rejoice in our adversity and in the joy that victory will come because of our efforts.

So go vote and don't be discouraged or deterred from voting. Get it done! And look out for one another while waiting in line. Your sign of courtesy could be persuasive in changing someone's vote to Obama.

Obama 08

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

I can't believe we call ourselves a "democracy." We are no better than a third world country, whose elections are always rigged.

Why haven't we jailed Diebold, Katherine Harris and anyone else who has tampered with elections?

[MaryHuff]

And rigged by our CIA, no less.

[exhale09]

Not untill EVERY vote is counted.

[leevntheus]

If this devolves into an unclear result Wed morning due to multitude of voter suppression tactics and Republican thievery, I expect the stock market to crash (again), the dollar to plummet, and the streets begin to burn.

[mergina]

This election is on track to be stolen again. Disenfranchised voters, purge lists, ballots tossed out, and the SLOW MOVING LINES that will get even slower on Tuesday, but only in areas that are heavy for Obama. This election is not won by a long shot. Don't you wonder why so many Republicans are grinning with that evil glimmer in their eyes?

[acegirl81]

So we need to work our asses off so they can steal the election again, as they did in 2000 and 2004? What we need is a plan for when its announced that McCain has somehow defied all the odds for an upset. We need to get lawyers in place and make sure that Obama does not concede anything. We need a plan to take to the streets if need be.

[cruisepuppy7452a]

I will be on deck maiking calls tommorrow, working the polls tues am and througout the day, I think the Obamma people are doing great. You can see it one of two ways here. Ya push too hard at the last minute it will come back to bite you, if you push too lightly, it will bite you as well. I see this as the chance to reach out to the voters who need a ride to the polls, to make arrangements, as a good will gesture. Ya get more flies with honey than with hard core pushing. People know who they will vote for, may not tell ya, but they know. So use this time to speak to anyone in need of a ride. Trust me, works every time.

[pychicfakes]

going to knock on some doors tomorrow.

[lemonyashes]

I got my 16 yr. old to knock on doors with me today.

[kellygrrrl]

"McCain has been gaining a point a day"
Whether this is accurate or not does NOT matter!
Perhaps it is just the narrative, the "Set-Up," in order to pass off the steal.
We must fight like we are tied right now!

GOTV!